Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Inhibited Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 in COPD Patients.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic airway inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible airflow obstruction. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying COPD remain largely unknown. Objective: The current study was designed to explore serum concentration of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in stable COPD patients and the potential effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on HIF-1α protein expression. Methods: Serum HIF-1α was quantified by ELISA in 102 stable COPD patients before and after 2-week orally taken LBP (100 mL/time, twice daily, 5-15 mg/mL). Correlation of serum LBP and lung function (FEV1%) or blood gas (PO2 and PCO2) was also analyzed. As a control, 105 healthy subjects were also enrolled into this study. Results: Serum concentration of HIF-1α was significantly higher in the stable COPD patients (37.34 ± 7.20 pg/mL) than that in the healthy subjects (29.55 ± 9.66 pg/mL, P<0.001). Oral administration of LBP (5 mg/mL, 100 mL, twice daily for 2 weeks) not only relieved COPD symptoms but also significantly reduced serum HIF-1α concentration (36.94 ± 9.23 vs 30.49 ± 6.42 pg/mL, P<0.05). In addition, level of serum HIF-1α concentration was significantly correlated with PCO2 (r = 0.283, P<0.001), but negatively and significantly correlated with PO2 (r = -0.490, P=0.005) or FEV1%(r = -0.420, P=0.018). Conclusion: These findings suggested that activation of HIF-1 signaling pathway may be involved in the pathophysiology of COPD and that stabilization of serum HIF-1α concentration by LBP might benefit the stable COPD patients.

Neuroprotective effects of tenuigenin on neurobehavior, oxidative stress, and tau hyperphosphorylation induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rats.

BACKGROUND: Tenuigenin (TEN), a major active component of the Chinese herb Polygala tenuifolia root, has been used to improve memory and cognitive function in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to explore the possible neuroprotective effect of TEN on the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). METHODS: STZ was injected twice intracerebroventrically (3 mg/kg, ICV) on alternate days (day 1 and day 3) in Rats. Daily treatment with TEN (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) starting from the first dose of STZ for 28 days. Memory-related behaviors were evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in hippocampus were measured by western blot assay. Superoxide dismutase activities, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducts contents were also measured in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Treatment with TEN significantly improved STZ-induced cognitive damage, markedly reduced changes in malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal adducts, and significantly inhibited STZ-induced reduction in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the hippocampus. In addition, TEN decreased hyperphosphorylation of tau resulting from intracerebroventricular STZ (ICV-STZ) injection, and Nissl staining results showed that TEN has protective effects on hippocampal neurons. CONCLUSION: These results provide experimental evidence demonstrating preventive effect of TEN on cognitive dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hyperphosphorylation of tau in ICV-STZ rats. This study indicates that TEN may have beneficial effects in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.

[Bacterial culture and drug sensitivity analysis of upper urinary tract calculi complicating with infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the bacteriology and drug sensitivity of upper urinary tract calculi patients, and to provide information for choosing suitable antibiotics. METHODS: In the study, 21 patients who suffered from lithiasis in upper urinary tract and required an emergency drainage for acute obstruction and infection were the "acute group"; 64 patients with calculi in upper urinary tract and accompanied with no infectious symptoms were the "common group". The bacteriology and drug sensitivity of the two groups were investigated. RESULTS: Gram-negative bacteria infected the most common of upper urinary tract calculi patients with infection, accounting for 71.4% in the acute group and 65.7% in the common group, among which Escherichia coli were the predominant ones (35.7% in the acute group and 32.9% in the common group). No difference was found between these two groups in bacterial distribution (P>0.05). Although the average drug resistance rate of Gram-negative bacteria in the acute group was higher than that in the common group, it revealed no significant difference (P>0.05). The drug resistance rate to semisynthetic penicillin, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone were more than 50%, 60%, and 50%, respectively. Quinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, got a 45% drug resistance. Aminoglycoside, carbapenema were sensitive to Gram-negative bacteria. Cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam were more effective than ceftriaxone and piperacillin, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between upper urinary tract calculi patients with acute infection and common infection in bacteriology and drug sensitivity. Semisynthetic penicillin, the second generation of cephalosporin and quinolone were no longer the good choices of empirical use. Antibiotics combined with ß-lactamase inhibitors would be an ideal empirical therapeutic choice.

[Tea polyphenol protects against HK-2 cell injury induced by oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals].

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the antioxidants tea polyphenol (TP) can provide protection against oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals toxicity in HK-2 cells. METHODS: Four groups were chosen for the study: Negative control group, positive control group (COM+oxalate), TP group (TP+COM+oxalate), VitE group (vitamin E+COM+oxalate). HK-2 cells were exposed for 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. The viability of the cells was assessed by MTT. The cellular injury was assessed by the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hydrogen peroxide and viability of Na+/K+ ATP enzyme. The peroxidation level was assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) content and viability of superoxide dismutase (SOD). The morphological changes of HK-2 cells after being exposed for 4 and 12 h in each group were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: The effects of TP and vitamin E on oxalate and COM exposed cells were tested. The HK-2 cells exposed to oxalate and COM showed a significant reduction in viability of cells, Na+/K+ ATPase and SOD. LDH release, MDA content and concentration of H2O2 were significantly increased. In TP group, the addition of TP significantly increased viability of cells, activity of Na+/K+ ATPase and SOD while LDH release, MDA content and concentration of H2O2 were significant decreased compared with the positive control group. In the Vitamn E group, compared with the positive control group, viability of cells, and activity of Na+/K+ ATPase were not significantly changed and after addition of vitamin E, SOD activity was restored, LDH release, MDA content and concentration of H2O2 were significant decreased compared with the positive control group. The morphological changes of HK-2 cells were observed by TEM in the positive control group, TP group and VitE group. In the VitE and TP groups, the amount of the cells with vacuoles formed in kytoplasms, mitochondria swelling, karyotheca dissolved and nucleolus disappearing were less than in the positive group. The morphological changes in the TP group were less than in the VitE group. CONCLUSION: TP and vitamin E administration may prevent oxalate and COM mediated peroxidative injury and restore intracellular antioxidant enzyme activity. The protection rendered by TP was greater than that of vitamin E.

Efficacy and safety of bipolar plasma vaporization of the prostate with "button-type" electrode compared with transurethral resection of prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) has been considered as the standard treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, issues that have not yet been overcome for TURP include bleeding and absorption of irrigation fluid. Thus, novel improvement of the surgery is necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bipolar plasma vaporization of the prostate (BPVP) with "button-type" electrode against standard TURP for BPH. METHODS: From January 2009 to January 2012, 30 patients who scheduled for surgical treatment of BPH surgical treatment were enrolled in the trial with provided consent for the study. Patients were prospectively randomized 1:1 to undergo either BPVP or TURP. Participants were blinded to the randomization scheme. All cases were assessed preoperatively and followed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively by indwelling catheter time, blood loss, hospital stays, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), and Qmax. RESULTS: BPVP was significantly superior to TURP in terms of indwelling catheter time ((4.1 ± 4.1) days vs. (6.8 ± 6.8) days, P = 0.000), blood loss ((64.7 ± 103.8) ml vs. (254.7 ± 325.4) ml, P = 0.040), hospital stay ((8.7 ± 1.0) days vs. (11.7 ± 1.5) days, P = 0.000), IPSS ((4.2 ± 8.0) vs. (9.3 ± 3.7), P = 0.049), QOL ((1.5 ± 0.8) vs. (2.6 ± 1.4), P = 0.027), Qmax ((16.3 ± 5.7) ml/s vs. (12.5 ± 3.1) ml/s, P = 0.038), hemoglobin ((130.7 ± 9.4) g/L vs. ((122.1 ± 11.9) g/L, P = 0.047), Na(+) level ((138.6 ± 2.1) mmol/L vs. ((137.2 ± 2.0) mmol/L, P = 0.046) and operation time ((39.0 ± 15.5) minutes vs. ((69.3 ± 24.8) minutes, P = 0.004). And there were no statistical differences between BPVP group and TURP group in preoperatively assessment: patient's age ((70.9 ± 7.1) years vs. (71.9 ± 6.1) years, P = 0.736), IPSS ((24.6 ± 4.7) vs. (27.3 ± 5.9), P = 0.100), QOL ((5.1 ± 0.8) vs. (5.1 ± 1.0), P = 0.940), Qmax ((4.4 ± 2.7) ml/s vs. (5.3 ± 2.6) ml/s, P = 0.314), hemoglobin ((137.4 ± 8.7) g/L vs. (139.2 ± 10.4) g/L, P = 0.623), Na(+) level ((140.5 ± 1.8) mmol/L vs. (141.3 ± 1.4) mmol/L, P = 0.192) and prostate volume ((59.0 ± 17.4) ml vs. (70.1 ± 28.8) ml, P = 0.276). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with TURP, BPVP with "button-type" electrode shows superior efficacy and safety. Therefore, BPVP with "button-type" electrode represents a valuable endoscopic treatment alternative for BPH patients.

Tenuigenin protects cultured hippocampal neurons against methylglyoxal-induced neurotoxicity.

Methylglyoxal is a metabolite of glucose. Since serum methylglyoxal level is increased in diabetic patients, methylglyoxal is implicated in diabetic complications such as cognitive impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tenuigenin, an active component of roots of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow, on methylglyoxal-induced cell injury in a primary culture of rat hippocampal neurons. MTT and Hoechst 33342 staining, together with flow cytometric analysis using annexin-V and propidium (PI) label, indicated that tenuigenin pretreatment attenuated methylglyoxal -induced apoptotic cell death in primary cultured hippocampal neurons, showing a dose-dependent pattern. Furthermore, 2, 7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate was used to detect the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Tenuigenin decreased the elevated reactive oxygen species induced by methylglyoxal. In addition, tenuigenin inhibited activation of caspase-3 and reversed down-regulation of the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, both of which were induced by methylglyoxal stimulation. The results suggest that tenuigenin displays antiapoptotic and antioxidative activity in hippocampal neurons due to scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species, regulating Bcl-2 family and suppressing caspase-3 activity induced by methylglyoxal, which might explain at least in part the beneficial effects of tenuigenin against degenerative disorders involving diabetic cognitive impairment.

Treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction in renal transplant recipients with B vitamins in the Chinese population.

PURPOSE: We studied the efficacy of B vitamins as a treatment for hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction in renal transplant recipients in the Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 stable renal transplant recipients with hyperhomocysteinemia were randomly assigned to folate treatment (5 mg folic acid per day, 50 mg vitamin B6 per day and 1,000 microg vitamin B12 per day) or to the control group (placebo only) for 6 months. All subjects underwent tests for creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, average blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting homocysteine. Endothelial function was evaluated using high resolution vascular ultrasound. RESULTS: Homocysteine significantly decreased in those with folate treatment after intervention compared with baseline (12.6 +/- 3.9 vs 20.1 +/- 5.4 micromol/l, t = 5.3, p <0.01), whereas no significant changes were observed in controls. In the folate treatment group endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatation responses significantly increased after intervention (12.2% +/- 4.6% vs 8.8% +/- 5.2%, t = 2.9, p <0.01 and 17.6% +/- 3.9% vs 12.2% +/- 4.7%, t = 3.4, p <0.01, respectively). However, no significant changes were observed in controls. Endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatation responses were significantly lower in controls compared to levels in the folate group after treatment (8.7% +/- 6.3%, t = 2.8, p <0.01 and 12.2% +/- 5.3%, t = 3.5, p <0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these data B vitamin supplementation may decrease blood homocysteine and improve endothelial function in renal transplant recipients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

[Treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction in renal-transplant recipients with vitamin B].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of vitamin B on treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia and endothelial dysfunction in renal-transplant recipients. METHODS: Thirty-six stable hyperhomocysteinemic renal-transplant recipients were randomly assigned to vitamin treatment (group A, n = 18, folic acid 5 mg/d, vitamin B(6) 50 mg/d, B(12) 1000 microg/d) or controlled group (group B, n = 18) for 6 months. All subjects underwent assessment of levels for creatinine, creatinine clearance, average pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting homocysteine. Endothelial function was evaluated using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. RESULTS: The levels of homocysteine markedly decreased in group A [(13 +/- 4) micromol/L vs (20 +/- 5) micromol/L, t = 5.3, P < 0.01] after treatment, whereas no significant changes were observed in group B. In group A, endothelium dependent [(12 +/- 5)% vs (9 +/- 5)%, t = 2.9, P < 0.01] and independent [(18 +/- 4)% vs (12 +/- 5)%, t = 3.4, P < 0.01] vasodilatation responses significantly increased after treatment, no significant changes were observed in group B. Endothelium dependent [(9 +/- 6)%, t = 2.8, P < 0.01] and independent [(12 +/- 5)%, t = 3.5, P < 0.01] vasodilatation responses of group A were significantly lower than that of group B after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B supplementation can reduce the levels of homocysteine and improve the endothelial function in hyperhomocysteinemic renal-transplant recipients.