OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents in roots of Caragana sinica.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by silica gel column chromatography, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods.

RESULTSeven compounds were identified as (+) - stenophyllol B (1), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (2), odoratin (3), resveratrol (4), cararosinol A (5), leachinol C (6), carasinaurone (7) respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 was a new compound which was the enantiomer of stenophyllol B. Compounds 2-6 were obtained from the plant for the first time.

Caragana ; chemistry ; Chromatography, Gel ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Parabens ; analysis ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Stilbenes ; analysis ; chemistry

Objective To explore the best time point for the ipsilateral hepatocellular apoptosis and the contralateraI hepatic hypertrophy after selective portal vein embolization(SPVE)in rabbit.Methods In a randomized study design,forty rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 8 rabbits per-group,including one as the control and the other 4 were treated with SPVE during open surgery.The rabbits were killed postoperatively,in 3,7,14,21 days respectively after the embolization.The hepatic lobes volume,the ipsilateral hepatocellular necrosis rates and apoptosis index,and liver functions were determined as well. Results In the treatment groups,the average amount of the right liver volumes decreased from 46.4 cm~3 preoperatively to 46.0,44.4,42.0,39.7 cm~3 in groups of 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively;meanwhile,the left liver volumes increased from 54.0 cm~3 preoperatively to 54.5,56.3,61.7,63.9 cm~3 respectively during 3, 7,14,21 days after the procedures.The rates of future remaining live volumes(FRLV)increased from 53.8% preoperatively to 54.2%,55.9%,59.0%,61.0% at 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively.The apoptosis indexes of hepatocells from group A to E were 8.1%,12.2%,19.4%,20.1%,14.2% respectively.Conclusions SPVE leads to atrophy of the ipsilateral hepatic lobe and hypertrophy of contralateral lobe,indicating that hepatocytes undergone apoptosis,rather than necrosis.The time point is 7 to 14 days.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of cellular metabolism of mandibular condylar chondrocytes in repairing state of osteoarthrosis and investigate its role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODSTemporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis model of rabbits was created by the partial resection of joint disc and confirmed with histological diagnosis. The chondrocytes were harvested from osteoarthritic condylar cartilage in the repairing state and cultured in vitro under the monolayer culture condition. The cellular expression of cartilaginous matrix protein, collagenase and growth factors between the osteoarthritic chondrocytes and the normal controls were measured with RT-PCR technique to outline the basic feature of the osteoarthritic cells.

RESULTSThe cultured cells were confirmed as chondrocytes with their ability of expression of collagen type II and Aggrecan. In the reactive repairing state of osteoarthrosis, the chondrocytes showed the imbalance of expression of ECM proteins, and increased expression of collagenase and endogenous growth factors such as IGF-1 and TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONSThis study found the active anabolism of the chondrocytes within the osteoarthritic condylar cartilage and the imbalance synthesis of cartilage matrix. These repairing attempts by the osteoarthritic chondrocytes may be impossible to restore the primary homeostasis within the condylar cartilage.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; metabolism ; pathology ; Osteoarthritis ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate K(ATP) channel function of cardiomyocytes isolated from the left ventricular wall of rats with or without abdominal aortic constriction at different time points under normal or simulated ischemic conditions.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomized into 4 groups (n = 10 - 13): 4-week sham-operated group (F4), 4-week aortic-banded group (T4), 12-week sham-operated group (F12), 12-week aortic-banded group (T12). Chronic pressure overload model was established by abdominal aortic constriction. Left ventricular myocytes were isolated by modified Langendorff perfusion method post in vivo hemodynamical measurements. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record transient outward current of K(ATP) channel on myocytes under normal and simulated ischemic perfusion conditions. The current densities of K(ATP) channel between F4 and T4 group, F12 and T12 group were compared under 0 mV of test potential.

RESULTSSBP, DBP and MBP were significantly increased in T4 group compared to F4 group, but were similar between T12 and F12 groups. LVEDP and +/- dp/dtmax were similar between T4 and F4 groups and LVEDP was significantly increased while +/- dp/dtmax significantly reduced in T12 group than that in F12 group. Whole-cell membrane current densities were similar between F4 and T4 group or F12 and T12 group under normoxic condition, the K(ATP) current densities increased dramatically in T12 group [(28.11 +/- 3.91) pA/pF vs (11.55 +/- 1.17) pA/pF, P < 0.01], but not in T4 group [(14.09 +/- 5.74) pA/pF vs (11.74 +/- 3.68) pA/pF, P > 0.05] in myocytes exposed to ischemic solution for 25 minutes. The total number of K(ATP) channel in ventricular myocytes was similar between F4 and T4 group or F12 and T12 group.

CONCLUSIONSThe sarcolemmal K(ATP) channel was more sensitive to ischemia and the current magnitude was significantly increased at the stage of congestive heart failure. The functional change of K(ATP) channel occurred before the increase of total number of K(ATP) channel.

Animals ; Disease Progression ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; KATP Channels ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Yigu capsule (YGC), a Chinese herbal compound preparation, in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSThe clinical study was conducted in a prospective, randomized, double blinded method lasting for 6 months with placebo and positive control. Two hundred and ten PMO patients with confirmed diagnosis were assigned into the YGC group, the calciferol group and the placebo group. Besides being administered element calcium, they were treated with YGC, calciferol capsule and placebo capsule respectively. And such symptoms as newly found fracture and ostealgia, bone mineral density (BMD) of the 2nd-4th lumbar vertebrae (L(2-4)) and upper femur, blood and urinary indexes for bone metabolism, sex hormone level and adverse reaction that occurred in patients were observed.

RESULTSIn the YGC group, the total effective rate was 95.50%, with no new occurrence of fractures, which was significantly better than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, in the YGC group, the increase rate of BMD was 9.83% in L(2-4), 4.09% in femoral neck, 4.60% in Wards triangle, 3.00% in greater trochanter, which was also better than that in the placebo group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). As compared with the placebo group, levels in the YGC group of urinary oxyproline hydroxyproline/creatinine, urinary calcium/creatinine were significantly lower, serum and bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, estradiol and estradiol/testosterone were significantly higher, but no difference was shown in the comparison of testosterone level. In the observation period, no abnormality in blood or urine routine, liver or renal function was found. Only mild, transient gastro-intestinal response occurred in individual patients, but it did not affect the treatment.

CONCLUSIONYGC could treat PMO effectively, as it could obviously increase the BMD of lumbar vertebrae and coxafemoral bone, elevate the alleviating rate of ostealgia and incessant motion time, yet causing no newly found compressive fracture of vertebrae, or and any related adverse reaction. YGC could not only promote the formation, but also inhibit the absorption of bone as well as increase the sex hormone level. Therefore, it is a pure Chinese herbal compound preparation worthy of further research and development.

Administration, Oral ; Aged ; Amidohydrolases ; urine ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Calcium ; administration & dosage ; blood ; urine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; urine ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo discuss the radical treatment of cervical giant cystic lymphangioma in Children and cosmetic result.

METHODSTwenty-five children with cervical giant cystic lymphangioma were retrospectively analyzed. The diameter of all the tumors was more than 10 cm. 24 cases underwent resection. The complication, therapeutic effect and cosmetic result were recorded.

RESULTSThe tumors were all removed radically in all the cases. The patients were followed up for 1-5 years with no recurrence. Cosmetic result was satisfactory in 22 cases. Secondary operation was performed in 2 cases with satisfactory result. Complications included 5 cases of lymph leakage, 2 cases of poor wound healing, 1 case of infection and 2 cases of tongue edema.

CONCLUSIONSThe cervical giant cystic lymphangioma in children can be resected radically with satisfactory result.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; surgery ; Male ; Neck ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of RhoA/Rho kinase signal pathway on TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts.

METHODSThe 4th generation of primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-beta1, (10 ng/ml). The expression of alpha-SMA was detected after treatment with TGF-beta1, for 0, 3, 6, and 24 h. The expression of alpha-SMA was also detected after treatment with different concentration of TGF-beta1 (0, 2, 10, 50 ng/ml). Then the human dermal fibroblasts (4th generation) were stimulated with TGF-beta1, (10 ng/ml) after being treated with the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway inhibitor Y-27632 (10 umol/ml). The fibroblasts were treated with nothing as sham control, or with Y-27632 (10 umol/L) only as negative control group, or with TGF-beta1 (10 ng/ml) only as positive control group. The expression of alpha-SMA was detected in all the groups. Protein expression was analyzed with ANOVA statistical method.

RESULTSalpha-SMA expression in fibroblasts with 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 stimulation for 0, 3, 6, 24 h was 1.0, 1.9 0.2, 2.1 +/- 0. 1, 3. 1 +/- 0.1, respectively. Alpha-SMA expression in 24 h group was significantly higher than that in other three groups (n = 4, P < 0.05). alpha-SMA expression in human dermal fibroblasts after stimulation with different concentration of TGF-beta1 (0, 2, 10, 50 ng/ml) was 1.0, 1.4 +/- 0.2, 3.2 + 0.1, 3.1 +/- 0.2, respectively. alpha-SMA expression in 10 ng/ ml group was significantly higher than that in 2 ng/ml group and control group (n = 4, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in alpha-SMA expression between 10 ng/ml group and 50 ng/ml group (n = 4, P > 0.05). With both Y-27632 (10 micromol/L) and TGF-beta1 stimulation, the cell phenotype differentiation was inhibited. Alpha-SMA expression in experimental group (1.2 +/- 0.2) was significantly reduced, when compared with that in positive control group (2.9 +/- 0.1) (n = 5, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (n = 5, P > 0.05) in alpha-SMA expression between control group (1.0) and negative control group (1.1 +/- 0.1).

CONCLUSIONSRhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway should be involved in TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Male ; Signal Transduction ; Skin ; cytology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; metabolism

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Coronary Vessels ; injuries ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans ; Male ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; chemistry ; therapeutic use

Objective To investigate the effects of knockdown of miR-449a on breast cancer xenograft in nude mice.Methods In this study,we established a model of breast cancer xenograft in nude mice with breast cancer MCF-7 cell line,then stably transfected MCF-7 cells with plasmids containing shRNA-miR-449a precursors;the stable transfected cells were injected subcutaneously into the nude mice by multi-point injection.We used negative plasmid as negative control and PBS as blank control.We detected tumor volume after the treatment of nude mice and tumor growth inhibition rate was calculated.The expressions of miR-449a and Notch1 in xenograft in nude mice were detected by real-time PCR;the levels of Notch 1,β-catenin and E-cadherin in the xenograft tumor tissues were detected by Western blot; and the expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results In the process of xenograft tumor formation,no nude mice died.Knockdown of miR-449a could significantly inhibit the growth of tumor volume after tumor detection (P <0.05 ).miR-449a was significantly down-regulated in xenograft tumor tissues,and the expressions of Notch 1 and β-catenin were also down-regulated,while the level of E-cadherin was increased.The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of Notch1 protein was decreased and that of E-cadherin protein was increased (P <0.05).Conclusion Knockdown of miR-449a inhibited the normal growth of breast cancer xenografts in nude mice by down-regulating the expressions of Notch 1 andβ-catenin and promoting the expression of E-cadherin.

Aim To investigate the effects of polysac-charides from Ginkgo biloba on the proliferation, apop-tosis of mouse 4T1 breast cancer cells and the possible mechanism. Methods 4T1 cells in logarithmic growth phase were treated with polysaccharides from Ginkgo biloba of different concentrations. The effect of poly-saccharides from Ginkgo biloba on inhibition of prolif-eration and cytotoxicity of 4T1 cells was determined by MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assay respective-ly. The apoptotic effect of polysaccharides from Ginkgo biloba on 4T1 cells was detected by DAPI staining. qRT-PCR experiments were carried out for the detec-tion of gene expressions of the glucose transporter fami-ly upon the treatment with the polysaccharides from Ginkgo biloba. Results Polysaccharides from either Ginkgo biloba leaf or Ginkgo biloba exocarp significant-ly inhibited the proliferation of 4T1 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Moreover, with the increasing doses of polysaccharides, cell viability decreased, ac-companied by the increased cell cytotoxicity and apop-tosis. qRT-PCR results showed that polysaccharides from Ginkgo biloba significantly reduced glucose trans-porter 1 gene expression. Conclusions Polysaccha-rides from Ginkgo biloba can both inhibit 4T1 cell pro-liferation and induce cell apoptosis, and by regulating glucose transporter family gene expression, it interfered with cell energy metabolism, which infers that the effects of cell proliferation inhibition as well the apopto-sis induction might be due to the regulation of glucose transporter family gene expression.