[Changes in T helper lymphocytes and their subsets in children with tic disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes in T helper lymphocytes and their subsets in children with tic disorders (TD) and their clinical significance. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentages of T helper lymphocytes and their subsets in the peripheral blood of children with TD and healthy children (controls). RESULTS: The percentage of T helper lymphocytes was significantly lower in the TD group than in the control group (P<0.001). The abnormal rate of T helper lymphocytes in the TD group was significantly higher than that in the control group (68.7% vs 18.8%; P<0.001). The percentage of T helper lymphocytes was negatively correlated with Yale Global Tic Severity Scale score (r=-0.3945, P<0.001). As for the subsets of T helper lymphocytes, the TD group had a significantly higher percentage of Th1 cells and a significantly lower percentage of Th2 cells compared with the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The abnormality of T helper lymphocytes and the imbalance of their subsets may be associated with the pathogenesis of TD in children. The percentage of T helper lymphocytes can be used as an indicator for assessing the severity of TD.

The haematopoietic effect of Panax japonicus on blood deficiency model mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The rhizome of Panax japonicus C. A. Mey. var. major (Burk.) C. Y. Wu et K. M. Feng (PJ) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to promote hematopoietic effects, promote blood circulation and supporting healthy energy. Aim of the study is to investigate the haematopoietic effects of PJ and determine the mechanism of its haematopoietic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude extract from PJ (PJE) was separated into two fractions: polysaccharides (PJPS) and low-molecular-weight compounds (PJSM). PJPS, and PJSM were incubated with mice spleen cells, and their haematopoietic activities were evaluated by determining the haematopoietic growth factor levels (HGFs) in vitro. The in vivo experiments used anaemia model mice that were given hypodermic injections of N-acetyl phenylhydrazine (APH) and intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide (CTX). RESULTS: Both PJPS and PJSM were significantly involved in the haematopoietic effect of PJE. The administration of PJPS and PJSM could accelerate the recovery of the white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), and haemoglobin (HGB) levels in the blood deficiency model mice. Haematopoietic activity may result from stimulating the secretion of interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythropoietin (EPO), GM colony-stimulating factor (CSF), and M-CSF and by the resistance of spleen cells to apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The study results support the potential use of PJPS and PJSM for the treatment of anaemia.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide LBPF4-OL may be a new Toll-like receptor 4/MD2-MAPK signaling pathway activator and inducer.

Recognition of the utility of the traditional Chinese medicine Lycium barbarum L. has been gradually increasing in Europe and the Americas. Many immunoregulation and antitumor effects of L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) have been reported, but its molecular mechanism is not yet clear. In this study, we reported that the activity of the polysaccharide LBPF4-OL, which was purified from LBP, is closely associated with the TLR4-MAPK signaling pathway. We found that LBPF4-OL can significantly induce TNF-α and IL-1ß production in peritoneal macrophages isolated from wild-type (C3H/HeN) but not TLR4-deficient mice (C3H/HeJ). We also determined that the proliferation of LBPF4-OL-stimulated lymphocytes from C3H/HeJ mice is significantly weaker than that of lymphocytes from C3H/HeN mice. Furthermore, through a bio-layer interferometry assay, we found that LPS but not LBPF4-OL can directly associate with the TLR4/MD2 molecular complex. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that LBPF4-OL markedly upregulates TLR4/MD2 expression in both peritoneal macrophages and Raw264.7 cells. As its mechanism of action, LBPF4-OL increases the phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and inhibits the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2, as was observed through Western blot analysis. These data suggest that the L. barbarum polysaccharide LBPF4-OL is a new Toll-like receptor 4/MD2-MAPK signaling pathway activator and inducer.

An alternative method for the rapid synthesis of partially O-methylated alditol acetate standards for GC-MS analysis of carbohydrates.

Mixtures of partially O-methylated alditol acetate standards (PMAAs) of Glc, Gal, and Man were synthesized rapidly. Methylation of methyl glycosides was carried out in the presence of BaO/Ba(OH)(2) x 8H(2)O giving rise to mixtures of partially methylated glycosides (PMGs), whose degree of methylation was monitored by TLC. The batch containing the largest mixture of methyl ethers was converted into partially O-methylated alditol acetate derivatives (PMAAs), via successive hydrolysis, reduction, and acetylation, and then subjected to GC and GC-MS analysis. Detailed data on retention times, TIC, and EIMS are now provided.