OBJECTIVETo investigate the anticancer efficacy and the hepatic and renal toxicity of As2O3-lipiodol emulsion via transarterial embolization in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.

METHODSVX2 tumors were implanted in rabbit livers successfully, followed by transarterial embolization with high-dose As2O3(5 mg/kg with 0.2 mL lipiodol, n=10), low-dose As2O3(1 mg/kg with 0.2 mL lipiodol, n=10), and control(0.2 mL lipiodol, n=10). The growth ratios and microvessel densities(MVDs) of the tumors were estimated by multi-row spiral CT and CD34 immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Hepatic and renal function was also evaluated by means of blood biochemical analysis.

RESULTSThe growth ratios of the tumors differed significantly among three groups(P<0.01). The high-dose and low dose group showed significantly lower tumor growth ratios[44.05%(-36.40%~64.60%), 95.20%(-11.60%~159.40%)] than control group[145.55%(98.90%~250.30%), all P<0.05]. The MVDs of the tumors were significantly lower in the high-dose(21.4±10.6) and low-dose group(34.1±12.0) than those in control group(57.9±16.1,all P<0.05). The levels of blood ALT and AST obtained 28 days after transarterial embolization were significantly lower in the high-dose[(25.50±12.37)U/L,(24.25±10.89)U/L] and low-dose group[(45.00±14.04)U/L,(35.22±11.86)U/L] than in control group[(79.12±30.52)U/L,(75.25±25.89)U/L, all P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONAs2O3-lipiodol emulsion via transarterial embolization has anticancer effect without significant hepatic and renal functional damage in rabbit VX2 liver tumors.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Emulsions ; pharmacology ; Ethiodized Oil ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and semen parameters. METHODS: We collected the data about 726 outpatients at the Male Infertility Clinic of Jinling Hospital from September 2015 to November 2016, including 72 with non-obstructive azoospermia, 123 with oligospermia, and 531 with normal sperm concentration. We obtained the semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, sperm motility, the percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) and morphologically normal sperm (MNS), and the levels of serum AMH, inhibin B (INH-B), total testosterone (TT) and follicle - stimulating hormone (FSH) of the patients, analyzed the correlation of the serum AMH level with the other parameters, and compared the AMH level among different groups. RESULTS: The serum AMH level was found to be correlated positively with the total sperm count (r = 0.227, P <0.001), sperm concentration (r = 0.215, P <0.001), sperm motility (r = 0.111, P = 0.003), the percentage of PMS (r = 0.120, P = 0.001), and the levels of INH-B (r = 0.399, P <0.001) and TT (r = 0.184, P = 0.002), negatively with the FSH level (r = －0.283, P <0.001), but insignificantly with age, time of abstinence, semen volume, and the percentage of MNS (P >0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the serum AMH level among the patients with non-obstructive azoospermia, oligozoospermia, and normal sperm concentration (［6.33 ± 4.26］ vs ［8.26 ± 3.98］ vs ［9.8 ± 5.19］ ng/ml, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Serum AMH is a biomarker reflecting the function of Sertoli cells and its level is significantly correlated with sperm concentration and motility, suggesting that AMH may be involved in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; blood ; Azoospermia ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Inhibins ; blood ; Male ; Oligospermia ; blood ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sertoli Cells ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone ; blood

Ellagic acid is ubiquitous in plants and is considered as a potential candidate for antioxidant and antineoplastic drugs. However, ellagic acid has poor solubility and precipitates easily even after initial solubilization. Improvement of its bioavailability has been a concern of pharmaceutical industry. It was found that storage in Sanlejiang oral liquid at low temperature keeps its stability. Ellagic acid is anomalous in a way that is easily soluble at low temperatures but precipitates at high temperatures. In order to reveal the mechanism of this phenomenon and develop precipitation prevention and control strategies, ellagic acid in Sanlejiang oral liquid was stored at high, medium and low temperatures for three months. The changes of composition and phase state of the whole system during storage were systematically tracked and studied by means of precipitation amount or morphology, HPLC chemical profile of supernatant versus precipitates, and comprehensive characterization of physical phase state. The results show that the amount of precipitation at low temperature is only 1/3 of that at normal room temperature. As the temperature rises, the sedimentation increases sharply. HPLC analyses of supernatant versus precipitates revealed that ellagic acid precipitation originated from two ways: chemical degradation and physical deposition. The chemical sedimentation is related to the hydrolysis of tannins under acidic condition, forming chebulagic acid and corilagin. Physical sedimentation is related to the decrease of the association degree and viscosity of polyphenol colloids when temperature rises. This study elucidated the stability mechanism of ellagic acid in liquid preparations of TCM, and provided the mechanistic basis for efficient utilization and solution prepartion of ellagic acid.

Child ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Respiratory System