[Advances in studies on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical application of Aspongopus chinensis].

The Aspongopus chinensis is an insect of the genus Hemiptera, which can be used both as a medicinal and as a gourmet in the folk. It has a long history as a drug, which has the effect of regulating Qi and relieving pain, and warming the Yang. It is mainly used to treat stomach cold and pain, liver and stomach pain, kidney deficiency and impotence, and waist and knee pain. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that A. chinensis has a variety of pharmacological activities. For example, it can be used to fight tumors, improve reproductive damage, and antibacterial, anti-oxidation, anti-coagulation, anti-ulcer, anti-fatigue and so on. The chemical constituents of A. chinensis currently reported mainly include odorous components, vitamins, fatty acids and proteins, amino acids, and other nutrients, as well as nucleosides and dopamines. This study summarizes and analyzes the related research literatures of A. chinensis in China and abroad, and provides a reference for its further development and research from the aspects of chemical composition, pharmacological action and clinical application.

Optimization and application of a dried blood spot-based genetic screening method for thalassemia in Shenzhen newborns.

BACKGROUND: To optimize and apply an approach suitable for large-scale neonatal thalassemia genetic screening in China, thalassemia genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-reverse dot blot using DNA extracted from dried blood spots (DBS) obtained from newborn screening programs. METHODS: Firstly, the most suitable commercial DNA extraction kit for DBS was screened. Then, the appropriate amount of DBS required for the automated high-throughput DNA extraction system was evaluated. Finally, the thalassemia prevalence and genotype spectrum in Shenzhen were investigated in 2028 newborns using the optimized screening procedure. RESULTS: The Magentec extraction kit was best suited for the automated DBS DNA extraction system using eight 3-mm DBS discs. The neonatal thalassemia prevalence in Shenzhen was 9.12%; 6.31% α-thalassemia, 2.37% ß-thalassemia, and 0.44% α-/ß-thalassemia. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic screening based on DBS can precisely identify the thalassemia genotypes. Both α- and ß-thalassemia are widely distributed in Shenzhen newborns. Newborn genetic screening is important for establishing a comprehensive thalassemia prevention program and for public education.

Beneficial effects of oligopeptides from marine salmon skin in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating whether treatment with oligopeptides from marine salmon skin (OMSS) could modulate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related hyperglycemia and ß-cell apoptosis in rats induced by high fat diet and low doses of streptozotocin and its therapeutic mechanisms. METHODS: Groups of T2DM rats were treated with OMSS or bovine serum albumin (3.0 g/kg/d) for 4 wk and their blood samples, together with those of normal control rats, were collected before and 4 wk after treatment. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and interferon-gamma (IFNγ) in rats were determined. The islet cell apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In comparison with control rats, higher levels of FBG and frequency of apoptotic islet cells were detected in the bovine serum albumin group of diabetic rats, accompanied by higher levels of Fas expression in the pancreatic islets, serum TNFα, IFNγ, and MDA, but lower levels of SOD and GSH. However, the levels of FBG and frequency of apoptotic islet cells were significantly reduced in OMSS-treated rats. Lower levels of Fas expression were observed in the pancreatic islets of OMSS-treated rats. Significantly reduced levels of serum TNFα, IFNγ, and MDA, but increased levels of SOD and GSH, were detected in OMSS-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with OMSS significantly reduced FBG in diabetic rats. This antidiabetic activity may be mediated by down-regulating T2DM-related oxidative stress and inflammation, protecting the pancreatic ß-cells from apoptosis.