[Transperineal targeted prostate puncture combined with rapid pathological examination in the diagnosis of prostate cancer]

Exploring the clinical value of multiparametric magnetic resonance (Mp-MRI)-cognitive fusion method of targeted transperineal prostate puncture combined with rapid pathological diagnosis. Patients with suspected prostate cancer admitted to our hospital from 2022.01 to 2023.05 were selected as the study subjects, and Mp-MRI was performed and the suspected lesions were scored by the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS). The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the transperineal prostate targeted puncture plus rapid pathology group (experimental group) and the transperineal prostate systematic combined targeted puncture plus conventional pathology group (control group), and the positive puncture rate, pathological findings, and complications were analyzed to compare the differences between the two groups. A total of 100 patients were enrolled, 53 in the experimental group [age 55-89 years, (73.17±7.79) years; tPSA 7.01-100 μg/L, mean 21.34 (12.38, 44.42) μg/L]and 47 in the control group [age 60-87 years, (71.96±7.07) years; tPSA 6.11-98.82 μg/L, mean 18.77 (9.04, 38.09) μg/L], and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the diagnostic positivity rate of overall PCa and clinically significant PCa (P>0.05); there was no significant difference in the highest Gleason score of pathological tissues between the two groups (P>0.05); the number of cases of medically induced sarcoid hematuria in the experimental group were significantly reduced compared with the control group (P<0.05). In terms of biopsy pain score (VAS), patients in the experimental group experienced less pain than those in the control group (P<0.05). The Mp-MRI-cognitive fusion method of transperineal targeted prostate puncture combined with rapid frozen section pathological examination can provide rapid and accurate pathological results, reduce the chance of post-puncture complications, and alleviate the pain caused by puncture sampling, which has high clinical value.

Ziqi Dihuang decoction ameliorates thrombosis in septic rats by inhitbiting plasminogen activator inhibitor-1

Introduction

Sepsis is now a global medical burden with high morbility and mortality. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ziqi Dihuang (ZQDH) decoction on inflammatory and thrombosis-related parameters in septic rats.

Mothods

A rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham group, CLP group, ZQDH-1ow group (0.735 g/kg) and ZQDH-high group (1.47 g/kg). Rats in ZQDH groups were given ZQDH decoction by gavage for 7 days before CLP. White blood cells (WBC), inflammatory cell infiltration of liver, kidney and lung, as well as serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were used to assess systemic inflammatory response. Coagulation and fibrinolytic indexes included platelet count, coagulation function, fibrin deposition, and levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in serum, liver, kidney and lung.

Results

LPS rats showed significant changes in inflammatory and thrombosis-related parameters such as increased WBC and inflammatory factors, decreased platelet counts, and increased tPA and PAI-1 concentrations in serum and organs. ZQDH decoction pretreatment can significantly inhibit the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung, and inhibit the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and ROS in a dose-dependent manner. ZQDH decoction also ameliorated thrombocytopenia, renal fibrin deposition, and tPA and PAI-1 levels in serum and organs.

Conclusion

These results suggest that ZQDH decoction can dose-dependently relieve systemic inflammatory injury and regulate fibrinolysis system in septic rats, which may be mediated by PAI-1.

LPS-aggravated Ferroptosis via Disrupting Circadian Rhythm by Bmal1/AKT/p53 in Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Injury

Circadian disruption is involved in the progress of sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM), one of the leading causes of death in sepsis. The molecular mechanism remains ambiguous. In this study, LPS was used to build SICM model in H9c2 cell. The results suggested that LPS induced cytotoxicity via increasing ferroptosis over the time of course. After screening the expressions of six circadian genes, the circadian swing of Bmal1 was dramatically restrained by LPS in H9c2 cell of SIMC vitro model. PcDNA and siRNA were used to upregulate and downregulate Bmal1 and confirmed that Bmal1 inhibited LPS-triggered ferroptosis in H9c2 cells. Then, the results suggested that AKT/p53 pathway was restrained by LPS in H9c2 cell. Rescue test indicated that Bmal1 inhibited LPS-triggered ferroptosis via AKT/p53 pathway in H9c2 cells. In summary, our findings demonstrated that LPS induced cytotoxicity via increasing ferroptosis over the time of course in H9c2 cells and Bmal1 inhibited this toxicity of LPS via AKT/p53 pathway. Although further studies are needed, our findings may contribute to a new insight to mechanism of SICM.

[Efficacy and safety of Montgomery T-tube placement for benign complex subglottic tracheal stenosis: a retrospective analysis of 29 cases]

Objective: To analyze the efficacy and safety of Montgomery T-tube (T-tube) placement for benign complex subglottic tracheal stenosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 29 patients with benign complex subglottic tracheal stenosis receiving T-tube placement in Beijing Tiantan Hospital from May 2015 to December 2019. The causes were postintubation tracheal stenosis [27 cases (93.1%), including 21 cases (72.4%) of tracheal stenosis after tracheotomy, 6 cases (20.7%) of tracheal stenosis after tracheal intubation], cervical post-traumatic tracheal stenosis (1 case, 3.4%) and tuberculous tracheal stenosis (1 case, 3.4%), respectively. Three-dimensional reconstruction of tracheal computerized tomography (CT) and bronchoscopy were used to grade the stenosis according to Cotton-Myer classification system before bronchoscopic intervention. The degree of stenosis was Cotton-Myer grade Ⅱ (7 cases, 24.1%), grade Ⅲ (11 cases, 37.9%) and grade Ⅳ (11 cases, 37.9%), respectively. All cases received placement of T-tubes and follow-up. Fisher's exact test was used for comparison between groups. Results: T-tube placement was performed 39 times in 29 patients. T-tubes were successfully placed for 24 cases (82.8%). The main complication during the operation was tracheal mucosal tear (6 cases, 20.7%), which resolved in all cases within 2 weeks. The main postoperative complication was secretion retention (27 cases, 93.1%), which was relieved after home nebulization treatment in 26 cases; and followed by granulation hyperplasia, especially located in T-tube upper margin (12 cases, 41.4%), of which 8 cases were cured after bronchoscopic intervention. None of the patients had T-tube migration. There were no statistically significant differences in the success rate of T-tube placement and the incidence of major complications in patients with benign complex subglottic tracheal stenosis with different degrees of stenosis. After 18 months to 24 months of follow-up, attempt was made to remove the T-tube in 9 patients but failed in 4 patients. The failure was due to collapse of the airway after the T-tube was removed. Conclusion: T-tube placement is a safe and reliable treatment for benign complex subglottic tracheal stenosis with high efficiency and manageable complications.

Quercetin Antagonizes Glucose Fluctuation Induced Renal Injury by Inhibiting Aerobic Glycolysis via HIF-1α/miR-210/ISCU/FeS Pathway

Background and Objective: Glucose fluctuation (GF) has been reported to induce renal injury and diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the mechanism still remains ambiguous. Mitochondrial energy metabolism, especially aerobic glycolysis, has been a hotspot of DN research for decades. The activation of HIF-1α/miR210/ISCU/FeS axis has provided a new explanation for aerobic glycolysis. Our previous studies indicated quercetin as a potential therapeutic drug for DN. This study aims to evaluate levels of aerobic glycolysis and repressive effect of quercetin via HIF-1α/miR210/ISCU/FeS axis in a cell model of GF. Methods: The mouse glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) were exposed in high or oscillating glucose with or without quercetin treatment. Cell viability was measured by CCK8 assay. Aerobic glycolysis flux was evaluated by lactate acid, pH activity of PFK. Apoptosis level was confirmed by Annexin V-APC/7-AAD double staining and activity of caspase-3. TNF-α and IL-1β were used to evaluate inflammation levels. Results: GF deteriorated inflammation damage and apoptosis injury in MCs, while quercetin could alleviate this GF-triggered cytotoxicity. GF intensified aerobic glycolysis in MCs and quercetin could inhibit this intensification in a dose-dependent manner. Quercetin prevented activities of two FeS-dependent metabolic enzymes, aconitase, and complex I, under GF injury in MCs. The mRNA expression and protein contents of HIF-1α were increased after GF exposure, and these could be alleviated by quercetin treatment. Knockdown of ISCU by siRNA and Up-regulating of miR-210 by mimic could weaken the effects of quercetin that maintained protein levels of ISCU1/2, improved cell viability, relieved inflammation injury, decreased apoptosis, and reduced aerobic glycolysis switch in MCs. Conclusion: Quercetin antagonizes GF-induced renal injury by suppressing aerobic glycolysis via HIF-1α/miR-210/ISCU/FeS pathway in MCs cell model. Our findings contribute to a new insight into understanding the mechanism of GF-induced renal injury and protective effects of quercetin.

[Efficacy and influencing factors of interventional bronchoscopy for the treatment of scarring airway stenosis: a multicenter retrospective investigation from China]

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of interventional bronchoscopy for the treatment of scarring airway stenosis and to analyze the influencing factors related to the success rate. Methods: Between January 2013 to December 2016, 301 patients with scarring airway stenosis treated by interventional bronchoscopy in 18 tertiary hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. The methods of interventional bronchoscopy included electric knife cutting, laser cauterization, balloon dilation, cryotherapy, local drug usage and/or stenting. Airway stenosis characteristics and patients' performance status at baseline and after interventional bronchoscopy were recorded. The interval days between the first two interventional bronchoscopy treatment (maintained patency time) and the final treatment efficacy were recorded. Results: The clinical stability rate of interventional bronchoscopy for the treatment of scarring tracheal stenosis was 67.8% (204/301) . Stenosis sites (OR 1.548; 95% CI: 1.038-2.307, P=0.032) , dyspnea index (OR 2.140; 95% CI: 1.604-2.855, P<0.001) , and interventional method (OR 0.458; 95% CI: 0.267-0.787, P=0.005) were independent predictors associated with the efficacy of interventional bronchoscopy treatment. Stenosis sites (OR 1.508; 95% CI: 1.273-1.787, P<0.001) , stenosis grade (OR 1.581; 95% CI: 1.029-2.067, P=0.001) , anesthesia method (OR 1.581; 95% CI: 1.029-2.067, P<0.001) , and local drug usage (OR 1.304; 95% CI: 1.135-1.497, P<0.001) were independent predictors associated with the maintained patency time after first interventional bronchoscopy treatment. Conclusion: Interventional bronchoscopy is a useful treatment method for scarring airway stenosis. Enough attention should be paid to influencing factors in order to improve treatment efficacy during the treatment process.

Effect of a short-term vitamin E supplementation on oxidative stress in infertile PCOS women under ovulation induction: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Vitamin E, which is critically important in the whole process of reproduction, can antagonize the oxidative stress caused by the oxygen free radicals and antioxidant imbalance and regulate normal physiological function of the reproductive system. The effect of short-term supplementation of vitamin E on outcomes of infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when they underwent ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) remains unknown.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort clinical trial from October 2015 to April 2017. A total of 321 PCOS cases underwent ovulation induction with CC and HMG. Patients in group A (n = 110) did not receive vitamin E while patients in group B (n = 105) and group C (n = 106) received oral treatment of vitamin E at 100 mg/day during follicular phase and luteal phase, respectively.

Results

It was observed no significant differences of ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate among the three groups. It was interesting that dosage of HMG were significant lower in group B compared with those in group A and group C (P<0.05).

Conclusions

A short-term supplementation of vitamin E can improve oxidative stress, and reduce exogenous HMG dosage to lower the economic cost with a similar pregnancy rate in the ovulation induction cycle. However, the supplementation does not alter the pregnancy rate in the ovulation induction cycle.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-OOC-14005389, 2014.

LncRNA PEAMIR inhibits apoptosis and inflammatory response in PM2.5 exposure aggravated myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-29b-3p

The sensitivity of myocardium is enhanced to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury under PM2.5 exposure. It is still under prelude for lncRNA-miRNA pair in the study of aggravated myocardial I/R injury under PM2.5 exposure. In this study, we first built a rat model of 30 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion followed PM2.5 (6.0 mg/kg) exposure. We found PM2.5 exposure could obviously aggravate I/R injury in the fields of myocardium damage, apoptosis levels and cardiac function which were evaluated by TTC staining, TUNEL and echocardiography, respectively. Then, based on results of sequencing and RT-qPCR, we selected NONRATT003473.2 in the follow-up experiments and named this lncRNA as PM2.5 exposure aggravated myocardial I/R injury lncRNA (PEAMIR). Consistent with the results rat model, we confirmed PEAMIR to be a protective lncRNA against PM + HR triggered damages in H9c2 cells. Next, according to the bioinformatics analysis from miRanda database and a series of gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we proved PEAMIR to be a ceRNA for miR-29b-3p to inhibit cardiac inflammation and apoptosis. Finally, using Target-Scan database, the conserved binding sites for miR-29b-3p was identified in the 3'UTR of PI3K (p85a), a key protein of apoptosis. Our subsequent experiments validated the regulatory relationship between PEAMIR-miR-29b-3p ceRNA pair and PI3K (p85a)/Akt/GSK3b/p53 cascade pathway. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the role and mechanism of PEAMIR in the augment of I/R injury under PM2.5 exposure, suggesting a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of I/R injury under PM2.5 exposure.

[Clinical Trial of Electroacupuncture Treatment for Relieving Stress Responses in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) and Neiguan (PC 6) on stress responses of patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

A total of 40 patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were randomized into conventional treatment group (control) and EA group (n＝20 in each group). Patients of the EA group received conventional treatment (pre- and post-surgical fasting, measures for gastrointestinal decompression, parenteral nutrition support, and patient controlled analgesia pump, etc.) and EA stimulation (2 Hz, 30 min) of bilateral ST 36 and PC 6 (twice after surgery, at an interval of 6 h), and patients of the control group received conventional treatment only. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the patients' pain severity and the blood glucose levels were detected once every 4－6 h within 24 h after operation. Serum cortisol (Cort) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were detected by chemiluminescence method, and serum D-lactic acid level (for assessing gastrointestinal mucosal injury) was assayed by ELISA.

RESULTS

After the treatment, the levels of serum Cort, ACTH, D-lactate acid and the highest blood glucose were significantly lower in the EA group than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), suggesting a reduction of stress reactions after EA. But no significant difference was found between the control and EA groups in the VAS score (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

EA at ST 36 and PC 6 can alleviate stress responses and reduce intestinal mucosal damage in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

[Experimental study scavenging effect of paraquat by hemoperfusion]

Objective: To determine the scavenging effect and the change of metabolism of paraquat (PQ) using hemoperfusion (HP) once and twice within 12 hours after intoxication and explore the better scheme of HP. Methods: 18 beagles were randomly divided into 3 groups. Single HP group, Double HP group and Control group. Peripheral veins blood was collected at different times within 48 hours after exposure in each group. Toxin concentration was measured, analyzed and compared among 3 groups. Results: 6 hours after exposure, Single HP group and Double HP group has finished the first HP treatment, and the concentration of PQ was lower than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . 10 hours after exposure, there was no statistical difference of toxin concentration among 3 groups (P>0.05) . 12 hours after exposure, Double HP group has finished the second HP treatment, the concentration of PQ was significantly lower than that of Single HP group and Control group (P<0.05) . 24 hours and 48 hours after exposure, there was no statistical difference of toxin concentration among 3 groups (P>0.05) . Statistical difference were not observed in toxicokinetical parameters among 3 groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion: HP treatment once and twice within 12 hours after intoxication could effectively reduce the toxin concentration in the peripheral veins blood after HP for about 4 hours, then the toxin concentration would return to the same level as Control group quickly. It was suggested that at the beginning of poisoning, HP treatment once or twice could not significantly change the metabolism of paraquat.

[Advantages and disadvantages of preoperative artificial pneumothorax for medical thoracoscopy]

Objective: To expolre the indications, safety, advantages and disadvantages of performing artificial pneumothorax prior to medical thoracoscopy. Methods: Data of 152 patients undergoing medical thoracoscopy for pleural diseases in the Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from April 2007 to September 2014 were studied through retrospective analysis. According to the performance of artificial pneumothorax prior to medical thoracoscopy, the pleural space adhesions and the pleural effusions, patients were grouped into artificial pneumothorax group (107 cases) and non-artificial pneumothorax group (45 cases), adhesion group (102 cases) and non-adhesion group (50 cases), and few or no pleural effusion group (94 cases) and massive pleural effusion group (58 cases), respectively. The incidence of complications such as subcutaneous emphysema, pleural reaction, infection, aeroembolism and pulmonary injury/hemorrhage in different groups were compared, and the vital signs of patients were observed. Results were compared using the Chi square test. Results: After thoracoscopic examination, the definite diagnosis rates of artificial pneumothorax group and non- artificial pneumothorax group were 83.2% (89/107) and 93.3% (42/45) respectively, which showed no significant difference (χ(2)=2.744, P=0.098). Three cases of subcutaneous emphysema occurred in the artificial pneumothorax group, while all these 3 cases belonged to adhesion group, and one of them belonged to few or no pleural effusion group, and 2 of them belonged to massive pleural effusion group. No subcutaneous emphysema cases were observed in the non-adhesion group. In the non-artificial pneumothorax group, one case of lung trauma caused by trocar was observed, which belonged to adhesion group and few or no pleural effusion group; no lung puncture wound cases were observed in massive pleural effusion group and non-adhesion group. Other complications related to artificial pneumothorax and thoracoscopy, such as pleural reaction, infection, air embolism and pulmonary injury/hemorrhage, were not observed. No significant changes were found between the vital signs of patients before and after artificial pneumothorax. Conclusion: For pleural effusion or pleural disease patients with pleural space adhesion, the performance of artificial pneumothorax prior to operation was recommended. Artificial pneumothorax was not recommended for patients without pleural space adhesions.

[Effect of self-expanding bare metal stents of different diameters on the trachea of dogs]

Objective: To study the effect of self-expanding bare metal stents on the trachea of dogs, and therefore to provide useful information for choice of airway stents by interventional physicians. Methods: In this experiment, 8 beagles were randomly divided into 4 groups. Four self-expanding metal stents of different diameters (16, 18, 20 and 22 mm, respectively) were placed in the trachea of these beagles for 3 months and their impacts on normal trachea were observed. Results: In the 16 mm stent group (stent-to-airway diameter ratio 103%), good epithelialization was observed and the tracheal structure had no significant damage. In the 18 mm stent group (stent-to-airway diameter ratio 116%), slight granulation tissues were observed, but the cartilage and outer membrane were normal. In the 20 mm stent group (stent-to-airway diameter ratio 129%), severe granulation tissues were observed. Cartilage was damaged but outer membrane was normal. In the 22 mm stent group (stent-to-airway diameter ratio 142%), no obvious granulation tissues were found. Cartilage was normal, but outer membrane was ruptured. Conclusion: In a certain range, tracheal granulation tissues increased as the stent diameter increased. However, if the stent diameter continued to increase, a decreasing trend of tracheal granulation was observed, but severe tracheal injury by stent expansion force would occur.

[Airway metal stents removal by rigid bronchoscopy]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the techniques and related complication management of airway metal stents removal with rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia.

METHODS

We reviewed 20 patients who had received rigid bronchoscopic stents removal under general anesthesia from Jan. 2008 to Jan. 2015. The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. The indications for stents removal and potential difficulties encountered, the relationship between techniques and related complications of stents removal were discussed and analyzed, and our experiences were summarized.

RESULTS

The indications for airway metal stents removal included stent migration, fracture, and granulation related in-stent restenosis. Nineteen airway metal stents were removed from 20 patients, which included 9 covered metal stents, 6 without fragmentation and 3 with fragmentation. The average duration of stenting before removal was (7.4±6.9)months (5 days-24 months). Of the 11 uncovered metal stents, which had stayed in the airway for (10.2±7.0) months (20 days-24 months), 10 were removed successfully and 1 failed. Three of them were removed intact and 7 fragmented. Complications were as follows: airway bleeding requiring management (n=11), airway collapse (n=6), re-obstruction requiring temporary stent placement (n=5), postoperative tracheal intubation (n=1), mucosal tear with tracheoesophageal fistula (n=1), airway firing (n=1), airway obstruction, and death as a result of attempted stent removal (n=1).

CONCLUSIONS

Airway metal stent removal is a high-risk operation. Indications for stents removal should be evaluated thoroughly and all the advantages and disadvantages should be evaluated. Once stent removal is decided, the type of the metal stent, the position of the stent implanted, the duration of stenting, and the extent of the stent embedded in granulation tissue should be carefully considered to assess the difficulty of the procedure. Dissection of the stent from the airway wall before extracting it can reduce complications such as airway bleeding, mucosal tear and airway obstruction. At the same time, a standby stent is needed to deal with possible airway collapse after stent removal. Removal of metal airway stents should only be performed by a proficient and experienced interventional pulmonology team to ensure successful operation and to improve patient safety.

[Structure determination of the constituents from Citrus grandis Osbeck]

OBJECTIVE

To isolate the chemical constituents of the peelings of Citrus grandis and determine their structure.

METHOD

Column chromatography and PTLC were applied to isolating and purifying the chemical constituents, and 1H NMR and 13C NMR were used to elucidate their structure.

RESULT

4 compounds were isolated as meranzin hydrate(1), roseoside(2), 8-(3-beta-D-syl-2-hydrox-3-methylbutyl)-7-methoxycoumarin(3) and glucose(4).

CONCLUSION

Compound 2 was isolated as a carotenoid from this genus for the first time.

Platyphyllin A, a novel coumarone from the leaves of Betula platyphylla Suk

A novel coumarone, platyphyllin A (1), was isolated from the leaves of Betula platyphylla Suk.. The structure elucidation was accomplished by the analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was identified as a new coumarone skeleton, which was first isolated from plants.

New 2-(2-phenylethyl) chromones from Bothriochloa ischaemum

Two new 2-(2-Phenylethyl) chromones were isolated from Bothriochloha ischaemum (Gramineae). They were characterized as 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-chromone(1) and 5-hydroxy-2-[2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl]-chromone(2) by means of spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D-NMR experiments.

Suppression of alcohol intake after administration of the Chinese herbal medicine, NPI-028, and its derivatives

The Chinese herbal medicine, NPI-028, has been used for centuries in China to counteract alcohol intoxication. The present study used a number of different experimental conditions to determine whether NPI-028 and its derivatives might selectively influence alcohol intake in rodents that naturally exhibit high alcohol intakes. It was determined that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of NPI-028 (0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 g/kg) suppressed alcohol intake by up to 30% in both alcohol-preferring P and Fawn-Hooded (FH) rats during a continuous access schedule. These injections did not significantly affect food or water intakes, nor did the highest dose of NPI-028 (1 g/kg) alter blood ethanol levels after an i.p. injection of 2.5 g/kg of ethanol. In P rats, it was found that NPI-028 was orally active with the dose of 1.5 g/kg having a greater effect on ethanol intake than the 1.0 g/kg dose; once again, food and water intakes were not significantly altered. In FH rats maintained on a limited access schedule (1 hr/day), alcohol intake was completely abolished by 1.5 g/kg of NPI-028. Chronic i.p. administration of NPI-028 (0.75 g/kg) for four consecutive days in FH rats maintained on a continuous access schedule did not lead to any diminution of its alcohol-suppressant effects. Thus, NPI-028 has significant effects on alcohol intake without much effect on water and food intake, and tolerance does not readily develop to these effects. The i.p. administration of a partially purified extract (NPI-031) of NPI-028, obtained by countercurrent chromatography, also dose-dependently suppressed ethanol intake in FH rats, but the highest dose 200 mg/kg) also significantly decreased food intake. Finally, the i.p. administration of puerarin (NPI-31G), an isoflavone isolated from NPI-031 by countercurrent chromatography, significantly reduced ethanol intake in FH rats without affecting food or water intake. Therefore, NPI-028 and one of its pure components, NPI-031G, selectively reduced ethanol intake in alcohol-preferring rats.