Efficacy comparison of oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam monotherapy among patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy in China: A multicenter, open-label, randomized study.

Aims: This multicenter, open-label, randomized study (Registration No. ChiCTR-OCH-14004528) aimed to compare the efficacy and effects of oxcarbazepine (OXC) with levetiracetam (LEV) as monotherapies on patient quality of life and mental health for patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy from China.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy who had experienced 2 or more unprovoked seizures at greater than a 24-h interval during the previous year were recruited.

[The 2-chloride adenosine alleviates the damage of brain tissues in pentylenetetrazole-kindled epileptic mice by regulating P-glycoprotein expression].

Objective To observe the changes of expression of P-glycoprotein (PGP) in the brain of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled epileptic mice after 2-chloride adenosine (2-CAdo) stimulation. Methods The C57BL/6 mice (n=40) were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n=8), PTZ group (n=16) and 2-CAdo group (n=16). The epileptic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of PTZ [30 mg/(kg.

Estradiol mediates vasculoprotection via ERRα-dependent regulation of lipid and ROS metabolism in the endothelium.

The estrogen-mediated vasculoprotective effect has been widely reported in many animal studies, although the clinical trials are controversial and the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism and consequence of 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced ERRα (estrogen-related receptor alpha) expression in endothelium and its potential beneficial effects on vascular function. The human aorta endothelial cells were used to identify the detailed molecular mechanism and consequences for E2-induced ERRα expression through estrogen receptors (ER), where ERα responses E2-induced ERRα activation, and ERβ responses basal ERRα expression.

Estradiol improves cardiovascular function through up-regulation of SOD2 on vascular wall.

Epidemiological studies have shown that estrogens have protective effects in cardiovascular diseases, even though the results from human clinical trials remain controversial, while most of the animal experiments confirmed this effect, but the detailed mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that estradiol (E2) treatment significantly increases the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) in mice and in vitro in human aorta endothelial cells. Further investigation shows that E2 up-regulates SOD2 through tethering of estrogen receptor (ER) to Sp1 and the increased binding of Sp1 to GC-box on the SOD2 promoter, where ERα responses E2-mediated gene activation, and ERβ maintains basal gene expression level.

Betulinic acid-mediated inhibitory effect on hepatitis B virus by suppression of manganese superoxide dismutase expression.

The betulinic acid (BetA) purified from Pulsatilla chinensis (PC) has been found to have selective inhibitory effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV). In hepatocytes from HBV-transgenic mice, we showed that BetA substantially inhibited HBV replication by downregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) expression, with subsequent reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Also, the HBV X protein (HBx) is suppressed and translocated into the mitochondria followed by cytochrome c release.

Fatty acid-mediated intracellular iron translocation: a synergistic mechanism of oxidative injury.

Fatty acid has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular diseases and cancer, but the possible mechanism remains unclear. Here, we reported a novel mechanism for the permissive role of fatty acid on iron intracellular translocation and subsequent oxidative injury. In vitro study from endothelial cells showed that iron alone had little effect, whereas in combination with PA (palmitic acid), iron-mediated toxicity was markedly potentiated, as reflected in mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death, apoptosis, and DNA mutation.

Chemiluminescence detection of superoxide anion release and superoxide dismutase activity: modulation effect of Pulsatilla chinensis.

A novel flow-injection chemiluminescence-based method has been developed for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. An in-vitro superoxide anion generation xanthine/xanthine oxidase stable source was established on line with FIA/CL-detection apparatus, for measuring SOD activity. This method can detect SOD in the linear range of 0.