Objective To study the polysaccharides from dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong.Methods DEAE-Cellulose and gel-filtration chromatography were used to isolate and purify the polysaccharides,whose structures were characterized by chemical and spectral methods.Results Four homogeneous polysaccharides,named LCP-1,LCP-2,LCP-3,and LCP-4 were obtained from the water extract of L.chuanxiong.Four structures were investigated to be complicated polysaccharied fractions,with the molecular weights of 3.1?10~4,5.2?10~4,9.0?10~4,and 3.6?10~4,respectively,then estimated by GPC.Conclusion The four polysaccharides are obtained from this plant for the first time.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, in the field of neurosurgery, people have tried to study the mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation for treatment of spinal cord injury and review its related studies.DATA SOURCES: We did a computer-search of Medline for spinal cord injury related articles published in English from January 1990 to November 2004, with the key words of "mesenchymal stem cells, transplantation,spinal cord injury". Meanwhile, We also searched Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) for bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for transplantation of spinal cord injury related articles published from January 1990 to November 2004, with the key words of "mesenchymal stem cells, transplantation, spinal cord injury" in Chinese.STUDY SELECTION: All articles were selected firstly, and those relevant to progression of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in spinal cord injury therapy were collected. The full texts of the rest literatures were looked up and the latest evolutional articles were enrolled.DATA EXTRACTION: A total of 32 articles about the mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in spinal cord injury therapy were collected. After the exclusion of repetitive or similar studies, 19 articles met our criteria.DATA SYNTHESIS: Aiming at the spinal cord injury therapy by means of mesenchymal stem cells transplantation, the viewpoints of collected articles were summarized. We found bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells could supply lesioned part as filler. Directional regeneration accomplishes the construction of the function that transfers up and down for the nerve cell anchor through surrounding structure. The microenvironment which can inhibit the regeneration of the glial cell, protect the survival of nerve cell body, promote the regeneration of autogenic nerve cells shall be created in transplant. The international successful experience was introduced emphatically, and the most hopeful outlook was suggested.CONCLUSION: The transplanted MSCs survive, migrate to the injury site and differentiate into neurons and astrocytes. Transplantation of MSCs following spinal cord injury may improve the recovery of spinal function and may be an effect way in treating spinal cord injury.

Objective To observe the efficiency and safety of Extecavir on chronic severe hepatitis B.Methods 36 patients with chronic severe hepatitis B were randomly divided into 2 groups. Control group (n=16) was given the conventional therapy. Treatment group (n=20) was treated with Entecavir, 0.5mg daily for four weeks, on the bases of routine treatment. Before and after treatment, hepatic function, prothrombin active (PTA), HBVDNA and efficiency rate of the two groups were detected.Results the results showed that the total efficiency rates of treatment group and control group were 85% and 50% respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.01). After treated for four weeks, the improvement of TBil and PTA effect was observed.Conclusion It can be concluded that Entecavir has good therapeutic efficiency and safety in the treatment of chronic severe hepatitis B.

Objective To evaluate the significance of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained acute right lower abdominal pain in women. Methods Clinical data of 52 women with unexplained acute right lower abdominal pain from April 1999 to April 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Diagnosis was clarified under laparoscope in all the 52 patients, including 28 cases of acute appendicitis, 18 cases of acute pelvic inflammatory disease, 3 cases of ovarian cyst pediculotorsion, 2 cases of right tubal pregnancy, and 1 case of Crohn’s disease with iliac perforation. With exception of a conversion to open surgery in 3 patients, laparoscopic treatment was successfully completed in the remaining 49 patients. No surgical complications occurred. The patients were discharged from the hospital 2~6 days postoperatively. Conclusions Laparoscopy is a timely, safe and effective alternative for the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained acute lower right abdominal pain in women.

To investigate the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Lygodium japonicum. Methods:Various chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by chemical evidence and spectral methods. Results:A new stigmasterol glycoside,(24R)-stigmastan-3β,5α,6β-triol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1),together with three known phenolic glycosides:6-O-p-coumaroyl-D-glucopyranose (2),6-O-caffeoyl-D-glucopyranose (3),1-O-(E)-caffeoyl-β-D-gentiobiose (4) were obtained and identified by spectroscopic methods. Conclusion:All compounds were isolated from Lygodiaceae for the first time.

Objective To observe the effects of cystamine, a tissue transglutaminase (tTG) inhibitor, on the development of rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride. Methods One hundred male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=20), hepatic fibrosis group (n=40) and cystamine group (n=40) . Liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride. Cystamine (112 mg·kg-1·d-1) was administered by intraperitoneal injection 2 days before injection of carbon tetrachloride. The rats were sacrificed at weeks 4 and 8, and the liver tissues and serum specimens were obtained. The mRNA expression of tTG, smooth muscle-alpha (α-SMA), collagen-Ⅰ and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were detected by real time PCR. The protein expression of tTG and α-SMA, liver function and content of hydroxyproline in liver tissues were determined by Western blot. Histological changes of the liver was observed under microscope. The fibrosis conditions of rat liver in each group were evaluated according to the semi-quantita-tive scoring system. All the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results Eight weeks after the injection of carbon tetrachloride, obvious injury of the liver in liver fibrosis group was observed. The levels of alanine trans-aminase (ALT), total bile acid, total bilirubin, hydroxyproline, tTG, α-SMA, collagen-Ⅰ and TIMP-1 were (1313±157)U/L, (99.9±18.5)μmol/L, (10.9±1.6)μmoL/L, (55±12)μg/g, 145.6±51.2, 130.3±44.6, 211.3±75.1 and 162.4±53.5. After administration of cystamine, the levels of ALT, total bile acid, total bilirubin, hydroxyproline, tTG, α-SMA, collagen-Ⅰ and TIMP-1 were (378±87) U/L, (61.0±12.7) μmol/L, (9.8±1.7) μmol/L, (70±14 ) μg/g, 48.6±12.3, 40.7±12.3, 63.9±16.0, 59.2μ23.4. Conclusion Cystamine can alleviate the carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the tTG pathway.

Objective To investigate the anti-fibrosis effect of a 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO)specific inhibitor AA-861 on liver fibrosis. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride(CCI4).AA-861(0.2 mg/100 g/d)was administrated by intraperitoneal injection starting 2 days before the first dosage of CCI4 and rats were killed at weeks 2,4,and 6.Liver specimens were obtained from each animal and fixed with 4%formaldehyde for histological analysis. The Mrna expression of 5-LO,smooth muscle-alpha(α-SMA),Collagen-1,matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2)and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1),the protein expression of 5-LO were evaluated by real time PCR and Western blot respectively. Histological analysis was performed by microscopy observation. Fibrosis conditions in rat liver in each group were evaluated according to the semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS), Hyp in rat livers and the hepatic functional biochemistry were also detected. Results Along with the aggravation of liver fibrosis, the gene expression of 5-Lo,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2 and TIMP-1 increased gradually, and the level of ALT, TBA, Hyp and SSS score also increased gradually. With the administration of AA-861,the Mrna expression of 5-LO,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2,TIMP-1 and the protein expression of 5-LO decreased remarkably, and the reduction in TIMP-1 Mrna expression was more significant than that in MMP-2.Six weeks after AA-861 treatment, the level of ALT, TBA, Hyp and SSS score were also decreased significantly. Conclusion AA-861 ameliorates CCI4 induced rat liver fibrosis by inhibiting the 5-LO pathway and decreasing the expression of 5-LO,α-SMA,Collagen-1,MMP-2 and TIMP-1.

Objective To evaluate the effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene transfer on intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) and portal venous pressure (PVP) in cirrhotic rats. Methods (1) 5 days after eNOS gene transfer, the in situ liver perfusion system (ISLP) was prepared and in different groups of controls and eNOS treated rats, the followings were analyzed: portal perfusion pressure (PP) dose-response curve to norepinephrine (NE); the effects on PP caused by specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-monomethyl-L- arginine (L-NMMA) or the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis substrate L-arginine (L-Arg). (2) The experiment of perfusion via portal vein in vivo was performed and the effects of L-NMMA on the PVP was observed. Results (1) In ISLP model, after L-NMMA was added into the perfusate of the control rats, PP dose-respose to NE increased remarkably and the peak of PP increased to (26.7?0.9) mm?Hg. The increased PP response to NE caused by L-NMMA was offsetted by L-Arg and the peak of PP decreased to (23.2?0.9) mm?Hg. In eNOS treated rats, PP response to NE was significantly lower than that in controls (P

Objective To investigate the relationship between coronary artery lesions and multiple risk factors in the patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods Totally 429 patients were definitely diagnosed with CHD by coronary arteriography and their BMI, BP, FBG, TG, HDL-c as well as age, gender, smoking, TC, LDL-c, UA were recorded. All patients were divided into two groups: CHD with MS, CHD. Results BMI, BP, FBG, TG, HDL-c, TC, LDL-c and UA were significantly higher in CHD with MS group than those in CHD group (P

Microwave-assisted extraction was optimized with response surface methodology for HPLC-fluorescence determination of puerarin and daidzein in Radix Puerariae thomsonii.The optimized extraction procedure was achieved by soaking the sample with 70% methanol（1∶15,v/v）for 30 min,and then microwave irradiation for 11 min at a power of 600 W.Coupling the extraction process with HPLC-fluorescence presented good recovery,satisfactory precision,and good linear relation.Compared with a method from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,the proposed method enables higher extraction efficiency and more accurate analytical results.It can be of potential value in quality assessment of Radix Puerariae thomsonii medicinal materials.