Restoring Prohealing/Remodeling-Associated M2a/c Macrophages Using ON101 Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing.

Diabetic wounds exhibit chronic inflammation and delayed tissue proliferation or remodeling, mainly owing to prolonged proinflammatory (M1) macrophage activity and defects in transition to prohealing/proremodeling (M2a/M2c; CD206+ and/or CD163+) macrophages. We found that topical treatment with ON101, a plant-based potential therapeutic for diabetic foot ulcers, increased M2c-like (CD163+ and CD206+) cells and suppressed M1-like cells, altering the inflammatory gene profile in a diabetic mouse model compared with that in the controls. An in vitro macrophage-polarizing model revealed that ON101 directly suppressed CD80+ and CD86+ M1-macrophage polarization and M1-associated proinflammatory cytokines at both protein and transcriptional levels. Notably, conditioned medium collected from ON101-treated M1 macrophages reversed the M1-conditioned medium‒mediated suppression of CD206+ macrophages. Furthermore, conditioned medium from ON101-treated adipocyte progenitor cells significantly promoted CD206+ and CD163+ macrophages but strongly inhibited M1-like cells. ON101 treatment also stimulated the expression of GCSF and CXCL3 genes in human adipocyte progenitor cells. Interestingly, treatment with recombinant GCSF protein enhanced both CD206+ and CD163+ M2 markers, whereas CXCL3 treatment only stimulated CD163+ M2 macrophages. Depletion of cutaneous M2 macrophages inhibited ON101-induced diabetic wound healing. Thus, ON101 directly suppressed M1 macrophages and facilitated the GCSF- and CXCL3-mediated transition from M1 to M2 macrophages, lowering inflammation and leading to faster diabetic wound healing.

Effect of botulinum toxin A on fat breastaugmentation: a preliminary randomized controlled clinical study / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To explore whether botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) can improve the retention rate of fat transplantation in fat breast augmentation.Methods:Each patient was divided into control side and experimental side according to the random number table in 14 patients studied. The experimental group received autologous fat and BTX-A combined transplantation on both sides of the breast, while the control side only received autologous fat transplantation. The fat was added with the same volume of normal saline as BTX-A in the control group. All patients were followed up and the effects of BTX-A were evaluated objectively via the comparison of the remained bilateral fat graft volumes that were obtained through a digital three-dimensional reconstructions technique. Moreover, the improvement of each breast appearance and complication were assessed by the physician and patients who were blinded to the recipient treatment assignment.Results:The outcome of the fat breast augmentation was evident for both groups at the follow-up with no evidence of fat embolism, vascular/nervous injury, infection and prolonged bruising. In one of the 14 patients (control group), fat liquefaction necrosis occurred in one side of the breast; after active treatment, it returned to normal, and three patients had different degrees of mass. The analysis on the three-dimensional reconstruction data and the assessments from both the physicians and patients showed significant differences in the fat graft retention volume between the BTX-A group (51.10±20.56)% and the control group (33.06±14.77)%. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two sides.Conclusions:Autogenous fat breast augmentation is safe and effective. This study result has shown that BTX-A can significantly improve the retention rate of fat transplantation but cannot reduce the incidence of complications.

Clinical effect of nasal septal cartilage combined with auricular cartilage on improving nasal tip shape / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective:To investigate the surgical method and clinical outcome of using nasal septal cartilage combined with auricular cartilage for management of nasal tip shape.Methods:A clinical study was conducted from April 2014 to June 2019, in which we managed nasal tip shape with nasal septal cartilage and auricular cartilage, and these materials were used as septal extension graft, spreader graft and cap graft. In total, 622 patients (28 males, 594 females; age from 18 to 42 years, mean age 27.47 years) were assessed for eligibility.Results:The follow-up period was from 6 months to 6 years. Nasal shape of all 622 patients was improved significantly after the operation. The nasal tip was natural and round, and there were no complications such as damage of nasal septum mucosa, exposure of prosthesis and infection of surgical site. Only 12 patients were found downward rotation of nasal tip, and 610 patients achieved satisfactory aesthetic results.Conclusions:Using septal cartilage combined with auricular cartilage is a safe, effective and suitable method for management of nasal tip shape.

Mechanical stretch induces hair regeneration through the alternative activation of macrophages.

Tissues and cells in organism are continuously exposed to complex mechanical cues from the environment. Mechanical stimulations affect cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, as well as determining tissue homeostasis and repair. By using a specially designed skin-stretching device, we discover that hair stem cells proliferate in response to stretch and hair regeneration occurs only when applying proper strain for an appropriate duration. A counterbalance between WNT and BMP-2 and the subsequent two-step mechanism are identified through molecular and genetic analyses. Macrophages are first recruited by chemokines produced by stretch and polarized to M2 phenotype. Growth factors such as HGF and IGF-1, released by M2 macrophages, then activate stem cells and facilitate hair regeneration. A hierarchical control system is revealed, from mechanical and chemical signals to cell behaviors and tissue responses, elucidating avenues of regenerative medicine and disease control by demonstrating the potential to manipulate cellular processes through simple mechanical stimulation.

Effects of methomyl on acetylcholinesterase in erythrocyte membrane and various brain areas / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the toxicity of methomyl to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in different regions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The optimal temperature and time for measurement of AChE activity were determined in vitro. The dose- and time-response relationships of methomyl with AChE activity in human erythrocyte membrane, rat erythrocyte membrane, cortical synapses, cerebellar synapses, hippocampal synapses, and striatal synapses were evaluated. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and bimolecular rate constant (K) of methomyl for AChE activity in different regions were calculated, and the type of inhibition of AChE activity by methomyl was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>AChE achieved the maximum activity at 370 °C, and the optimal time to determine initial reaction velocity was 0-17 min. There were dose- and time-response relationships between methomyl and AChE activity in the erythrocyte membrane and various brain areas. The IC50 value of methomyl for AChE activity in human erythrocyte membrane was higher than that in rat erythrocyte membrane, while the Ki value of methomyl for AChE activity in rat erythrocyte membrane was higher than that in human erythrocyte membrane. Among synapses in various brain areas, the striatum had the highest IC50 value, followed by the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus, while the cerebral cortex had the highest Ki value, followed by the hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum. Lineweaver-Burk diagram demonstrated that with increasing concentration of methomyl, the maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) of AChE decreased, and the Michaelis constant (Km) remained the same.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Methomyl is a reversible non-competitive inhibitor of AChE. AChE of rat erythrocyte membrane is more sensitive to methomyl than that of human erythrocyte membrane; the cerebral cortical synapses have the most sensitive AChE to methomyl among synapses in various brain areas.</p>

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the stromal cell-derived factor 1 gene is associated with coronary heart disease in Chinese patients.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is highly prevalent globally and a major cause of mortality. Genetic predisposition is a non-modifiable risk factor associated with CHD. Eighty-four Chinese patients with CHD and 253 healthy Chinese controls without CHD were recruited. Major clinical data were collected, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) gene at position 801 (G to A, rs1801157) in the 3'-untranslated region was identified. The correlation between rs1801157 genotypes and CHD was evaluated by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The allele frequency in the CHD and control groups was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (p>0.05). The frequency of the GG genotype in the CHD group (59.5%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (49.8%) (p=0.036). A number of variables, including male sex, age, presence of hypertension, and the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), uric acid, and total bilirubin, were associated with CHD in a primary univariate analysis. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the GG genotype (GG:AA, odds ratio (OR)=2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.21-5.23), male sex, advanced age (≥60 years), presence of hypertension, LDL-C level≥3.33 mg/dL, HDL-C level<1.03 mg/dL, and TG level≥1.7 mg/dL were independent risk factors for CHD.

The GG genotype of telomerase reverse transcriptase at genetic locus rs2736100 is associated with human atherosclerosis risk in the Han Chinese population.

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the second intron of human TERT (hTERT), rs2736100, acts as a critical factor in hTERT synthesis and activation. The rs2736100 SNP was found to be associated with susceptibility to many cancers. Recently, inhibition of telomerase and marked telomere shortening were determined to be closely associated with the increasing severity of atherosclerosis. The association between the SNP of rs2736100 and the presence of atherosclerosis was evaluated in 84 atherosclerosis patients and 257 healthy controls using multivariate logistic regression analyses. The proportion of the GG genotype in atherosclerosis patients (17.9%) was significantly higher than in the control group (9.7%). Eight variables, including age, gender, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, homocysteine, total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, and rs2736100 GG genotype, were associated with atherosclerosis with odds ratios of 1.88, 2.11, 1.66, 0.23, 1.27, 1.29, 1.53, and 1.74, respectively, using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Homozygous GG was demonstrated to be associated with the presence of atherosclerosis in our population.

The first stage of toxicology evaluation and analysis of 1502 pesticide samples / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the results of the first-stage toxicological evaluation of 1 502 pesticide samples.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The classification of the 1 502 pesticide samples was analyzed, and the experimental results of the samples in different years were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Most of the 1 502 pesticide samples were insecticides, accounting for 52.5% of all, followed by bactericides and herbicides. In the 5 years, the proportion of biogenic insecticides showed a significant rising trend (χ² = 11.426, P < 0.05). The proportion of single pesticides was 65.8%; mixed pesticides accounted for 32.7%; original pesticides accounted for only 1.5%. From 2008 to 2012, most pesticides had low toxicity, regardless of the exposure route (via the mouth, skin, or respiratory tract). Acute oral and dermal toxicity tests showed that pesticides with moderate toxicity declined year by year (oral exposure χ² = 18.036, P < 0.01; dermal exposure χ² = 40.482, P < 0.01). There was a small proportion of pesticides with high toxicity. We did not detect any pesticide with extreme toxicity. Acute skin irritation and eye irritation test showed an upward trend in proportion of non-irritating pesticides (χ² = 77.110, P < 0.01; χ² = 12.693, P < 0.05), while the proportion of medium-irritation pesticides decreased significantly (χ² = 18.941, P < 0.01; χ² = 13.129, P < 0.05). Sensitization test showed that all samples were weak sensitizers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The major type of investigated pesticides was insecticide. Most samples were single pesticides, and there was a certain proportion of mixed pesticides. Novel pesticides such as bio-pesticides are the development tendency. The tested pesticides were mainly low-toxicity pesticides, with a certain proportion of medium- and high-toxicity pesticides. Personal protection should be strengthened during production and use of pesticides.</p>

Induction cell damage and change of nuclear factor-kappa B expression by bromoxynil in SH-SY5Y cells / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the cytotoxicity of bromoxynil on SH-SY5Y cells and its effect on the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and I kappa B alpha (IκBα) in SH-SY5Y cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to bromoxynil (10, 50, or 100 µmol/L) for 24 and 48 h, and other SH-SY5Y cells, which were used as a control, were exposed only to dimethyl sulfoxide. After 24 and 48 h of exposure, the morphological changes of these cells were observed under an inverted microscope, and the cytotoxicity of bromoxynil was measured by MTT assay. The cellular proliferation was examined by cell counting after 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of exposure. After 24 h of exposure, the expression of NF-κB was evaluated by Western blot and immunocytochemistry, and the expression of IκBα was evaluated by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cellular proliferation inhibition rates (CPIRs) of 50 and 100 µmol/L groups were significantly higher than that of the control group after 24 and 48 h of exposure (P < 0.05); the CPIR was significantly higher after 48 h than after 24 h in the two groups (P < 0.05). The growth curve revealed that these groups began to show differences in cell count at the 24th of exposure and that the differences were even more marked as the exposure went on (F = 17.15, P < 0.05). The control group had a significantly increased cell count at the 48th, 72nd, and 96th h of exposure (P < 0.05); the 10 and 50 µmol/L groups had a significantly increased cell count at the 72nd and 96th h of exposure (P < 0.05); the 100 µmol/L group showed no significant change in cell count during 96h of exposure. The 50 and 100 µmol/L groups hada significantly longer cell doubling time than the control group (P < 0.05). The immunocytochemistry showed that as the dose of bromoxynil increased, the brownish yellow particles in the cytoplasm and nuclei became darker, the expression of NF-κB was upregulated, and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB was increased. The Western blot showed that the 100 µmol/L group had significantly higher expression of NF-κB in the nuclei than the control group (P < 0.05) and that the 50 and 100 µmol/L groups had significantly lower expression of IκBα in total proteins than the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bromoxynil can inhibit the proliferation of SH-SY5Y cells under this experimental condition, which may be related to activation of NF-κB.</p>

Treating knee osteoarthritis by Chinese medicine and its correlation study with CT changes of infrapatellar fat pad / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the efficacy of Jianbu Tongluo Xunzheng Liquid (JTXL) in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and to explore the correlation between changes of infrapatellar fat pad scanned by CT and the efficacy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 105 KOA outpatients were randomly assigned to three groups, i.e., the treatment group, the control group, and the combination group, 35 in each group. Patients in the treatment group were fumigated by JTXL, 30 min each time, once daily, 10 times as a course of treatment, 3 courses in total. Those in the control group received intra-articular injection of Sodium Hyaluronate Injection (SHI), 3 mL each time, once per 6 days, 5 times in total. Those in the combination group were treated by fumigation of JTXL + intra-articular injection of SHI in the same way as the aforesaid two groups. All patients were treated for 30 days. Their clinical efficacy and changes of infrapatellar fat pad scanned by CT were observed, and their correlation was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 88.57% in the combination group, better than that of the control group (74.29%) and the treatment group (80.00%; both P < 0.05). Besides, the score for knee joint functions at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) was better in the combination group than the other two groups (P < 0.05). The anteroposterior diameter, exterior-interior diameter, the superior-inferior diameter were shortened, and the density decreased in the treatment group and the combination group (P < 0.05). Besides, they were superior to those of the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Changes of infrapatellar fat pad scanned by CT only existed in the combination group and the treatment group, indicating changes of CT scanning was only correlated with effect on changing physicochemical properties of infrapatellar fat pad. Treatment by Chinese medicine could omnipotently and balanced regulate functions and structures of every tissue. Therefore, CT could be taken as a better method for clinical efficacy observation by Chinese medicine.</p>

Study on mechanism of trimethyltin chloride-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of trimethyltin chloride (TMT) on proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and NF-κB expression in PC12 cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC12 cells were treated with 0, 0.3125, 0.6250, 1.2500, 2.5000, 5.0000, 10.0000, and 20.0000 µmol/L TMT for 24 and 48 h, and MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability. PC12 cells were treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 12 and 24 h, and flow cytometry was used to measure the apoptotic rates of cells. PC12 cells were treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 6 h, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. PC12 cells were treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 12 h, and Western blot was used to measure NF-κB levels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with solvent controls, the PC12 cells treated with 2.5000, 5.0000, 10.0000, and 20.0000 µmol/L TMT for 24 h showed significantly decreased cell viability (P < 0.05); the PC12 cells treated with 1.2500, 2.5000, 5.0000, 10.0000, and 20.0000 µmol/L TMT for 48 h showed significantly decreased cell viability (P < 0.05). The PC12 cells treated with 1.2500, 2.5000, 5.0000, and 10.0000 µmol/L TMT for 12 h had apoptotic rates of 15.30% ± 0.75%, 18.90% ± 0.61%, 22.00% ± 0.60%, and 36.50% ± 0.66%, respectively, and the PC12 cells treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT for 24 h had apoptotic rates of 28.6% ± 0.40%, 43.54% ± 2.00%, 65.73% ± 0.71%, and 74.67% ± 0.40%, respectively, all significantly higher than those of the control group (12 h: 12.80% ± 1.00%, 24h: 16.83% ± 0.25%) (P < 0.05). The ROS fluorescence intensities of the PC12 cells treated with 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT were 1.42, 1.71, 1.78, and 1.89 times that of the control group (P < 0.05); the PC12 cells treated with 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT had GSH levels of 0.17 ± 0.0, 0.20 ± 0.04, and 0.07 ± 0.03 µmol/µg protein, significantly lower than that of the control group (0.30 ± 0.01 µmol/L protein) (P < 0.05). The PC12 cells treated with 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 µmol/L TMT had significantly higher expression of NF-κB p65 than the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under our laboratory conditions, TMT can significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in PC12 cells, which may be related to oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling pathway activation.</p>

Protected effects of MG-132 on apoptosis induced by deltamethrin in rat's hippocampus / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the protective effect of MG-132 on hippocampus cells apoptosis induced by deltamethrin (DM), one kind of pyrethroid pesticide.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>40 Male wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: olive oil control, DM treated alone (12.5 mg/kg), MG-132 (0.5 mg/kg) plus DM group, MG-132 treated 2h plus olive oil. After 24h treatment of DM, the hippocampus was taken out to detect the apoptotic cell rate, the level of bcl-2 and Caspase-3 activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with DM treated alone group (27.29% +/- 2.41%), the apoptotic cell rate in MG-132 + DM group (19.94% +/- 2.07%) was increased (P < 0.05), bcl-2 expression was enhanced [(0.43 +/- 0.06) vs. (2.01 +/- 0.23)] (P < 0.05) and the activity of Caspase-3 was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in MG-132 treated 2h plus DM group [(4.55 +/- 0.46) vs.(3.73 +/- 0.35)].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MG-132 can protect hippocampus cells against apoptosis induced by deltamethrin.</p>

Effect of deltamethrin on production of free radical and transcription factor Nrf2 in rats' brain tissue / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of deltamethrin (DM) on production of free radical and transcription factor Nrf2 in rats' brain tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>8 male rats were randomly assigned to four groups and administered with 1% W/W tertiary butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) or olive oil for 3 days, prior to exposure to DM and then with 12.50 mg or 0mg DM/Kg BW for 5 days. The level of free radical in rats' hippocampus tissue was detected by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. 18 male rats were randomly assigned to three groups and administered with i.p. (daily dose was respectively 0, 3.13, 12.50 mg/kg DM) for five days. After treatment, Nrf2 protein levels in the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of both cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue were measured by western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of free radical in hippocampus tissue of rats administered by DM and pretreatment with tBHQ prior to DM were increased to a 2.45-fold and 2.97-fold of values of control group, respectively (P < 0.05). Nrf2 protein levels in the cytoplasmic fractions of cerebral cortex of both low and high dose group were significantly increased, 1.68- fold and 1.34- fold of values of control group, respectively. Nrf2 protein levels in the nuclear fractions of cerebral cortex of both low and high dose group were increased in a dose- dependent model, 1.51-fold and 2.29-fold of values of control group, respectively (P < 0.01). Nrf2 protein levels in the cytoplasmic fractions of hippocampus tissue of both low and high dose group were increased in a dose- dependent model, 2.26-fold and 3.58-fold of values of control group, respectively. Nrf2 protein levels in the nuclear fractions of hippocampus tissue of both low and high dose group were increased, 2.42-fold and 2.45-fold of values of control group, respectively (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The studies in vivo demonstrate that DM treatment could induce free radical production and expression of Nrf2 protein in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue and activate Nrf2.</p>

Protective effect of tert-butylhydroquinone on PC12 cells from neurotoxicity induced by manganese in vitro / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of the tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) on PC12 cells from neurotoxicity induced by manganese.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, following the PC12 cells treatment with different concentrations of MnCl₂ (300, 600, 900 μmol/L) for 24, 48 or 72 h. PC12 cells were pretreated with 40 μmol/L tBHQ for 12 h, followed by the treatment of 600 micromol/L or 300 μmol/L MnCl₂ for 72 h. Cytotoxicity of PC12 cells was measured by MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was examined by the method of Annexin V-FITC/PI in flow cytometry (FCM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proliferation of PC12 cells treated with 300, 600, 900 μmol/L MnCl2 was suppressed in the dose dependent pattern (P < 0.01). Proliferation of PC12 cells treated with 600 μmol/L MnCl₂ was suppressed to 40% of that in control group (P < 0.01), but the proliferation rate of PC12 cell pretreated with 40 μmol/L tBHQ was 180% of that in control group (P < 0.01). Apoptotic rate of PC12 cells treated with 300 micromol/L MnCl₂ was higher than the vehicle control group (P < 0.01). Apoptotic rate of 40 μmol/L tBHQ pretreatment followed by 300 μmol/L MnCl₂ treatment was lower than that of MnCl2 treatment group (P < 0.01). The inhibition rate of apoptosis was 61%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Manganese may suppress PC12 cells proliferation and induce apoptosis. tBHQ can reduce PC12 cells proliferation suppressed by manganese and attenuate the apoptosis induced by manganese.</p>

Clinical observation on the effect of Zengse Pill in treating patients with vitiligo of qi-stagnancy and blood-stasis syndrome type / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of Zengse Pill ( ZSP) on patients with vitiligo of qi-stagnancy and blood-stasis syndrome type (V-QB), and to preliminarily explore its mechanism of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-five V-QB patients, with their diagnosis confirmed by clinical examination, were randomized by digital table method into two groups, with 31 patients in the control group and 34 in the treatment group. Cobamamide (2 tablets) was administered orally to all patients, and Psoralea tincture (a self-formulated preparation) was applied externally thrice a day. In addition, for patients in the treatment group, ZSP was given orally, at 5 pills per dose, 3 times every day. The therapeutic course for both groups was 3 months. Patients were re-examined every half-month, and changes in the skin lesions were observed and recorded. The levels of lymphocyte subsets, serum immune globulin, and complement C3 and C4 in patients were determined before and after the therapeutic course and compared with the corresponding indexes determined in 21 healthy subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate in the treatment group was 82.4%, which was markedly higher than that in the control group (54.8%), showing a significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment, CD(4) (+) percentage, CD(4) (+)/CD(8) (+) ratio, and blood levels of C3 and C4 increased, while CD(8) (+) percentage decreased in the treatment group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). All these indexes remained unchanged in the control group, and the respective comparisons between groups showed significant differences (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZSP has a definite clinical effect on the treatment of V-QB but with no evident adverse reactions, and it can increase the CD(4) (+) percentage, CD(4) (+)/CD(8) (+) ratio, and the levels of serum C3 and C4, thus regulating the immunity of the organism, which might be one of its mechanisms of action.</p>

Effect of deltamethrin on production of reactive oxygen species in PC12 cells / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of deltamethrin (DM) on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC12 cells were treated with various dose of DM (0, 10 or 100 micromol/L) for 1, 6 or 12 h respectively. Furthermore, PC12 cells were treated with various dose of DM (0, 10 or 100 micromol/L) for 24 or 48 h, respectively. PC12 cells were pre-incubated with 10 mmol/L N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) for 2 h, or with 500 micromol/L DL-Buthionine-[S, R]-Sulfoximine (BSO) for 16 h, or with 40 micromol/L tertiary butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) for 16 h, prior to exposure to DM and then with 10 micromol/L DM for 6 h. After treatment, ROS production in PC12 cells were measured by a molecular probe, 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DM induced a dose-time dependent increase in ROS production (indicated by DCF fluorescence intensity). 10 micromol/L DM treatment for 6 h enhanced DCF fluorescence intensity that reached approximately 2.24 times of values of control group. Furthermore, a pretreatment with NAC, BSO or tBHQ significantly reduced the DM-enhanced DCF fluorescence intensity that reached approximately 22%, 62% or 38% of values of DM treatment, respectively (P < 0.05), indicating that all these pretreatments attenuate ROS production.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The in vitro studies demonstrate that DM could enhance ROS production, and may be the influential factor for the decreased mercapto level and antioxidative function.</p>

Toxicity and oxidative stress on rats by hexachlorobenzene / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the toxicity on rats by hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and to explore the role of oxidative stress in the mechanism of HCB intoxication.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD female rats were fed on a powdered diet containing 0.25 per thousand or 2.00 per thousand HCB for 14 days. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of total-superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, liver tissue and serum were determined. Eleven biochemical indicators including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were surveyed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) MDA levels in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, liver and serum of the high dosage group rats and that in hippocampus and serum of the low dosage group were significantly higher than that of the control group. (2) The activity of T-SOD was increased in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the rats in both groups (P < 0.01), but decreased in the serum of the high dosage group (P < 0.01). (3) The activity of CAT was also increased in the hippocampus of rats in the high dosage group. (4) In cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the rats in the high dosage group and in the hippocampus of the rats in the low dosage group, the activity of GSH-PX was significantly higher compared with the control group. However, in liver of both dosage groups, the activity of GSH-PX was decreased (P < 0.01). (5) The activity of serum alkaline phosphatase of both dosage groups was also decreased, but the contents of both serum albumin and total cholesterol were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HCB can induce enhanced lipid peroxidation on SD rats, and the oxidative stress plays an important role in the mechanism of neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity.</p>

Effects of deltamethrin on gene expression of some antioxidase, gamma glutamylcysteine synthetase and NFE2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in brain tissue / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of deltamethrin (DM) on the mRNA expression of copper-zinc dependent SOD (CuZn-SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and gamma glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) light subunit (GCSl), as well as on expression of both mRNA and protein of gamma-GCS heavy subunit (GCSh) and NFE2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen Wistar male rats were randomizedly divided into three groups, six for each group. The low dosage and high dosage DM treated groups were administrated intraperitoneally with DM (the daily dosage was 3.125, 12.500 mg/kg BWT respectively) for five consecutive days while the control group was administered intraperitoneally with olive oil. The relative amount of mRNA expression of these genes was measured by the method of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (n = 6). The protein level was detected by the method of immunohistochemistry and image analysis system (n = 4).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no change in mRNA expression level of CuZn-SOD, GR, GCSh and Nrf2 gene in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue in rats administrated with DM. However, the mRNA level of GCSl gene in cerebral cortex of high dosage group as well as in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the low dosage group was significantly lower than that in corresponding tissue in the control group, and was decreased to 71.1%, 63.6% and 75.2% of mRNA level of corresponding tissue in the control group (P < 0.01). There was no obvious effect on protein level of both GCSh and Nrf2 in CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) of hippocampus as well as on that in cerebral cortex in rats treated with DM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Under the experimental conditions, there is no obvious effect in the mRNA expression level of CuZn-SOD, GR gene, as well as on expression of both mRNA and protein of Nrf2 gene in both cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue in rats administered with DM. DM depresses the mRNA expression of GCSl gene, but does not affect the mRNA expression of GCSh gene.</p>

Effects of deltamethrin on permeability of mitochondrial membrane and expression of cytochrome C in brain tissue of rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of deltamethrin (DM) on the permeability of mitochondrial membrane and the expression of cytochrome C in brain tissue of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats were randomizedly divided into five groups (including four treated groups and one control group). In the treated groups, DM of 12.5 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally once in rats and the rats were sacrificed 5, 24, 48 and 72 hours later while in the control group, the salad oil of 5 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally once. The mitochondria in brain tissue of rats were extracted to measure the membrane permeability and the activity of cytochrome C oxidase as well as the expression of cytochrome C in cortex and hippocampus.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the treatment the permeability of mitochondrial membrane was significantly increased in the treated groups compared with the control group. The expression of cytochrome C was increased in cortex and hippocampus CA1 and CA2 5 h, 24 h and 48 h groups and CA4 24 h group (0.57 +/- 0.04, 0.67 +/- 0.09, 0.58 +/- 0.04) and (0.81 +/- 0.18) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) while there was no significant difference in the expression of cytochrome C in cortex and hippocampus CA2 72 h group and CA3 and CA4 5 h, 48 h and 72 h groups between the treated groups and the control group (P > 0.05). The activity of cytochrome C oxidase was inhibited (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Deltamethrin can significantly increase the permeability of mitochondrial membrane and the expression of cytochrome C in brain tissue of rats.</p>

Effects of deltamethrin on neurobehavioral development of offspring of intoxicated rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of deltamethrin on the filial brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and neurobehavioral development of the exposed lactational rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant rats were randomizedly divided into the treated group and the control group. The treated group was administered orally with 3.35, 6.70 mg/kg deltamethrin every other day from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND 19 while the control group was administered with the corn oil of same amount in the same period. The activity of NOS of filial brain and neurobehavioral functions of the filial rats were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The lactational survival rate (81.80%:78.60%) in both treated groups was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) compared with that in the control group. The body weight of filial rats on PND 10, 21 in 6.70 mg/kg DM treated group [(16.62 +/- 2.2 8), (31.34 +/- 6.94) g] was less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The delayed time in the filial rats in 6.70 mg/kg group was (3.05 +/- 1.20) s and the positive rates of passive escaping response in 3.35 and 6.70 mg/kg DM treated group were 22.5% and 21.5% respectively. There was the trend of the developmental increase of the activity of filial brain NOS between PND 5 and PND 21 and the NOS activity of rat brain on PND 5 in 6.70 mg/kg group [(0.60 +/- 0.07) U.mg pro(-1).h(-1)] was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to high dose of deltamethrin in lactational female rats will decrease the activity of NOS of brain and retard the neurobehavioral development of their filial rats.</p>