Trichostatin C attenuates TNFα-induced inflammation in endothelial cells by up-regulating Krüppel-like factor 2 / 药学学报

Krüppel-like transcription factor 2 (KLF2) plays a key regulatory role in endothelial inflammation, thrombosis, angiogenesis and macrophage inflammation and polarization, and up-regulation of KLF2 expression has the potential to prevent and treatment atherosclerosis. In this study, trichostatin C (TSC) was obtained from the secondary metabolites of rice fermentation of Streptomyces sp. CPCC 203909 as a KLF2 up-regulator by using a high throughput screening model based on a KLF2 promoter luciferase reporter assay. TSC significantly inhibited the adhesion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) induced monocytes (THP-1) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Western blot results showed that TSC decreased TNFα induced the protein expression increase of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and thereby inhibited endothelial inflammation. The results of histone deacetylase (HDAC) overexpression and molecular docking experiments showed that TSC upregulated the expression of KLF2 by inhibiting subtypes of HDAC 4/5/7. In conclusion, this study suggests that TSC up-regulates the expression of KLF2 through inhibiting HDAC 4/5/7 and thus inhibits TNFα induced endothelial inflammation, and it has the potential to prevent and treat atherosclerosis.

Rutaecarpine exerted anti-osteroporosis / 药学学报

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), secreted by osteoblasts, is a marker of bone turnover. OPG can inhibit osteoclastic differentiation by binding receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). In this study, we found that rutaecarpine (RUT) had the up-regulating OPG activity, and it could significantly increase OPG protein levels in both mouse embryonic osteogenic precursor MC3T3-E1 and human osteosarcoma U-2OS cells. Osteoblastogenic differentiation calcified nodules staining results showed that RUT significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Osteoclastic differentiation tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining results showed that RUT obviously inhibited the osteoclast differentiation of mouse macrophages RAW264.7 induced by RANKL. In vivo studies showed that low-dose RUT group (5 mg·kg-1·day-1) and high-dose RUT group (45 mg·kg-1·day-1) treatments for 3 months significantly increased bone density in ovariectomized (OVX) rats; calcein double labeling experiment and toluidine blue staining results indicated that low-dose RUT group promoted bone formation and decreased bone loss in vivo; immunohistochemistry results showed that low-dose RUT group increased the expression of OPG in rat femur. All animal procedures were performed in accordance with the regulations of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. In summary, this study demonstrated that RUT could up-regulate OPG expression and had promoting osteoblastic differentiation and inhibiting osteoclastic differentiation effects in vitro and in vivo.

Toxoplasmosis presenting with multiple cranial nerve palsies and cavernous sinusitis: A case report

@#Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. We report here a diabetic patient who was diagnosed as toxoplasmosis with multiple cranial nerve palsies and cavernous sinusitis. A 37-year-old male presented with an 11-day history of gingival pain, one day history of ptosis and diplopia. He has been having diabetes mellitus for 6 years, and has a history of contact with cats. After admission, his symptoms worsened with right 3rd to 7th cranial nerve palsies. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cavernous sinusitis in the right sellar region. Serology for toxoplasma was positive for IgM and negative IgG. The patient was treated with oral clindamycin (900 mg/day) and dexamethasone (15 mg/day). The right visual acuity and lid-conjunctival swelling improved after 3 days. At follow-up after a month, the movement of the right eye significantly improved. This case demonstrate the rare occurrence of multiple cranial nerve (3rd to 7th) palsies from toxoplasmosis cavernous sinusitis, which is a potentially treatable condition.

Hepatic Resection Combined with Radiofrequency Ablation versus Hepatic Resection Alone for Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinomas: A Meta-analysis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of hepatic resection combined with radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection (HR) alone for the treatment of multifocal hepatoeellular carcinomas (HCC).A literature search was conducted from the database including MEDLINE,Embase,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and China Biology Medicine (CBM) disc.The primary outcomes included the 1-,3-,5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate.The secondary outcomes contained the intraoperative parameters and postoperative adverse events (AEs).These parameters were all analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software.After carefully screening relevant studies,four retrospective studies of high quality involving 466 patients (197 in the combined group and 269 in the HR group) were included in this study.The pooled results showed that the 1-,3-,5-year OS rate in the combined group were comparable with those in the HR group (OR=0.77,0.96,0.88;P=0.33,0.88,0.70,respectively).Similarly,there was no significant difference in 1-,3-,5-year DFS rate between the combined group and the HR alone group (OR=0.57,0.83,0.72;P=0.17,0.37,0.32,respectively).And the intraoperative parameters and postoperative AEs were also comparable between the above two cohorts.However,two included studies reported that tumor often recurred in the ablation site in the combined group.The present meta-analysis indicated that the HR combined with RFA could reach a long-term survival outcome similar to curative HR for multifocal HCC patients.And this therapy may be a promising alternative for these patients with marginal liver function or complicated tumor distribution.Furthermore,high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are imperative to verify this conclusion.

Pimecrolimus increases the melanogenesis and migration of melanocytes in vitro

Vitiligo is an intriguing depigmentary disorder and is notoriously difficult to be treated. The ultimate goal of vitiligo treatment is to replenish the lost melanocytes by immigration from hair follicle and to restore the normal function of melanogenesis by residual melanocytes. There are two types of topical calcineurin inhibitors called tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, and are recommended as the first-line treatments in vitiligo. Although pimecrolimus is efficacious for the repigmentation of vitiligo, its intrinsic mechanisms have never been investigated in vitro. This research aimed to study the ability of pimecrolimus on stimulating melanogenesis, melanocyte migration and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. Results showed that pimecrolimus at the dosages of 1, 10, 10² nM were neither mitogenic nor cytotoxic to melanocytes. The addition of pimecrolimus at 10, 10² and 10³ nM significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity, which was consistent with the elevated content of melanin content at the same concentrations. The peak effect was seen at 72 h in response to 10² nM pimecrolimus. Results of the wound scratch assay and Transwell assays indicate that pimecrolimus is effective in facilitating melanocyte migration on a collagen IV-coated surface. In addition, MITF protein yield reached the highest by pimecrolimus at 10² nM. In brief, pimecrolimus enhances melanin synthesis as well as promotes migration of melanocytes directly, possibly via their effects on MITF protein expression.

Development of an experimental device for measuring three-dimensional movement of the spine / 医用生物力学

Objective To develop a set of loading device that can simulate the spinal movement in vitro so as to carry out the biomechanical experiment on human spine. Methods Based on the principle of bearing, the rotary locking device was designed and fixed on the loading plate, which was rotated to the position for testing and then locked by the bolt before loading. And then, with the auto-loading power provided by the universal testing machine, the pure moment of flexion/extension, left/right bending and left/right axial rotation were applied on the spine specimen to simulate the spinal movement in vivo. Finally, the position of the spine specimen before/after loading was measured by the 3D scanner. With the loading device, the range of motion under these six loading conditions for six fresh (one-year age) porcine cervical spines (C2-C6) was tested, and precision of the loading device as well as error analysis were testified by experiments. Results A set of experimental device for the three-dimensional movement measuring for human spine was developed. Data of neutral zone and range of motion for the porcine cervical spine in six directions were acquired with the total measurement error being less than 3.5％. Conclusions The delicate design of this loading device could simulate the spinal motion in vitro and thus achieve the rapid loading of the human spine. This is an inexpensive, simple and practical device, which can significantly increase the test efficiency and has great application value in loading on the spine in vitro.

Scavenging effect of Sarcandra glabra powder on radiation-induced reactive oxygen species in the parotid gland of miniature pigs / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Sarcandra glabra in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by γ-ray irradiation in the parotid gland of miniature pigs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five male miniature pigs were randomly divided into control group, radiation group and radiation plus medication group, and each group contained 3 parallel groups (subgroups a, b and c). From 1 week before exposure of the parotid gland region to 15 Gy γ-ray irradiation (which was not administered in the control group), the miniature pigs in radiation plus medication group were given Sarcandra glabra powder, while those in the other groups received an equal amount of saline. Bilateral parotid glands were taken and weighed on the days 10, 40 and 90 following the exposure in subgroups a, b, and c, respectively, and ROS content in the parotid glands were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The content of ROS was significantly lower in radiation plus medication group than in the radiation group (P<0.01). In the radiation plus medication group, the ROS content showed no significant difference between subgroups a and b or between subgroups a and c (P>0.01), but differed significantly between subgroups b and c (P<0.01). Sarcandra glabra showed a strong ROS-scavenging effect 10 days after the irradiation, and the ROS content was similar with that in the control group (P>0.01); at 40 and 90 days, the ROS-scavenging effect of Sarcandra glabra was still observable, but the ROS content was significantly higher in the irradiation plus medication group than in the control group (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sarcandra glabra displays a ROS-scavenging effect in the parotid gland of miniature pigs against irradiation, especially at 10 days following the exposure, which may serve as the main mechanism for the protective effect of Sarcandra glabra against radiation injury in the parotid gland.</p>

Observation on marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiating into functional cells in rabbit with smoke inhalation injury / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the homing and differentiation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplanted intravenously in smoke inhalation injured rabbits.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two New Zealand big ear rabbits were divided into normal control group (NC), inhalation injury group (II), normal control + MSC treatment group (NM), and MSC treatment group (MT) according to the random number table, with 8 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in NC group were injected with 10 mL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) via ear marginal vein. Rabbits in NM group were injected with 10 mL PBS containing the third generation MSC labeled by BrdU (1 × 10(7) per 10 mL PBS) via ear marginal vein. Severe smoke inhalation injury model was reproduced in the other two groups, among them rabbits in II group were treated as rabbits in NC group, rabbits in MT group treated as rabbits in NM group. On the 7th and 28th day post treatment (PTD), lung tissue and trachea tissue were harvested from four groups for observation on injury with HE staining. Homing of MSC in injured tissue was observed with immunohistochemistry staining. The differentiation of MSC into functional cells was observed with immunohistochemical double staining of combining nuclear marker BrdU with lung (trachea) membrane-specific marker aquaporin-5 (AQP-5), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), CD34, and cytokeratin respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) MSC homing in lung and trachea tissue was observed in MT group on PTD 7, which was not observed in NM group. (2) AQP-5, AKP, and CD34 positive MSC were observed in lung tissue in MT group on PTD 28, while cytokeratin positive MSC was not observed in trachea tissue. No positively marked MSC was observed in NM group. (3) Injury in lung and trachea was less severe in MT group than in II group; and the proliferation of fibroblasts was less in MT group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intravenous injection of MSC to rabbits with smoke inhalation injury can migrate to lung and trachea tissue at obviously inflammatory site, and differentiate into alveolar epithelial cells typeI and II, and pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, which may participate in the process of tissue repair in smoke inhalation injury.</p>

Biomechanical comparison with cervical spines of porcin, calf and human / 医用生物力学

Objective To identify whether the calf or porcine cervical spine is a suitable substitute specimen for vitro spine study by comparing the biomechanical characteristics of porcin, calf and human cervical segments. Method Twelve fresh (age: 1 year; average weight: 60-80 kg) porcine cervical spines (C0-T1) and twelve fresh (age: 1 week; average weight： 40-50 kg) calf cervical spines (C0 T1) were taken. The twelve specimens were divided into two groups. One group of six was divided into C2-C3, C4-C5, C6-C7; the other group was divided into C3-C4, C5-C6. The muscle and soft tissue of each functional segment (C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7) were removed, preserving the full ligament, and then each functional segment was tested respectively. The flexion/extension, axial left/right rotation, and right/left lateral bending were applied continuously on the range of motion(ROM) and neutral zone(NZ). The findings in the study were compared with the published data of human cervical spine. Results In rotating and extension/flexion of NZ, the calf and human cervical spines were relatively similar, but they were far greater than that of the porcine cervical spine. In the lateral bending, the NZ of porcine C2-C3 was 69.7% of human, the NZ of porcine C6-C7 was 60.4% of human, and other segments were far smaller than human; the calf cervical spines were different from human, except the C2-C3. In bending and extension flexion of ROM, the porcine and human cervical spines were very similar. But they were far less than the calf, approximately 50% of calf; in the rotation, C2-C3 of porcin was about 69% of human, and other segments were less than the human. The calf cervical spine was much larger than human, and the smallest gap was in C4-C5 of 3.5 °. Conclusions The C2-C3 and C6-C7 of porcin can replace the human cervical spine in nearly all biomechanical experiments on spines. The ROM of calf is bigger than human cervical, but the C2-C3 and C3-C4 of calf are similar to human in biomechanics.

Influence of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism on the lipid regulation by xuezhikang capsule / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influence of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphism on the lipid metabolism regulatory effect of Xuezhikang Capsule (XZKC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ApoE polymorphism of 74 patients with hyperlipidemia was detected by gene sequencing method, and their plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C) were determined before and after they received a 6-week treatment of XZKC, for analyzing the relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and the changes of various blood lipids associated indices.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effect of XZKC on reducing TG in the epsilon2 allele (E2/E2 and E2/E3 genotypes) was higher than that in the E3/E3 genotypes and epsilon4 allele (E3/E4 and E4/E4 genotypes), while on increasing HDL-C, it showed more effect in the epsilon4 allele (E3/E4 and E4/E4 genotypes) than that in the epsilon2 allele (E2/E2 and E2/E3 genotypes) and E3/E3 genotypes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients' ApoE gene polymorphism could influence the lipid regulatory effect of XZKC, embodying mainly by raising HDL-C and reducing TG in patients with different ApoE genotypes to different extents.</p>

Regulatory effect of Ningxin Hongqi Capsule on local ovarian autocrine and paracrine factors in rats during peri-menopausal period / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the regulatory effect and mechanism of Ningxin Hongqi Capsule on local ovarian autocrine and paracrine factors in peri-menopausal rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD female rats aged 4 months were allocated in a normal control group (A) and those aged 14 months with vagino-cytologic figure of oestrus elongation were allocated in a senile female rat model group (B). Rats in Group B were subdivided into 5 groups randomly as the B1, B2 and B3 subgroups treated respectively with high, moderate and low dose Ningxin Hongqi Capsule, the B4 subgroup treated with estradiol and the B5 subgroup untreated for control. Rats' ovaries were obtained at the end of the experiment for observing the conditions of ovarian growing follicles and corpus luteum by HE staining, determining expressions of ovarian estradiol receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin alpha (INHalpha), activin (ACT) alpha-beta, follistatin (FS), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with Group B5, the ovary index, number of growing follicle were higher and levels of FSH and LH were lower in Group B2 and B3, expression of ER was higher in Group B1 and B4, IGF-1 and INHalpha was higher in Group B2 and B3, and ACTalpha-beta and FS were lower (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nirigxin Hongqi Capsule could adjust and balance the local ovarian autocrine and paracrine factors to improve the ovarian function.</p>

Critical appraisal of randomized clinical trials in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion from 2000 to 2006 / 中国针灸

To assess the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Manually retrieve RCT papers published in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion from 2000 to 2006 and use "the extraction form of acupuncture and moxibustion randomized clinical trial report data" to evaluate the quality of RCTs. Six hundred and eighty-six RCTs were enrolled. The methodological quality was lower than the international standard and only one RCT paper described the trial technological process. And there were a less reports about influencing RCT quality, such as acupuncturist's qualification and education background (3.06%), adverse reaction (4.23%), blind method (5.98%) and follow-up (14.43%). RCTs on acupuncture and moxibustion published in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion need to be improved in trial design, conduction and report.

Detection of microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer by fluorescence multiplex polymerase chain reaction and its clinical value / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect microsatellite instability(MSI) in colorectal cancer by fluorescence multiplex polymerase chain reaction(FM-PCR) and explore its clinical value.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MSI of 110 colorectal cancer patients undergone surgical resection in our department from 2004 to 2005 were examined by FM-PCR, and the pathological characteristics were compared between MSI and microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 110 cases, the male were 66 and the female were 44. Mean age was 60.8 (26-94) yrs. All 5 microsatellite markers were amplified. Out of them, 10 cases (8.1%) were MSI-H, 13 cases (11.8%) were MSI-L and 87 cases (79.1%) were MSS. Instability of BAT-26 was found in 9 cases (8.2%), BAT-25 was in 11 cases (10.0%), D2S123 was in 11 cases (10.0%), D5S346 was in 6 cases (8.2%) and D17S250 was in 8 cases (7.3%). Age between MSI and MSS colorectal cancer patients was significant and other pathological characteristics were not significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>FM-PCR is a clinically stable method for MSI detection in colorectal cancer patients. There are no significant differences between MSI and MSS pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer patients.</p>

Study on the relationship between polymorphism of ApoE gene and TCM syndrome type of primary hyperlipemia / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between the polymorphism of ApoE gene and TCM syndrome type of primary hyperlipemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ApoE genotype of 102 patients with hyperlipemia was detected by gene PCR sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of five genotypes were detectable, they were E2/2, E3/3, E4/4, E2/3 and E3/4. The frequency of E3/4 + E4/4 and epsilon4 allelotype detected in the patients of Gan-Shen Yin deficiency syndrome type were significantly higher than those in patients of Pi-Shen Yang-deficiency type or of phlegm stagnation type (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and which in patients of Qi-stagnation caused blood stasis type were significantly higher than those in patients of phlegm stagnation type ( P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Polymorphism of ApoE gene is related in a certain degree to TCM syndrome type of primary hyperlipemia.</p>

Clinical value of CK34BE12 combining the expression of protein P53 gene and prostate specific antigen for the differential diagnosis of prostate carcinoma / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the level of clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant prostate lesions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and nine cases of prostate cancer and prostate hyperplasia were evaluated by the expression of high molecular weight cytokeratin (CK34BE12), prostate specific antigen (PSA) and protein P53 gene using the immunohistochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The basal-cells in all of the benign lesions were stained with the CK34BE12 and PSA, while it had not immunoreactivity with P53. In contrast, the prostate carcinoma were not stained or partly stained with the CK34BE12 and PSA, but P53 show significant immunoreactivity with the tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Based on the routine histological studies with the expression of CK34BE12 and PSA together, they can indicate the existence of basal-cell distinctly and show indirectly whether the basal-cell is integrated. Combining the expression of P53 to determine the existence of cancer gene, it can help to distinguish benign and malignant prostate lesions.</p>

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon double-sequencing analysis in NSClC / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mutation patterns of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 18, 19 and 21 in Chinese non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Somatic mutation in samples of 32 cases without Iressa-treatment were compared with that in 10 volunteers blood control. The mutations were identified for the forward and reverse sequence chains for the tyrosine kinase domain of the EGFR gene, followed by DNA template abstraction and Touchdown PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine types of mutation were found in sequences of 7 cases among the 32 non-small cell lung carcinoma tissues, namely, five reported mutation within exon 19, and two new heterozygous mutations, L833V and H835L within exon 21, and two intron polymorphism. These results showed a mutation rate of 9/32 (28.1%) in Chinese with NSCLC, and of 31.6% in lung adenocarcinomas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGFR mutation rate in Chinese with NSCLC is consistent with those of Asian women reported in the literature but new mutation points in Chinese were presented as L833V and H835L. The mutation rate is in concordance with release rate of NSCLC obtained by Gefitinib treatment in Chinese.</p>

The roles of carbon monoxide on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM AND METHODS</b>To study the roles of carbon monoxide on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) by investigating the effects of exogenous carbon monoxide and heme oxygenase inhibitor ZnPPIX on hypoxic vasoconstriction reaction of isolated rat pulmonary arterial rings (PAR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hypoxia caused constriction in PAR preconstricted by PE. Both ZnPPIX and carbon monoxide inhibited hypoxic pulmonary constriction significantly by increasing the cGMP level after hypoxia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ZnPPIX and exogenous carbon monoxide can inhibit HPV. The reduction of cGMP induced by the decreased of CO may be one of reasons of HPV.</p>

Vasodilative action of carbon monoxide on rat pulmonary artery in vitro / 生理学报

The present study investigates the vasodilative action of carbon monoxide on rat pulmonary artery in vitro. After isolation of the pulmonary artery rings (PAR) from Wistar rats, an ACh concentration-response curve was generated; the PARs were incubated with the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (30 micromol/L, n=10) or the heme oxygenase inhibitor ZnPPIX (10 micromol/L)+L-NAME (30 micromol/L, n=10) for 30 min. After that, a second ACh concentration-response curve was elicited. Other isolated PARs were randomly divided into two groups: endothelium-intact group (n=8) and endothelium-denuded group (n=8). The effect of exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) on pulmonary arterial vessel tone was observed. The results showed that ACh induced a concentration-dependent pulmonary vasorelaxation. This relaxation disappeared after endothelium was denuded. The ACh induced relaxation was attenuated after pretreatment with 30 micromol/L L-NAME, and attenuated further after pretreatment with 10 micromol/L ZnPPIX+30 micromol/L L-NAME. Exogenous carbon monoxide relaxed pulmonary artery in both the endothelium-intact group and the endothelium-denuded group. These data suggest that ZnPPIX inhibits ACh induced endothelium-dependent pulmonary artery relaxation and that CO is an endothelium-derived relaxation factor, and exogenous CO can relax pulmonary artery.

Studies on bioactive components from Chinese medicinal plants

Several novel bioactive components isolated from Chinese medicinal plants will be presented. These include novel maytansinoid tumor, inhibitors, some new ent-kaurane and rosane diterpenoids from Mallotus anomalus Meer et Chun (Euphorbiaceae), as well asnovel insecticide, stemona alkaloids from Stemona parviflora C. H. Wright (Stemonaceae). Both are native plants of Hainan island, Chine. 2D NMR techniques such as mono and hetero-COSY, NOESY, COLOC as well as H-NMR line broadening effect were utilized for structure elucidation. The separation techniques, struture elucidations and bioassay results will be reported.