Preproopiomelanocortin and preprodynorphin mRNA expressions in rat brain after electroacupuncture + droperidol

AIM

To study the expression of preproopiomelanocortin (POMC) and preprodynorphin (PPD) mRNA following the combination of electroacupuncture (EA) with droperidol (Dro), a dopamine receptor antagonist.

METHODS

The brains and spinal cords of Sprague-Dawley rats were sectioned after combination of EA with Dro, and the gene expression was investigated using nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH).

RESULTS

Ten hours after EA, the POMC mRNA expression was enhanced; the expression was further enhanced when EA was combined with Dro. The expression of PPD mRNA showed regional difference in central nervous system (CNS): in spinal cord, EA enhanced the PPD mRNA expression and the combination of EA with Dro further promoted the expression; in the brain, the PPD mRNA expression after EA or combination of EA with Dro showed no obvious change in most regions (caudate-putamen, accumbens, arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus) or was decreased in supraoptic nucleus.

CONCLUSION

Dro combined with EA promoted the expression of POMC mRNA in CNS and PPD mRNA in spinal cord, but reduced or had no effect on PPD mRNA expression in the brain.

Antagonistic effects of dipfluzine, flunarizine, and cinnarizine on 5-hydroxytryptamine-evoked contraction in pig basilar artery

AIM

To investigate the effects of dipfluzine (Dip), a new derivative of cinnarizine (Cin), first developed by China, upon 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contractions in cerebral arteries.

METHODS

Compared Dip, flunarizine (Flu), and Cin antagonistic effects and actions on 2-component contractions evoked by 5-HT in isolated pig basilar artery.

RESULTS

Dip showed a greater concentration-dependent antagonistic effect on 5-HT-evoked contraction than Cin and Flu in pig basilar artery rings. The order of potency (IC50) was Dip (4.0 mumol.L-1) > Flu (15.6 mumol.L-1) > Cin (25.2 mumol.L-1). All the Dip, Flu, and Cin inhibited 2-components of 5-HT-induced contraction. The antagonistic effects of Dip and Cin on the initial fast-phase contraction (FPC) were greater than that on the sustained tonic-phase contraction (STC), but Flu showed no difference between inhibiting effects on 2-component contractions.

CONCLUSION

Dip was more potent than both of Flu and Cin on cerebrovascular dilation, associated mainly with the inhibition of intracellular calcium release.

Mapping of preproenkephalin mRNA in brain of spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM

To detect different expression of preproenkephalin mRNA (PPE mRNA) in 16-wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY).

METHODS

Nonradioactive in situ hybridization was performed using digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe.

RESULTS

Compared with WKY rats, PPE mRNA levels of 16-wk-old SHR increased in hypothalamic nuclei (> 20), amygdaloid nuclei (> 23), ventrolateral central gray (21.2), reticular substantia nigra (21.5), interpeduncular nuclei (> 21), nucleus of the solitary tract (30.7), rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus (29.1), gigantocellular reticular nucleus (23.9) and thoracic spinal cord (> 30); decreased in dorsal central gray (22.7). No difference was found in compact substantia nigra (22.8), dentate gyrus (26.2) and CA1, CA2, CA3 of hippocampus (> 25).

CONCLUSION

PPE mRNA in brain regions involved in modulation of blood pressure may be associated with the genesis of spontaneous hypertension in SHR. Enkephalin, an endogenous ligand of opioid receptors, is important in the regulation of blood pressure (BP). Intracerebroventricular injection (icv) of mu agonist [D-Ala2-MePhe4-Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAGO) and delta agonist [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin (DADLE) increased the BP[1]. In situ hybridization study showed preproenkephalin mRNA was localized in hypothalamic nuclei, hippocampus, NTS, and spinal cord[2], where the cardiovascular regulation took place. The icv of mu agonist morphiceptin induced a pressor response in SHR but hypotension in WKY rat, and delta agonist Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr (DTLET) icv decreased BP in SHR but increased BP in WKY[3]. Compared with WKY rats, SHR had greater concentration of methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) in cortex, pons, and medulla[4], but lower Leu-Enk in suprachiasmatic nucleus[5]. These studies imply that opiate system is disturbed in essential hypertension. The aim of this study is to determine whether the biosynthetic activity of CNS opiates in brain is altered in case of essential hypertension.

Distributions of mu and delta opioid receptors in central nervous system of SHR rats and normotensive WKY rats

AIM

To compare the distributions of opioid receptor subtypes in central nervous system of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat.

METHODS

[3H] Ohmefentanyl (OMF), [3H]N-methyl-N-[7-(I-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro (4,5)dec-8-yl] benzeneacetamide (U-69593) and [3H]etorphine after suppression of mu and kappa-sites by 15 mumol.L-1 each of unlabeled OMF and trans-(1R,2R)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]-benzeneacetamide hydrochloride (U-50 488H) were used as ligands for mu, kappa, and delta opioid receptor subtypes in autoradiography, respectively.

RESULTS

Delta receptors had an increase in hypothalamic nuclei, periaqueductal gray, caudate and interpeduncular nuclei, and a decrease in substantia nigra in SHR than in those of WKY rat. Mu receptors were less concentrated in basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, habenular nuclei and nucleus of solitary tract of SHR than in those of WKY rats. Kappa receptor density was not checked out in the present study.

CONCLUSION

Distribution of opioid receptor subtypes is related to hypertension of SHR, and delta opioid receptor is more important than mu opioid receptor in the maintenance of hypertension in SHR.

Expressions of preproenkephalin mRNA during electroacupuncture analgesia enhanced by fenfluramine

AIM

To study the changes of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA in rat brain in response to electroacupuncture (EA) combined with fenfluramine (Fen), a releaser of 5-HT.

METHODS

In situ hybridization histochemistry technique was used to observe the expression of PPE mRNA in rat brain during EA analgesia potentiated by Fen.

RESULTS

The greatest relative increase of PPE mRNA was seen in lumbar spinal cord (laminae I & II), nucleus raphe magnus, dorsal raphe nucleus, periaqueductal gray, interpeduncular nucleus, preoptic lateral area, amygdala nucleus and caudate-putamen (P < 0.01, vs NS + EA). Moderate increases were found in lateral septal, preoptic medial area, hypothalamus ventromedial nucleus, lumbar spinal laminae III & IV (P < 0.05, vs NS + EA). Thalamus showed no statistical significant change in PPE mRNA.

CONCLUSION

The enhancing of PPE mRNA in relative brain nuclei is involved in potentiating action of Fen on EA.

Binding sites of mu receptor increased when acupuncture analgesia was enhanced by droperidol: an autoradiographic study

AIM

To study if mu receptor participates in the process of potentiation of droperidol (Dro) on acupuncture analgesia (AA).

METHODS

Autoradiographic technic was used. Ohmefentanyl, a highly selective ligand of mu receptors, was used in radio-receptor binding assay in Sprague-Dawley rat brain sections.

RESULTS

The binding sites of [beta-3H, p-benzoyl-3H]ohmefentanyl were increased greatly in many nuclei of rat brain after AA, and were further increased when AA was enhanced by Dro. Higher increase was seen in caudate nucleus, accumbens, periaqueductal gray (PAG), interpeduncular nucleus, amygdala (P < 0.01 vs rats treated with electroacupuncture alone); moderate increase was noted in thalamus, lateral area of hypothalamus, spinal dorsal horn (P < 0.01 or 0.05); slight increase appeared in septum, preoptic area, hippocampus, substantia nigra (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mu opioid receptors mediated the Dro-induced enhancement of AA.

Different distributions of opioid receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar-Kyoto rats

AIM

To compare the densities of opioid receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with those of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats in central nervous system which are related to the regulation of BP.

METHODS

[3H] Etorphine, a nonspecific opioid ligand, was used to determine the distributions of opioid receptors in 16-wk-old SHR and WKY rats by quantitative autoradiography.

RESULTS

The densities of [3H]etorphine in hippocampus (P < 0.01), periaqueductal gray, nucleus of the solitary tract, and thoracic (T4-6) spinal cord (P < 0.05) of SHR were lower than those of WKY rats. But in basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (P < 0.01), habenular nuclei (P < 0.05), and hypothalamic nuclei including arcuate nucleus (P < 0.01), higher densities of opioid receptors were found in SHR. No difference existed in interpeduncular nuclei between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

The difference in distributions of opioid receptors is related to the hypertension in SHR.

Preproenkephalin mRNA enhanced by combination of droperidol with electroacupuncture

AIM

To study the expression of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA following electroacupuncture (EA) combined with droperidol (Dro), an antagonist of dopamine receptors.

METHOD

The brains of Sprague-Dawley rats were sectioned after combination of EA with Dro and nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) technic was used.

RESULTS

Ten hours after EA, the expression of PPE mRNA was enhanced; when EA was combined with Dro, the expression of PPE mRNA was further enhanced in many pain-modulation-related nuclei, such as caudate-putamen, accumbens, septal nucleus, diagonal band nucleus, amygdala, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), interpeduncular nucleus, substantia nigra, and the dorsal horn of spinal cord (layer I-II and III-IV).

CONCLUSION

Dro promoted EA's action on the PPE mRNA expression, which underlie the mechanisms of Dro potentiation on acupuncture analgesia.

Intrauterine repair of cleft lip-like defects in lambs with a novel microclip

Potential for scarless wound healing in fetal surgeries has aroused interest in fetal repair of malformations such as cleft lip. However, current protocols for fetal surgery have entailed fetal externalization, imparting significant risks for mother and fetus. We have developed a unique silver microclip that rapidly approximates tissue, is nonpenetrating, and is well suited for endoscopic use. Using standardized intrauterine surgical techniques, we compared suture versus microclip in the repair of surgically created cleft-like defects in fetal lambs at 124 days' gestation (term, 145 days). Nine fetal lambs were analyzed with bilateral cleft lips; the right cleft was repaired by microclip, seven of the left clefts were repaired by suture, and the remaining two left clefts were not approximated (controls). Results demonstrated excellent wound healing and smooth lip continuity with minimal scar formation after repair by either microclip or suture. The most striking result, however, was in the comparison on intraoperative repair time; the total time for cleft lip repair by microclip averaged 2.5 minutes in contrast to 9.8 minutes for suture. These data suggest a distinct advantage of the microclip in reduction of operative time. Furthermore, its endoscopic application has the potential for making endoscopic fetal surgery a more viable option.

Phencyclidine receptors in brain and spinal cord of spontaneously hypertensive rats aged 4-16 wk

AIM

To study the relationship between the density of phencyclidine [1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine hydrochloride, Phe] receptor binding sites in brain and thoracic spinal cord (T4-6) and the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).

METHODS

The density of Phe binding sites was determined by autoradiography using [3H]Phe in 4-, 8-, 12- and 16-wk-old rats.

RESULTS

There were fewer Phe binding sites in the hippocampus and dorsal horn of thoracic spinal cord of SHR at 12 and 16 wk (P < 0.01), when hypertension has established; while at 4 wk of age, before the development of hypertension, more Phe binding sites were found in SHR. As blood pressure began to rise at 8 wk, SHR had more Phe binding sites in hippocampus vs WKY, but no difference was seen between 2 strains in the dorsal horn of thoracic spinal cord.

CONCLUSION

Phe receptors might be involved in the genesis of SHR hypertension.

[Clinical study on Helicobacter pylori infected chronic gastritis treated with supplementing qi and promoting blood circulation drugs]

The syndrome of Qi Deficiency and Blood Stasis of chronic gastritis infected by Helicobacter Pylori (HP) was treated with the principle of supplementing Qi and promoting blood circulation. The clinical symptoms, inhibiting and killing of HP and pathohistological study have been observed. It was proved that the treatment could improve the clinical symptoms, reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells and ameliorate the hyperemia and edema of gastric mucosa. Its inhibition and killing of HP was similar to the gentamycin sulfate (P > 0.05). Toxic and side effects have not been observed by taking this remedy.

A new concept for anastomosis of the fallopian tube: tissue reconstruction with nonpenetrating, arcuate, legged clips in the rat model

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the titanium Kirsch-Zhu microclip microsurgical reanastomoses of the fallopian tubes.

DESIGN

Compare the reanastomoses of the rat uterine horn between Kirsch-Zhu clips (Cushman Engineering, Albuquerque, NM) (group A) and conventional suture microsurgical techniques (group B).

SETTING

Microsurgery Research Laboratory, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.

PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS

Fifteen SD rats Harlan (Harlan Sprague-Dawley Corp., Indianapolis, IN) were done in groups A and B and six in control group (C).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Pregnancy rate, litter size, tissue of procedure, and histologic results.

RESULTS

The clip technique was shorter in procedure time and resulted in equal fertility rate and litter size. Histologically, there were less granulomatous formation and histiocytic inflammation, but muscularis thinning and fibrosis were noted with the clip.

CONCLUSIONS

The Kirsch-Zhu clip has potential for application to human fallopian tube reanastomoses.

[The potentiation effect of haloperidol on the binding of etorphine to brain membranes in acupuncture analgesia]

[3H]-etorphine was used in receptor binding studies on membrane preparation from rabbit brain. Scatchard analysis revealed that rabbit brain had two different affinity binding sites. In the high affinity site, the dissociation constant (Kd1) of the control group was 2.57 +/- 0.33 nmol/L. When analgesia was induced by haloperidol or acupuncture, the Kd1 values decreased respectively (P < 0.05) to 1.44 +/- 0.03 nmol/L and 1.53 +/- 0.05 nmol/L. These Kd1 values further decreased to 1.25 +/- 0.03 nmol/L when acupuncture analgesia was potentiated by combined action of acupuncture and i.v. haloperidol (P < 0.01). In case of autoradiographic analysis of brain slices showed that the density of opioid receptors in many brain regions, such as N. Caudatus, preoptic lateral area, N. Paraventricularis, N. Centromedianus, Periaqueductal gray, showed significant increase, a results indicating that the upregulation of opioid receptors in rabbit brain may be one of the mechanisms in the potentiating action of haloperidol on acupuncture analgesia.

Nonpenetrating, arcuate-legged clip reconstruction of the rat uterine horn

A new method for reconstructing rat uterine horn was developed in which nonpenetrating, arcuate-legged clips are applied in interrupted fashion to everted seromuscular edges, forming an elastomeric flanged joint. This anastomosis has unusual physical and morphologic properties, with improved tissue healing and luminal restitution. Clipping is easier than suturing, and resulted in equivalent fertility rate (50-60%) and litter size. It also is associated with less granuloma formation and hystiocytic infiltration than suture. The new technique has the potential of endoscopic translation for human tubal reconstruction.

Central expression of c-fos protein after peripheral noxious thermal stimulation in awake rats

This study applied immunohistochemistry method to examine the pattern of c-fos expression in the neuraxis following peripheral noxious thermal stimulation accomplished by immersion of tail of awake rat into hot water (50 degrees C). In unstimulated control rats, no obvious baseline expression of c-fos protein was found except in nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami and colliculus inferior, probably associated with restraint-induced stress and auditory stimulus, respectively. Noxious thermal stimulation resulted in the activation of c-fos expression, and bilateral increased nuclear immunostaining was counted in dorsal horn of lumbar and sacral segments of spinal cord (laminae I, II), nucleus raphe dorsalis, substantia grisea centralis (ventralis), nucleus paraventricularis thalami, nucleus anterior thalami, nucleus ventralis thalami, nucleus medialis thalami, nucleus reuniens, nucleus rhomboideus, nucleus habenulae lateralis, nucleus paraventricularis hypothalami, nucleus arcuatus, nucleus lateralis hypothalami, nucleus preopticus lateralis, nucleus septi lateralis, nucleus amygdala, nucleus striae terminalis, nucleus tractus diagonalis, and cortex cerebri. The results demonstrated that peripheral noxious stimulation induced central c-fos protein expression in a pattern of labeling nociresponsive cells.

[Review of 850 cases of cadaveric renal transplantation]

In cadaveric renal transplants for 818 cases, 850 times were completed in our hospital within 14 years. The survival rates of recipients/grafts of 1, 3, 5 years were 87.5%/77.4%, 78.2%/70.7% and 62.12%/50.8% respectively. Eight cases survived for more than 10 years. Factors affecting improvement of survival rate varied: high quality procuration and transplant of the donor kidneys; ABO typing and lymphocyte toxicity test prevention of infection before, during and after operation; Postoperative follow-up and patient convalescence.

Electroacupuncture reversed the inhibition of intestinal peristalsis induced by intrathecal injection of morphine in rabbits

Morphine elicits a series of adverse effects including the inhibition of intestinal motility in addition to the therapeutic benefit of alleviating postoperative pain. To ascertain the role of electroacupuncture (EA) in diminishing those detrimental effects on recovery, we imitated the clinical procedures in rabbits. Morphine was given via a preimplanted cannula within spinal subarachnoid space, while the duodenal motility, respiration rate and arterial pressure were simultaneously recorded. It was found that morphine (6 mg/rabbit, IT) markedly suppressed duodenal peristalsis, decreased respiration rate throughout 90 min observation. When EA was administered together with morphine, peristalsis of the duodenum was much less inhibited (P < 0.05, vs morphine alone group), but no significant improvement of respiratory depression was noticed (P > 0.05), nor obvious change of arterial pressure in both groups. The results strongly recommend extensive application of EA in postoperative care, so as to decrease both the required dosage of morphine and the subsequent occurrence of postoperative ileus, while attaining sufficient analgesia.

A new method for microvascular anastomosis: report of experimental and clinical research

Principles of microvascular anastomotic surgery are uncertain in contrast to the standardized suture methods for the repair of large arteries. Complications of early thromboses or late stricture at the microvascular anastomotic line can be related to the inherent biologic response of these delicate tissues to penetrating needle and suture. A new method for microvascular reconstruction based on the principle of flanged, nonpenetrated, intimal approximation by an arcuate-legged clip has proven biologically and technically superior to the penetrating microsuture. These conclusions are based on extensive testing in multiple surgical laboratories of the following parameters: long- and short-term patency, morphology of wound repair, and burst and tensile strength. Details of the new surgical system and experimental studies are described.

Sutureless vasovasostomy: new technique using experimental microclip in rat model

Standard microscopic suture vasovasostomy represents a challenge to many urologists. It is technically demanding, and requires two to five hours of operative time. In an attempt to decrease the technical demand and the time requirement, we report the use of a microvascular anastomotic clip and compare this microclip to a standard eight-suture nonstented technique and a six-suture stented technique using a hollow, absorbable 0.5-mm polyglycolic acid stent. The control group with suture required an average of 38.5 minutes per anastomosis for the nonstented group and twenty-two minutes for the stented group. The clip group required 7.6 minutes for the unstented vasovasostomy and 6.5 minutes for the stented vasovasostomy. We obtained a 91 percent patency rate for the stented clip group and 100 percent patency for the unstented clip group. In a rat vasovasostomy, the operative time as well as the inherent technical demand were significantly reduced.

Tissue reconstruction with nonpenetrating arcuate-legged clips. Potential endoscopic applications

A new system for tissue approximation consisting of a nonpenetrating arcuate-legged clip applied to everted tissue edges to form an elastomeric flanged joint is described. The flanged joint has unusual physical and morphologic properties. Novel systems for tissue eversion, clip application and clip removal have been tested at the micro scale in blood vessels and the rat vas deferens (vasovasostomy). Human applications have been successful (cerebrovascular reconstruction, free-flap transfer, skin grafting, A-V access). The system is biologically and technically equivalent to or superior to the needle-and-suture technique. Avoidance of intimal or mucosal penetration or intraluminal foreign body is associated with prompt wound healing and the reconstitution of tubular integrity. The system is readily adaptable for endoscopic surgical reconstructions, providing the surgeon with enhanced reconstructive abilities.

C-FOS EXPRESSION DURING ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ANALGESIA IN RATS - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Although the central mechanisms of electroacupuncture analgesia (EAA) have been investigated, a systematic study for the involvement of neuronal populations of central nervous system (CNS) in EAA has not been well undertaken, largely due to the difficulty in tracing the neuronal pathways by traditional techniques. Recently developed c-fos expression examination by immunohistochemical method with Ab-1 antisera might be used for this purpose as a useful marker for neuronal activity in CNS. In this study, tail flick latency (TFL) was tested as an index of pain threshold in conscious rats. After unilateral electroacupuncture was applied at 'Zuan-san-li' and 'Huan-tiao', the TFL was significantly prolonged. To explore the possible involvement of certain neuronal groups of central nervous system in EAA, we examined the EAA accompanied c-fos expression throughout the neuraxis, and a lot of specific c-fos protein labelled neurons were found in lumbar spinal cord (laminae I and II), nucleus raphe magnus, nucleus raphe dorsalis, substantia grisea centralis, nucleus habenulae lateralis, nucleus habenulae medialis, nucleus medialis thalami, nucleus lateralis hypothalami, nucleus supramamillaris, nucleus supraopticus, nucleus arcuatus, nucleus preopticus medialis, nucleus amygdala, nucleus tractus diagonalis, etc. No obvious c-fos expression was shown in these areas on control rats. These results strongly suggested that the functional activation of above-mentioned nuclei by electroacupuncture was underlied in EAA action.

Dilatation in anastomosed arteries can be an artifact of explantation

Fusiform dilation of the anastomotic site was found at explantation in the majority of rabbit femoral arteries anastomosed with newly developed microclips. This observation was also noted at sutured anastomoses. The mechanism responsible for this morphologic finding was studied by the following experiments: 1) measuring and explanting anastomosed arteries relaxed with 20% lidocaine, 2) latex casts of microclipped arteries, 3) comparing angiographic and histologic morphometric data, and 4) examining synthetic vascular graft anastomoses with identical dilatation. The observations demonstrate that trauma associated with explantation (direct dissection and fixative perfusion) leads to arterial vasoconstriction, but focal medial damage at the anastomotic site prevents constriction at this site.

Neural network programming in bioprocess variable estimation and state prediction

A neural network program with efficient learning ability for bioprocess variable estimation and state prediction was developed. A 3 layer, feed-forward neural network architecture was used, and the program was written in Quick C ver 2.5 for an IBM compatible computer with a 80486/33 MHz processor. A back propagation training algorithm was used based on learning by pattern and momentum in a combination as used to adjust the connection of weights of the neurons in adjacent layers. The delta rule was applied in a gradient descent search technique to minimize a cost function equal to the mean square difference between the target and the network output. A non-linear, sigmoidal logistic transfer function was used in squashing the weighted sum of the inputs of each neuron to a limited range output. A good neural network prediction model was obtained by training with a sequence of past time course data of a typical bioprocess. The well trained neural network estimated accurately and rapidly the state variables with or without noise even under varying process dynamics.

Comparative cross-over pharmacokinetic study on two types of postcoital contraceptive tablets containing levonorgestrel

A pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic study was carried out on levonorgestrel tablets from two different sources (Hungarian- and Chinese-made). Both preparations contained 0.75 mg levonorgestrel and had been shown to have similar contraceptive efficacy and side effects when used for postcoital contraception. Absorption and bioavailability of the Hungarian-made tablets were greater as evidenced by higher serum concentrations of levonorgestrel, a greater area under the concentration-time curve during the first 24 hours, and a more marked suppressive effect on SHBG levels. These differences most probably reflect differences in their pharmaceutical formulation, in particular the extent of tablet dissolution and the degree of micronisation of levonorgestrel.

[Zhongxu-qizhi type of chronic gastritis and Campylobacter pyloridis infection]

According to the syndrome differentiation of TCM, one hundred cases of chronic gastritis were recognized as Zhongxu-Qizhi type (Group I, 57 cases) and the other types (Group II, 43 cases), the latter further divided into 36 cases of disharmony of Liver and Stomach type and 7 cases of deficiency of Stomach Yin type. The pathohistological investigation and urease test showed that the campylobacter pyloridis (CP) infected rate in the Group I (92.9%) was very significantly higher than that in Group II (58.1%, P less than 0.01); severe degree and deep location of CP infection occurred more significantly in Zhongxu-Qizhi type (52.8% and 73.6% respectively). Between the two groups, active chronic gastritis and severe invasion of polymorphonuclear cells were significantly different (P less than 0.05). All these findings suggest that there were some relationships between CP infection and syndrome differentiation of TCM.

Pharmacokinetic study of levonorgestrel used as a postcoital agent

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of levonorgestrel (LNG) were studied in six women given 0.75 mg LNG orally for seven days during the periovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. Steady-state concentrations of LNG were reached within three days and serum LNG concentrations at various times on day 7 were generally lower than on day 1, presumably due to a reduced serum level of SHBG. On day 7 the volume of distribution was significantly increased and Co significantly decreased and both the clearance and elimination half-life were higher on day 7 than on day 1. Half-lives varied from 5.6 to 25.1 hours. The day-to-day intra-subject variations in serum LNG concentrations ranged from 23% to 80%. Serum concentrations of pituitary and ovarian hormones suggested that ovulation was not inhibited in four of the six subjects and was delayed in the remaining two. No significant changes in serum prolactin levels were observed.

Studies on the chemical modification of hemorrhagic toxin I from five pace snake (Agkistrodon acutus) venom

The chemical modification of hemorrhagic toxin I (AaHI) from Agkistrodon acutus has been studied. Inactivation was observed upon modification of 3 out of 7 histidine residues with diethyl pyrocarbonate. The His residues are deblocked, accompanied by a return of activity, upon treatment with neutral hydroxylamine. The circular dichroism and fluorescence spectra of diethyl pyrocarbonate inactivated toxin and the native toxin are the same, indicating that modification with diethyl pyrocarbonate does not cause any gross change in the structure of the protein. At least one His residue may thus play an essential role in the enzyme activity. Reaction of the toxin with N-bromosuccimide abolished the enzyme activity, with modification of Trp, Tyr and His residues. The loss of Trp did not parallel the inactivation. Hydrogen peroxide, dioxane and 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl-bromide treatment damaged the Trp residues, but did not affect the activity. Therefore, the modified tryptophan side chains are not essential for activity. Modification of 2.5-3.0 Tyr residues out of 9 with acetylimidazole did not affect the enzyme activity, nor did nitration of the toxin with tetranitromethane. The reactive tyrosines are apparently not essential.