OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of combined application of Xuezhikang Capsule (XZK) and hypotensive drugs on the dynamic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure index (PPI), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and smoothness index (SI), and to study the relationship between SI and related factors (age, BP, dynamic PPI, and vascular elasticity).

METHODSOne hundred and ten patients with essential hypertension were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 54 in the control group and 56 in the treated group. Both were treated with hypertensive drugs, but with oral medication of XZK given additionally to the treated group at the dose of 60 mg, twice a day. PWV and DBP were measured before treatment and at the terminal of a 6-month treatment. Meantime, the 24-h average systolic and diastolic pressures were recorded to calculate the 24-h dynamic pulse pressure (24 hPP), PPI, SI of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SISBP and SIDBP) for comparing the changes between groups and analyzing the SI related factors.

RESULTSAll patients' blood pressure levels were well controlled; after a 6-month treatment, the PP and PPI in the treated group were 45 +/- 8 mm Hg and 0.35 +/- 0.08 respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (51 +/- 10 mm Hg and 0.38 +/- 0.05, P < 0.05); while SISBP and SIDBP in the treated group were higher than those in the control group (1.37 +/- 0.16 vs 1.26 +/- 0.20, P < 0.01; and 1.28 +/- 0.14 vs 1.18 +/- 0.23, P < 0.05) respectively; and PWV in the former was significantly lower than that in the latter group (10.4 +/- 3.68 m/s vs 12.5 +/- 4.27 m/s, P < 0.05). Multiple factor stepwise regression analysis showed that the SISBP was negatively correlated with age, PPI and PWV, while the SIDBP was negatively correlated with PPI (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe combined application of XZK and hypotensive drugs can decrease PP and PPI, improve the endothelial function and arterial elasticity, enhance the efficacy of treatment on SI. After treatment SI shows a significant negative correlation with PPI, PWV and age in patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arteries ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Compliance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

Objective To investigate the apoptosis induction effect of Cantharidin on pancreatic cancer cell line PANC1 and CFPAC-1 and possible mechanism. Methods PANC1 and CFPAC-1 was treated with Cantharidin. Cell growth was determined by MTT. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Caspase activity was measured by using enzyme chemical method. Apoptosis-related gene expressions were determined by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results Cantharidin significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells PANC1, CFPAC-1 and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Seventy-two hours after 10 μmol/L Cantharidin treatment, the inhibitory rates of PANC1, CFPAC-1 were (52.95 ± 6.34)％ and (71.21 ±6.30)％. Twenty-four hours after treatment, the early and later period apoptotic cell of PANC1 was increased from 7.35％ to 24.89％, from 6.36％ to 17.73％. The early and later period apoptotic cell of CFPAC was increased from 6.39％ to 24.70％, from 9.21％ to 12.58％ (P＜0.01). Activity of caspase 8 and caspase 9 in PANC1 cells was (155.8 + 11.5)％ and (194.6 ± 14.7)％ when compared with that of control group. Activity of caspase 8 and caspase 9 in CFPAC- 1 was ( 182.5 ± 24.3 ) ％ and ( 215.8 ± 12.2) ％when compared with that of control group ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The expression of pro-apoptotic genes, TNF-α,TRAILR1, TRAILR2, Bad, Bak and Bid was elevated, the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene was decreased. Conclusions Cantharidin can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cell lines by activating caspase,up-regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic genes.

Objective:To observe the lipid-lowering effect of different transdermal absorption enhancers applied to the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in hyperlipidemia model rabbits, and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods:Forty New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups using the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Rabbits in the blank group were fed routinely with normal diet; rabbits in the other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. Rabbits in the blank and the model groups were not treated. After the model was prepared, rabbits in the non-transdermal absorption enhancer group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion without transdermal absorption enhancer; rabbits in the laurocapram group and the borneol group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with laurocapram or borneol respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum was collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the liver tissues were isolated for immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western-blotting (WB) detection. Results: Serum ELISA results showed that leptin was significantly decreased in the model group compared with the blank group (P＜0.05); compared with the model group, leptin was significantly increased in the non-transdermal absorption enhancer, the laurocapram and the borneol groups (all P＜0.05); compared with the non-transdermal absorption enhancer group, leptin was significantly increased in the laurocapram group and the borneol group (both P＜0.05); there was no significant difference in leptin between the laurocapram and the borneol groups (P＞0.05). The qPCR results of rabbit liver tissues showed that the mRNA expressions of leptin, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in the model group were significantly lower than those in the blank group (all P＜0.05); compared with the model group, the mRNA expressions of leptin, leptin receptor (LR), JAK2 and STAT3 in the non-transdermal absorption enhancer, the laurocapram and the borneol groups were significantly increased (all P＜0.05); compared with the non-transdermal absorption enhancer group, the mRNA expressions of leptin, LR, JAK2 and STAT3 in the laurocapram and the borneol groups were significantly increased (all P＜0.05); compared with the laurocapram group, the mRNA expressions of leptin, LR, JAK2 and STAT3 in the borneol group were significantly increased (P＜0.05). The trend of immunohistochemistry and WB detection results was basically consistent with the qPCR assay results. The immunohistochemistry and WB detection results of phosphorylated JAK2 (phospho-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (phospho-STAT3) were basically consistent with those of JAK2 and STAT3. Conclusion: The molecular expression of Leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway in the hyperlipidemia model rabbits was decreased. The molecular expression of Leptin/JAK2/STAT3 pathway was significantly increased after the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion. The application of laurocapram and borneol, as transdermal absorption enhancers, in the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion could more obviously up-regulate the factors of the Leptin/JAK2/STAT3 lipid-regulating pathway than the herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion alone.

Using the isolated total RNA from osteosacoma cell line MG63, the cDNA encoding human OPG was amplified by RT-PCR. A recombinant adenoviral vector carrying cDNA of OPG was constructed and OPG expression in mouse myoblast C2C12 cells was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA. The secreted expression of OPG protein persisted more than 6 weeks in vitro, and the growth of C2C12 cells infected by recombinant adenoviral were in good state. Osteoclasts derived from mouse bone marrow cells infected with recombinant adenoviral made less number of TRAP positive cells and resorption pits formed on dentine slices.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteoclasts ; metabolism ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) on the incidence of complications of rib fracture in patients with blunt chest injury.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with rib fracture stratified according to the AIS scale in three layers (1-3) were equally assigned to two groups, the treated group and the control group, all received conventional treatment, but XFZYD was administered to patients in the treated group additionally. The incidence of complications in patients, including atelectasis, pleural effusion, pulmonary contusion, pleurocentesis and closed thoracic drainage, were observed.

RESULTSThe incidence of pleural effusion in patients of AIS-1 and -2 in the treated group was 20% and 45% respectively, which was remarkable lower than that in the control group (55% and 85%) respectively (P < 0.05); in the treated group, 10% patients of AIS-3, for whom close thoracic drainage was applied, while in the control group, the percentage reached 60%, showing significant difference between groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXFZYD could reduce the incidence of pleural effusion in patients with blunt chest injured rib fracture of AIS-1 or -2, and reduce the utilization of close thoracic drainage in those of AIS-3, so it is good for clinical practice.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Pleural Effusion ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Rib Fractures ; complications ; drug therapy ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating ; complications

Objective: To observe the effects of laurocapram and borneol as transdermal penetration enhancers applied to herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on liver lipids, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase in hyperlipidemia rabbits.Methods: Forty New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups using the random number table method, with 8 rats in each group. Rabbits in the blank group were fed routinely with a normal diet; rabbits in the other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. Rabbits in the blank and the model groups were not given any intervention. After the model was prepared successfully, rabbits in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion without transdermal penetration enhancers; rabbits in the laurocapram group and the borneol group received herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion with laurocapram or borneol respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, the serum was isolated and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for the detection of HSL and HMG-CoA reductase. The liver tissues were isolated, and total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured by enzymatic methods. One-step method was applied for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) detection, and transmission turbidimetry was for apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) detection. Results: The serum concentrations of the drugs in the laurocapram and the borneol groups were significantly higher than those in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group (both P<0.05); all drug penetrations in the borneol group were significantly higher than those in the laurocapram group (both P<0.05), except for tanshinone ⅡA. Compared with the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group, the HSL was significantly increased while the HMG-CoA reductase was significantly decreased in the laurocapram and the borneol groups (both P<0.05); between groups, the HSL in the borneol group was significantly higher than that in the laurocapram group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the levels of LDL-C, TG, TC and Apo-B in rabbit liver were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the levels of LDL-C, TG, TC and Apo-B in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer, the laurocapram, and the borneol groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05); between groups, the TG and TC in the laurocapram group and the LDL-C, TG, TC and Apo-B in the borneol group were significantly lower than those in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group (all P<0.05), and the TG, LDL-C and Apo-B in the borneol group were significantly lower than those in the laurocapram group (all P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the HDL-C and Apo-A1 were significantly decreased in the model group (both P<0.05), while compared with the model group, the HDL-C and Apo-A1 were significantly increased in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer, the laurocapram, and the borneol groups (all P<0.05). Between groups, the Apo-A1 in the laurocapram group, the HDL-C and Apo-A1 in the borneol group were significantly higher than those in the non-transdermal penetration enhancer group (all P<0.05).Conclusion: The application of laurocapram and borneol, as transdermal penetration enhancers, in herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion can promote the penetration of the drugs in the herbal cake, increase the levels of HDL-C and Apo-A1, improve the metabolism of HSL and HMG-CoA reductase, and also simultaneously reduce the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and Apo-B in the liver. The transdermal penetration enhancement effect of borneol is slightly better than or equivalent to that of laurocapram.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) on pulmonary vascular resistance in patients after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).

METHODSFifty-two patients after TCPC were evaluated, of them 24 patients were administered with inhaled nitric oxide in the early postoperative period. The cardiac index (CI) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were compared before and after inhaled NO.

RESULTSIn experimental group, after inhaled NO, partial pressure of oxygen in artery/fraction of inspired oxygen increased from 161 +/- 17 to 193 +/- 23 (t = 2.75, P < 0.01); CI from (2.86 +/- 0.24) L.min(-1).m(-2) to (3.13 +/- 0.22) L.min(-1).m(-2) (t = 2.25, P < 0.05); PVR decreased from (4.2 +/- 0.5) U/m(2) to (3.8 +/- 1.4) U/m(2) (t = 2.29, P < 0.05); central venous pressure (CVP) from (17.0 +/- 1.8) mm Hg to (15.0 +/- 1.1) mm Hg, decreased 11.7%. Compared with the control group, respirator time decreased from (86 +/- 27) h to (54 +/- 18) h (t = 2.29, P < 0.05); ICU time from (6 +/- 2) d to (4 +/- 2) d (t = 2.32, P < 0.05); But hydrothorax drainage and length of stay had no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONSThough inhaled NO, there is no significant long-term effects in patients after TCPC, but it may play an important role in the management of low cardiac output syndrome and high cava pressure caused by reactive elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in the early postoperative period of TCPC.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; methods ; Cardiac Output ; drug effects ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Postoperative Period ; Pulmonary Artery ; physiology ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Vascular Resistance ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Venae Cavae ; surgery

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of homoharringtonine (HHT) on K562 cell proliferation, apoptosis and expression of BCL-2 and NF-κB proteins. The cells proliferation was assayed with MTT method, the cell apoptosis, cell cycle and BCL-2 expression were analyzed with flow cytometry, NF-κB protein expression was detected with Western blot. The results showed that HHT concentration-dependently inhibited proliferation of K562 cells, the IC50 at 48 h was 43.89 ng/ml. Treated with HHT 10 ng/ml for 48 h, K562 cell apoptosis significantly increased, cell cycle was blocked at G0/G1, the expression level of BCL-2 and NF-κB proteins was lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). It is concluded that HHT may inhibit the proliferation of K562 cells, and down-regulating expression levels of BCL-2 and NF-κB may be one of its anti-CML mechanisms.
Flow Cytometry ; Harringtonines ; pharmacology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study cardiopulmonary physiology during exercise in patients after extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection (ECTCPC).

METHODSTwenty-six patients were studied after ECTCPC by exercise testing with bicycle treadmill protocol. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory frequency (RF) and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) were measured continuously; twenty-six patients suffered from Fallot 4 underwent biventricular repair were also studied as control group.

RESULTSIn ECTCPC group, HR, BP, SpO(2) and RF all increased with exercise below 3 grade; when exceed 4 grade, BP, SpO(2) decreased and RF kept increasing. Compared with control group, HR, RF were higher (t = 2.13, P < 0.05; t = 2.31, P < 0.05), SpO(2) was lower (t = 2.46, P < 0.05) under the quiescent condition; When exceed 3 grade, HR, BP, SpO(2) decreased more significantly, but RF increased continuously. In fenestration group after ECTCPC, HR reached the top at 5 grades, but in group without fenestration it reached the top at 3 grades; In the whole process of exercising, RF kept higher and SpO(2) kept lower in fenestration group.

CONCLUSIONSThe ECTCPC patients showed obviously exercise limitation. Totally bypass of sinoatrial node in this operation may have some adverse effects on the integer regulation of HR.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fontan Procedure ; methods ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Endurance ; physiology ; Postoperative Period

Obiective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of microsurgical resection of third ventricle tumors involving the lateral ventricle through the transcallosal interfomiceai approach. Methods From October 2005 to April 2009, 12 patients with third ventricle tumors involving the lateral ventricle received microsurgical resection of the tumors through the transcollasal interfomiceal approach. Results The tumors were totally removed in 4 cases, subtotally in 3 cases and partially in 5 cases without any fatal consequences. Conclusion This approach is safe and effective for removing third ventricle tumors involving the lateral ventricle by accessing the tumor through the anatomical space in the brain, and allows clear exposure of the operative field and causes minimal invasiveness of the surrounding structure with reduced complications.