[Study on mechanisms of Th17/Treg imbalance in patients with cystic echinococcosis based on miRNA expression profiles]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the serum microRNA (miRNA) expression and examine the impact of miRNA expression profiles on T helper type 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cells (Treg) imbalance among patients with cystic echinococcosis, so as to provide insights into the illustration of the mechanisms underlying chronic Echinococcus granulosus infections, and long-term pathogenesis.

METHODS

Total RNA was extracted from the sera of cystic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls, and subjected to high-throughput sequencing with the Illumina sequencing platform. Known miRNAs were annotated and new miRNAs were predicted using the miRBase database and the miRDeep2 tool, and differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. The target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using the software miRanda and TargetScan, and the intersection was selected for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs with the 20 highest fold changes, miRNAs that targeted genes relating to key transcription factors RORC and FOXP3 that determine the production of Th17 and Treg cells or their important regulatory pathways (PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways) were matched.

RESULTS

A total of 53 differentially expressed miRNAs were screened in sera of cystic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls, including 47 up-regulated miRNAs and 6 down-regulated miRNAs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed miRNA were involved DNA transcription and translation, cell components, cell morphology, neurodevelopment and metabolic decomposition, and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed miRNA were mainly involved in MAPK, PI3K-Akt and mTOR signaling pathways. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs with the 20 highest fold changes, there were 3 miRNAs that had a potential for target regulation of RORC, and 15 miRNAs that had a potential to target the PI3K-Akt and mTOR signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant changes are found in serum miRNA expression profiles among patients with E. granulosus infections, and differentially expressed miRNAs may lead to Th17/Treg imbalance through targeting the key transcription factors of Th17/Treg or PI3K-Akt and mTOR pathways, which facilitates the long-term parasitism of E. granulosus in hosts and causes a chronic disease.

[Analysis on incidence trend of liver cancer in China, 2005-2016]

Objective: To understand the incidence trend of liver cancer in China from 2005 to 2016, and explore the correlation between the incidence trend of liver cancer and the incidence trend of hepatitis B. Methods: The incidence data of liver cancer in China from 2005 to 2016 were collected from the Annual Report of Cancer Registry in China. The incidence data of hepatitis B were collected from China Public Health Science Data Center. World standardized incidence rate (WSR) was calculated according to the World Segi's population. Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trend of WSR of liver cancer [measured by average annual percentage change (AAPC)]. The age-period-cohort model was fitted to analyze the age, period and cohort effects in people aged 20- years and above. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to explore the correlation between the incidence of liver cancer and the incidence of hepatitis B. Results: The crude incidence of liver cancer in China showed a trend of first increase before 2009 and then relatively stable. The world standardized morbidity rate of liver cancer in China decreased from 19.11 per 100 000 in 2005 to 17.74 per 100 000 in 2016 (AAPC=-0.5%, 95%CI: -1.3%-0.3%, P=0.240). The incidence of liver cancer in male decreased significantly (AAPC=-1.0%, 95%CI: -1.5%--0.5%, P=0.001). The incidence of liver cancer in women increased from 2005 to 2010 [annual percentage change (APC)=1.7%, 95%CI: -0.1%-3.4%, P=0.059] but showed a significant decrease trend from 2010 to 2016 (APC=-1.6%, 95%CI: -2.3%--1.0%, P=0.001). From 2005 to 2016, the incidence of liver cancer showed a decreasing trend in urban areas (AAPC=-0.3%, 95%CI: -0.8%-0.3%, P=0.316) and rural areas (AAPC=-3.9%, 95%CI: -4.4%--3.3%, P<0.001). Risk for liver cancer increased with age, while the period effect showed a trend of first increase then decrease and cohort effect showed a decrease trend. The morbidity rates of both hepatitis B and liver cancer showed decrease trends from 2009 to 2016, and there was a significant correlation (r=0.71, 95%CI: 0.01-0.94, P=0.048). Conclusions: From 2005 to 2016, the morbidity rate of liver cancer in China showed a decrease trend, and there were significant gender and urban-rural area specific differences. Age effect had a great impact on the risk for liver cancer. With the progress of population aging in China, liver cancer is still a public health problem, to which close attention needs to be paid.

Effects of IL-1β and IL-18 induced by NLRP3 inflammasome activation on myocardial reperfusion injury after PCI

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in patients with myocardial reperfusion injury after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty healthy controls (control group) and forty patients (treatment group) were recruited in this study. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 at various time points in both the control and treatment groups. Data processing and analysis were performed using the Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) 22.0 software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Pearson's correlation coefficient test was applied in all data analyses. A difference was statistically significant when p<0.05.

RESULTS

The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The IL-1β level in the treatment group peaked at 0.5 h after PCI and then, gradually decreased. The multiple regression analysis showed that IL-1β level was positively correlated with levels of LDL-C and IL-18 (p<0.05, r=0.527 and 0.955 respectively), and negatively correlated with the HDL-C level (p<0.05, r=-0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 significantly rose in patients with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury after PCI.

Exploration of effect of Odanacatib on inhibiting orthodontic recurrence in rats and on CatK and IGF-1 mRNA

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of Odanacatib on orthodontic recurrence in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty rats were selected to establish a planting anchorage molar movement model, and 50 g of force was used for the mesial movement of the right maxillary first molar. Forty rats were randomly divided into the observation group (n=20) and control group (n=20). Odanacatib (60 μl, 1.25 μM) was locally injected into the mucoperiosteum around the right maxillary first molar of rats in the experimental group, and an equal amount of normal saline was injected into rats in the control group. A Vernier caliper was used for measuring the recurrence movement distance and recurrence rate of rats, Micro-CT for scanning the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume fraction (BVF) of the alveolar bone, TRAP special staining for observing changes in osteoclasts and quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) for detecting the mRNA expressions of cathepsin K (CatK) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in periodontal tissues.

RESULTS

After 3 weeks of modeling, the movement distance of the first molar of rats in the two groups was 1.16±0.19 mm. The molar movement distance and recurrence rate of rats were significantly higher in the control group than those in the observation group (p<0.05). The BMD and BVF of the alveolar bone of rats were markedly lower in the control group than those in the observation group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of osteoclasts between the observation group (26.15±3.92) and the control group (27.01±2.74) (t=0.882, p=0.383). The CatK mRNA expression of rats was remarkably lower in the observation group than that in the control group (p<0.05). The IGF-1 mRNA expression of rats was significantly higher in the observation group than that in the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

By promoting the IGF-1 mRNA expression and increasing the BMD and BVF of the alveolar bone, Odanacatib inhibits orthodontic recurrence and has no effect on osteoclast activity.

[Factors affecting the near-infrared autofluorescence intensity of parathyroid glands and intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands]

Objective: To evaluate the potential factors influencing the parathyroid autofluorescence intensity of near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) and further value of NIRF in identifying the parathyroid during surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 51 patients who underwent thyroid or parathyroid surgery in the Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from April to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 16 males and 35 females, aged 18 to 74 years.The fluorescence intensity (FI) of the parathyroid glands, thyroid glands and background, and the number of parathyroid glands detected by NIRF and white light were measured. Variance analysis, two independent samples t test and Spearman rank correlation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between standardized parathyroid FI and clinical variables. Chi square test was used to analyze the difference of parathyroid detection rate between NIRF and white light. Results: In the 51 patients, the mean standardized parathyroid FI was greater than the standardized thyroid FI (1.72 ± 0.68 vs. 1.25 ± 0.40, t=6.555, P<0.001). The standardized parathyroid FI was not associated with gender, age, operation type, BMI, preoperative serum Ca(2+), parathyroid hormone and calcitonin (all P>0.05), but it was associated with disease type (F=2.636, P<0.05). The mean standardized parathyroid FI of SHPT was lower than that of PTC, PTC with nodular goiter or NG(0.70±0.28 vs. 1.86±0.70, 1.69±0.49, 1.64±0.44, t value was 3.023, -1.129,-2.019, respectively, all P<0.05). There was no difference in the standardized parathyroid FI between SHPT and PHPT (1.34±0.18, t=1.218, P>0.05). There was no difference in standardized parathyroid FI between PHPT, PTC, NG, and PTC with NG(all P>0.05). Except for 3 cases of SHPT, 117 parathyroid glands were detected by NIRF and 101 parathyroid glands were detected by white light. The detection rate of parathyroid glands detected by NIRF was higher than that detected by white light (98.32% vs. 84.87%, χ(2)=13.974, P<0.001). In SHPT, the detection rate of parathyroid gland by NIRF was 25.00%. Conclusions: Except SHPT, parathyroid FI is not affected by other clinical variables. NIRF can improve the detection rate of parathyroid glands during operation.

Review of recent advances in the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex but common monogenic cardiovascular disorder characterized by unexplained non dilated left ventricular (LV) thickening in the absence of another cardiac or systemic disease. The condition is associated with sudden and unexpected death in young individuals including trained athletes. HCM represents a genetic disorder caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins of the cardiac myocyte. This review article discusses the genetics behind HCM, its clinical presentation, and diagnosis and the present-day pharmacological management of HCM.

[Progress in the diagnosis of florid cemento-osseous dysplasia]

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FLCOD) is a rare, extensive bone metabolism disorder, which occurs only in the jaw bone. It is usually asymptomatic for a long time and discovered incidentally during a radiological examination. The characteristics of FLCOD in the initial stages are similar to those of periapical granuloma or jaw cyst, which may lead to misdiagnosis. After the lesion is mature, the imaging findings show that radiopaque with a thin radiolucent peripheral halo, which is crucial for the diagnosis of FLCOD, but other jaw lesions have similar imaging findings. Due to the poor blood supply of the lesion, the alveolar bone of root apices of vital teeth is slow to heal after trauma, increasing the chance of infection, which can lead to the osteomyelitis of the jaws and emerge sequestrum. This paper reviews the aspects of pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment.

MAPK pathway regulated the cardiomyocyte apoptosis in mice with post-infarction heart failure

BACKGROUND

To explore the role of the MAPK signaling pathway in the cardiomyocyte apoptosis of mice with post-infarction heart failure (HF).

METHODS

Mice were divided into sham and myocardial infarction (MI) groups. Before surgery, the MI group was divided into SB203580 and PBS subgroups. A post-infarction HF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Ventricular dilatation and cardiac function were observed by small animal echocardiography. The growth of primary cardiomyocytes was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope. The mRNA and protein expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers, GRP78 and CHOP, were detected by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay, respectively.

RESULTS

The MI group had enlarged left ventricle and decreased cardiac function. GRP78 and CHOP protein expressions in myocardial tissues, especially those of SB203580 subgroup, significantly increased (p < 0.05). The expressions of p-JNK and cleaved caspase 12 proteins, especially those of SB203580 subgroup, were significantly up-regulated. Cardiomyocytes of MI group were significantly more prone to apoptosis (p < 0.05), with SB203580 subgroup being more obvious.

CONCLUSION

MI was accompanied by ERS, probably involving the MAPK signaling pathway. SB203580, a specific inhibitor of this pathway, can relieve cardiomyocyte apoptosis and protect the myocardium by suppressing such stress (Tab. 3, Fig. 7, Ref. 20).

SUMOylation in cardiac disorders - a review

SUMOylation regulates diverse cellular processes including transcription, cell cycle, protein stability, and apoptosis. A recent research has now revealed the role of SUMO1 in cardiac disorders. Studies have evidenced that failing heart induces SUMO2/3 conjugation. Moreover, increased SUMO2/3- dependent modification has been observed to result in congestive heart disease such as cardiac hypertrophy by promoting cardiac cell death. Also, few recent studies have confirmed the role of SUMOylation in cardiac protein degradation. On the other hand, over-expression of SENP5, SUMO2/3-specific deconjugation enzyme has been observed to result in dilated cardiomyopathy or cardiac failure. So, the present review article would enlighten the latest updates about SUMOylation and associated factors during cardiac disorders.

Regenerative medicine in cardiovascular diseases - an update

The unique ability of regenerative medicine to differentiate into any cell of the three germ layers (endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm) is of immense clinical importance. They have an unique capacity for unlimited self-renewal. Furthermore, pluripotent stem cells (PSC), including human embryonic (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), hold great potential as an unlimited source of functional as well as transplantable cells applications. Specifically, in the context of cardiovascular and ischemic diseases, it is believed that hESC-derived endothelial cells (hESC- ECs) could be used to stimulate angiogenesis or vasculogenesis in ischemic tissues, thereby restoring blood supply to the affected area. The present review article is focused on the current aspects of the regenerative medicine during cardiac disorders.

Correlation between GDF15, MMP7 and gastric cancer and its prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation between GDF15, MMP7 and gastric cancer and its prognosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six cases of gastric cancer admitted to our hospital from February 2014 to February 2015 were included in the observation group. Thirty-two healthy people were selected during the same period as the control group. The levels of MMP7 and GDF15 mRNA in the observation group before and after treatment and in the control group were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. The expressions of GDF15 and MMP7 proteins were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western-blotting analysis. The expression of GDF15 and MMP7 in gastric carcinoma were tested by immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the levels of GDF15 and MMP7mRNA in the observation group were significantly increased in gastric cancer tissue before treatment (p<0.05). After treatment, there was no significant difference in the expressions of GDF15 and MMP7 mRNA in patients with significant improvement and the control group (p>0.05). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot results found that levels of GDF15 and MMP7 proteins in the observation group before treatment (14.28±1.03: 9.06±0.82 g/l) were significantly higher than that in the control group (1.05±0.21; 0.94±0.12 g/l). And there were no significant differences between patients with significant improvement (1.64±0.18; 1.03±0.22 mg/l) and the control group (p>0.05), while the levels in patients with no significant improvement (12.04±1.01; 8.21±0.65 mg/l) were significantly higher than that in the control group. Immunohistochemical results showed that the number of GDF15 and MMP7 positive cells in patients with significant improvement (10.32%; 9.01%) were significantly lower than that before treatment or in patients with no significant improvement (85.43%; 90.27%).

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant correlations between GDF15, MMP7 and the incidence of gastric cancer. Levels of GDF15 and MMP7 in patients were significantly correlated with the degree of rehabilitation after treatment.

Effect of total peony glucoside pretreatment on NF-κB and ICAM-1 expression in myocardial tissue of rat with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Early recovery of myocardial perfusion is beneficial for myocardial ischemia. However, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) may exacerbate myocardial injury. Research shows that total peony glucoside (TPG) can inhibit ischemic myocardial cell apoptosis. However, whether it can ameliorate I/R injury remains poorly understood. This study explored the effect of TPG pretreatment on I/R, through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions in I/R-affected myocardium. Healthy 7-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly categorized into sham operation (A), modeling (B), and 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg TPG pretreatment groups (C, D, and E, respectively), with 20 rats in each group. I/R rat models were designed by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min to induce ischemia and for 120 min to induce reperfusion. Serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expressions were detected through RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Compared to group A, serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels of group B elevated significantly (P < 0.05), whereas NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expressions increased in the myocardium (P < 0.05). Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels, and NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expressions, in myocardium of TPG groups reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, TPG pretreatment could alleviate myocardium reperfusion injury in I/R rat models by reducing NF-κB and ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expressions and cytokine secretions. This mechanism could be associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activation and downregulation of ICAM-1 expression.

Mobile technology in health information systems - a review

Mobile technology is getting involved in every sphere of life including medical health care. There has been an immense upsurge in mobile phone-based health innovations these days. The expansion of mobile phone networks and the proliferation of inexpensive mobile handsets have made the digital information and communication technology capabilities very handy for the people to exploit if for any utility including health care. The mobile phone based innovations are able to transform weak and under performing health information system into more modern and efficient information system. The present review article will enlighten all these aspects of mobile technology in health care.

Cancer stem cells: targeting tumors at the source

The cancer stem cell hypothesis states that tumors rely exclusively on the continued proliferation of a subset of cancer cells that originated from normal adult stem cells. These cells have two key traits: multipotency, and self-renewal. The prolonged lifespan of stem cells makes them perfect candidates for the accumulation of carcinogenic mutations that would convert them into cancer stem cells (CSCs) no longer responsive to the many regulatory pathways in place that are responsible for tight governance of proliferation and differentiation in normal stem cells. Comprehending what these regulatory pathways are, and how their derailment contributes to oncogenic transformation, can hold the key to finding new strategies to target CSCs in order to effectively treat cancer. Additionally, what environmental factors are involved in promoting or suppressing CSC tumorigenicity requires attention. The possibility that some cancers may have clonal origins in non-stem cell populations that were able to acquire stem cell-like properties, and the lack of complete cell autonomy in carcinogenesis, suggests that the CSC hypothesis is continually evolving. Continued research in this field can shed light on how effective selective elimination of CSCs as opposed to generalized targeting of cancer cells will be in the treatment of cancer.

Pathways involved in the evolution of leukemic stem cells

Understanding the evolution of the cancer cell from a normal cell holds the key to developing novel, potent therapies against cancer. Two hypotheses describing the origins of cancer cells have been developed: one stating that any normal cell can acquire the ability to replicate indefinitely and evade natural cell death signals by accumulating multiple mutations over time, and a second suggesting that adult stem cells, by virtue of their pre-existing capacity for differentiation, asymmetric division and self-renewal, are the more likely targets of carcinogenic mutation. The leukemic stem cell (LSC) was the first cancer stem cell described. Evolving from the aberrant regulation and mutation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), LSCs are suggested to encompass the subset of tumor cells sufficient for continued tumorigenesis. LSCs were also found to differentiate into a variety of cancer cell progenitors in a manner reminiscent of HSC differentiation, also explaining the observed heterogeneity of leukemic cells. How these cells form from HSCs remains to be fully comprehended. However, over recent years, marked progress has been made in contributing to our knowledge of cancer stem cells and what signaling cascades are involved in their development. Therapeutics targeting the pathways allowing for LSCs to sustain proliferation and self-renewal may prove to be more effective treatments for lymphoblastic leukemia.

Accurate high level ab initio-based global potential energy surface and dynamics calculations for ground state of CH2(+)

A global many-body expansion potential energy surface is reported for the electronic ground state of CH2 (+) by fitting high level ab initio energies calculated at the multireference configuration interaction level with the aug-cc-pV6Z basis set. The topographical features of the new global potential energy surface are examined in detail and found to be in good agreement with those calculated directly from the raw ab initio energies, as well as previous calculations available in the literature. In turn, in order to validate the potential energy surface, a test theoretical study of the reaction CH(+)(X(1)Σ(+))+H((2)S)→C(+)((2)P)+H2(X(1)Σg (+)) has been carried out with the method of time dependent wavepacket on the title potential energy surface. The total integral cross sections and the rate coefficients have been calculated; the results determined that the new potential energy surface can both be recommended for dynamics studies of any type and as building blocks for constructing the potential energy surfaces of larger C(+)/H containing systems.

Curcumin and resveratrol in combination modulate drug-metabolizing enzymes as well as antioxidant indices during lung carcinogenesis in mice

This study investigated combined chemopreventive potential of curcumin and resveratrol during benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced lung carcinogenesis in mice. The mice were segregated into five groups that included normal control, BP-treated, BP + curcumin-treated, BP + resveratrol-treated, and BP + curcumin + resveratrol-treated groups. A statistically significant increase in the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was observed in the lungs of mice after 22 weeks of single dose of benzo(a)pyrene. Further, BP treatment also resulted in a significant increase in the enzyme activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase as well as drug-metabolizing enzymes, namely cytocrome P450 and cytochrome b5. On the other hand, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione- S-transferase (GST) were found to be significantly decreased following BP treatment. Supplementation with curcumin and resveratrol to BP-treated mice significantly decreased the LPO levels, GSH levels, and enzyme activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. Further, treatment of curcumin and resveratrol to BP-treated mice significantly elevated the activities of SOD, GR, and GST. Histoarchitectural studies showed well-differentiated signs of lung carcinogenesis following BP administration to mice. However, combined treatment with curcumin and resveratrol resulted in a noticeable improvement in the lung histoarchitecture. This study, therefore, concludes that curcumin and resveratrol when supplemented in combination regulate drug-metabolizing enzymes as well as antioxidant enzymes during lung carcinogenesis in mice.

Review of new hypertension guidelines

The Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) released its new guidelines on the management of adult hypertension in Dec 2013. The key departures from JNC 7 include target blood pressures and thresholds for initiation of elderly patients and in patients under age 60 with diabetes and kidney disease. In this review, we analyse the critical questions, basis of new recommendations, major deviations from JNC 7, the strengths and limitations of changes in previous management guidelines.

Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease

Cardioceuticals are nutritional supplements that contain all the essential nutrients including vitamins, minerals, omega-3-fatty acids and other antioxidants like a-lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10 in the right proportion that provide all round protection to the heart by reducing the most common risks associated with the cardiovascular disease including high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels and factors that contribute to coagulation of blood. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to significantly reduce the risk for sudden death caused by cardiac arrhythmias and all-cause mortality in patients with known coronary heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are also used to treat hyperlipidemia and hypertension. There are no significant drug interactions with omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends consumption of two servings of fish per week for persons with no history of coronary heart disease and at least one serving of fish daily for those with known coronary heart disease. Approximately 1 g/day of eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid is recommended for cardio protection. Higher dosages of omega-3 fatty acids are required to reduce elevated triglyceride levels (2-4 g/day). Modest decreases in blood pressure occur with significantly higher dosages of omega-3 fatty acids.

Protective effects of curcumin and quercetin during benzo(a)pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis in mice

OBJECTIVE

Phytochemicals is one such family of chemopreventive agents that is being researched extensively the world over for its efficacies against several cancer pathways. Curcumin and quercetin belong to the family of phytochemicals and have anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic properties. In the present study, chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin and quercetin was investigated against benzo(a)pyrene (BP) induced lung carcinogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mice were segregated into five groups which included normal control, BP treated, BP+curcumin treated, BP+quercetin treated and BP+curcumin+quercetin treated groups. Lung carcinogenesis was induced by a single intra-peritoneal (IP) injection of BP (100 mg/kg body weight). Curcumin was supplemented to mice at a dose level of 60 mg/kg body weight in drinking water and quercetin was given at a dose level of 40 mg/kg body wt in drinking water.

RESULTS

The BP treatment resulted in a significant increase in LPO and ROS levels. GSH levels and the activities of SOD, GST as well as GR were found to be significantly decreased following BP treatment. Further, BP treatment brought about a significant increase in the activities of drug metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450 and b5). Curcumin and quercetin treatments to mice were able to decrease significantly the levels of LPO, ROS, as well as activities of SOD, GST. Also, the activities of drug metabolizing were markedly decreased by the administration of phytochemicals.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that combined treatment with curcumin and quercetin proved beneficial on antioxidant status and drug metabolizing enzymes during experimentally induced lung carcinogenesis in mice.

Cardiovascular disease and its relationship with chronic kidney disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death, is mostly precipitated by cardiometabolic risk and chronic kidney disease (CKD). CVD and kidney disease are closely interrelated and disease of one organ cause dysfunction of the other, ultimately leading to the failure of both organs. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at much higher risk of mortality due to CVD. Traditional CVD risk factors viz., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes do not account for the high cardiovascular risk in CKD patients and also standard clinical interventions for managing CVD that are successful in the general population, are ineffective to lower the death rate in CKD patients. Nontraditional factors, related to disturbed mineral and vitamin D metabolism were able to provide some explanation in terms of vascular calcification, for the increased risk of CVD in CKD. Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, a bone-derived hormone that regulates vitamin D synthesis in renal proximal tubules and renal phosphate reabsorption, has been suggested to be the missing link between CKD and CVD. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is strongly related to the progress of CVD and its early diagnosis and treatment has significant positive effect on the outcomes of CVD in the affected patients. Besides this, non-dialysable protein-bound uraemic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate, produced by colonic microbes from dietary amino acids, appear to cause renal dysfunction. Thus, therapeutic approaches targeting colonic microbiota, have led to new prospects in early intervention for CKD patients. Intervention targets for preventing CVD events in CKD patients ideally should include control of blood pressure and dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, lowering proteinuria, correction of anemia, management of mineral metabolism abnormalities and life style changes including smoking cessation, decreased consumption of salt, and achievement of normal body mass index. Use of β-blockers, renin-angiotensin blockers, diuretics, statins, and aspirin are helpful in the early stages of CKD. In this review, we will address the biological, pathological and clinical relationship between CVD and CKD and their therapeutic management.

Biomarkers and heart disease

Heart failure (HF) results from the impaired ability of heart to fill or pump out blood. HF is a common health problem with a multitude of causes and affects ~30 million people worldwide. Since ageing is a major risk factor for HF and as several treatment options are currently available to prolong the patients' survival, the number of affected patients is expected to grow. Even though traditional methods of assessment have been in use for managing HF, these are limited by time consuming and costly subjective interpretation and also by their invasive nature. Comparatively, biomarkers offer an objective and biologically relevant information that in conjunction with the patients' clinical findings provides optimal picture regarding the status of the HF patient and thus helps in diagnosis and prognosis. The current gold standard biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of HF are B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP). Additional novel biomarkers (e.g., mid-regional pro atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), mid-regional pro adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), troponins, soluble ST2 (sST2), growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 and galectin-3) can potentially identify different pathophysiological processes such as myocardial insult, inflammation and remodeling as the causes for the development and progression of HF. Different biomarkers of HF not only reflect the underlying mechanisms/pathways of HF and also its progression and also point specific therapy options. A multi-biomarker approach for personalized medical care is not too far fetched and such approach can greatly enhance diagnosis, prognostication, and therapy guidance for HF. In this review we describe the current status of HF biomarkers in clinical use and in laboratory research and the efforts aimed at the identification of novel biomarkers for HF.

Cardiovascular diseases: oxidative damage and antioxidant protection

Atherosclerosis, the hardening of arteries under oxidative stress is related to oxidative changes of low density lipoproteins (LDL). The antioxidants prevent the formation of oxidized LDL during atherogenesis. Perhaps more than one mechanism is involved in the atherosclerosis disease where LDL is oxidized in all the cells of arterial wall during the development of this disease. The oxidation of LDL produces lipid peroxidation products such as isoprostans from arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, oxysterols from cholesterol, hydroxyl fatty acids, lipid peroxides and aldehydes. The lipid peroxidation bioassay can serve as a marker for the risk of cardiovascular. An in vivo test of levels of oxidative lipid damage is an early prediction of development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Serum paraoxonase (PON) activity is correlated to severity of the coronary artery disease. The antioxidants level in the serum and serum paraoxonase activity provides information for the risk of CVD. The antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase is responsible for dismutation of superoxide, a free radical chain initiator. The subcellular changes in the equilibrium in favor of free radicals can cause increase in the oxidative stress which leads to cardiomyopathy, heart attack or cardiac dysfunction. The oxidative damage and defense of heart disease has been reported where dietary antioxidants protect the free radical damage to DNA, proteins and lipids. The ascorbic acid, vitamin C is an effective antioxidant and high vitamin E intake can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) by inhibition of atherogenic forms of oxidized LDL. The vitamin A and beta-carotene protect lipid peroxidation and provitamin-A activity. It has been recently suggested that the protection of oxidative damage and related CVD is best served by antioxidants found in the fruits and vegetables. The oxidative damage and antioxidant protection of CVD have been described here.

Impact of epigenetics in the management of cardiovascular disease: a review

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death, irrespective of socioeconomic status, ethnic background and sex. Despite the considerable progress in the treatment, the complex pathophysiology underlying CVD is still not clear. In past few years, genetic approaches including epigenetics and personalized medicine initiated a new way of treating CVD. Epigenetics refers to the non-DNA sequence related heritable changes in gene expression and its role in understanding and treating coronary artery disease, heart failure, and cardiac hypertrophy is currently recognized as an important player. Histone acetylation, deactylation, DNA methylation and histone methylation are different mechanisms of epigenetic modifications. Cardiac Hypertrophy is linked with histone acetylation and the activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) has a positive role in cardiac hypertrophy. Altered DNA methylation, miRNA activity have been shown to be associated with atherosclerosis. It is documented that re-expression of certain fetal genes in the adult heart contributes to the development of heart failure syndrome, which is often associated with pathological cardiac remodeling comprising of changes in heart mass, size and shape. Thus, it appears that approaches that counteract epigenetic changes occurring in CVD can prove to have significant therapeutic impact. However, there are no major clinical practice or therapeutics reports of epigenetics contribution in CVD, even though deacetylase inhibitors like trichostatin A were shown to have some positive effects. In this review we will present an overview of various epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA-dependent mechanisms in CVD and the novel epigenetics-based therapeutic approaches.

Construction of conditionally replicating adenovirus expressing staphylococcal enterotoxin A gene: potential usefulness for anti-tumor therapies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to construct a conditionally replicating adenovirus pPE3-SEA expressing staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) gene.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A full-length SEA gene fragment was cloned into pENTR12 plasmid to obtain a recombinant viral plasmid pENTR12-SEA. The pENTR12-SEA plasmid was co-transfected into HEK293 cells along with pPE3-ccdB, which encoded for the virus backbone, to generate recombinant adenovirus pPE3-SEA vector. Amplified pPE3-SEA vectors were purified, and viral titer was determined using the 50% tissue culture infective dose method.

RESULTS

The PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, and sequence analyses proved successful construction of replicating oncolytic adenovirus pENTR12-SEA and recombinant SEA expressing oncolytic adenovirus pPE3-SEA. The viral titer was 2.5 × 1010 pfu/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

We successfully constructed conditionally replicating adenovirus pPE3-SEA which can be utilized for experimental studies of tumor-targeted therapies.

Cardiovascular disease in diabetes

OBJECTIVES

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is often fatal among diabetics. There has been a steady rise in obesity and in associated CVD in the last 2 decades. Despite improvements in clinical and treatment approaches, the prevalence of heart failure (HF) is rising with only minor extension in survival. Obesity and diabetes can potentially increase the risk of HF independent of coronary heart disease and hypertension. Aim of this paper was to systematically review literature in the last 10 years on the association of CVD with obesity and diabetes and to address the key clinical points relevant for diagnosis and risk factor assessment.

METHODS

Original research articles addressing molecular mechanisms, clinical articles and reviews published in the last 10 years in the area of diabetes and heart disease have been collected from different sources including PubMed, Scopus and other databases and critically compiled.

RESULTS

Insulin resistance, common to both T1D and T2D patients, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular events. Association of hyperglycemia with insulin resistance further increases the risk of CVD and heart failure. Even though obesity is an important risk factor for CVD, the risk is mediated mostly through insulin resistance but not body-mass index. The total risk of CVD in T2D patients cannot be explained by traditional risk factors alone and specific metabolic changes also significantly contribute to this.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk from the traditional cardiovascular risk factors for developing heart disease is further aggravated in diabetes. The treatment approach for diabetic patients to prevent cardiovascular complications should aim not only to control insulin resistance but should include lifestyle changes and early pharmacological intervention.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of extract of Ginkgo biloba added to haloperidol in treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Many studies have indicated that excess free radical formation may be involved in the pathogenesis of patients with schizophrenia. Some investigators suggested that the use of free radical scavengers might provide improvement in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and to evaluate the side effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) plus haloperidol in chronic, treatment-resistant inpatients with schizophrenia.

METHOD

One hundred nine patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of EGb plus haloperidol. Fifty-six of the patients were randomly assigned to receive a fixed dose of 360 mg/day of EGb plus a stable dose of haloperidol, 0.25 mg/kg/day, and 53 were assigned to receive placebo plus the same dose of haloperidol for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) at baseline, week 6, and week 12 and the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) for side effects at week 12.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in both groups in BPRS total score after 12 weeks of treatment (p < .05). However, a significant reduction in total SAPS and SANS scores was noted in the EGb group (p < .05), but not in the placebo group. There was a lower SAPS total score in the EGb group than in the placebo group at the end of 12 weeks of treatment (p < .05). Of those treated with EGb plus haloperidol, 57.1% were rated as responders as compared with only 37.7% of those receiving placebo plus haloperidol when assessed by the SAPS (chi2 = 4. 111, p = .043). After 12 weeks of treatment, TESS subscore 1 (behavioral toxicity) and subscore 3 (symptoms of nerve system) were significantly decreased in the EGb group compared with the placebo group (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

EGb treatment may enhance the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs and reduce their extrapyramidal side effects.

Risperidone versus haloperidol in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic inpatients with schizophrenia: a randomized double-blind study

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of risperidone and haloperidol in treatment-resistant chronic schizophrenic patients. Subjects (n = 78) who met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive 6 mg/day of risperidone or 20 mg/day of haloperidol for 12 weeks. Clinical efficacy was determined using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and side-effects with the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS). Risperidone produced a mean 39.8 +/- 24.1% reduction in total PANSS score compared to a mean 28.3 + 19.4% reduction in the haloperidol group (P < 0.05). Analysis of changes for the three subscores of the PANSS revealed that the general psychopathology and negative subscores were significantly improved in the risperidone group compared to the haloperidol group. As for the side-effects, the risperidone group showed a significantly lower TESS total score, as well as nervous system symptoms subscore and cardiovascular symptoms subscore, compared to the haloperidol group. Risperidone appears to be a more effective and better tolerated antipsychotic drug in treatment-refractory Chinese schizophrenia than haloperidol.

Topiramate as a neuroprotectant in a rat model of global ischemia-induced neurodegeneration

The neuroprotective properties of topiramate were evaluated in a rat model of stroke in which neurodegeneration was induced by temporary global ischemia. In this model, the ischemia resulted from 11 min of cardiac arrest during atraumatic chest compression. Resuscitated rats exhibit a characteristic neurological syndrome characterized by sound-induced convulsions, specific motor and behavioral deficits, and death of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Topiramate, when administered i.v. 30 min after resuscitation, reduced the degree of motor impairment (P< 0.05 vs control at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg) and seizure severity (P< 0.05 vs control at a dose of 10 mg/kg on the fifth recovery day). The highest dose of topiramate (20 mg/kg i.v.) eliminated nearly all histologic signs of hippocampal ischemic neuronal injury (P< 0.001). Phenytoin at 20 mg/kg i.v. exhibited neuroprotectant effects similar to those observed for topiramate at 20 mg/kg i.v.. In normal rats, neither topiramate nor phenytoin at 20 mg/kg i.v. induced any apparent neurological impairment; however, at 40 and 60 mg/kg i.v. both induced a mild impairment typical of most anticonvulsants. The results of this study support the concept that topiramate possesses neuroprotective properties.

The effect of extract of ginkgo biloba added to haloperidol on superoxide dismutase in inpatients with chronic schizophrenia

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the classic antipsychotic haloperidol plus extract of ginkgo biloba (EGb) on treatment-resistant chronic schizophrenia and on blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Eighty-two patients with chronic refractory schizophrenia were studied. Forty-three patients were treated with haloperidol plus extract of ginkgo biloba (group 1), and 39 received haloperidol plus placebo (group 2). SOD levels of these patients were measured before and after treatment and were compared with SOD levels of 30 healthy volunteers. Therapeutic efficiency was equated with a change in clinical rating scores assessed by standardized measurement tools that included the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) over this period. Patients in group 1 improved significantly as demonstrated by scores from these two assessment instruments; those in group 2 improved significantly only as shown by scores on SANS. SOD levels before treatment in all patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls; after treatment, the SOD level decreased significantly in group 1 but not in group 2. These results suggest that EGb may enhance the efficiency of the classic antipsychotic haloperidol in patients with schizophrenia, especially on their positive symptoms, and that EGb may work through an antioxidant effect that is involved in the therapeutic mechanism in patients with chronic refractory schizophrenia.

[Determination of vitamin D2 included with beta-cyclodextrin complex in "longmu zhuanggu chongji" by HPLC]

In order to enhance the stability of vitamin D2(VD2), the inclusion complex of VD2 with beta-cyclodextrin(beta-CD) was added in "Longmu Zhuanggu Chongji", a medicine of children for the prevention and cure of rickets. The VD2 in beta-CD-VD2 inclusion complex was satisfactorily determined by both reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and ultraviolet spectrometry(UV). The experimental results from UV were in well consistent with those from HPLC. The accuracy and recovery of HPLC measurement were analyzed, and their relative standard deviation(RSD) were given to be 0.63% and 1.54%, indicating the method is quite correct and reliable, and the linear regression equation is reasonable. The "Longmu Zhuanggu Chongji" containing beta-CD-VD2 inclusion complexes was saponified by a mixture of KOH, vitamin C (VC) and alcohol-water(1:2, V/V) at 70 degrees C, then extracted with petroleum ether. An accurate content of the VD2 product was obtained by HPLC. A simple and rapid HPLC method, which can detect VD2 in the inclusion complex and in "Longmu Zhuanggu Chongji", has been established in this work.

Does dual infection by hepatitis B and C viruses play an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan?

BACKGROUND

There are contradictory data concerning the synergistic effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on the progression from chronic hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

To clarify the role of coinfection with HBV and HCV in the progression and pathogenesis of HCC, viral and clinicopathologic features were studied in 368 consecutive HCC patients at the University of Tokyo from 1991-1995.

RESULTS

Approximately 83% of patients (305 patients) were seropositive for the HCV antibody ("C-viral") and approximately 10% (37 patients) were positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen ("B-viral"). Positivity for both (dual infection) was found in only 2% of patients, and negativity for both in 5%. The incidence of dual infection in HCC patients was Similar to that in 549 patients with chronic hepatitis (1%) and 119 patients with cirrhosis (1%). Of the six HCC patients with dual infection, five patients were positive for the HBV early antigen and HBV DNA was less than measurable, whereas HCV RNA was detected and ranged from 10(3)-10(6) copies/50 microL of serum by competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and the clinical features resembled those of "C-viral" HCC. The remaining patient was early antigen positive and had HBV DNA by slot blot analysis, but the serum HCV RNA level was less than measurable. These data indicate that mutually exclusive viral replication occurred in patients with persistent coinfection. To further clarify further the possible involvement of HBV infection in "C-viral" HCC, HBV core antibody (HBcAb) was tested in 192 patients and was found to be positive in 111 and negative in 81. The serum HCV RNA level and clinicopathologic features (such as age and the severity of liver disease) were similar among the "C-viral" HCC patients irrespective of the presence or absence of HBcAb.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, coinfection was found to be much less prevalent than generally is claimed, and even in a few HCC patients with the coinfection the mutually exclusive viral replication was noted, suggesting that coinfection plays little if any role in the development of HCC.

Further investigation on the role of selenium deficiency in the aetiology and pathogenesis of Keshan disease

Selenium supplements were not able to restore the ultrastructural changes in the myocardium of latent Keshan disease patients taken by using cardiac catheter endomyocardial biopsy. Observations on the changes of selenium status and the incidence of Keshan disease showed that new latent and naturally-occurring chronic cases were found in the endemic area even after selenium levels had been elevated in the residents to the levels typical in the non-endemic area. These results indicate that although selenium deficiency might be a primary pathogenetic geogen in the occurrence of Keshan disease, it is rather a conditional predisposing factor than a specific or initiative aetiologic factor for the occurrence of Keshan disease. Selenium supplementation could apparently alleviate the higher platelet responsiveness of residents in the endemic area, which might contribute to eliminating the basis for the occurrence of the multifocal perivascular necroses in myocardium of acute and subacute Keshan disease.

Outcome effects of different protective hypothermia levels during cardiac arrest in rats

BACKGROUND

Although hypothermia is widely used to protect the brain during cardiac and neurologic surgery, the optimal level of cooling has not been established. This study examined the protective effect of graded levels of surface cooling on cerebral function in rats after complete global cerebral ischemia.

METHODS

Groups of ketamine-anesthetized rats (13 animals in each group) were cooled to cranial temperatures of 34, 30, 27, 24, or 22 degrees C before circulatory arrest. Also a normothermic (37 degrees C) group was tested. After cooling, an 11-min circulatory arrest was produced by atraumatic chest compression. Circulatory arrest was followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation and rewarming without postischemic intensive care. On the fifth postinsult day, neurologic outcome was scored on a 50-point neurodeficit scale (NDS 0 = normal). The percent of ischemic pyramidal neurons in the CA1 hippocampal region was also determined.

RESULTS

There were no survivors in the normothermic group. Neurologic recovery was enhanced with 30 degrees C cranial temperature, as compared to outcome in the 34 degrees C group. Further cooling did not change outcome. The neurodeficit scales were significantly lower in all other groups compared to the 34 degrees C group on the fifth postinsult day. The percent of ischemic neurons did not change significantly as a function of cooling, but the lowest count appeared at 27 degrees C.

CONCLUSION

In this model, moderate (30 degrees C) cooling improved neurologic outcome. There was no additional benefit from more extreme hypothermia.

Anticonvulsant activity of topiramate and phenytoin in a rat model of ischemia-induced epilepsy

Topiramate, a structurally novel anticonvulsant, and phenytoin were evaluated in a rat model of ischemia-induced epilepsy. In this model a transient global cerebral ischemia is induced by cardiac compression. By precisely controlling the experimental conditions the procedure causes reproducible neurological deficits that include audiogenic epileptic seizures. The seizures can be broadly separated into three types reflecting the degree of severity: wild running, clonic seizures, and tonic extension seizures of the forelimbs and hindlimbs. Topiramate and phenytoin blocked all three types of seizures. Calculated ED50 values for topiramate 1 hr after oral administration were 8.2, 13.0 and 36.1 mg/kg for blockade of tonic extension seizures, clonic seizures and wild running, respectively. Corresponding ED50 values for phenytoin were 5.0, 10.8 and 20.7 mg/kg. These results support the concept that the anticonvulsant activity of these drugs is due primarily to an ability to block the spread of seizures.

Detection of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients with the 38-kilodalton antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a rapid membrane-based assay

A rapid membrane-based serologic assay using the 38-kDa antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) was evaluated with 201 patients with pulmonary TB, 67 patients with extrapulmonary TB, 79 Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated healthy controls, and 77 non-TB respiratory patients. The overall sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were, respectively, 92, 92, 84, and 96% for sputum-positive TB patients; 70, 92, 87, and 79% for sputum-negative TB patients; and 76, 92, 80, and 90% for extrapulmonary-TB patients. Only 2% (1 of 44) of the healthy control BCG-vaccinated subjects gave weak positive signals in the assay, indicating that this rapid serological assay is a valuable aid in clinical diagnosis for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB.

[Protection against experimental hepatic injury by fengxiang yigankang capsule]

Protective effect of Fengxiang Yigankang (FXYGK) capsule against hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4 and acetaminophen (AAP) was studied. It was found that the FXYGK capsule inhibited markedly malonic aldehyde (MDA) formation of liver induced by CCl4 and AAP. It blocked also depletion of reduced form of glutathione (GSH) of damaged liver induced by AAP. In addition, FXYGK could decrease serum alanine aminotransferase levels induced by CCl4 (P < 0.05). The results of histopathological examination showed that the FXYGK capsule (0.45, 0.9 and 1.8 g/kg) could also reduce significantly fatty degeneration of liver (P < 0.05).

Alteration of arteriolar responses to serotonin by two intravenous anesthetics

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) on the microvasculature of cremaster muscles were compared in decerebrate, ketamine- and pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. 5-HT-induced constriction of large distributing arterioles was enhanced in the ketamine- and pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Precapillary arterioles of pentobarbital-anesthetized animals were more sensitive to 5-HT-induced dilation than either decerebrate or ketamine-anesthetized animals. The response of vessels to two 5-HT receptor antagonists (methysergide and LY53857) were unchanged by the anesthetics. Our findings suggest that both ketamine and pentobarbital enhance the microvascular response to 5-HT, but that these changes are not due to an alteration of receptor sensitivity.

[Effects of 4-(4"-(2",2",6",6"-tetramethyl-1"-pipe-ridinyloxy) amino)-4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin on nucleic acids, proteins, and DNA strand of L7712 cells in vitro]

The antitumor activity of GP-7, a new spin-labeled epipodophyllotoxin, was studied by liquid scintillation spectrometry. There were many similarities between GP-7 and etoposide. Both GP-7 and etoposide inhibited the incorporation of [3H]TdR, [3H]UR, and [3H]Leu into DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in leukemia 7712 cells. The inhibition correlated with drug concentration and duration. IC50 of GP-7 and etoposide on DNA synthesis at 24 h were 0.21 and 0.37 micrograms.ml-1, respectively. The inhibition of GP-7 or etoposide on DNA synthesis retained even after the drug were washed out for 3 h. GP-7 and etoposide caused DNA single-strand breaks, with a well concentration-response relationship. These data suggest that the inhibition of DNA synthesis by GP-7 or etoposide is likely due to the damage of DNA template and breaking of single-strand DNA.

Prostaglandin-related microvascular dilation in pentobarbital- and etomidate-anesthetized rats

Etomidate is characterized by minimal systemic cardiovascular effects, but its effect on the microvasculature has not been assessed. We compared the microvasculature of etomidate-anesthetized animals to that of animals anesthetized with pentobarbital, since its effects on the microvasculature are known. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with etomidate or pentobarbital. The cremaster muscle was prepared for microscopic viewing, leaving the neural and vascular supply intact. Small arterioles were near their maximal diameters in etomidate-anesthetized rats, whereas the pentobarbital group had a large dilator capacity (maximal diameter-basal diameter/basal diameter). The effect on resting arteriolar diameters of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors was tested. Dilator capacity was not affected by the EDRF inhibitor nitro-L-arginine, but it was significantly increased by mefenamic acid and ibuprofen in etomidate-anesthetized animals. To test whether dilator and constrictor mechanisms were normal, serotonin concentration-response curves were obtained in pentobarbital and etomidate-anesthetized animals with and without mefenamate or ibuprofen present. The dilation of small arterioles to serotonin in the etomidate groups with mefenamate or ibuprofen was not significantly different from that of the pentobarbital groups. Serotonin produced a comparable constriction of large arterioles in both anesthetic groups. The topical application of etomidate to the cremaster muscle did not affect arteriolar diameters. Thus, etomidate appears to trigger the release of dilator prostaglandins in striated muscle through a central or indirect mechanism.

Halothane attenuates small arteriole vasodilation to serotonin (5-HT) in skeletal muscle

Inhaled anesthetics may have an effect on the microcirculation through selective alteration of receptor-mediated control. Halothane was chosen because its actions in the microcirculation have been determined previously. Serotonin has received recent attention as a potential mediator of vascular changes in a number of disease states. We obtained concentration-response curves for serotonin-induced constriction of large arterioles and dilation of small arterioles (less than 60 microns diameter) in the cremaster muscle of halothane-anesthetized and decerebrate rats. Cremaster muscles were prepared for microscopic viewing, leaving the neural and vascular supply intact. Serotonin concentration-response curves were obtained before and after receptor antagonist application. Large arteriole constriction was not affected by halothane. Dilation of small arterioles was decreased in halothane-anesthetized animals but enhanced in the presence of methysergide, a nonspecific antagonist. These data indicate that halothane interferes with occupancy of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors.

Comparative evaluation of nine different methods for detecting enterotoxin of Escherichia coli

Nine different methods for detecting enterotoxin of Escherichia coli were studied and compared. We found rabbit ileal-loop test and suckling mouse assay were both quite accurate and reliable for detecting heat labile toxin (LT) and heat stable toxin (ST) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Mouse ileal-loop test was simple, but its sensitivity and specificity were comparatively low. CHO cell-culture assay might be more sensitive and specific. LT-DNA probe was the most sensitive and specific method. In practical application, PIHT (plate immunohemolytic test), Biken's, SPA-CoA and ELISA methods are recognized as simple, rapid, sensitive and specific methods for detecting ETEC-LT. These methods can be selected for use in clinical laboratory.

[Antitumor activity of 4-(4''-(2'',2'',6'',6''-tetramethyl-1''-piperidinyoxy)amino)-4'- demethyl epipodophyllotoxin in vitro]

The antitumor activity of a new podophyllotoxin spin-labeled derivative, 4-(4''-(2'',2'',6'',6''-tetramethyl-1''-+piperidinyoxy)amino)-4'- demethylepipodophyllotoxin (GP-7) First synthesized by us, was studied in vitro. It was found that the proliferation of SGC-7901 cells was markedly inhibited by GP-7 depending the concentration and exposure time. At concentration of 0.04-100 mg/L, the inhibition rates were 15.5-92.6% ID50 was 0.42 mg/L. After exposure to GP-7 greater than 0.5 mg/L for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the inhibition rates of cells were 25.1, 49.0, 71.4 and 84.9% respectively. The dose-response curve of GP-7 on SGC-7901 cell was similar to that of etoposide (VP-16). The colony formation of SGC-7901 cell was also inhibited by GP-7 in a concentration dependent fashion with ID50 1.63 mg/L. At concentrations of 0.1-0.5 mg/L, the inhibitory effects were stronger than that of VP-16. GP-7 decreased the mitotic index (MI) of SGC-7901 cell and had no effect on microtubule assembly and disassembly in vitro, which suggested that GP-7 did not act on M phase.

[Podophyllic acid piperidyl hydrazone nitroxide radical and etoposide on nucleic acids and protein metabolism of leukemia L7712 cells in vitro]

Podophyllic acid piperidyl hydrazone nitroxide radical (GP-1) and etoposide (VP-16), derivatives of podophyllotoxin, inhibited DNA, RNA, protein and ATP synthesis of leukemia L7712 cells at a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml. Inhibitory extents were dependent on the exposure time from 3 to 24 h. The inhibitory rates of both drugs were about 15-66%. ID50 of GP-1 and VP-16 on the synthesis of L7712 cells at 24 h were 0.16 and 0.38 micrograms/ml, respectively. The dose-response curve of GP-1 was a parabolic one, while that of VP-16 was a straight line. The inhibition of GP-1 or VP-16 on DNA synthesis existed also after cells washing. It is suggested that the antitumor effects of GP-1 and VP-16 seem to be related to the damage of DNA template.