Identification of a substrate of the renal tubular transporters for detecting drug-induced early acute kidney injury.

Early identification of drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is essential to prevent renal damage. The renal tubules are typically the first to exhibit damage, frequently accompanied by changes in renal tubular transporters. With this in mind, we have identified an endogenous substrate of the renal tubular transporters that may serve as a biomarker for early detection of drug-induced AKI. Using gentamicin (GEN) and vancomycin (VCA)-induced AKI models, we found that traumatic acid (TA), an end metabolite, was rapidly increased in both AKI models. TA, a highly albumin-bound compound (96%-100%), could not be filtered by the glomerulus and was predominantly eliminated by renal tubules via the OAT1, OAT3, OATP4C1, and P-gp transporters. Importantly, there is a correlation between elevated serum TA levels and reduced OAT1 and OAT3 levels. A clinical study showed that serum TA levels rose before an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) in thirteen out of twenty AKI patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. In addition, there was a notable rise in TA levels in the serum of individuals suffering from nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure, and acute renal failure. These results indicate that the decrease in renal tubular transporter expression during drug-induced AKI leads to an increase in the serum TA level, and the change in TA may serve as a monitor for renal tubular injury.

Healthy China Strategy and schistosomiasis control / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

This paper summarizes the changes in the policy associated with schistosmiasis control in the new era, analyzes the background of Health China Strategy and its association with the current schistosomiasis control program in China, describes several schistosomiasis control models and proposes some suggestions responding to the challenges in current schistosomiasis control program of China, so as to provide insights into the development of the effective control strategy for schistosomiasis.

Study on preparation of quercetin nanostructured lipid carriers and their physicochemical properties / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare quercetin nanostuctured lipid carriers (QT-NLC), and detect their physicochemical properties.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>QT-NLC was prepared by emulsification ultrasonic dispersion method, and the optimum prescription was screened out by orthogonal design. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe QT-NLC morphology. Granulometer was applied to determine zeta potential, particle size and distribution. DSC was adopted for phase analysis. Centrifugal ultra-filtration method was used to determine entrapment efficiency. Dialysis method was adopted to detect drug release in vitro of preparations.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>QT-NLC prepared under optimum conditions was mostly spherical grains, with the average particle size of (175 +/- 25) nm, which were distributed evenly, and zeta potential was (-23 +/- 0.3) mV. DSC results indicated that the drug was dispersed in nano-particles in a non-crystalline state, with an entrapment efficiency of (95.43 +/- 0.23)% and a drug-loading capacity of (2.38 +/- 0.24)%. The in vitro drug release was 32.2% in 2 hours, which was followed by a sustained release.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Emulsification ultrasonic dispersion method is applicable for preparing QT-NLC, as nano-particles are distributed evenly, with good reliability. This processing technology is safe, reliable and highly reproducible.</p>

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on endothelial function in menopausal women / 西安交通大学学报·英文版

Objective: To observe the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on endothelial function in menopausal women. Methods: A total of 30 menopausal women were treated with 2.5 mg of Tibolone (Livial) daily. At the same time, 30 women with natural menopause without any treatment served as the control group. Endothelium-dependent (EDD), endothelium-independent (NID) vasodilatation function, and estradiol (E2) were examined by the non-invasive high-resolution ultrasonography before the treatment and at 12th, 24th, 36th and 48th week of treatment, respectively. Results: After hormone treatment, E 2 increased significantly and EDD was improved significantly (P<0.05), and E2 was positively related with EDD (r=0.8092, P<0.001). No change of EDD was observed in the control group whereas a significant increase was observed in the treatment group. Conclusion: Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation dysfunction is prominent in menopausal women. Tibolone can help improve the condition.