Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on the Expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 in Myocardium of Diabetic Rats.

Objective. To investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on the expressions of NF-κB and TGF-β1 in myocardium of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods.

Efficacy and safety of avandamet or uptitrated metformin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin alone: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: At present, China has listed the compound tablet containing a fixed dose of rosiglitazone and metformin, Avandamet, which may improve patient compliance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Avandamet or uptitrated metformin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin alone.

Methods: This study was a 48-week, multicenter, randomized, open-labeled, active-controlled trial.

Randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tolvaptan in Chinese patients with hyponatremia caused by SIADH.

To study the effect of tolvaptan on non-acute, non-hypovolemic hyponatremia in inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) syndrome in Chinese patients. Hyponatremic SIADH patients received placebo (N = 18) or tolvaptan (N = 19) at an initial dose of 15 mg/day with further titration to 30 mg/day and 60 mg/day based on serum sodium concentrations. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

STAT1/3 and ERK1/2 synergistically regulate cardiac fibrosis induced by high glucose.

Background: Hyperglycaemia promotes the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and collagen synthesis in CFs. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of HG on proliferation and collagen synthesis of CF, is not completely understood.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to determine whether the STAT proteins has a functional role in high glucose-induced proliferation of CFs and collagen synthesis in vitro and whether the STAT signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway have synergetical effects on high glucose-mediated cardiac fibroblasts proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Autoimmune hypophysitis may eventually become empty sella.

Autoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is commonly believed to be a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the pituitary gland. In clinical practice, however, the disease is often seen indeed. It typically presents with hypopituitarism and pituitary mass found by MRI.

[Clinical analysis of drug-induced Pseudo-Bartter's syndrome: a report of five cases].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Pseudo-Bartter's syndrome and explore its pathogenesis.

Methods: The clinical data of 5 cases of Pseudo-Bartter's syndrome at our ward from May 2008 to December 2010 was analyzed retrospectively.

Results: All patients were female.

[Clinical analysis of 6 cases of Bartter syndrome].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of Bartter syndrome and investigate its pathogenesis.

Methods: The clinical data of 6 cases of Bartter syndrome at our hospital from November 2006 to May 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The onset age of Bartter syndrome was 13-35 years old.

[The protective effects of cyclosporine A on aortic immunological injuries in STZ-induced diabetic rats].

Objective: To investigate the autoimmune injuries of diabetic macrovascular disease (aorta) and the protective effects of immunosuppressive agent (cyclosporine A, CsA) on aortic injuries in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: STZ-induced diabetic rats were assigned randomly to 6 groups which received low (BML or AML, 1 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)), middle (BMM or AMM, 4 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) or high (BMH or AMH, 8 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1)) dose of CsA from 1 week before or after STZ for 8 weeks. Diabetic rats without any treatment, insulin-treated diabetic rats and normal rats were also monitored simultaneously and served as control groups.

[Regulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand and osteoprotegerin expression by prostaglandin E2 in osteoblastic-like cells].

Objective: To investigate the regulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA expression by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in osteoblastic-like cells and involved signaling pathways.

Methods: Rat UMR106 osteoblast-like cells were cultured and treated with various dose of PGE2 or regulators of different signaling pathways such as protein kinase A, protein kinase C, ERK-MAPK and calcium/calmodulin pathways for different period of time,the cells were then harvested at indicated time points, total RNA were isolated and RANKL/OPG mRNA expression were studied by real-time PCR.

Results: PGE2, Forskolin and db-cAMP increased RANKL mRNA by 2.

[The effects of cyclosporine A on immunoglobulins deposition in retina of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats].

Objective: To study the autoimmune injuries on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the protective effects of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine A (CsA) on the DR of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: STZ-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1: diabetic group without any treatment; group 2: insulin-treated group; group 3: CsA-treated group which was further divided into 2 subgroups: subgroup A: CsA was given 1 week before hyperglycemia appeared and subgroup B: CsA was given one week after hyperglycemia appeared. Subgroup A and subgroup B were further subdivided into 3 groups respectively, based on the dose of CsA (1, 4 and 8 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)).

Open-label, randomized, multiple-center, parallel study comparing glycemic responses and safety profiles of Glucerna versus Fresubin in subjects of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Since the increase of prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T-2DM), the replacing quickly absorbed carbohydrates with a fat source rich in monounsaturated fatty acid to provide improved glycemic control in these patients has become an important assistant therapy. In the present study, we compared glycemic response and safety of two nutritional products, Glucerna and Fresubin, in Chinese subjects with T-2DM. Overall, 203 T-2DM subjects were randomly assigned (1:1) to either Glucerna or Fresubin.

[Relationship between gastrointestinal dyskinesis and gastrointestinal neurons in diabetic mellitus: experiment with rats].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal dyskinesis and histologic changes of gastrointestinal myenteric plexus cholinergic and nitrergic neurons in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: 45 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, diabetic group and insulin group. 16 weeks after diabetic model established, gastrointestinal motility of rats was measured and histologic changes of myenteric plexus cholinergic neuron and nitrergic neuron was observed.

[Effects of OGP(10-14) and its derivative G38I on proliferation and differentiation of rat osteoblasts in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effects of the carboxyl end of osteogenic growth peptide (OGP)-OGP((10-14)) and its derivative G38I on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts (OBs).

Methods: Osteoblasts were isolated from the calvariae of newborn SD rats and cultured to G3. OGP((10-14)) or G38I of the concentrations of 10(-15) to 10(-7) mol/L were added to culture medium for 48 hours respectively.

[Significance of ultrasound bone measurement in diagnosis of hyperthyroidism].

Objective: To evaluate the role of ultrasound in bone density measurement in patients with hyperthyroidism.

Methods: The speed of sound (SOS) through distal radius and midshaft tibia of 118 patients with hyperthyroidism 138 males and 80 females, aged 20 approximately 73, were measured with ultrasonic apparatus, the bone mass density (BMD) was measured at the lumbar spine and proximal femur with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, the serum levels of total thyroxine (TT(4)), total triiodothyronine (TT(3)), free thyroxine (FT(4)), free triiodothyronine (FT(3)), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was measured by routine method.

Results: The SOS of the patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly lower than that of the healthy subjects (P < 0.

[Impacts of osteoclast-like cells cultured on bone wafer and their sub-cellular structures on osteoblast].

Objective: To investigate the effects of osteoclast-like cells (OLC) and its sub-cellular structures on the osteoblast (OB) differentiation and function.

Methods: Spleen cells from C57 mice administrated with 5-fluorouracil were induced by IL-3, 6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and 1alpha, 25-(OH)(2)D(3) to obtain massive OLCs. These OLC cells were cultured in culture fluid and on bone wafers (called bolcs).

Expression, purification and bioactivity characterization of extracellular domain of murine osteoprotegerin ligand.

Osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) is a key regulator of formation and activation of osteoclasts. In the present study, the cDNA encoding the extracellular domain of murine OPGL (sOPGL) was synthesized by RT-PCR and cloned into fusion expression vector pET-42a(+) in a certain strategy on purpose that the fusion tag could be completely removed by factor Xa from the expressed fusion protein without any vector-encoded sequence left. Induced with IPTG, the recombinant E.

[Distribution of tetracycline-arginine-glycine-aspartate-tyrosine in mice and its effect on bone].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of tetracycline-arginine-glycine-aspartate-tyrosine (T-RGDY) in mice and its effect on bone.

Methods: 125-labeled T-RGDY was studied for its distribution in mice and for its effects on bone by histomorphometry in ovariectomized rats.

Results: The 125I-labeled T-RGDY was more concentrated in the osteoporotic bone than in the normal bone.

[Effect of nylestriol on bone remodeling in ovariectomized rats].

Objective: To clarify the effects of nylestriol on microarchitecture and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in tibial bone in ovariectomized rats.

Methods: 30 female rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups: sham, OVX and nylestriol-treated group. Nylestriol-treated group were ovariectomized, then fed with nylestriol for 3 months and the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in lumbar vertebra by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.