The screening and isolation of an effective anti-endotoxin monomer from Radix Paeoniae Rubra using affinity biosensor technology.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a known trigger in the pathogenesis of sepsis, lipid A being the toxic component. One of several adjuvant therapeutic approaches for severe sepsis is currently focusing on the neutralization of LPS. In order to obtain the components from traditional Chinese herbs that can neutralize the endotoxin, aqueous extractions were tested using affinity biosensor technology. From amongst 42 herbs, eight were found to possess lipid A-binding abilities. Radix Paeoniae Rubras had the highest lipid A-binding ability; therefore an aqueous extraction from this plant was investigated further. After preparation using standard methods, including silica gel chromatography and HPLC, we obtained 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-beta-d-pentagalloylglucose (PGG), with lipid A-binding ability. It was found that in vitro, PGG directly bound to lipid A, with a Kd of 32 microM, and that it neutralized the endotoxin both in the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay and in a TNF-alpha release experiment, in a dose-dependent manner. In in vivo experiments, PGG was found to protect mice from a lethal challenge by LPS, and significantly decreased the plasma endotoxin level both in endotoxemic mice and rats, the reduction of the endotoxin level in rats being tightly associated with the TNF-alpha level. In conclusion, we demonstrate the effectiveness of affinity biosensor technology in discovering useful agents amongst traditional Chinese herbs and using this approach we found a new anti-endotoxin agent.

Effect of heart catheterization on organ function in rat / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To observe the impact of heart catheterization on blood and organ function,and create an stable animal model.Methods Ten male Wistar rats were divided into control group undergoing sham operation and experimental group undergoing improved heart catheterization(n=5 in each group).Blood samples were obtained every day from 10 rats before and after operation,and white blood cell(WBC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cr),creatine phosphokinase(CK) and lipopolysaccharide were detected.The pathomorphology of heart,liver and kidney in catheterized rats was observed on postoperative day 7.Results For the catheterized rats,blood cultures were negative of bacteria and the markers above were within normal range except for CK that recovered to normal value in 7 d,while the control rats had no obvious damage.Conclusion Heart catheterization causes no infection and organ function changes in rats.The animal model of heart catheterization for clinical pharmacological research is reliable.

Extraction and isolation of antiendotoxin constituent from Radix Paeoniae Rubra / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To isolate and extract effective antiendotoxin materials from Radix Paeoniae Rubra.Methods By the biosensor technology,effective antiendotoxin materials were isolated and extracted with general separation technology for Chinese traditional medicine.By ELISA mensuration for LPS and inhibition of TNF-? release from endotoxin-stimulated cells in vitro,the antiendotoxin activity of Radix Paeoniae Rubra was elucidated.Results The materials extracted had high binding capability to LPS and inhibitory effect on TNF-? release from endotoxin-stimulated cells in vitro.Conclusion Isolated and extracted effective antiendotoxin materials targeting LPS by the biosensor technology were valuable in searching antiendotoxin agents from Radix Paeoniae Rubra.The ability of Radix Paeoniae Rubra to neutralize LPS was assayed and proved very high.

Nosocomial Infection in Clinical Laboratory:Actualities and Measures / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To prevent the nosocomial infection event in the clinical laboratory.METHODS The main methods were to enhance the conception of self-protection,amplify necessary rules and regulations,fine technique training,establish the health-record of the department staff,purchase the facilities of protection,disinfect the instrument and environment of laboratory even the test reports,and reinforce the management of nosocomial infection.RESULTS By means of above mentioned measures and management,we could control in most degree of nosocomial infection in clinical laboratory,and ensure the safety and health of the department staff.CONCLUSIONS The nosocomial infection event of clinical laboratory can be prevented by amplification of necessary rules and regulations as well as enhancement of the training and management.

Clinical characteristics of patients with psoriasis associated with metabolic syndrome / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome(MS) in patients with psoriasis,and explore the clinical features of the patients with metabolic syndrome-associated psoriasis.Methods Two hundred and two patients with psoriasis were investigated by face-to-face questionnaire,physical and laboratory examinations.Information included age,sex,the age of onset,duration of the disease,disease severity,family history,education level,waistline,fasting plasma glucose(FPG),triglyceride(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and blood pressure(BP).The diagnosis of MS was established according to the criteria of International Diabetes Federation(IDF).Results ① Of 202 patients with psoriasis,45 suffered from metabolic syndrome,accounting for 22.27%.② The patients with metabolic syndrome-associated psoriasis always had significantly higher average age and the age of onset,longer disease history and severer symptoms than those psoriasis patients without metabolic syndrome(P0.05).③ The patients with metabolic syndrome-associated psoriasis had significantly longer waistline,fasting plasma glucose,triglyceride,blood pressure and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than the psoriasis patients without metabolic syndrome(P0.05).Conclusion Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among the patients with psoriasis,which might be associated with smoking and drinking.