ObjectiveTo compare female C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice models of ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS), providing a reference for selecting female animal models in studies of innovative drugs for UC treatment. MethodsA total of 48 female mice aged 6–8 weeks, including 24 C57BL/6J and 24 BALB/c mice, were divided into four groups: control group, UC-3d group (2.5% DSS drinking for 3 days), UC-7d group (2.5% DSS drinking for 7 days), and UC-withdrawal group (2.5% DSS drinking for 7 days followed by 3 days of pure water replacement), with 6 mice in each group. Body weight, fecal occult blood, and stool characteristics were recorded daily, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were calculated. At the end of DSS induction, mice were gavaged with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran solution before tissue collection. Four hours later, under deep anesthesia induced by inhalation of 4% isoflurane, blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital venous plexus, and euthanasia was performed by cervical dislocation. The colon was then separated immediately, and its length from the anus to the ileocecal junction was measured. Colon tissues were fixed, embedded, and sectioned, and they were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining to comprehensively assess the degree of colonic inflammation. The spleen was also collected and weighed, and the spleen coefficient was calculated. Serum FITC fluorescence intensity and D-lactic acid concentration were measured to evaluate intestinal permeability and barrier injury. The grooming duration, the number of buried marbles, the time spent in the center of the open field, and the total distance traveled were measured to evaluate anxiety/depression-like behaviors in mice. ResultsFecal occult blood appeared in both C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice after 3 days of ad libitum access to DSS. Compared with the control group, there was no significant change in the weight loss rate of female BALB/c mice in the UC-7d and UC-withdrawal groups (P > 0.05), but the DAI score increased (P < 0.01). Conversely, both the weight loss rate and DAI score increased for female C57BL/6J mice in the UC-7d and UC-withdrawal groups (P < 0.01). In female C57BL/6J mice, both the UC-7d and UC-withdrawal groups had higher spleen coefficients than the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, in these groups, colon length was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), FITC fluorescence intensity in serum was markedly increased (P < 0.01), obvious inflammatory reaction areas appeared in the colon, and the goblet cells and acidic mucus layer were damaged. In contrast, in female BALB/c mice, no significant differences were observed in colon length, serum FITC fluorescence intensity, or D-lactic acid concentration between the UC-7d and UC-withdrawal groups compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Only a few inflammatory cells and damaged goblet cells were observed in the colonic mucosal layer, and no other obvious pathological changes were detected. In addition, female C57BL/6J mice in the UC-7d group showed a significantly reduced total distance in the open field and fewer buried marbles (P < 0.05), indicating depression-like behavior, as well as prolonged grooming duration (P < 0.05), indicating anxiety-like behavior. ConclusionFemale BALB/c mice are not sensitive to 2.5% DSS and do not show typical colonic pathological changes of UC. In contrast, ad libitum access to 2.5% DSS for 7 days successfully induces typical UC pathological symptoms and colonic pathological changes in female C57BL/6J mice. These changes persist for 3 days after DSS withdrawal, and the mice also exhibit symptoms of anxiety/depression. The results suggest that this model can be used for research on the pathogenesis and therapeutic drugs of UC.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Xanthium mongolicum Kitag. ethanol extract (EXM) on airway inflammation induced by house dust mite (HDM) in mice with allergic asthma, and to explore the possible mechanism. Methods:The mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive control group and low, medium and high dose groups, with 6 mice in each group. The low, medium and high dose groups were intragastrically administered with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of EXM, and the positive control group was given 1.56 mg/kg salbutamol solution. Mice in the blank group and the model group were intragastrically administered with equal volume of solvent, once a day for 8 consecutive days. Except the blank group, the other groups were sensitized with HDM on the 3rd, 4th and 5th days after administration to establish asthma models. After administration, the number of eosinophils (EOS), total cells and various kinds of cells (neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and EOS) in bronchial irrigation fluid (BALF) of mice were observed. The levels of serum IgE and inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13) in BALF and lung tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological and inflammatory changes of bronchial smooth muscle in mice were observed by HE and PAS.Results:Compared with the model group, the number of EOS significantly decreased ( P<0.01 or P<0.05), the total cells count, macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes and EOS in BALF significantly decreased ( P<0.01), the content of IL-4 (142.59 ± 16.51 ng/L, 70.47 ± 20.63 ng/L vs. 212.18 ± 58.51 ng/L), IL-5 (57.49 ± 5.49 ng/L, 47.47 ± 6.30 ng/L vs. 72.65 ± 19.11 ng/L), IL-10 (98.51 ± 18.31 ng/L, 71.85 ± 9.15 ng/L vs. 120.16 ± 23.35 ng/L), IL-13 (85.81 ± 23.66 ng/L, 39.99 ± 17.37 ng/L vs. 149.07 ± 33.19 ng/L) in BALF significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the content of IL-4 (154.55 ± 25.70 ng/L, 143.30 ± 22.19 ng/L vs. 214.68 ± 31.95 ng/L), IL-5 (87.49 ± 5.95 ng/L, 61.84 ± 8.14 ng/L vs. 97.65 ± 12.10 ng/L), IL-10 (91.28 ± 18.69 ng/L, 62.04 ± 9.39 ng/L vs. 117.80 ± 20.72 ng/L), IL-13 (196.48 ± 15.90 ng/L, 132.02 ± 6.86 ng/L vs. 238.42 ± 28.41 ng/L) in lung homogenate significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the serum IgE level in the high dose group significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The Xanthium mongolicum Kitag. can inhibit allergic asthma induced by HDM, which may be through inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by pulmonary macrophages.

OBJECTIVE:To establish quality standard of Fushiming capsule. METHODS:TLC was used to qualitatively identify the ligustilide,aurantio obtusin,chrysophanol,fruit of Chinese wolfberry and Whitmania pigra,respectively. HPLC method was used to determine the contents of puerarin and ginsenosides Rb1. The determination was performed on Intersil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.3% phosphoric acid(gradient elution)at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min;the detection wavlength was set at 203 nm,and column temperature was 25 ℃;the sample size was 10 μL. RESULTS:TLC spots of ligustilide,aurantio obtusin,chrysophanol,the fruit of C. wolfberry and W. pigra were clear and well separated without negative interference. The linear range of puerarin and ginsenoside Rb1were 10.56-337.92 μg/mL(r=0.999 7)and 17.80-569.70 μg/mL(r=0.999 6). The limits of quantitation were 2.20,1.86 μg/mL,and the limits of detection were 0.12,0.13 μg/mL,respectively. RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2.0%. The recoveries were 95.65%-99.66%(RSD=1.45%,n=6) and 96.95%-98.52%(RSD=0.77%,n=6),respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Established quality standard can be used for the quality control of Fushiming capsule.

Objective To investigate hemodynamic changes of deep vein in lower limb during the perioperative period of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and early diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Methods Doppler ultrasound, hemorheology detection and plasma D-dimer testing were done on 62 patients treated with THA. Statistical analysis was carried out on the data of patients with or without DVT to study the early diagnosis of DVT. Results The results of Doppler ultrasound showed DVT in 8 patients. Compared with postoperative concentration of plasma D-dimer, the preoperative con-centration of plasma D-dimer was significandy higher in patients with or without DVT (P < 0.05). The levels of hemorheological indices were significantly increased at postoperative day 7 (P < 0.05). Con-clusions Doppler ultrasound combined with plasma D-dimer testing and hemorheology detection are helpful in early diagnosis of DVT.

Aim To study the effect of Tryptanthrin(Try) on proliferation and apoptosis of erythroleukemia K562 cells.Methods The cell proliferation effect of Try(1.56～50 mg?L-1) on K562 cells was assessed by MTT assay.The morphologic change was observed by Hoechst 33258 fluore-scent stain.The flow cytometer was used to detect cell apoptosis and cell cycle.Results MTT showed that in the range of 3.12～50 mg?L-1 Try obviously inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.Typical apoptosis changes were observed in K562 cells treated with Try for 48 h by flourescence inverted microscope.With Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining,folw cytometer result showed that the apoptosis state was obvious in K562 cells treated with 25,50 mg?L-1 Try for 48 h.The cell cycle distribution of K562 was changed.The G0/G1 phase was blocked and the DNA synthesis was inhibited,accompanied with subdiploid apoptotic peak.Conclusion Try has an effect on inhibiting the cell proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of K562.