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

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

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.

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 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

This study was aimed to explore the effects of oleanolic acid on PTEN expression and apoptosis of Jurkat cells. The inhibitory rate was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8. The apoptotic nucleus morphous was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. The apoptosis rate of Jurkat cells were determined by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining. PTEN mRNA and protein were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot respectively. The results showed that oleanolic acid inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. The 50% growth inhibition (IC(50)) at 12, 24 and 48 hours were about 85.35 µmol/L, 53.66 µmol/L and 33.18 µmol/L respectively. Flow cytometric assay showed that the apoptotic rates of Jurkat cells treated with oleanolic acid (0, 40, 80 and 160 µmol/L) for 24 hours were 6.72%, 19.8%, 28.72% and 30.12% (p < 0.05). PTEN mRNA and protein expressions were up-regulated in Jurkat cells treated with oleanolic acid of concentration 80 µmol/L and 160 µmol/L for 24 hours. It is concluded that up-regulation of PTEN mRNA and PTEN protein may be involved in oleanolic acid-induced Jurkat cell apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; Oleanolic Acid ; pharmacology ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Purified Xuefu Capsule (PXC) on ultrasonographic figures in patients with carotid atherosclerosis (CAS).

METHODSNinety-two patients with CAS were randomly divided into two groups, the 45 patients in the treated group were treated by conventional western medicine with additional PXC, the 47 patients in the control group were given conventional western medicine alone. One month's treatment was regarded as one course, and three courses of treatment were given successively to both groups. Carotid ultrasonography was performed before and after treatment, and the figures were compared.

RESULTSThe thickness of endangium, average number of plaques, plaque scores, plaque volume index and length of the biggest soft plaque or mixed plaques, stenosis rate of vascular area, and the resistant index of blood vessels were decreased after treated with PXC for 3 months in the treated group. The differences of these indexes in the treated group before and after treatment, and that between the treated group and the control group after treatment were significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPXC can improve hemodynamics and eliminate atherosclerotic plaque to a certain degree, so it has definite effect for prevention and treatment of CAS.

Aged ; Capsules ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Carotid Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

OBJECTIVETo analyze the therapeutic effects of percutaneous vertebroplasty versus percutaneous kyphoplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

METHODSFifteen patients (24 vertebrae) underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty and 15 (18 vertebrae) received percutaneous kyphoplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. The postoperative recovery of the anterior vertebral body height, visual analogue scale (VAS) and locomotor activity before and after the operations were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients were available for the follow-up lasting for 3-15 months (average 7 months). In the vertebroplasty group, the VAS score decreased from 8.68 preoperatively to 1.74 postoperatively and to 1.13 at the final follow-up. The VAS score in the kyphoplasty group decreased from 8.62 preoperatively to 1.72 postoperatively and to 1.21 at the final follow-up. Both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty were effective in improving the anterior vertebral body height, but kyphoplasty showed a better effect. None of the patients developed serious complications associated with the operations.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous vertebroplasty and percutaneous kyphoplasty both achieve rapid and significant improvement of back pain in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, but kyphoplasty shows a better effect in terms of vertebral body height restoration and cement leakage reduction.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; surgery ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; methods ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty ; methods