Hemopexin (HPX) is a plasma protein with the strongest binding capacity to heme and widely involved in modulation of a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The main physiological function of HPX is to bind and transport free toxic heme. Recent studies indicate that HPX also plays roles of anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, immune regulation and organic protection. In addition, HPX participates in regulation of cell differentiation and extracellular matrix reconstruction. In recent years, a great deal of progress has been made in studies of the mechanisms of HPX protective effects and on possible clinical application. In the past few years, especially, a number of proteomic studies have demonstrated that HPX could be served as positive molecular biomarkers for cancers of lung, liver, kidney, colon, and uterine myoma as well as osteoarthritis. In this review, recent progress in the biochemical characteristics and function of HPX and its possible clinical applications are summarized.
Heme ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; Hemopexin ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo explore the best program for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) of constipation type.

METHODSNinety-five cases of IBS were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A (n = 30) were treated by acupuncture combined with microorganism pharmaceutical preparations, group B (n = 35) by oral administration of medicine for loosening the bowel to relieve constipation plus microorganism pharmaceutical preparations, and group C (n = 30) by simple acupuncture.

RESULTSThe total effective rates were 90.0%, 77.2% and 66.7%, in the group A, B and C, respectively, with a very significant differences as the group A compared with those in the groups B, C (P < 0.01), and with no significant difference as the group B compared with that of the group C (P > 0. 05). The intestinal available bacteria, bilidobacteria and lactobacillus, increased and enteric bacilli decreased in varying degrees in the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with microorganism pharmaceutical preparations has a better therapeutic effect on irritable bowel syndrome of constipation type.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Constipation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; microbiology ; therapy ; Male ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVEThis study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on apoptotic cardiomyocytes with the model of ischemia-reperfusion at rat heart in vivo.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. One was 30 min reperfusion group, which was subdivided into sham (n = 5), model (vehicle, n = 6) and pioglitazone 3 mg/kg (n = 7) with 30 min ischemia followed by 30 min reperfusion to detect the area of myocardial infarction (MI). Another was 2 h reperfusion group, which was further subdivided into sham (n = 5), model (vehicle, n = 6), and pioglitazone 0.3 mg/kg (n = 6), 1 mg/kg (n = 7) and 3 mg/kg (n = 6). Apart from the sham, pioglitazone and vehicle were administered intravenously 30 min before occlusion. Then hearts were excised, paraffined and cut into 4 microm thick. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, TUNEL and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis were performed to detect the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and PPARgamma protein and PPARgamma mRNA.

RESULTS(1) Compared with model, nec/aar of pioglitazone decreased by 28% (P < 0.01). The nec/lv ratio reduced by 32% (P < 0.01). (2) In a dose-dependent manner, the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3 were depressed, while the expression of Bcl-2, PPARgamma protein and PPARgamma mRNA were enhanced by pioglitazone. (3) The apoptotic index of subgroups injected pioglitazone reduced significantly by TUNEL compared with model (P < 0.05). Agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated that DNA ladder existed in model, pioglitazone 0.3 mg/kg and pioglitazone 1 mg/kg, but not pioglitazone 3 mg/kg.

CONCLUSIONSPioglitazone could protect the heart from I/R injury evidenced by the improvement in the expression of PPARgamma at the levels of protein and mRNA after pioglitazone administrated, and by the decrease in the apoptotic cardiomyocytes.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiazolidinediones ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and incurable disease, lacking effective treatment. Gene therapy offers a radical different approach to the treatment of arthritis. Even though the etiology of OA remains unclear, there is now considerable evidence to suggest that interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are the main mediators in the pathogenesis of OA. The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of local expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor type I (sTNF-RI) by direct adenoviral-mediated intra-articular gene delivery in the rabbit model of osteoarthritis.

METHODSAdenoviral vectors containing IL-1Ra or sTNF-RI genes were constructed. OA was induced in both hind knees of 12 New Zealand white rabbits by the excision of the medial collateral ligament plus medial meniscectomy. Five days after surgery, approximately 1 x 10(8) plaque-forming units (pfu) of adenovirus were injected into the joint space of the knee through the patellar tendon. A total of 12 operated rabbits were divided into four groups. Three experimental rabbit groups received 1 x 10(8) pfu of adenovirus encoding either IL-1Ra (3 rabbits), sTNF-RI (3 rabbits) or IL-1Ra and sTNF-RI in combination (3 rabbits), into both knee joints respectively. An inflamed control group of 3 rabbits received approximately 1 x 10(8) pfu of Ad-GFP into both joints. Three days after injection of the adenovirus, both knees of each rabbit were lavaged with 1 ml of saline solution through the patellar tendon. At day 7, the rabbits were sacrificed, and the knees were lavaged, dissected and analyzed for effects of transgene expression. Levels of IL-1Ra and sTNF-RI expression in recovered lavage fluids were measured using a cytokine ELISA kit. Cartilage from the lesion areas of medial femoral condyle and synovium were fixed, embedded, sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (cartilage and synovium) and toluidine blue (cartilage). The samples were examined by light microscopy and quantitatively evaluated.

RESULTSIntra-articular delivery of IL-1Ra resulted in a significant inhibition of cartilage degradation, but did not affect synovial changes. In contrast, rabbit knee joints receiving sTNF-RI alone showed no detectable reduction in cartilage degradation. However, double gene transfer of IL-1Ra and sTNF-RI resulted in a higher suppression of the cartilage degradation and an observable reduction in synovitis. These data add to and confirm that IL-1Ra has good chondroprotective properties, but TNF-alpha blockade has little effect on joint destruction.

CONCLUSIONThe enhanced therapeutic effects of both antagonists in combination suggest inhibition of multiple inflammatory cytokines may be more efficacious than blockade of either cytokine alone in treating OA.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; genetics ; therapy ; Cartilage ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cartilage, Articular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; therapy ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I ; genetics ; physiology ; Sialoglycoproteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Synovial Fluid ; metabolism ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection ; methods

Using the weight-average molecular weight 50 000 polylactic acid (PLA) as a carrier, and a certain proportion of erythromycin (EM) and prednisone acetate (PNA) to mixed prepare the compound erythromycin sustained release preparation (sustained-release tablets). Using ultraviolet spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect separately the release amount of EM and PNA in vitro medium. The sustained-release tablets release for about 21 days, the average content of EM is 99.7 mg/table, RSD = 0.82%; and the average content of PNA is 10.03 mg/table, RSD = 0.93%. Within 21 days, the cumulative releases of EM and PNA are 86.1% and 78.3%, respectively. The drug release is steady and slow after 5 days, the burst release phenomenon in early stage is more significant. The results showed that the sustained-release tablet preparation method is feasible, the release performance is good and the clinical efficacy is significant.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Combinations ; Erythromycin ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; administration & dosage ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Sinusitis ; drug therapy ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; Tablets

In present study, we investigated the mechanism of regulating HIF-1alpha expression by hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) in Eahy 926 cell line under 1% O2 hypoxia. Eahy 926 cells were incubated with HSYA (100, 10 and 1 micromol x L(-1)) under hypoxia for the indicated time after treatment. Cell proliferation rate was detected using MTT assays. VHL and p53 location and protein expression were analyzed by immunocytochemical stain. HIF-1alpha, VHL and p53 mRNA expression were detected by RT-PCR. Protein expression of HIF-1alpha, VHL and p53 were assayed by Western blotting method. HSYA at 100 micromol x L(-1) increased Eahy 926 cells proliferation rate under hypoxia. HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated in the presence of HSYA. VHL, p53 mRNA and protein expression decreased significantly after 8 hours of treatment under hypoxia. HSYA protected Eahy 926 cells from hypoxia, and up-regulated HIF-1alpha expression partially via its inhibition of VHL and p53 expression.
Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quinones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Up-Regulation ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe neuroprotective effect of the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor has been demonstrated in acute and chronic neurodegenerative processes. But its function under cerebral ischemic conditions is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective efficacy of emulsified flurbiprofen axetil (FA, COX inhibitor) and its therapeutic time window in a model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats.

METHODSForty-eight male SD rats were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 8 in each group); three FA groups, vehicle, sham and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) groups. Three doses of FA (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg, intravenous infusion) were administered just after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). The degree of neurological outcome was measured by the neurologic deficit score (NDS) at 24, 48 and 72 hours after I/R. Mean brain infarct volume percentage (MBIVP) was determined with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 72 hours after I/R. In three other groups (n = 8 in each group), the selected dosage of 10 mg/kg was administrated intravenously at 6, 12 and 24 hours after I/R.

RESULTSThe three different doses of FA improved NDS at 24, 48 and 72 hours after I/R and significantly reduced MBIVP. However, the degree of MBIVP in the FA 20 mg/kg group differed from that in FA 10 mg/kg group. Of interest is the finding that the neuroprotective effect conferred by 10 mg/kg of FA was also observed when treatment was delayed until 12 - 24 hours after ischemia reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONCOX inhibitor FA is a promising therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemia and its therapeutic time window could last for 12 - 24 hours after cerebral ischemia reperfusion, which would help in lessening the initial ischemic brain damage.

Animals ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flurbiprofen ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

Objective To observe the effect of stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the endometrial thickness in patients suffering from repeated implantation failure in IVF-ET (in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer). Method Seventy-two patients suffering from repeated implantation failure in IVF-ET were randomized into two groups. Thirty-six cases in the treatment group were intervened by stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy plus oral administration of Estradiol valerate tablets; the other 36 cases in the control group were prescribed with oral administration of Estradiol valerate tablets alone. The implantation result of IVF-ET was analyzed 3 cycles later. The endometrial thickness was compared before and after the intervention. Result The endometrial thickness of the non-pregnant women increased after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the increase in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy can improve the endometrial thickness, promote the growth of endometrium, benefit the implantation of embryo, and enhance the clinical pregnancy rate.

Objective The role of BMI1 gene in the development of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to explore the expression of BMI1 gene in gastrointestinal stromal tumor,and analyze its relationship with clinical pathological features of GIST. Methods The clinical data of 68 GIST patients treated in The First People's Hospital of Nan-ning from August 2012 to October 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The expression of BMI1 in normal gastrointestinal tissues and GIST tissues were detected with immunohistochemistry method,and analyzed the relationship between various clinicopathological pa-rameters of GIST and BMI1. The expression of BMI1 protein was detected by Western blot. Results The positive rate of BMI1 was much higher in GIST group than in non-GIST (76.47% vs 36.84%,P<0.05). The difference in the expression of BMI1 protein between the different risk groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The positive expression rate was the highest in the high-risk group (93.75%),but had no statistically significant difference among different genders,age,locations,histological types and whether me-tastasis (P>0.05). Expression of proliferation genes such as PCNA,CyclinD1 mRNA in BMI1 positive group were higher than those in BMI1 negative group,the expression of Pro-apoptotic genes such as Caspase-7,Smac mRNA were lower than those in BMI1 negative group,the expression of anti-apoptosis genes such as Livin,p53,Bcl-2 mRNA were higher than those in BMI1 negative group (P<0.05). Conclusion The expression of BMI1 protein was increased in GIST tissue. It is correlated with the risk classification,and is an important factor affecting the prognosis of patients.

To clarify the association between HLA-DPB1 alleles and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in South Chinese, the allelic types of HLA-DPB1 were detected by sequence based typing (SBT) in 86 patients with CML and 82 healthy individuals from Southern China. The results showed that the frequencies of HLA-DPB1 * 1301 and DPB1 * 20011 were higher in patients with CML in comparison with those of healthy individuals. It is concluded that positive association may exist between certain HLA-DPB1 alleles and CML.
Alleles ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; HLA-DP Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DP beta-Chains ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; genetics