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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of serotonin (5-HT) in local tissue of different acupoint regions at the hind limbs of rats. METHODS: A total of 6 male SD rats were used in the present study. The local tissues of "Neiting"(ST44), "Zusanli"(ST36) and "Futu"(ST32) at the hindlimbs were dissected after transcardiac perfusion with fixative solution containing 4% paraformaldehyde, phosphate buffer, etc., fixed again in 4% paraformaldehyde and cut into sections (at 20 µm thick). Then, the tissue sections were subjective into immunofluorescence stain for displaying 5-HT positive cells and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) -positive fibers, vessel-like structure (labelled with phalloidin) and cellular nucleus (labelled with DAPI), separately. After that, the tissue samples were observed and recorded using a laser confocal microscope. RESULTS: The 5-HT labeled cells presented flat or round form in the local tissues of the 3 acupoint regions. These cells were mainly located in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, and concentrated around the vessel-like structure and CGRP-positive nerve fibers. The number of cutaneous 5-HT positive cells was most in ST44 (156.6±12.1), and fewer in ST36 (83.5±18.2)and ST32(53.3±5.2)in turn. CONCLUSION: 5-HT-positive cell is an important member in local tissue of acupoints (ST44, ST36 and ST32), and varies in number according to their locations, suggesting an involvement of different densities of 5-HT-positive cells in different levels of regulatory effects of acupuncture stimulation of these acupoints.
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Epsilon 3xenergy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDXRF) was used to analyze the major and minor elements in marine sediments collected from the Indian Ocean on-site. Results obtained by EDXRF were compared with those by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in the laboratory A total of 24 elements in marine sediment samples,namely Al2O3,MgO,Fe2O3,Na2O,K2O,CaO,Mn,P,Ti,Ba,Sr,V,Zn, Zr, Co,Ni,Cu,Ga,Rb,Y,Nb,Mo,Nd,Pb and Th were measured,and a good agreement was found for these elements(R2>0.9),except for Al2O3,and Ga,Nb and Th with content lower than 30 μg/g. The mean relative deviations of EDXRF method were less than 10% for all of the above mentioned major elements, except for MgO in low concentration and P in high concentration. The mean relative deviations were less than 25% for all of the above mentioned trace elements,except for Sr(>700 μg/g),Mo(<20 μg/g) and Nb. In general, precision and accuracy of EDXRF method were good enough for detection of marine sediments. Taking into account all these facts, the EDXRF method proposed here was proved to be an effective tool for element determination in marine sediment on-site,and it would provide a new technical support to investigate the spatial distribution of mineral resources in marine geological survey.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes and clinical significance of biomarker fecal bile acids (BA) in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nineteen children with HSP and twenty-seven healthy children were enrolled in this study. The stool samples were obtained at the acute and remission phases. Fecal BA levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The fecal cholic acid level in the HSP remission group was significantly higher than in the HSP acute group and the healthy control group (P<0.016). The fecal chenodeoxycholic acid level in the HSP remission group was significantly higher than in the healthy control group (P<0.016). The levels of fecal secondary colonic bile acids, deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid, in the HSP acute and remission groups were significantly lower than in the healthy control group(P<0.05, P<0.016 respectively). No significant differences were found in the levels of fecal urosodeoxycholic acid among the three groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Fecal secondary colonic bile acids, deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid, are in decrease in children with HSP at the acute stage, which may be involved in the pathogenesis and treatment outcomes of HSP.</p>
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Male , Bile Acids and Salts , Biomarkers , Feces , Chemistry , IgA Vasculitis , Diagnosis , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles(SPION) as a new type of nano-materials have been widely studied. Because of their super paramagnetic property, targeting, biocompatibility, easy observability, and plasticity, etc., SPION have been used not only as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in the early diagnosis of clinical cancer, but also as targeting drug carrier to selectively deliver the drugs especially anti-cancer drugs to target lesion, and therefore, improve the bioavailability of the drugs. For these reasons, the research on contrast agents and magnetic targeting drug carrier has attracted widespread attention. This paper reviews the research progress of SPION application in MRI and targeted drug delivery through consulting a number of relevant publications.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the biochemical characteristic of the neurons associated Zusanli (ST 36) in the rat by using Alexa Fluor 594 conjugated cholera toxin subunit B (AF594-CTB) neural tracing and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) fluorescent immunohistochemical techniques.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with AF594-CTB into the corresponding area of the Zusanli in the human body. After 3 surviving days, the rat's spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) at lumbar segments were dissected following perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde, cut into sections, and then stained with CGRPfluorescent immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AF594-CTB labeled sensory neurons were detected in the L3-L6 DRGs with high concentration in L4 DRG, and the labeled motor neurons located in the dorsolateral and intermediate regions of lamina IX from L3-L5 segments with high concentration at L4. Meanwhile, CGRPpositive neural labeling distributed symmetrically on both sides of DRGs, anterior and dorsal horns of spinal cord. In the AF594-CTB labeled neurons, 37% sensory neurons and 100% motor neurons expressed CGRPpositive.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings present the morphological evidence to demonstrate that the sensory and motor neurons associated Zusanli in the rat distributed with segmental and regional patterns, and contained CGRP-expression.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Acupuncture Points , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide , Metabolism , Neurons , Metabolism , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
Objective To study the role of high lipid-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress in human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) injury under inflammation condition, and to explore the mechanism of lipid-induced kidney injury. Methods HMCs were divided into control group, high lipid group, inflammatory stress group, high lipid plus inflammatory stress group, and high lipid plus inflammatory stress plus 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) group. After culture for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, Oil red O staining was used to evaluate lipid droplet accumulation in the cells; cell proliferation was assessed by MTT assay; expression of GRP78 protein was measured by immunocytochemistry method; and the levels of Gi?P78 and FN mRNA were examined by real-time PCR. Results (1) Compared with control group, the high lipid group, inflammatory stress group and high lipid plus inflammatory stress group had significantly increased intracellular cholesterol levels (all P < 0. 01), significantly higher FN mRNA levels (all P<0. 01), and significantly faster cell proliferation (all P<0. 01), which was in a time-dependent manner. Compared with high lipid plus inflammatory stress group, 4-PBA group had significantly reduced lipid deposition (all P<0. 01), slower cell proliferation (all P<0. 01) and lower FN mRNA expression (P<0. 05, P<0. 01) induced by high lipid. (2) Compared with control group, high lipid group, inflammatory group and high lipid plus inflammatory stress group had significantly increased expression of GRP78 mRNA and protein (P<0. 05,P<0. 01), and the expression in 4-PBA treatment group was significantly lower than that in the high lipid plus inflammatory stress group (all P<0. 01). (3) After treatment with high lipid or inflammation for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, the intracellular cholesterol level was positively correlated with mesangial cell proliferation and expression of GRP78 protein and FN mRNA (all P < 0. 01). The cellular expression of GRP78 protein was positively correlated with mesangial cell proliferation and FN mRNA expression (all P< 0. 05). Conclusion High lipid can induce glomerular mesangial cell injury through activating endoplasmic reticulum stress in HMCs under inflammation stress condition.
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Specificity of acupoints is one of the basic theories of the acupuncture and moxibustion sciences and is a very important basis to guide the clinical treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion. However, the scientific foundation of specificity of acupoints is still unclear, which has greatly restricted to the clinical effect improvement of acupuncture and moxibustion and has influenced to academic status of acupuncture and moxibustion sciences both in China and abroad. In this paper, the recent related researches are reviewed and then the key effects and mechanism that the tissue structure of acupoints can decide and affect specificity of acupoints-organs effects are analyzed and explored. It is held that acupuncture at the different tissue structure of the different depth in the different or the same acupoints will cause changes of varying qualities or degrees of visceral function because of stimulation of the different receptors in the different tissues followed by excitation of varying afferent nerve fibers.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the stability of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin in different buffer solution.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>To determine concentration of curcumin by HPLC when added curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin into the buffer solution the equation of degradation was established.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The sequence of stability are bisdemethoxycurcumin > or = demethoxycurcumin > or =curcumin at the same condition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The demethoxycurcumin can stabilize curcumin more strong than the others. The demethoxycurcumin is a nature stabilizing agent for curcumin.</p>