Iron deficiency down-regulates the Akt/TSC1-TSC2/mammalian Target of Rapamycin signaling pathway in rats and in COS-1 cells

Iron deficiency (ID) is one of the most commonly known forms of nutritional deficiencies. Low body iron is thought to induce neurologic defects but may also play a protective role against cancer development by cell growth arrest. Thus, ID may affect cellular pathways controlling cell growth and proliferation, the mechanism of which is still not fully understood. The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt and its downstream target, the mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), is known to play a crucial role in the regulation of cell growth and survival. Therefore, we hypothesized that Akt/mTOR pathway could be influenced by ID. Three-week-old male Wistar-strain rats were divided into 3 groups and the 2 groups had free access to a control diet (C group) or an iron-deficient diet (D group). The third group (PF group) were pair-fed the control diet to the mean intake of the D group. After 4 weeks, rats were killed and their brains were sampled. In separate experiments, COS-1 cells were cultured with or without the iron chelator deferoxamine. Western blots of brain samples and COS-1 lysates were used to analyze the expression and phosphorylation state of Akt, TSC2, mTOR, and S6 kinase proteins implicated in the Akt/mTOR pathway. Using 2 different ID models, we show for the first time that iron deficiency depresses Akt activity in rats and in COS-1 cells, leading to a decrease in mTOR activity.     

Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum

Ethnopharmacological importance

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) is an Ayurvedic remedy used for the treatment of a number of diseases, including bowel spasms.

Aim of the study

To investigate the mode of the relaxing action of a methanolic extract prepared from the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus (CPE, 0.0001–10 μg/mL) in the rat ileum and to try to confirm on human tissues the intestinal pharmacological activity of the extract.

Materials and methods

The relaxant effect of CPE was studied in vitro by evaluating its effect on the spontaneous contractions of the isolated ileum.

Results

CPE exerted a tetrodotoxin- and ω-conotoxin-resistant inhibitory effect on rat ileum motility (IC₅₀: 0.24 ± 0.02 μg/mL; E_max: 99.0 ± 0.60%). The inhibitory effect was reduced by nifedipine but not by cyclopiazonic acid. Experiments with specific antagonists enabled us to exclude the involvement of the main endogenous spasmogenic (i.e. acetylcholine and tachykinins) and relaxing (noradrenaline, nitric oxide, ATP) compounds. CPE also relaxed the isolated human ileum (IC₅₀: 0.26 ± 0.02 μg/mL; E_max: 99.1 ± 0.46%).

Conclusion

It is concluded that (i) CPE exerted a powerful myogenic and L-type Ca²⁺-dependent relaxing effect in the isolated rat ileum and that (ii) the human ileum is sensitive to the inhibitory effect of CPE. If confirmed in vivo, our data could explain the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of intestinal spasms.     

Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.     

痔消栓的HPLC含量测定

目的:建立痔消栓的HPLC含量测定方法。方法:采用HPLC法,以KromasilC₁₈(4.6mm×250mm,5μm)色谱柱为固定相,以乙腈-0.2%磷酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,流速1.0mL·min^-1,柱温23℃,检测波长为203nm。结果:三七皂苷R₁、人参皂苷Rg₁、人参皂苷Rb₁分别在0.368～2.76μg,0.676～5.07μg,0.812～6.09μg范围内线性关系良好,相关系数分别为0.9999,0.9999,0.9998,平均加样回收率分别为98.53%,99.20%,99.35%,RSD分别为2.11%,1.88%,2.38%。结论:样品分离效果好,测定结果准确、可靠,重复性好,可用于痔消栓的质量控制。     

中西医结合治疗幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎临床观察

目的：观察中西医结合治疗幽门螺杆菌（Hp）相关性胃炎的临床疗效。方法：对照组24例，采用西医三联疗法（奥美拉唑、克拉霉素、阿莫西林）治疗，治疗组28例在西医三联疗法的基础上加用中药治疗，两组均用药7天，后口服奥关拉唑片至1个月。结果：两组总有效率及Hp根除率比较差异均有显著意义（P〈0．05），治疗组疗效优于对照组。结论：中西医结合治疗幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎疗效好。     

Aspergillus Iris Granuloma: A Case Report with Review of Literature

We report the case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of redness, photophobia, and decreased vision in the right eye of a week's duration. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed a cream-colored, irregular elevated inferior iris mass, extending on to the anterior lens surface. Differential diagnoses of a fungal granuloma, a medulloepithelioma, and an amelanotic melanoma were considered. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed through a superior clear corneal incision. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the aqueous humor showed a positive pan fungal genome. Histopathology of the biopsied mass showed a giant cell granuloma with surrounding numerous branching, septate hyphae. Culture growth revealed Aspergillus fumigatus We report this case because of the rarity of Aspergillus iris granuloma as a primary presentation of endogenous Aspergillosis and review the relevant literature. Absence of a significant systemic history compounded the diagnostic dilemma in our patient. Definitive differentiation of this rare entity from a foreign body, amelanotic melanoma, and other inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, may be possible only on microbiological and histo-pathological evaluation.     

膀胱小细胞癌3例报告并文献复习

目的:探讨膀胱小细胞癌(BSCC)的临床特征、病理学特征和诊治方法。方法:回顾性分析3例BSCC的临床资料。3例均为男性,年龄68~82岁,2例有间断无痛性肉眼血尿,1例有尿频尿急。1例B超检查见膀胱内有1.5cm×0.9cm稍强回声区,后伴弱声影,中心回声较低;1例膀胱镜检查见膀胱颈10~12点处有1cm×1cm乳头状突起,无蒂,广基,呈地毯样生长;1例盆腔CT及加强扫描示膀胱内有类圆形团块状影,大小约2.5cm×2.6cm。2例行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术,1例行膀胱部分切除术。结果:术后病理检查均报告为膀胱小细胞未分化癌。免疫组织化学结果:嗜铬蛋白颗粒均( ~ ),神经特异烯醇化酶均(-~±),例1突触素(-),例2突触素( ),例3突触素( ~ )。例1术后3年复发,患者拒绝行根治性膀胱全切术,服中药治疗10个月后死亡。例2术后8个月因膀胱小细胞癌转移而死于全身衰竭。例3术后病理检查结果为膀胱移行细胞癌2~3级,部分为小细胞未分化癌,局部伴腺样分化,3个月后复发,行根治性膀胱全切加双侧输尿管皮肤乳头术,术后随访15个月无肿瘤复发。结论:BSCC是一种少见的高度恶性的膀胱肿瘤,诊断主要靠病理学检查,早期即可发生转移,预后较差。行根治性切除术加联合化疗可提高治愈率。     

体外短波热疗联合前列腺灸及哈乐治疗非细菌性前列腺炎和前列腺痛疗效观察

目的 探讨慢性非细菌性前列腺炎（CNP）和前列腺痛（PD）的治疗方法。方法 应用体外短波热疗联合前列腺灸及α1A-肾上腺素能受体阻滞剂哈乐治疗CNP和PD患者26例，疗程8周。观察治疗前后前列腺炎症状评分（CPSI）与最大尿流率（MFR）变化。结果 有效率为80．8％。治疗前后CPSI和MFR均有显著改善（P〈0．05）。结论 体外短波热疗联合前列腺灸及哈乐治疗CNP和PD安全有效。     

原发女性生殖道恶性黑色素瘤21例临床分析

目的探讨原发性女性生殖道恶性黑色素瘤的临床特点、治疗及预后。方法回顾分析本院1986年1月至2006年3月收治的原发性女性生殖道恶性黑色素瘤患者21例。其中外阴8例、阴道10例、阴道及宫颈1例、外阴及阴道1例、盆腔1例。结果患者中位年龄50(21~71)岁。临床表现主要为阴道流血、流液及发现外阴或阴道肿物。本资料阴道恶性黑色素瘤发病率高于外阴恶性黑色素瘤。按照国际妇产科联盟(FIGO)分期,期别和预后呈负相关。治疗以手术为主,手术方式由根治性切除逐渐衍变为扩大局部切除。随访:21例患者中随访率为67%(14/21),随访时间6~96个月,死亡7例,随访期间的死亡率为50%。结论女性生殖道恶性黑色素瘤发病率低,预后差。肿瘤厚度和淋巴结转移是其主要的危险因素。应采用手术基础上的综合治疗,治疗方案个体化。     

胰腺癌中p16基因甲基化改变及其蛋白表达分析

目的:探讨胰腺癌与癌旁组织中p16基因启动子区异常甲基化的改变及其蛋白表达的特点,以及其与胰腺癌发生发展的关系。方法:分别采用免疫组化SP法及甲基化特异PCR(MSP)检测46例人胰腺癌和癌旁组织中p16基因表达及其甲基化的水平,并结合临床资料进行分析。结果:胰腺癌中p16蛋白表达率为41.3%(19/46),而癌旁组织表达率为95.7%(44/46),两者有差异显著性(P<0.01)。p16蛋白阳性的19例胰腺癌标本中均未检出基因甲基化;p16蛋白缺失的27例标本中有18例检出基因甲基化,甲基化率为39.1%。p16基因甲基化与蛋白缺失有明显关系(P<0.05)。p16基因表达及其启动子区甲基化的发生率与胰腺癌的大小,患者性别﹑年龄的差异无显著意义(P>0.05),但与组织分化程度﹑淋巴结转移﹑PTNM分期有显著意义(P<0.05)。结论:p16基因启动子的异常甲基化可影响p16蛋白的表达,它们与胰腺癌的发生发展有关;p16甲基化和蛋白表达可能成为胰腺癌诊断及预后的候选标志物之一。