Danshen,an efficacious agent for cardiovascular diseases,has been found to play an essential role in kidney injury.In the present study,the effect of Danshen on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction was investigated in a mouse model.Danshen was administered to mice at a dose of 3 g/kg 4 days before and 3 days after cisplatin treatment.A single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg cisplatin was used to induce nephrotoxicity.The mice were sacrificed 72 h after cisplatin intoxication.Biochemical parameters including serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were analyzed.Histopathological changes of kidney tissues were detected using HE staining.Antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px and SOD) and peroxidative product (MDA) were detected.Protein expressions of Nrf2 and its target genes including HO-1 and NQO1 were measured by Western blotting.The results showed that pretreatment with Danshen significantly reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in the cisplatin-treated mice.Histopathological examination showed that Danshen mitigated the renal damage induced by cisplatin.Moreover,Danshen restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px and SOD) and normalized the MDA contents in renal tissues.Western blotting revealed that Danshen enhanced the expressions of Nrf2 and its target genes in cisplatin-exposed mice.It was suggested that Danshen protects against the cisplatin-induced renal impairment in the mice,which is potentially associated with the upregulation of Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; physiology ; Female ; Rabbits ; Radiography ; Tissue Engineering ; Urinary Bladder ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Urodynamics

BACKGROUNDUrethral reconstruction for both congenital and acquired etiologies remains a challenge for most urologic surgeons. Tissue engineering has been proposed as a strategy for urethral reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a naturally derived extracellular matrix substitute developed for urethral reconstruction would be suitable for urethral repair in an animal model.

METHODSA urethral segmental defect was created in 20 male rabbits. The urethral extracellular matrix, obtained and processed from rabbit urethral tissue, was trimmed and transplanted to repair the urethral defect. Then, the regenerated segment was studied histologically by haematoxylin-eosin staining and Van Gieson staining at 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperation. Retrograde urethrography was used to evaluate the function of the regenerated urethras of 4 rabbits 10 and 24 weeks after the operation. The urodynamics of 4 rabbits from the experimental group and control group I were assessed and compared. In addition, 4 experimental group rabbits were examined by a urethroscope 24 weeks after the operation.

RESULTSAt 10 days after operation, epithelial cells had migrated from each side, and small vessels were observed in the extracellular matrix. The matrix and adjacent areas of the host tissue were infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The epithelium covered the extracellular matrix fully at 3 weeks postoperation. Well-formed smooth-muscle cells were first confirmed after 6 weeks, at which point the inflammatory cells had disappeared. At 24 weeks postoperation, the regenerated tissue was equivalent to the normal urethra. Urethrography and urodynamic evaluations showed that there was no difference between normal tissue and regenerated tissue.

CONCLUSIONSUrethral extracellular matrix appears to be a useful material for urethral repair in rabbits. The matrix can be processed easily and has good characteristics for tissue handling and urethral function.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Urethra ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of reconstruction of rabbit urethra using urethral extracellular matrix.

METHODSExtracellular matrix was obtained from the urethra of 20 donor New Zealand rabbits. In experimental group, 20 rabbits underwent segmental urethral resection (about 1.0 to 1.5 cm in length) and the defects were replaced by a tube of extracellular matrix. The serum TNFalpha was detected by ELISA to assess the immunity response preoperatively and 12, 24, 48 h postoperatively. The regenerated urethral segments were taken for histologic and pathologic study 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 24 weeks after operation. The urodynamics, urethroscopy and urethrography were also performed.

RESULTSThe serum TNFalpha in experiment group slightly rised, with no significant difference when compared with that in control group. 10 days after operation, epithelial cell migrated into the extracellular matrix from two ends, and small vessels were also found. 3 weeks later, several layers of urothelium covered the whole surface of the matrix tube. 6 weeks later, the irregularly arranged smooth muscle fibers were fist observed by Van Gieson staining. 24 weeks after operation, the smooth muscle cells increased, the appearance of the regenerated urethra segments were very similar to normal urethral wall components. The urethrography and urodynamic evaluation revealed no difference between the normal and the regenerated urethral tube.

CONCLUSIONSThe urethral extracellular matrix might be an ideal replacement material for urethral defect.

Absorbable Implants ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Extracellular Matrix ; transplantation ; Male ; Rabbits ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Regeneration ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Urethra ; surgery

Diterpenes, an important class of natural compounds, are widely distributed in nature. As the valuable diterpenoids continue to be found, diterpene synthase in the course of diterpene synthesis get as much attention as possible. The multiformity of end-product-diterpenoids were also due to the diversity of diterpene synthase. This paper focuses on the advances in recent biosynthesis pathway of diterpene and types, cloning, catalytic mechanism, synthetic biology application.
Alkyl and Aryl Transferases ; metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Diterpenes ; metabolism ; Isomerases ; metabolism ; Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the curative effect and histocompatibility of reconstruction of traumatic urethral defect of rabbit using urethral extracellular matrix (ECM).

METHODSUrethral ECM was obtained by excision of the urethra in 20 donor rabbits. In experimental group, 20 rabbits were resected a 1.0 cm-1.5 cm segment of the urethra and artificially made a model of traumatic urethral defect, then reconstructed by the urethral extracellular matrix of the same length. The rabbit immunity response was assessed by lymphocyte transformation test and serum TNF-alpha level. The reconstructed urethral segments were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Van Gieson stain and observed by histological examination postoperatively. The urethrography, urethroscopy and urodynamic examinations were performed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in stimulative index of lymphocyte transformation between ECM group and control group. The serum TNF-alpha levels of ECM group slightly rose, but the increase was not significant as compared with control group. On postoperative day 10, epithelial cell had migrated from each side and small vessels were found in the extracellular matrix. In the 3rd week, several layers of urothelium covered the whole surface of the matrix tube. In the 6th week, the disorganized arrangements of smooth muscle fibers were firstly observed by Van Gieson staining. In the 24th week, the smooth muscle cells increased and the matrix tube appeared fairly similar to normal urethral wall components. The urethroscopy and urodynamic evaluation revealed that the surface of reconstructed urethra was smooth and emiction was unobstructed.

CONCLUSIONThe urethral extracellular matrix might be an ideal and safe biomaterial for the reconstruction of urethral traumatic defect.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; immunology ; physiology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Rabbits ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Urethra ; immunology ; injuries ; surgery

Objective To investigate the long-term follow-up results of patients treated with radical nephrectomy for small renal carcinoma.Methods Between January 1992 and June 2004,a total of 56 pa- tients(41 men and 15 women;mean age,54 years;age range,19-71 years)underwent radical nephrectomy for small renal carcinoma.The clinical data and long-term follow-up results of the 56 cases were analyzed ret- rospectively.All the patients were followed by questionnaire;and the 5-and 10-year survival rates were calcu- lated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results None of the patients was found to have metastasis preoperatively. Postoperative pathology showed renal clear cell carcinoma in 44 cases,granular cell carcinoma in 7,and mixed cell carcinoma in 5.Among these cases,ipsilateral adrenal metastasis was found in 1 case,local lymph- aden metastasis in 2,and perirenal fat metastasis in 4.Postoperatively,49 of the 56 patients(87.5%)were followed for 11-155 months with a mean of 71 months.The 5-and 10-year survival rates were 81.7% and 66.9%,respectively.Five patients died of metastasis from renal carcinoma.Conclusions Radical ne- phrectomy for small renal carcinoma has favorable long-term effects,therefore it is an optimal surgical proce- dure for small renal carcinoma.

AIM To determine the quality constant of Chinese medicine and to establish a method of grades evaluation of Cortex Moutan decoction pieces.METHODS Cortex Moutan decoction pieces' morphological indexes should be observed and measured,the contents of phenol and paeoniflorin were measured by HPLC.Cortex Moutan decoction pieces was graded according to the quality constant of Chinese medicine which was calculated.RESULTS Cortex Moutan decoction pieces could be divided into three grades by the quality constant of Chinese medicine,the cutoff point of the firsts was greater than or equal to 1.56;the second was greater than or equal to 1.12 but less than 1.56;while the third was less than 1.12.CONCLUSION This method combines the apparent parameters of Cortex Moutan decoction pieces with its intrinsic quality,which can devide grades of it objectively and provides a reference for its classification.

BACKGROUNDNurr1 plays an essential role in the development, survival, and function maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and it is a potential target for Parkinson's disease (PD). Nurr1 mRNA can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but whether there is any association of altered Nurr1 expression in PBMC with the disease and DA drug treatments remains elusive. This study aimed to measure the Nurr1 mRNA level in PBMC and evaluate the effect of Nurr1 expression by DA agents in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSThe mRNA levels of Nurr1 in PBMC of four subgroups of 362 PD patients and 193 healthy controls (HCs) using real-time polymerase chain reaction were measured. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed to evaluate the differences between PD and HC, as well as the subgroups of PD. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent association of Nurr1 expression with Hoehn and Yahr scale, age, and drug treatments. Besides, the Nurr1 expression in cultured PBMC was measured to determine whether DA agonist pramipexole affects its mRNA level.

RESULTSThe relative Nurr1 mRNA levels in DA agonists treated subgroup were significant higher than those in recent-onset cases without any anti-PD treatments (de novo) (P < 0.001) and HC groups (P < 0.010), respectively. Furthermore, the increase in Nurr1 mRNA expression was seen in DA agonist and L-dopa group. Multivariate linear regression showed DA agonists, L-dopa, and DA agonists were independent predictors correlated with Nurr1 mRNA expression level in PBMC. In vitro, in the cultured PBMC treated with 10 μmol/L pramipexole, the Nurr1 mRNA levels were significantly increased by 99.61%, 71.75%, 73.16% in 2, 4, and 8 h, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSDA agonists can induce Nurr1 expression in PBMC, and such effect may contribute to DA agonists-mediated neuroprotection on DA neurons.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dopamine Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the diagnosis of common chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses.

METHODA total of 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses were analyzed by G-banding and by FISH to test chromosome number aberration mainly for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, and the results of FISH test was assessed according to those by G-banding test.

RESULTSFISH results were well consistent with those by G-banding test. FISH test identified trisomy in 32 samples and polyploidy in 7 samples. Two samples with cell culture failure were found to have trisomy 16 by FISH. Discrepancies in the results between the two tests occurred in 3 samples, but the results of FISH were verified by other methods. Kappa test between FISH technology and G-banding showed a good consistency between FISH and karyotyping (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONFISH is an effective and rapid method for detecting chromosome number aberration in spontaneously aborted fetuses, and the combination of FISH and karyotyping provides more reliable diagnostic evidence.

Aborted Fetus ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy