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AIM To investigate the effects of berberine-evodiamine compatibility on expressions of intestinal acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2),apolipoprotein B48 (ApoB48),and Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) proteins in hypercholesterolemic rats.METHODS Fifty SD rats were assigned to control and model groups.After establishing the hypercholesterolemic rat model by feeding high fat and high cholesterol food,forty SD rats were equally divided into model control group,atorvastatin group,berberine-evodiamine compatibility groups (89.2 mg/kg,178.4 mg/kg).After four weeks treatment,serum triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol (TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected.Then the contents of cholesterol and β-sitoesterol in serum were determined by GC.The expressions of ACAT2,ApoB48 and NPC1 L1 proteins in the small intestine were assayed with immunohistochemistry technology.RESULTS Serum TC,TG and liver TC were significantly decreased in 89.2 mg/kg and 178.4 mg/kg berberineevodiamine compatibility groups compared with those in the model control group (P ＜ 0.01).Serum LDL-C and liver TC were also significantly decreased in 89.2 mg/kg berberine-evodiamine compatibility group (P ＜ 0.05).GC analysis indicated that the amount of cholesterol level and β-sitoesterol in serum were decreased in 178.4 mg/kg berberine-evodiamine compatibility group (P ＜ 0.05) and 89.2 mg/kg berberine-evodiamine compatibility group (P ＜ 0.01).Immunohistochemistry analysis manifested that the average luminous density of ACAT2,ApoB48 and NPC1L1 proteins in two dosages of berberine-evodiamine compatibility group were descended markedly compared with those in the model control group (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION The mechanisms underlying the cholesterol metabolism activity of berberine-evodiamine compatibility are mediated most likely by down-regulating the expressions of intestinal ACAT2,ApoB48 and NPC1 L1 proteins in hypercholesterolemic rats.
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AIM To investigate the effects of berberine-evodiamine compatibility on expressions of intestinal acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2),apolipoprotein B48 (ApoB48),and Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) proteins in hypercholesterolemic rats.METHODS Fifty SD rats were assigned to control and model groups.After establishing the hypercholesterolemic rat model by feeding high fat and high cholesterol food,forty SD rats were equally divided into model control group,atorvastatin group,berberine-evodiamine compatibility groups (89.2 mg/kg,178.4 mg/kg).After four weeks treatment,serum triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol (TC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were detected.Then the contents of cholesterol and β-sitoesterol in serum were determined by GC.The expressions of ACAT2,ApoB48 and NPC1 L1 proteins in the small intestine were assayed with immunohistochemistry technology.RESULTS Serum TC,TG and liver TC were significantly decreased in 89.2 mg/kg and 178.4 mg/kg berberineevodiamine compatibility groups compared with those in the model control group (P ＜ 0.01).Serum LDL-C and liver TC were also significantly decreased in 89.2 mg/kg berberine-evodiamine compatibility group (P ＜ 0.05).GC analysis indicated that the amount of cholesterol level and β-sitoesterol in serum were decreased in 178.4 mg/kg berberine-evodiamine compatibility group (P ＜ 0.05) and 89.2 mg/kg berberine-evodiamine compatibility group (P ＜ 0.01).Immunohistochemistry analysis manifested that the average luminous density of ACAT2,ApoB48 and NPC1L1 proteins in two dosages of berberine-evodiamine compatibility group were descended markedly compared with those in the model control group (P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION The mechanisms underlying the cholesterol metabolism activity of berberine-evodiamine compatibility are mediated most likely by down-regulating the expressions of intestinal ACAT2,ApoB48 and NPC1 L1 proteins in hypercholesterolemic rats.
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Objective To evaluate the MRI features of central neurocytoma (CNC). Methods Thirteen patients with CNC (7 males and 6 females, aged 18-28), admitted to our hospital fiom January 2007 to January 2010, were chosen; preoperative plain and contrast enhanced MRI scans were performed on these 13 patients and 1 also received CT scan. The clinical and imaging data and pathological features of these patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results The largest tumor enjoyed its maximum diameter of 3.2-8.5 cm; the CNC in 12 patients located at the lateral ventricle and that in 1 patient at the parenchyma of the left frontal and temporal lobes. Lobulated solid tumors were noted in these lesions,showing T1 isointense and T2 hyperintense in MRI; some multiple, scattered cystic lesions showed stronger T1 and T2 signal than the former ones; vascular "flow void" signal was shown in 6 patients in T2WI, and slightly weak T1 signal was shown in 8. All the tumors demonstrated inhomogeneous enhancement and the tumor vessels in 6 patients were noted under contrast MRI. Focal calcification was found. Conclusion CNC in the lateral ventricle enjoys typical location; considering the age of patients, non-contrast and contrast MRI findings, correct diagnosis of CNC can be made; however, CNC outside the lateral ventricle is hard to diagnose.
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Objective To evaluate the value of 3.0T susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SWI) in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular malformations. Methods Forty-six patients with cerebrovascular malformations, admitted to our hospital fiom May 2008 to December 2010, were examined with a 3.0T MR scanner. All patients were examined with MRI conventional sequences T1WI,T2WI, 3DTOF, and their results were compared with SWI sequence so as to evaluate the value of SWI in the diagnosis of cerebrovascular malformations.Results Twenty-five patients had arteriovenous malformation (AVM), 10 with cavernous hemangioma, 8 with venous malformations, and 3 with telangiectasis in the 46 patients with cerebrovascular malformations. SWI could delineate all the cerebrovascular malformation lesions, especially small lesions, but could not display all supplying artery in AVM. 3DTOF was a better technique in delineating large AVM lesions. Conclusion SWI is much more sensitive in showing small cerebrovascular malformations; and combined with other MR sequences,clear diagnosis of cerebral vascular malformations can be made by SWI.
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The effects of Wumeiwan (WMW) on TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and NF-κBp65 in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) were investigated, the curative effectiveness of WMW vs salicylazosul-fapyridine (SASP) was compared, and the action mechanism was analyzed. Fifty-Six Spra-gue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=14 in each group, with equal ratio of male and female): normal control group, model group, SASP group, and WMW group. Except normal control group, the rat UC models in the remaining three groups were established using the method of 2.4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) immunization and acetic acid local enema. The rats in model group, SASP group, and WMW group were treated with distilled water, SASP, and WMW re-spectively. The changes in the symptoms and signs were observed, and levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α,IL-10 and the expression of NF-κBp65 in the colonic tissues were statistically analyzed. The results showed that the levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly increased (P<0.01), while those of IL-10 significantly reduced (P<0.01) after establishment of rat UC models as compared with normal control group. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were obviously lower, bat the level of IL-10 was obviously higher in WMW and SASP groups than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-6,IL-8, and TNF-α were lower, while the level of IL-10 was higher in WMW group than in SASP group.NF-κBp65 was expressed negatively or weakly in normal colonic tissues. The positive expression rate of NF-κBp65 in WMW group and SASP group was obviously lower than in model group (P<0.01), and there was significant difference between WMW group and SASP group (P<0.05). It was concluded that rat UC model was established successfully. WMW could up-regulate the expres-sion oflL-10, down-regulate the expression ofTNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and inhibit the NF-κBp65 activity to adjust immune function, indicating WMW had better curative effects on UC in rats.
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To investigate the role of platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and its subunit GP Ibа in patients with hemorrhagic thrombopathy (HT), the expressions of GP lb/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GP Ibа, defined as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), were assessed by flow cytometry.The maximum aggregation of platelet was determined by turbidity method. These indicators were compared among 68 HT patients with the presenting complaint of hemorrhage, 33 well-controlled HT patients and 32 normal healthy subjects. The results showed that the MFI of GP lblIX/V complex and GP Ibct was markedly lower in HT patients with current hemorrhage than that in the healthy subjects, with difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expressions of GP lb/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex and GP lbа between well-controlled HT patients and normal healthy subjects (P>0.05). It was concluded that the expression of GP Ib/Ⅸ/Ⅴ complex, the receptor of thrombin and yon Willebrand factor, was down-regulated in HT patients with current hemorrhage,which might result in the dysfunction of platelet aggregation and recurrence of HT.
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Inflammatory bowel disease is thought to be regulated by the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines secreted by T cells, and NF-κB p65 also plays a predominant role in the intestinal inflammation. We evaluated the potency of oxymatrine, one of active components of Sophora Root, in inhibiting the immune responses and inflammation in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced colitis. The inflammation was markedly ameliorated in the oxymatrine-treated rats.The level of IL-2 was increased and that of IL-10 was decreased in colon tissue in the rat model,which was reversed by the treatment of oxymatrine. Moreover, the elevated expression of NF-κB p65in colon tissue in the model was also improved by oxymatrine treatment. Our results suggest that oxymatrine might be beneficial for the abnormal immune responses and inflammation by regulating the unbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines secretion and inhibiting the expression of NF-κB p65 in colon tissue.
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Objective To investigate the clinical value of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the evaluation of cerebral infraction. Methods Sixty-nine patients with cerebral infraction confirmed by clinical manifestation and routine MRI and/or CT were analyzed for the signal intensity changes on DTI. The isotropic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCiso) and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the infracted area were measured and compared with those of the unaffected side. Results Four types of signal intensity changes on DTI were identified. Type Ⅰ changes were found in 8 infraction lesions, where the ADCiso decreased and FA increased, and the infraction lesions showed hypointensity on ADCiso map and hyperintensity on FA map. Type Ⅱ changes, found in 23 lesions, were characterized by decreased ADCiso and FA values, but ADCiso in the peripheral of the lesions decreased and FA increased, and the lesions were shown as isointensity or hypointensity on ADCiso and FA maps with hyperintensity on the peripheral. Type Ⅲ changes (7 lesions) were manifested by decreased ADCiso and FA values and hypointensity on ADCiso and FA maps. Type Ⅳ changes were found in 31 infraction lesions, showing increased ADCiso and decreased FA with corresponding hyperintensity on ADCiso map and hypointensity on FA map. Significant differences were found in the DTI parameters between the infraction lesions and unaffected side (P<0.05). Conclusion DTI for qualitative and quantitative analysis of cerebral infraction better reveals the pathophysiology of the infraction, allows more precise imaging-based staging of the lesion, and provides evidences for more objective diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and prognostic evaluation of the condition.
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Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (HCP). Methods The clinical data of 10 HCP patients receiving comprehensive therapies in Xuanwu Hospital between 2004 and 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Results All the 10 patients showed symptomatic improvements after the administration of effective treatment, including 8 with complete recovery, 1 with mild insufficiency in left eye abduction, and 1 with frequent mild headache after the treatments. During the follow-up for 6 months to two years, 2 patients experienced a single rclapsc and 1 had 3 relapses, who all responded favorably to therapy with corticosteroid hormones. Conclusion Early definite diagnosis of HCP can bc derived based on the clinical characteristics and results of laboratory examinations. Timely use of corticosteroid hormones and antibiotics can be essential to prevent the occurrence of irreversible nervous system impairment in these patients, and surgical removal of the lesions can be performed when necessary.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the characteristics of MR imaging of hepatic lesions using measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of hepatic lesions on diffusion weighted imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MR diffusion weighted images were obtained in patients with 97 hepatic lesions (22 hepatocellular carcinomas, 21 metastatic tumors, 28 hemangiomas, 26 cysts). ADC values were evaluated with different sequences. The ADC ratio of lesion/liver was estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Average ADC values of hepatic lesions were as follows: carcinomas (0.91 +/- 0.07) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, metastatic tumors (1.13 +/- 0.27) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, cavernous hemangiomas (1.94 +/- 0.37) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, cysts (3.26 +/- 0.30) x 10(-3) mm(2)/s. The ADC ratio of lesion/liver was significantly different between primary carcinomas and metastatic tumors (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Quantitative study in hepatic lesions using ADC values and the ADC ratio of lesion/liver, would improve the accuracy in diagnosing hepatic lesions.</p>