ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Tanreqing injection, a traditional Chinese herbal preparation for clearing heat and resolving phlegm, in treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) by improving airway inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was designed. Ninety AECOPD patients were randomly divided into Tanreqing group, ambroxol hydrochloride group and control group. The patients in the three groups were all treated with conventional therapy. Furthermore, intravenous drip infusion of 20 ml Tanreqing injection (once daily) and 15 mg ambroxol hydrochloride injection (twice daily) were administered respectively to the patients in the Tanreqing group and ambroxol hydrochloride group. They were all treated for 10 days. Symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), plasma concentrations of interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-10 and neutrophil elastase (NE) were detected before and after treatment. RESULTS: Cough, sputum amount, expectoration, dyspnea, fever, coated tongue and pulse tracings were improved obviously in Tanreqing group (P0.05). Compared with ambroxol hydrochloride group and the control group, the coated tongue was improved obviously in Tanreqing group (P>0.05). After treatment, plasma concentrations of IL-8, IL-10 and NE were decreased in Tanreqing group and ambroxol hydrochloride group (P0.05). Total response rates in Tanreqing group and ambroxol hydrochloride group were higher than that in the control group (P0.05). There was no significant difference in total response rate among the three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Tanreqing injection can improve TCM signs and symptoms in AECOPD patients, and the mechanism maybe due to the decrease of serum levels of IL-8 and NE and improvement of IL-10 level.
ABSTRACT
In order to improve the traditional teaching of microbiology experiments a new microbiology experiment curriculum system is to be established with the cultivating creative ability as central contents by adjusting teaching contents, reforming teaching system, enriching teaching methods, strengthening construc- tion of teacher. This will help them to improve their ability of thinking independently and creatively as well as their practicing ability.
ABSTRACT
To observe the high glucose concentration on proliferation and fibronectin (FN) synthesis of glomerular mesangial cells (GMC),a culture of human GMC was established and the cell proliferation was assessed using MTT method and cell counting, and the changes in FN was analyzed with RT PCR and ELISA. It was found that high glucose concentration inhibited GMC proliferation and increased FN synthesis in dose and time dependent manner.The results suggest that hyperglycemia may have important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy.
ABSTRACT
To explore the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ on plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI 1) gene expression in human glomerular mesangial cells.Glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) were cultured from a healthy adult human kidney (unsuitable for renal transplantation) and then treated with angiotensin Ⅱ at concentration of 10 -9 ,10 -8 , 10 -7 and 10 -6 mol/L, respectively. The mRNA expressions of angiotensinⅡAT1 and AT2 receptor, and PAI I were examined with RT PCR and Northern blot analysis, respectively. Plasminogen activator activity in the supernatants of the GMCs was measured with fibrin plate method. After the GMCs were stimulated by angiotensin Ⅱ, the mRNA level of the AT1 receptor was markedly enhanced, but the AT2 receptor mRNA level was still undetectable as that in normal condition. When GMCs were treated with angiotensin Ⅱ for 48 hours, PAI 1 mRNA expression was increased in a dose dependent manner. The plasminogen activator activity was significantly reduced in the supernatants of the angiotensinⅡ treated GMCs. the results suggested that angiotensinⅡ promote PAI 1 gene expression of the GMCs possibly through its AT1 receptor.