复方夏天无片治疗类风湿关节炎的实验研究

目的 探讨复方夏天无片对胶原诱导性关节炎（collagen induced arthritis，CIA）小鼠的疗效及安全剂量。方法 将CIA小鼠随机分为6组：模型组、正常组、阳性（雷公藤15 mg·kg^-1）组、复方夏天无片低、中、高剂量（288，864，1 728 mg·kg^-1）组，每组10只。治疗21 d后，比较各组小鼠的一般情况、关节病理情况。探索复方夏天无片的安全浓度及对TNF-a诱导下的滑膜成纤维细胞（fibroblast-like synoviocyte，FLS）增殖程度的影响。结果 与模型组比较，各给药组小鼠足爪肿胀情况明显减轻，复方夏天无片中、高剂量组关节炎指数显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）。病理上，复方夏天无片可减少炎性细胞浸润，降低TNF-a表达，抑制破骨细胞形成，且复方夏天无片中、高剂量组优于阳性组。复方夏天无片安全浓度≤200 mg·mL^-1，与模型组比较，复方夏天无片高剂量组可明显抑制FLS细胞增殖（P<0.05）。结论 复方夏天无片可改善CIA小鼠的一般情况，降低关节炎指数及TNF-a阳性表达，抑制破骨细胞形成及FLS增殖。     

对羟基苯甲酸通过抑制NF-κB/caspase-1信号通路抗类风湿性关节炎的研究

目的 探讨天然酚酸类化合物对羟基苯甲酸（p-hydroxybenzoic acid，HA）对完全弗氏佐剂（complete Freund’s adjuvant，CFA）诱导的佐剂性关节炎（adjuvant arthritis，AA）模型的治疗作用，并对HA的作用机制进行初步分析。方法 除正常组外，向大鼠足跖皮内注射CFA 0.1 mL诱导AA大鼠模型。将AA模型大鼠随机分为模型组，HA低、中、高剂量组（2.5，5，10 mg·kg^-1）和阳性药物组（吲哚美辛，5 mg·kg^-1），灌胃给予药物进行治疗干预，记录每组大鼠足肿胀体积、足肿胀厚度并进行关节肿胀评分；通过ELISA和qPCR检测不同剂量HA对炎症因子（TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6）表达的影响；采用X-射线和HE染色观察足爪组织形态学和病理学变化；Western blotting检测caspase-1和NF-κB的表达。结果 HA能减轻AA大鼠关节肿胀（P<0.05）；从蛋白质和mRNA水平显著抑制炎症因子（TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6）的产生（P<0.05），并显著降低caspase-1和NF-κB蛋白表达水平；X-射线显示HA能减轻大鼠踝关节损伤，HE染色结果显示HA能显著抑制炎症细胞的浸润和软骨表层破坏等情况（P<0.05），且这些结果均呈剂量依赖性。结论 HA可能通过抑制NF-κB/caspase-1信号通路缓解关节炎症状。     

三七总皂苷通过调节蛋白酶激活受体-1抗肺纤维化的作用机制研究

目的 考察三七总皂苷（PNS）的体内外抗肺纤维化作用,并探讨其作用机制。方法 将60只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、吡非尼酮（阳性药,50 mg·kg^-1）组和PNS低、中、高剂量（50、100、200 mg·kg^-1）组,采用气管内注入博来霉素（5 mg·kg^-1）建立肺纤维化大鼠模型,假手术组注入生理盐水;造模24 h后给药,持续28 d;检测大鼠肺脏系数,利用BUXCO系统检测大鼠气道阻力与肺顺应性变化,HE染色后观察大鼠肺组织病理结构损伤,免疫荧光法检测大鼠肺组织E-钙黏蛋白（E-cad）、N-钙黏蛋白（N-cad）表达,免疫组化法检测大鼠肺组织蛋白酶激活受体-1（PAR-1）蛋白表达;体外培养人胚肺成纤维细胞MRC-5,设对照组、模型组（凝血酶2 U·mL^-1建立体外肺纤维化模型）和PNS 5、10、20 μg·mL^-1组,体外划痕实验检测细胞迁移率,实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）、Western blotting实验检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）、波形蛋白（Vim）和PAR-1基因和蛋白表达水平;随后使用PAR-1 si RNA抑制PAR-1表达后,进一步采用qRT-PCR和Western blotting检测α-SMA与Vim基因与蛋白表达。结果 体内实验中,与模型组相比,PNS各剂量组肺脏系数显著降低（P＜0.001）、肺顺应性显著升高（P＜0.05、0.01、0.001）,100、200 mg·kg^-1 PNS组大鼠气道阻力显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01）,同时PNS能够改善大鼠肺组织的病理结构损伤,在下调N-cad的蛋白表达同时上调E-cad的蛋白表达,且100、200 mg·kg^-1 PNS组PAR-1蛋白表达显著下调（P＜0.01、0.001）。体外实验中,与模型组相比,10、20 μg·mL^-1 PNS组细胞的迁移率显著降低（P＜0.01、0.001）,20 μg·mL^-1 PNS组α-SMA与Vim mRNA水平下调（P＜0.05、0.01）,20 μg·mL^-1 PNS组α-SMA蛋白表达水平显著下调（P＜0.05） ,10、20 μg·mL^-1 PNS组Vim蛋白表达水平显著下调（P＜0.05、0.01）,PAR-1 siRNA组α-SMA mRNA水平和α-SMA、Vim蛋白表达水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01、0.001）。结论 PNS具有抗肺纤维化的作用,其机制可能与调控PAR-1的异常有关。     

心得宁口服液对大鼠慢性心衰模型的影响

目的 探讨心得宁口服液对大鼠慢性心衰模型血清中血管紧张素Ⅱ（Ang-Ⅱ）、B型脑钠肽（BNP）、心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ（cTnⅠ）、C-反应蛋白（CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、磷酸腺苷（ATP）和白介素-6（IL-6）水平的影响。方法 采用每周腹腔注射盐酸多柔比星（2 mL·kg^-1腹腔注射,每周1次,共6周,累积总量24 mg·kg^-1）建立大鼠慢性心衰模型,观察20,10,5 mL·kg^-1心得宁口服液对慢性心衰模型大鼠血清Ang-Ⅱ、BNP、cTnⅠ、CRP、TNF-α、ATP和IL-6水平的影响。结果 大鼠慢性心衰模型造模成功。与模型组相比,20,10,5 mL·kg^-1心得宁口服液能显著降低血清Ang-Ⅱ、BNP、cTnⅠ、CRP、TNF-α水平（P<0.01）;显著升高ATP水平（P<0.01）,20,10 mL·kg^-1心得宁口服液能显著降低血清IL-6水平（P<0.01）,5 mL·kg^-1心得宁口服液能明显降低血清IL-6水平（P<0.05）。结论 心得宁口服液可明显改善大鼠慢性心衰模型的作用。     

梓醇对尘肺大鼠运动能力及骨骼肌功能改善作用研究

目的 探讨梓醇对尘肺模型大鼠运动能力及骨骼肌功能的改善作用。方法 通过气管注射石英粉尘建立大鼠慢性尘肺模型,造模3个月后,取造模大鼠30只随机分为3组：模型组、梓醇100mg·kg^-1组、梓醇50mg·kg^-1组,每组10只,另取10只正常大鼠作为对照组。大鼠ig给药,每天1次,每周给药6d,连续给药8周。观察大鼠一般状况及体质量变化;采用小动物跑台检测大鼠的1次力竭运动时间;采用抓力测定仪进行大鼠骨骼肌力量检测;解剖大鼠取同一位置肺叶,HE染色用于观察肺组织基本结构及炎症反应等状态,Masson染色用于观察肺组织胶原沉积和纤维化情况;取双侧后肢的腓肠肌和比目鱼肌,称质量,计算质量指数（肌肉质量/体质量）;试剂盒法检测腓肠肌组织线粒体膜电位（△φ_m）和腺嘌呤核苷三磷酸（ATP）水平;试剂盒法检测腓肠肌组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、丙二醛（MDA）水平及琥珀酸脱氢酶（SDH）活性;实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）法检测过线粒体生物发生相关基因——氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ辅激活因子1α（Pgc-1α）、核呼吸因子1（Nrf1）、线粒体转录因子A（Tfam）的mRNA表达水平。结果 与模型组比较,梓醇100、50mg·kg^-1对尘肺大鼠肺部炎症和纤维未见显著改善;梓醇100、50mg·kg^-1均能显著延长尘肺大鼠跑动力竭时间（P＜0.05、0.01）;梓醇可显著增加尘肺大鼠的肌肉抓力,其中100mg·kg^-1组差异显著（P＜0.05）;梓醇100mg·kg^-1组尘肺大鼠的腓肠肌和比目鱼肌质量指数显著增加（P＜0.05、0.01）,50mg·kg^-1组的比目鱼肌质量指数显著增加（P＜0.05）;梓醇可明显升高尘肺大鼠腓肠肌ATP水平和△φ_m,其中100mg·kg^-1组差异显著（P＜0.05）;梓醇100mg·kg^-1显著增加腓肠肌SDH和SOD活力、同时降低MDA水平（P＜0.05、0.01）,梓醇50mg·kg^-1显著增加腓肠肌SDH活力、同时降低MDA水平（P＜0.05、0.01）;梓醇100、50mg·kg^-1显著上调腓肠肌中线粒体生物发生相关基因表达（P＜0.05、0.01）。结论 梓醇可以调节尘肺模型大鼠骨骼肌线粒体功能,减轻肌肉萎缩并增强运动能力,此作用可能通过PGC-1α/NRF1、TFAM途径促进线粒体生物发生而介导。     

冬凌草片对炎症后肠易激综合征大鼠的治疗作用

目的 研究冬凌草片对炎症后肠易激综合征（Post-inflammatory Irritable Bowel Syndrome,PI-IBS）大鼠的治疗作用及其机制。方法 用2,4,6-三硝基苯磺酸制备PI-IBS大鼠模型,动物灌胃给予冬凌草片0.4,0.8,1.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1,连续2周。采用腹壁收缩实验测内脏痛阈值;水应激法评价结肠运动;免疫组化法考察嗜铬细胞数;液质联用法测血清素含量,并用免疫印迹法考察色氨酸羟化酶的表达。结果 与正常对照组相比,PI-IBS大鼠内脏痛阈值明显降低、结肠排便增多、肠嗜铬细胞增生、色氨酸羟化酶表达增多及血清素含量增高（P<0.05）。冬凌草片高剂量和中剂量给药可显著提高PI-IBS大鼠内脏痛阈值;显著减少结肠排便数量、肠嗜铬细胞数量、血清素含量和色氨酸羟化酶表达（P<0.05）。结论 冬凌草片通过减少肠道嗜铬细胞增生和血清素含量治疗PI-IBS大鼠内脏痛及结肠运动障碍。     

阿魏酸长期给药后对大鼠灌服氯沙坦钾的药动学影响

目的 研究长期给药阿魏酸对大鼠体内氯沙坦及其代谢物E-3174的药动学影响。方法 12只健康♂ SD大鼠随机分成2组（每组6只）,试验组每天灌胃50 mg·kg^-1阿魏酸,连续诱导7 d;对照组灌胃等体积0.5%CMC-Na。第8天给药30 min后,给予氯沙坦钾（5 mg·kg^-1）。分别于给药前和给药后0.25,0.5,0.75,1,1.5,2,3,4,6,8,10,12,24 h大鼠尾静脉取血,血样处理后采用UPLC-MS/MS检测大鼠血浆中氯沙坦及E-3174的浓度。结果 虽然2组大鼠体内氯沙坦各项药动学参数对比均无统计学意义,但是试验组大鼠体内E-3174的AUC（0-t）、AUC（0-∞）和Cmax显著增高（P<0.05）;CL/F、Tmax显著降低（P<0.05）。结论 大鼠长期给药阿魏酸后虽然未能引起氯沙坦原形药物药动学的变化,但可使其活性代谢产物E-3174代谢减慢,浓度增高,药时曲线下面积增大。     

罗布麻叶水提物镇静催眠作用研究

目的 探讨罗布麻叶水提物（water extract of Apocynum venetum leaves,AVLWE）镇静催眠作用及机制。方法 随机将ICR小鼠分为对照组、右佐匹克隆（阳性药,0.40 mg·kg^-1）组和AVLWE低、中、高剂量（0.58、1.17、2.34 g·kg^-1）组,每天ig给药1次,连续4周,每周称体质量;于末次给药前1 d给药60 min后,应用旷场视频分析系统检测各组小鼠5 min自主活动;于末次给药45 min后,各组动物ip 1%戊巴比妥钠（35 mg·kg^-1,阈下催眠剂量）,记录30 min内入睡潜伏期、入睡动物数、睡眠时间;结束后麻醉处死动物,取脑称质量并计算脑系数。SD大鼠分为对照组、模型组、右佐匹克隆（阳性药,0.27 mg·kg^-1）组和AVLWE低、中、高剂量（0.40、0.81、1.62 g·kg^-1）组,每天ig给药1次,连续4周,每周称体质量;除对照组外,给药第28、29天ip对氯苯丙氨酸（PCPA）制备大鼠失眠模型,给药结束称取脑质量并计算脑系数,取下丘脑,ELISA试剂盒法测定5-羟色胺（5-HT）、多巴胺（DA）和5-羟吲哚乙酸（5-HIAA）的含量。结果 小鼠实验结果表明,与对照组比较,各给药组第1~4周体质量均显著降低（P<0.01）;右佐匹克隆片和AVLWE中、高剂量组睡眠发生率均显著增加（P<0.05、0.01）;右佐匹克隆片和AVLWE中、高剂量组睡眠时间显著延长（P<0.05）;AVLWE低、中、高剂量组脑系数均显著升高（P<0.01）。大鼠实验结果表明,与对照组比较,AVLWE高剂量组第1~4周体质量均显著降低（P<0.05、0.01）;与模型组比较,AVLWE高剂量组脑系数显著升高（P<0.05）;右佐匹克隆片组、AVLWE高剂量组DA水平显著降低（P<0.05）、5-HIAA水平显著升高（P<0.01）,AVLWE低、中、高剂量组5-HT水平显著升高（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 AVLWE具有改善睡眠的作用,机制可能与上调下丘脑5-HT水平、下调DA水平有关。     

注射用丹参多酚酸对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑损伤的保护作用

目的 考察注射用丹参多酚酸（SAFI）对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑损伤的保护作用。方法 线拴法构建大脑中动脉缺血再灌注（MCAO/R）大鼠模型,将造模成功的大鼠随机分为模型组、丁苯酞氯化钠注射液（阳性药,9 mL·kg^-1）组和SAFI低、中、高剂量（5.85、11.71、23.42 mg·kg^-1,11.71 mg·kg^-1为临床等效剂量）组,每组12只。假手术组和模型组给予0.9%氯化钠注射液,SAFI每天给药1次,丁苯酞氯化钠注射液每天给药2次,尾iv连续给药14 d。给药期间称大鼠体质量;给药前后对各组大鼠进行神经功能评分;给药后采用TTC染色法检测脑梗死体积;酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法检测血清中γ干扰素（IFN-γ）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的水平;HE染色观察脑组织病理形态;尼氏染色观察海马区尼氏小体形态变化情况。结果 给药14 d后,与模型组比较,SAFI 5.85、11.71、23.42 mg · kg^-1组和丁苯酞氯化钠注射液组大鼠体质量显著增加（P ＜ 0.001）,脑组织梗死体积显著缩小（P＜0.001） ;SAFI 11.71、23.42 mg·kg^-1组和丁苯酞氯化钠注射液组神经功能评分显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01）,IFN-γ、IL-1β和TNF-α水平均显著降低（P＜0.01、0.001）,SOD水平显著升高（P＜0.01、0.001）; SAFI 23.42 mg·kg^-1组和丁苯酞氯化钠注射液组IL-6水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01）; SAFI可明显改善MCAO/R大鼠脑组织缺血半暗带区病理损伤,抑制尼氏小体数的减少。结论 SAFI对脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑损伤具有明显的保护作用。     

注射用益气复脉（冻干）对失血性休克大鼠的药效作用研究

目的 探讨注射用益气复脉（冻干）（YQFM）对失血性休克大鼠的药效作用。方法 通过股动脉放血的方法建立失血性休克大鼠模型,随机将造模成功的大鼠分为模型组、肾上腺素（10 μg·kg^-1盐酸肾上腺素注射液）组、YQFM低和高剂量（232.2、464.3 mg·kg^-1,464.3 mg·kg^-1为临床等效剂量）组、联合给药（肾上腺素10 μg·kg^-1＋YQFM 464.3 mg·kg^-1）组,每组10只,假手术组只切口不放血。给药结束后,观察给药3 h内大鼠存活情况;使用八通道无创血压仪监测造模前、造模后、给药3 h后的收缩压;酶联免疫（ELISA）法检测各组大鼠血清中肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）水平。结果 造模后大鼠的平均动脉压均维持在30～40 mm Hg,表明造模成功。假手术组及各给药组大鼠在3 h内全部存活,模型组死亡3只,存活率为70%,平均生存时间为（166.00±23.66） min。各组大鼠的基础血压无显著性差异,模型组和各给药组大鼠造模后收缩压显著降低,与假手术组比较差异显著（P<0.001）;与模型组比较,给药3 h后各给药组收缩压均显著升高（P<0.001）,联合给药组升压效果最好。与模型组相比,肾上腺素组血清CK-MB、LDH、ALT、AST水平均显著下降（P<0.01）; YQFM低剂量组LDH、ALT、AST水平显著降低（P<0.05）; YQFM高剂量组与联合给药组血清CK-MB、LDH、ALT、AST水平显著降低,SOD水平显著升高（P<0.05、0.01、0.001）,联合给药对血清生化指标的改善作用最好。结论 YQFM可以明显提高失血性休克大鼠的收缩压水平,改善血清中相关生化指标水平,且与肾上腺素联用具有一定的协同作用。     

Efficacy of gut lavage,hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the therapy of paraquat or diquat intoxication

Clinical and in vitro investigations were carried out to test the efficacy of gut lavage, hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the treatment of poisoning with paraquat or diquat. In a patient suffering from diquat intoxication 130 times more diquat was removed by gut lavage 30 h after ingestion than was removed by complete aspiration of the gastric contents.Determination of in vitro clearances for paraquat and diquat by hemodialysis showed that, at serum concentrations of 1–2 ppm, such as are frequently encountered in poisoning in man, toxicologically relevant quantities of herbicide cannot be removed from the body. At a concentration of 20 ppm, on the other hand, hemodialysis proved to be effective, the clearance being 70 ml/min at a blood flow rate of 100 ml/min. The efficacy of hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal was on the whole better. Especially at concentrations around 1–2 ppm, the clearance values for hemoperfusion were some 5–7 times higher than those for hemodialysis.In a patient suffering from paraquat poisoning, both hemodialysis as well as hemoperfusion were carried out. The in vitro results could be confirmed: At serum concentrations of paraquat less than 1 ppm no clearance could be obtained by hemodialysis while by hemoperfusion with activated charcoal quite high clearance values were measured and the serum level dropped down to zero.

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Zusammenfassung Klinische Untersuchungen und Laboratoriumsversuche wurden durchgeführt, um die Wirksamkeit von Darmspülung, Hämodialyse und Hämoperfusion bei Paraquat- und Deiquat-Vergiftungen zu prüfen.Bei einem Patienten wurde 30 Std nach Deiquat-Aufnahme durch Darmspülung 130mal mehr Deiquat entfernt als durch vollständige Aspiration des Mageninhaltes. In vitro-Versuche ergaben, daß bei Blutserumkonzentrationen von 1–2 ppm, die bei Vergiftungen oft gemessen werden, durch Hämodialyse keine toxikologisch relevanten Paraquat- oder Deiquat-Mengen entfernt werden können. Dagegen erwies sich die Hämodialyse bei 20 ppm und einer Blutumlaufgeschwindigkeit von 100 ml/min mit einer Clearance von 70 ml/min als wirksam. Die Hämoperfusion mit beschicheter Aktivkohle war in diesen Versuchen aber eindeutig überlegen, denn insbesondere bei Konzentrationen um 1–2 ppm waren die Clearance-Werte 5–7mal höher als bei der Hämodialyse.Die in vitro-Ergebnisse wurden bei einem Patienten mit einer Paraquat-Vergiftung bestätigt: Bei Konzentrationen unter 1 ppm war die Hämodialyse wirkungslos, während durch Hämoperfusion relativ hohe Clearance-Werte erreicht wurden, so daß der Serumspiegel rasch unter die Nachweisgrenze abfiel.

     

Synthesis,Cytotoxicity and Antileishmanial Activity of Some N-(2-(indol-3-yl)ethyl)-7-chloroquinolin-4-amines

We report herein the condensation of 4,7-dichloroquinoline (1) with tryptamine (2) and D-tryptophan methyl ester (3) . Hydrolysis of the methyl ester adduct (5) yielded the free acid (6) . The compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against four different species of Leishmania promastigote forms and for cytotoxic activity against Kb and Vero cells. Compound (5) showed good activity against the Leishmania species tested, while all three compounds displayed moderate activity in both Kb and Vero cells.     

Aquatic Insects and Trace Metals: Bioavailability,Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity

Abstract

The uptake of metals from food and water sources by insects is thought to be additive. For a given metal, the proportions taken up from water and food will depend both on the bioavailable concentration of the metal associated with each source and the mechanism and rate by which the metal enters the insect. Attempts to correlate insect trace metal concentrations with the trophic level of insects should be made with a knowledge of the feeding relationships of the individual taxa concerned. Pathways for the uptake of essential metals, such as copper and zinc, exist at the cellular level, and other nonessential metals, such as cadmium, also appear to enter via these routes. Within cells, trace metals can be bound to proteins or stored in granules. The internal distribution of metals among body tissues is very heterogeneous, and distribution patterns tend to be both metal and taxon specific. Trace metals associated with insects can be both bound on the surface of their chitinous exoskeleton and incorporated into body tissues. The quantities of trace meals accumulated by an individual reflect the net balance between the rate of metal influx from both dissolved and particulate sources and the rate of metal efflux from the organism. The toxicity of metals has been demonstrated at all levels of biological organization: cell, tissue, individual, population, and community. Much of the literature pertaining to the toxic effects of metals on aquatic insects is based on laboratory observations and, as such, it is difficult to extrapolate the data to insects in nature. The few experimental studies in nature suggest that trace metal contaminants can affect both the distribution and the abundance of aquatic insects. Insects have a largely unexploited potential as biomonitors of metal contamination in nature. A better understanding of the physico-chemical and biological mechanisms mediating trace metal bioavailability and exchange will facilitate the development of general predictive models relating trace metal concentrations in insects to those in their environment. Such models will facilitate the use of insects as contaminant biomonitors.     

Alzheimer’s disease – current trends in basic and clinical research. Highlights from the 16th ECNP

Advances in the molecular biological knowledge of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have led to a growing interest by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel compounds that selectively modulate nAChR function. The ability of (-)-nicotine, an activator of nAChRs, to enhance attentional aspects of cognition in animals and humans, to exert neuroprotective and anxiolytic-like effects, and presumably to mediate the negative correlation between smoking and Alzheimer's (and Parkinson's) Disease, has focused interest on the potential therapeutic utility of modulators of nAChR function for treatment of some of the deficits associated with these progressive, neurodegenerative conditions. Numerous compounds are known which activate nAChRs and which might serve as lead compounds toward the development of such agents. The pharmacologic diversity of neuronal nAChR subtypes suggests the possibility of developing selective compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents. This broader class of agents, collectively called cholinergic channel modulators (ChCMs), is anticipated to encompass compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents, which generally exhibit low selectivity. This selectivity may be achieved by preferentially activating some subtypes of nAChRs (i.e., Cholinergic Channel Activators, ChCAs) or inhibiting the function of other subtypes (Cholinergic Channel Inhibitors, ChCIs). An overview of the biology of nAChRs and the rationale for the use of ChCMs for the treatment of dementia related to neurodegenerative diseases are presented, followed by a discussion of lead compounds and compounds under consideration for clinical evaluation.     

Lung disease and PKCs

The lung offers a rich opportunity for development of therapeutic strategies focused on isozymes of protein kinase C (PKCs). PKCs are important in many cellular responses in the lung, and existing therapies for pulmonary disorders are inadequate. The lung poses unique challenges as it interfaces with air and blood, contains a pulmonary and systemic circulation, and consists of many cell types. Key structures are bronchial and pulmonary vessels, branching airways, and distal air sacs defined by alveolar walls containing capillaries and interstitial space. The cellular composition of each vessel, airway, and alveolar wall is heterogeneous. Injurious environmental stimuli signal through PKCs and cause a variety of disorders. Edema formation and pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) result from derangements in endothelial, smooth muscle (SM), and/or adventitial fibroblast cell phenotype. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer are characterized by distinctive pathological changes in airway epithelial, SM, and mucous-generating cells. Acute and chronic pneumonitis and fibrosis occur in the alveolar space and interstitium with type 2 pneumocytes and interstitial fibroblasts/myofibroblasts playing a prominent role. At each site, inflammatory, immune, and vascular progenitor cells contribute to the injury and repair process. Many strategies have been used to investigate PKCs in lung injury. Isolated organ preparations and whole animal studies are powerful approaches especially when genetically engineered mice are used. More analysis of PKC isozymes in normal and diseased human lung tissue and cells is needed to complement this work. Since opposing or counter-regulatory effects of selected PKCs in the same cell or tissue have been found, it may be desirable to target more than one PKC isozyme and potentially in different directions. Because multiple signaling pathways contribute to the key cellular responses important in lung biology, therapeutic strategies targeting PKCs may be more effective if combined with inhibitors of other pathways for additive or synergistic effect. Mechanisms that regulate PKC activity, including phosphorylation and interaction with isozyme-specific binding proteins, are also potential therapeutic targets. Key isotypes of PKC involved in lung pathophysiology are summarized and current and evolving therapeutic approaches to target them are identified.     

Gender-related symptoms and correlates of alcohol dependence among men and women with a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol use disorders

This study explored gender-related symptoms and correlates of alcohol dependence in a crosssectional study of 150 men and 150 women with a lifetime diagnosis of alcohol use disorders (AUD). Participants were recruited in equal numbers from treatment settings, correctional centres and the general community. Standardized measures were used to determine participants' use of substances, history of psychiatric disorders and psychosocial stress, their sensation seeking and family history of substance use and mental health disorders. Multivariate analyses were used to detect patterns of variables associated with gender and the lifetime severity of AUD. Men had a longer history of severe AUD than women. Women had similar levels of alcohol dependence and medical and psychological sequelae as men, despite 6 fewer years of AUD. More women than men had a history of severe psychosocial stress, severe dependence on other substances and antecedent mental health problems, especially mood and anxiety disorders. There were differences in family history of alcohol-related problems approximating same-gender aggregation. The severity of a lifetime AUD was predicted by its earlier age at onset and the occurrence of other disorders, especially anxiety, among both men and women. The limitations in the generalizability of these findings due to sample idiosyncrasies are discussed.