[Precise application of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu in classical formulas].

To maintain the precision and stability of the efficacy of classical formulas, this study compared the origins and specifications of Bupleuri Radix and revealed the precise application regularity of Bupleurum chinense(Beichaihu) and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium(Nanchaihu) in classical formulas. The efficacy and indications of formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases(Shang Han Za Bing Lun) were investigated. The difference in the efficacy of Bupleuri Radix as well as the differences in the chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu were analyzed with LC-MS technology based on the CCl_4-induced liver injury model in mice and sodium oleate-induced HepG2 hyperlipidemia cell model. The results showed that seven classical formulas with Bupleuri Radix as the sovereign drug in the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases were mainly used in the treatment of digestive, metabolic, immune, circulatory, and other diseases. Bupleuri Radix mainly played the functions of protecting the liver, benefiting the gallbladder, and lowering the lipid, and had different focuses in different formulas. There were 14 differential components in the decoctions of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu, and the chemical structures of 11 components were identified, including 10 saponins and one flavonoid. The results of the liver-protecting efficacy experiment showed that compared with the Nanchaihu decoction, Beichaihu decoction could reduce the serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity in liver injury model mice(P<0.01). The results of the lipid-lowering efficacy experiment proved that Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions both showed highly significant differences in lowering the total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) content in HepG2 cells(P<0.01), and Nanchaihu decoction was superior to Beichaihu decoction in lowering the lipid. The results of this study preliminarily proved that there were differences in chemical composition, and liver-protecting and lipid-lowering effects of Beichaihu and Nanchaihu decoctions, indicating that it was necessary to determine the precise origin of Bupleuri Radix in the clinical formulation of traditional Chinese medicine. The study provides a scientific basis for both precise clinical medication and purpose-based accurate quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical application.

[Interleukin-8 regulations of oral epithelial cells by porphyromonas gingivalis with different fimA genotypes].

OBJECTIVE: The expression of heterogenic virulence properties depends on its clonal diversity. The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanism of interleukin-8 (IL-8) regulations of oral epithelial cells by challenge of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) with different fimA genotypes, discuss the relation between fimA genotype and its pathogenicity. METHODS: P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 (type I), W83 (type IV), 47A-1 (type IV) were assessed for their inductions of IL-8 expression in human oral epithelial cells (KB cell line, ATCC CCL-17). KB cells without stimulation of P. gingivalis were used as control group. IL-8 mRNA expression was de termined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at different time intervals (1, 3, 6, 24 h) following continuous co culture of bacteria with KB cell line, and IL-8 protein levels in culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IL-8 mRNA levels were up-regulated and reached its high peak at 1 h following both genotypes infection, then decreased to base level till 24 h. Attenuation of IL-8 protein levels was down-regulated when KB cell co-cultured with both genotypes for 3 h till 24 h, and type IV was lower than type I. IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA expression were not consistent with their protein levels, which indicated post-transcriptional regulations. CONCLUSION: fimA genotypes of P. gingivalis are related with the effect of IL-8 inductions, which indicates fimA genotype is associated with pathogenesis of P. gingivalis.

[The distribution of fimA genotype of Porphyromonas gingivalis in chronic periodontitis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of fimA genotype of P. gingivalis in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODS: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from 101 chronic periodontitis patients. P. gingivalis was detected by both culture method and P. gingivalis 16S rRNA PCR. fimA type-specific primer were designed, and the distribution of fimA genotype of P. gingivalis in periodontitis patients were detected by PCR. RESULTS: The detective ratio of P. gingivalis was 88.1%. Among them, a single fimA genotype was detected in most subgingival plaque samples (65.1%), and the distribution of five fimA genotypes among P. gingivalis positive patients was as follows: type I, 24.7%; type II, 43.8%; type III, 15.7%; type IV, 40.4%; type V, 3.4%; respectively. CONCLUSION: P. gingivalis with various fimA genotypes were present in subgingival plaque samples from chronic periodontitis patients, and P. gingivalis with type II fimA and IV fimA were more predominant in chronic periodontitis patients, and they may be associated with the development of periodontitis.

[Interleukin-1beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist levels in gingival crevicular fluid and their relationship to clinical indices of periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of periodontally healthy teeth and to periodontitis teeth and to reveal their relationships to periodontal clinical indices. METHODS: Thirty GCF samples were harvested from periodontally healthy sites in which 15 samples were from periodontally healthy subjects and 15 GCF samples were from patients with chronic periodontitis, and 43 GCF samples (including 28 samples from BOP positive sites and 15 samples from BOP negative sites) were harvested from periodontitis sites of 33 patients with chronic periodontitis. Clinical indices (GI, PPD and CAL) were recorded for each tooth. The concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-1ra in GCF were quantified by ELISA method. RESULTS: (1) The mean concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-1ra and the average value of 10(4)IL-1beta/IL-1ra for periodontally healthy teeth were (61.891 +/- 20.719) pg/ml, (739.410 +/- 249.121) ng/ml and 0.857 +/- 0.375, respectively. The mean concentration of IL-1beta (224.402 +/- 87.416) pg/ml and the average value of 10(4)IL-1beta/IL-1ra for periodontitis teeth 6.813 +/- 0.375 were greater than those for healthy teeth, respectively (P<0.0001), and in contrast, the mean concentration of IL-1ra for periodontitis teeth (366.722 +/- 104.188) ng/ml was lower than that for healthy sites(P<0.0001). (2) For all sites, a strong inverse relationship was found between IL-1beta and IL-1ra levels in GCF (P<0.01). Both of IL-1beta and 10(4) IL-1beta/IL-1ra values had positive correlations with GI, PPD and CAL (P<0.01). And the negative correlation was found between GI and IL-1ra (P<0.05). (3) The mean concentration of IL-1beta and the average value of 10(4)IL-1beta/IL-1ra at BOP positive teeth were greater than those at BOP negative teeth (P<0.0001), and the mean concentration of IL-1ra at BOP positive teeth was lower than that at BOP negative teeth (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the increasing GCF level of IL-1beta and decreasing level of IL-1ra may be an important factor for the pathogenesis and development of chronic periodontitis and IL-1ra has an inhibitory effect on IL-1beta activity. The GCF level of IL-1beta and the value of 10(4)IL-1beta/IL-1ra, especially the latter one, are closely associated with the clinical indices of chronic periodontitis.

[A survey on knowledge and habits of oral health in freshmen of Sichuan University].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the oral health knowledge and habits of freshmen of Sichuan University and promote the prophylactic therapy of dental diseases in the university. METHODS: The table and the standard on oral health survey authorized by WHO were employed in this study. RESULTS: Only 13.1% of all the investigated freshmen had periodic oral health examination. 74.4% brush teeth twice per day, only 7.7% brush teeth over 3 minutes, 16.6% insist in fluoridated toothpaste, and only 6% had applied dental floss. 51.9% do not often take snack food and 94.7% are non-smokers; (4) Tests of prophylactic therapy of dental caries and periodontal diseases and oral health knowledge have poor results. CONCLUSION: The freshmen have limited knowledge of oral health and lack serious attitude toward oral cleaning behaviors.