Bibliometrics ; Financial Management ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Periodicals as Topic ; Research Support as Topic

OBJECTIVEBenzodiazepines (BDZ) have many effects on various kinds of epilepsies, but long-term treatment with BDZ often leads to drug tolerance. This study aimed to seek drugs which can reverse the tolerance of flurazepam (FZP), and to explore the role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the reversal effect.

METHODSA rat model of anticonvulsant tolerance to FZP was prepared. The rats with FZP tolerance were randomly assigned to seven groups: FZP-tolerance, and nifedipine, levetiracetam, topiramate, flumazenil, L-NAME and pyridoxamine treatment groups. The tolerance to FZP was evaluated through pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) infusion into a tail vein. The latency to onset of clonic seizure and the PTZ threshold were recorded. The mRNA of NPY receptor Y2 in the hippocampus was determined by RT-PCR, and the distribution of NPY in the hippocampus was examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn comparison with the blank control group, the average latency to the onset of clonic seizure was shortened, the average PTZ threshold decreased and the expression of NYT and NPY receptor Y2 mRNA decreased significantly in the FZP-tolerance group (p<0.01). In comparison with the FZP-tolerance group, the average latency to onset of clonic seizure was prolonged by 2 times and the average PTZ threshold doubled in the topiramate treatment group. The average latency to onset of clonic seizure was prolonged by 1 time and the average PTZ threshold increased 1 time in the nifedipine, the levetiracetam and the flumazenil treatment groups. The mRNA expression of NPY receptor Y2 increased by 1 or 2 times in the flumazenil, the nifedipine and the topiramate treatment groups when compared with the FZP-tolerance group.

CONCLUSIONSNifedipine, levetiracetam, topiramate and flumazenil can reverse the anticonvulsant tolerance to flurazepam. NPY may play a role in mediating the reversal effect.

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Drug Tolerance ; Flurazepam ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Male ; Neuropeptide Y ; analysis ; physiology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reaction Time ; Receptors, Neuropeptide Y ; genetics ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; drug therapy

AIM To explore the effects of Sangtong alkaloids (total alkaloids and total flavones from Mori folium,STA) on the random blood glucose,starch tolerance and hepatic insulin resistance in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus.METHODS Eight-week-old db/db mice were divided into model group (normal saline),acarbose group (39 mg/kg) and Sangtong alkaloids groups (105,210 and 420 mg/kg),db/m mice were used as control group (normal saline).The mice were given by intragastric administration for one hundred days.The random blood glucose of mice was determined every ten days.The starch tolerance was determined in the 100th day,together with the determination of serum insulin level,insulin resistance index and insulin sensitivity index.Histopathology changes of pancreas were observed by HE staining.Protein expressions of P-IRS1,P-PI3 K,P-AKT and GLUT2 were detected by Western blot.RESULTS Sangtong alkaloids significantly decreased the random blood glucose,serum insulin level and insulin resistance index,and increased the insulin sensitivity index in db/db mice.Meanwhile,Sangtong alkaloids ameliorated the pancreas histopathological damage and up-regulated the protein expressions of P-IRS1,P-PI3K,P-AKT and GLUT2 in liver.CONCLUSION Sangtong alkaloids can decrease the random blood glucose and improve the insulin resistance of liver in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus,whose mechanism may be associated with the regulation of hepatic insulin signal pathway.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tongsaimai (TSM) tablets in treating foot trauma of diabetic foot (DF) model rats, and discuss its potential mechanism.

METHODMale SD rats were selected to duplicate the diabetic foot ulcer model and randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the metformin treatment group, and TSM 12.44, 6.22, 3.11 g x kg(-1) groups (n = 10). The healing of ulcer wounds were observed on day 1, 4, 8, 13 and 18. After 18 days, a histopathologic examination was conducted for ulcer tissues. The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by hydroxylamine and TBA methods. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined with the radioimmunoassay. The immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ulcer tissues and the number of capillary vessels.

RESULTTSM could alleviate the pathological changes of diabetic foot rats, accelerate the ulcer healing on 4, 8, 13, 18 d, reduce MDA, IL-6, TNF-alpha, VEGF content in rat serum at 18 d (after the rehabilitation period), and enhance the SOD content. Specifically, the TSM 12.44 g x kg(-1) group showed significant differences compared with the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). At 18 d after the treatment (the late rehabilitation period), the VEGF expression of TSM 12.44, 6.22 g x kg(-1) groups and the number of blood capillaries of the TSM 12.44 g x kg(-1) group were significantly lower than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTSM could promote the foot wound healing of DF model rats, reduce MDA, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in serum, increase the SOD content and decrease the VEGF expression and the number of blood capillaries in the late rehabilitation period. Its action mechanism may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress injury and the inflammatory cell infiltration.

Animals ; Diabetic Foot ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and significance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-2, TIMP-1) in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

METHODSThirty six patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 32 patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), confirmed by pathology, were selected, and 30 cases of normal skin were selected as control. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in all samples were examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression rate, expression intensity and expression level of each factor were recorded. The results were compared between the groups.

RESULTSThe expression rates of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the control group were 30.0% and 36.7%, the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the control group were 57.216 ± 12.785 and 59.318 ± 13.262, all significantly lower than those in the tumor edge and center of the SCC and BCC groups (P < 0.01). The expression rates of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the control group were 96.7% and 100%, their expression levels were 121.738 ± 25.516 and 122.612 ± 25.964, all significantly higher than those in the SCC and BCC groups (P < 0.01). The expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the tumor center and edge of SCC group were significantly higher than those in the corresponding parts of the BCC group, while the expression levels of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were significantly lower than those in the BCC group (P < 0.01). The expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the tumor edge of the SCC and BCC groups were significantly higher than those in the tumor centers (P < 0.01), while the expression levels of TIMP-1and TIMP-2 were significantly lower than those in the tumor centers (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2, TIMP-1 may play an important role in the development, progression, invasion and metastasis of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; genetics ; metabolism

Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease ; etiology ; therapy

Adult ; Aged ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thrombospondin 1 ; genetics

Objective To investigate the relationship between the thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and carotid atherosclerosis and its related indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 101 T2DM patients were divided into T2DM group (A group, n=52) and T2DM with carotid artery atherosclerosis group (B group, n=49) according to whether complicated with carotid artery atherosclerosis, and 50 normal healthy persons were used as the normal group (C group , n=50). The TSP-1 and other clinical indicators were detected including fasting blood sugar (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fibrinogen (Fib) and homocysteine (homocysteine). The differences between TSP-1 and other related indicators were analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and body mass index (BMI) between the 3 groups (P>0.05). The level of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in group B than that of group A and group C (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between group A and group C (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in TC, TG and HDL-C between three groups (P>0.05). The values of TSP-1 and Hcy were increased sequentially in group B, group A and group C (P <0.05). There were significant differences in FPG, HbA1c, Fib, FINS and LDL-C between three groups (P<0.05). TSP-1 was positively correlated with FPG, FINS, HbA1c, Fib and Hcy (r= 0.585, 0.341, 0.701, 0.409 and 0.351, P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that TSP-1 was affected by FINS, HbA1c and Fib, and HbA1c was more important. Conclusion TSP-1 is associated with the occurrence and development of diabetic macrovascular complications. It has good clinical value for early detection, early treatment and delaying the progress of diabetic macrovascular diseases.

AIM To observe the effects of Sangtongjian Mixture (STJ) on glucose and lipid metabolism,insulin resistance and fat cytokines in type 2 diabetic rats,and their mechanisms of action.METHODS One hundred and forty rats fed on the combination of STZ and high fat diet were established as the type 2 diabetic models.Fasting blood glucose (FBG) level reached more than 16.7 mmol/L and then the rats were randomly divided into model group,metformin (180 mg/kg) group,STJ (73.5,147 and 294 mg/kg) groups.Ten rats were set as the blank group.Each treatment group was intragastrically given the corresponding agents for twelve weeks.The fasting blood glucose levels of rats were measured once every two weeks after the administration.After a 12-week administration period,glycosylated serum protein (GSP),glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) and lipid profile indices (TC,TG,HDL-C and LDL-C) were determined.The serum insulin level was measured by radioimmunoassay,and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated.The levels of serum adiponectin and leptin were detected by ELISA.RESULTS STJ remarkably decreased the levels of FBG,GSP,GHb,TC,TG,LDL-C,leptin and HOMR-IR in type 2 diabetic rats.Furthermore,STJ also significantly increased the levels of HDL-C,adiponectin and ISI.CONCLUSION STJ can improve glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats by ameliorating insulin resistance and regulating fat cytokine levels.

Objective To construct recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding Swedish and Flemish mutations of amyloid precursor protein (APP) fused with fluorescent protein and to investigate the APP cleavage progress. Methods The last 300 bases of APP (named as C99 containing Flemish mutation), together with cyan and yellow fluorescence sequence (named as CFP and YFP,respectively) were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The 54 bases in the middle of APP sequence were synthesized (named as 54 bp containing Swedish mutation). The 4 fragments mentioned above (CFP, YFP, C99 as well as 54 bp) were inserted into the vector pcDNA3.0. By genetic engineering, the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP-C99 was constructed and identified by enzyme digestion, PCR and sequencing. Then the plasmid was transfected into SH-SY5Y cells. Its expression was examined by fluorescence confocal microscopy and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal was collected. The amyloid beta (A) deposition was detected by immunocytochemistry. Results (1) DNA sequencing showed the sequence of the constructed recombinant plasmid was correct. (2) FRET and two types of fluorescence could be seen by the spectrum confocal fluorescence microscopy. (3) The expression product of fusion gene was correct and cleaved by and secretases. (4) The A deposition was detected in the cell membrane, cytoplasma and intercellular space. Conclusion (1) The fusion protein can generate A by and γproteolytic processing. (2) It is for the first time to observe the APP cleavage by FRET. (3) It is also the first time to find that APP may be cleaved during its transportation from cell plasma to cell membrane. (4) C99 is very important for the correct cleavage of APP. Our test data strongly suggest that C99 may function as the signal peptide. It might guide and direct the APP to the right location for the cleavage.