Qualitative and quantitative analysis of four species of Curcuma rhizomes using twice development thin layer chromatography.

The rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis, Curcuma wenyujin and Curcuma longa are used as Ezhu or Jianghuang in traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Due to their similar morphological characters, it is difficult to distinguish their origins of raw materials used in clinic. In this study, a simple, rapid and reliable twice development TLC method was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the four species of Curcuma rhizomes. The chromatography was performed on silica gel 60F(254) plate with chloroform-methanol-formic acid (80:4:0.8, v/v/v) and petroleum ether-ethyl acetate (90:10, v/v) as mobile phase for twice development. The TLC markers were colorized with 1% vanillin-H(2)SO(4) solution. The four species of Curcuma were easily discriminated based on their characteristic TLC profiles, and simultaneous quantification of eight compounds, including bisdemethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, curcumine, curcumenol, curcumol, curdione, furanodienone and curzerene, in Curcuma were also performed densitometrically at lambda(scan)=518nm and lambda(reference)=800 nm. The investigated compounds had good linearity (r(2)>0.9905) within test ranges. Therefore, the developed TLC method can be used for quality control of Curcuma rhizomes.

Specific targeting of activated endothelium in rat adjuvant arthritis with a 99mTc-radiolabeled E-selectin-binding peptide.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential of an E-selectin-binding peptide (ESbp) to specifically bind activated endothelium in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) animal models. METHODS: ESbp (KYDGDITWDQLWDLMK; 2,027 daltons) was labeled with biotin and 99mTc. The affinity of ESbp derivatives for E-selectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The binding of biotin-ESbp was compared with that of an anti-E-selectin antibody, by immunohistochemical analyses of human synovial sections and sections from the Mycoplasma pulmonis MRL-lpr/lpr mouse arthritis model. 99mTc-ESbp was sequentially imaged in vivo with a gamma camera in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model. RESULTS: E-selectin expression was detected in human RA synovium and mouse arthritic synovium using biotin-ESbp. Both biotin-ESbp and 99mTc-labeled ESbp had high affinity for E-selectin (dissociation constant 2-5 nM). In vivo imaging showed specific binding of 99mTc-ESbp to the rat ankle joint prior to clinical manifestations of inflammation. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that activated endothelium can be targeted with 99mTc-ESbp. The specificity of targeting can be used to evaluate up-regulation of E-selectin in RA models, and to follow changes in this up-regulation during treatment trials.

Familial painful restless legs syndrome correlates with pain dependent variation of blood flow to the caudate, thalamus, and anterior cingulate gyrus.

To understand the relationship of caudate, thalamic, and anterior cingulate perfusion to pain states, we investigated familial restless legs syndrome in a father and daughter during the state of pain induced by immobility using semiquantitative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The father underwent 4 brain SPECT scans using the rCBF tracer 99mTc-HMPAO several weeks apart, at different pain levels and after treatment with L-dopa. Caudate, thalamic, and anterior cingulate rCBF indices were measured. The caudate nuclei showed a 13% reduction in rCBF with increasing pain. The thalami and anterior cingulate showed a 7 and 6.6% increase in rCBF, respectively, with increasing pain. Compared to normal controls at rest, there was a decrease in caudate rCBF by 13% and an increase in thalamic rCBF by 3%. Linear regression for the caudate nuclei revealed a significant reduction in rCBF (p < 0.05), as pain increased. The daughter underwent an identical rCBF brain SPECT scan procedure at a high pain level induced by immobilization. Her scan showed a 12% reduction in caudate rCBF and a 1.2% increase in the anterior cingulate rCBF compared to healthy controls. The study supports the association between pain and decreased regional cerebral blood flow to the caudate nucleus as reported in fibromyalgia syndrome. There is increase in anterior cingulate rCBF with increasing pain. Our findings also corroborate that there is increased thalamic rCBF with pain stimulation.

Intrinsic epileptogenesis of hypothalamic hamartomas in gelastic epilepsy.

Hypothalamic hamartomas and gelastic seizures are often associated with cognitive deterioration, behavioral problems, and poor response to anticonvulsant treatment or cortical resections. The origin and pathophysiology of the epileptic attacks are obscure. We investigated 3 patients with this syndrome and frequent gelastic seizures. Ictal single-photon emission computed tomography performed during typical gelastic seizures demonstrated hyperperfusion in the hamartomas, hypothalamic region, and thalamus without cortical or cerebellar hyperperfusion. Electroencephalographic recordings with depth electrodes implanted in the hamartoma demonstrated focal seizure origin from the hamartoma in 1 patient. Electrical stimulation studies reproduced the typical gelastic events. Stereotactic radiofrequency lesioning of the hamartoma resulted in seizure remission without complications 20 months after surgery. The functional imaging findings, electrophysiological data, and results of radiofrequency surgery indicate that epileptic seizures in this syndrome originate and propagate from the hypothalamic hamartoma and adjacent structures.

Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT scanning in Munchausen syndrome.

Regional cerebral blood flow was studied in a patient with Munchausen syndrome using high resolution Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT. The scan demonstrated marked hyperperfusion of the right hemithalamus. The cranial CT scan was normal. The abnormal right hemithalamic blood flow is discussed in relation to the hypothesized neuropathy of this disorder.

[The protective effect of selenium on acute myocardial hypoxia at high altitude].

The protective effect of selenium on acute myocardial hypoxia due to exposure to high altitude were studied by light microscope and transmission, electron microscope. The blood concentration of selenium of Wistar Rats given with sodium selenium were examined by fluorometry began from lower altitude area and were killed after reaching each correspondent elevation areas. The experiment was similar to that human 'laddering Mounting' to high altitude. The results showed that myocardial lesions were less in the animals to which sodium selenium were given than those not given, and it was not easily detected. The blood selenium concentration was significantly higher in the former than the latter (P greater than 0.01). This suggest that the selenium has unprotective effect on acute cardiac hypoxia of rats exposed to high altitude, its protective mechanism is discussed in this paper.