OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoids of propolis (TFP) on apoptosis of myocardial cells of chronic heart failure and its possible mechanism in rats.

METHODSSix male SD rats were randomly selected as normal control group, the remaining rats were made as chronic heart failure (CHF) model by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin. The rats in the successful model were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6): CHF group, total flavonoids of propolis low dose group (LD group), total flavonoids of propolis middle dose group (MD group), total flavonoids of propolis high dose group (HD group), digoxin group (DIG group). After six week treatment, cardiac function indexes of rats were recorded by signal acquisition system; brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) content in plasma were detected; Myocardial morphological changes and collagen fiber hyperplasia by HE and Masson staining were observed; Myocardial apoptosis was detected with TUNEL method and protein connexin 43(P-Cx43) expression was detected by Western blot method.

RESULTSCompared with NC group, left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP) and maximal rise/fall velocity of left ventriculad pressure (± dP/dt(max)) absolute value in CHF group were significantly lowered (P < 0.01) while left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased significantly (P < 0.01); Contents of plasma BNP, cTnI, TNF-α and IL-6 in the CHF group were significantly improved (P < 0.01). Compared with CHF group, LVSP, ± dP/dt(max) absolute value in MD and HD groups were increased (P < 0.05), and LVEDP was significantly lowered (P < 0.01); LVEDP in LD group was significantly lowered (P < 0.01), changes in LVSP and ± dp/dt(max) absolue value were not obvious (P > 0.05). BNP, cTnI, TNF-α and IL-6 contents in MD and HD groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.01), but those plasma indicator changes were not obvious in LD group (P > 0.05). Western blot showed that P-Cx43 expression in CHF group was significantly higher than that in NC group (P < 0.01) and that in all TFP treatment groups it was decreased compared with CHF group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), among which pairwise comparisons also showed differences (P < 0.05), myocardial apoptosis index (%)(22.62 ± 3.39) in CHF group was higher than that in NC group( 1.12 ± 0.24) (P < 0.01); compared with CHF group, the apoptosis index of myocardial cells (%) in LD,MD and HD groups, (15.79 + 2.8), (9.28 + 2.1) and (4.73 + 1.14) respectively, were significantly lower than those in the CHF group( P < 0.01). The expression level of P-Cx43 positively correlated with the apoptotic index (r = 0. 861, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTotal flavonaids of propolis have inhibitory effect on apoptosis of myocardial cells of chronic heart failure induced by adriamycin in rats, and the mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of Cx43 expression, especially the regulatory phosphorylation status.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Chronic Disease ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Doxorubicin ; adverse effects ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Phosphorylation ; Propolis ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Troponin I ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate the effect of monosialoganglioside GM1 on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced inflammatory response in rats.Methods Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 350-450 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =8 each):sham operation group (group S),group CPB and CPB + GMi group (group G).GM1 20 mg/kg was added to the priming solution in group G.While the equal volume of normal saline was given in group CPB.Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at 3 h after termination of CPB for determination of plasma concentrations of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100β protein (by ELISA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (by radioimmunoassay).The hippocampi were isolated to detect the expression of hippocampal matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and IL-10 and NF-κB activity in hippocampal tissues by Western blot.Results Compared with group S,the plasma concentrations of NSE,S-100β protein,TNF-α and IL-6 and NF-κB activity were significantly increased,the expression of MMP-9 was up-regulated,and the expression of IL-10 was down-regulated in groups CPB and G (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group CPB,the plasma concentrations of NSE,S-100β protein,TNF-α and IL-6 and NF-κB activity were significantly decreased,the expression of MMP-9 was down-regulated,and the expression of IL-10 was upregulated in group G (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which GM1 reduces the CPB-induced brain damage may be related to reduction of the central and systemic inflammatory response in rats.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ankle Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective:To study the metabolism of pedunculoside treated with rat intestinal bacteria in vitro. Methods:Pedunculo-side and rat intestinal bacteria were incubated in vitro for 0, 4, 8, 24 and 48 hours under anaerobic condition. After extracted repeat-edly by ethyl acetate, the metabolites in the incubation media were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by HPLC. Results:Totally 90. 8% of pedunculoside was transformed to M2 after incubated with rat intestinal bacteria in vitro for 48 hours, and a detailed compari-son of HPLC profiles between M2 and rotundic acid showed M2 was rotundic acid. Conclusion: Pedunculoside can be metabolized to rotundic acid by rat intestinal bacteria in vitro.

The aim of the paper is to reveals the variations of Dendrobium officinale amino acids in different strains and parts for breeding excellent varieties, and providing scientific basis for the expanding of medicinal or edible parts. The contents of 17 amino acids in 11 strains of D. officinale were determined by hydrochloric acid hydrolysis method. The total amino acids content of leaves was from 6.76 to 7.97 g per 100 g, and the stems was from 1.61 to 2.44 g per 100 g. As the content of amino acids in leaves was significantly higher than that of stems, and the composition was close to the ideal protein standard proposed by FAO/WHO. The leaves of D. officinale had the good prospect for the development of functional foods. The 9 x 66 strain which with high yield and polysaccharide content had the highest amino acids content both in stems and leaves, indicated crossbreeding could improve the quality of varieties. Compared the amino acids content of D. officinale in two main harvest periods, the harvest time has a significant impact on amino acids content of D. officinale. This study demonstrates that the harvesting time of D. officinale stems is suitable for leaves as well, which is the period before bolssom.
Amino Acids ; chemistry ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; classification

This paper revealed the accumulation regularity of polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts contents of Dendrobium officinale leaves, which have provided basis for the development and utilization of the leaves. The polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble extracts contents of three D. officinale strains leaves collected in different growing periods were determined by phenol-sulfric acid method and hot-dip method respectively. The results showed that the content of polysaccharides in leaves was 4.45% -12.17%, and was about a quarter in stems. The alcohol-soluble extracts content in leaves was 7.45% - 29.34%, and was 1.5 times that of stems. The quality variation of polysaccharides in leaves was closely related to the phenophase. The leaves with lower level of metabolism in three stages: winter, early germination stage and deciduous period, which led to lower content of polysaccharides. The leaves at the vigorous growth stage with higher content of polysaccharides. The alcohol-soluble extracts were closely associated to the formation and germination of buds. The content of alcohol-soluble extracts peaked before sprout, and promoted the growth of new shoots.
Dendrobium ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; metabolism ; Seasons

The effects of application of in-process quality control in Guizhi Fuling capsule production were evaluated by 192 batches data analysis. Using a statistical analysis method, each batch of data were to be counted to research for the difference between 96 samples adopting the technologies of in-process control or not. According to quality standards of Guizhi Fuling capsule, all measurements of the 192 batches of the drugs before and after the application of process control technology were analyzed, and they were within the rules. There was a significant difference between adopting the technologies of process control or not. Application of in-process control technology can improve the uniformity of lot-to-lot for Guizhi Fuling capsule.
Capsules ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Quality Control

Objective To observe the effects of five flavonoids include rutin(RU),dihydromyricetin(DMY),hesperetin(HP),daidzein(DA)and hydroxysaffor yellow A(HYSA)on myocardiocyte apoptosis induced by H2O2 and to explore their relationships with Keshan disease and the possible mechanism.Methods Primary cultured cardiocytes of neonatal rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,and flavonoids preincubation group.The cardiocyte apoptosis was examined by fluorescent staining,the rates of apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins associated with apoptosis were observed:by Western blot.Results Compared with model group[(24.33±6.51)%],RU[(13.95±3.80)%],DA[(11.82±3.50)%],HYSA[(12.33±3.78)%]could decreased the rate of apoptosis(P＜0.05).The five flavonoids could up-regulate Bcl-2 expression,down-regulate Bax expression,and increase the Bcl-2/Bax ratio[RU(0.989±0.094),DMY(0.931±0.280),HP(0.980±0.095),DA(1.049±0.092),HYSA(1.031±0.039),vs model(0.490±0.046),the difference had statistical significances(P＜0.05)],but the Bcl-xl did not significantly changed(P＞0.05).Conclusions RU,DMY,HP,DA and HYSA have antiapoptotic effects on cardiomyocyte via regulating Bcl-2 and Bax,which gives us a hint in prevention and treatment of Keshan disease.

0.05),while the level of IL-8,TNF-? and endotoxin changed significantly during CRRT(Pa

Objective To investigate the application of fetuses with talipes equinovarus (TE) using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) technology. Methods From May 2012 to June 2015, 54 fetuses were found with TE and with or without other structural anomalies by prenatal ultrasound. Karyotyping was taking for them all, and the fetuses with normal karyotypes took another CMA test. The data were analyzed with CHAS software. Finally all the cases were followed up to know about their pregnancy outcomes. Results One of the 54 cases was detected with abnormal karyotype which was trisomy 18 (2%, 1/54). CMA was undertaken to the remaining fetuses, they were divided into 2 groups, including isolated TE group (n=38) and complex TE group (n=15). The detection rate of clinical significant copy number variations (CNV) by CMA was 11% (6/53), while isolated and complex TE group were 5% (2/38) and 4/15, respectively (P=0.047). Of the 53 cases, 51 cases were successfully followed up. Eleven cases were found without TE after birth, and the false positive rate (FPR) of TE was 22%(11/51). Conclusions Whole-genome high-resolution CMA increased the detection rate by 11% in fetuses with TE. With the FPR and the detection rate of the clinical significant CNV of 2 groups, whole-genome CMA could be recommended to the fetuses with complex TE group but normal karyotypes. A series of ultrasonic tests should be suggested to the isolate TE group, while with the abnormal ultrasound, fetuses would be suggested to have CMA test for decreasing the rates of invasive prenatal diagnosis and FPR.