Comparision effects of solifenacin, darifenacin, propiverine on ocular parameters in eyes: A prospective study

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effects of solifenacin, darifenacin, and propiverine on nasal-, subfoveal-, temporal choroidal thicknesses (NCT, SFCT, TCT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil diameter (PD). Materials and Methods Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) diagnosed according to The International Continence Society were administered with solifenacin, darifenacin or propiverine on a daily basis between November 2017 and May 2018. NCT, SFCT, TCT, IOP, and PD of these patients were measured and compared as initial, fourth and twelfth weeks. Results A total of 165 patients (330 eyes) with OAB were evaluated. Solifenacin (n=140) significantly reduced IOP from 17.30±2.72 mmHg to 16.67±2.56 mmHg (p=0.006) and 16.57±2.41 mmHg (p=0.002), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Darifenacin (n=110) significantly reduced NCT from 258.70±23.96 μm to 257.51±22.66 μm (p=0.002) and 255.36±19.69 μm (p=0.038), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Propiverine (n=80) significantly increased PD from 4.04±0.48 mm to 4.08±0.44 mm (p=0.009) and 4.09±0.45 mm (p=0.001), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Conclusion These findings can help to decide appropriate anticholinergic drug choice in OAB patients. We finally suggest further well-designed randomized prospective studies with a larger population to evaluate the anticholinergic-related complications in eyes.

Overactive bladder - pharmacological treatment

The Guidelines Project, an initiative of the Brazilian Medical Association, aims to combine information from the medical field in order to standardize producers to assist the reasoning and decision-making of doctors. The information provided through this project must be assessed and criticized by the physician responsible for the conduct that will be adopted, depending on the conditions and the clinical status of each patient.

Oxiracetam ameliorates cognitive deficits in vascular dementia rats by regulating the expression of neuronal apoptosis/autophagy-related genes associated with the activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Oxiracetam (ORC) is a commonly used nootropic drug for improving cognition and memory impairments. The therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of ORC in vascular dementia (VaD) treatment remain unknown. In this study, 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats with permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion-induced VaD were treated orally with low (100 mg/kg) or high (200 mg/kg) dose ORC once a day for 4 weeks. The results of the Morris water maze test and Nissl staining showed that ORC treatment significantly alleviated learning and memory deficits and neuronal damage in rats with VaD. Mechanistically, the protein levels of a panel of genes associated with neuronal apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax) and autophagy (microtubule-associated protein 1 chain 3, Beclin1, p62) were significantly altered by ORC treatment compared with VaD, suggesting a protective role of ORC against VaD-induced neuronal apoptosis and autophagy. Moreover, the Akt/mTOR pathway, which is known to be the upstream signaling governing apoptosis and autophagy, was found to be activated in ORC-treated rats, suggesting an involvement of Akt/mTOR activation in ORC-rendered protection in VaD rats. Taken together, this study demonstrated that ORC may alleviate learning and memory impairments and neuronal damage in VaD rats by altering the expression of apoptosis/autophagy-related genes and activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in neurons.

Nerve growth factor in combination with Oxiracetam in the treatment of Hypertensive Cerebral Hemorrhage

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of nerve growth factor [NGF] in combination with oxiracetam and single use of oxiracetam in the treatment of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage

Methods: One hundred and forty patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage who were admitted to the hospital from July 2015 to September 2016 were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into a treatment group which was treated by NGF in combination with oxiracetam and a control group which was treated by oxiracetam only. The clinical efficacy was observed, and the death of both groups was recorded

Results: The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score, Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score and limbs muscle force of both groups improved after treatment, and the improvement of the treatment was superior to that of the control group, suggesting a significant difference [P<0.05]. The reduction of serum inflammatory factor level of the treatment group was much larger than that of the control group after treatment, and the difference had statistical significance [P<0.05]. The survival analysis suggested that the survival rates of the two groups had a statistically significant difference [P<0.05]

Conclusion: NGF in combination with oxiracetam is significantly effective in treating hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage as it can apparently recover neurologic impairment and limbs muscle force. The therapy has important clinical application values

Insecticidal action of synthetic girgensohnine analogues and essential oils on Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) / Acción insecticida de análogos sintéticos de girgensohnina y de aceites esenciales sobre Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The alkaloid girgensohnine has been used as a natural model in the synthesis of new alkaloid-like alpha-aminonitriles with insecticidal effect against disease vectors. Objective: To evaluate the biocide activity of girgensohnine analogues and essential oils of Cymbopogon flexuosus, Citrus sinensis and Eucalyptus citriodora in stage I and stage V Rhodnius prolixus nymphs. Materials and methods: We used a topical application model in tergites and sternites, as well as exposure to treated surfaces with different exploratory doses of each of the molecules and essential oils to determine the lethal doses (LD50 and LD95). Results: Analogue 3 showed the highest insecticidal activity with 83.3±16.7% of mortality when applied on tergites, 38.9±4.8% on sternites and 16.7±0% on treated surfaces in stage I nymphs at 72 hours (h) and 500 mg.L-1. In stage V nymphs, the compounds induced mortality only in sternums (11.1±9.6% for analogue 6 and 5.5±4.7% for analogues 3 and 7 at 72 h and 1500 mg.L-1). The lethal doses for molecule 3 on tergites in stage I nymphs were LD50 225.60 mg.L-1 and LD95 955.90 mg.L-1. The insecticidal effect of essential oils was observed only in stage I nymphs, with 11.1±4.8% for C. flexuosus when applied in sternites, while using exposure to surfaces treated it was 5.6±4.8% for C. sinensis applied on tergites and 8.3±0% on sternites at 72 h and 1000 mg.L-1. Conclusion: Synthetic girgensohnine analogues, and C. flexuosus and C. sinensis essential oils showed insecticidal activity in R. prolixus. Analogue 3 showed the greatest insecticidal activity among all molecules and oils evaluated under our laboratory conditions.

RESUMEN Introducción. El alcaloide natural girgensohnina se ha usado como modelo en la síntesis de nuevos análogos de alcaloidales alfa-aminonitrílicos con efecto insecticida en vectores de enfermedades. Objetivo. Evaluar la actividad biocida de análogos de girgensohnina y de aceites esenciales de las plantas Cymbopogon flexuosus, Citrus sinensis y Eucalyptus citriodora en ninfas de estadios I y V de Rhodnius prolixus. Materiales y métodos. Se empleó la aplicación tópica en terguitos, esternitos y superficies tratadas con diferentes dosis exploratorias de cada una de las moléculas y aceites esenciales para determinar las dosis letales (LD50 y LD95). Resultados. El análogo 3 tuvo la mayor actividad insecticida, con una mortalidad de 83,3±16,7% en los terguitos, de 38,9±4,8 % en los esternitos y de 16,7±0 % a las 72 horas en ninfas de estadioI expuestas a superficies tratadas y 500 mg.L-1. En las ninfas de estadio V solo se presentó mortalidad en los esternitos (11,1±9,6 % con el análogo 6 y 5,5±4,7 % con los análogos 3 y 7 a las 72 h y 1.500 mg.L-1). Las dosis letales para la molécula 3 en los terguitos de ninfas de estadio I fueron las siguientes: DL50, 225,60 mg.L-1 y DL95, 955,90 mg.L-1. En cuanto a los aceites esenciales, el efecto insecticida solo se presentó con C. flexuosus (11,1±4,8%) en los esternitos de ninfas de estadio I expuestas a superficies tratadas; con C. sinensis (5,6±4,8%) en los terguitos y en los esternitos (8,3±0%) a las 72 horas y 1.000 mg.L-1. Conclusión. Los análogos sintéticos del alcaloide girgensohnina y los aceites esenciales de C. flexuosus y C. sinensis exhibieron actividad insecticida en R. prolixus. El análogo 3 exhibió la mayor actividad insecticida de todas las moléculas evaluadas bajo las condiciones de laboratorio.

Effectiveness, safety and tolerability of vildagliptin and vildagliptin+metformin in real-world setting in the Philippines--Results from the GUARD study

INTRODUCTION: GUARD (vildaGliptin clinical Use in reAl woRlD) was  a  multinational,  prospective,  observational  study that assessed the effectiveness,safety  and  tolerability of vildagliptin and vildagliptin+metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) under real-world conditions across four  geographical  regions  (Asia,  the  Middle  East,  Central  America and Africa). The current paper discusses the results of patients with T2DM enrolled in the Philippines.METHODS: Patients  with  T2DM  who  were  prescribed vildagliptin or vildagliptin+metformin combination therapy were enrolled and followed as per routine clinical practice for 24 ± six weeks. Primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from  baseline  to  study  end  (week  24±6).  Key  secondary endpoints included proportion of patients reaching target HbA1c ?7.0%, incidence of hypoglycemic events, adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs).RESULTS: A total of 1,117 patients were included in the final analysis, 280 on vildagliptin (of these, eight patients received additional oral antidiabetes medications) and 837 on vildagliptin+metformin. At baseline, the mean (±SD) age of the enrolled population was 54.1±11.5 years, BMI 26.3±4.7 kg/m2, HbA1c 8.0±1.2% and T2DM duration 2.3±4.0 years.At  study  end,  significant  mean  (±SE)  reductions  in  HbA1c of -1.2±0.1% (pCONCLUSION: Vildagliptin  and  vildagliptin+metformin significantly  reduced  HbA1c  with  good  weight  control and low incidence of hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM under real-world conditions in Philippines

Vernakalant en la reversión de la fibrilación auricular de reciente comienzo / Vernakalant for the conversion of atrial fibrillation of recent onset

La fibrilación auricular (FA) es la arritmia sostenida más frecuente. La cardioversión es uno de los tratamientos de primera elección para la finalización de la FA de reciente comienzo, especialmente la farmacológica, ya que tiene la ventaja de no utilizar sedación. El vernakalant es un antiarrítmico que actúa selectivamente sobre la aurícula, inhibiendo las corrientes de potasio, con mínimo bloqueo de la corriente ventricular IKr. Este antiarrítmico ha sido aprobado recientemente por la Unión Europea para la cardioversión farmacológica de la FA de reciente comienzo. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar las características farmacocinéticas y farmacodinámicas del vernakalant, y demostrar la seguridad y eficacia del mismo para la conversión de la FA a ritmo sinusal.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia. Cardioversion is considered one of the best treatments for recent onset AF, especially with drugs for avoiding sedation. Vernakalant is a novel antiarrhythmic that acts selectively in the atrium, and inhibits potassium currents, with minor blockade of IKr currents in the ventricle. It has been recently approved for pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset AF in the European Union. The aim of this review is to analyze the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of vernakalant, and to show the efficacy and safety of this drug for the conversion of AF to sinus rhythm.

Effect of reactive oxygen species induced by paraquat on neutrophil apoptosis / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of paraquat (PQ) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil apoptosis and its possible signal transduction pathways.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured neutrophils were treated with different concentrations of PQ for 6-24 h. The apoptosis rate of neutrophils and ROS content were determined by flow cytometry. The exoressions of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Caspase 3 were detected by Western blot. These parameters were checked again after NF-κB and Caspase 3 antagonist were applied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PQ could boost ROS generation and depress neutrophil apoptosis significantly. At the same time PQ could enhance the expression of NF-κB and inhibit the expression of Caspase 3. These effects could be reversed by ROS inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PQ is a potent inducer of ROS and can inhibit neutrophil apoptosis by activating NF-κB and surpressing Caspase 3 activity.</p>

Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Inhibits Nuclear Factor kappaB and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Rats with Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the pancreases of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and any changes upon treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), as well as to determine the relationship between TLR4 and NF-kappaB in ANP pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 72 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, the control (sham-operation), ANP, and ANP with PDTC pretreatment groups. The PDTC-pretreated group was intraperitoneally injected with PDTC at a dose of 100 mg/kg 1 hour before the induction of ANP. The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB in pancreatic tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The mRNA levels of cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine (NF-kappaB target) genes in the pancreatic tissue increased more significantly in the ANP groups than in the sham-operation group at 3, 6, and 12 hours. Pretreatment with PDTC alleviated the inflammatory activation in the pancreas with ANP, causing a significant decrease in the expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine genes in the pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB were increased in the pancreases of rats with ANP. PDTC not only inhibits NF-kappaB but also suppresses the expression of TLR4 and downregulates the expression of the related cytokine genes.

Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Inhibits Nuclear Factor kappaB and Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Rats with Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the pancreases of rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and any changes upon treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), as well as to determine the relationship between TLR4 and NF-kappaB in ANP pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 72 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely, the control (sham-operation), ANP, and ANP with PDTC pretreatment groups. The PDTC-pretreated group was intraperitoneally injected with PDTC at a dose of 100 mg/kg 1 hour before the induction of ANP. The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB in pancreatic tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The mRNA levels of cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine (NF-kappaB target) genes in the pancreatic tissue increased more significantly in the ANP groups than in the sham-operation group at 3, 6, and 12 hours. Pretreatment with PDTC alleviated the inflammatory activation in the pancreas with ANP, causing a significant decrease in the expressions of TLR4, NF-kappaB, and cytokine genes in the pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of TLR4 and NF-kappaB were increased in the pancreases of rats with ANP. PDTC not only inhibits NF-kappaB but also suppresses the expression of TLR4 and downregulates the expression of the related cytokine genes.

Pattern of Maxillofacial Fractures in Severe Multiple Trauma Patients: A 7-year Prospective Study

The incidence of facial trauma is high. This study has the primary objective of documenting and cataloging maxillofacial fractures in polytrauma patients. From a total of 1229 multiple trauma cases treated at the Emergency Room of the Santo Antonio Hospital - Oporto Hospital Center, Portugal, between August 2001 and December 2007, 251 patients had facial wounds and 209 had maxillofacial fractures. Aged ranged form 13 to 86 years. The applied selective method was based on the presence of facial wound with Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥1. Men had a higher incidence of maxillofacial fractures among multiple trauma patients (86.6%) and road traffic accidents were the primary cause of injuries (69.38%). Nasoorbitoethmoid complex was the most affected region (67.46%) followed by the maxilla (57.42%). The pattern and presentation of maxillofacial fractures had been studied in many parts of the world with varying results. Severe multiple trauma patients had different patterns of maxillofacial injuries. The number of maxillofacial trauma is on the rise worldwide as well as the incidence of associated sequelae. Maxillofacial fractures on multiple trauma patients were more frequent among males and in road traffic crashes. Knowing such data is elementary. The society should have a key role in the awareness of individuals and in prevention of road traffic accidents.

É alta a incidência de traumas na face. Este estudo teve por objetivo documentar e catalogar as fraturas maxilofaciais em pacientes com politraumatismos. De um total de 1229 casos de politraumatizados tratados na Sala de Emergência do Hospital de Santo António - Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Portugal, entre Agosto de 2001 e Dezembro de 2007, 251 pacientes tiveram ferimentos na face e 209 apresentaram fraturas maxilofaciais. As idades variaram de 13 a 86 anos. O método de seleção baseou-se na presença de ferimentos na face com Abreviated Injury Scale ≥1. Os homens apresentaram maior incidência de fraturas maxilofaciais (86,6%) entre os pacientes com múltiplos traumatismos na face e os acidentes de trânsito foram a causa principal dos traumatismos (69,38%). A região mais afetada foi o complexo naso-órbito-etmoidal (67,46%), seguido pela maxila (57,42%). O padrão e a apresentação das fraturas maxilofaciais tem sido estudado em muitas regiões do mundo com resultados variados. Pacientes com politraumatizados graves apresentaram padrões diferentes de traumatismos maxilofaciais. O número de traumatismos maxilofaciais tem aumentado à escala mundial, assim como a incidência das sequelas associadas. Entre os pacientes com traumatismos múltiplos, a maioria pertencia ao sexo masculino, assim como a causa mais frequente foram os acidentes automobilísticos. É elementar o conhecimento destes dados. A sociedade tem um papel primordial nos cuidados individuais e na prevenção dos acidentes de trânsito.

A comparative study of the effect of vildagliptin and glimepiride on glucose variability in type 2 diabetic patients with inadequate glycemic control on metformin

BACKGROUND: Vildagliptin is believed to improve glucose variability by restoring the physiologic pattern of insulin secretion and improving beta and alpha cells' sensitivity to glucose but with less increase in insulin secretion compared to sulfonylureas resulting in similar glucose levels but with less risk of hypoglycemia.OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of vildagliptin and glimepiride on glucose variability among Type 2 diabetic patients not controlled on metformin alone.METHODS: This investigation is a prospective, interventional, open-labeled, active control, parallel assignment, efficacy study that included patients with inadequate glycemic control on monotherapy with metformin, randomly assigned either to vildagliptin or glimeparide. For one month, one group took vildagliptin 50mg/tablet one tablet twice a day while the other group took glimepiride 1 mg/tablet one tablet once a day. Subjects were asked to monitor their capillary blood glucose at seven points throughout the day for 35 days.RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were recruited for the study and randomly assigned to either of the two treatment arms. However, only 16 patients completed the study. The vildagliptin and glimepiride groups had comparable blood sugars at baseline and at the end of the study although the glimepiride group showed a steeper decline in the blood sugar levels. Subjects in both groups showed a downward trend in the blood glucose values from day one to the 35th day with comparable mean glucose values between treatments and across combinations of day and treatment. Likewise, mean postprandial incremental area under the curve (AUCpp)and mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) were comparable across treatments and across combinations of day and treatment, although the Glimepiride group showed relatively higher MAGE values.CONCLUSION: Vildaglipitin and glimepiride both improved glycemia of patients with uncontrolled blood sugar on monotherapy with metformin as both groups showed downward glucose trend, although vildagliptin showed relatively less abrupt glucose lowering effect suggesting lesser risk of hypoglycemia. Mean postprandial glucose excursions of the two groups were also comparable but the vildagliptin arm had lower MAGE and may suggest an improvement in both ?- and ?-cell function.

Therapeutic effect of vildagliptin and insulin aspart injection in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of vildagliptin combined with insulin aspart injection in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who had poor blood glucose control with insulin aspart injection were divided into two groups to have additional Vildagliptin (50 mg, twice daily, n=36, observation group) or Acarbose (50 mg, three times a day, n=30, control group). Blood glucose (including FBG and 2hPG), HbA1C, fasting c-peptide, postprandial c-peptide, BMI and GFR were observed after 12 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the observation group, FBG, 2hPG and HbA1C decreased significantly (P<0.05), fasting and postprandial c-peptide increased (P<0.05), and BMI and GFR showed no obvious changes (P>0.05). In the control group, 2hPG and HbA1C were significant lowered (P<0.05) but FBG, fasting and postprandial c-peptide, BMI or GFR showed no changes (P>0.05). Compared with those in the control group, FBG in the observation group showed a significant reduction (P<0.05), but no significant differences were found in 2hPG, HbA1C, BMI or GFR (P>0.05). No hypoglycemia occurred in the two groups during the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vildagliptin with insulin aapart injection has equivalent effect with Acarbose combined with insulin aspart injection in decreasing 2hPG and HbA1C without increasing the body weight or the risk to hypoglycemia or causing lowered GFR. Vildagliptin has better effect in decreasing FBG and improving the function of the islet cells.</p>

Comparison of DPP-4 Inhibitors / 임상당뇨병

During past several years, a novel class of antihyperglycemic agents, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, has become one of the most important options in the management of type 2 diabetes. These agents have unique insulinotropic actions as well as other advantages such as lower hypoglycemia and a weight-neutral effect compared to traditional insulin secretagogues. To date, 6 different DPP-4 inhibitors have been introduced: sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, alogliptin and gemiglitin. This review provides a summary of the clinical data for each DPP-4 inhibitor, and discusses the similarities and differences between them.

Antifungal indole and pyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivative peptidomimetic lead design based on in silico study of bioactive peptide families

The rise of opportunistic fungal infections highlights the need for development of new antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial Peptides [AMPs] and Antifungal Peptides [AFPs] are among the agents with minimal resistance being developed against them, therefore they can be used as structural templates for design of new antimicrobial agents. In the present study four antifungal peptidomimetic structures named C[1] to C[4] were designed based on plant defensin of Pisum sativum. Minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] for these structures were determined against Aspergillus niger N402, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae PTCC 5052. C[1] and C[2] showed more potent antifungal activity against these fungal strains compared to C[3] and C[4]. The structure C[2] demonstrated a potent antifungal activity among them and could be used as a template for future study on antifungal peptidomemetics design. Sequences alignments led to identifying antifungal decapeptide [KTCENLADTY] named KTC-Y, which its MIC was determined on fungal protoplast showing 25 [micro g/ml] against Aspergillus fumigatus Af293. The present approach to reach the antifungal molecules seems to be a powerful approach in design of bioactive agents based on AMP mimetic identification

Effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate on expressions of α-smooth muscle actin, integrin α5 and fibronectin in acute paraquat poisoned rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the expressions of α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin (Fn) in acute paraquat poisoned rats and the effect of PDTC. To investigate the mechanism of paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: Control group (6 rats), PQ group (36 rats) and PQ+PDTC group (36 rats). On the 1st, 3rd, the 7th, the 14th, the 28th and the 56th day after exposure, the protein expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was evaluated by western blot. The mRNA levels of integrin α5 and fibronectin (Fn) were analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, the lung pathological changes were observed and semi-quantified.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>T With the time passing, the expression of α-SMA in PQ group increased gradually compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The increasing extent was gently on the 3 rd, the 7 th day. While increasing extent was rapidly from the 28 th to the 56 th day. RT-PCR showed PQ significantly increased Fn mRNA level on all time points and increased integrin α5 mRNA level from the 7 rd to 56 th day compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). PDTC treatment significantly deceased α-SMA, Fn, and integrin α5 levels compared with PQ group in corresponding time points (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) Noteworthy, in PQ+PDTC group, the occurrence of pathological changes were drastically attenuated and pathologic score significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin could play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis caused by paraquat poisoning. PDTC, asa strong NF-κB inhibitor, may inhibit NF-κB activity and further significantly decreased expressions of α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin which were important part of ECM, leading to drastically attenuated pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms of PDTC intervention still remains to be explored.</p>

Protective effect of oxiracetam on traumatic brain injury in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the role of oxiracetam on traumatic brain injury in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, model group and treatment group. Feeney method were used to establish traumatic brain injury (TBI) model in rats in model and treatment group, and rats in sham group were only broached without hydraumatic fitted. Rats in treatment group were successive administration for 21 days with oxiracetam (100 mg/kg, ig). Neurologic impairment scores were undertook after operation of 1 d, 4 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d, and Morris water maze test were proceeded during 15 to 19 days after operation. Average escape latency, searching time in target quadrant and number of crossing target platform in rats were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Neurologic impairment scores of rats in treatment group were significantly less than those of model group after operation of 7, 14 and 21 d (P < 0.05). Average escape latency of model group were significantly higher than those of sham operation group and treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Searching time in target quadrant and number of crossing target platform of model group were lower than those of sham operation and treatment group (P < 0.05)).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oxiracetam could decrease neural injury and increase ability of learning, memory and space cognition in traumatic brain injury rats.</p>

Study on Xinyueshu spray drying assisted with copovidone and its effect on powder property / 中国中药杂志

To study the application characteristics of copovidone (PVP-S630) in Xinyueshu extracts during the spray drying process, and its effect on such pharmaceutical properties as micromeritics and drug release behavior. PVP-S630 was added into Xinyueshu extracts to study on the spray drying, the effect of different dosages of PVP-S630 against the wall sticking effect of the spray drying, as well as the power property of Xinyueshu spray drying power and the dissolution in vitro behavior of the effective component of hyperoside. The results showed that PVP-S630 revealed a significant anti-wall sticking effect, with no notable change in the grain size of the spray drying power, increase in the fluidity, improvement in the moisture absorption and remarkable rise in the dissolution in vitro behavior of hyperoside. It was worth further studying the application of PVP-S630 in spray drying power of traditional Chinese medicine.

Study on solid dispersion of copovidone-based tanshinone II(A) / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To apply PVP-S630 in the preparation of tanshinone II(A) (TS II(A)) solid dispersion, in order to improve its dissolution in vitro and reduce the moisture absorption of the solid dispersion.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Tanshinone II(A) solid dispersion was prepared by spray drying method. Such analytical methods as SEM, DSC, XRD were used to characterize their phases and detect their dissolution, moisture absorption and stability.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In the solid dispersion prepared with tanshinone II(A) and copovidone with proportion of 1:10, tanshinone II(A) was scattered on the surface of the carrier in the amorphous form, with a dissolution in vitro up to 100% at 0.5 h and a lower moisture absorption than PVP-K30 solid dispersion prepared with the same proportion. After a three-month accelerated stability test, it showed no significant change in drug dissolution and content.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The solid dispersion prepared with copovidone as the carrier can significantly improve the dissolution of tanshinone II(A), with a relatively low moisture absorption and high stability, thereby having a good prospect of application.</p>

Effect of MAPK/NF-kappaB signaling pathway on extracellular release of HMGB1 induced by hypoxia in laryngeal Hep-2 carcinoma cells / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the extracellular release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in laryngeal Hep-2 carcinoma cells induced by hypoxia and its possible mechanism.@*METHOD@#The changes of HMGB1 concentration in the culture medium as well as HMGB1 protein and mRNA expression in Hep-2 cells were investigated after the cells were cultured with 1% O2 for different durations. Inhibitory effects of MAPK pathway inhibitors (PD98059. SP600125, and SB202190) and nuclear NF-kappaB pathway inhibitor (PDTC) with various concentrations on extracellular HMGB1 release were observed in hypoxia-induced Hep-2 cells. The HMGB1 concentration and HMGB1 protein expression were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot, respectively. The HMGB1 mRNA expression was determined by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-PCR).@*RESULT@#The HMGB1 concentration in the culture medium and the HMGB1 protein expression in Hep-2 cells increased after the cells were subjected to hypoxia culture for 12 h in a time-dependent manner. The level of HMGB1 mRNA expression in Hep-2 cells increased after the cells were induced by hypoxia for 6h PD98059 and SP600125 with 20 micromol/ L and PDTC with 50 mg/L partly inhibited extracellular release of HMGB1 in hypoxia-cultured Hcp-2 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#Hypoxia induces laryngeal carcinoma cells to release HMGH1. which may be related to MAPK/NF-kappaB signaling pathway.