[Chemical constituents of Clematis intricata Bunge]

Five compounds were isolated from the aerial part of Clematis intricata for the first time. On the basis of spectral data (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR and 13CNMR), they were identified as scopoletin, caffeic acid, inositol, 1-tria-contanol and beta-sitosterol.

Expression of human interleukin-11 cDNA in E. coli

A 551-bp hIL-11 gene fragment that includes no nucleotide sequences encoding signal polypeptide and the initial 8 amino acids of the mature protein was cloned into a high-level expression vector pEx31B of E. coli. The authors identified the recombinant plasmid, designated pEx31-IL11, by restriction endonucleases digestion and DNA sequencing. The resulting recombinant plasmids were then used to transform E. coli strain HB101, and expression in the PL promoter system, which is temperature-regulated, was achieved. The expressed fusion protein amounts to 50% of total bacterial proteins. The hIL-11 protein expressed in E. coli was fused to the N-terminal 99 amino acids of the MS2 polymerase to form the inclusion body. These recombinant proteins can be purified to about 80% by extracting inclusion body with urea. One IL-6-dependent cell line 7 TD1 was used for bioassay. The recombinant hIL-11 protein was preliminarily purified and renatured to a specific activity of 10(5)U/mg, even in the presence of an excess of a neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody.

Age-related changes in electrophysiological responses to muscarinic receptor stimulation in rat myocardium

Recent studies have demonstrated that the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses of the heart to cholinergic muscarinic receptor stimulation are strikingly enhanced with aging in the rat model. The present study investigated the electrophysiological basis of this phenomenon by determining the effects of a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol, on transmembrane action potential parameters in right atrial tissue and right ventricular free wall preparations from adult (6-8 months old) and aged (26-28 months old) Fischer 344 rats. In addition, the effect of carbachol on atrioventricular conduction time (AVT) was determined in isolated perfused beating hearts. The results showed the following. The baseline maximum diastolic potential (MDP: adult, -76.4 +/- 1.8 mV; aged, -66.8 +/- 1.5 mV; p < 0.05; n = 5) but not the action potential duration measured at 95% repolarization (APD95: adult, 40.0 +/- 5.0 ms; aged, 47.4 +/- 6.7 ms; n = 5) differed significantly in aged compared with adult atrium. No significant age-related difference was evident in baseline MDP measured in ventricular epicardium (adult, -69.8 +/- 0.5 mV; aged, -69.0 +/- 1.1 mV; n = 6) or endocardium (adult, -72.5 +/- 1.4 mV; aged, -73.0 +/- 1.2 mV; n =6). The baseline action potential duration measured at 50% repolarization (APD50) differed significantly with age in ventricular endocardium (adult, 11.6 +/- 2.2 ms; aged, 23.0 +/- 4.6 ms; p < 0.05; n =6) but not in epicardium (APD50: adult, 8.1 +/- 0.4 ms; aged, 13.0 +/- 2.3 ms; n = 6). Superfusion with carbachol (0.1 nM - 10 mu M) resulted in concentration-dependent hyperpolarization of MDP in atrium; the magnitude of hyperpolarization differed significantly with age (2.5-fold higher in the aged; p < 0.05; n = 5). Carbachol caused concentration-dependent shortening of APD50; this effect differed significantly with age in the ventricle (2-fold greater in the aged; p < 0.05; n = 6) but not in the atrium. Carbachol prolonged the AVT in atrial-paced (240 beats/min) hearts; the magnitude of carbachol-induced increase in AVT did not differ significantly with age. These results are consistent with the possibility that in the aging heart, greater hyperpolarization at the level of the right atrium (likely involving pacemaker cells) and greater shortening of APD50 at the level of ventricular myocytes may contribute to the enhanced cholinergic-triggered bradycardia and negative inotropic response, respectively.

The modality of huoxue-huayu in treatment of retinal vein occlusion

BACKGROUND

There were some reports in China about Huoxue-Huayu therapy on retinal vein occlusion (RVO), but prospective and systematic studies are very few. The curative effect and mechanism of this therapy on RVO have not been reported previously.

METHODS

80 patients with RVO were randomly divided into 2 groups, Fundus III (group A) and urokinase group (group B). Group A was treated by Fundus III oral liquid (a composite herbal recipe for Huoxue-Huayu or invigoration of blood circulation and reduction of blood stasis) 10ml/time P.O. t.i.d. The treatment course was 1 mouth. Group B was treated by urokinase. The urokinase that produced in China was used 10,000 u + 5% glucose 500ml/day i.v. drip for 5 days in a course, the rest 5 days going on another course. The total treatment courses lasted 1 month, too.

RESULTS

The visual acuity in group A was remarkably improved while that in group B did not change. The extravasated retinal blood was evidently absorbed in 92.7% of the cases in group A and in 66.7% of those in group B. The difference was significant. Fundus III also improved the retinal circulation, decreased the whole blood viscosity and fibrinogen and reduced leakage of the retinal capillaries. The total effective rates were 83.7% in group A and 53.7% in group B with significant statistical difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Fundus III may alleviate retinal edema and necroses, improve the recovering of visual acuity, the retinal microcirculation, the rate of absorbing of retinal haemorrhage and treat RVO, and the curative effect is better than urokinase.

Electro-oculogram of retinal vein occlusion

Twenty five cases, including 26 eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) were examined by means of the electro-oculogram. The results showed that 23 of the 26 eyes suffering from RVO exhibited abnormalities of the electro-oculogram (EOG). The potential difference and Arden ratio in the RVO eyes were lower than those in the normal eyes (P < 0.01). The more the visual acuity of ill eyes was decreased, the higher the abnormal rate of EOG in ill eyes was. 14 eyes had the visual acuity less than 0.1, whose EOGs were abnormal. Six eyes had the visual acuity from 0.2 to 0.4, in which the EOGs of 5 eyes were abnormal. Six eyes had the visual acuity more than 0.5, among which the EOGs of 4 eyes were abnormal. Based on the above observations, it may be considered that the circulatory disturbance resulting from RVO damages not only the internal layer but also the external layer of the retina. We suggest that EOG is a useful method for distinguishing lesions caused by RVO and may reflect the functional condition of the outer layer of the retina.

Hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic mechanisms of experimental pulmonary edema in rats and the effects of anisodamine and tetramethylpyrazine--estimation of blood gas analysis, RBC superoxide dismutase and prostaglandin E2 in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (Part 3)

Anisodamine (ADM, 654-2, 30 mg/kg) and tetramethylpyrazine (TMP, 120 mg/kg) have shown an apparent preventive effect on pulmonary edema (PE). In this study, the nonhemodynamic mechanism was studied: The dynamic changes of PaO2, O2Sat, PaCO2, and blood pH were measured, and RBC superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) PGE2 levels were estimated. It was concluded that ADM and TMP exerted inhibitory effects on the hypoxic state. The ability of ADM and TMP to adjust RBC SOD and PGE2 levels may be one of the preventive mechanisms of the drugs.

Potential cellular mechanisms of hydrogen peroxide-induced cardiac arrhythmias

The electrophysiologic effects of hydrogen peroxide on the isolated guinea pig right ventricular free wall were studied using simultaneous recordings of action potentials from the epicardium and the endocardium. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide caused a time- and concentration-dependent change in action potential characteristics. Action potential durations at 50 and 90% of repolarization (APD50 and APD90, respectively) were significantly prolonged by hydrogen peroxide in both the epicardium and the endocardium. Although prolongation occurred at lower concentrations (0.5 mM) in the epicardium, increases in APD in response to higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (1 or 4 mM) were maintained for a longer period of time in the endocardium. In addition, hydrogen peroxide (1 or 4 mM) caused significant depolarization in the epicardium after 10 min, although this effect was observed only in the endocardium exposed to 4 mM hydrogen peroxide. Ventricular arrhythmias were observed in 5 of 7, 6 of 7, and 7 of 7 preparations exposed to 0.5, 1, and 4 mM hydrogen peroxide, respectively. The most frequently observed electrophysiologic abnormalities were associated with increased automaticity. Coupled beats, including clearly identifiable early and delayed depolarizations, were also observed. Verapamil (2 microM) and amiloride (0.1 mM) reduced both the incidence and the duration of hydrogen peroxide-induced arrhythmias but did not influence the effects on APD. This study is the first demonstration of hydrogen peroxide-mediated transmural dispersion in APD that could play an important role in the development of ventricular arrhythmias. In addition, our results demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide can induce ventricular arrhythmias through several cellular mechanisms, including increased automaticity, coupled beats, and triggered activity.

Protective effects of amiloride on the ischemic reperfused rat heart. Relation to mitochondrial function

We examined the effect of amiloride on mechanical, electrical and mitochondrial function as well as ultrastructural integrity, in isolated rat hearts subjected to 30 min low-flow ischemia and 30 min reperfusion. In control hearts, ischemia produced a rapid loss of contractility and a concomitant elevation in resting tension which were associated with a 100% incidence in arrhythmic activity. Reperfusion produced a 22 and 54% recovery in force and rate of force (dF/dt) development, respectively. In control hearts the incidence of arrhythmias was 100% within 5 min of reperfusion which then declined to 50% by 30 min. Ultrastructural defects in these hearts were restricted primarily to mitochondrial damage. Amiloride significantly attenuated the elevation in resting tension at the end of ischemia. Postischemic recovery was significantly increased to 38 and 86% for force and dF/dt, respectively and the incidence of arrhythmias was reduced to 30%. No ultrastructural defects were ever observed in amiloride-treated reperfused hearts. Both interfibrillar and subsarcolemmal mitochondria exhibited depressed respiratory function and adenine nucleotide translocase activity. Although virtually all parameters tended to be elevated in mitochondria isolated from amiloride-treated hearts, a significant increase was seen in only one case. Our results therefore demonstrate an ability of amiloride to enhance postischemic contractile recovery and reduce the incidence of arrhythmias, particularly during reperfusion, an effect associated with virtual total prevention of ultrastructural defects. Although the salutary effect was not significantly correlated to improved mitochondrial function, this dissociation may have been due to removal of damaged mitochondria during the isolation process, in view of diminished mitochondrial damage as viewed by transmission electron microscopy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protective effects of D,L-carnitine against arrhythmias induced by lysophosphatidylcholine or reperfusion

Electrophysiological effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (50 or 100 microM) and D,L-carnitine (100 microM) were studied under control conditions and in response to simulated ischaemia and reperfusion using the superfused right ventricular free wall preparation from the guinea pig heart. Lysophosphatidylcholine, 100 microM, induced a significant depolarization of the maximum diastolic potential (MDP) in the epicardium, as well as the development of ventricular premature beats, salvos and ventricular tachycardia. Both coupled beats and abnormal automaticity were observed in lysophosphatidylcholine (100 microM)-treated preparations. Carnitine (100 microM) alone had no effect on preparations superfused with normal Tyrode solution. However, it delayed the time to onset and reduced the cumulative duration of lysophosphatidylcholine-induced arrhythmias (P less than 0.05). The incidence of lysophosphatidylcholine-induced abnormal automaticity and salvos was also significantly decreased in the presence of carnitine. Twenty minutes of simulated ischaemia caused depolarization of MDP as well as prolongation followed by block of transmural conduction. Lysophosphatidylcholine (100 microM) did not alter this response however, carnitine significantly reduced ischaemia-induced depolarization in the epicardium. All control preparations developed arrhythmic activity during 30 min of reperfusion. Carnitine accelerated recovery of MDP in the epicardium upon reperfusion, prolonged the time to onset of arrhythmic activity and reduced both its cumulative duration and incidence. In contrast, reperfusion in the presence of lysophosphatidylcholine (100 microM) significantly increased the incidence of arrhythmic activity. Carnitine exerted only minimal antiarrhythmic action when preparations were exposed to reperfusion in the presence of lysophosphatidylcholine. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that carnitine can modify various cellular mechanisms of arrhythmia induced by lysophosphatidylcholine or by reperfusion but is much less effective when lysophosphatidylcholine and reperfusion are combined.

Dentition, oral hygiene, and risk of oral cancer: a case-control study in Beijing, People's Republic of China

A case-control study of oral cancer was conducted in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The study was hospital-based and controls were hospital in-patients matched to the cases by age and gender. A total of 404 case/control pairs were interviewed. This paper provides data regarding oral conditions as risk factors for oral cancer, with every patient having an intact mouth examined (pre-operation among cases) using a standard examination completed by trained oral physicians. After adjustment for tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, poor dentition--as reflected by missing teeth--emerged as a strong risk factor for oral cancer: the odds ratio (OR) for those who had lost 15-32 teeth compared to those who had lost none was 5.3 for men and 7.3 for women and the trend was significant (P less than 0.01) in both genders. Those who reported that they did not brush their teeth also had an elevated risk (OR = 6.9 for men, 2.5 for women). Compared to those who had no oral mucosal lesions on examination (OR = 1.0), persons with leukoplakia and lichen planus also showed an elevated risk of oral cancer among men and women. Denture wearing per se did not increase oral cancer risk (OR = 1.0 for men, 1.3 for women) although wearing metal dentures augmented risk (OR = 5.5 for men). These findings indicate that oral hygiene and several oral conditions are risk factors for oral cancer, independently of the known risks associated with smoking and drinking.

Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and risk of oral cancer: a case-control study in Beijing, People's Republic of China

A case-control study of oral cancer was conducted in Beijing, People's Republic of China (PRC). The study was hospital-based and controls were hospital in-patients matched for age and gender with the cases. The response rates for cases and controls were 100 percent and 404 case/control pairs were interviewed. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption emerged as independent risk factors for oral cancer. For tobacco smoking, the association was considerably stronger for smokers of pipes than for smokers of cigarettes. For all kinds of tobacco, expressed as cigarette equivalents, the odds ratio (OR) for total pack-years smoked, among males, rose from 1.0 in never-smokers to 3.7 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.8-7.4) in the highest quintile of exposure. Similar results were found for females. The association with tobacco consumption was strong for squamous cell carcinoma but there was no trend in risk associated with tobacco for adenocarcinomas and other histologic types. So few women reported consuming alcohol that this variable could be examined only in males. Risk in the highest category of total lifetime intake of alcohol relative to that in lifetime abstainers was 2.3 (1.1-4.8) with a significant trend in risk with increasing dose (P less than 0.002). The combined effects of tobacco and alcohol appear to be approximately multiplicative in males. The attributable risk of oral cancer for tobacco among tobacco smokers was estimated as 34 percent (45 percent among males and 21 percent among females); for alcohol consumption in males the estimate was 23 percent.

Interactions between inhibition factors on microbial stability of fruit-based systems

Measurement of metabolic CO2 by head space gas chromatography was used in the preparation of shelf-life maps of fruit-based systems. The systems analysed, all of which were peach-based, differed with respect to aw (0.995, 0.934 and 0.890), pH (3.02, 3.60 and 4.09) and benzoic acid concentration (0, 100 and 200 ppm). The test microorganism was a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from spoiled soft-drinks and chosen for its characteristic of multiple resistance. Three different thermal treatments were applied (54 degrees C for 15 min, 58 degrees C for 8 min, 63 degrees C for 3 min) to the systems and their effectiveness was evaluated in relation to the untreated controls. In contrast with observations for osmotolerant species, the relative preservative effectiveness on the test strain decreased with reducing aw and showed only a slight synergistic action with thermal treatment. Besides, the aw of the systems interacted synergistically with the thermal treatment effectiveness in a manner differing from that described for osmotolerant species.

Relationship between oxidative phosphorylation and adenine nucleotide translocase activity of two populations of cardiac mitochondria and mechanical recovery of ischemic hearts following reperfusion

The possible relationship of the atractyloside-sensitive adenine nucleotide translocase activity, oxidative phosphorylation, and the recovery of ventricular contractility following reperfusion of the ischemic isolated rat heart was studied. Five minutes of total global ischemia without reperfusion produced a significant depression in adenine nucleotide translocase in subsarcolemmal mitochondria (SLM), whereas a minimum of 10 min ischemia was required to observe a significant depression in interfibrillar mitochondria (IFM). Increasing durations of ischemia resulted in a progressively larger depression in translocase activity, with a maximum depression of approximately 75% seen in both populations following 20 min ischemia. In contrast, oxidative phosphorylation was totally unaffected in either mitochondrial population following up to 20 min of ischemia. We assessed whether translocase activity or oxidative phosphorylation were related to contractile recovery in hearts reperfused following various durations of ischemia. In SLM, translocase activity was further depressed following reperfusion compared with pre-reperfusion ischemic values, whereas with IFM only reperfusion following 5 min ischemia produced a further depression in translocase values. Oxidative phosphorylation rates of SLM and IFM were significantly depressed following reperfusion of ischemic hearts, although SLM exhibited a generally higher sensitivity in this regard. In reperfused hearts, an overall significant relationship was found between oxidative phosphorylation rate and adenine translocase activity as well as between translocase activity and post-reperfusion contractile recovery. These data show that ischemia can produce a significant depression in translocase activity in the absence of any change in oxidative phosphorylation. The results also suggest that the depression in mitochondrial ADP/ATP translocase and subsequent inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in the reperfused heart may represent one of the important contributory mechanisms involved in cardiac failure and injury during acute ischemia and reperfusion.

A rapid phosphate-induced depression of heart subsarcolemmal mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) was added to suspensions of interfibrillar (IFM) and subsarcolemmal (SLM) mitochondria. With 20 mM Pi, significant depression in SLM oxidative phosphorylation was seen after 60 seconds exposure whereas 120 seconds was required to depress IFM, although to a lesser degree. Oxidative phosphorylation rate of SLM was significantly depressed by 1 minute incubation with 2.5-20 mM Pi, whereas IFM were unaffected. Five minute incubation with similar Pi concentrations produced equal depression in both populations. We postulate that the rapid increase in intracellular Pi may contribute to contractile failure associated with early ischemia by depressing a critical pool of ATP synthesis represented by SLM.

Enhancement of clonidine-induced analgesia by lesions induced with spinal and intracerebroventricular administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine

The role of serotonin (5-HT) in analgesia induced by clonidine was examined by determining the effect of intraspinal (i.s.) and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) on analgesia produced by clonidine in the tail-flick and hot plate tests. Depletion of amines was verified by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Intraspinal injections of 5,7-DHT potentiated the action of clonidine in both tests for analgesia and caused depletion of 5-HT in the spinal cord. Intracerebroventricularly injected 5,7-DHT also increased the action of clonidine and depleted 5-HT in brain as well as in the spinal cord. In the groups given intracerebroventricular injections, there appeared to be a biphasic increase in the action of the clonidine. Significant hyperalgesia from pretreatment with neurotoxin was observed only on a limited number of occasions. The present results indicate that 5-HT mechanisms in the CNS are important mediators of the analgesic action of clonidine. Interactions between clonidine and 5-HT systems at both spinal and supraspinal sites are considered.