Objective To investigate the effects of total flavonoids of Herba Epimedii(HEF)on the metabolism of typeⅠcollagen and the expression of cathepsin K in the bone of ovariectomized(OVX)rats. Methods Fifty-four female SD rats were allocated into 6 groups;OVX group,sham operation group,OVX rats followed by three doses of HEF(40,80 and 160 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1))and nilestriol(0.1 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1))for 12 weeks respectively.Bone mineral density(BMD)of whole body was determined by dual-energy X-ray absoptiometry.The level of cross-linked N-telopeptide of typeⅠcollagen(NTx)in the urine were determined by ELISA.The amounts of typeⅠcollagen protein and cathepsin K protein in bone tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method and Western blotting.Results Compared with OVX group,the total BMD values in the HEF treated groups were increased(all P＜0.05),and the expression levels of typeⅠcollagen in three HEF treated groups rose significantly in a dose-dependent manner after 12 week,and simultaneously,both the expression of cathepsin K in bone and the level of NTx/Cr were reduced markedly(P＜0.05),being most significant(P＜0.01)in the group treated with the highest dose of HEF(160 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)).Conclusion HEF seems to be able to elevate BMD and improve bone quality of rats via promoting synthesis and inhibiting proteolysis and absorption of typeⅠcollagen in the bone.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary ; pathology ; Sarcoma ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology

Adenoma, Villous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Mullerian Ducts ; pathology ; Papilloma ; pathology ; Vaginal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the methods and consequences of surgical technique in the treatment of Stanford A aortic dissection.Methods 108 patients with type Standford A aortic dissection underwent surgery in our study,including urgent surgery in 53 and selective surgery in 55.The operation was performed under deep hypothennic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in 85 cases.Surgical procedures included ascending and semi arch replacement or total arch replacement (some cases combined with stented graft implanted into the descending aorta),"elephant trunk" procedure.Concomitant procedures included repair of intimal tear in arch or descending aorta,Bentall procedure,aortic valve replacement,Cabrol or modified Cabrol procedure,aortic valvuloplasty,mitral valvuloplasty or mitral valve replacement,tricuspid valvuloplasty and CABG.Results In-hospital mortality was 6.5% (7 of 108 patients).The mor- tality was 7.5% (4 of 53 patients) in urgent surgery group and in elective surgery group was 5.4% (3 of 55 patients).Ninety six percent survived patients were followed up for 1 month to 13.3 years [mean (3.2?1.3) years] and 2 deaths occurred during the fel- low-up period.3 patients underwent re-operatian.Conclusion The choice of surgical procedures depend on the location of intimal tear for Stanford A aortic dissection.The better operative effects can be expected with proper surgical indication,perfecting surgical technique,and enhancing postoperative treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sunitinib in the treatment of metastatic renal clear cell carcinoma in our institution.

METHODSA total of 23 patients with metastatic clear cell RCC were enrolled from June 2008 to June 2009, male 16, female 7, median age 52 years. Twenty cases were treated by using Sunitinib as first-line therapy and 3 cases as second-line therapy. All pathological diagnosis was clear cell carcinoma. Sunitinib monotherapy was administered in repeated 6-week cycles of daily oral for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off, until disease progression or intolerable toxicities occurred. Overall response rate and safety were evaluated.

RESULTSThe median follow-up were 7.5 months (5 cycles). Four of 23 patients (17.4%) were treated with Sunitinib achieved partial responses (PR); 18 patients (78.3%) demonstrated stable disease (SD); 1 patient (4.3%)developed progressive disease (PD) during the study. Seventeen patients received treatment over 6 months (5 cycles). The 6 months' overall survival rate was 100%, 6 months' progression-free survival rate was 88.2%. The most commonly reported grade 3 adverse events included hand-foot syndrome (13.0%), thrombocytopenia(8.7%), diarrhea (4.3%)and fatigue (4.3%). Most grade 3 adverse events were ameliorated by dose-adjustment or treatment interruption.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study demonstrate the efficacy and manageable adverse-event profile of Sunitinib as a single therapy in first-line or second-line therapy for patients with metastatic clear cell RCC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Indoles ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrroles ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDIt is known that ultraviolet irradiation can affect cellular function through a number of signaling pathways. (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major effective component in green tea and can offer protection from ultraviolet-induced damage. In this study, we investigated the protective mechanism of EGCG on human dermal fibroblasts damaged by ultraviolet A (UVA) in vitro.

METHODSTranscription factor Jun protein levels were measured by Western blot. Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in conjunction with computer-assisted image analysis. MMP-1 and TIMP-1 proteins were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSEGCG decreased transcription activity of Jun protein after induction by UVA. Both the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-1 were increased by UVA irradiation, while no significant changes were observed in TIMP-1 levels. The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 showed statistically significant differences compared with the control. EGCG decreased the ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 by inhibiting UVA-induced MMP-1 expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEGCG can protect human fibroblasts against UVA damage by downregulating the transcription activity of Jun protein and the expression of MMP-1. The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1, rather than the levels of MMP-1 or TIMP-1 alone, may play a significant role in human skin photodamage.

Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Ultraviolet Rays

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Salvianolic-acid B on p38MAPK signaling pathway and its transcriptional factor activated by Transforming growth factor b1 in rat hepatic stellate cells.

METHODSHepatic stellate cells were isolated from normal rat by in situ perfusion and Nycodenz density-gradient centrifugation method.TGFb1 (10 ng/ml), PD98059(50 mumol/L), SB203580(10 mumol/L) and SA-B (10-6 mol/L) were directly added to the medium of the isolated HSCs. Groups: (1)The detection of total p38, MKK3/6, MEF2A and MEF2C induced by TGFb1 in HSC: include control group, SA-B group, SA-B+TGFb1 group and TGFb1 group. (2)The detection of the phosphorylation of p38, MKK3/6 and a-SMA induced by TGFb1 in HSC: include control group, SA-B group, SA-B+TGFb1 group, TGFb1 group, PD98059 group, PD98059+SA-B group, PD98059+TGFb1 group and SA-B+PD98059+TGFb1 group. (3)The effects of SA-B on activity of MEF2 reporter and collagen a 1(I) reporter induced by TGFb1 in HSC: include mt group, wt group, TGFb1 group, SA-B+TGFb1 group, SA-B group, SB203580+TGFb1 group and SB203580 group. Total and phosphorylated p38 and MKK3/6, MEF2A, MEF2C and a-SMA were assayed by Western blot. HSCs were transfected with either MEF2 or collagen a1(I) luciferase reporter gene by Lipofectamine 2000 transfection method, Cellular extracts were assayed for both MEF2 and collagen a1(I) luciferase activities. Comparisons between groups were performed with Student-Newman-Keuls test.

RESULTSThe relative expression level of the phosphorylation of p38 of SA-B group is 0.33+/-0.05,obviously lower than control group(q=7.08, P less than 0.01); SA-B+TGFb1 group is 0.46+/-0.04, obviously lower than TGF b1 group(q=10.45, P less than 0.01); The relative expression level of the phosphorylation of MKK3/6 of SA-B group is 0.11+/-0.07, obviously lower than control group(q=3.944, P less than 0.05); SA-B+TGF b1 group is 0.28+/-0.07, obviously lower than TGFb1 group (q=7.91, P less than 0.01); The relative luciferase activity of MEF2 reporter of SA-B+TGFb1 group and SB203580+TGF b1 group is 2.93+/-0.09 and 2.50+/-0.05 respectively, both obviously lower than TGFb1 group(q=35.35 and 37.2, P less than 0.01); The relative expression level of MEF2C and MEF2A of SA-B group is 15.82+/-0.97 and 13.00+/-0.40 respectively, obviously lower than control group(q is 5.18 and 13.32, both P less than 0.01); SA-B+TGF b1 group is 13.40+/-0.72 and 20.47+/-0.83 respectively, obviously lower than TGFb1 group(q is 43.93 and 12.52,both P less than 0.01); The relative expression level of a-SMA of SA-B+TGFb1 group is 8.76+/-0.44, obviously lower than TGFb1 group(q=20.35, P less than 0.01); SA-B+SB203580+TGFb1 group is only 3.57+/-0.49, obviously lower than TGFb1 group(q=39.78, P less than 0.01); The relative luciferase activity of collagen a1(I) reporter of SA-B+TGF b1 group and SB203580+TGFb1 group is 1.61+/-0.05 and 1.42+/-0.07 respectively, obviously lower than TGFb1 group(q=26.4 and 27.62, both P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSA-B could inhibit activation of HSC induced by TGFb1 through inhibiting p38MAPK signaling pathway in hepatic stellate cells.

Animals ; Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of different points combination in the treatment of menopausal insomnia.

METHODSNinety-six cases of menopausal insomnia were randomized into 3 groups, Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were chosen in the restore interaction between the heart and the kidney group (group A, 32 cases); Zhaohai (KI 6), Jiaoxin (KI 8), Shenmai (BL 62), Pucan (BL 61) were chosen in the acupuncturing qiao mai group (group B, 32 cases); auricular Shenmen (TF4) and sensitive spot at the distribution area of auricular vagus nervus were chosen in the ear acupuncture group (group C, 32 cases). Six days made one session and the treatments were finished after 4 courses. The polysomnography (PSG) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were employed before and after treatment to evaluate the alleviation of insomnia.

RESULTSThe parameters of the sleep latency (SL), rapid wave sleep latency (RL) and sleep efficiency (SE) were significantly improved in the three groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The SL and awaking time (AT) in group C [SL (401.08 +/- 16.54) min and AT (4.87 +/- 2.64) times] were significantly superior to those in the other two groups [SL (50.36 +/- 18.47) min, (54.87 +/- 20.92) min, AT (5.98 +/- 2.11) times, (6.13 +/- 3.04) times, all P < 0.05]. The S(3+4) (%) in group C was also significantly higher than those in the other two groups (both P < 0.05). It was indicated by PSQI that the sleep quality of group C (0.78 +/- 0.12) was significantly superior to that in group B (1.32 +/- 0.29), the total score and cured and markedly effective rate in group C [(4.34 +/- 1.43), 68.8% (22/32)] were superior to those in group A [(7.48 +/- 3.09), 53.1% (17/32), both P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONEar acupuncture has a better curative effect than the restore interaction between the heart and the kidney group and acupuncturing qiao mai group, it is worth of being promoted.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDNitic oxide (NO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases, including sunburn and pigmentation induced by ultraviolet irradiation. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major effective component in green tea and can protect skin from ultraviolet-induced damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective mechanisms of EGCG on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO generation by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation in HaCaT cells.

METHODSHaCaT cells were irradiated with UVB 30 mJ/cm 2 and pretreated with EGCG at varying concentrations. The iNOS mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and NO production was quantified by spectrophotometric method. The expression of NF-kappaB P65 was measured by immunofluorescence cytochemistry staining.

RESULTSThe expression of iNOS mRNA and generation of NO in HaCaT cells were increased by UVB irradiation. EGCG down regulated the UVB-induced iNOS mRNA synthesis and NO generation in a dose dependent manner. The UVB-induced ctivation and translocation of NF-kappaB were also down regulated by EGCG treatment in HaCaT cells (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGreen tea derived-EGCG can inhibit and down regulate the UVB-induced activation and translocation of NF-kappaB, expression of iNOS mRNA and generation of NO respectively, indicating EGCG may play a protective role from UVB-induced skin damage.

Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Protein Transport ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Tea ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on circadian rhythm of temperature and melatonin (MT) in depression rats model induced by chronic stress, so as to explore the biological mechanism of EA for depression.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EA group, 8 cases in each one. Rats in the control group were treated with normal diet for 21 days without any treatment. In the model and EA group, rat model was established by chronic unpredictable stress combined with solitarily feeding method, and rats in the EA group was treated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Yintang" (GV 29) 1 h before stress stimulation everyday, 2 Hz in frequency and intensity was favorable with the head of rat slightly shivering. The needles were retained for 20 min, once a day for totally 21 days. After EA treatment, open-field experiment was adopted to observe the behavioral improvement; the rats temperatures were monitored at six time points (2:00, 6:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00, 22:00) and orbital blood sampling was collected. The level of serum MT was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The circadian rhythm changes of temperature and serum MT in each group were compared.

RESULTSThe numbers of horizontal movement and vertical movement in the model group were obviously lower than those in the control group (both P < 0.05), while those in the EA group were significantly improved compared with those in the model group (both P < 0.01). The circadian rhythm of temperature and MT disappeared in the model group, which was improved into normal level after EA treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture has regulation effects on circadian rhythm of temperature and melatonin in depression rat model induced by chronic stress.

Animals ; Circadian Rhythm ; Depression ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Male ; Melatonin ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley