Objective:To study the protective effect of Pien-Tze-Huang on acetaminophen-induced liver injury,and to clarify the possible mechanism.Methods:The human normal hepatocytes(L02 cells)were divided into control group,APAP group(10 mmol·L-1 APAP),APAP+PZH group(10 mmol·L-1 APAP and 0.4 mg·mL-1 PZH),and PZH group(0.4 mg·mL-1 PZH).The survival rates of the cells in various groups were determined by MTT method,the morphology was observed by inverted microscope,and the apoptotic rates were detected by flow cytometry.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)in the cell supernant in various groups were detected by the kits,the reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)in the hepatocytes in various groups were detected by fluorescence probe.Western blotting method was used to examine the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins,phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathway proteins,nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway proteins and inflammatory factors in the cells in various groups.Results:The results of MTT showed that compared with control group,the survival rate of the cells in APAP group was markedly decreased(P＜0.05);compared with APAP group,the survival rate of the cells in APAP+PZH group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the number of the L02 cells in APAP group showed a decreasing and loosely arranged trend;compared with APAP group,the number and arrangement of the L02 cells in APAP+PZH group were notably improved.The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with control group,the apoptotic rate of the L02 cells in APAP group was significantly increased(P＜0.05);compared with APAP group,the apoptotic rate of the cells in APAP+PZH group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the activity of LDH and level of MDA in the cells in APAP group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the activity of SOD was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);compared with APAP group,the activity of LDH and level of MDA in the cells in APAP+PZH group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the activity of SOD was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the fluorescence intensity of ROS in the cells in APAP group was significantly increased;compared with APAP group,the fluorescence intensity of ROS in APAP+PZH group was significantly decreased.Compared with control group,the MMP of the L02 cells in APAP group was significantly decreased;compared with APAP group,the MMP of the L02 cells in APAP+PZH group was significantly increased.The results of Western blotting showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of caspase-9,B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)associated X protein(BAX),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K),phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT),phosphorylated NF-κB inhibitor alpha(p-IKBα),p-P65,phosphorylated inhibitor of kappaB kinaseβ(p-IKKβ),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)proteins in the cells in APAP group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the level of Bcl-2 proteins in the cells in APAP group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05);compared with APAP group,the levels of caspase-3,BAX,p-PI3K,p-AKT,p-IKBα,p-P65,p-IKKβ,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α proteins in the cells in APAP+PZH group were significantly decreased,while the level of Bcl-2 protein was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:PZH may reduce the oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathway,therefore attenuate the L02 cell injury induced by APAP.

OBJECTIVETo estimate the level of blood lead and some haematological parameters in the workers occupationally exposed to lead so as to know the effect of lead exposure on hematopoietic system in exposed workers.

METHODSThe graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrocopy was used to determine blood lead (BPb). The haematological parameters were determined by Sysmex KX-21 automated haematology analyzer.

RESULTSHemoglobin (Hb) in the lead-absorption group[male: (129.3 +/- 12.3) g/L, female: (112.2 +/- 9.4) g/L], and hematocrit (HCT) in the lead-absorption group[male: (0.338 +/- 0.030) L/L, female: (0.302 +/- 0.028) L/L] were significantly lower than those in normal people group and lead-exposed group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The relationships between BPb and Hb, HCT were weakly negative correlation. Red cell distribution width (RDW) in the lead-absorption group(male: 16.68% +/- 0.80%, female: 16.98% +/- 0.98%) were significantly higher than those in normal people group and lead exposed group, and RDW in lead exposed group (male: 14.77% +/- 0.83%, female: 14.92% +/- 1.13%) were higher than that in normal people group. BPb was weakly positively correlated with RDW.

CONCLUSIONHb, HCT and RDW were three indices which may reflect the occurrences and degrees of anaemia in lead exposed workers.

Anemia ; chemically induced ; Erythrocytes ; drug effects ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; toxicity ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects