Objective To investigate the effects of original antigenic sin caused by previous expo-sure to influenza A virus subtype H1N1 on the immune response to inactivated H5N1 vaccine. Methods In this study, the BALB/c mice were first infected with A/PR8 (H1N1) virus or immunized with inactivated vaccine to induce immune responses against the A/PR8 virus. Then they were injected once with inactivated H5N1 vaccine at dosages of 0. 01μg, 0. 1μg and 1μg, respectively. The levels of IgG and neutralizing an-tibodies in serum samples were detected after immunization. Four weeks after immunization, the mice were challenged with a lethal dose of H5N1 virus. Some indicators including the survival rate, body weight loss and residue virus titer in lung were recorded for further evaluation. Results The pre-existing anti-A/PR8 antibodies in mice didn′t alleviate the immune responses to inactivated H5N1 vaccine. Conclusion This study indicates that the original antigenic sin associated with the previous exposure to A/PR8 virus has no significant effect on the immune efficacy of H5N1 vaccine.

There are hundreds of traditional Chinese medicine injections in clinic,but few studies on that effect on the activity of cytochrome P450 2C9 enzymes.Whether traditional Chinese medicine injection inhibit or induce the CYP2C9 enzyme activity,when utilizing medication through CYP2C9 metabolism,we should pay attention to the impact of traditional Chinese medicine injections for they may have metabolic drug interactions.In order to avoid the increase of adverse drug reactions and the decrease of drug efficacy,we should pay our attention to the study on the effect of traditional Chinese medicine injections on CYP2C9 activity.This article summarized and analyzed the effect of traditional Chinese medicine injections on the activity of CYP2C9 enzymes and understood the present situation of its research.

Objective To investigate the effects of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) combined with total flavonoids from epimedium (TFE) on testicular dysfunction in natural aging rats; To discuss its mechanism of action. Methods Thirty 18-month old male SD rats were randomly divided into natural aging group, PNS combined with TFE low and high dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 2-month old rats were set as young control group. PNS combined with TFE low and high dose groups were given gastric gavage of 10 mg/kg PNS combined with 10 mg/kg TFE, and 20 mg/kg PNS combined with 20 mg/kg TFE, respectively. Rats in young control group and natural aging group were given saline for 6 d each week, lasting for 4 months. Then, rats were sacrificed, and the testes were obtained to calculate the testicular weight and the testicular index. The testicular tissue morphology was observed by using HE staining. Testicular germ cell apoptosis was detected by using TUNEL method. The levels of Bcl-2, Bax and γ-H2 AX protein expression in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with natural aging group, low and high dose of PNS combined with TFE significantly elevated the testicular weight and testicular index, improved the histological changes of testicular seminiferous tubule, significantly reduced number of apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in the testis, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the testis, downregulated the expression of Bax and γ-H2 AX protein, and decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. Conclusion PNS combined with TFE can improve testicular dysfunction in natural aging rats by inhibiting apoptosis and DNA damage of germ cells.

Objective Diclofeanc as probe drug to investigate the influence of Shenkang injection on the activity of CYP2C9 enzyme in rats.Methods A total of 24 SD male rats were randomly divided into control group (0.9％ NaCl),low dose (6.7 mL · kg-1),middle dose (13.3 mL· kg-1),high dose (26.6 mL · kg-1) Shenkang injection group,each group 6 rats.The relevant injection was administered by intraperitoneal injection,twice a day for 7 d.On the eighth day before collected the blood plasma samples each group were given relevant injection and all rats were injected with diclofenac (15 mg · kg-1,iv) 1 h after last administration.The orbital blood samples were collected before and 5,15,30,45 min and 1,1.5,2,3,4,6,8,10,12,24 h after diclofenac administration through femoral venous.A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography method was established to characterize and validate for the determination of plasma concentration of diclofenac and 4'-hydroxy-diclofenac in rats.Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with WinNolin 6.1 pharmacokinetic software.Results The area under the concen-tration-time curve (AUC0-24 h) of diclofenac in control group,low,middle and high-dose Shenkang injection group were (21.12±2.88),(25.13 ±8.13),(31.11 ± 11.19),(32.32 ±6.18) mg · h · L-1(P ＞0.05).The AUC0→24h of 4'-hydroxy-diclofenac were (9.79 ±1.12),(7.84 ±2.67),(9.97 ±3.85),(10.39 ±3.38)mg · h · L-1 (P＞0.05).The t1/2 of diclofenac in control group,low,middle and high-dose Shenkang injection group were (6.21 ± 1.78),(7.46 ±2.20),(6.40 ± 1.50),(6.13 ±2.19) h(P ＞0.05).The t1/2 of 4'-hydroxy-diclofenac in control group,low,middle and high-dose Shenkang injection group were (11.53 ±4.31),(30.85 ± 10.52),(23.29 ± 13.09),(22.53 ± 10.95)h(P ＞0.05).There was no statistical significant difference in other pharmacokinetic parameters (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Consecutive administration of Shenkang injection may not have an effect on the pharmacokinetic of diclofenac and 4'-hydroxy-diclofenac of typical probe substrates of CYP2C9 in rats.The present study would provide some reference on Shenkang injection have no influence on CYP2C9.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of puerarin on the learning-memory disorder after global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, and to explore its mechanism of action.

METHODSThe global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established using the modifified Pulsinelli four-vessel occlusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin (100 mg/kg) 1 h before ischemia and once every 6 h afterwards. The learning-memory ability was evaluated by the passive avoidance test. The dynamic changes of the cell counts of apoptosis and positive expression of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus CA1 region were determined by the TUNEL and immunohistochemical methods, respectively.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the reperfusion group, the step through latency (STL) in the passive avoidance test in the puerarin group was prolonged signifificantly (P<0.01). (2) The apoptotic neurons were injured most severely on the 3rd day in the hippocampal CA1 region after global ischemia and reperfusion. In the puerarin group, the number of apoptotic cells decreased at respective time points after ischemia-reperfusion (P<0.01). (3) The level of positive expression of Bcl-2 varied according to the duration of reperfusion and the peak level occurred on day 1 in the hippocampal CA1 region after global cerebral ischemia. Compared with the reperfusion group, the expression of Bcl-2 in the puerarin group was up-regulated at the respective time points after ischemia reperfusion (P<0.01), reaching the peak on day 1.

CONCLUSIONSPuerarin could improve the learning-memory ability after global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats. The protective mechanism might be related to the effect of inhibiting or delaying the cell apoptosis through up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 after ischemia and reperfusion.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; complications ; drug therapy ; Models, Biological ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; drug therapy

BACKGROUNDTo find out the timing of serologic responses after illness onset and distribution of IgG antibody to SARS-CoV in SARS cases of transmission chain or non-transmission chain.

METHODSThe IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV were tested by indirect ELISA in serum samples from 301 clinically diagnosed SARS cases.

RESULTSTotally 158 SARS cases were involved in 15 chains of transmission. The positive rates of SARS-CoV IgG in those chains were 85.70%-100.00% and the overall rate was 94.30% (149/158). The chain of transmission could spread to four generations, but the SARS cases were reduced with increase of generations. There was no significant difference among positive rates of SARS-CoV IgG for generations, Chi square=5.11, P greater than 0.05. The positive rate of SARS-CoV IgG in cases who were not in chain of transmission was 12.59%(18/143) which was statistically significantly different from that of cases in chain of transmission, Chi square=199.64, P less than 0.001. During days 0-7,8-14,15-21,22-30 after onset, the cumulated positive rate of SARS-CoV IgG was 16.67%, 40.00%, 70.00% and 93.10%, respectively, then was kept at the level above 90% and lasted for 217 days. The cumulated positive rate of SARS-CoV IgM during days 0-7 after onset was the same to that of IgG. During days 8-14, 55.17% of cases had seroconversion for IgM which reached a peak (86.96%) during days 21-30. Then the rate rapidly declined.

CONCLUSIONMore than 94% of cases with SARS could produce IgG antibody when they were infected by SARS-CoV. Detecting SARS-CoV IgG could provide a diagnostic evidence for case confirmation. SARS-CoV IgG appeared as early as 7 days after onset and reached the peak at about weeks 4. Then the high rate of antibody was maintained for more than 6 months.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology ; transmission

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine for treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.

METHODSBy using multi-central randomized controlled method, 186 cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with cupping and western medicine group (group A), an acupuncture combined with cupping group (group B) and a western medicine group (group C) and treated continuously for 4 weeks. The treatment of acupuncture combined with cupping was produced by acupuncture at five mental points and moving cupping on the Hechelu of the back, once evrey other day, thrice each week, and the western medicine therapy by oral administration of Amitriptyline, once each day. The scores of McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the amount of tenderness point and the time of producing effect were compared and the therapeutic effects were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD).

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate was 65.0% (39/60) in the group A, which was superior to 15.9% (10/63) in the group B and 16.1% (9/56) in the group C (both P < 0.001). After treatment, the scores of MPQ and HAMD and the amount of tenderness point all decreased in the three groups, group A being significantly better than group B and group C, and the time of producing effect in the group A was more earlier than those in the group B and the group C.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine on fibromyalgia syndrome is superior to that of the simple acupuncture combined with cupping or the simple medicine.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Amitriptyline ; therapeutic use ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fibromyalgia ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDSepsis is a leading cause of death in the intensive care units. The late inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), plays a critical role in sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the association between the serum HMGB1 levels and the severity of organ injury in the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in rats.

METHODSTo produce an animal model of sepsis with different degree of organ injury, animals were treated with three different doses of lipopolysaccharide (4, 8 and 16 mg/kg), and the animals in control group were treated with the same volume of the vehicle (saline). The levels of serum HMGB1 were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 48 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle injection, meanwhile the biochemical and histopathological indicators for the severity of organ injury were assessed.

RESULTSThe level of HMGB1 had a positive, high correlation with the abnormal changes of serum cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as the pathologic scores of heart, lung, liver and kidney.

CONCLUSIONSThe level of serum HMGB1 is highly correlated with the severity of sepsis in rats, suggesting that HMGB1 could serve as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis and management of sepsis.

Animals ; HMGB1 Protein ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology

This study was designed to investigate the synergistic analgesic effect between choline (Cho) and acetaminophen (Ace). Mice were treated with 0.6% acetic acid solution by intraperitoneal injection to build acetate writhing model. The KM mice were randomly divided into four groups:control group (n=10), Cho group (n=50), Ace group (n=50), combination group (Cho+Ace group, n=40), then the writhing times were counted respectively. OriginPro8.5 was used to calculate ED 50. The isobolographic analysis was used to test the interaction of Cho and Ace. To explore the mechanism, forty KM mice were randomly divided into control group, Cho group, Ace group and Cho + Ace group. Blood was collected for detection of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE₂ and NF-κB content using ELISA kits. The result ED 50 was calculated as followings. ED⁵⁰ of Cho and Ace was 19.47 mg·kg^-1 and 20.56 mg·kg^-1. The concentrations were 2.94 mg·kg^-1 for Cho and 3.15 mg·kg^-1 for Ace in the combination test. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE₂ and NF-κB in Cho group and Ace group were lower than those in the control group (P< 0.05). Compared to the Cho group and Ace group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, PGE₂, NF-κB in Cho + Ace group were reduced further (P< 0.05). The results revealed that Cho and Ace have synergistic analgesic effects, which may associate with inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.