Promoting effect of volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin or storax on intestinal absorption of Rhodamine-123 and its mechanisms / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the intestinal absorption-promoting effect of volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin and storax on Rhodamine-123 (Rho-123) and its mechanisms. Methods Rat in vitro everted gut sac (EGS) model was made. The EGS was filled with 1.0 mL K-R solution, and suspended in 45.0 mL 37℃ K-R solution with or without 60 μg/mL volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin or storax. After incubation for 30 min, Rho-123 was added in the experimental solution outside the EGS. Rho-123 content in the EGS was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector. The human colon carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 were cultured in DMEM and incubated with 80 μg/mL volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin or storax for 48 h. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in Caco-2 cells was assessed using flow cytometry, and P-gp gene MDR1 mRNA expression was determined by qPCR. Results The volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin and storax each significantly increased the absorption rate constant and apparent permeability coefficient of Rho-123 in rat jejunum and ileum (P<0.01), reduced P-gp expression and MDR1 mRNA level in Caco-2 cells (the decreased rates of P-gp expression were 53.15%, 55.10% and 61.86%, and of MDR1 mRNA levels were 55.41%, 16.24% and 38.46%, P<0.01). Conclusion Inhibiting the protein and MDR1 mRNA expressions of P-gp may be one of the main mechanisms of volatile oils of Shichangpu, benzoin and storax in promoting Rho-123 intestinal absorption.

Serum hepcidin predicts uremic accelerated atherosclerosis in chronic hemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hepcidin, as a regulator of body iron stores, has been recently discovered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common complication and the leading cause of death in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. In the current study, we aimed to explore the relationship between serum hepcidin and uremic accelerated atherosclerosis (UAAS) in CHD patients with diabetic nephropathy (CHD/DN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 78 CHD/DN and 86 chronic hemodialyzed nondiabetic patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CHD/non-DN) were recruited in this study. The level of serum hepcidin-25 was specifically measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High serum level of hepcidin-25 was seen in CHD patients. Serum hepcidin-25 in CHD/DN was significantly higher than that in CHD/non-DN patients. Serum hepcidin-25 was positively correlated with ferritin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), TNF-α, and IL-6 in CHD/DN patients. CHD/DN patients exhibited higher common carotid artery intima media thickness (CCA-IMT), hs-CRP, and hepcidin-25 levels than that in CHD/non-DN patients. Moreover, in CHD/DN patients, CCA-IMT was positively correlated with serum hepcidin, hs-CRP, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. On multiple regression analysis, serum hepcidin and hs-CRP level exhibited independent association with IMT in CHD/DN patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These findings suggest possible linkage between iron metabolism and hepcidin modulation abnormalities that may contribute to the development of UAAS in CHD/DN patients.</p>

Correlation of Lower Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide with Activation of Protein Kinase CβII in Uremic Accelerated Atherosclerosis Patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) plays a protective role in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients. In this study, we further investigate the relationship between H 2 S and conventional protein kinase CβII (cPKCβII) in CHD patients with uremic accelerated atherosclerosis (UAAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 30 healthy people, 30 CHD patients without AS and 30 CHD patients with AS (CHD + AS) were studied. Plasma H 2 S was measured with a sulfide sensitive electrode, and cPKCβII membrane translocation was detected by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Plasma H 2 S in CHD + AS group was significantly lower than that in CHD patients. cPKCβII membrane translocation in CHD + AS group increased significantly compared with CHD group. Plasma H 2 S concentration was negatively correlated with cPKCβII membrane translocation in CHD + AS patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These findings suggest a possible linkage between H 2 S metabolism and cPKCβII activation, which may contribute to the development of UAAS in CHD patients.</p>

Pharmacokinetic effect of combined administration on spinosin and ferulic acid in monarch drug Ziziphi Spinosae Semen kernel / 中国中药杂志

To study the pharmacokinetic effect of different combined administration with monarch drug Ziziphi Spinosae Semen on its main components in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Ziziphi spinosae Semen-Salviae Miltiorrhize Radix et Rhizoma group and Zaoren Ansheng prescription group. After oral administration, HPLC was eluted with the mobile phase of acetonitrle-0.03% phosphate acid water in a gradient mode. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. The pharmacokinetic parameters of spinosin and ferulic acid were calculated by DAS 2. 0 software. Compared with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group showed a lower maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under curve (AUC(0-t)) for spinosin and ferulic acid but higher clearance speed (CL/F); whereas the Zaoren Ansheng prescription group showed higher maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under curve (AUC(0-t)) for spinosin and ferulic acid but lower clearance speed (CL/F). Compared with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, prescription group showed slower metabolism of spinosin and ferulic

Pharmacokinetic effect of Sappan Lignum on hydroxysafflor yellow A in Carthami Flos / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pharmacokinetic effect of Sappan Lignum on hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) in Carthami Flos.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Concentration of HSYA in rat plasma was detected by RP-HPLC after rats were orally administered with extracts of Carthami Flos or Carthami Flos combined with Sappan Lignum. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0 pharmacokinetic software.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In vivo pharmacokinetic models of HSYA were two-compartment open models in both of the Carthami Flos group and the Carthami Flos combined with Sappan Lignum group. After compatibility, HSYA showed a significant lower in apparent volumes of distribution of t(1/2Ka), t(1/2alpha) and V1/F, with slight advance in T(max).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sappan Lignum can accelerate absorption, distribution and metabolic process of HSYA in vivo and reduce its accumulation in vivo.</p>

Analysis of surveillance results of Brucellosis in human being in Guizhou province from 2005 to 2008 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective By analyzing the surveillance result of Brucellosis in human being of Guizhou province from 2005 to 2008,to understand the current situation of relevant population with brucella infection,and then to provide the basis for the development of prevention and control measures.Methods According to the Brucella Disease Monitoring Standards (GB 16885-1997),in Guizhou province,Huaxi,Wudang,Xingyi,Dushan,Ceheng,Long Lane,Xifeng,Carey,Ziyun and so on other areas(city,county) were selected as monitoring points,and occupational groups of animal husbandry in agricultural areas,as well as farmers and students contacted with livestock were selected as monitoring subjects.Rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and tube agglutination test (SAT) were used to detect Brucellosis antibody.Results From 2005 to 2008,Brucellosis antibody detection rate was 0.63％(37/5904) in target groups of Guizhou province,specifically,the rates in Huaxi,Wudang,Xingyi and Ceheng counties(towns or districts) were 2.28％(19/832),0.16％(2/1274),1.84％(15/815) and 0.14％ (1/735),respectively; the rates in livestock workers,peasants and students contacted with livestock in rural areas were 1.29％ (36/2800),0.04％ ( 1/2814) and 0.00％ (0/290),respectively.In all antibody positive carriers,most were dairy cattle raisers which accounted for 83.78％ (31/37) in the total infected persons.Conclusions Dairy cattle and goat raisers in some counties(towns or districts) of Guizhou province have infected Brucellosis,and direct contacts with brucella-carrying cattle is the major route of Brucellosis transmission in human being.Strengthen livestock quarantine and dispose infected livestock timely are the key of Brucellosis control.

Hepatitis C viral infection in a Chinese hemodialysis unit / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients varies among countries and among dialysis units within a single country. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of HCV infection in MHD patients in a Chinese hemodialysis unit.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and ninety-two patients on MHD for an average of (86.1 ± 30.0) months (range 6 - 181 months) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. HCV antibody and HCV-RNA were measured in these MHD patients before hemodialysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. According to the result, all the patients were then divided into two groups: Group I was positive for HCV antibody and/or HCV-RNA (n = 32), and Group II was negative for HCV antibody and HCV-RNA (n = 160). The following information was obtained for all the patients: socio-demographic data, history of blood transfusions and kidney transplantation, and some laboratory values. The MHD patients who were positive for HCV antibody and/or HCV-RNA were followed for more than three years. The disease activities were graded into "asymptomatic" if alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was less than 40 U/L, "low activities" if ALT was 40 - 79 U/L, and "high activities" if ALT was equal to or above 80 U/L.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of HCV infection in MHD patients in our dialysis unit in May 2009 was 16.7%, which was significantly higher than in general population (3.2%). Among the 32 MHD patients with HCV positive, 20 patients were positive for HCV antibody but negative for HCV-RNA, eight patients were positive both for HCV antibody and HCV-RNA, four patients were negative for HCV antibody but positive for HCV-RNA. Eleven patients had a history of kidney transplantation and 12 had a history of blood transfusion, which were significantly more than among the MHD patients without HCV. Thirty of the 32 MHD patients were asymptomatic. There were no significant differences in age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, or between HCV-RNA positive group and HCV-RNA negative group. But the dialysis duration in the HCV-RNA positive group was significantly longer than that in the HCV-RNA negative group. All the 20 HCV-RNA negative patients were asymptomatic. Two of the 12 HCV-RNA positive patients had low activity. None of the 32 cases with HCV positive markers had cirrhosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A high prevalence of HCV infection in MHD patients is related to blood transfusion and kidney transplantation. Occult HCV infection is present in MHD patients. Chronic hepatitis C among MHD patients is mild in disease activity, and is not progressive, perhaps due to immunological abnormalities in these patients.</p>

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein enhances the expressions of SREBP-2 and HMGCR mRNA in macrophages derived from the monocytes of patients with acute coronary syndrome / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on the expressions of sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) and hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR) in the macrophages derived from monocytes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>LDL was oxidized by Cu2+ to prepare ox-LDL, and peripheral monocytes were isolated by density gradient centrifugation from patients with ACS diagnosed by coronary arteriography. Macrophages derived from the monocytes after phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation were treated with ox-LDL at the concentrations of 0, 20, 40, and 100 ng/ml, and the changes in the expressions of SREBP-2 and HMGCR were detected by real-time RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control cells, the macrophages treated with ox-LDL showed significantly increased expressions of SREBP-2 and HMGCR mRNA (P<0.05). In cells treated with ox-LDL, the expressions of SREBP-2 and HMGCR mRNA differed significantly with the dose administered (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Within a defined dose range, ox-LDL can dose-dependently enhance the expressions of SREBP-2 and HMGCR mRNA in macrophages from patients with ACS.</p>

Thrombosis of the superior vena cava and auxiliary branches in patients with indwelling catheterization of the internal jugular vein / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Central venous thrombosis is a serious and life-threatening complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients with an indwelling catheter. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of thrombosis of the superior vena cava and auxiliary branches in Chinese HD patients with an indwelling internal jugular venous catheter and to explore its risk factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) with an indwelling catheter were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The thrombosis of the internal jugular vein, subclavical vein, brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava was assessed by vascular ultrasound. Collected were data on age, gender, ultrafiltration volume, Kt/V, blood pressure, levels of hemoglobin, serum albumin, lipid, calcium, and phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients were given short- or long-term double lumen central venous catheters. Among them, 42 patients had the catheter placed into the right internal jugular vein, and 12 patients into the left internal jugular vein. Different degrees of central venous thrombosis were found in 33 patients (61.1%). The prevalence of thrombosis in the jugular vein, brachiocephalic vein, subclavical vein and superior vena cava was 61.1% (33/54), 44.4% (24/54), 16.7% (9/54) and 5.6% (3/54), respectively. Among the 33 HD patients with central venous thrombosis, the percentages for one, two, three and four affected veins were 27.3% (9/33), 45.4% (15/33), 18.2% (6/33) and 9.1% (3/33), respectively. Twelve (12/33, 36.4%) of the 33 HD patients with central venous thrombosis had clinical symptoms. Nine patients (27.3%) had edema of the upper extremity and 3 (9.1%) had new-onset symptoms of pulmonary embolism such as cough, chest distress and short breath. The incidences of diabetes mellitus and malignant tumor and levels of lipoprotein a and homocysteic acid were significantly higher in the HD patients with central venous thrombosis than in those without central venous thrombosis. Logistic regressive analysis revealed that high level of homocysteic acid was the important risk factor for central venous thrombosis in HD patients with indwelling catheterization of the internal jugular vein.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of central venous thrombosis in Chinese HD patients with indwelling catheterization of the internal jugular vein is quite high, especially in those patients with diabetes mellitus, malignant tumor, high levels of serum lipoprotein and homocysteic acid. Its clinical symptoms are insidious but dangerous. High level of homocysteic acid may be the important risk factor for central venous thrombosis in Chinese HD patients with indwelling catheterization of the internal jugular vein.</p>

Salmon calcitonin in prevention of osteoporosis in maintenance dialysis patients / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Renal osteodystrophy is one of the commonest complications of chronic renal failure. It may have a severe impact on the quality of life of patients on maintenance dialysis therapy. Besides post-menopausal women and elderly people, the dialysis patients are another high risk group. But at present, there is no research on how to prevent osteoporosis in maintenance dialysis patients. This study was conducted to observe the bone density of maintenance dialysis patients and to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety of different administration dosage of salmon calcitonin to prevent osteoporosis in maintenance dialysis patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty-eight patients on maintenance dialysis were involved in the 12-month, randomized, controlled trial. Fifty patients (experiment I group) received subcutaneous injection of salmon calcitonin (50 U) three times a week for 12 months. Fifty patients (experiment II group) received subcutaneous injection of salmon calcitonin (100 U) three times a week for 12 months. At the same time, both of them received oral calcium carbonate 1500 mg tid and rocaltrol 0.25 microg qn for 12 months. The control group only received oral calcium carbonate 1500 mg tid and rocaltrol 0.25 microg qn for 12 months. The levels of bone mass density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), osteocalcin (OC), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed at baseline and then again after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The values of BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck before the treatment were not significantly different from those 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment in trial groups I and II (all P > 0.05) and there were no significant differences in the BMD values at different time points between trial groups I and II. In the control group, the BMD values at the lumbar spine and femoral neck 3, 6, and 12 months after the beginning of trial were significantly lower than those before the trial, and significantly lower than the corresponding values of trial groups I and II (all P < 0.05). The serum OC 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment was significantly lower than that before the experiment (all P < 0.05) in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in the value of serum OC before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment in trial groups I and II (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The dose of salmon calcitonin 50 U three times a week plus calcium carbonate and active vitamin D can effectively preserve the BMD and prevent bone loss in maintenance dialysis patients, and it is well tolerated by patients on maintenance dialysis.</p>