AIM: To observe the improvement effects of berberine on glycated brain damages in model rats induced by D-galactose. METHODS: The model rats of protein glycation were induced by intraperitoneal administration of D-galactose(150 mg/kg?d) for 8 weeks,and all rats were treated with berberine(high dose 300 mg/kg,middle dose 150 mg/kg,low dose 75 mg/kg) for 6 weeks.The activity of aldose reductase in red blood cells,the amount of glycated products(fructosamine in serum,glycohaemoglobin,advanced gtycation end-products),and the content of AGEs in brain tissue,calcium ion in brain cells were measured.Moreover,mitochondria in brain hippocampus cells were observed under electronic microscope. RESULTS: High dose and middle dose of berberine could decrease the activity of aldose reductase in red blood cells(P

Objective To investigate the association of ret gene rearrangement mutation with the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods Twenty-seven cases of PTC were analysed for expression of ret gene rearrangement (ret/PTCs) by multiplex-PCR at first, and then ret/PTC1-3 were identified by identification-PCR (ID-PCR). Finally, the specific ret/PTC was affirmed by automated direct sequencing. Ten specimens of malignant thyroid tissues of other histological types, 33 benign thyroid lesions and 30 normal thyroid specimens beside tumor (as the control) were also included. Results (1) Fifteen samples showed positive ret/PTCs, 11 of which harboured ret/PTC1,3 were positive for ret/PTC3, and 1 for ret/PTC2. All the rearrangements were clearly identified by automated direct sequencing of ID-PCR products. (2) All the 15 ret/PTC-positive tissue samples were histologically confirmed to be PTC. The prevalence of the tumor-specific ret rearrangements in 27 patients with PTC is 55.6% (15/27). (3) No significant difference was found regarding the gender and age of the patients, tumor size and metastasis of neck lymph node. 33.3% (2/6) of the PTC with invasion of extrathyroidal soft tissue were ret/PTC-positive, as compared with 66.7%(4/6) for ret/PTC-negative group (P

China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Listeria monocytogenes ; physiology ; Listeriosis ; epidemiology ; Serotyping

Objective To investigate the cytokines levels in peripheral blood of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients at active stage, and to observe the effect of baicalin at various concentrations on the cytokines. Methods Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) assay was used for the detection of interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R), IL6R, IL23R and RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC) expression in single peripheral mononuclear cell of UC patients. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine the serum levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in UC patients, and was applied for in-vitro detection of these indicators after baicalin intervention. Results Q-PCR results showed that IL4R, IL6R, IL23R, RORC gene expression levels in UC patients were increased to various degrees as compared to diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) patients and the healthy volunteers, and then the levels were decreased to various degrees after intervention by baicalin at different concentrations, in particular at 20 and 40μmol/L. The results of ELISA showed that serum levels of cytokines of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6 in UC patients were increased to various degrees while IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1 was decreased as compared to IBS-D patients and the healthy volunteers. Baicalin at the concentrations of 20 and 40 μmol/L had an effect on decreasing IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6 and on increasing IL-4 and IL-10. Conclusion Higher concentrations of baicalin show obvious effect on inhibiting RORC and IL23R expression, on decreasing IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6 levels, and on increasing IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels, which indicated that the therapeutic mechanism of baicalin in relieving ulcerative colonic inflammation is related with the regulation of immune function.

Objective To study the effect of nickel-titanium stent(NTS) and consequent anti-allergy dexamethasone therapy on macrophage cells reactivity to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacterium .Methods The macrophage cell line Raw 264 .7 and dexamethasone-pretreated Raw264 .7 were co-cultured with NTS for 4 days ,and stimulated with LPS for 24 hours .The surface marker CD molecules of CD80 ,CD86 and FasL were detected with flowcytometr method ,the supernant cytokine production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-αwas valued with ELISA method ,and intracellular inflammatory signal pathway acti-vation of NF-κB ,GAS ,ISRE and STAT3 was checked with signal molecule specific promoter lunciferase analysis .Results The stent pre-treatment improved LPS-mediated CD80 expression ,suppressed FasL production ,decreased IL-6 secretion and NF-κB ac-tivation ,the results have statistical significance (P<0 .05) .The dexamethasone treatment improved stent-mediated up-regulated ex-pression of CD80 ,FasL and TNF-α,and suppressed the activation of intracellular inflammatory signal pathway of NF-κB ,ISRE and STAT3 ,the results have statistical significance(P<0 .05) .Conclusion NTS inhibit macrophage cells Raw264 .7 react to TLR4 ag-onist LPS ,and dexamethasone treatment improved the function .

Objective:To investigate the expression of Fas、FasL and the apoptosis of liver cancer cell line HepG2 transfected with LIGHT and IFN-? gene mediated by Cationic liposome.Methods:HepG2 cells were divided into two groups(the solo transfection of LIGHT gene and the combined transfection of LIGHT and IFN-? genes) and the control groups(no transfection).HepG2 cells were cellected at 12h,24h and 48h after transfection.The apoptosis of HepG2 cells and the expression of Fas and FasL of the HepG2 cells were investigated with flow cytometry.Results:After transfection,the apoptosis of HepG2 cells increased,and the apoptosis of combined transfection group was higher than the solo transfection of LIGHT(P

OBJECTIVETo study the pathological changes of blood glucose, serum lipid, insulin resistance, liver function, liver cell denaturalization of total glucosides of paeony on nonalcoholic fatty liver rats caused by insulin resistance and discuss the acting mechanism.

METHODAdult SD rats were maintained on high-fat-sugar-salt diet for 56 days. In the 57th day, their fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-hours blood glucose after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT-2 hBG) were mensurated, according to which and the weight the rats were divided randomly into nonalcoholic fatty liver model group, metformin group (0.2 g x kg(-1)) and total glucosides of paeony group (high dosage 0.15 g x kg(-1), low dosage 0.05 g x kg(-1)). All the rats were still administered the same diet and given different drugs by intragastric administration for 28 days. In the 29th day, all of them were killed and the blood was sampled to measure the levels of blood glucose [FBG, OGTT-2 hBG, fasting insulin (Fins)] and serum lipid [free fatty acids (FFA), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], then the HOMA insulin resistance index (HOMA-IRI, fasting glucosexinsulin) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were counted. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholinesterase (ChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured also. Livers were weighed and collected to be observed the pathological changes.

RESULTCompared with normal group, in nonalcoholic fatty liver model group the levels of Fins and IRI were increased obviously (P < 0.01), ISI were decreased (P < 0.01), FFA, TG, TC, LDL-C were increased (P < 0.01), HDL-C were decreased (P < 0.05); the content of MDA were increased (P < 0.05), the activities of SOD were decreased (P < 0.01); AST, ALT and ChE were increased (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01), the pathological changes of liver fat were severe (P < 0.01). In glucosides of paeony group and metformin group, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistence were resisted (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01); the levels of FFA, TG, TC, LDL-C were decreased and HDL-C were increased (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01); the activities of AST, ALT, ChE were decreased (P < 0.05, or P < 0.01) and SOD were increased (P < 0.01). The contents of MDA were decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of FBG and 2 hBG in metformin group were decreased but in total glucosides of paeony group were not decreased obviously.

CONCLUSIONTotal glucosides of paeony may protect liver function and modulate serum lipid for the fatty liver rats caused by insulin resistance, and its action mechanism may be concerned with enhancing insulin sensitivity and antioxidative ability, decreasing serum lipid.

Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Cholinesterases ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipids ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study different effects of Herba Lycopodii (HL) Alcohol Extracted Granule combined methylprednisolone on behavioral changes, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression levels, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor levels in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODSMale adult SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the HL treatment group, the methylprednisolone treatment group, the HL + methylprednisolone treatment group. Rats in the HL treatment group were intragastrically administered with HL at the daily dose of 50 mg/kg for 5 successive days. Rats in the methylprednisolone treatment group were intramuscularly injected with 50 mg/kg methylprednisolone within 8 h after spinal cord contusion, and then the dose of methylprednisolone was reduced for 10 mg/kg for 5 successive days. Rats in the HL + methylprednisolone treatment group received the two methods used for the aforesaid two groups. Basso Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score (for hindlimb motor functions) were assessed at day 0, 3, 7, and 28 after operation. At day 13 after SCI, injured spinal T8-10 was taken from 8 rats of each group and stored in liquid nitrogen. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor affinity (Kd) and the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) were determined using [3H]MK-801 radioactive ligand assay. Rats' injured spinal cords were taken for immunohistochemical assay at day 28 after SCI. Expression levels of BDNF in the ventral and dorsal horn of the spinal cord were observed.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, the number of BDNF positive neurons in the ventral and dorsal horn of the spinal cord increased in the model group, Bmax increased (470 ± 34), Kd decreased, and BBB scores decreased at day 3 -28 (all P <0. 05). Compared with the SCI model group, the number of BDNF positive neurons and Kd increased, BBB scores at day 3 -28 increased (P <0. 05) in each medicated group. Bmax was (660 ± 15) in the methylprednisolone treatment group, (646 ± 25) in the HL treatment group, and (510 ± 21) in the HL +methylprednisolone treatment group (P <0. 05). Compared with the methylprednisolone treatment group, the number of BDNF positive neurons and Kd increased, BBB scores at day 7 -28 increased, and Bmax decreased in the HL treatment group and the HL + methylprednisolone treatment group (all P <0. 05). Compard with the HL treatment group, the number of BDNF positive neurons and Kd increased, and Bmax decreased (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHL could effectively improve motor functions of handlimbs, increase expression levels of BDNF in the spinal cord, and lessen secondary injury by affecting spinal levels of NMDA receptors. It showed certain therapeutic and protective roles in treating SCI. Its effect was better than that of methylprednisolone with synergism.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Ethanol ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Models, Animal ; N-Methylaspartate ; metabolism ; Neurons ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations associated with longevity in Bama elderly population from Guangxi.

METHODSMitochondrial genome of 20 individuals over 96 years of age was sequenced, and seven target single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) were observed by comparing with the standard rCRS sequence, and two were tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in a larger population including 208 individuals of 90-113 years old, and 586 unrelated control individuals from Guangxi.

RESULTSThe 4824G frequency of the mtDNA4824A/G locus increased with age both in the long-lived elderly and in controls. And it was significantly higher in controls than that in long-lived population (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe mtDNA4824 A/G is not only an age-related locus, its mutation is also negatively correlated with longevity.

Aged ; China ; ethnology ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; analysis ; genetics ; Genome, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Mutation ; Myanmar ; ethnology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Population Groups

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and neoplastic progression in hamster with tongue cancer.

METHODSForty-eight specimens of hamster tongue cancer were divided into control group (n=6) and experimental group (n=42). The pathological grade of the specimens was assessed (including 3 stages, namely atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ and early invasive carcinoma). The sections of the tongue were stained with Masson and aldehyde-fuchsin (AF) staining for microscopic observation of the elastic fiber and collagen fiber changes.

RESULTSWithin the connective tissue cores (CTC) of the papillae in the control group was a framework of numerous and fine Gomrori's aldehyde fuchsin-positive elastic fibers. But in the stages of dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, these elastic fibers decreased and further diminished in the CTC in early invasive carcinoma. In dysplasia and carcinoma in situ stages, most of the elastic fibers collapsed with scattered elastic fibers, and the elastic fibers decreased significantly in early invasive carcinoma. The control group showed a significantly greater number of elastic fibers in the experimental group. The collagen fiber was obviously increased and irregularly arranged in dysplasia and carcinoma in situ stage; in early invasive carcinoma, the collagen fibers became thicker with deposition in the lamina propria.

CONCLUSIONAn excessive deposition of collagen fiber and reduction of the elastic fibers is an important factor contributing to the development of tongue carcinoma in hamsters.

Animals ; Carcinoma ; pathology ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Connective Tissue ; pathology ; Cricetinae ; Elastic Tissue ; pathology ; Extracellular Matrix ; pathology ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Tongue Neoplasms ; pathology