[Regulatory effect of procyanidins on the expressions of interferon-gamma, interleukin-12 and transcription factor T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell of patients with alopecia areata].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of procyanidins (PC) on the expressions of Th1 type cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-12) and the transcription factor T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in patients with alopecia areata (AA). METHODS: Above-mentioned expressions were detected using RT-PCR technique in 20 AA patients (8 of mild and 12 of severe degree) and 10 healthy subjects after phytoaemagglutinin (PHA) or PHA + PC stimulation. RESULTS: After being stimulated by PHA and PHA + PC, in patients with severe AA, the expression of T-bet mRNA was 0.581 +/- 0.148 and 0.419 +/- 0.113 respectively; that of IFN-gamma mRNA, 0.689 +/- 0.219 and 0.430 +/- 0.162; and that of IL-12 mRNA, 0.198 +/- 0.056 and 0.136 +/- 0.035, respectively. As compared with those before stimulation, the respective difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PC can inhibit the expressions of Th1 type cytokines and transcription factor T-bet in PBMC of severe AA patients, and reverse the Th1 responses. The authors offered that it maybe part of the acting mechanism of pine needle for treatment of AA.

[Gene expression profiling of peripheral leukocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using oligonucleotide DNA microarray].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the differentially expressed genes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by comparing the gene expression profiles of peripheral leukocytes between SLE patients and healthy controls. METHODS: The total RNA was extracted from 5 ml peripheral blood of normal subjects and SLE patients, and reversely transcribed in cDNA templates to synthesize cDNA probes labeled for hybridization with the microarray. RESULTS: Totally 89 over- or under-expressed genes were identified in 9 SLE patients as compared with the controls. These genes included genes associated with cytokines and their receptors, immunity, cell signal transduction, protein transcription and synthesis, ion channel and transporters, cell apoptosis, DNA and RNA processing, and extracellular matrix etc. Clustering analysis showed that in spite of the individual diversity of the SLE patients, their gene expression profiles were strikingly similar. CONCLUSION: The differentially expressed genes screened with oligonucleotide DNA microarray technique may provide clues for exploring the pathogenesis and progression of SLE, and for identification of potential molecular markers for diagnosis and development of therapeutic drugs.

[Inhibitory impacts of Niaoluqing on urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effects of Niaoluqing, an oral liquid of traditional Chinese medicine, on the growth of urogenital chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). METHODS: Niaoluqing's applying concentration was 1 g/ml and 10 serologically untyped strains of Ct from the STD clinic were used. And the inhibitory effects of Niaoluqing on Ct was evaluated by McCoy cell microculture technique in vitro. RESULTS: Niaoluqing had inhibitory activity for urogenital Ct, and was capable of reducing inclusion numbers notably in the concentrations of 50 to 200 mg/ml. The number and volume of Ct inclusions reduced gradually and disappeared finally with the rising of the medicinal concentration. CONCLUSION: The traditional Chinese medicine Niaoluqing has inhibitory effects on the growth of urogenital Ct.

[Antibacterial effect of niaoluqing oral liquid on clinical drug-resistant strains and different serotype strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum in vitro].

OBJECTIVES: To study the antibacterial effect of Niaoluqing Oral Liquid (NOL) on clinical drug-resistant strains and 14 serotype strains Ureaplasma Urealyticum (UU). METHODS: Sixty-three clinical strains of UU were detected to determine their serology and antibiotic susceptibilities by the metabolic inhibition test (MIT). Mininum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was used to evaluate the sensitivity of NOL to different serotypes of UU. The sensitivity of NOL, erythromycin and tetracycline to 63 clinical strains of UU was also studied. RESULTS: In 63 clinical strains of UU, the range of MIC to NOL was from 0.48 mg/ml to 15.63 mg/ml, MIC50 < or = 1.95 mg/ml, MIC90 < or = 3.91 mg/ml. Among them, 31 strains were resistant to tetracycline and 31 were resistant to erythromycin. No obvious correlation between the sensitivity of NOL to UU clinical strains and that of erythromycin and tetracycline to UU clinical strains (P > 0.05). Clinical strains of UU in this experiment contains all of its serotypes, also having a higher sensitivity to NOL (MIC < or = 3.91 mg/ml) except serology 1, 2, 3 and 11 (MIC > or = 7.81 mg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: NOL exerts a strong in vitro antibacterial effect on erythromycin-resistant and tetracycline-resistant clinical strains of UU. All kinds of serotype strains had a higher sensitivity to NOL, too. Chinese medicinal herbs are of momentous significance in the treatment of UU infection.