Identification of Swertia mussotii and its adulterant Swertia species by 5S rRNA gene spacer / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This research focused on analyzing the differences of 5S rRNA gene spacer sequences on Swertia mussotii and its commonly used adulterants, including S. franchetiana, S. wolfangiana and S. chirayita.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>DNA was extracted from the collected Swertia samples. 5S rRNA intergenic spacers were amplified by PCR, sequenced and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>5S rRNA gene spacer sequences were different between S. mussotii and its other three adulterants. Sequence divergence among species ranged from 30.6% to 65.0%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>5S rRNA spacers may be used as molecular authentication markers to differentiate S. mussotii and other commonly used Swertia adulterants. This result provides reliable and simple reference for the authentication of Swertia genus species.</p>

The vasoactive material and pulmonary vascular structural remodeling in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) on pulmonary vascular structural remodeling in rats and pika.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Wistar rats which reside at 2 260 m were carried to 3 417 m. After they were fed 24 hours,2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively, the level of VEGF and ET-1 were measured using a kit by ELISA method. Pulmonary tissue was taken out to stain with elastica-Van Gieson. The amount of pulmonary arteries (< 100 microm) and the component ratio of MA, PMA,and NMA were calculated by using a light microscope. The ratio of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus septum weight (RV/LV + S) were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ET-1 was significantly different in pika as compared with 24 h, 2 weeks, 3 weeks hypoxic rats (P < 0.01) respectively. The levels of VEGF in 2 weeks, 3 weeks rats were much higher than that of pika but no difference was found between pika and 24 h hypoxic rats. The ratio of MA, PMA obviously increased, and NMA decreased significantly, right ventricular hypertrophy was developed in differ groups of hypoxic rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The VEGF and ET-1 participate the muscularization of pulmonary vessels during hypoxia and play an important role in the process of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats, however the VEGF and ET-1 may be maintainable only normal organic function in pika.</p>