Effects of Baoyuan decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, on the activities and mRNA expression of seven CYP isozymes in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baoyuan decoction (BYD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is composed of four herbs and widely used with western drugs to treat coronary heart disease, aplastic anemia and chronic renal failure in clinic. However, no study of the effect of BYD on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) activities has been reported.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential influences of BYD on the activities of seven CYP isozymes (CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4) in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sensitive and selective UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of seven probe drugs and internal standard (IS) in rat plasma was developed and validated. The influence of BYD on the activities of CYP isozymes and mRNA expression levels were carried out by comparing plasma pharmacokinetics and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of probe drugs between control and BYD treatment groups respectively.

RESULTS

The calibration curve were linear, with correlation coefficient (r) > 0.99 for seven probe drugs. The intra and inter-assay accuracy and precision of the method were within ± 14.9% and the recoveries ranged from 83.2% to 106.1%. Compared with control group, BYD at low (1.46 g/kg) and high (7.30 g/kg) dosages could significantly increase C_max and AUC_0-t of chlorzoxazone and testosterone, while decrease AUC_0-t of phenacetin at high dosage and increase AUC_0-t of tolbu_tamide and metoprolol. Additionally, BYD had increased AUC_0-t of bupropion at low dosage and decreased it at high dosage. The mRNA expression results were in accordance with those of pharmacokinetic.

CONCLUSION

BYD exhibited inhibitory effects on CYP2C9, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4. Moreover, BYD had induction effects on CYP1A2, and CYP2D6 activities. However, no significant change in CYP2C19 activity was observed. It would be useful for the safe and effective usage of BYD in clinic.

Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method for the determination of a novel thienoquinolin urea transporter inhibitor PU-48 in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A specific, sensitive and stable high-performance liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of methyl 3-amino-6-methoxythieno [2,3-b]quinoline-2-carboxylate (PU-48), a novel diuretic thienoquinolin urea transporter inhibitor in rat plasma. In this method, the chromatographic separation of PU-48 was achieved with a reversed-phase C18 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) at 35°C. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water with 0.05% formic acid added with a gradient elution at flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Samples were detected with the triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization source in positive mode. The retention time were 6.2 min for PU-48 and 7.2 min for megestrol acetate (internal standard, IS). The monitored ion transitions were mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 289.1 → 229.2 for PU-48 and m/z 385.3 → 267.1 for the internal standard. The calibration curve for PU-48 was linear over the concentration range of 0.1-1000 ng/mL (r2 > 0.99), and the lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/mL. The precision, accuracy and stability of the method were validated adequately. The developed and validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of PU-48 in rats.

[A concentration-response observation of hydromorphone combined with ropivacaine in labor analgesia]

Objective: To investigate the median effective dose (ED(50)) of hydromorphone and the appropriate concentration of ropivacaine combined with hydromorphone in epidural labor analgesia. Methods: One hundred and forty nulliparous women undergoing labor selected for delivery with epidural analgesia were enrolled in our hospital from January to June 2016. The first of top 50 women received 0.12% ropivacaine plus 20 μg/ml hydromorphone complex solution, then sequential women were used the modified sequential method to determine the ED(50) and ED(95) of hydromorphone. The other 90 women were randomly divided and receieved 0.08% ropivacaine and 15 μg/ml hydromorphone(H1 group), 0.10% ropivacaine and 15 μg/ml hydromorphone (H2 group), 0.12% ropivacaine and 15 μg/ml hydromorphone (group H3) respectively for epidural labor analgesia. In the course of labor, block levels of epidural analgesia, the Bromage scores, analgesia scores and fetal heart rate-uterine concraction were monitored. In addition, onset time of anesthesia, labor time, mode of delivery, cases of increased oxytocin using, neonatal Apgar score, incidence of nausea and vomiting, itching and fetal heart reduction were recorded. Results: The ED(50) and ED(95) values of hydromorphone were 10.49 (95% CI: 8.89-11.79) and 15.15 (95% CI: 13.25-22.25) μg/ml respectively. The onset time in group H1 was significantly longer than those in group H2 and H3((14.23±3.82) , ( 11.32±2.16), (10.83±2.56)min, respectively), the difference was statistically significant (t=5.854, 6.212, all P<0.05). Analgesic VAS score at 30, 60 and 90 min time points in H1 group was significantly higher than that in H2 group and H3 group (all P<0.05). VAS score at withdrawal in H1 group was significantly higher than that in group H3 ( (3.25±0.75) vs (0.27±0.12) ), the difference was statistically significant ( t=9.314, P<0.05). VAS scores at the fourth, fifth, sixth contractions after analgesia in H1 group were significantly higher than those in H2 and H3 groups (all P<0.05). The incidence of motor nerve block in group H3 was higher than that in group H1 and group H2 (26.67%, 6.66%, 3.33%, respectively), the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=6.413, 4.320, all P<0.05). Conclusions: 0.10% ropivacaine combined with 15 μg/ml hydromorphone has a good analgesic effect, slight motor block, high safety and worthy clinical application for labor analgesia.

Identification of cytochrome P450s involved in the metabolism of 6-benzyl-1-benzyloxymethyl-5-iodouracil (W-1) using human recombinant enzymes and rat liver microsomes in vitro

1. The aim of this study was to identify the hepatic metabolic enzymes, which involved in the biotransformation of 6-benzyl-1-benzyloxymethyl-5-iodouracil (W-1), a novel non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) in rat and human in vitro. 2. The parent drug of W-1 was incubated with rat liver microsomes (RLMs) or recombinant CYPs (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5, respectively) in the presence or absence of nicotinamide adeninedinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-regenerating system. The metabolites of W-1 were analyzed with liquid chromatography-ion trap-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS). 3. The parent drug of W-1 was metabolized in a NADPH-dependent manner in RLMs. The kinetic parameters of prototype W-1 including K_m, V_max, and CL_int were 2.3 μM, 3.3 nmol/min/mg protein, and 1.4 mL/min/mg protein, respectively. Two metabolites M1 and M2 were observed in shorter retention times (2.988 and 3.188 min) with a higher molecular ion at m/z 463.0160 (both M1 and M2) than that of the W-1 parent drug (6.158 min with m/z 447.0218). The CYP selective inhibition and recombinant enzymes also showed that two hydroxyl metabolites M1 and M2 are mainly mediated by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. 4. The identification of CYPs involved in W-1 biotransformation is important to understand and minimize, if possible, the potential of drug-drug interactions.

[Determination of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone in urine by gas chromatography]

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone in urine by gas chromatography. Methods: Urine samples were acidified with hydrochloric acid, and then stored in the refrigerator . After thawing under natural conditions, urine volume of 2.0 ml was extracted by C₁₈ solid phase, using methanol volume of 2.0 ml elution, detected by gas chromatography with FID detector and quantified by external standard method. Results: The measurement range of method is 0.986 ~32.88 μg/ml, correlation coefficient (r) =0.999 7, detection limit is 0.13 μg/ml; The recovery is 88.1% ~92.2% ; The precision is 1.4% ~3.2%. Conclusion: This method has a high sensitivity and simple processing. All technical indicators can meet the requirements of the determination method.

Reduced expression of serum miR-204 predicts poor prognosis of gastric cancer

Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is implicated in the initiation and progression of gastric cancer (GC). Previous studies have demonstrated that miR-204 was downregulated in GC tissues. However, its expression profile in serum samples and its potential for clinical value remain unknown. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the expression level of serum miR-204 in patients with GC. The association between serum miR-204 expression level and the clinical outcome of GC was then investigated. Our results showed that the expression of miR-204 in serum samples from GC patients was significantly lower than that in the healthy controls (P < 0.01). Serum miR-204 expression level of GC patients was significantly upregulated after receiving surgical resection (P < 0.01). In addition, serum miR-204 was associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.016), tumor differentiation (P = 0.001), and TNM stage (P = 0.005). GC patients with low serum miR-204 expression had shorter overall survival than those with high serum miR-204 expression (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that serum miR-204 expression level was an independent risk factor for this malignant disease (HR = 3.629, 95%CI = 2.828-8.146, P = 0.015). In conclusion, our findings indicate that serum miR-204 may be employed as a novel biomarker for monitoring the treatment response and predicting the prognosis of GC.

Impact of adherence to GOLD guidelines on 6-minute walk distance, MRC dyspnea scale score, lung function decline, quality of life, and quality-adjusted life years in a Shanghai suburb

We performed a 1-year cluster-randomized field trial to assess the effect of standardized management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on lung function and quality of life (QOL) measures in patients in China. We used the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) treatment guidelines and assessed indexes including pulmonary function, QOL, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, 6-min walk distance (6-MWD), number of emergency visits, and frequency of hospitalization. Of a total of 711 patients with chronic cough and asthma, 132 were diagnosed as having COPD and 102 participated in this study [intervention group (N = 47); control group (N = 55)]. We found that adherence to GOLD guidelines had a perceivable impact on 6-MWD, MRC dyspnea scale score, and QOL. The average QALY increased by 1.42/person/year in the intervention group, but declined by 0.95/person/year in the control group. We conclude that standardized management improves disease severity, QOL, and QALY in COPD patients when treatment protocols adhere to GOLD guidelines.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the novel antitumor 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative (GLB) and its metabolites using HPLC-UV and UPLC-QTOF-MS

Fructose-based 3-acetyl-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazole (GLB) is a novel antitumor agent and belongs to glycosylated spiro-heterocyclic oxadiazole scaffold derivative. This research first reported a simple, specific, sensitive and stable high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV) method for the quantitative determination of GLB in plasma. In this method, the chromatographic separation was achieved with a reversed phase C18 column. The calibration curve for GLB was linear at 300 nm. The lower limit of quantification was 10 ng/mL. The precision, accuracy and stability of the method were validated adequately. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study in rats for detection of GLB after oral administration. Moreover, the structures of parent compound GLB and its two major metabolites M1 and M2 were identified in plasma using an ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight- mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS) method. Our results indicated that the di-hydroxylation (M1) and hydroxylation (M2) of GLB are the major metabolites. In conclusion, the present study provided valuable information on an analytical method for the determination of GLB and its metabolites in rats, can be used to support further developing of this antitumor agent.

First Report of Phomopsis longicolla Causing Leaf Spot on Soybean in China

During July 2012, leaf spots affecting 60% of the leaves were observed on soybean cultivar He Feng 60 in fields near Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, leading to 5 to 10% yield loss. The leaf spots were associated with the leaf margins and were irregularly shaped, with brown to black margins and surrounded by a thin, yellow halo. Often, several spots merged to form large necrotic areas, which contained numerous pycnidia on the underside of the leaf. Small pieces (5 mm²) were excised from the margin of diseased and healthy tissue, surface-sterilized in 70% ethanol solution for 30 s and 0.1% mercuric chloride solution for 1 min, washed in three changes of sterile distilled water, and transferred to plates containing potato dextrose agar (PDA). Cultures were maintained in an incubator at 25°C with a 12 h dark/light photoperiod for 5 to 7 days. On PDA, colonies were white with yellow areas, floccose, dense, and moderately fast growing, attaining a diameter of 3.9 mm after 5 days and 9.0 mm after 14 days. Finally, large black stromata appeared after 28 days at 25°C. The conidiomata pycnidia were black, stomatic, globose, length 83.6 to 232 μm, width 37.9 to 146.3 μm and produced α-conidia that were unicellular, hyaline, sometimes two-guttulate, length 4.75 to 8.25 μm, width 1.50 to 3.00 μm. β-Conidia were not observed. To confirm the morphological identification, the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) from isolates were sequenced (GenBank Accession No. KC460334). The PCR products were cloned into a pMD-19T Cloning Vector (Sangon Biotech, Shanghai, China). The clones were purified with TIANprep Mini Plasmid Kit (Tiangen Biotech, Beijing, China) to get the full-length ITS sequence. BLAST analysis of the isolates showed 100% nucleotide sequence identity with Phomopsis longicolla (AY745021). Four additional primer pairs-large subunit (NL1/NL4), beta-tublin gene (Bt2a/Bt2b), translation elongation factor 1α gene(EF1-728F/EF1-986R), and act gene(ACT-512F/ACT-783R) (1,2)-were amplified and sequenced as described above. The large subunit gene, β-tubulin gene, and translation elongation factor 1α gene from isolates were sequenced (Sangon Biotech). BLAST analysis indicated that the isolates had 100% nucleotide sequence identity with P. longicolla (AB107259, HQ333514, and AF398896). Because the act gene sequence of P. longicolla was not in the NCBI database, this sequence had 94% nucleotide sequence identity with P. cuppatea (JN230389). To fulfill Koch's postulates, five leaves on five healthy soybean plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension (10⁶/ml). Plants inoculated with sterile water served as the noninoculated controls. Plants were incubated in the greenhouse at 25°C. All the inoculated leaves developed pinhead spots on the leaves, gradually increasing to large brown spots. Spots were irregularly shaped, brown and necrotic in the center, and surrounded by a yellow halo. Black pycnidia appeared after 10 days, whereas the noninoculated control plants remained asymptomatic. P. longicolla was consistently recovered from all inoculated plants, except the control. Morphological description of isolates was similar to that of Hobbs (3). However, as described by Hobbs and others, P. longicolla conidiomata pycnidia have prominent necks more than 200 μm long, opening by apical ostioles; locules are uniostiolate or multiostiolate, globose, up to 500 μm wide. The pycnidia size of isolates by frozen section method was smaller than that of Hobbs. Based on morphological and sequence comparisons, the pathogen of leaf spot disease is caused by P. longicolla. This is the first reported leaf spot caused by P. longicolla on soybean in China. References: (1) T. Boekhou et al. Stud. Mycol. 38:75, 1995. (2) P. W. Crous et al. Stud. Mycol. 75:37, 2013. (3) T. W. Hobbs et al. Mycologia 77:535, 1985.

Brain and spinal tumour

This study reviewed the epidemiology of brain and spinal tumours in Sarawak from January 2009 till December 2012. The crude incidence of brain tumour in Sarawak was 4.6 per 100,000 population/year with cumulative rate 0.5%. Meningioma was the most common brain tumour (32.3%) and followed by astrocytoma (19.4%). Only brain metastases showed a rising trend and cases were doubled in 4 years. This accounted for 15.4% and lung carcinoma was the commonest primary. Others tumour load were consistent. Primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) and astrocytoma were common in paediatrics (60%). We encountered more primary spinal tumour rather than spinal metastases. Intradural schwannoma was the commonest and frequently located at thoracic level. The current healthcare system in Sarawak enables a more consolidate data collection to reflect accurate brain tumours incidence. This advantage allows subsequent future survival outcome research and benchmarking for healthcare resource planning.

Genetic diversity in wild populations of Paulownia fortune

The genetic diversities of 16 Paulownia fortunei populations involving 143 individuals collected from 6 provinces in China were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). A total of 9 primer pairs with 1169 polymorphic loci were screened out, and each pair possessed 132 bands on average. The percentage of polymorphic bands (98.57%), the effective number of alleles (1.2138-1.2726), Nei's genetic diversity (0.1566-0.1887), and Shannon's information index (0.2692-0.3117) indicated a plentiful genetic diversity and different among Paulownia fortunei populations. The genetic differentiation coefficient between populations was 0.2386, while the gene flow was 1.0954, and the low gene exchange promoted genetic differentiation. Analysis of variance indicated that genetic variation mainly occurred within populations (81.62% of total variation) rather than among populations (18.38%). The 16 populations were divided by unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) into 4 groups with obvious regionalism, in which the populations with close geographical locations (latitude) were clustered together.

Rapid detection of H5 avian influenza virus by TaqMan-MGB real-time RT-PCR

Aims:  Real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay based on a TaqMan‐minor groove binder (MGB) probe was developed for the rapid detection of avian influenza virus subtype H5.

Methods and Results:  Conserved regions in the haemagglutinin genes of avian influenza viruses subtype H5 served as targets for the primers and TaqMan‐MGB probe design. Concentrations of primers and probe were optimized to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the reactions. A plasmid containing the haemagglutinin gene was constructed and in vitro transcribed for a quantitative assay of copy numbers of the target gene. The results revealed that the optimal concentration of primers and probe was 640 and 480 nmol l⁻¹, respectively. The threshold of 100 copies of target molecules could be detected. The linear range for detection was determined as 10² to 10⁸ molecules in reaction.

Conclusions:  It took less than 3 h to complete the detection from viral RNA extraction, with good sensitivity and repeatability.

Significance and Impact of the Study:  Real‐time RT‐PCR assay with MGB probe was an effective means for quick and quantitative laboratory detection and monitoring of H5 avian influenza viruses.

Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH Kinase (PI3K)/AKT2, activated in breast cancer, regulates and is induced by estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) via interaction between ERalpha and PI3K

We have shown previously that the AKT2 pathway is essential for cell survival and important in malignant transformation. In this study, we demonstrate elevated kinase levels of AKT2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) in 32 of 80 primary breast carcinomas. The majority of the cases with the activation are estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) positive, which prompted us to examine whether AKT2 regulates ERalpha activity. We found that constitutively activated AKT2 or AKT2 activated by epidermal growth factor or insulin-like growth factor-1 promotes the transcriptional activity of ERalpha. This effect occurred in the absence or presence of estrogen. Activated AKT2 phosphorylates ERalpha in vitro and in vivo, but it does not phosphorylate a mutant ERalpha in which ser-167 was replaced by Ala. The PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin, abolishes both the phosphorylation and transcriptional activity of ERalpha induced by AKT2. However, AKT2-induced ERalpha activity was not inhibited by tamoxifen but was completely abolished by ICI 164,384, implicating that AKT2-activated ERalpha contributes to tamoxifen resistance. Moreover, we found that ERalpha binds to the p85alpha regulatory subunit of PI3K in the absence or presence of estradiol in epithelial cells and subsequently activates PI3K/AKT2, suggesting ERalpha regulation of PI3K/AKT2 through a nontranscriptional and ligand-independent mechanism. These data indicate that regulation between the ERalpha and PI3K/AKT2 pathway (ERalpha-PI3K/AKT2-ERalpha) may play an important role in pathogenesis of human breast cancer and could contribute to ligand-independent breast cancer cell growth.

[The development of a competency-based clinical performance examination model in maternity nursing for BSN graduates]

The purpose of the study was to establish a competency-based clinical performance examination model in maternity nursing for baccalaureate students. Action research was the main research methodology used in the study. A committee, consisting of nursing faculty, students and experienced obstetric nurses, was established to develop the model. Based on intensive literature reviews and standards of nursing practice in Taiwan, the first draft of the model, including the content and process, was created by the committee. The draft then was revised twice after expert review and pilot testing. The revised version of the model was formally implemented into the curriculum to examine the competencies of forty-one BSN students at the end of the perinatal nursing course. Responses from students, clinical examiners, clinical staff and clients were all gathered and integrated to refine the model. The model has content, expert and discriminative validity. The reliability of the model was proven by the high consistency in administration and scoring of the model among clinical examiners.

Human hepatocellular carcinoma is characterized by a highly consistent pattern of genomic imbalances, including frequent loss of 16q23.1-24.1

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis was used to identify chromosomal imbalances in 52 human primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). The most prominent changes were gains of part or all of chromosome arms 8q (83% of cases) and 1q (73%) and loss of 16q (63%). Other commonly overrepresented sites were 5p, 7q, and Xq. Recurrent sites of DNA sequence amplification included 8q23--24 (five cases) and 11q13--14 (four cases). Other frequently underrepresented sites were 4q, 8p, 16p, and 17p. Taken collectively, these findings and data from other CGH studies of HCCs define a subset of chromosome segments that are consistently over- or underrepresented and highlight sites of putative oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively, involved in hepatocellular oncogenesis. Loss of heterozygosity analysis with a panel of polymorphic microsatellite markers distributed along 16q defined a minimal region of chromosomal loss at 16q23.1--24.1, suggesting that this region harbors a tumor suppressor gene whose loss/inactivation may contribute to the pathogenesis of many HCCs.

[Study on the relationship between microvascular density and prognosis in laryngeal cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between the microvascular density(MVD) and the prognosis in laryngeal cancer.

METHOD

Microvessel quantitation in 31 cases of laryngeal cancer was done with factor VIII-related antibody and SABC method.

RESULT

The quantitation of microvessels in laryngeal cancer were negative of histologic grade and type, but were significantly different (P < 0.05) between metastasis (10.23 +/- 0.78) and without metastasis(6.38 +/- 0.33) two years after operation.

CONCLUSION

The angiogenesis of laryngeal cancer is correlated with the lymph node metastasis and prognosis.

The suppression effect of light rare earth elements on proliferation of two cancer cell lines

To study the suppression effect of light rare earth elements (RE) on proliferation of two cancer cell lines. Two cancer cell lines PAMC82 and K562 were used to examine their colony-forming ability in soft agar, microtubule structure, calmodulin levels and regulation of some gene expressions by Northern blot analysis with and without treatment by RE. The results showed that on soft agar culture the colony-forming ability of human gastric cancer cell line PAMC82 treated by RE chloride decreased and the PAMC82 cell microtubule abnormal structure became normal. The calmodulin (CaM) levels decreased in human leukemia cells (K562) treated with cerium chloride and neodymium chloride. The Northern blot analysis revealed marked up-regulation of p53, p16(MTS1), p21 (WAF1) gene expressions in PAMC82 cells treated with lanthanum chloride and cerium chloride, as compared to control PAMC82 cells. The light rare earth elements studied have certain suppression effects on proliferation of cancer cells. This effect might be related to the decrease of calmodulin and up-regulation of some gene expressions in cancer cells.