Boronic Acids ; adverse effects ; Bortezomib ; Humans ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; chemically induced ; Pyrazines ; adverse effects

Traditional Chinese medicine Curcuma Zedoary ( E'Zhu) contains essential oil, curcuminoid and other effective constituents, with such pharmacological actions as anti-platelet aggregation, lowing blood lipid, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. In recent years, studies have showed that certain extracts and chemical components of E'Zhu could mitigate myocardial cell mitochondria injury and protect vascular endothelium by enhancing heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibit nuclear factor NF-kappaB, target genes interleukin-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-6 (TRAF-6) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), reduce inflammatory infiltration, and inhibit growth factor-induced smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation and migration by impacting oxidation of cellular phosphatases. Due to its different functions in vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, E'Zhu has been applied in drug-eluting stents, with a potential effect in preventing in-stent restenosis and thrombogenesis. In this paper, studies on pharmacological effects and mechanisms of extracts and main chemical constituents from E'Zhu in preventing vascular restenosis were summarized.
Animals ; Constriction, Pathologic ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Humans ; Stents

Objectives To investigate the distribution of Schistosoma japonicum infected Oncomelania snails in the marshland of Dangting Lake region,and explore the effects of gradient and vegetation on the distribution of the infected snails.Methods Three marshland areas in upstream and downstream of Dongting Lake were selected.The snail distribution was investigated and the ground elevation was assessed (Wusong's elevation of zero)and the vegetation types were also recorded from 1987-1989 and 2009.Results In the 3 types of snail habitats of the marshland,the average rate of areas with infected snails was 35.5%,and the snails mainly distributed beside the embankment and slope zone.More infected snails were found in the high altitude and steep slope zone,while no infected snails were found in the low altitude and flat slope zone,and reed areas as well.Conclusion The Schistosoma japonicum infected snails in the marshland of Dongting Lake mainly distribute beside the embankment and slope zoon,and are correlated with the water level in flood seasons and the activities of definitive hosts.

Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; drug therapy ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of Compound Qidan Liquid (CQD) for intervening ventricular remodeling (VR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Chinese mini-pigs from hemodynamic and collagen metabolic views.

METHODSAMI model of Chinese mini-pigs was established by left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation. The model pigs were then randomly divided into the sham-operative group, the model group, the captopril group, the high and low dose of CQD (hCQD and lCQD) groups, the former two were treated with normal saline and the latter three treated with corresponding drugs by gastrogavage for 4 weeks after modeling. Blood pressure (BP), left ventricular pressure (LVP), maximum ascending velocity of left ventricular pressure (dp/dtmax), myocardial renin (MCR), angiotensin (Ang II), total collagen (TC), procollagen type III (PC III), collagen type IV (CIV), laminin (LM), serum hyaluronic acid (HyA) as well as pathologic changes in myocardium were observed.

RESULTSAs compared with in the model group, levels of BP, LVP and dp/dtmax were significantly higher, LM and Ang II were lower in the hCQD group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); LVP was higher in the lCQD group (P <0.05); LVP and dp/dtmax were higher, Ang II was lower in the captopril group (P <0.05). Besides, levels of HyA and TC were lower in all the three medicated groups (P <0.01), while the differences of PC III and CIV among groups were insignificant.

CONCLUSIONCQD has a beneficial effect in Chinese mini-pigs after AMI for increasing LVP and dp/dtmax, improving myocardial contractility and hemodynamic condition, decreasing myocardial Ang II contents, decreasing deposition of collagen so as to alleviate the pathological process of VR after AMI.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

In the uniform design, all level number of experimental relevant factors are equally distributed in the range of experiment, each experimental point shows representation better. The times of experiment are reduced and the data obtained can be treated with computer. Uniform design is a potent tool in seeking for the optimal experimental condition or the optimal proportion of experiments. So, it is often used to study extraction and preparation form technology of TCM. In recent years, the uniform design has been used in the domain of traditional Chinese recipe and the compatibility of its component drugs. The study showed that the analytical results of TCM theory and that of uniform design are extremely consistent. As an optimal screening means in modernizing study on Chinese herbs, using uniform design in studying classical recipe, the "syndrome" corresponding recipe whereas it is helpful to deeply recognize the scientific connotation of "recipe syndrome".
Drug Prescriptions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Research Design ; standards ; trends

This study was aimed to investigate the correlation between mTOR signaling transduction pathway and arsenic trioxide (ATO) effect. The expressions of pmTOR, pAKT and pP70S6K in K562/DNR treated with ATO for different time were detected by Western blot. The apoptosis rate of K562/DNR treated by ATO combined with LY294002 or rapamycin for 120 hours was assayed by flow cytometry. The results showed that the expression of pmTOR in K562/DNR cells treated with ATO for 60 minutes or 120 minutes was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01); the expressions of pAKT in the cells treated with ATO for 30 minutes or 60 minutes were higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01); the expression of pP70S6K in the cells treated with ATO for 60 minutes was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01). The apoptosis rate of K562/DNR cells treated with combination of ATO and LY294002 or rapamycin were higher than that in the control group. It is concluded that the mTOR signaling pathway in K562/DNR cells is activated by a certain concentration of ATO, and mTOR signaling pathway inhibitors enhance ATO to trigger apoptosis in K562/DNR cells.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of embelin on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSDifferent concentration of embelin were used to treat HL-60 cells. Cell growth curve was analysed by MTT assay, cell apoptosis by Annexin V/PI double staining and JC-1 dye. The differentiation of HL-60 cells was evaluated by expression of CD33, CD34, CD11b and CD14. Bone marrow cells (BMC) from nine patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANML) were also studied.

RESULTSEmbelin induced differentiation of HL-60 cells with significant increase of CD14 and CD11b expression at 33.97µmol/L for 3 days (P < 0.01). Embelin induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, the apoptosis rates were (9.23 ± 0.05)%, (25.86 ± 0.30)% and (39.03 ± 0.07)% respectively at 339.67 µmol/L of embelin for 12-, 24- and 48-hours treatment (P < 0.05); the apoptosis rates were (0.07 ± 0.03)%, (7.43 ± 0.30)%, (14.01 ± 0.01)%, (25.52 ± 0.03)% and (39.15 ± 0.01)% respectively at 10.19, 33.97, 101.90, 339.67 and 1019.02 µmol/L of embelin for 24-hours culture (P < 0.05). Clusters of differentiation antigen on BMC from three acute promyelocytic leukemia patients showed significant changes at 33.97 µmol/L of embelin treatment for 3 days. Embelin induced apoptosis of BMCs from all the nine ANML patients at 33.97 µmol/L for 24 hour.

CONCLUSIONEmbelin can inhibit proliferation and induce differentiation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells. The mechanism may be related to mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Embelin at subtoxic concentration doesn't promote leukemia BMC differentiation, but at 339.67 µmol/L induces apoptosis of these cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism

This study was aimed to investigate the relationship of Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 PI) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) typing and biological behavior, as well as its significance in clinical characters and prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL). A total of 542 cases of NHL in our hospital from 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed, and Ki-67 PI was all assayed immunohistochemically, and a total of 82 cases of newly-diagnosed DLBCL with more clinical records were investigated. The results indicated that according to the World Health Organization (WHO) histopathological classification of lymphoma, Ki-67 PI was different as classification for NHL subgroups was different. The Ki-67 PI increased with aggressive progression of NHL. The mean Ki-67 PI ranged from 25.5% in indolent lymphoma to 98.4% in very aggressive lymphoma. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the 50% was the cut-off value distinguishing indolent from aggressive disease. On ROC curve analysis, Ki-67 PI of 75% was found to significantly discriminate patients with DLBCL who had a good or bad prognosis. There was a significant correlation of Ki-67 PI with Ann Arbor stage and LDH level. When the DLBCL cases were divided by Ann Arbor stage and IPI score, the 3-year overall survival (OS) of patients with a low Ki-67 PI (≤ 75%) in the group of Ann Arbor stage III-IV and high LDH level was higher than those with a high Ki-67 PI (> 75%) among the patients with B symptoms and IPI 3.0-5. 3-year OS in those with a low Ki-67 PI (≤ 75%) in the group of Ann Arbor stage III-IV and normal LDH level was higher than those with a high Ki-67 PI (> 75%) among the patients with B symptoms. 3-year OS of patients with a low Ki-67 PI (≤ 75%) in the group at III-IV stage and a high LDH level was higher than those with a high Ki-67 PI (> 75%). It is concluded that a cut-off value of 50% can be helpful to differentiate indolent from aggressive NHL. In DLBCL, a cut-off value of 75% can distinguish patients with a good or bad prognosis when combined with other prognostic factors, i.e. B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage, IPI score and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level.
Female ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of proteasome inhibitor bortezomib on the expression of ERK, JNK, and P38 in daunorubicin (DNR)-resistant K562 cells and its mechanism. MTT method was used to determine the drug-resistant K562 cells and the cellular toxicity of bortezomib; Western blot was used to detect the expression of protein ERK, JNK and P38 in K562 cells after treatment with 100 nmol/L DNR alone or combined with 1 nmol/L and 10 nmol/L bortezomib for 36 hours. Flow cytometry assay was used to detect the apoptosis rate in each group cells. The results indicated that the expression of ERK and P38 were significantly suppressed (p < 0.05) and the expression of JNK was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) in the cells treated by DNR combined with bortezomib. It is concluded that bortezomib can decrease the expressions of protein ERK and P38 and enhance the expression of JNK, the bortezomib reverses the cellular drug-resistance and promote cell apoptosis through MAPK pathway.
Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Boronic Acids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; K562 Cells ; Protease Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism