Cultured smooth muscle cells from bovine aortic media were incubated with hyperlipemic serum for 14 days. Lipid peroxides in the cells were higher than controls (P

AIM: To investigate the effect of PMA(phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) on the expression of CD18 and the mechanism. METHODS: The technique of quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to measure the expression of CD18 mRNA in U937 cells treated by PMA. RESULTS: PMA could significantly induce CD18 mRNA expression in a dose and time-dependent manner. The induction effects of PMA on CD18 mRNA could be inhibited obviously by Myr (2 ?mol/L), a specific inhibitor of PKC, and APDC, an inhibitor of NF-?B, but not be inhibited by curcumin, a inhibitor of transcriptional factor AP-1. CONCLUSION: PMA enhanced the expression of CD18 via the pathway of PKC. Transcriptional factor NF-?B, but not AP-1, was essential for the gene transcription of CD18 in U937 cells treated by PMA.

OBJECTIVETo study pharmacokinetic effect of Aikeqing Granule (AG) by different medication ways on zidovudine (AZT) in highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART) of rats.

METHODSTotally 36 rats were administered with corresponding medications by gastrogavage, group I [HAART: AZT 31.5 mg/kg +3TC 31.5 mg/kg + Efavirenz (EFV) 63.0 mg/kg], group II (HAART+AG525 mg/kg), group III (HAART and AG 525 mg/kg after a 2-h interval). Drug concentrations of AZT were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS) before HAART, and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 h after HAART, respectively. Pharmacokinetic parameters [such as t1/2, Tmax, Cmax, AUCo-t, plasma clearance rate (CL)] were calculated by DAS2.0 Software.

RESULTSThe-equation of linear regression of AZT was good, with the precision, coefficient of recovery, and stability definitely confirmed. AUC in group II and III was larger than that of group I. There was no statistical difference in t1/2, Tmax, Cmax, AUC0-12 h, or AUC0-∞ among groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAG combined HAART could enhance the Cmax of AZT.

Animals ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Benzoxazines ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Rats ; Zidovudine ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the role of ?7nAChR in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD)through exploring the relationship between ?7nAChR and A?_(1-42) in AD brains.Methods The accumulation of ?7nAChR and the possible relationship between ?7nAChR and A?_(1-42) were observed in 3 clinically and pathologically confirmed AD brains by immunohistochemistry. 3 normal brains were set as controls.Results Respective staining of anti-?7nAChR and anti-A?_(1-42) showed that the abnormal accumulation of ?7nAChR existed in AD brains. The main location was at hippocampus and temporal cortex which was just in accordance with senile plaque consisted mainly of A?_(1-42). The major part of ?7nAChR was located extra-cellular and within senile plaque from the view of morphology. No accumulation of ?7nAChR existed in normal brains. Co-staining of anti-?7nAChR and anti-A?_(1-42) further showed that ?7nAChR and A?_(1-42) could accumulate together in senile plaque of AD brain. The average rate of positive co-staining in hippocampus, temporal lobe and frontal lobe is 57.8%, 51.0% and 21.8% respectively. The accumulation of ?7nAChR in hippocampus and temporal lobe seems much than that in the frontal lobe. Conclusion ?7nAChR may combine with A?_(1-42) in AD brains. It is suggested that the combination should destroy the ?7nAChR receptor, block the receptor or mediate the injury of cholinergic neurons with the result of recognition and memory impairment and that ?7nAChR might play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

AIM: To study the effect of dexamethasone(Dex) on the expression of CD18. METHODS: Quantitative RT-PCR analysis, Northern blotting technique were used to measure the expression of CD18 in U937 cells treated by PMA. RESULTS : Dex could significantly attenuated the effects of PMA in a dose-dependent manner (10 -6 mol/L-10 -10 mol/L). These effects of Dex (10 -7 mol/L) were completely aborted by RU-486 (10 -6 mol/L).CONCLUSION: Dex, via GR, could inhibit CD18 mRNA expression in U937 cells treated by PMA. The effects of Dex might be possibly depended on the counteracting action on the NF-?B.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Male ; Rabbits ; Tablets ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of aqueous extracts of Polygonum multiflorum (AEPM) on bile acid synthesis, metabolism and transfer-related molecules in rat liver and the hepatotoxicity-related mechanism of P. multiflorum.

METHODSprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with 30, 60 g x kg(-1) APEM once everyday for consecutively 28 days. At the end of the experiment, mRNA and protein expressions of hepatic MRP3, MRP2, BSEP, FXR and CYP7A1 were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot

RESULTCompared with the normal group, the AEPM high dose group showed significant increases in mRNA expressions of hepatic MRP3 and BSEP of male rats (P < 0.05); AEPM high and low dose groups revealed a notable decrease in mRNA expressions of hepatic FXR (P < 0.05) and remarkable rises in mRNA expressions of hepatic MRP3, MRP2, BSEP, CYP7A1 among female rats (P < 0.05). According to the test results of western blot assay, AEPM high and low dose groups showed consistent changes in protein and mRNA expressions hepatic MRP3, MRP2, BSEP, FXR, CYP7A1.

CONCLUSIONThe 28 oral administration with AEPM in rats showed a certain effect on expressions of bile acid synthesis, metabolism and transfer-related proteins, as well as cholestatic or choleretic effects in the mRNA expression.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Bile Acids and Salts ; metabolism ; Cholestasis ; chemically induced ; Fallopia multiflora ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on the pulmonary capillary permeability in rats with acute lung injury induced by intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODSThirty-two healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the model group, the normal group, the Tet prevention group and the Tet treatment group, 8 in each group. All rats except those in the normal group, were established into acute lung injury model by intravenous injection of LPS. Intravenous injection of Tet (20 mg/ kg) were given to the Tet prevention group 30 min before and to the Tet treatment group 30 min after modeling respectively, and equal volume of normal saline was given to the other two groups instead. Arterial blood samples were collected to determine PaO2 and PaCO2 at the time points of immediately after modeling (0 h), 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h. The animals were sacrificed by the end of the experiment, the wet/dry weight ratio of lung (W/ D), neutrophil percentage in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), concentration of TNF-a in peripheral blood and BALF by ELISA, and content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in lobus inferior pulmonis homogenate by thio barbituric acid colorimetric method were determined. Pathological change of the upper lobe of lung was examined and lung injury was scored as well.

RESULTSAs compared with that in the model group, the level of PaO2 was higher in Tet prevention group at 0.5 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and in the Tet treatment group at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h (P< 0.05); and the content of TNF-alpha, MDA and neutrophil percentage in BALF, as well as W/D and lung injury score were lower in the Tet prevention group and the Tet treatment group (P <0.05). Pathological changes of lung in the two Tet groups were all better than those in the model group.

CONCLUSIONEarly intervention with tetrandrine shows a protectiv effect on rats against acute lung injury induced by intravenous injection of LPS.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and right median nerve electrical stimulation (RMNS) on the coma arousal therapy in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods Eighty-three patients with severe traumatic brain injury on the recovery phase were randomly divided into control group (n=41) and treatment group (n=42). The patients in the control group were given such routine therapies as reducing the intracranial pressure and giving nutrition to the nerves and conventional rehabilitation nursing. The patients in the treatment group also treated with HBO and RMNS. Glasgow coma scale (GCS), Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), activities of daily living (ADL)scale, European stroke scale (ESS) and Kamofsky performance scale (KPS) were performed on these patients before, 1 and 3 after the treatment. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the electrical activity were detected by TCD and brain electrical activity mapping (BEAM). Results As compared with thecontrol group, the treatment group got significant improvement on each scale in the 1st and 3rd month oftreatment (P＜0.05). CBF in the treatment group was obviously increased, while that in only 17 patients in the control group was increased. BEAM showed that the diffused inactive echoes were significantly decreased in the treatment group as compared with those in the control group. Conclusion HBO andRMNS can promote brain tissue rehabilitation and accelerate recovery of brain function in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, thereby contributing to the improvement of the level of awareness.

Hydrothermal oxidation was used to prepare a nickel-titanium alloy ( NiTi ) solid-phase microextraction fiber. The experimental results demonstrated that a nanoporous NiTi oxide composite coating was in situ grown on the surface of NiTi substrate by direct oxidation in aqueous H2 O2 solution at 80℃. The resulting composite oxide coating included more nickel and less titanium. The prepared NiTi fiber with Ni-rich oxide coating was used to extract typical aromatic compounds coupled with HPLC-UV and exhibited good extraction selectivity for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs). The key factors affecting extraction efficiency of PAHs were examined. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range from 0. 05 to 500 ng / mL with correlation coefficients ≥0. 999, and the limits of detection were 0. 026-0. 056 ng / mL. Furthermore, the relative standard deviations ( RSDs) for intra-day and inter-day repeatability of the single fiber varied from 4. 8% to 6. 2% and from 5. 4% to 6. 5% for five replicates of PAHs at the spiking level of 50 ng / mL, respectively. The RSDs for the fiber-to-fiber reproducibility of five fibers prepared in different batches ranged from 6. 4% to 8. 4% . This method was suitable for selective enrichment and detection of target PAHs in environmental water samples with relative recoveries of 87. 4% -108. 2% and RSDs <8. 1% . Moreover, this novel NiTi fiber was mechanically strong and chemically stable, and its preparation was precisely controllable.