Background Curcumin derives from the rhizome of curcuma longa.It has proven to have an antiproliferative effect in previous studies on vast majority of endothelial and epithelial cells,however,the study of its inhibiting effect on the proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and underlying mechanism is rare.Objective Aim of this study was to investigate the potential inhibitory effect of curcumin on the proliferation of cuhured human RPE cells in vitro and its possible mechanism.Methods Human RPE cells harvested by trpsinEDTA were suspended in DMEM/F12 medium with serial dilutions of curcumin (5,10,15,20 mg/L),and the human RPE cells cultured by DMEM/F12 without curcumin were used as control.The proliferation value of human RPE cells (A value) was measured by water-soluble tetrazole-1 (WST-1) assay,the optimized dose of antiproliferation of curcumin was determined and applied for further experimental process.Apoptosis and cell cycle of human RPE cells were detected by flow cytometric analysis at 48 hours and 72 hours after curcumin treatment.The ultrastructure profile of the cells were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Western blot analysis was performed to measure the relative expressing level of the pro-apoptotic factors p53,p21 WAF1/CIP1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the cells,respectively.Factorial design of two factor analysis of variance of SPSS 17.0 software was used to compare the difference of A values of the cells among the various groups and time points,and independent-sample t test was used to compare the differences of apoptosis rate and cell ratio in different cycles between curcumin group and control group.Results WST-1 assay showed that the A value was gradually reduced with the increase of curcumin dose (F tion =96.55,P =0.00),and gradually increased with the lapse of time (Ftime =4634.28,P =0.00).The early apoptotic rate of the cells was (13.37±1.26) ％ in the curcumin group 48 hours after treated by 15 mg/L curcumin,and that of the control group was (7.03 ±0.37) ％,with a significant difference between them (t =8.33,P=0.00).In 72 hours after treated by 15 mg/L curcumin,the early and middle-late apoptotic rates of the cells were (15.97±0.16) ％ and (0.26±0.03) ％,which were significantly higher than those of the control group (7.29±0.37) ％ and (0.14±0.02) ％ (t=37.80,P=0.00;t=7.44,P=0.00).The cell ratio of G0/G1 phase in the curcumin group was (57.17±1.17)％ 48 hours after treated by 15 mg/L curcumin,and that in the control group was (67.73± 1.10)％,showing a significant difference (t =11.40,P =0.00).M itochondrial swelling and vacuolar degeneration were seen in the cells after treated by 15 mg/L curcumin.The relative expression levels of p53 and p21WAF1/CIP1 protein in the cells were higher in the curcumin group than those of the control group at 24,48 and 72 hours (all at P＜0.05),but the expression levels of PCNA protein were lower in the curcumin group than those of the control group in various time points (all at P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Curcumin can effectively inhibit the proliferation of human pigment epithelial cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.P53 pathway may participate in anti-proliferating process.

Objective and Methods:The scavenging effects of the extracts, phycocyanin and polysaccharose from Spirulina platensis (S.P) or from selenium enriched S.P (Se-S.P), and sodium _ selenite on superoxide anions( O2? )and hydroxyl radicals (?OH) were investigated respectively with chemoluminescence technique. Results:The extract, Se-phycocyanin and Se-polysaccharose from Se-S.P had higher scavenging effect on both kinds of active oxygen radicals than those from S.P and the scavenging _ rates of extract on O2 ? and ?OH were enhanced about 30%and 20% at a concentration of 400?g/ml.Those effects of Se-phycocyanin were characterized dose-dependently and the concentration of 50% scavenging rate on superoxide anions was above 500 ?g/ml. With increase of the concentration of Se-phycocyanin, the scavenging rate on ?OH was elevated steadily and 50% scavenging rate was found at protein concentration above 125?g/ml. The scavenging effect of the Se-polysaccharides on oxygen free radicals was more _ noticeable and the concentration for 50% scavenging rate on ?OH and O2 ? were 60 ?g/ml and 12 ?g/ml _ respectively. However, there was no evidenced scavenging effect of sodium selenite on both ?OH and O2 ? . Conclusion : The active organic Se-containing molecules such as Se-containing proteins and Se polysaccharides, which were produced by selenium metabolism in microalgae, might contribute to the scavenging effects of Se enriched S.P. on oxygen free radicals.

Hospital Research Branch to provide diversity of services should rely on a combination of different professionals composite research management department.This paper analyzes the current status of the hospital research management staff proposed the formation of complex multifunctional research subjects and their personnel training programs,and the staff have made short-term and long-term co-ordination of running countermeasures,as well as multi functional management functions method.

Background The dosage of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) for central exudative chorioretinopathy(CEC) depends on the calculation formula of Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy Study Group(TAP)and Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy Study Group(VIP).Some local adverse responses or normal tissue damage have been noted under the standard dose of verteporfin during the treatment of CEC.So it is necessary to explore an appropriate therapeutic dosage of verteporfin.Objective This clinical study aimed to observe and compare the clinical efficacy and safety of different doses of verteporfin PDT for CEC.Methods Ninety eyes of 90 patients with CEC were enrolled in this study with the approval of the Ethic Commission of Affiliated Second Hospital of Nanchang University.Written informed consent was obtained before PDT.The patients were randomly divided into standard dose group,half dose group and 1/3 dose group.All of the patients received PDT.Standard dose(6 mg/m2),3 mg/m2 or 2 mg/m2 of verteporfin was applied in the three groups respectively,with the laser intensity 50 J/cm2.The patients were followed-up for 3 months.Repeat treating regimen was performed in the same way in the patient with fundus fluorescein leakage after initial PDT.Results The BCVA(logMAR) value was 0.44±0.36 after PDT in the standard dose group.Visual acuity improved in 20 patients (66.67％),stabilized in 8 patients(26.67％)and decreased in 2 patients (6.67％).The BCVA showed a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative BCVA (t =6.719,P =0.000).CNV disappeared in 19 patients (63.33％),obviously improved in 7 patients (23.33％),partially disappeared in 3 patients (10.00％) and unchanged in 1 patient (3.33％).The central fovea thickness (CFT)value was significantly declined in postoperation compared with preoperation (t =5.758,P =0.000).Eight patients received secondary PDT with the recurrence rate 26.67％.In the half dose group,visual acuity improved in 18 patients(60.00％),stabilized in 11 patients(36.67％)and decreased in 1 patient (3.33％).CNV disappeared in 16 patients (53.33％),obviously improved in 8 patients (26.67％),partially disappeared in 5 patients (16.67％) and unchanged in 1 patient (3.33 ％).Significant difference was seen between the preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA(t=8.294,P =0.000).The decrease of C FT was significant in postoperation(t =8.493,P =0.000).Ten patients received secondary treatment with the recurrence rate 33.33％.In 1/3 dose group,visual acuity improved in 8 patients (26.67 ％),stabilized in 12 patients (40.00％),decreased in 10 patient (33.3％).CNV disappeared in 8 patients (26.67％),obviously improved in 8 patients (26.67％),partially disappeared in 6 patients (20.00％) and unchanged in 8 patient (26.67％).There was no significant difference between the preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA (t =0.536,P =0.596).The difference between preoperative CFT and postoperative CFT was insignificant(t =0.942,P=0.354).Fourteen patients received secondary PDT and 8 patients received three times with the recurrence rate 73.33％.Conclusions 3 mg/m2 verteporfin PDT for CEC shows a similar clinical efficiency and safety to 6 mg/m2 verteporfin.3 mg/m2 verteporfin PDT can decrease cost,but the effect of 2 mg/m2verteporfin PDT is not satisfacted.

A phytochemical investigation on the aerial parts of a Tibetan medicine Meconopsis horridula, by solvent extraction, repeated chromatographies on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative TLC techniques, led to the isolation of 9 compounds. By spectroscopic analysis and comparison of its 1H and 13C-NMR data with those in literatures, their structures were identified as oleracein E(1), N-( trans-p-coumaroyl) tyramine (2), chrysoeriol (3), apigenin (4), hydnocarpin (5), p-coumaric acid glucosyl ester (6), stigmast-5-ene-3beta-ylformate (7), 3beta-hydroxy-7alpha-ethoxy-24beta-ethylcholest-5-ene (8), and beta-sitosterol (9), respectively, among which compounds 6-8 were isolated from the genus for the first time,and 1,3 were isolated from the species for the first time. A MTT method was applied to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of compounds 14 against the human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), and compound 1 showed significant cytotoxicity against HepG2,with its inhibitory rate of 52.2% at 10 micromol x L(-1).
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo explore the procedures of dynamic infusion cavernosometry and cavernosography (DICC) and their application in the diagnosis and classification of venous erectile dysfunction (VED).

METHODSThis study included 103 ED patients, aged 20 to 43 years, highly suspected of VED, with disease courses of 4 months to 6 years. DICC was performed and analyses were made on the results, especially the parameters of flow-to-maintain (FTM) and pressure decay (PD) in the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSBased on the parameters of FTM and PD, 21 of the patients were normal, 5 were suspected of VED, 39 had mild VED, 25 had moderate VED, and 13 had severe VED. Penile subcutaneous hematoma was found in 4 of the patients, all recovered after 3 to 5 days, with no other complications.

CONCLUSIONDICC is a reliable, safe and minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and classification of VED.

Diagnostic Techniques, Urological ; adverse effects ; Hematoma ; etiology ; Humans ; Impotence, Vasculogenic ; classification ; diagnosis ; Male ; Penile Diseases ; etiology ; Penis ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Veins

Objective To observe the B-scan ultrasonic characteristics of the posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and the relationship between the PVD and retina. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 991 cases (1107 eyes) with PVD. Methods The results of B-scan ultrasonography were retrospectively in PVD patients and according to the adhesion between the posterior vitreous cortex (PVC) and eyeball wall, complete PVD and incomplete PVD were divided. Main Outcome Measures The ratio of types and characteristics of PVD. Results 710 eyes(64.1%)were diagnosed as complete PVD, in which 69 eyes(17.3%)accompanied with peripheral ruptured detachment of retina, and 16 eyes(23.0%)PVC adhered with lid of peripheral retina hole. 397 eyes(35.9%)were diagnosed as incomplete PVD, in which 159 eyes(40.0%)as partly PVD, and 76 eyes(47.7%)concomitanted with PVC proliferation and vitreous incompletely splitting. 121 eyes(30.5%)PVC were adhered with the macula, and 117 eye(29.5%)with the optic disc. Conclusions Ultrasonography can be applied to diagnose PVD precisely,which can provide credible morphologic evidence for the clinic.

BackgroundRetinal pigment epithelial(RPE) cells can secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF receptor(PDGFR).Studies have shown that PDGF plays a key role in the formation of proliferative vitreous retinopathy(PVR). ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis changes of RPE after blockage of the PDGFR-α expression by antisense oligonucleotide ( ASODN ) in vitro. Methods Human RPE cells strain was cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum.Logarithmic phase cells were collected and incubated in 96-well plate at the density of 5 × 105 cells/hole.PDGFR-α ASODN was transfected into RPE cells at different concentrations for 48 hours.The cells of the blank control group were regularly cultured without any transfection.The changes of PDGFR-α expression were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and the proliferation of RPE was detected by MTT as the A490 value.Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining was used to determine the apoptosis of RPE.Flow cytometry method (FCM) was applied to detect the change of cell cycle and apoptosis rate of RPE cells. ResultsThe A490 values of RPE cells were 1.45±0.12,1.07±0.06,0.65±0.05 in blank control group,1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group with the significant difference(P=0.00 ),and that of 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μ mol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly lower than the blank control group ( P =0.00,0.00).Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the apoptosis cells were obviously more in Lipo-ASODN group compared with blank control group.PDGFR-α ASODN transfection induced an increase of percentage of RPE cells in G0/G1 phase( F =206.70,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rates in 1.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group and 2.0 μmol/L Lipo-ASODN group were significantly enhanced in comparison with blank control group ( 37.8 ± 1.3 vs 10.5 ± 0.1,61.2 ± 1.9 vs 10.5 ± 0.1 ) ( F =1808.90,P =0.00 ).Expression intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA in RPE cells in Lipo-ASODN groups was lower. ConclusionsBlocking the PDGFR-α expression with ASODN technology can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of RPE cells.Intensity of PDGFR-α mRNA expression in RPE cells is ASODN dose-dependent.ASODN targeted to PDGFR-α offers an experimental basis of the gene therapy for PVR.

Litsea cubeba is one of aromatic medicinal plant belonging to family Lauraceae. The roots, stems and fruits of L. cubeba have been widely applied as folk medicines in some districts in China for relieving rheumatism and cold, regulating Qi (meridian) to alleviate pain. Previous studies revealed that this species contains major alkaloids, in specific aporphines, and minor flavonoids, lignans as well. Related pharmacological investigations demonstrated its activities and clinical applications on cardiovascular diseases, anti-cancer, against rheumatoid arthritis, relieving asthma and anti-allergic effects, as anti-oxidants, and so on. As an effort for further exploration of this bioactive ingredients and potential drug development, this paper summarizes most phytochemical and pharmacological results. Further, future prospects are also included.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Litsea ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and whole-cell perforated patch-clamp techniques were combined to study simultaneously the changes of intracellular signal molecules and membrane currents. Intracellular calcium transients and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) were recorded simultaneously in freshly isolated mouse cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. The cells loaded with fluo-4/AM were scanned with the confocal line-scan mode. Triggering voltage pulses derived from an EPC-10 patch clamp amplifier triggered the confocal line scan. The results showed that STOCs and intracellular calcium transients could be simultaneously recorded in the same cell. This technique will be useful in studies of diseases caused by impairments of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling and related ionic channel activities, or vice versa.
Animals ; Calcium Signaling ; Cerebral Arteries ; cytology ; Mice ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques