Glioma ; pathology ; Humans ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; pathology

Objective To discuss significance of continuous monitoring of jugular venous oxygen saturation(S_(jv)O_2)in the course of mild hypothermia treatment(MHT)for severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods Intracranial pressure(ICP),S_(jv)O_2 and brain tissue pressure(P_(bt)O_2)were contin- uously monitored in 36 cases with sTBI for analyzing the correlation between S_(jv)O_2 and P_(bt)O_2.Results (1)There was negative linear correlation between P_(bt)O_2 and ICP(r=-0.978,P＜0.05),negative lin- ear correlation between S_(jv)O_2 and ICP(r=-0.947,P＜0.05)and positive linear correlation between P_(bt)O_2 and S_(jv)O_2(r=0.965,P＜0.05)within 24 hours and at 36 hours and 48 hours after injury.(2) The cases with decreased S_(jv)O_2 value had a worse outcome than those with normal S_(jv)O_2.meanwhile,the cases with abnormal increase of S_(jv)O_2 value had worse prognosis.Prognnsis was improved significantly with increase of S_(jv)O_2 in certain range(P＜0.05).Conclusion Continuous monitoring of S_(jv)O_2 can reflect the condition of hemicerebral oxygen metabolism and guide treatment and predicting outcome.

Objective To explore the effects of extract of Gingko biloba leaves (EGb) on learning, memory and hippoeampal heine oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in diabetic rats.Methods The behaviors of streptozotoein-induced diabetic rats were observed by Morris water maze for learning and memory after 6 months of diabetes.The HO-1 mRNA expression and protein expression in hippocampus of diabetic rats were detected by RT- PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively.Results The escape latency time in Morris water maze of diabetic rats was prolonged markedly.HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein expressions in hippocampus of diabetic rats were increased (1.635?0.326 vs 0.978?0.214,7.2?1.7 vs 1.9?0.5,respectively,both P＜0.01).The escape latency times in EGb (100,50 mg/kg) treated groups were shortened.HO-1 mRNA and HO-1 protein expressions in hippocampus were decreased at the same time as compared with diabetic group (100 mg/kg:0.954?0.144,2.0?0.8;50 mg/kg:0.988?0.154,2.5?0.6,all P＜0.01).Conclusion EGb can significantly inhibit HO-1 expression in hippocampus and improve learning and memory dysfunction in diabetic rats.

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine
Animals ; Antlers ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Deer ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Powders ; Quality Control

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine

Artemisnin is a novel sesquiterpene lactone with an internal peroxide bridge structure, which is extracted from traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao). Recommended by World Health Organization, artemisinin is the first-line drug in the treatment of encephalic and chloroquine-resistant malaria. In the present study, transgenic A. annua plants were developed by overexpressing the key enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin. Based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods, transgenic plants of A. annua with overexpression of both HDR and ADS were obtained through hygromycin screening. The genomic PCR analysis confirmed six transgenic lines in which both HDR and ADS were integrated into genome. The gene expression analysis given by real-time quantitative PCR showed that all the transgenic lines had higher expression levels of HDR and ADS than the non-transgenic control (except ah3 in which the expression level of ADS showed no significant difference compared with control); and the HPLC analysis of artemisinin demonstrated that transgenic A. annua plants produced artemisinin at significantly higher level than non-transgenic plants. Especially, the highest content of artemisinin was found in transgenic line ah70, in which the artemisinin content was 3.48 times compared with that in non-transgenic lines. In summary, overexpression of HDR and ADS facilitated artemisinin biosynthesis and this method could be applied to develop transgenic plants of A. annua with higher yield of artemisinin.
Artemisia annua ; genetics ; metabolism ; Artemisinins ; metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism

To study the effect of sodium aescinate in inducing human breast cancer MCF-7 cells apoptosis and its possible mechanism. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of sodium aescinate on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. The morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope. DAPI nuclear staining was used to detect the changes in cell nucleus. Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry was adopted to test the apoptosis rate. Changes in apoptosis-related proteins (PARP, cleaved caspase-8 and pro-caspase-3), cell survival-associated signal molecules (AKT and ERK) and their common upstream kinase SRC was detected by Western blotting. The result showed that after different concentrations of sodium aescinate were used to treat breast cancer MCF-7 cells, they inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, induced cell apoptosis (typical morphological changes in nucleus, significant increase in cell apoptosis rate). The expressions of cleaved PARP and caspase-8 increased, while the expression of pro-caspase-3 decreased, which further verified sodium aescinate's effect in inducing cell apoptosis. Sodium aescinate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of cell survival-related signal molecules (AKT, ERK) and down-regulate the activation of their common up-stream kinase SRC. The findings indicated that sodium aescinate can block signals transiting to downstream molecules AKT, ERK, inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cell MCF-7 cell apoptosis and induced cell apoptosis by suppressing the activation of SRC.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology ; src-Family Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is an important liver-specific uptake transporter, which mediates transport of numerous endogenous substances and drugs from blood into hepatocytes. To identify and investigate potential modulators of OATP1B1 from natural products, the effect of 21 frequently used natural compounds and extracts on OATP1B1-mediated fluorescein methotrexate transport was studied by using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing OATP1B1 (CHO-OATP1B1) in 96-well plates. This method could be used for the screening of large compound libraries. Our studies showed that some flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, chrysanthemum flavonoids and mulberrin) and triterpenoids (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizic acid) were inhibitors of OATP1B1 with IC50 values less than 16 µmol · L(-1). The IC50 value of glycyrrhetinic acid on OATP1B1 was comparable to its blood concentration in clinics, indicating an OATPlB1-mediated drug-drug interaction could occur. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that flavonoids had much higher inhibitory activity than their glycosides. Furthermore, the type and length of saccharides had a significant effect on their activity. In addition, we used OATP1B1 substrates fluvastatin and rosuvastatin as probe drugs to investigate the substrate-dependent effect of several natural compounds on the function of OATP1B1 in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the effect of these natural products on the function of OATPlB1 was substrate-dependent. In summary, this study would be conducive to predicting and avoiding potential OATP1B1-mediated drug-drug and drug-food interactions and thus provide the experimental basis and guidance for rational drug use.
Animals ; Biological Products ; CHO Cells ; Cricetulus ; Drug Interactions ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Organic Anion Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo study the prophylactic effects of nasal tolerance with a dual analogue, Lys262-Ala207, on the mouse model of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSMouse model of EAMG was induced by intraperitoneal injection of mAb35. Lys262-Ala207 or PBS was given nasally before 10 days (study group A and control group A) or on the day (study group B and control group B) of immunization for 10 days. Clinical syndromes were evaluated after immunization. Serum level of acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab) IgG was detected using ELISA. The number of monouclear cells expressing CD4+ and CD4+ CD25+T from spleen was measured using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the corresponding control groups, the clinical syndromes were improved (P<0.01) in mice from the study groups A and B. The positive rate of the repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test in the study groups A and B was significantly lower than that in the corresponding control groups (P<0.01). The study group A showed lower positive rate of RNS than the study group B (P<0.05). The serum levels of AChR-Ab IgG in the study groups A and B (15.01+/-1.09 and 19.23+/-1.31 microg/mL) decreased compared with that in the corresponding control groups (28.12+/-1.28 and 29.35+/-1.28 microg/mL) (P<0.01). The study group A mice had lower serum AChR-Ab IgG levels than the study group B (P<0.01). The number of CD4+ CD25+T cells in the study groups A (4.516+/-0.598%) and B (3.671+/-0.300%) increased significantly compared with that in the corresponding control groups (2.661+/-0.411% and 2.412+/-0.500%) (P<0.01) and more CD4+ CD25+T cells were found in the study group A than in the study group B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNasal administration with dual analogues may ameliorate clinical syndromes in EAMG rats, which may be associated with decreased serum AChR-Ab IgG levels and increased number of CD4+ CD25+T cells from spleen.

Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Female ; Immune Tolerance ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Receptors, Cholinergic ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; physiology