This study investigated the effect of Wuling San on transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)-induced fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2) and its mechanism of antioxidant stress injury. HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into a control group, a TGF-β1 model group, and three treatment groups receiving Wuling San-containing serum at low(2.5%), medium(5.0%), and high(10.0%) doses. TGF-β1 was used to establish the model in all groups except the control group. CCK-8 was used to analyze the effect of different concentrations of Wuling San on the activity of HK-2 cells with or without TGF-β1 stimulation. The expression of key fibrosis molecules, including actin alpha 2(Acta2), collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(Col1α1), collagen type Ⅲ alpha 1 chain(Col3α1), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1(Timp1), and fibronectin 1(Fn1), was detected using qPCR. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), and interleukin-4(IL-4), were measured using ELISA kits. Glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), malondialdehyde(MDA), catalase(CAT), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) biochemical kits were used to analyze the effect of Wuling San on TGF-β1-induced oxidative stress injury in HK-2 cells, and the expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) was analyzed by qPCR and immunofluorescence. The CCK-8 results indicated that the optimal administration concentrations of Wuling San were 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10.0%. Compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 model group showed significantly increased levels of key fibrosis molecules(Acta2, Col1α1, Col3α1, Timp1, and Fn1) and inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-4). In contrast, the Wuling San administration groups were able to dose-dependently inhibit the expression levels of key fibrosis molecules and inflammatory cytokines compared with the TGF-β1 model group. Wuling San significantly increased the activities of GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD enzymes in TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cells and significantly inhibited the level of MDA. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the TGF-β1 model group exhibited a significant reduction in the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 genes and proteins. After Wuling San intervention, the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 genes and proteins was significantly increased. Correlation analysis showed that antioxidant stress enzymes(GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD) and Nrf2 signaling were significantly negatively correlated with key fibrosis molecules and inflammatory cytokines in the TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cell model. In conclusion, Wuling San can inhibit TGF-β1-induced fibrosis in HK-2 cells by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, improving oxidative stress injury, and reducing inflammation.
Humans ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Cells/immunology* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

The differences in chemical quality characteristics between Xinjiang Rehmannia glutinosa and R. glutinosa were analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the introduction and quality control of R. glutinosa. In this study, the high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of 6 batches of Xinjiang R. glutinosa and 10 batches of R. glutinosa samples were established. The content of iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa was determined by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection(HPLC-DAD), high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis). The determination results were analyzed with by chemical pattern recognition and entropy weight TOPSIS method. The results showed that there were 19 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprints of the 16 batches of R. glutinosa, and catalpol, aucubin, rehmannioside D, rehmannioside A, hydroxytyrosol, leonuride, salidroside, cistanoside A, and verbascoside were identified. Hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) showed that Qinyang R. glutinosa, Mengzhou R. glutinosa, and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were grouped into three different categories, and eight common components causing the chemical quality difference between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). The results of content determination showed that there were glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, polysaccharides, and nine glycosides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa samples, and the content of catalpol, rehmannioside A, leonuride, cistanoside A, verbascoside, sucrose, and glucose was significantly different between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa. The analysis with entropy weight TOPSIS method showed that the comprehensive quality of R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province was better than that of Xinjiang R. glutinosa. In conclusion, the types of main chemical components of R. glutinosa and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were the same, but their content was different. The chemical quality of R. glutinosa was better than Xinjiang R. glutinosa, and other components in R. glutinosa from two producing areas and their effects need further study.
Rehmannia/classification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Quality Control

Objective To study the activity of ten kinds of antipyretic-antidotal traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),including radix tinosporae.herb of blin conyza and turmeric,against extensively drug-resistant Acineto-bacter baumannii(XDR-AB)infection,screen out the extracts of antipyretic-antidotal TCM which have in vivo anti-infection activity,provide a research basis for the discovery of novel antimicrobials against XD-RAB infection.Methods Ten antipyretic-antidotal TCM were extracted with water,50％ethanol and 95％ethanol respectively,and TCM extracts with different concentrations were prepared,which were co-incubated with the model of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans previously optimized by the research group.The in vivo activity of antipyretic-antidotal TCM against XDR-AB infection was judged through the survival rate of Caenorhabditis elegans.Results With the increase of concentration of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis extracts,the survival rate of XDR-AB-infec-ted nematodes continued to improve.The water extract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of turmeric at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 54.2％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),18.8％,and 13.3％,respectively.The water ex-tract,50％ethanol extract,and 95％ethanol extract of cortex pseudolaricis at a concentration of 1 000 μg/mL could increase the survival rates of XDR-AB-infected Caenorhabditis elegans to 47.4％(compared to the negative control group,P＜0.001),23.8％,and 15.8％,respectively.Conclusion The water extracts of turmeric and cortex pseudolaricis have good activity against XDR-AB infection,and their main chemical components can be tested for in vitro antimicrobial efficacy to discover novel antimicrobial agents against XDR-AB infection.

Background: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) can cater to individual needs, provide treatment while asleep, take into account the adequacy of dialysis, and improve the quality of life. Currently, independent research and development of APD machines made in China are more conducive to patients. A randomized, multicenter, crossover study was conducted by comparing an APD machine made in China with an imported machine. The safety, effectiveness, and manipulability of the two machines were compared. Methods: Two hundred and sixty patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD) on a regular basis in 18 centers between August 2015 and February 2016 were included. The inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years and PD ≥30 days. The exclusion criteria were as follows: hemodialysis; exit site or tunnel infection; and peritonitis ≤30 days. The patients were randomly divided into Group A, who were first treated with a FM machine made in China, then changed to an imported machine; and Group B, who were treated using the reverse sequence. APD treatment was performed with 10 L/10 h and 5 cycles of exchange. After 72 h, the daily peritoneal Kt/V, the accuracy of the injection rate, accuracy of the injection temperature, safety, and manipulability of the machine were assessed. Noninferiority test was conducted between the two groups. Results: The daily peritoneal Kt/V in the APD machine made in China and the imported APD machine were 0.17 (0.14, 0.25) and 0.16 (0.13, 0.23), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups (Z = 0.15, P = 0.703). The lower limit of the daily Kt/V difference between the two groups was 0.0069, which was greater than the noninferiority value of -0.07 in this study. The accuracy of the injection rate and injection temperature was 89.7% and 91.5%, respectively, in the domestic APD machine, which were both slightly better than the accuracy rates of 84.0% and 86.8% in the imported APD machine (89.7% vs. 84.0%, P = 0.2466; 91.5% vs. 86.8%, P = 0.0954). Therefore, the APD machine made in China was not inferior to the imported APD machine. The fuselage of the imported APD machine was space-saving, while the APD machine made in China was superior with respect to body mobility, man-machine dialog operation, alarm control, and patient information recognition. Conclusions: The FM machine made in China was not inferior to the imported APD machine. In addition, the FM machine made in China had better operability. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02525497; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT02525497&cntry=& state=&city=&dist=.
Adult ; China ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Quality of Life ; Temperature

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

BACKGROUNDA multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage.

METHODSAdult PD patients who had taken PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution. After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the changes of safety indices.

RESULTSChanges of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L×1.73 m(-2)×w(-1). More adverse events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.

CONCLUSIONSThe domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical products.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dialysis Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; methods ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo investigate the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women,newborn heel blood thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) level and their relationship with urinary iodine(UI) level during pregnancy in Zhoupu and Kangqiao districts of Pudong New Area of Shanghai.Methods A total of 993 urinary samples(the first,second and third trimesters of pregnancy were 200 people,respectively),breast feeding(193 people) and non-pregnant women (200 people) in Zhoupu and Kangqiao districts of Pudong New area were collected from Apr 2009 to Dec 2010.Two hundred copies of neonatal heel blood samples were collected.Median of UI was measured by arsenic-cerium catalysis.TSH in neonatal heel blood was analyzed 72 h after birth by time resolved fluoroisnmunoassay(TRFIA).ResultsMedian UI of all pregnant women was 161.35 μg/L,and that in third trimesters of pregnancy( 126.35 μg/L) was lower than that of the first,the second,the breast feeding and non-pregnant women (178.80,180.50,167.90,163.40 μg/L,all P＜ 0.05).The percentage of UI level less than 150 μg/L in the third trimester[57.5％(115/200) ] was higher than that of the first[39.0％(78/200) ],the second[39.5％(79/200) ],the breast feeding [ 16.6％ (32/193) ] and non-pregnant women [ 23.0％ (46/200) ],respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of UI level higher than 300 μg/L in the first [9.0％(18/200)],the second[8.0％(16/200) ] and the third trimester [ 5.0％ ( 10/200 ) ] of pregnancy was lower than that of the breast feeding [ 20.2％ (39/193) ] and nonpregnant [20.5％(41/200) ] women,respectively(all P ＜ 0.05).The level of neonatal heel blood TSH was(2.92 ± 1.83)mU/L,the range was 0.01 - 9.76 mU/L,11.0％(22/200) of the neonates heel blood TSH level(5 mU/L)exceeded the ratio of World Health Organization (WHO) standard ( ＜ 3％ ) suitable for iodine nutrition.Conclusions The overall level of iodine nutrition among pregnant women in Zhoupu and Kangqiao districts of Pudong New Area of Shanghai is in the appropriate range,but the pregnant women in the third trimester is in mild iodine deficiencies,and the neonates in these districts may be prone to iodine deficiency.Monitoring of iodine nutrition of pregnant women should be strengthened and iodine supplementation should be done scientifically.

OBJECTIVEAlveolar type II (AT II) cells play a crucial role in the maintenance of pulmonary surfactant homeostasis and pulmonary immunity. The effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the ultrastructure of AT II cells after acute lung injury remain unknown. This study focused on the ultrastructural changes caused by acute lung injury and on the effects of Dex administration on these ultrastructural changes in young rats.

METHODSSeventy-two 21-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, acute lung injury and Dex-treated groups. Rats in the lung injury group were intraperitoneally injected with 4 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in order to induce acute lung injury, while the control rats were injected with the same amount of normal saline (NS). The Dex-treated group was injected first with LPS followed 1 hr later by Dex (5 mg/kg) injection. Eight rats in each group were sacrificed 24, 48 and 72 hrs after LPS or NS injection. Lung samples were obtained from the lower parts of left lungs and fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde for transmission electron microscope examination.

RESULTSMicrovilli of AT II cells disappeared and the number of lamellar bodies (LBs) increased in the lung injury group 24 hrs after LPS injection. The ring-like arrangement of LBs around nuclei was present until 48 hrs after LPS injection. By 48 hrs after LPS injection, giant LBs with vacuole-like abnormalities appeared. The shape of nuclei became irregular and the border of the nuclei became blurred. By 72 hrs after LPS injection, the number of LBs was obviously reduced; nucleoli disappeared; and karyolysis occurred in some of the nuclei. In contrast, in the Dex-treated group, LBs crowded on one side of AT II cells and exocytosis appeared on the same side by 24 hrs after LPS injection. By 48 hrs, the number of LBs was reduced. The number of mitochondria increased, and some of them became swollen and enlarged. However, by 72 hrs, the number of LBs increased and the ring-like arrangement of LBs around the nucleus again appeared.

CONCLUSIONSUltrastructural changes of AT II cells following lung injury induced by LPS were time-dependent in young rats. Dex may ameliorate AT II cell injury and promote functional restoration of AT II cells in LPS-induced acute lung injury.

Animals ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology