OBJECTIVETo study the influence of Chinese herbs for inner-warming on the bioavailability of paeoniflorin (PF) and its mechanism.

METHODSChinese herbs (pepper fruit, evodia fruit, cassia bark, fennel fruit and prickly-ash peel) were separately used in combination with PF for gastrogavage to mice. Reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the plasma concentration of PF in mice after medication. The bioavailability of PF was calculated and compared, taking single use of red peony root for control.

RESULTSThe pharmacokinetics of PF in mice was conformed to the one-compartment model, as combined use with Chinese herbs for inner-warming, the relative bioavailability of PF was 137.22% for pepper fruit, 123.62% for evodia fruit, 108.39% for cassia bark, 226.02% for fennel fruit and 116.73% for prickly-ash peel, there were difference of Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) in comparison of these data with the control group (P < 0.05), but with no difference of tmax (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese herbs used in this experiment in combination with red peony root could enhance the bioavailability of PF, which illustrated the scientific meaning of the recipe combination of Chinese herbs for activating blood circulation and inner-warming viewing from pharmacodynamics.

Animals ; Benzoates ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Biological Availability ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Cassia ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Evodia ; chemistry ; Female ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Mice ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study the phamacokinetics and relative bioavailability of combination Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Cortex Cinnamomi.

METHODThe content of ferulic acid in plasma was determined directly by HPLC after oral administration of Cortex Cinnamomi in combination individually with Radix Angelicae Sinensis. The plasma concentration-time curve were plotted. The main pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability were obtained.

RESULTThe plasma concentration-time curve of fenalic aclid conformed to one-compartment model. The relative bioavailability of Cortex Cinnamomi combined with Radix Angelicae Sinensis were 226.75%.

CONCLUSIONBy the statistical analysis, Cortex Cinnamomi combined with Radix Angelicae Sinensis can increase the relative bioavailability of ferulic acid.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Coumaric Acids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the associated risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Jiangsu province, China.

METHODSUsing identical protocol and questionnaire, an epidemiological study was carried out in a population of 5888 adults in 12 counties in Jiangsu. Anthropometric test and blood sampling were conducted at the time of interview. IDF (2005) was used as the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome . The prevalence and age-standardized prevalence of metabolic syndrome were calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model were used to identify associated risk factors.

RESULTSThe prevalence and age-standardized prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Jiangsu were 19.07% (11.10% in males and 25.72% in females) and 17.48% (11.49% in males, 22.86 % in females), respectively. Among the potential risk factors of metabolic syndrome as gender, age, education level, occupation, income, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, disease family history, data from univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses suggested that gender (OR = 1.91), age (OR = 1.15), physical inactivity (OR = 1.94), with hypertension family history (OR = 1.99) and with obesity family history (OR = 6.24) could significantly increase the risk of disease development.

CONCLUSIONMetabolic syndrome has become a significant public health problem among the adults in Jiangsu province.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Motor Activity ; physiology ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo explore the solution of choosing the minimally invasive incision site for gluteal muscle contracture patient based on standard injection point of gluteal muscle.

METHODSfrom September 2008 to August 2010, 25 patients (14 males and 11 females with an average of 16.5 years, ranging from 12 to 26 years) with injected gluteal muscle contracture were prospectively studied. The course of disease was from 6 to 12 years. Firstly, the connective skin Surface line from anterior superior iliac spine to coccyx (line AD) was delineated and the point (point O) was marked out as the standard gluteal muscle injection site which was on the one-third of the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine(point A) to the coccyx (point D). Secondly, the anterior and posterior edge lines of surface projection of the gluteal muscle contracture banding (line a, line p) were delineated. Thirdly, the distance from B to O and C to O (B is the point of intersection of line a and line AD,C is the point of intersection of line P and line AD)were measured which was the intersection of line a,p and line AD to point O. Lastly, the minimally invasive surgery was operformed via the skin entry of point C.

RESULTSOB = (0 +/- 0.76) cm, OC = (2.86 +/- 0.78) cm, BC = (2.86 +/- 1.01) cm,the mean postoperative drainage was less than 10 ml,there was no nerve damage,hematoma and other complications. All patients achieved the function of squatting in 4 to 6 days.

CONCLUSIONThe solution of choosing the minimally invasive incision site based on standard injection point of gluteal muscle has advantages of positioning precisely,handling easily, recoverying quickly, less trauma and safety, etc.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Buttocks ; Child ; Contracture ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Muscle, Skeletal ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo compare the significance of the application in Jiangsu population using the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome(MS) proposed by the IDF in 2005, ATP III in 2005 and CDS in 2004.

METHODSBased on the populations in Jiangsu province from a project of Multiple Metabolic Disorders and MS, the study was conducted including 5888 cases, with data of plasma glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, serum insulin etc. MS was diagnosed and compared according to these three definitions respectively.

RESULTSThe age-adjusted MS prevalence rates were 17.48%, 21.95% and 9.59% according to the IDF(2005), ATP III (2005) and CDS (2004) respectively. The agreement in the diagnosis of MS using ATP III (2005) and CDS(2004) definitions was 85.11%, and the agreement in the diagnosis of MS using IDF(2005) and CDS definitions was 87.35%. The agreement in the diagnosis of MS using IDF (2005) and ATP III (2005) definitions was 95.14%. The MS subjects diagnosed by the ATP III (2005) was 1.26 higher than subjects diagnosed by the IDF(2005) definition. The ratios of prevalence rates of high waist circumference(WC), MS_IDF (2005) and MS_ATP III (2005) was 2.17, 1.99 and 1.54 in sex ratio (woman to man).

CONCLUSIONThe agreement in the diagnosis of MS using the IDF(2005) and ATP III (2005) definition was higher than using CDS(2004) and other two definitions. For diagnosing MS, the cut off of WC in IDF(2005) and ATP III (2005) seemed not appropriate and the diagnostic criteria used for ATP III (2005) (waist circumference of man 85 cm, woman 80 cm) could identify more MS.

Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; China ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Metabolic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Reference Values ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVETo describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in Jiangsu province, using IDF 2005 and ATP III 2005 definition.

METHODSMultistage cluster sampling method was used and the participants were interviewed by trained health workers under a structured questionnaire. The number of research subjects was 5888. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), blood lipids, body mass index, blood pressure (BP) of all sample population (5888 subjects) were measured.

RESULTSThe prevalence of MS was 17.48% by IDF 2005 definition and 21.95% by ATP lII 2005 definition. Women had higher prevalence than men (P < 0.01). The prevalence of MS increased with age. Abrupt increase of the prevalence started at age of 50 in women. The prevalence varied by education, marital status, occupation and income. People from the urban and the south had a higher prevalence than from the rural and from the northern part of the country. The most common combination of MS individual components were 1) central obesity, dislipidemia and high BP; 2) central obesity, dislipidemia, high BP and high FPG.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MS was high in Jiangsu province. Clustering of MS components was common. It is necessary to discuss the cut-off points of central obesity for the waist circumference diagnostic criteria of MS in Chinese population. The importance of prevention of MS should be strengthened both by health professionals and the government.

China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Abdominal ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Waist Circumference

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact and related mechanisms of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) on serum deprivation-induced apoptosis of cardiac stem cells (CSCs).

METHODSCSCs were isolated from adult mouse heart tissue and cultured in vitro. Obtained cells were purified using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) with c-kit magnetic beads. C-kit(+)CSCs were divided into five groups: normal control group, serum deprivation group, serum deprivation+SDF-1α group, serum deprivation+SDF-1α+AMD3100 group, serum deprivation+SDF-1α+LY294002 group. Cell apoptosis was assessed using the DeadEnd Colorimetric TUNEL System and flow cytometry analyses with an Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The viability of CSCs was assessed by CCK-8. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and phosphorylated Akt were detected by Western blot. The caspase-3 activity was determined using caspase-3 Colorimetric Assay Kit.

RESULTSAfter magnetic separation, more than 85% of cardiosphere derived cells were positive for c-kit expression. Compared with the normal control group, the apoptosis rate of serum deprivation group was significantly increased[(27.03 ± 0.80)% vs. (1.51 ± 0.54)%, P < 0.01], which could be significantly reduced by SDF-1α in a concentration dependent manner and peak effect was seen with 100 ng/ml SDF-1α[(10.67 ± 1.06)% vs. (27.03 ± 0.80)%, P < 0.01]. The expressions of p-Akt and Bcl-2 were significantly increased and the activity of caspase-3 was significantly decreased in serum deprivation+SDF-1α group compared to serum deprivation group (P < 0.01). Further more, the expression of p-Akt and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased and the activity of caspase-3 was increased in both serum deprivation+SDF-1α+AMD3100 group and serum deprivation+SDF-1α+LY294002 group compared to serum deprivation+SDF-1α group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSDF-1α reduces serum deprivation induced CSCs apoptosis via modulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; pharmacology ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Mice ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stem Cells ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo identify the active material of anti-hepatic fibrosis from Amydae Carapax.

METHODSMembrane separation technology was adopted to screen active fraction in Amydae Carapax, and the active components were isolated from the active fraction using gel chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. The purified active components in Amydae Carapax were further analyzed using 4700 series time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

RESULTSProteins and peptides of Amydae Carapax with molecular weight less than 6000 were proved to have biological activity. 8 components (Bj1-Bj8) were isolated from the active fraction. Bj4, Bj6 and Bj7 were screened as active components. Bj7 was further purified, resulting in 7 components (Bj701-Bj707). Bj704 and Bj707 showed significant biological activity. Mass spectrometry showed three molecular ion peaks with highest abundance, i.e. m/e 526, 542 and 572, i.e. m/e 526, 542 and 572, in Bj707 -A The amino acid sequences of above three peptide compounds were NDDY (Asn-Asp-Asp-Tyr), NPNPT (Asn-Pro-Asn-Pro-Thr), and HGRFG (His-Gly-Arg-Phe-Gly), respectively. And M572 was the most abandunt components.

CONCLUSIONThree active peptide compounds of anti-hepatic fibrosis of Amydae Carapax were identified.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Tissue Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

Objective Throush identify biochemical characteristics and virulence factors of 2 strains suspected Yersinia pestis(Y.pestis)isolated from the dead Marmota himalayana(M.himalayana)to confirm the nature epidemic focus in Dege County,Sichuan Province.Methods Y.pestis was analyzed by specific staining and shape,culturing characteristics,splitting-test by bacteriophage,test of biochemical characteristics and glycolysis ability,virulence factors,virulence,nutritional requirement,plasmid,genetic test and genetic type. Results The tested strains were Gram staining bacilus.The main biochemical characteristics were Arabinose(+)、 Rhamnose(-),Maltose(+),Melibiose(-),Glycerol(+),Denitrification(+).The virulence factors with FI+.VW+, Pgm+,Pst I+;and with the common 6.0×106,45.0×106,65.0×106 plasmids,also with the virulence-relative plasmid gene.Both their absolutely lethal dose(LD100)in mice were 50 bacteria.The nutritional requirement appeared which were depended on Phenylalanine and Methionine.With the Genomovar 5 genotype characteristics of M.himalayana plague foci of Qinghai-Tibet plateau.The difference between tested strains and Yersinia pseudotubercuosis on the 3 different culture medium was obvious.The tested strains had a Y.pestis' specific 3a fragment,Pst I and FI-Ag,at 22 ℃,the strains could be split by bacteriophage completely.Conclusions According to the diagnostic criteria of plague in China,the 2 suspected strains isolated from Dege County,Sichuan Province ale confirmed as Y.pestis.both with powerful virulenceand with the characteristics of the Y.pestis of M.himahtyana in Qinghai-Tibet plateau plague natural focus.

Objective: To observe the effect of preemptive local injection of ropivocaine with dexmedetomidine on activation of glial cells and on the mirror pain in rats and its mechanism. Methods: A total of 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 180 g-220 g) were included in the study and randomized into 3 groups, Group S, Group R, and Group RD