Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity: Implications for immunoadjuvant potential

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd (Shatavari in vernacular) are widely used in Ayurveda as Rasayana for immunostimulation, galactogogue as also in treatment of conditions like ulcers and cancer. Various studies have indicated immunomodulatory properties of Shatavari root extracts and formulations.

Aim of the study

To study the effect of standardized Asparagus racemosus root aqueous extract (ARE) on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity of SRBC sensitized animals.

Materials and methods

We used HPTLC to quantify steroidal saponins (Shatavarin IV, Immunoside^®) and flow cytometry to study effects of ARE on Th1/Th2 immunity. SRBC specific antibody titres and DTH responses were also monitored as markers of Th2 and Th1 responses, respectively. We also studied lymphocyte proliferation. Cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide and levamisole were used as controls.

Results

Treatment with ARE (100 mg/(kg b.w. p.o.)) resulted in significant increase of CD3⁺ and CD4/CD8⁺ percentages suggesting its effect on T cell activation. ARE treated animals showed significant up-regulation of Th1 (IL-2, IFN-g) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines suggesting its mixed Th1/Th2 adjuvant activity. Consistent to this, ARE also showed higher antibody titres and DTH responses. ARE, in combination with LPS, Con A or SRBC, produced a significant proliferation suggesting effect on activated lymphocytes.

Conclusion

The study suggests mixed Th1/Th2 activity of ARE supports its immunoadjuvant potential.     

李松林副主任医师治疗肾小球肾炎的经验

李松林副主任医师将肾小球肾炎的病机概括为湿、热、毒、瘀、虚等方面，在中医辨证的基础上，结合现代医学对其病因和发病机理的认识及中草药药理作用，针对不同的病理机制和临床表现，提出清热解毒法，活血化瘀法，调补脾肾法，扶正固本法，并视症有机结合，恰当治疗，疗效显著。     

108例支气管哮喘患者舌脉象特征分析

目的：探讨对支气管哮喘临床辨证有意义的舌脉象客观指标，以辅助临床诊断。方法：应用TP—I型中医舌脉象数字化分析仪检测108例患者舌脉象参数，分析支气管哮喘发作期与缓解期的舌脉象特征。结果：108例支气管哮喘患者的舌象中，舌色以淡红舌、淡紫舌多见，舌苔以白苔、黄苔、薄苔为多见；脉象以弦脉、滑脉、弦滑脉为多见；舌脉象参数中舌色指数、苔色指数、厚苔指数、胖瘦指数在哮喘发作期各证型中有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；RPSR1、RPSR3、RPSR4、RBF、RLMS2、PLMP2、RLMS3、RLMP3在哮喘发作期与缓解期有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。结论：支气管哮喘患者的脉象参数、舌色指数、苔色指数、厚苔指数、胖瘦指数、RPSR1、RPSR3、RPSR4、RBF、RLMS2、PLMP2、RLMS3、RLMP3对其辨证分型有重要参考价值。     

《素问玄机原病式》学术思想探讨

《素问玄机原病式》一书，发挥《内经》病机学说，弥补了原“病机十九条”过于简略之不足，创造性地继承和发展了《内经》理论，特别是首倡“六气皆从火化”之说；关于“相火”的论述，则为后世相火理论的形成奠定了基础；它还总结了温热病的治疗原则，对后世温病学派的形成产生了重要影响。     

抑癌基因PTEN在胃癌中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨胃癌组织中PTEN基因表达与胃癌临床病理的关系及其对预后的判断价值。方法应用免疫组化SP技术和图像分析技术,研究PTEN在胃癌和正常胃黏膜组织中的表达情况及阳性表达面积、强阳性表达面积,分析与病理参数的关系,并采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线分析不同表达水平对术后生存率的影响。结果发现胃癌组织PTEN表达阳性率、阳性面积、强阳性面积均明显低于正常胃黏膜组织（P〈0.01）。胃癌组织PTEN表达与胃癌组织分化程度、浸润深度、淋巴转移、肿瘤分期明显相关,术后3、5 a生存率低表达者明显低于高表达者（P均〈0.05）。结论PTEN基因表达低下或丢失与胃癌发生、浸润、转移有关,可作为预测术后生存率的指标。     

张謇的教育思想与实践

张謇的教育思想十分丰富 ,并且具有鲜明的时代特点。他在江苏南通的教育实践成就卓著 ,极富特色。他较早地提出了教育为地方经济社会发展服务的思想 ,创造了“以实业辅助教育 ,以教育促进实业”的成功模式 ,反映了教育从边缘走向经济中心这一历史发展的趋势。张謇的教育思想与实践在近代中国教育史上有重要地位     

17β-雌二醇对子宫内膜异位症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

目的研究17β-雌二醇(17β-E2)对子宫内膜异位症(内异症)患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响,探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在介导雌激素促进内异症发生发展的作用。方法体外分离培养内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞。用不同浓度17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞48 h;此后选用10-10mol/L 17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞12、24和48 h,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测17β-E2处理前后子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。同法分析雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780(10-6mol/L)对17β-E2促进β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。免疫组织化学染色观察17β-E2作用后β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞中的定位。结果17β-E2能明显促进内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达,并呈剂量和时间依赖性,于10-10mol/L作用48 h最明显。雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780能明显抑制17β-E2对子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达。免疫组织化学染色发现17β-E2能促进β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞核内的表达。结论雌激素可能通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进内异症在位子宫内膜的异位种植。     

Influence of tumours on normal cells and optimal chemotherapy regimens: the case of several drugs and toxicity constraints.

Cancer chemotherapy with the application of several drugs is studied. The negative and inhibiting effect of the tumour on normal cells is taken into account. Under certain hypotheses, we determine the optimal regimen that minimizes the tumour burden at the end of a fixed period of therapy while maintaining several normal cell populations above prescribed levels. More precisely, it is demonstrated that the optimal drug administration corresponds to the strategy of intensive chemotherapy.     

五所医院特需医疗服务状况调查

通过对上海医科大学附属华山医院、协和医院、北京同仁医院、中山医科大学附属第一医院、浙江医科大学附属第二医院开展的特需医疗服务情况的调查，论述了五所医院的具体做法，在对调查结果进行分析的基础上，就特需医疗服务的管理提出了建议。