0. 05); The long-term effective rate was 84. 21% in the treatment group and 54. 55% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P

Objective To explore the effects of subchronic arsenic exposure through drinking water on glutamate-glutamine cycle in the brain of mice. Methods The female Kunming mice were exposed to arsenite ( iAsⅢ ) by drinking water at the levels of 25, 50 and 100 mg/L respectively for 6 consecutive weeks. The blood and brain were taken, the concentration of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (MMA), dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) and the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS), phosphate activated glutaminase (PAG), superoxide dimutase (SOD) and the concentrations of glutamate (Glu), lipidperoxide(LPO) were determined. Results The concentrations of iAs, MMA and DMA in the blood and brains increased as the iAsⅢ concentrations in drinking water increased. The activity of GS, PAG and the concentrations of Glu in the arsenic exposed mice increased compared with the control. The activity of GS in 50 mg/L group, the activity of PAG in 25 and 50 mg/L groups, the concentration of Glu in 100 mg/L group showed a significant difference compared with the control. The activity of PAG in 25 mg/L group was significantly higher than that in 100 mg/L group. The activity of SOD in exposed groups was higher than that in the control, the concentration of LPO in exposed groups did not show a significant difference compared with the control. Conclusion Arsenic can enter the brain and organic arsenic is dominant both in the blood and brain, however, the composition of arsenic speciation is different in the blood and brain. DMA, as a main arsenide, distributed in the brain. Arsenic exposure can change the activity of GS and PAG which can influence the concentration of Glu. Moreover, arsenic exposure can increase the superoxide anion and make the activity of SOD increase compensatively.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of some active Chinese herbal fraction on protein expression of brain tissue in ischemic mouse with proteomic technique.

METHODSIschemia-reperfusion mice were treated with baicalin, geniposide, cholic acid and concha margaritifera respectively for 3 hrs, and then their brain tissue were taken to extract the total protein. Protein expression in ischemic mouse brain was analyzed with surface-enhanced laser desorption/inionation-time of flight-mass spectra (SELDI-TOF-MS) protein-chip.

RESULTSThe four components tested had effect on 3 target proteins at 5373Da, 5707Da and 15103Da, showing the nature of multi-target and with different action on protein expression.

CONCLUSIONProtein-chip is an effective approach for exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Chinese herbal fraction.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Infarction ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Protein Array Analysis ; Proteomics ; methods ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; methods

Objective To observe whether the increase of oxidative stress in PC12 cells could influence the levels of protein carbonyls and nitrotyrosine and alter the cytoskeleton and cell morphology under clinostat condition,and whether the increase of content of nitrate/nitrite in cell culture medium could influence the cell proliferation and differentiation.Method Cell morphology,carbonylated actin and nitrotyrosinated tubulin,and mRNA and protein express of nNOS and iNOS were observed and determined with immunofluorescence and RT-PCR technology in clinostat rotated and control static groups.At the same time,cell density was measured and cell cycles were detected with flow cytometry.The relationship between all these changes and NOS were also analyzed.Result The levels of carbonylated and nitrotyrosinated cytoskeleton protein were altered,no obvious changes in cell morphology but neurite outgrowth after on a clinostat rotation.Cell density also increased significantly,DNA synthesis in cell cycles was shortened.Conclusion All of these results indicate that simulated weightlessness do not alter cell morphology and is beneficial to the growth of PC12 cells.The mechanism involved may be associated with the increase of NOS activity.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Danggui Yinzi (DY) on delayed allergy in model mice with qi-blood deficiency syndrome (QBDS).

METHODSQBDS model was established in 48 Kuming mice of SPF grade by using reserpine and acetophenone hydrazine. Forty of them were then randomly divided into the model group, the loratadine group, the high dose DY group, the middle dose DY group, and the low dose DY group, 8 in each group. Another 8 in line with the same standard were recruited as a blank group. Mice in high, middle, and low dose DY groups were administered with DY concentrated solution at 60, 30, 15 g/kg by gastrogavage. Mice in the loratadine group were administered with loratadine solution at 1.66 mg/kg by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in the model group and the blank group by gastrogavage. All medication was given once per day for 1 successive week. Except those in the blank group, the rest mice were evenly smeared with 1% DNCB solution on the abdomen. Five days after skin allergy, 1% DNCB solution was smeared to right ear of all mice to stimulate allergic reaction. Mice in the blank group were smeared in the same way without allergenic reaction. The auricle swelling and the inhibition ratio were determined at 24 h after attack. Blood was collected from orbit and serum IgE level detected using double-antibody sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, auricle swelling obviously increased and serum IgE level was obviously elevated in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, auricle swelling obviously decreased and serum IgE level was obviously reduced in the 3 dose DY groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the auricle swelling degree was superior in high and middle dose DY groups to that in the loratadine group (P < 0.05). The inhibition ratio of auricle swelling was sequenced from high to low as 67.3% in the high dose DY group, 56.0% in the middle dose DY group, 48.1% in the low dose DY group, 47.3% in the loratadine group.

CONCLUSIONSDY could inhibit auricle swelling and lower serum IgE level. It also could inhibit delayed allergic reaction in model mice with QBDS to some extent.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Hypersensitivity, Delayed ; drug therapy ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Loratadine ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Qi ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study hydrolysable tannin constituents of the seed of Juglans regia.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by Diaion HP-20, Toyopaerl HW-40 and MCI gel CHP-20P column chromatogramphy and identified by physicochemical identification and spectral data.

RESULTSix compounds obtained from the 70% ethanol extract were identified as 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-3-D-glucose (1), rugosin C (2), 1, 2, 3, 6-tetra-O-galloyl-3-D-glugose (3), tellimagrandin II (4), casuarictin (5), 1-degalloylrugosin F (6).

CONCLUSIONAll compouds were isolated from the seeds of J. regia for the first time.

Biphenyl Compounds ; chemistry ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; chemistry ; Juglans ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study hydrolysable tannin constituents of the seeds of Juglans regia.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by Diaion HP-20 and Toyopaerl HW-40 MCI gel CHP-20P column chromatogramphy and identified by physicochemical identification and spectral data.

RESULTThe compounds obtained from the 70% acetone extract were identified as gemin D (1), casuariin (2), pedunculagin (3), tellimagrandin I (4), rugosin F (5), heterophylliin D (6).

CONCLUSIONAll other compounds which were isolated from the seeds of J. regia for the first time.

Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Hydrolyzable Tannins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Juglans ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVE: To determine an optimal clinical dose of ketamine after comparing the efficacy and security of 3 low dose ketamines mixed with butorphanol in the postoperative continuous intravenous analgesia. METHODS: Eighty ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) I-II patients scheduled for elective gynecological surgery under general anesthesia were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=20): Group B received butorphanol 3 microg/(kg x h);Group BK1 received butorphanol 2 microg/(kg x h) mixed with ketamine 60 microg/(kg x h); Group BK2 received butorphanol 2 microg/(kg x h) mixed with ketamine 90 microg/(kg.h); and Group BK3 received butorphanol 2 microg/(kg x h) mixed with ketamine 120 microg/(kg x h). Continuous intravenous infusion pump was used when the patients had obvious pain (visual analgesia scale of five), and the bolus infusion (4 mL) was given before the operation, and continuous infusion at 2 mL/h. In the postoperative period, pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) at 2,6,12,24, and 48 h.At the same time, Ramsay scores and adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the adverse effects and the postoperative mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate values, and pulse oxygen among the 4 groups. Postoperative VAS values in Group BK3 was the lowest, followed by Group BK2. There was no significant difference between Group BK1 and Group B. The incidence of somnolence in Group B was higher than that in Group BK1, BK2 and BK3(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Ketamine in subanaesthetic dose added to butorphanol for postoperative continuous intravenous infusion has a better postoperative analgesic effect and sedation. It can effectively spare butorphanol consumption without increasing adverse effects. The optimal combined dose is 90-120 microg/(kg x h).
Adult ; Analgesia ; methods ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Butorphanol ; administration & dosage ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Ketamine ; administration & dosage ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of ginsenoside-Rb (G-Rb) on total cholesterol, lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism and anti-oxidation in experimental hyperlipidemia rats.

METHODHyperlipidemia rats were respectively given G-Rb 50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) ig for twelve days. Total cholesterol, lipoprotein cholesterol and lipid peroxidation (LPO) contents, prostacycline (PGI2), thromboxane (TXA2), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and blood viscosity were measured. Fat accumulation in liver was also observed.

RESULTTriglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in serum, TXA2 in plasma, LPO in serum and liver, and blood viscosity were decreased significantly. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) in serum, PGI2 in plasma and SOD in serum and liver were significantly increased by G-Rb (100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) in experimental hyperlipidemia rats. In addition, G-Rb could decrease TC/HDL-c, LDLc/HDL-c ratio, increase PGI2/TXA2 ratio and inhibit fat accumulation in liver.

CONCLUSIONG-Rb could have anti-arteriosclerosis effect by improving cholesterol and lipoprotein-cholesterol metabolism, suppressing lipid peroxidation, increasing anti-oxidase activity and PGI2/TXA2 ratio.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Hyperlipidemias ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxides ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDNeoadjuvant chemotherapy has been used as a primary treatment for locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer, and recently extended to operable breast cancer. However, only a few studies have published data concerning the outcomes of patients with stages II and III breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODSThis study retrospectively investigated the clinical value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stages II and III breast cancer. The patients in Group 1 (n = 54) were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by definitive surgery and adjuvant therapy. The patients in Group 2 (n = 43) initially received definitive surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and other therapies. The operability rates for breast conservation and dermatoplasty were observed in Group 1 after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After follow-up, the recurrence and overall and disease-free survival rates of the two groups were analyzed.

RESULTSNeoadjuvant chemotherapy increased the operability rates for breast conservation from 17.1% to 40.0% in stage II (P = 0.034) and 0% to 12.6% in stage III (P = 0.016), and decreased the dermatoplasty rates from 17.1% to 2.8% in stage II (P = 0.046) and 28.1% to 8.1% in stage III (P = 0.026). After a median follow-up of 46.8 months, there were 11 deaths and 13 recurrences in Group 1, and 15 deaths and 19 recurrences in Group 2. The overall and disease-free survival rates of stage III disease were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (68.4% vs 31.2%, P = 0.028, and 63.2% vs 25.0%, P = 0.024, respectively). There were no significant differences in the overall and disease-free survival rates of stage II disease for Group 1 compared with Group 2 (85.7% vs 85.2%, P = 0.953, and 80.6% vs 74.1%, P = 0.400, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSNeoadjuvant chemotherapy resulted in increased operability for breast conservation and decreased dermatoplasty. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy exhibited better recurrence control, and overall and disease-free survival rates in stage III disease. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not confer greater survival on stage II disease.

Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome