Warm Acupuncture Reduces Pain and Inflammation in Rats with Lumbar Disc Herniation Induced by Autologous Nucleus Pulposus Transplantation via Regulating p38MAPK/NF-κB Pathway.

Background: : Warm acupuncture (WA) has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the underlying mechanism of these effects remain unclear. Objectives: : To explore the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of WA and the potential underlying mechanism in male Sprague-Dawley rats with non-compressive lumbar disk herniation (LDH) caused by autologous nucleus pulposus (NP) transplantation. Methods: : We used low-frequency (2 Hz) electrical stimulation and WA (40℃) to treat GB30 and BL54 acupoints in rats for 30 mins per day. We monitored the paw withdrawal threshold of rats during the experiment and measured serum cytokine levels using commercial kits. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissue pathology was analyzed via H&E staining. We used qRT-PCR to measure the mRNA expression levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α genes in DRG. Western blot was used to analyze the expression levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα, P-p38MAPK, p38MAPK, P-IκBα, IκB α, and NF-κB p65 proteins. Results: : WA treatment significantly increased the pain threshold of rats, reduced serum IL-6, PEG2, NO, SP, NP-Y, and MMP-3 levels, and effected histopathological improvements in the DRG in rats. Moreover, WA treatment significantly downregulated the expression levels of inflammation-associated genes (Il-1ß, Il-6, and Tnf-α) and proteins (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, P-p38MAPK, P-IκBα, and NF-κB p65) in the DRG of non-compressive LDH rats. Conclusion: : WA can alleviate pain and inhibit inflammatory response in rats with non-compressive LDH caused by autologous NP transplantation, and these effects are likely associated with the inhibition of the p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Oral pectin/oligochitosan microspheres for colon-specific controlled release of quercetin to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, life quality-reducing disease with no cures available yet. To develop an effective medication suitable for long-term use is an urgent but unmet need. Quercetin (QT) is a natural dietary flavonoid with good safety and multifaceted pharmacological activities against inflammation. However, orally administrated quercetin yields unproductive outcomes for IBD treatment because of its poor solubility and extensive metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. In this work, a colon-targeted QT delivery system (termed COS-CaP-QT) was developed, of which the pectin (PEC)/Ca2+ microspheres were prepared and then crosslinked by oligochitosan (COS). The drug release profile of COS-CaP-QT was pH-dependent and colon microenvironment-responsive, and COS-CaP-QT showed preferential distribution in the colon. The mechanism study showed that QT triggered the Notch pathway to regulate the proliferation of T helper 2 (Th2) cells and group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) and the inflammatory microenvironment was remodeled. The in vivo therapeutic results revealed that COS-CaP-QT could relieve the colitis symptoms and maintain the colon length and intestinal barrier integrity.

BanXiaXieXin decoction treating gastritis mice with drug-resistant Helicobacter pylori and its mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main pathogen that causes a variety of upper digestive diseases. The drug resistance rate of H. pylori is increasingly higher, and the eradication rate is increasingly lower. The antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori is an urgent global problem. It has been confirmed that Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXXXT) demonstrates the effects of treating gastrointestinal diseases, inhibiting H. pylori and protecting gastric mucosa. The purpose of the present study is to further explore the therapeutic effects of BXXXT on drug-resistant H. pylori. AIM: To confirm that BXXXT demonstrates therapeutical effects in vivo and in vitro on gastritis mice with drug-resistant H. pylori and explain its mechanism to provide an experimental basis for promoting the application of BXXXT. METHODS: The aqueous extract of BXXXT was gained by water decocting method. The inhibitory effect of the aqueous extract on H. pylori was detected by dilution in vitro; drug-resistant H. pylori cells were used to build an acute gastritis model in vivo. Thereafter, the model mice were treated with the aqueous extract of BXXXT. The amount of H. pylori colonization, the repair of gastric mucosal damage, changes of inflammatory factors, apoptosis, etc., were assessed. In terms of mechanism exploration, the main medicinal compositions of BXXXT aqueous extract and the synergistic bacteriostatic effects they had demonstrated were analyzed using mass spectrometry; the immune function of peripheral blood cells such as CD3+ T and CD4+ T of mice with gastritis before and after treatment with BXXXT aqueous extract was detected using a flow cytometry; the H. pylori transcriptome and proteome after treatment with BXXXT aqueous extract were detected. Differently expressed genes were screened and verification was performed thereon with knockout expression. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentration of BXXXT aqueous extract against H. pylori was 256-512 µg/mL. A dose of 28 mg/kg BXXXT aqueous extract treatment produced better therapeutical effects than the standard triple therapy did; the BXXXT aqueous extract have at least 11 ingredients inhibiting H. pylori, including berberine, quercetin, baicalin, luteolin, gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, aloe emodin, etc., of which berberine, aloe emodin, luteolin and gallic acid have a synergistic effect; BXXXT aqueous extract was found to stimulate the expressions of CD3+ T and CD4+ T and increase the number of CD4+ T/CD8+ T in gastritis mice; the detection of transcriptome and proteome, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and knockout verification revealed that the main targets of BXXXT aqueous extract are CFAs related to urea enzymes, and CagA, VacA, etc. CONCLUSION: BXXXT aqueous extract could demonstrate good therapeutic effects on drug-resistance H. pylori in vitro and in vivo and its mechanism comes down to the synergistic or additional antibacterial effects of berberine, emodin and luteolin, the main components of the extract; the extract could activate the immune function and enhance bactericidal effects; BXXXT aqueous extract, with main targets of BXXXT aqueous extract related to urease, virulence factors, etc., could reduce the urease and virulence of H. pylori, weaken its colonization, and reduce its inflammatory damage to the gastric mucosa.

Protein-rich yeast extract (®fermgard) has potential antioxidant and anti-aging activities.

There existed a deficiency in the research on the nutritional activities of microbial (yeast) active substances in antioxidant and anti-aging activities, although the research objects were concentrated in animals and plants in recent years. In this study, the anti-oxidant and anti-aging activities of protein-rich yeast extract (®fermgard) (YE) were investigated through Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The results indicated that YE could improve the lifespan and anti-stress ability by up-regulating the activities of antioxidant enzymes in C. elegans. Meanwhile, the mRNA transcriptional level of daf-16, skn-1 and sod-3 was significantly up-regulated. In addition, the composition and level of the gut microbiota and metabolite were modulated. YE exerts antioxidant and anti-aging activities by regulating the expression of anti-oxidation-related mRNA, gut microbiota and metabolites in C. elegans, providing a basis for exploring the deep mechanism of YE improving health. At the same time, it provides new ideas for the development of functional foods.

Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Aging Effects of Probiotic Fermented Ginseng by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Antioxidative and antiaging abilities of probiotic fermented ginseng (PG) were evaluated in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Lifespan and effect on heat stress and acute oxidative stress in C. elegans were significantly enhanced by PG. Antioxidative enzymes such as T-SOD, GSH-PX, CAT were significantly up-regulated, and MDA, ROS and apoptosis levels were significantly down-regulated. At the same time, PG exerted antioxidant and anti-aging activities by reducing the expression of DAF-2 mRNA and increasing the expression of SKN-1 and SOD-3 mRNA in C. elegans. In addition, the mechanism of antioxidative and antiaging activities of PG was explored through gut microbiota sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. The results of gut microbiota indicated that PG could significantly improve the composition and structure of microbes in the gut of C. elegans, and the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria was up-regulated. Untargeted metabolomic results elucidated that PG modulated antioxidant and antiaging activities through neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Citrate cycle (TCA cycle), pyruvate metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism and D-Arginine and D-ornithine metabolism of C. elegans. These results indicated that PG had excellent antioxidant and anti-aging activities, providing research value for the development of functional foods and improvement of aging-related diseases.

Advances in fucoxanthin chemistry and management of neurodegenerative diseases.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic, currently incurable, diseases of the elderly, which are characterized by protein misfolding and neuronal damage. Fucoxanthin, derived from marine brown algae, presents a promising candidate for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. HYPOTHESIS AND PURPOSE: The relationship between neurodegenerative disease management and fucoxanthin has not yet been clarified. This study focuses on the fundamental mechanisms and targets of fucoxanthin in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease management, showing that communication between the brain and the gut contributes to neurodegenerative diseases and early diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases. This paper also presents, new insights for future therapeutic directions based on the integrated application of artificial intelligence. CONCLUSION: Fucoxanthin primarily binds to amyloid fibrils with spreading properties such as Aß, tau, and α-synuclein to reduce their accumulation levels, alleviate inflammatory factors, and restore mitochondrial membranes to prevent oxidative stress via Nrf2 and Akt signaling pathways, involving reduction of specific secretases. In addition, fucoxanthin may serve as a preventive diagnosis for neurodegenerative diseases through ophthalmic disorders. It can modulate gut microbes and has potential for the alleviation and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of a Modified Chitosan Compound Combined with Lung Lavage after Inhalation of Depleted Uranium Dust.

ABSTRACT: When exposed to depleted uranium (DU), the respiratory tract is the main route for DU to enter the body. At present, lung lavage is considered to be a method for removing DU from the lung. However, there is still room for improvement in the efficiency of lung lavage. In this work, a model of DU dust inhalation injury was established in beagle dogs so that chitosan-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic nanoparticles (CS-DTPA NP) could be synthesized. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the removal efficiency of CS-DTPA NP combined with lung lavage in dogs. Results showed that 7 d after DU exposure, the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic (DTPA) and CS-DTPA NP groups showed lower U content in kidney tissue compared with the normal saline (NS) group. In the left lung tissue (lavage fluid and recovery rate of lavage fluid), the U content in the CS-DTPA NP group was higher than in the NS and DTPA groups. In terms of blood levels, the CS-DPTA NP group increased over time at 1, 3 and 7 d of DU exposure without lavage; however, the U levels in the 3 and 7 d lavage groups were significantly lower than in the non-lavage groups. IL-1 in the lavage fluid of the CS-DPTA NP and CS NPs group were lower than in the NS group. In summary, after respiratory exposure to DU, early inhalation of CS-DPTA NP may block insoluble DU particles in the lung, and if combined with lung lavage, the clearance efficiency of DU from lung tissue improves.

A biosurfactant-producing yeast Rhodotorula sp.CC01 utilizing landfill leachate as nitrogen source and its broad degradation spectra of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Biosurfactants (BSs) are known for their remarkable properties, however, their commercial applications are hampered partly by the high production cost. To overcome this issue, a biosurfactant producing strain, Rhodotorula sp.CC01 was isolated using landfill leachate as nitrogen source, while olive oil was determined as the best sole carbon source. The BS produced by Rhodotorula sp.CC01 had oil displacement diameter of 19.90 ± 0.10 cm and could reduce the surface tension of water to 34.77 ± 0.63 mN/m. It was characterized as glycolipids by thin layer chromatography, FTIR spectra, and GC-MS analysis, with the critical micelle concentration of 70 mg/L. Meanwhile, the BS showed stability over a wide range of pH (2-12), salinity (0-100 g/L), and temperature (20-100 °C). During the cultivation process, BS was produced with a maximum rate of 163.33 mg L-1 h-1 and a maximum yield of 1360 mg/L at 50 h. In addition, the removal efficiency of NH4+-N reached 84.2% after 75 h cultivation with a maximum NH4+-N removal rate of 3.92 mg L-1 h-1. Moreover, Rhodotorula sp.CC01 has proven to be of great potential in remediating petroleum hydrocarbons, as revealed by chromogenic assays. Furthermore, genes related to nitrogen metabolism and glycolipid metabolism were found in this strain CC01 after annotating the genome data with KEGG database, such as narB, glycoprotein glucosyltransferase, acetyl-CoA C-acetyltransferase, LRA1, LRA3, and LRA4. The findings of this study prove a cost-effective strategy for the production of BS by yeast through the utilization of landfill leachate.

Effect of early whole lung lavage at different time-points for promoting the removal of depleted uranium from the lung.

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of whole lung lavage (WLL) at different time-points early after exposure of the respiratory system to insoluble radioactive particles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult beagles were randomized into a control group and the 3-h, 8-h, 24-h, and 48-h lavage groups (n = 8). A canine model of acute lung injury was established by spraying a depleted uranium (DU) suspension using a superfine fiber bronchoscope, at a dose of 20 mg/kg. The lavage groups were subjected to WLL at 3 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-DU exposure, while the control group received no treatment after exposure. Measurement of U in serum was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; measurements in the lavage fluid and left lung tissue were performed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The color of the lavage fluid was analyzed using colorimetry, and shadow changes in the lung were observed using chest computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: The lavage groups showed similarly increasing trends for serum U levels from DU exposure to 3 and 7 days after exposure; however, these values were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < .01). The U content in the lavage fluid was significantly higher in the 3-h group than in the 8-h, 24-h, and 48-h groups (p < .01), while that in the 8-h group was markedly higher than those in the 24-h and 48-h groups (p < .05). The average clearance rate of DU in the lungs varied in the range of 0.63‒7.06%. The U content in the left lung tissue of each lavage group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < .01), while the content in the 8-h, 24-h, and 48-h groups was significantly higher than that in the 3-h group (p < .05). The colorimetric score of the lavage fluid in the 3-h group was significantly lower than those in the 8-h, 24-h, and 48-h groups (p < .05). Chest CT showed different degrees of consolidation and ground glass shadow changes in all groups. The score of the left lung shadow volume in the 3-h group was significantly lower than in the control, 8-h, 24-h, and 48-h groups (p < .01), while the score in the 8-h group was significantly higher than those in the 48-h and control groups (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The best effect of WLL after exposure of the respiratory system to insoluble radioactive particles was achieved at 3 h, followed by 8 h; there was no difference in the effectiveness of lung lavage at 24 h and 48 h.

Anti-fatigue property of the oyster polypeptide fraction and its effect on gut microbiota in mice.

We aimed to evaluate the anti-fatigue effects of the oyster polypeptide (OP) fraction and its regulatory effect on the gut microbiota in mice. Our exhaustive swimming experiment showed that the swimming time of the low-, middle- and high-dose groups of the OP fraction was increased by 1.82, 2.18 and 2.44 times compared with the control group, respectively. Besides, the liver glycogen levels of the three groups were increased by 19.3%, 42.02% and 65.07%, while the lactate levels were decreased by 18.85%, 21.18% and 28.74%, respectively. Moreover, administration of the OP fraction upregulated the expressions of PEPCK and AMPK, but downregulated the TNF-α expression. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and fatigue-related biochemical indicators showed that Faecalibacterium, Desulfovibri and Intestinibacter were negatively correlated with the swimming time, blood lactate, blood urea nitrogen, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen, while Yaniella and Romboutsia were positively correlated. Therefore, the OP fraction had anti-fatigue effects, and could regulate the abundance of gut microbiota and maintain its balance.

Oroxindin inhibits macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome activation in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via suppressing TXNIP-dependent NF-κB pathway.

Oroxindin is a flavonoid isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Huang-Qin, which has shown various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, etc. Thus far, the effect of oroxindin on colonic inflammation and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the tissue distribution of oroxindin and its therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis (UC) as well as the underlying mechanisms. UC model was established in mice by administrating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 d. We first showed that oroxindin was largely absorbed by the colon as an active ingredient after normal mice received Huang-Qin-Tang, a traditional Chinese medicine decoction. UC mice were then treated with oroxindin (12.5, 25, 50 mg ·kg-1 ·d-1, i.g.) for 10 d. We found that oroxindin treatment greatly suppressed massive macrophages infiltration and attenuated pathological changes in colonic tissue. Furthermore, oroxindin treatment significantly inhibited the generation of IL-1ß and IL-18 in the colon via inhibiting the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome formation and activation. In cultured macrophages, LPS induced NLRP3 inflammasome formation and caspase-1 activation, which were suppressed by oroxindin (12.5-50 µM). In LPS-treated macrophages, oroxindin dose-dependently restored the expression of TXNIP protein, leading to suppressing TXNIP-dependent NF-κB activation. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that oroxindin could be absorbed by the colon and attenuate inflammatory responses via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome formation and activation, which is related to the inhibitory effect on TXNIP-dependent NF-κB-signaling pathway. Hence, oroxindin has the potential of becoming an effective drug for treating UC.

Effect of Grifola frondosa 95% ethanol extract on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition in high-fat diet-fed rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 95% ethanol extract of G. frondosa (GF95) on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition in high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats. UPLC/Q-TOF MS indicated that GF95 was enriched with flavones, fatty acids and so on. Meanwhile, we found that body weight, serum lipid or liver index (total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels were significantly decreased in GF95-treated HFD-fed rats. Furthermore, GF95 treatment regulated mRNA expression levels involved in lipid metabolism. GF95 consumption significantly enhanced the excretion of bile acids in the cecum. Besides, in this study, a higher abundance of Butyricimonas genus was revealed in the GF95 group, which is highly related to the highest production of short-chain fatty acids in the caecum contents among the experimental groups. Interestingly, results from network analysis showed that Butyricimonas were negatively correlated with serum and liver lipid profiles.

Antidiabetic and Lipid-Lowering Effects of the Polyphenol Extracts from the Leaves of Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels on Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels (Wampee) is widely grown in China and considered as a healthy fruit. Its leaves are also considered as traditional herbs. This study analyzed polyphenol compounds in polyphenol extracts of the leaves C. lansium (lour.) Skeels (PEL) and investigated the protective effect of PEL against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in T2DM rats. The result showed that PEL is composed mainly of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, coffee acid, ferulic acid, and rutin. PEL could obviously relieve some symptoms of T2DM rats, including emaciation, hyperhidrosis, polyphagia, diuresis, liver swelling, kidney, and pancreas hypertrophy, as well as reduce fasting blood glucose. Moreover, the supplementation of PEL significantly ameliorated lipids disorder and protected liver in T2DM rats, including fat accumulation, improvement of lipid distribution and hepatocyte protection. These results indicate that the Oral of PEL have potential effects of against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in diabetic disorders. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The leaves Clausena lansium (lour.) Skeels is rich in polyphenol and other ingredients. In this research, the preliminary study shows that PEL can reduce fasting blood glucose and improve lipids disorder in rats, which will bring to diabetic patients a way to improve the disease and enhance the quality of life. The PEL therefore can be used for the production of pharmaceutical raw materials and the design of novel functional foods by simple conversion.

Prenylated flavonoids from the stems and roots of Tripterygium wilfordii.

Phytochemical investigation on the stems and roots of Tripterygium wilfordii led to the isolation and characterization of three new prenylated flavanones, tripteryols A-C (1-3), along with (±)-5,4'-dihydroxy-2'-methoxy-6',6″-dimethypyraro-(2″,3″:7,8)-6-methyflavanone (4), and ((2S)-5,7,4'-trihydroxy-2'-methoxy-8,5'-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-6-methylflavanone (5). Structures of the compounds 1-5 were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques, such as UV, IR, NMR (1D and 2D), and HRESI-MS. Tripteryols B (2) was found active in the antimicrobial assay against Cryptococcus neoformans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with IC50 values in the range of 2.95-8.59µg/mL. Compounds 4 and 5 showed significant antimicrobial activities against C. neoformans, MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus with IC50 values in the range of 1.06-2.60µg/mL. Additionally, significant antimalarial activities of tripteryols A-B (1-2) against chloroquine-sensitive D6 and resistant W2 clones of Plasmodium falciparum were observed and none of the compounds 1-5 were cytotoxic to Vero cells.

Dual-Targeting Magnetic PLGA Nanoparticles for Codelivery of Paclitaxel and Curcumin for Brain Tumor Therapy.

Chemotherapy is one of the most important strategies for glioma treatment. However, the "impermeability" of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) impedes most chemotherapeutics from entering the brain, thereby rendering very few drugs suitable for glioma therapy, letting alone application of a combination of chemotherapeutics. Thereby, there is a pressing need to overcome the obstacles. A dual-targeting strategy was developed by a combination of magnetic guidance and transferrin receptor-binding peptide T7-mediated active targeting delivery. The T7-modified magnetic PLGA nanoparticle (NP) system was prepared with co-encapsulation of the hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles and a combination of drugs (i.e., paclitaxel and curcumin) based on a "one-pot" process. The combined drugs yielded synergistic effects on inhibition of tumor growth via the mechanisms of apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest, displaying significantly increased efficacy relative to the single use of each drug. Dual-targeting effects yielded a >10-fold increase in cellular uptake studies and a >5-fold enhancement in brain delivery compared to the nontargeting NPs. For the in vivo studies with an orthotopic glioma model, efficient brain accumulation was observed by using fluorescence imaging, synchrotron radiation X-ray imaging, and MRI. Furthermore, the antiglioma treatment efficacy of the delivery system was evaluated. With application of a magnetic field, this system exhibited enhanced treatment efficiency and reduced adverse effects. All mice bearing orthotopic glioma survived, compared to a 62.5% survival rate for the combination group receiving free drugs. This dual-targeting, co-delivery strategy provides a potential method for improving brain drug delivery and antiglioma treatment efficacy.

Synchronous bilateral primary breast malignant phyllodes tumor and carcinoma of the breast with Paget's disease: a case report and review of the literature.

Synchronous bilateral primary breast malignant phyllodes tumor or/and carcinoma of the breast with Paget's disease is rare. In the article, we present a case of bilateral carcinoma of the breast with Paget's disease of the right breast and malignant phyllodes tumor of the left breast. A 44-years-old Chinese woman presented with a 1 month history of the right breast nipple with eczema and fester and growing and palpable mass of left breast. Molybdenum target X-ray revealed microcalcification in the right breast, which was highly suspected of malignant tumor, and round-like mass with smooth surface and homogeneous density in the left breast. Color ultrasound showed a lobulated lump which circumferential blood flows around in the left breast, and which did not show any mass in the right breast. The patient was undertaken the bilateral modified radical mastectomy. The histological diagnosis was Paget's disease associated with infiltrating ductal carcinoma in the right breast and malignant phyllodes tumor the left breast. The patient also received 6 cycles of the postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy by using T.T. regimen comprised docetaxel (100 mg) and pirarubicin (60 mg).

Anti-inflammatory diterpenoids from the root bark of Acanthopanax gracilistylus.

Five new ent-pimarane (1-3, 7, and 8) and three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids (4-6) and a new oleanane triterpene acid (9), together with 22 known compounds, were isolated from the root bark of the medicinal herb Acanthopanax gracilistylus. The structures of 1-9 were established based on the interpretation of high-resolution MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR data. The absolute configurations of 7 and 11 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism analysis. Compounds 7 and 8 represent rare naturally occurring structures based on the devinyl ent-pimarane skeleton. Compounds 3, 10, 14, 16, and 17 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on the release of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

[Protective effect of panax notoginseng saponins against femoral fracture-induced apoptosis in the superficial cells of rat renal cortex].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) against apoptosis of the superficial cells of rat renal cortex following femoral fracture in rats. METHODS: Ninety Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups, namely the fracture group (n=36), fracture with PNS treatment group (n=36), and normal control group (n=18). At 1, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after femoral fracture, 6 rats from first two groups and 3 from the control group were sacrificed to observe renal pathologies with HE-staining. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and TUNEL staining was employed to detect the distribution of apoptotic cells. RESULTS: In the fracture group, the renal cortex showed telangiectasia and granular degeneration of proximal tubule, which were lessened in the PNS treatment group. Compared with the control group, the fracture group showed significantly increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions in the renal cortex at 1-12 h (P<0.01) and increased Bax protein expression at 12-36 h (P<0.01) with increased Bax mRNA expression at 24-48 h (P<0.01). In PNS treatment group, Bcl-2 protein expression at 1 h and Bcl-2 mRNA expression at 12-48 h were significantly higher (P<0.01), but Bax protein and mRNA expressions at 24-48 h were significantly lower (P<0.01) than those in the fracture group. CONCLUSION: Femoral fracture obviously affects Bcl-2 and Bax protein and mRNA expressions in the superficial cells of the renal cortex, PNS can suppress the cell apoptosis by down-regulating Bax expression and up-regulating Bcl-2 expression.

Simultaneous quantification of 18 bioactive constituents in Tripterygium wilfordii using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.

A liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry method with multiple reaction monitoring was established for simultaneous quantification of 18 bioactive constituents from the stem and root of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. collected from different places in China and various commercial preparations. The chromatographic separations were achieved on an Agilent Poroshell SB-C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm) with gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.03 % formic acid aqueous solution in 45 min. Detection was performed in the positive ionization mode by monitoring the precursor-product combination. The validation of the method included tests of linearity, sensitivity, precision, repeatability, stability, and accuracy. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r > 0.9990) within the test range. The established method showed good precision and accuracy with intraday and interday variations of 2-5 % and 1-4 %, respectively, and recoveries of 95.5-104.5 %.

Pure alumina bearings with cementless stems versus sandwich bearings with cemented stems in total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Ceramic bearing surfaces have been introduced to prevent osteolysis after total hip arthroplasty (THA), but little is known about the difference in clinical and radiological results between pure alumina and sandwich alumina bearings. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results obtained with third-generation alumina-on-alumina THA with two different designs both in liner and femoral stem fixation after a minimum follow-up of 4.2 years. METHODS: The results of 195 primary alumina-on-alumina THAs in 167 patients were evaluated. The procedures were performed between January 1998 and October 2006. Three patients died and 11 patients were lost to follow-up, leaving a total of 153 patients (181 hips) available for study. In the 88 group A patients, 107 hips were implanted using pure alumina bearings with cementless femoral stems. These patients were followed for (6.84 ± 1.49) years. In the 65 group B patients, 74 hips were implanted using sandwich alumina ceramic bearings with cemented femoral stems. These patients had a follow-up period of (7.73 ± 1.60) years. Patients in both groups were evaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: One ceramic liner fracture occurred in group A and five took place in group B (P < 0.05), four of them revised for liner fracture. In each group, one acetabular shell migration happened without liner breakage and two hips developed deep infections, and all these six hips received revisions. Nine femoral components loosened in group B, with seven undergoing revisions. Kaplan-Meier survivorship at 5 years for revision of any component for any reason in group A was 96.26% compared to 90.54% in group B (P < 0.05). Better function was determined in group A (average Harris hip scores: 92.13 ± 2.85) than in group B (average Harris hip scores: 86.03 ± 4.21) and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Squeaking was not recorded in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The sandwich design of the acetabular bearings can not reduce the migration rate in ceramic bearings but increase the liner fracture rate compared to pure ceramic liners. The high loosening rate in fluted and taped designed cemented stems with sandwich liners warrant caution to their use.