OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effect of integrative medicine for treatment of systematic lupu erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSTotally 110 cases of SLE were randomized into two groups, 50 in the control group and 60 in the treated group, both were treated with prednisone, but to the treated group, integrative medica treatment was given additionally according to syndrome differentiation. The course for both groups was 6 months. Clinical symptoms, immunological indexes, peripheral blood figure, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatinine (Cr) in blood, and 24 h urinary total protein (u-TP/24 h) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSOf the 60 patients in the treated group, the treatment on 29 was evaluated as clinical remission, 18 as remarkably effective, 9 as effective, and 4 as ineffective, the total effective rate being 93.33% (56/60), while that in the control group was clinical remission in 11, remarkably effective in 10, effective in 19, ineffective in 10 respectively, and the total effective rate 80% (40/50), the difference on total ef fective rate between the two groups was significant (chi2 = 4.36, P <0.05). Besides, the improvement in the treated group was superior to that in the control group in terms of clinical symptoms such as fever, arthralgia and baldness (P <0.05, P <0.01); the negative reversion rate of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA, 51.3% vs 28.1%), antidouble-stranded DNA (ds-DNA, 53.6% vs 26.1%), anti- ribonucleoprotein (RNP, 63.2% vs 29.4%) and circulating immnue complexes (CIC, 63.2% vs 29.4%, all P <0.05); lowering of immunoglobulin (for IgG, P < 0.05; IgA, P <0.01; IgM, P <0.01); as well as bettering in peripheral blood figure, ESR, CRP, Cr and u-TP/24 h (P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntegrative medical treatment is obviously effective for SLE patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Blood Sedimentation ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the relationship of expression and the effect of preoperative radiotherapy of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and pyruvate kinase M-2 (PKM2) in rectal carcinoma.Methods Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of ET-1 and PKM2 proteins of rectal cancer tissues in 96 cases.The expressions of ET-1 and PKM2 were analyzed with the effect of preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer tissue.Results The high expression of ET-1 protein was 59 cases (61.46％).The high expression of PKM2 proteins was 54 cases (56.25％).The high expressions of ET-1 and PKM2 protein were worsen the effect of tumor regressive grade (TRG) than lower expressions of those after preoperative radiotherapy of rectal cancer tissue (P ＜ 0.05).The protein expression of ET-1 and PKM2 were positively correlated (P =0.006).Conclusions The high expressed ET-1 and PKM2 proteins in rectal cancer are closely related to preoperative radiotherapy resistance.ET-1 and PKM2 proteins are expected to become new targets of radiotherapy sensitivity and radiotherapy sensitization of rectal cancer.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Nickel ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDL-glutamate (L-GLU) is a major neurotransmitter in the nucleus ambiguus (NA), which can modulate respiration, arterial pressure, heart rate, etc. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of L-GLU microinjected into NA on gastric motility in rats.

METHODSA latex balloon connected with a pressure transducer was inserted into the pylorus through the forestomach for continuous recording of the gastric motility. The total amplitude, total duration, and motility index of gastric contraction waves within 5 minutes before microinjection and after microinjection were measured.

RESULTSL-GLU (5 nmol, 10 nmol and 20 nmol in 50 nl normal saline (PS) respectively) microinjected into the right NA significantly inhibited gastric motility, while microinjection of physiological saline at the same position and the same volume did not change the gastric motility. The inhibitory effect was blocked by D-2-amino-5-phophonovalerate (D-AP5, 5 nmol, in 50 nl PS), the specific N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonist, but was not influenced by 6-cyaon-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-(1H,4H)-dione (CNQX) (5 nmol, in 50 nl PS), the non-NMDA ionotropic receptor antagonist. Bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy abolished the inhibitory effect by microinjection of L-GLU into NA.

CONCLUSIONSMicroinjection of L-GLU into NA inhibits the gastric motility through specific NMDA receptor activity, not non-NMDA receptor activity, and the efferent pathway is the vagal nerves.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate ; pharmacology ; 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; drug effects ; Glutamic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Vagotomy

Objective To explore role of 64-slices spiral CT in differetiation of acute chest pains.Methods Thirty six patients with acute chest pains were performed 64-slices spiral CT chest angiography.Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed in all patients by means of multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)(coronal,sgittal oblique),curved planar reformation(CPR), maximum intensity projection(MIP),and volume rendering(VR).All images were blindly reading by two experienced radiologist.DSA were performed at the same time in 16 cases.Results The coronary artery branches,pulmonary artery and aortic artery in all patients were showed clearly,The acute myocardial infarction were showed in 10 cases,The pulmonary artery embolism in 14 cases,The aortic dissection in 6 cases respectively,The Coronary embolism in One case ,pneumothorax In One case The constrictive pericarditis in 1 case respectively.Normal findings in 4 cases.Conclusion 64-slices spiral CT is a useful and noninvasive examination in acute chest pain.

A cDNA sequence coding for ovine inhibin N terminal 1-33 AA residue fragment (INH) was inserted between BamHI\SacI sites in plasmid pRSET-A to generate plasmid pR-INH. By utilizing a pair of isocaudamer BamHI and Bgl II sites and another downstream Hind III site, following simple double digestions and combination ligation of the resultant products, 2 to 6-repeat INH genes were constructed respectively. Each plamids containing 3 to 6 repeated INH fragment genes, pR-3INH, pR-4INH, pR-5INH and pR-6INH, directed expression of the target proteins in E. coli. BL21 (DE3) under induction of ITPG, which respectively accounted for 6%, 6%, 7% and 8% of the total bacterial protein. The expressed target proteins were all in the form of inclusion bodies. The above results implied that utilization of isocaudamer restriction disgetion sites in expression plasmid is capable of rapidly and correctly constructing repeat fragment polymer of short peptides, which may become a new method in construction of high immunogenic recombinant vaccines of short peptides.
Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Inhibins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Peptide Fragments ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Polymers ; chemistry ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Sheep

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Yufeining, a traditional Chinese medicine, on induced sputum interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the stable phase.

METHODSThirty-six patients with COPD were divided into trial group (18 cases) and control group (18 cases) randomly. The trial group was treated with Yufeining pills taken orally for half a year; the control group was not given any medicine. Routine lung function was recorded before and after treatment. Total cell count (TCC), differential cell counts (DCCs) and IL-8 in induced sputum were determined at the baseline and 6 months later.

RESULTSThe indices of lung function improved significantly after 6 months' treatment in trial group (P < 0.05); TCC and absolute neutrophil count decreased significantly compared with baseline in the trial group (P < 0.05); Sputum IL-8 concentration dropped significantly after 6 months' treatment, from a mean of 5.216 +/- 2.914 microg/L to 4.222 +/- 2.140 microg/L (P < 0.05). There were insignificant changes in the parameters in the control group between baseline and 6 months later.

CONCLUSIONYufeining could improve lung function, decrease sputum TCC, absolute neutrophil count and IL-8 concentration, and relieve airway inflammation in patients with COPD in the stable phase.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; analysis ; immunology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Sputum ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effect of 1 800 MHz electromagnetic radiation on activity of SOD and GSH－Px in the skin tissues of SD rats.Methods A total of 98 healthy SD rats with SPF level,aged 4 weeks, were randomly divided into radiation group and control group.The radiation group was totally exposed under 1 800 MHz electromagnetic wave with seven different power density of radiation of 0.1 mW/cm2,0.3 mW/cm2,0.5 mW/cm2 , 0.7 mW/cm2, 0.9 mW/cm2, 1.0 mW/cm2and 1.2 mW/cm2respectively.It lasted 21 days and for a period of 12 hours a day. After radiation,the activity of SOD and GSH－Px in the skin tissues were detected by enzyme marker. Results In radiation group,the activity of SOD and GSH－Px in the skin tissues of SD rats were decreased under 0.3 mW/cm2and 0.5 mW/cm21 800 MHz electromagnetic wave. Compared with the control group, there was a significantly difference in radiation group (P＜0.05) .While under other four 1 800 MHz electromagnetic waves, the activity of GSH－Px and SOD in the skin tissues showed no statistical difference between the two groups (P＞0.05) . Under 1 mW/cm21 800 MHz electromagnetic wave, the activity of GSH－Px showed no statistical difference between two groups (P＞0.05) . Conclusion The power density of 0.3 mW/cm2and 0.5 mW/cm21 800 MHz electromagnetic wave can reduce the activity of GSH－Px and SOD in the skin tissues of rats.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Chinese herbal compound on variance of neurotransmitters in rat telencephalon and to further discuss the mechanism underlying Chinese herbal compound in improving exercise capacity and promoting recovery from exercise-induced fatigue.

METHODS64 rats (8 week old) were randomly divided into medicine group (MG) and control group (CG). Chinese herbal compound was administered to rats of MG for 8 weeks. 8 weeks later, every group was divided into 4 subgroups and all were killed at different time point separately, and then neurotransmitter in rat brain was tested.

RESULTSThe exhaustion time of MG was significantly longer than that in CG (P < 0.01). In rest conditions, glutamic acid (GLU) of MG was significantly higher than that in CG (P < 0.01), while, there were no significant differences between MG and CG in other indexes. After fixed quantitative load exercise, the content of 5-hydroxytryptamineZZ(5-HT), 5-hydroindole acetic (5-HIAA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), Dopamine (DA) and 5-HT/5-HIAA were significantly lower than those in CG, while, GLU, GLU/GABA and DA/5-HT were significantly higher than those in CG. Compared with CG, exhaustion significantly (P < 0.05) decreased 5-HT, GABA and 5-HT/5-HIAA, and significantly (P<0.05) increased GLU, DA/5-HT and GLU/GABA level in MG. 12 h after exhaustion, in contrast to CG, level of 5-HT and 5-HT/5-HIAA in MG were significantly (P < 0.01) lower while GLU, DA, GABA and DA/5-HT were significantly (P < 0.01) higher.

CONCLUSIONDuring exhaustion exercise, Chinese herbal compound demonstrated strong inhibiting effect on synthesis of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, DA, GABA and promoting effect on GLU synthesis, this had been confirmed by the combined effect, including increase of excitatory transmitter and excitability of central nervous system and the prolongation of exhaustion time and promoting recovery from fatigue.

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biogenic Monoamines ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ; metabolism ; Male ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Physical Exertion ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Telencephalon ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of Qiangxin Fumai granule (QFG, an effective Chinese composite drug) in preventing and treating sick sinus syndrome (SSS).

METHODRabbit model of sinoatrial ischemia/reperfusion was established by occluding and loosening the root of right coronary artery. Effect of QFG on cell apoptosis was observed by TUNEL method, and its effect on apoptotic related gene Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas-L gene protein expression was observed by immunohistochemical method. Average light density values of the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas-L of SAN cells was determined by Imagepro Plus image analysis system.

RESULTSinoatrial injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion could cause evident sinoatrial cell apoptosis, enhance Fas-L gene protein expression and obviously enhance Bax gene protein expression, reduce Bcl-2/Bax ratio. QFG could significantly down-regulate Fas-L and Bax gene protein expression, up-regulate Bcl-2/Bax ratio, significantly inhibit and block the sinoatrial cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONTo inhibit and block the event of cell apoptosis through regulating Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas-L gene protein expression in sinoatrial node after ischemia/reperfusion might be one of the mechanisms of QFG in preventing and treating sinoatrial ischemia/reperfusion injury of SSS.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Muscle Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism