This study investigated the correlation between periprostatic fat thickness (PPFT) measured on magnetic resonance imaging and lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile function, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) progression. A total of 286 treatment-naive men diagnosed with BPH in our department between March 2017 and February 2019 were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the median value of PPFT: high (PPFT >4.35 mm) PPFT group and low (PPFT <4.35 mm) PPFT group. After the initial evaluation, all patients received a combination drug treatment of tamsulosin and finasteride for 12 months. Of the 286 enrolled patients, 244 completed the drug treatment course. Patients with high PPFT had larger prostate volume (PV; P = 0.013), higher International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS; P = 0.008), and lower five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score (P = 0.002) than those with low PPFT. Both high and low PPFT groups showed significant improvements in PV, maximum flow rate, IPSS, and quality of life score and a decrease of IIEF-5 score after the combination drug treatment. The decrease of IIEF-5 score was more obvious in the high PPFT group than that in the low PPFT group. In addition, more patients in the high PPFT group underwent prostate surgery than those in the low PPFT group. Moreover, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis indicated that PPFT was positively correlated with age, PV, and IPSS and negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score; however, body mass index was only negatively correlated with IIEF-5 score.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (, SGD) on the pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered paclitaxel in rats.

METHODSPaclitaxel was intravenously administered to rats (3 mg/kg) with or without the concomitant administration of SGD (752 mg/kg, a single day or 14 consecutive days pretreatment). The paclitaxel in the serum was quantified using a simple and rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method for the pharmacokinetic study. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated via a non-compartment model using the computer program DAS 2.0.

RESULTSThe pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel were significantly altered in response to 14 consecutive days of pretreatment with SGD. The area under the curve (AUC, from 4 820±197 to 4 205±186 ng·mL·) and AUC(from 5 237±280 to 4 514±210 ng·mL·) significantly decreased in response to the 14-day pretreatment with SGD. The values of V(L/kg) were 10.74±1.08 and 9.35±0.49, those of CL (L/kg) were 0.67±0.03 and 0.57±0.03 and the t(h) values were 11.17±0.84 and 11.32±0.93, respectively, for the 14-day SGD pretreatment and intravenous paclitaxel alone. The AUCand AUCvalues decreased by 13% and 14% (P<0.01), respectively. The area under the curve decreased signifificantly (P<0.01), and the total clearance increased by 1.2-fold (P<0.01), after 14 consecutive days of pretreatment with SGD. A single-day pretreatment with SGD did not signifificantly affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel.

CONCLUSIONSSGD administration for 14 consecutive days increased the metabolism of paclitaxel, while a 1-day pretreatment had little effect. The results would contribute important information to the study on interaction between Chinese medicines and chemotherapy and also help to utilize SGD better in the adjunctive therapy of cancer patients.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; blood ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reference Standards ; Time Factors

The research aimed to investigate the suppression effect of MaiShu which contains hawthorn, hippophae, medlar, phytosterols (β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol), β-glucan and lycopeneon formation of atherosclerotic plaque in apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE^-/-) mice. Liquid chromatography-ultraviolet-mass spectrometry (LC-UV-MC) methods were used to analyze the main chemical composition of MaiShu.Atherosclerotic mice models were established by high-fat diet. The mice were administrated with MaiShu (1, 2, 4 g·kg^-1·d^-1) or other contrast materials by intragastric route for 10 weeks continuously. At the end of administration, the blood of mice was collected for tests of the serum total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Atherosclerotic lesions in aorta and aortic root were assessed by calculating the relative area of lesions (oil red O stained). Intravital fluorescence microscopic system was used to evaluate the leukocyte-endothelial adhesion in mesenteric artery of mice by detecting the rolling velocity of white blood cells (WBC). Collagenous fibers and macrophages in lesions were detected by sirius red staining and immunological histological chemistry to evaluate the atherosclerotic plaque stability. Results showed that MaiShu contains various flavonoids (9.5%), phytosterols (23.8%) and polysaccharides (8.9%). The serum lipid level of model animals was significantly higher than the control animals. Serum TC level was decreased by MaiShu (4 g·kg^-1, P<0.001) compared to the untreated model. Serum TG level was reduced by MaiShu (1, 2, 4 g·kg^-1) compared to model (P<0.01). Area of atherosclerotic lesions in aorta and aortic root was decreased in MaiShu group (aorta:1 g·kg^-1, P<0.05; 2 g·kg^-1, P<0.01; 4 g·kg^-1, P<0.001; aortic root:2, 4 g·kg^-1, P<0.01). Rolling velocity of white blood cells of MaiShu (4 g·kg^-1, P<0.001) group was increased over the untreated model. Collagenous fibers in lesions were observationally increased by MaiShu (1, 2 g·kg^-1) and macrophages were decreased (2, 4 g·kg^-1) compared to model. These results demonstrate that MaiShu can obviously decrease the serum lipid levels and the risk of leukocyte-endothelial adhesion in ApoE^-/- mice. The effect of MaiShu may be associated with the decrease of macrophages in plaque.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of tetrahydrobiopterin ( BH4) on the angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) .Methods BALBc/-nu mice were subcutaneously injected with HepG-2 cells and randomly divided into control and BH 4 groups.The BH4 group and control group received 20 mg/kg BH4 or saline by intraperitoneal injection daily for two weeks , respectively .The level of BH4was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the level of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by Griess test array , the transcriptional level of K-ras was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase Ⅰ( GTPCH ) , endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS) , phospho-Akt and Akt were determined by Western blot .Results BH4 level in the tumor tissues of BH4 group was (0.24±0.02) μg/ml, significantly higher than the (0.17±0.01) μg/ml in the control group (P<0.01).The level of NO in the tumor tissues of BH4group was (51.44±2.90) mmol/L, significantly higher than the (24.77±0.54) mmol/L in the control group( P<00.1 ).The tumor volume of BH4 group was (191.05±8.70) mm3, significantly higher than the (103.10±5.03) mm3 in the control group (P<0.01).The expressions of CD34 , K-ras, phospho-eNOS, phospho-Akt and GTPCH were significantly up-regulated in the tumor tissues of BH4 group when compared with those of the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions BH4 recognized as an essential cofactor of eNOS can increase tumor-produced NO by activating the wild-type Ras-PI3K/Akt pathway, thus induces angiogenesis .This might provide a novel and promising way to control the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting BH 4 synthesis pathway and inhibiting angiogenesis .

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of tetrahydrobiopterin ( BH4) on the angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) .Methods BALBc/-nu mice were subcutaneously injected with HepG-2 cells and randomly divided into control and BH 4 groups.The BH4 group and control group received 20 mg/kg BH4 or saline by intraperitoneal injection daily for two weeks , respectively .The level of BH4was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the level of nitric oxide (NO) was measured by Griess test array , the transcriptional level of K-ras was measured by quantitative RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase Ⅰ( GTPCH ) , endothelial nitric oxide synthase ( eNOS) , phospho-Akt and Akt were determined by Western blot .Results BH4 level in the tumor tissues of BH4 group was (0.24±0.02) μg/ml, significantly higher than the (0.17±0.01) μg/ml in the control group (P<0.01).The level of NO in the tumor tissues of BH4group was (51.44±2.90) mmol/L, significantly higher than the (24.77±0.54) mmol/L in the control group( P<00.1 ).The tumor volume of BH4 group was (191.05±8.70) mm3, significantly higher than the (103.10±5.03) mm3 in the control group (P<0.01).The expressions of CD34 , K-ras, phospho-eNOS, phospho-Akt and GTPCH were significantly up-regulated in the tumor tissues of BH4 group when compared with those of the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions BH4 recognized as an essential cofactor of eNOS can increase tumor-produced NO by activating the wild-type Ras-PI3K/Akt pathway, thus induces angiogenesis .This might provide a novel and promising way to control the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting BH 4 synthesis pathway and inhibiting angiogenesis .

OBJECTIVEIsoliquiritigenin (ISL), a licorice chalconoid, is considered to be a bioactive agent with chemopreventive potential. This study investigates the mechanisms involved in ISL-induced apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.

METHODSCell viability was evaluated using a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using an Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The intracellular ROS levels were assessed using a 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein probe assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured with the dual-emission potential-sensitive probe 5, 5', 6, 6'-tetra-chloro-1, 1', 3, 3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). The degradation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) protein, the phosphorylation of PKR-like ER kinase (PERK), the phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), the expression of the 78 kD glucose-regulated protein (GRP 78), and the activation of caspase-12 were analyzed via western blot analysis.

RESULTSISL significantly inhibited the proliferation, the increase in ROS levels and apoptotic rates of HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, ISL induced mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and PARP cleavage, which displayed features of mitochondria dependent on apoptotic signals. Besides, exposure of HeLa cells to ISL triggered endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, as indicated by the increase in p-eIF2α and GRP78 expression, ER stress-dependent apoptosis is caused by the activation of ER-specific caspase-12.

CONCLUSIONThe findings from our study suggest that ISL-induced oxidative stress causes HeLa cell apoptosis via the mitochondrion-dependent and the ER stress-triggered signaling pathways.

Aldehyde Reductase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chalcones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Chemoprevention ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate a method for quantitative differential diagnosis of damp-heat and cold-damp impeding syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSLaboratory parameters were collected from 306 patients with RA. The clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters were compared between patients with these two syndromes (158 with RA of damp-heat impeding syndrome, and 148 with RA of cold-damp impeding syndrome), and a regression equation was established to facilitate discrimination of the two RA syndromes.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28 (4)], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), platelet count (PLT), albumin (ALB) and globulin (GLB) between the two syndrome of RA (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the parameters ESR, WBC, CRP, joint pyrexia, joint cold, thirst, sweating, aversion to wind and cold, and cold extremities were statistically useful to discriminate damp-heat from cold-damp impeding syndrome. The regression equation was as follows: P=1/{1+exp[-(3.0-0.021X (1)-0.196X (2)-0.163X (3)-1.559X (4)+1.504X (5)-0.927X (6)-1.039X (7)+1.070X (8)+1.330X (9))]}. The independent variables X (1)-X (9) were ESR, WBC, CRP, hot joint, cold joint, thirst, sweating, aversion to wind and cold, and cold limbs. A P value > 0.5 signified cold-damp impeding syndrome, and a P value < 0.5 signified damp-heat impeding syndrome. The accuracy was 90.2%.

CONCLUSIONThe regression equation may be useful for discriminating damp-heat from cold-damp impeding syndrome of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; pathology ; therapy ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Demography ; Female ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Syndrome

BACKGROUNDLeft main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis has been recognized as a risk factor for early death among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This study aimed to assess if LMCA lesions pose an additional risk of early or mid-term mortality and/or a major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG), compared with non-left main coronary artery stenosis (non-mainstem disease).

METHODSFrom January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, 4869 patients had a primary isolated OPCABG procedure at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. According to the pathology of LMCA lesions, they were retrospectively classified as a non-mainstem disease group (n = 3933) or a LMCA group (n = 936). Propensity scores were used to match the two groups, patients from the non-mainstem disease group (n = 831) were also randomly selected to match patients from the LMCA group (n = 831). Freedom from MACCE in the two groups was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTSThe difference in the mortality and the rate of MACCE during the first 30 days between the non-mainstem disease group and the LMCA group did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.429, P = 0.127 respectively). With a mean follow-up of (12.8 ± 7.5) months and a cumulative follow-up of 1769.6 patient-years, the difference in the freedom from MACCEs between the two groups, calculated through Kaplan-Meier method, did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.831).

CONCLUSIONAnalysis of a high volume of OPCABG procedures proved that LMCA lesions do not pose additional early and mid-term risk to OPCABG. Therefore, a LMCA lesion is as safe as non-mainstem disease lesion during the OPCABG procedure.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; adverse effects ; mortality ; statistics & numerical data ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment for the intracardiac leiomyomatosis (ICL).Methods Retrospectively reviews the data of 18 cases of ICL from February 1995 to June 2011 in Anzhen Hospital.Preoperative diagnosis of right atrial myxoma in 2 cases,right atrium/ventricular thrombus in 2 cases,pulmonary embolism in 2 cases,the inferior vena cava and right atrial tumor in 3 cases,the inferior vena cava lesions in 9 cases.18 cases of ICL were diagnosed by echocardiography,magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ),computer tomography (CT) and angiography.ICL were recected under anesthesia,cardiopulmonaray bypass surgery,he incisions were respectively through the chest,thoraco-abdominal or abdominal incision,cardiopulmonary bypass method were respectively at room temperature,mid-low temperature with cardiac arrest,lowflow,deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.Results There was no operative death.Right atrium,inferior vena cava,bilateral renal vein,bilater alIliac vein vascular were not found leiomyoma by vascular ultrasound.Follow-up time was 5 ～ 106 (49 ± 42 )months,1 patient died of the leiomyoma recurrence after 5 months after the primary operation,the remaining 17 patients were followed up asymptomatically.10 were in NYHA functional class Ⅰ,and 7 in class Ⅱ.The 5yrs survival rate calculated by the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was (93 ±5 )％.Conclusion The ICL preoperative diagnosis is difficult,surgical treatment of ICL can get a good mid-long term survival rate and living quality.

Objective To investigate the effects of life-style intervention on obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Methods A number of 168 cases with OSAHS were randomized into intervention group ( n =81 ) and control group ( n =87 ).In the interventional group,the patients received uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and life-style intervention,including cognition guide,proper diet,weight control,stopping smoking or drinking,and exercise.The control group received uvulopalatopharyngoplasty only and their living was just as usual.polysomography,body mass index ( BMI ),and symptom assessment were monitored Imonth,6months,12months and 24months after operation.The patients were followed up for more than 2 years.Results There was no statistical differences in life style between the two groups prior to intervention(P ＞0.05).The proportion of a healthy diet manner,cessation in alcohol and smoking,weight loss or good control in weight,moderate exercise between the two groups (93.8％,86.4％,69.1％,81.5％,87.7％ in intervention group,and 11.5％,36.8％,21.8％,17.2％,9.2％ in control group) showed statistical differences after intervention(x2=113.80,43.33,37.97,69.33,103.70,respectively;P ＜0.01 ).Compared to the control group,patients in intervention group had a significant improved in lowest oxygen saturation( LSa02 ),apnea hypopnea index(AHI),snoring index and BMI at 6,12,24 months after intervention(t =2.51,4.13,7.88;2.10,2.66,3.68;3.42,4.17,9.34 ;5.92,12.78,9.37 ; respectively; P ＜ 0.01 ).The observational index in intervention group before and after intervention showed statistical differences (P ＜ 0.01 ) while no difference in control group(P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions It can improve the clinical symptoms and improve the long-term efficacy of surgical treatment to reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and life-style intervention on the patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome,which not only improves the life quality of the patients,but also reduce their economic burden.It is worthy of clinical application.