Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; blood ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; Endothelins ; blood ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Plasminogen Inactivators ; blood ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood

Alternative Splicing ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Growth Protein 1 ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Plasmids ; Protein Isoforms ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the correlationship between TCM Syndrome type with changes of neutrophil surface intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet membrane P selectin (CD62P) in patients with ischemic stroke for exploring the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODSSeventy-two patients with ischemic stroke were dividcd into 3 typing groups according to TCM syndrome-differentiation, the Meridian-phlegm stagnancy group (MPS), the visceral phlegm-heat accumulation group (VPHA) and the qi-deficiency with blood stasis group (QDBS), 24 in each group. Besides, a control group consisted of 24 healthy subjects was set up. Blood levels of ICAM-1 and CDP62 expression were monitored by flow cytometry.

RESULTSBlood levels of ICAM-1 and CD62P expression in ischemic stroke patients were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (P < 0.01). Among the three type groups, ICAM-1 expression was significantly higher in MPS than that in the VPHA and the QDBS group (P<0.01), and CD62P expression in the MPS and the QDBS group was significantly higher than that in the VPHA (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONBlood levels of ICAM-1 and CD62P expression in different typing of patients with ischemic stroke are different. ICAM-1 expression reflects the pathological state of phlegm retention or phlegm-stasis mutual bindings, CD62P expression reflected the blood stasis state in organism, these evidences suggest that MPS may be the key pathogenic factor of ischemic stroke.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; P-Selectin ; blood ; Stroke ; blood

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

OBJECTIVETo develop the chromatographic fingerprints of composite Folii Isatidis injection by HPLC.

METHODThe separation was performed on a Diamonsil C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol-water-phosphoric acid as gradient eluent at the flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The UV detection was set at 254 nm.

RESULTA standard HPLC fingerprint procedure was developed for composite Folii Isatidis injection, with 20 common peaks and a similarity threshold of 9.0 established.

CONCLUSIONThis method was accurate, repeatable and useful for the quality control of composite Folii Isatidis injection.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Injections ; Isatis ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Uridine ; analysis

Glomerular hypertrophy is the main pathological characteristic in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN), and its regulatory mechanism is closely related to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway activity. mTOR includes mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2(mTORC2), in which, the upstream pathway of mTORC1 is phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase(Akt)/adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase(AMPK), and the representative signaling molecules in the downstream pathway of mTORC1 are 4E-binding proteins(4EBP) and phosphoprotein 70 S6Kinase(p70S6K). Some Chinese herbal extracts could improve cell proliferation via intervening the expressions of the key molecules in the upstream or downstream of PIK/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in vivo. As for glomerular mesangial cells(MC) and podocyte, mTOR plays an important role in regulating glomerular inherent cells, including adjusting cell cycle, energy metabolism and matrix protein synthesis. Rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR, could suppress glomerular inherent cell hypertrophy, cell proliferation, glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickening and mesangial matrix deposition in model rats with DN. Some Chinese herbal extracts could alleviate glomerular lesions by intervening mTOR signaling pathway activity in renal tissue of DN animal models or in renal inherent cells in vivo and in vitro.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; pathology ; Kidney Glomerulus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To observe the effect of splenectomy on mortality and brain water content of rats with brain injury so as to explore novel way for better clinical management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Methods Adult male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, ie, sham operation on brain and spleen (Group A, n = 23), experimental brain trauma & sham operation on spleen (Group B, n =48) and experimental brain injury & splenectomy (Group C, n = 47). Modified Feeney' s method was used to create the animal model of experimental brain trauma, Longa' s scale was applied to evaluate the neurologic defect. Mortality within seven days following brain injury was calculat-ed. In the meantime, the brain water content was detected at days 1 (n = 8), 2 (n = 8), 3 (n = 8) and 7 (n = 7) after brain injury in each group, Results No statistical difference of Longs' s scale was found between Group B and Group C (P > 0.05). The mortalities within seven days after brain injury were 0%, 35.42 and 14.89% in Groups A, B and C respectively, with statistical difference between groups (P<0.05). The brain water content of Groups B and C at days 1, 2, 3 and 7 were (81.98±0.35)% & (81.78±0.41)%, (82.58±0.63)% & (81.81±0.48)% (P<0.05),(82.54±0.54)% & (81.52±0.84)% (P<0.05) and (81.50±0.41)% & (81.21±0.36)% (P>0.05) respectively. Conclusion Splenectomy can effectively reduce brain water content and significantly decrease mortality in rata with brain injury.

OBJECTIVETo determine the threshold of millimeter wave irradiation for fetal injury in mice and the mechanism of decrease of learning and memory function in their offsprings and to verify whether the millimeter wave has the non-thermal effect.

METHODSPregnant mice were irradiated by millimeter wave with frequencies of 37.4, 42.2, 53.0 and 60.0 GHz at power densities of 1, 3, 5, 8 mW/cm(2) for two hours daily from the 6th to 15th day of their gestation. Learning and memory functions of their offsprings were tested by a Y-type electric maze. c-Fos protein expression level in hippocampus of their offsprings was determined with immunohistochemistry 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after the offsprings were trained respectively.

RESULTSThe minimal power density of millimeter wave for the decrease in learning and memory function and decrease of c-Fos protein expression level in hippocampus of their offsprings caused by 37.4, 42.2 GHz and 53.0, 60.0 GHz was 5 and 3 mW/cm(2). Severity of injury for learning and memory in offsprings caused by irradiation increased with the power density of millimeter wave. The millimeter wave did not cause increase of the body temperature of the pregnant mice.

CONCLUSIONThe threshold of millimeter wave with 37.4, 42.2 GHz, and 53.0, 60.0 GHz causing fetal injury in mice is 5 and 3 mW/cm(2) respectively. The decrease in learning and memory functions in offspring mice is related with decrease of c-Fos protein expression level in hippocampus. Millimeter wave has the non-thermal effects.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Female ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Learning ; radiation effects ; Memory ; radiation effects ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor with a key role in several pathological processes, including wound repair as well as a effective vascular permeability factor. This article review the present study of VEGF in molecular biology, the connection with repair and expression regulation and so on.
Animals ; Endothelial Growth Factors/physiology* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/physiology* ; Lymphokines/physiology* ; Rats ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; Wound Healing/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 after traumatic brain injury. METHODS: Use the fluid-percussion model to inflict rat brain and take the samples at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours after brain injury. The samples were studied by immunohistochemistry method combined with image analysis by MIAS image analysis system. RESULT: The expression of ICAM-1 upregulates at 2 hours, reaches peak at 12 hours and falls down at 24 hours after brain injury. CONCLUSION The changes of ICAM-1 in brain can provide a backup for estimation of injury time and survival period after brain injury which sustained within 24 hours.
Animals ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Male ; Percussion ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors