Identification and characterization of novel reptile cathelicidins from elapid snakes.

Three cDNA sequences coding for elapid cathelicidins were cloned from constructed venom gland cDNA libraries of Naja atra, Bungarus fasciatus and Ophiophagus hannah. The open reading frames of the cloned elapid cathelicidins were all composed of 576bp and coded for 191 amino acid residue protein precursors. Each of the deduced elapid cathelicidin has a 22 amino acid residue signal peptide, a conserved cathelin domain of 135 amino acid residues and a mature antimicrobial peptide of 34 amino acid residues.

The influence of a newly developed quinolone: antofloxacin, on CYP activity in rats.

To investigate a newly developed quinolone antibiotics, the effect of antofloxacin hydrochloride on cytochrome P450 isoforms in rats was examined. A cocktail approach was adopted. Theophylline (CYP1A2), midazolam (CYP3A), chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), omeprazole (CYP2C19) and diclofenac (CYP2C9) were used as probes in the study, and own control was adopted.

Antitumor activity of C-21 steroidal glycosides from Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight.

The antitumor activities of six C-21 steroidal glycosides isolated from the root tuber of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight were performed according to a microculture tetrazolium (MTT) method on human tumor cell lines SMMC-7721, MCF-7 and Hela. Of these compounds, caudatin-2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methy-β-D-cymaropyranoside and caudatin were found to be of the highest effects against human tumor cell line SMMC-7721 with IC(50) values of 13.49 and 24.

[Regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha on osteoblast function in osteogenesis].

Objective: To explore the regulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on osteoblast function in osteogenesis.

Methods: Skull-cap bone of HIF-1alpha Loxp/Loxp and VHL Loxp/Loxp C57/BL6 mice were taken out and cultured so as to obtain osteoblasts which were infected with the recombinant adenovirus Ad-Cre so as to conditionally knock out the HIF-1alpha gene and its up-stream gene for von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) using Cre-Loxp recombinase technique. Then the osteoblasts were cultured under 2% O2 for 48 hours.

Effect of 21-day exposure of phenobarbital, carbamazepine and phenytoin on P-glycoprotein expression and activity in the rat brain.

Overexpression of P-glycoprotein may be involved in multidrug resistance of epilepsy, but the mechanisms are not clear. The aim of the studies was to investigate whether chronic exposure of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) increased P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function and expression in brain of rats. Three drugs phenobarbital (PB), phenytion (PHT) and carbamazepine (CBZ) were orally given to rats twice a day for successive 21 days, P-gp activity in brain was assessed using the brain-to-plasma concentration ratios of rhodamine 123 (Rho 123) at 1 h following intravenous administration of 0.

Increased P-glycoprotein function and level after long-term exposure of four antiepileptic drugs to rat brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

To investigate whether long-term exposure to four typical antiepileptic drugs (AEDs): phenobarbital (PB), phenytoin (PHT), carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproic acid (VPA) can increase P-glycoprotein (P-gp) level and function in primary cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) in vitro, the rBMECs were incubated in culture medium containing indicated drugs (PB, PHT, CBZ, VPA and rifampin) for 60 days in a gradient concentration manner. Age-matched cells were incubated in normal culture medium. After a 60-day exposure to the indicated drugs, P-gp function and level in cells were measured using rhodamine 123 (Rho123) accumulations and Western blot analysis, respectively.

Identification of ginkgolide B metabolites in urine and rat liver cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for their formation in vitro.

Aim: To identify metabolites of ginkgolide B in rat urine, the predominant metabolism of ginkgolide B and the major cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzymes responsible for the metabolism of ginkgolide B in rat liver microsomes.

Methods: A liquid chromatography quadrupole mass spectrometer and liquid chromatography ion-trap-time-of-flight mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization in negative-ion mode were used for the structure elucidation of metabolites in rat urine and liver microsome incubation. Various selective CYP450 inhibitors were applied to investigate their effects on the metabolism of ginkgolide B and the formation of the major metabolite in rat liver microsomes.

Repetitive/temporal hypoxia increased P-glycoprotein expression in cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether repetitive/temporal hypoxia up-regulated P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs). Cultured rBMECs were used as in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) model. Cells reached confluence were subjected to temporal hypoxic exposure.

P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux of phenobarbital at the blood-brain barrier evidence from transport experiments in vitro.

The purpose of the present studies was to investigate characteristics of phenobarbital (PB) transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) were used as an in vitro BBB model. Experiments were conducted to examine time-, concentration- and temperature-dependent elements of PB uptake, and the effect of tested agents on the steady-state uptake of PB.

In-vivo and in-vitro studies on the effect of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang on nimodipine transport across rat blood-brain barrier.

Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), an aqueous extract of Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Scutellariae, Cortex Phellodendri and Fructus Gardeniae (3:2:2:3) is an important multi-herb remedy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HLJDT on nimodipine transport across rat blood-brain barrier (BBB). It was found that in-vivo the brain concentrations of nimodipine significantly increased when rats were pretreated with HLJDT.

Electro-acupuncture of Tsusanli and Shangchuhsu regulates gastric activity possibly through mediation of the vagus-solotary complex.

Background/aims: Acupuncture has been reportedly used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, however, its precise mechanism remains unknown.

Methodology: In our study, the effects and mechanism of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Tsusanli (ST 36), Shangchuhsu (ST 37) on regulation of gastric activity were observed.

Results: EA at Tsusanli showed that gastric electric change was the most obvious, with significantly higher frequency and wave amplitude compared with that of the Shangchuhsu group and other groups.

[Sonic hedgehog and prostate growth regulation].

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a key signal regulatory factor in embryonic development. It is reported that Shh signaling plays important roles in prostatic duct differentiation and matrix-epithelium interaction, and thus regulates the development, growth and cell proliferation of the prostate. A disorder in Shh signaling will lead to the production and proliferation of tumor cells.

Impaired expression and function of breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) in brain cortex of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether diabetes mellitus (DM) affected breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) function and expression in rat brain. 5-week and 8-week diabetic rats were induced by streptozocin (STZ). Bcrp expression and function in brain cortex were assessed by western blot and measuring the brain-to-plasma concentration ratios of two typical substrates prazosin and cimetidine, respectively.

[Effects of Chinese herbs for replenishing qi and resolving stagnation on transforming growth factor-beta1 of skin ulcers in rats with diabetes].

Objective: To explore the effects of Yiqi Huayu Recipe, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine for replenishing qi and resolving stagnation, on transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) of skin ulcers in rats with diabetes.

Methods: Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups, Yiqi Huayu Recipe-treated group, Yiqi (replenishing qi) Recipe-treated group, Huayu (resolving stagnation) Recipe-treated group, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treated group, untreated group and normal control group. Diabetes was induced by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin and skin ulcers were made by surgery method in rats except for the normal control group.

Electro-acupuncture of Foot YangMing regulates gastric activity possibly through mediation of the dorsal vagal complex.

Acupuncture at some specific acupoints of Foot Yangming can regulate gastric activity. However, its precise mechanism remains unknown. In our study, the effects and mechanism of electro-acupuncture (EA) at Tsusanli (ST 36), Shangchuhsu (ST 37) on the regulation of gastric activity were observed.

Menopausal issues: a national probability sample of US women.

Objective: This survey assessed women's reported information sources about menopause, interactions with physicians concerning use of and compliance concerning conventional and alternative therapies for symptoms, and factors determining choices of symptom support.

Design: The study was a nationwide probability survey of menopausal women regarding their symptoms, their attitudes toward menopause and concerns about the menopause experience, what they use as sources of information about menopause, their evaluation of healthcare professionals' competence in addressing patients' concerns, self-evaluation of communication with a healthcare professional about concerns, their feelings about herbal remedies and other complementary and alternative medicine treatment options, and what they consider the most important factor(s) in choosing a treatment option for menopause.

Results: Physicians were the most common source of menopause information.

Effect of baicalin and berberine on transport of nimodipine on primary-cultured, rat brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Aim: To investigate whether baicalin and berberine affects the transport of nimodipine (NMD) across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Methods: Primary-cultured, rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMEC) were used as an in vitro model of the BBB. When cells became confluent, the steady-state uptake of NMD by rBMEC with or without baicalin and berberine was measured.

Attenuated function and expression of P-glycoprotein at blood-brain barrier and increased brain distribution of phenobarbital in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether diabetes mellitus modulated the function and expression of P-glycoprotein and the distribution of phenobarbital in the brain of 3-week streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. P-glycoprotein function in blood-brain barrier was assessed by measuring the brain-to-plasma concentration ratios of rodamine123, a well-known P-glycoprotein substrate, in non-diabetic mice and diabetic mice. P-glycoprotein expression in the brain cortex was evaluated with western blot.

UVB induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and protective effect of antioxidant agents.

This study aims at exploring the oxidative stress in keratinocytes induced by UVB irradiation and the protective effect of nutritional antioxidants. Cultured Colo-16 cells were exposed to UVB in vitro followed by measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity, as well as cell death in the presence or absence of supplementation with vitamin C, vitamin E, or Ginsenoside Panoxatriol. Intracellular ROS content was found significantly reduced 1 h after exposure, but increased at later time points.

Pharmacokinetics of the ginkgo B following intravenous administration of ginkgo B emulsion in rats.

Ginkgo B (GB) is an extract from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, used in the treatment of dementia, cerebral insufficiency or related cognitive decline. In this paper, the main features of the pharmacokinetics of GB emulsion in rats were reviewed and the binding rate of GB to rat plasma and human plasma protein were investigated meanwhile. The concentrations of GB in plasma, tissue, and excretion of rats after i.

Ionizing radiation stimulates secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: dose-response relationship, mechanisms and implications.

In previous studies we showed a marked increase in secretion of inflammatory cytokines TNFalpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta by mouse macrophages in response to different doses of ionizing radiation (IR). Here we show the stimulation of IL-12 and IL-18 secretion by mouse peritoneal macrophages after whole-body irradiation with exploration of the possible mechanisms and implications in cancer radiotherapy. Both low (0.

Expression, purification and bioactivity of human augmenter of liver regeneration.

Aim: To construct the expression vectors for prokaryotic and eukaryotic human augmenter of liver regeneration (hALR) and to study their biological activity.

Methods: hALRcDNA clone was obtained from plasmid pGEM-T-hALR, and cDNA was subcloned into the prokatyotic expression vector pGEX-4T-2. The recombinant vector and pGEX-4T-2hALR were identified by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing and transformed into E coli JM109.

Fluorinated Alq3 derivatives with tunable optical properties.

This communication reports that not only the emission colour but also the photoluminescence quantum yield of Alq3 can be tuned by introducing fluorine atoms at different positions; with fluorination at C-5 the emission is red-shifted with a tremendously decreased intensity, fluorination at C-6 causes a blue-shift with a significantly increased intensity, and fluorination at C-7 has a minor effect on both the colour and intensity of Alq3's emission.