Adenosine Triphosphate ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Mitochondria, Heart ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo explore the theory of "Fei and Dachang being interior-exteriorly related" and the pathogenesis of lung injury by observing changes of inflammatory cytokines and oxygen free radicals in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats.

METHODSTotally 50 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, the normal control group and the model group, 25 rats in each group. The UC model was established by allergizing colon mucosa combined with TNBS-alcohol (50%) enema. Another 25 rats were recruited as the normal control group. At week 2 and 4 after modeling, the pathomorphological changes of the lung were observed. Furthermore, the contents of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-1beta were determined by ELISA. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated with colorimetry.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the pathomorphology of the lung tissue in the model group appeared abnormal at week 2 and 4. Compared with the normal control group, levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and MDA in the lung tissue significantly increased in the model group (P < 0. 01) and the activities of SOD significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTNF-alpha, IL-1beta, SOD, and MDA might be common material bases for the large intestine involved in lung disease of UC patients, thus providing a modern scientific basis for the theory of Fei and Dachang being interior-exteriorly related.

Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

To establish a LC-MS/MS method to determine the concentrations of liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, amygdalin, amygdalin prunasin, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and methylephedrine of Maxing Shigan decoction in rat plasma, and study the differences on their pharmacokinetic process in normal rats and RSV pneumonia model rats. After normal rats and RSV pneumonia model rats were orally administered with Maxing Shigan decoction, the blood was collected from retinal vein plexus of different time points. Specifically, tetrahydropalmatine was taken as internal standard for determining ephedrine, while chloramphenicol was taken as internal standard for determining other components. After plasma samples were pre-treated as the above, the supernatant was dried with nitrogen blowing concentrator and then redissolved with methylalcohol. The chromatography was eluted with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid solution in a gradient manner. ESI sources were adopted to scan ingredients in ephedra in a positive ion scanning mode and other ingredientsin a negative ion scanning mode. The multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) method was developed the plasma concentration of each active component. The pharmacokinetic parameters of each group were calculated by using Win-Nonlin 4.1 software and put into the statistical analysis. The result showed the plasma concentration of the eight active ingredients, i.e., liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, amygdalin, amygdalin prunasin, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and methylephedrine within the ranges of 1.04-1040, 1.04-1040, 0.89-445, 1.05-4200, 1.25-2490, 0.3-480, 0.3-480, 0.3-480 microg x L(-1), with a good linearity and satisfactory precision, recovery and stability in the above ingredients. After modeling, except for glycyrrhetinic acid whose pharmacokinetic parameters were lacked due to the data missing, all of the rest components showed significant higher Cmax, AUC(0-1) and lower clearance rate (CL) than that of the normal group, indicating the increase in absorption in rats in the pathological state by reducing the clearance rate. The method is accurate and sensitive and so can be used to determine the plasma concentrations of the eight active ingredients in Maxing Shigan decoction. RSV pneumonia-infected rats absorbed more ingredients in Maxing Shigan decoction.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Aim To identify the potential biomarkers associated with carbon tetrachloride(CCl 4 )-induced a-cute hepatic injury in rats and explore the therapeutic effect of Hugan Tablets(HGT). Methods The model was established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 in oil(1 : 1,V/ V)with a dosage of 1 mL·kg - 1 body weight to rats once. The levels of aspartate aminotrans-ferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),alka-line phosphatase (ALP ) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)in serum of rats were determined. Moreover,a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR)based metabonomic approach in combination with multivariate data analysis was applied to demonstrate CCl4-induced acute hepatic injury metabolic perturbations in rat urine and feces and identify the corresponding metabolic bio-markers. The intervention effect of HGT was evaluated based on the changes of metabolic phenotype and po-tential biomarkers related to acute hepatic injury. Re-sults The levels of AST,ALT,ALP and LDH in ser-um of rats with acute hepatic injury were significantly reduced by administration of HGT,respectively. The disturbed metabolic state associated with CCl4-induced acute hepatic injury in rat urine and feces could be re-stored by HGT. Meanwhile,five potential biomarkers (2-oxoglutarate,citrate,creatinine,trimethylamine N-oxide,hippurate)in rat urine and three potential bio-markers(butyrate,glucose,uracil)in rat feces related to acute hepatic injury were reversed by administration of HGT,respectively. Conclusion HGT exerts pro-tective effects against CCl4-induced acute hepatic inju-ry in rats,which is probably mediated by regulation of tricarboxylic acid cycle and gut microbiota metabolism.

AIMTo study the preparation of bovine serum albumin nanoparticles surface-modified with glycyrrhizin(BSA-NP-GL) targeting to hepatocytes.

METHODSThe bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BSA-NP) were prepared by desolvation process. Glycyrrhizin (GL) was oxidized by sodium periodate to be conjugated to surface reactive amino groups (SRAG) of the BSA-NP. The SRAG were quantified by spectrophotometric method using 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid(TNBS). Glycyrrhetinic acid(GA) hydrolyzed from GL, which was on the surface of BSA-NP-GL was assayed by HPLC after isolation by sephadex G-50. Both methods were used to verify the conjugation achieved. HPLC was used to determine surface density of GL on BSA-NP-GL.

RESULTSThe amount of SRAG of the BSA-NP-GL decreased by 19.6% compared with normal BSA-NP. The amount of GL molecule was 9.2% of the total determined SRAG of BSA-NP. The mean diameter of the BSA-NP-GL was 73 nm with round shape. The stability of BSA-NP-GL was constant when it was stored at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C during 10 days.

CONCLUSIONBSA-NP-GL was successfully prepared, which is considered to establish an experimental foundation for further research on its ability for targeting to hepatocytes.

Cross-Linking Reagents ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; Particle Size ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Surface Properties ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; Female ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1) gene nonsynonymous cSNP and the genetic susceptibility of esophageal cancer.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and Allele-Specific PCR (AS-PCR) were employed to assess the polymorphism of NQO1 genes both in 106 patients with esophageal cancer and control subjects matched by age, gender and origin.

RESULTSIt was shown that no C/C genotype was found at 406 of NQO1. The allelic frequency of NQO1 609T was significantly higher in patients with esophageal cancer than in the control subjects (P < 0.005) and the individuals with 609T allelic genotype of NQO1 gene were at greater risk to develop esophageal cancer (OR = 4.76, 95% CI = 1.064 - 3.397). But Individuals with mutant allele of NQO1 465 genotype did not show the rising risk of esophageal cancer.

CONCLUSIONSThe NQO1 C609T polymorphisms should likely be associated with the genetic susceptibility of esophageal cancer.

Alleles ; China ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sustained-release alpha-lipoic acid tablets (SRLA) on blood lipid, glucose and insulin levels in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits.

METHODSTwenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet + SRLA (300 mg/tablet) group with corresponding feed. At the beginning and 4 weeks after the feeding, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood glucose, and serum insulin were measured, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated.

RESULTSFour weeks after feeding with high-fat diet, the insulin levels was elevated and the ISI lowered in the New Zealand rabbits, indicating successful establishment of the animal model of hyperlipidemia. Compared with the high-fat diet group, the serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C and insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the ISI was significantly increased (P<0.05) in high fat diet + SRLA group. But no statistically significant difference was found in the blood glucose among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONSRLA can significantly correct blood lipid and insulin disorders in hyperlipidemic New Zealand rabbits and prevent the occurrence of insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Insulin ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Thioctic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficiency and safety of two-micron laser resection of the prostate-tangerine technique (TmLRP-TT) for the treatment of large-volume ( > 70 ml) prostate in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSThis retrospective analysis included 80 BPH patients with the prostatic volume larger than 70 ml, all treated by TmLRP-TT. We comparatively analyzed the levels of hemoglobin and serum sodium before and after surgery, recorded intra- and post-operative com- plications, and followed up the patients at 6 and 12 months after operation for International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), maximum flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR).

RESULTSAll the operations were successfully completed. The mean hemoglobin decreased (0.68 +/- 0.43) g/dl intraoperatively, but no apparent reduction was observed in serum sodium. Lower urinary tract symptoms were relieved significantly in all the cases. At 12 months after surgery, IPSS was decreased by 73.89% as compared with the baseline (20.03 +/- 6.9 vs 5.23 +/- 3.59), QOL by 64.55% (4.09 +/- 1.19 vs 1.45 +/- 1.36), and PVR by 79.30% (97.31 +/- 57.90 vs 20.14 +/- 24.20 ml), while Qmax increased by 140.42% ([8.04 +/- 3.62] vs [19.33 +/- 3.28] ml/s). The incidence of complications was low either intraoperatively or during the 12 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONTmLRP-TT is a safe and effective surgical endoscopic approach to the treatment of large-volume prostate in BPH patients.

Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy often results in potentially life-threatening side effects including hypotension. However, the mechanism has not been completely elucidated. In order to determine whether IL-2 modifies vascular tone, we investigated the effect of IL-2 on rat thoracic aorta rings and the underlying mechanisms. Effects of IL-2 on the contraction of high KCl and phenylephrine (PE) preconstricted rat thoracic aorta with or without endothelium were determined by organ bath technique. To explore the mechanism, nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylyl cyclase inhibitor methylene blue, and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin were used. IL-2 (10-1000 U/ml) caused concentration-dependent relaxation of aorta rings preconstricted with PE (10 micromol/L) in endothelium-intact rings, but had no effect on KCl (120 mmol/L) preconstricted rings. Removal of the endothelium, or pretreatment with L-NAME (0.1 mmol/L) or methylene blue (10 micromol/L) or indomethacin (10 micromol/L), inhibited the relaxation of IL-2. The results indicate that the relaxation by IL-2 in rat aorta ring is endothelium-dependent and is possibly mediated by the NO-guanylyl cyclase pathway and cyclooxygenase-dependent pathway.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors ; pharmacology ; Guanylate Cyclase ; metabolism ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Male ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology