Objective To investigate the prevention and treatment effects of Compound Kushen Injection on acute radiation esophagitis. Methods Eighty-two eligible patients with esophageal cancer were randomly divided into the treatment group (41 cases) and the control group (41 cases). All the patients received radiotherapy. Throughout the course of radiotherapy, patients in the treatment group received Compound Kushen Injection, and patients in the control group received Kangfuxin Liquid. Occurrence time and level of radiation esophagitis, and dosage of painkillers were observed. Results Different degrees of acute esophageal toxicity were observed in the two groups. The occurrence rate of high level (degree III and degree IV) acute radiation esophagitis was 7.3%(3/41) in the treatment group, and 31.7%(13/41) in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The dosage of the analgesic drug (Fentanyl Transdermal System) in the treatment group was far less than the controlled group (P<0.001). Conclusion Compound Kushen Injection could decrease the incidence rate of acute radiation esophagitis, and reduce the high-level esophagitis and the dosage of the analgesic drug, which can help the completion of radiation.

Objective To investigate whether Bushen-Huoxue compound adjuvant therapy can be effective on mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease and the influence on plasma phospholipids(PLs) levels. Methods 87 PD patients were recruited and collected for the general information. The patients were evaluated by Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS) Ⅲ and Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA). According to MoCA scores, patients with PD-MCI were divided into a Bushen-Huoxue compound treatment group and a control group(basic L-dopa or dopamine agonist). Reevaluating cognitive function by MoCA and plasma phopholipids levels at posttreatment 12 month and 18 month. Plasma PLs was assayed by measuring its inorganic phosphorus after separation by chromatograph.Results 39 cases in 87 PD patients(44.8%)were with PD-MCI.After 12 months or 18 months treatment period, MoCA scores was significantly higher in Bushen-Huoxue compound treatment group than in controls(P<0.05 or 0.01 respectively). Plasma PLs levels were significantly decreased in Bushen-Huoxue compound treatment group than in controls(P<0.01 or 0.01 respectively). Conclusions Bushen-Huoxue compound could be effective in the adjuvant treatment of PD-MCI, and could delay cognitive rate of decline in patients with PD. Meanwhile, Bushen-Huoxue compound could significantly decrease plasma PLs levels in PD-MCI. The evidence from present study suggested that Bushen-Huoxue compound have neuroprotective effects on patients with PD-MCI.

Objective To evaluate the difference of PC values based on GBZ 97-2002 and on GBZ 97-2009 for lung cancer cases in Chinese uranium miners.Methods Using 19 lung cancer data ascertained in the past epidemiological study,PC values were calculated according to GBZ 97-2002 and GBZ 97-2009.Results In the 19 lung cancer cases,those cases that could not be judged as radiogenic cancers based on GBZ 97-2002,but may be judged as radiogenic cancers with GBZ 97-2009.The probability was enlarged by 1.1 times at least.The major reason was that the used value was the upper limit of 95％ in GBZ 2009 but the median in 2002.Conclusions Compared to GBZ 97-2002,the criteria value of PC in GBZ 97-2009 drops obviously.

A systematic review was undertaken, including studies that evaluated the incidence of the blood system adverse events of Tripterygium wilfordii (TWP). Medline, Embase and the Cochrane library were searched for relevant studies, including RCT, cohort studies and case series, of patients treated with TWP published in English and Chinese from inception up until May 25th, 2013 with the keywords including "Tripterygium wilfordii", "toxicity", "reproductive", "side effect", "adverse", "safety" and "tolerability". Relevant information was extracted and the incidence of the blood system adverse events was pooled with MetaAnalyst software. Besides, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed based on age, mode of medicine, observation time and disease system. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 49 articles were included in the meta-analysis, they were split into 54 researches incorporated in the analysis. There is a large degree of heterogeneity among the studies, so data was analyzed using random-effects model and the summary estimates of incidence of the blood system adverse events was 6.1%. The weighted combined incidence of three major blood system adverse events were white-blood cells decreasing 5.6% (95% CI, 4.3% - 7.3%), hemoglobin decreasing 1.7% (95% CI, 0.5% - 5.0%) and platelet decreasing 1.8% (95% CI, 1.0% - 3.1%), respectively . Sensitivity analyses based on 45 studies with high quality showed the combined value was close to the summary estimate of total 54 studies. The current evidence indicates that the incidence of the blood system adverse events induced by TWP was high; attentions should be paid on to the prevention and treatment of the blood system adverse events.
Blood Cells ; drug effects ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Tripterygium ; adverse effects

· AIM: To explore the relationship between the expression of Fas/FasL and the apoptosis in retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury of rats, as well as the therapeutic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)on the ischemic retina.injury were made by transiently elevating introcular pressure. A total of 28 rats were divided into Normal Group and Operative Group. The latter were subdivided into 1, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72h after reperfusion, in which the left eyes of the rats were in the ischemia/reperfusion groups and the right ones were in the treatment groups (bFGF intracameral injection). Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method, and theexpression of Fas/FasL ligand was studied by strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC) immunohistochemistry.mai rats' retinae, but there were a significant number of TUNEL positive cells in 6-24h after transient ischemia followed by a decrease at 48h. The number of TUNEL positive cells reached a maximum at 24h after ischemia.The expression of Fas gradually increased as early as at 6h, reached a peak at 24h, then decreased at 48h. Similarly, the expression of Fas ligand was at peak in 24-48h in GCL and INL of retina. bFGF ministered before reperfusion inhibited apoptotsis and ameliorated the tissue damage. It also diminished Fas and FasL expression in ischemic/reperfused retina.siently elevated IOP induced apoptosis of cells in the retina. Fas/FasL may have an important role in the early events of the apoptotic pathways. bFGF can rescue RGCs from retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulation of Fas and Fas ligand expression and may represent an important mechanism for therapeutic neuroprotection.

Objective To investigate the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP), pulse pressure(PP) and microalbuminuria(MAU) in patients with essential hypertension.Methods Consecutive 60 patients with essential hypertension were classified based on the MAU level:patients with MAU(n=30) and the group of patients with normoalbuminuria(NMAU,n=30) with 30 healthy subjects as control.MAU,hsCRP,PP were determined.Results The level of hsCRP and pulse pressure in MAU group were higher than those in NMAU patients and healthy subjects (P

Objective To evaluate the application of non-bioartificial liver support system (ALSS) combined with liver transplantation(LT) in treating mid-or end-stage chronic severe hepati- tis.Methods ALSS plus liver transplantation were employed in treating 28 patients with mid-or end- stage chronic severe hepatitis.Clinical data from the patients before and after treatment were collect- ed.The survive rate of ALSS plus LT group were compared with that of medication group 99 cases and medication plus ALSS group 30 cases.The data were analyzed with t test and X~2 test.Results After 57 times ALSS treatment,the serum total bilirubin(TBil),prothromin time(PT),bile acid, blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatnine(Cr) and ammonia of all the 28 patients got improved(P 0.05).The clinical symptoms and signs of the patients were ameliorated at median 3 d(1～153 d). All patients were bridged to liver transplantation successfully after median 20 d(1～153 d).The 3 and 6 months post-operation survival rate of ALSS plus LT group(71.4%,71.4%) were significantly higher than those in medication group(18.2%,11.1%) and medication plus ALSS group(36.7%, 26.6%)(P

Objective To observe the effects of different antithrombotic interventions on the changes of plasma lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) level in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and to provide the basis for clinical antithrombotic therapy. Methods A total of 235 patients with NVAF who did not receive antithrombotic therapy diagnosed by clinical and auxiliary examinations were randomly allocated to receive aspirin (100 mg/d) plus dipyridamole (100 mg/d) (n =76), aspirin (100 mg/d) plus fixed-dose warfarin (1.25 mg/d) (n =79), and dose-adjusted warfarin (international normalized ratio (INR) range of 1.5 to 2. 1) (n =80). They gore redivided into <60, 60-75, and ≥76 year-old groups according to their age. The plasma LPA levels were measured and compared before treatment and 2 and 6 weeks after treatment. Results 1he plasma LPA levels were decreased more significantly in the aspirin plus fixed-dose group than those in the aspirin plus dipyridamole and dose-adjusted warfarin groups (all P < 0.01). Two and 6 weeks after treatment with aspirin plus dipyridamole in the < 60 year-old group, the plasma LPA levels were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0. 01). Two and6 weeks after treatment with aspirin plus fixed-dose warfarin in the < 60 year-old group, the plasma LPA levels were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P <0. 01). Two and 6 weeks after treatment with aspirin plus fixed-dose warfarin in the 60-75 year-old group, the plasma LPA levels were significantly lover than those before treatment (all P <0.01). Two and 6 weeks after the treatment with dose-adjusted warfarin (INR 1.5-2. 1) in patients in each age group, the plasma LPA levels were significantly lower than those before treatment. Conclusions 1he different antithromhotic therapeutic modalities have different effects on platelet activation in patients with NVAF in different age groups. The patients in the < 60 year-old group can receive aspirin plus dipyridamole, the patients in the < 75 year-old group can receive aspirin plus fix-dose warfarin, and the patients > 75 year-old, dose-adjusted warfarin (INR 1. 5-2. 1) should he recommend.

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma lysephosphatidic acid (LPA) or acidic phospholipids (AP) levels in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) or NVAF associated with silent brain infarction (SBI) and to provide biochemistry evidence to antithrombotic therapy. Methods Plasma LPA/AP levels was examined in blood freshly sampled in 235 cases of NVAF who were not receiving any antithrombotic therapy, 116 cases SBI who were not with NVAF and 120 cases healthy volunteers as control enrolled in the LPA and stroke prevention study. Plasma LPA was assayed by measuring its inorganic phosphorus after separation by chromatograph. Meanwhile, the platelet activation in NVAF or (and) SBI were observed. Results SBI was found in 31.5% of the participants with NVAF, and in 37.6% of the elderly NVAF subjects (age60 years old). LPA/AP levels were significantly increased in NVAF with SBI group((3.78±0.61) μmol/L) compared with controls ((2.66±0.49) μmol/L, 95% CI 3.47-4.21,P = 0.000), NVAF without SBI group ((3.29±0.57) μmol/L, 95 % CI 3.01-3.76, P = 0.008), SBI without NVAF group((3.17±0.54) μmol/L, P=0.004). The platelet activation was significantly higherin NVAF with SBI group, the odds ratio (95% CI) was 21.39(10.17 to 45.02),than those in NVAF without SBI group (P<0.01). Conclusion The plasma LPA/AP levels were significantly elevated in NVAF or NVAF with SBI, NVAF contributes to the risk of SBI. Platelet activation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolism in NVAF and the measurement of LPA reflects activation of platelets in vivo and may be a useful marker for the diagnosis of thrombosis or prothrombotic states.Consideration of the role of antiplatelet therapy should be given when choosing antithrombotic therapy to NVAF-associated ischemic stroke.

The research aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Opuntia dillenii Haw polysaccharide (OPS) on atherosclerosis of rats. First atherosclerotic rat models were established by high-fat and high-calcium diet. Thirty days later, the rats were treated with low dosage of OPS (0.2 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or high dosage of OPS (0.4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) by intraperitoneal injection for 60 days continuously. At the end of treatment, thoracic aorta rings were prepared and vasorelaxation of rat thoracic aorta in different experiment groups were determined by using 620M multi wire myograph system in vitro. Blood and livers of rats were collected. Then plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of rats were separately determined using whole automatic biochemical analyzer; protein level of hepatic apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and that of hepatic diglyceride acyltransferase (Dgat1) were measured by Western Blot technique. Results showed that the ability of rat thoracic aorta to relax decreased markedly in the model group compared with that in the normal group, and significant differences existed in vasorelaxation ratios induced by different concentrations of carbamylcholine chloride (Carb) between these two groups (P < 0.01). After OPS treatment, the ability of rat thoracic aorta to relax improved markedly, the vasorelaxation ratios induced by Carb at 5 and 10 μmol x L(-1) were respectively 0.34 ± 0.08 and 0.62 ± 0.15 in the group treated with low dosage of OPS, while the ratios induced by Carb at 1 and 5 μmol x L(-1) were respectively 0.54 ± 0.08 and 0.98 ± 0.02 in the group treated with high dosage of OPS, which were all significantly different with those in the model group (P < 0.01). Plasma contents of TC, TG and LDL reduced significantly by the treatments both with low and high dosages of OPS compared with those in the model group (P < 0.01). Protein level of hepatic ApoB and that of hepatic Dgat1 decreased significantly after the treatment with high dosage of OPS compared with those in the model group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that OPS can markedly improve the vasorelaxation of thoracic aorta of atherosclerotic rats and has significant anti-atherosclerotic effect; inhibiting the expression of ApoB and Dgat1 and thus decreasing the amounts of TC, LDL and TG serving as one of the molecular mechanisms of its antiatherosclerosis effect.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Opuntia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Triglycerides ; blood