Medicated Serum of Bupleuri Radix Regulates HFL1 Apoptosis and Fibroblast-myofibroblast Transition via Smad3/Rheb Axis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTransforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） was used to stimulate human fetal lung fibroblast 1 （HFL1） for simulating the pathological process of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） and thereby the effects and mechanism of medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix against IPF were investigated. MethodTGF-β1 （10 μg·L-1） was employed to stimulate HFL1， and cells were treated with medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix （5%， 10%， 15%， 20%） for 24 h. Then cell proliferation rate was determined with cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. Subsequently， cells were classified into the control group （20% blank serum）， TGF-β1 group （20% blank serum and 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1）， TGF-β1 + medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group （5% blank serum， 15% medicated serum， and 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1）， and TGF-β1 + SIS3 group （3 μmol·L-1 SIS3， 20% blank serum， 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1）. Based on in situ end labeling （TUNEL） staining， the apoptosis rate was examined， and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） and myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of α-SMA， Ras homolog enriched in brain （Rheb）， and phosphorylated （p）-Smad3 was determined by immunofluorescence. Expression of Rheb， p-Smad3， and Smad3 was examined by Western blot. ResultThe cell proliferation rate of TGF-β1 group increased compared with that of the control group （P<0.05）. The cell proliferation rate of TGF+15% medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group and TGF+20% medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group decreased compared with that of the TGF-β1 group （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， TGF-β1 group showed decrease in apoptosis rate， increase in mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and α-SMA， reduction in Bax mRNA expression， and rise of α-SMA and Rheb protein expression and p-Smad3 level （P<0.05）. Compared with TGF-β1 group， TGF-β1 + medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group and TGF-β1 + SIS3 group demonstrated high apoptosis rate， low Bcl-2 and α-SMA mRNA expression， high Bax mRNA expression， and low α-SMA and Rheb protein expression and p-Smad3 level （P<0.05）. ConclusionMedicated serum of Bupleuri Radix can inhibit TGF-β1-induced HFL1 proliferation and fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and promote fibroblast apoptosis by regulating the Smad3/Rheb axis.

Role of local citrate anticoagulation in continuous blood purification to patients at high risk of bleeding in ICU / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To evaluate the safety and efficiency of citrate anticoagulant-based continuous blood purification in patients at high risk of bleeding. 
 Methods: One hundred and fifty-two patients at high risk of bleeding were divided into local citrate group (group A, n=68) and heparin group (group B, n=84). Clotting function, change of pH, ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion, ionized calcium, activated clotting time (ACT) and complications were monitored before and during treatment. 
 Results: Compared to the group A, the incidence of clotting in filter and chamber, the degree of bleeding or fresh bleeding were significantly reduced in the group B (P0.05). The pH value, the levels of ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion and ionized calcium during the treatment were maintained in normal range in both group A and group B.
 Conclusion: Local citrate-based continuous blood purification can achieve effective anticoagulation and decrease the incidence of bleeding. It is an ideal choice for patients at high risk of bleeding.

Protective effect of Allicin on intestinal mucosal barrier of septic rats / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of allicin on intestinal mucosal barrier of septic rats so as to explore the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into sham,septic model and allicin treatment group.Septic model was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats.Rats in the treatment group were administered with allicin (30 mg/kg,ip)at 6 h and 12 h after modeling,while those in the model and sham groups were treated with equal amount of saline instead.Rats were sacrificed at 24 h and the serum D-lactic acid,diamine oxidase (DAO) and fluorescence isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-Dextran,FD-40) were determined to evaluate the intestinal mucosal barrier function.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),malondialdehyde (MDA),and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in intestinal tissue were measured.Histopathological changes of intestinal mucosa injury were assessed by Hematoxylin-eosin staining.Results Compared with the sham group,levels of serum D-lactic acid,DAO and FD-40 increased significantly in the CLP group (D-lactic acid:599.4±101.1 vs.149.2±20.63 nmoL/mL,t=11.84,P＜0.01;DAO:302.1 ±64.5 vs.76.57±14.76 ng/mL,t=9.433,P＜0.01;FD-40:6664.0±1437.0vs.1446.0±205.0 ng/mL,t =9.704,P ＜0.01);intestinal morphology damage occurred in the CLP group;intestinal levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and MDA increased greatly (TNF-αt:186.35 ±20.43 vs.58.76 ±8.94 pg/mL,t=17.23,P＜0.01;IL-6:763.25±85.23vs.125.36±14.37 pg/mL,t=22.54,P＜0.01;MDA:29.36±3.27vs.7.24±0.85 nmol/mg prot,t=16.61,P＜0.01),while SOD activity reduced (35.75±6.53 vs.73.26 ±8.35 U/rmg prot,t =10.57,P ＜0.01) in the CLP group.Allicin treatment greatly inhibited the increase of D-lactic acid,DAO and FD-40 levels in rat plasma caused by CLP (D-lactic acid:330.1 ±81.77 vs.599.4±101.1 nmol/mL,t=7.086,P＜0.01;DAO:171.8±49.70vs.302.1±64.56ng/mL,t=5.45,P＜0.01;FD-40:3349.0±1167.0 vs.6664.0±1437.0 ng/mL,t=6.165,P＜0.01);intestinal morphology damage was improved in the allicin treatment group;allicin treatment greatly inhibited the intestinal levels of TNF-o,IL-6 and MDA and preserved the intestinal SOD activity compared with the CLP group (TNF-α:95.37 ±12.68 vs.186.35 ±20.43 pg/mL,t =12.29,P＜0.01;IL-6:354.27±46.27vs.763.25±85.23pg/mL,t=14.45,P＜0.01;MDA:16.27±3.14vs.29.36±3.27 nmol/mgprot,t=9.831,P＜0.01;SOD:55.35 ±6.23vs.35.75±6.53 U/mgprot,t=5.522,P ＜0.01).Conclusions Allicin could inhibit local inflammation and oxidative stress in the intestine and exerts protective effect on intestinal mucosal barrier of septic rats.

Effect of arterial and venous subarachnoid hemorrhage on voltage-dependent calcium channel currents of cerebral artery smooth muscle cells in rats / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of arterial and venous subarachnoid hemorrhage ( SAH)on voltage-dependent calcium channel( VDCC)currents of cerebral artery smooth muscle cells and the relationship between the concentration of oxyhemoglobin( OxyHb)in arterial and venous blood and cerebral blood flow. Methods Thirty-six clean grade rats were colleted. A rat SAH model was induced by injection of autologous arterial or venous blood in suprasellar cistern using assisted stereotaxic apparatus. The rats were divided into three groups:an arterial SAH( n=14 ),a venous SAH( n=13 ),and a sham operation( n=9 )group. The arterial and venous OxyHb concentrations were measured. Three days after SAH modeling,a patch clamp was used to detect the relative surface area of the cerebral artery smooth muscle cells,resting potential,and VDCC currents in rats. A fluorescent microsphere method was used to quantitatively analyze cerebral blood flow(CBF). Results (1)Arterial SAH OxyHb concentration (127 ± 4 g/L)was significantly higher than venous SAH OxyHb concentration(54 ± 6 g/L),and that of the sham operation group was 50 ± 5 g/L. The differences were statistically significant among the 3 groups( P<0. 01).(2)The maximum current of VDCC of the arterial SAH group(3. 22 ± 0. 31 pA)was significantly higher than that of the venous SAH group(2. 19 ± 0. 27 pA)and the sham operation group(2. 18 ± 0. 29 pA). The differences were statistically significant among the 3 groups( P<0. 01 ). The VDCC currents of the arterial SAH group were consisted of L- and R-currents,while the currents of the venous SAH group were only consisted of L-VDCC.(3)The cerebral blood flow of the arterial SAH group(0. 83 ± 0. 14 mL/[g·min])was significantly higher than that of the venous SAH group(1. 28 ± 0. 28 mL/[g·min])and the sham operation group(1. 35 ± 0. 19 mL/[g·min]). The differences were statistically significant(P<0. 01). Conclusions The changing effect of arterial SAH on the expression and function of the cerebral artery smooth muscle cells are greater than that of the venous SAH. This difference may be associated with the concentration and composition of vasospasm factors of OxyHb in arterial and venous blood.

Risk factors for bloodstream infections in liver or kidney transplantation recipients / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the possible risk factors for death among liver or kidney recipients with bloodstream infections (BSIs).@*METHODS@#A retrospective study of 138 episodes of bloodstream infections documented in 103 patients was conducted to assess potential risk factors for mortality. The risk factors were identified by logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#The mean age of the patients was 12-66 (42.3±12.7) years. The majority of infections were nosocomial (78.6%). The BSIs-related mortality rate was 39.8% (41/103). The following variables were identified as risk factors for BSIs-related mortality by univariate analysis: intraabdominal/ biliary focus (P=0.003), polymicrobial infection (P<0.001), liver transplant (P<0.001), platelet count <50000/mm3 (P<0.001), and septic shock (P<0.001). Platelet count < 50000/mm3 (P=0.002) and septic shock (P<0.001) showed significantly difference between the mortality group and the survival groups in the multivariate logistic regression analysis.@*CONCLUSION@#Decreased platelet count and septic shock are risk factors for increased

Risk factors for septic shock in patients with solid organ transplantation and complication of bacteremias / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the risk factors for septic shock in patients with solid organ transplantation and complication of bacteremias.@*METHODS@#Clinical data of 98 solid organ transplant cases with complication of bacteremias were retrospectively studied. All episodes of bacteremias met the CDC criteria. Six possible risk factors contributing to septic shock were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#Among the 98 patients, 133 times of bacteremias have been reported and 39 patients developed septic shock. Among the 39 patients with septic shock, 43.5%, 38.5%, 15.4% and 2.6% of bacteremias were induced by multiple bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria and fungi, respectively. The lung was the main source of bacteremias (41.8%), followed by intraabdominal/ biliary focus (24.5%). Risk factors for developing septic shock included the bacteremias happened in the 2nd to 8th week post transplant (P=0.014), polymicrobial etiology (P=0.001), intra-abdominal/ biliary focus (P=0.011), and liver transplant (P=0.002). Only bacteremias occurred in the 2nd to 8th week post transplant and polymicrobial etiology were significant risk factors by multivariate analysis.@*CONCLUSION@#Risk factors for developing septic shock in bacteremias after SOT are early-onset (the 2nd-8th week post transplant) and polymicrobial etiology.