ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Huaiqihuang granules （HQH） on immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis （IgAVN） mice and explore the underlying therapeutic mechanism. MethodFifty SPF-grade male Kunming mice were randomly divided into a normal group， an IgAVN model group， a dexamethasone group （2.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， a low-dose HQH group （4 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and a high-dose HQH group （8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. The mouse model was established using oral administration of gliadin combined with intravenous injection of India ink. After successful modeling， the mice were euthanized after 4 weeks of gastric gavage according to groups. The 24 h urinary total protein （24 h UTP）， urine β₂-microglobulin （β₂-MG）， serum total protein， albumin， IgA， etc. were detected in each group. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of T helper 17 （Th17） cells in spleen cell suspension. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α （AMPKα）， phosphorylated AMPKα （p-AMPKα）， acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 （ACC1）， and phosphorylated ACC1 （p-ACC1） in Th17 cells. Pathological changes in the spleen and kidneys were observed. ResultCompared with the normal group， the IgAVN model group showed significant increases in 24 h UTP， urine β₂-MG， total cholesterol （P<0.05）， serum interleukin-17 （IL-17）， IgA， Th17 proportion in the spleen cell suspension， and IL-17 expression in the spleen tissue （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased serum total protein， albumin， p-AMPKα/AMPKα， and p-ACC1/ACC1 expression of Th17 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the IgAVN model group， in the 4th week， the 24 h UTP， urine β₂-MG， serum IL-17， IgA levels， and renal IgA deposition were significantly reduced in each treatment group （P<0.01）， and the Th17 proportion and IL-17 expression in spleen tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum albumin levels significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the IgAVN model group， the dexamethasone group and the high-dose HQH group showed increases in serum total protein （P<0.01）， p-AMPKα/AMPKα， and p-ACC1/ACC1 expression of Th17 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The high-dose HQH group showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol level （P<0.05）. Various treatment groups showed different degrees of improvement in spleen and kidney pathological changes. ConclusionHQH may affect Th17 cell differentiation by regulating the AMPK/ACC pathway， correcting immune inflammatory disorders， and exerting therapeutic effects on IgAVN.

Objective To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) on reproductive function of male adult mice.Methods A total of 48 healthy adult male BALB/c mice (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into sham group and EMP group with 24 animals in each group.The mice were wholebody exposed or sham exposed to EMP at 720 kV/m for 100 pulses with 1 Hz repetition rate and 40 ns pulse width.At 1,7,14 and 35 d after EMP exposure,the mice were anesthetized and the sperms were collected from the bilateral epididymal tail.After that,the sperm quality including the number of sperms,the ratio of abnormalities and the survival rate was evaluated.In addition,the morphology of testis was observed by HE staining and the diameter of seminiferous tubules was measured by Image J 1.43 u software.The protein level of stem cell factor (SCF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in testis tissue were detected by ELISA and Western blot.Results The sperm quality and the morphology of testis did not change obviously at different times after exposing mice to EMP at 720 kV/m for 100 pulses,compared with sham group (P＞0.05).The diameters of seminiferous tubules at 1,7,14 and 35 d after exposure were (196.85+ 16.65),(196.79+ 14.33),(196.35±22.71) and (198.60±25.88) μm in exposed mice,respectively,while (204.31±27.13),(197.07± 18.11),(194.37±21.45) and (200.59± 19.36) Iμm in sham exposed mice,respectively.There was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).Additionally,the levels of SCF and GDNF in testis tissue between EMP group and sham group had no statistically significant difference (P＞0.05).Conclusion Under this exposure condition,EMP couldn't affect the reproductive function of male adult mice.

Objective To observe the effects of CD4~+ CD25~+ regulatory T cells ( CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg) on the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats. Methods CD4~+ CD25~+ Treg of OVA- immune tolerance rats were transferred to asthmatic rats. Then bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and cytology study was conducted. The IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ and OVA-specific serum IgE level in BALF were determined by ELISA. The lung tissue was obtained, and histologieal analysis was done through H. E. Results Total cells number, the percentage of lymphocytes and neutrophils in BALF, the IL-4 and IL-5 BALF levels and the OVA-specific serum IgE level of adoptive transfer group were decreased ( P < 0.05 ) , and the percentage of eosinophils ( Eos) was significantly lower than that of asthma group ( P < 0.01) , while its BALF IFN-γ level was higher than that of asthma group( P <0. 05). Compared with that of asthma group, peribronchiole inflammatory of treated group was alleviated. Conclusion CD4 ~+ CD25~+ Treg of OVA- immune tolerance rats transferred to asthmatic rats can significantly alleviate the airway inflammation of asthmatic rats.

Objective To investigate the relationship among peroxisome proliferators - activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), pul-monary arterial systolic pressure(PASP) ,and insulin resistance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. Methods A-mong 63 COPD patients, 30 patients with level of PASP above 40mmHg were enrolled in PAH group and other 33 patients were enrolled in COPD group. Twenty healthy medical examination subjects were enrolled in control group. The expression of PPAR-γ, mRNA was detected by real time fluorescent quantitative RT- PCR. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the level of fasting plasma insulin (FIN). Fasting plas-ma glucose (FPG) was detected by glucose oxidase method. Results The expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was significantly decreased in PAH and COPD group, while FPG, FIN and IRI increased significantly. PAH group had more increased PASP, decreased expression of PPAR-γ and higher IRI than COPD group. Expression of PPAR-γ was negatively related to PASP and IRI. Conclusions The significantly down reg-ulated expression of PPAR-γ maybe explain the higher FPG and PASP.

Objective To investigate the expression of CD40 and CD40L on the surface of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)in asthmatic rats and the effect of anti-CD40L McAb on cytokines of it.Methods Flow cytometry and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of CD40 and CD40L of PBMCs ih asthmatic rats.After the PBMCs Was treated with anti.CIMOL McAb.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-4 and IFN-γin the supematants of cultured cells.Results Compared with the normal control group.the expression of CD40 and CD40L of PBMCs in asthImatic rats increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the untreated group,the level of IL-4 and the ratio of IL4/IFN-γ decreased after the PBMCs were treated with anti-CD40L McAb(P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of CD40 and CD40L on the surface of PBMCs in asthmatic rats Was unregulated.Anti-CD40L Mcab Can decrease the level of IL-4 and the ratio of IL_4/IFN-γ.

Objective To investigate dexamethasone on airway inflammation and CD4+ CD25 + regulatory T cells (CD4+ CD25 +Tr) of asthmatic rats,and elucidate the possible mechanism of dexamethasone in treatment of asthma.Methods 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,asthma group and dexamethasone-treated group.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected,and cytology study was conducted.The lung tissue was obtained and pathologic analysis was done through HE stain.Flow eytometry was used to detect the CD4+ CD25 +Tr ratio in PBMCs.Results Total cells number,the percentage of lymphocytes,neutrophils and eosinophils (Eos)in BALF of dexamethasone-treated group were lower than that of asthma group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the asthma group,less infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues was observed in the dexamethasone-treated group.CD4+ CD25 + Tr of asthma group was lower than that of control and dexamethasone-treated group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexamethasone could suppress airway inflammation of asthmatic rats,which probably be due to increasing the number of CD4+ CD25 + Tr.

Objective To investigate the immunological mechanism of inhibitory effect of Danshen injection combined with dexamethasone(DXM) on asthmatic airway inflammation.Methods 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control(NC),asthma,Danshen,DXM and Danshen+DXM group.Cytology study of Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was conducted.Pathology of lung tissue was done through HE.Flow eytometry was used to detect CD4+CD25+ regulatory T Cells(CD4+CD25+ Treg) ratio in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).IL-4 and IL-5 levels in BALF were detected by ELISA.Results Total cells number,percentage of lymphocytes,neutrophils and eosinophils(Eos) in BALF of the three treated groups were lower than that in asthma group(P<0.05,P<0.01),particularly in Danshen+DXM group,which showed significant difference as compared with the other two treated groups(P<0.05).There was severe inflammation in lung tissue of asthma group,moderate inflammation in Danshen group and DXM group,and no inflammation of Danshen+DXM group.CD4+CD25+ Treg/CD4+ T ratio in the three treated groups were higher than that in asthma group,and the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 were lower than those in asthma group(P<0.05).In Dansben+DXM group,it showed significant difference on the change of CD4+CD25+ Treg,IL-4 and IL-5 as compared with other treated groups(P<0.05).Conclision Danshen injection combined with DXM could suppress airway inflammation in asthmatic rats,which may be through increasing the expression of CD4+CD25+ Treg,decreasing the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 and resuming the balance of Th1/Th2.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of inhibitory effect of Danshen injection on allergic airway inflamma-tion of asthma. Methods 30 SD rats were random divided into control group, asthma group and Danshen injection group. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and cytology study was conducted. The lung tissue was obtained and pathologic analysis was done through HE staining, lnterleukin-13 (IL-13) and Eotaxin in lung tissue were measured by RT - PCR and immunohistochemistry SP method. Results Compared with the asthma group, less infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissues was observed in the Danshen injection group. Total cell number, the percentage of lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils (Eos) in BALF of Danshen injection group were lower than that of asthma group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of IL-13 and eotaxin in lung tissue of asthma group was higher than that of control group and Danshen injection group (P<0.05). The expression of IL-13 was negatively correlated with eotaxin (r=0.90, P< 0.05). Conclusion Danshen injection could suppress airway inflammation of asthmatic rats, which probably be through decreasing the ex-pression of IL-13 and eotaxin in the lung tissue of asthmatic rats.

The changes of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+ Treg) and Foxp3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with asthma were investigated in order to elucidate the possible roles of CD4+CD25+ Treg in the development of asthma. The peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 healthy controls (normal control group) and 78 patients with asthma which included 30 patients in exacerbation group, 25 patients in persistent group, and 23 patients in remission group. By using flow cytometry and RT-PCR, the CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs were detected. The CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA in PBMCs of exacerbation and persistent groups were lower than that of remission and normal control groups (P＜0.05). Although the CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA of remission group were also lower than that of normal control group, there was no significant difference between them (P＞0.05). As compared with persistent group, exacerbation group had lower CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA (P＜0.05). It was indicated that the decrease of CD4+CD25+Treg ratio and its function in PBMCs may be responsible for pathogenesis of asthma.

In order to investigate the clinical value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) combined with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion and tuberculous plearal effusion, 42 cases of malignant pleurai effusion and 45 cases of tuberculous plcural effusion in Tongji Hospital, from March 2004 to May 2005, were included. The carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), VEGF and IFN-γ levels of pleural effusion were detected by using ELISA, and adenosine deaminasc (ADA) activity was determined by using enzyme kinetic analytical method. The sensitivity, specific-ity, accuracy and area under the curve (AUCROC) of CEA and VEGF, VEGF/IFN-γ ratio, ADA and IFN-γ were measured by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). The results showed that CEA, VEGF levels and VEGF/IFN-γ ratio were significantly higher and the ADA and IFN-γ levels were significantly lower in malignant group than those in tuberculous group (P<0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUCROC of VEGF/IFN-γ ratio (88.7%, 99.8%, 94.4%, 0.96 respectively) were higher than those of CEA (67.8%, 96.1%, 82.4%, 0.78 respectively) and VEGF (81.5%, 84.3%,82.9%, 0.79 respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and AUCROC of IFN-γ (85.7%, 96.4%,90.9%, 0.94 respectively) were higher than those of ADA (80.2%, 87.6%, 83.8%, 0.81 respectively).It was concluded that VEGF/IFN-γ ratio and IFN-γ could be used as valuable parameters for the dif-ferential diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion and tuberculous pleural effusion.