白扁豆多糖对免疫抑制小鼠的免疫调节作用

目的探讨白扁豆多糖(polysaccharide from Dolichos lablab L.,DLP)对环磷酰胺(cyclophosphamide,CTX)所致的免疫抑制小鼠的免疫调节作用。方法小鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、香菇多糖(Lentinan,LNT,15 mg/kg)和白扁豆多糖低、中、高剂量组(75、150、300 mg/kg)。通过对小鼠连续3 d腹腔注射环磷酰胺(100 mg/kg)建立小鼠免疫抑制模型,造模后连续灌胃给药7 d,检测免疫器官重量指数、血清溶血素、脾淋巴细胞增殖、脾脏NK细胞活性及小鼠血清细胞因子IL-2、IL-4和INF-γ水平,观察白扁豆多糖的免疫调节作用。结果与正常对照组相比,模型组小鼠的免疫器官重量指数、血清溶血素、脾淋巴细胞增殖、脾脏NK细胞活性及小鼠血清细胞因子IL-2、IL-4和INF-γ水平均明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),而中、高剂量DLP和香菇多糖可明显减轻由环磷酰胺引起的上述各项指标的下降(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论 DLP能改善环磷酰胺所致免疫抑制小鼠的免疫功能。     

应用环磷酰胺构建C57BL/6J小鼠免疫抑制模型

背景：在免疫增强剂的研究中,常用到免疫抑制模型,如何建立免疫抑制模型成为免疫增强剂作用评价的关键。 目的：应用环磷酰胺构建C57BL/6J小鼠免疫抑制模型。 方法：将小鼠随机分为正常对照组、环磷酰胺50 mg/kg 5 d组,环磷酰胺80 mg/kg 3 d组,环磷酰胺80 mg/kg 5 d组,环磷酰胺100 mg/kg 5 d组和环磷酰胺100 mg/kg隔天给药组。正常对照组小鼠腹腔注射生理盐水0.1 mL,连续5 d。环磷酰胺50 mg/kg 5 d组,环磷酰胺80 mg/kg 3 d组,环磷酰胺80 mg/kg 5 d组和环磷酰胺100 mg/kg 5 d组小鼠分别以环磷酰胺50,80,80,100 mg/kg腹腔注射连续5,3,5,5 d。环磷酰胺100 mg/kg隔天给药组小鼠腹腔注射100 mg/kg环磷酰胺,隔天1次,共注射3次。 结果与结论：与正常对照组比较,腹腔注射环磷酰胺可导致小鼠外周血中CD3⁺T,CD3⁺CD4⁺T及CD3⁺CD8⁺T细胞明显下降(P < 0. 05);谷丙转氨酶(除环磷酰胺50 mg/kg 5 d、80 mg/kg 3 d组)、谷草转氨酶、尿素显著升高(P < 0.05),其中环磷酰胺80 mg/kg 5 d组、环磷酰胺100 mg/kg 5 d组和环磷酰胺100 mg/kg隔天给药组对肝肾功能的影响更为明显。提示腹腔注射环磷酰胺可建立CD3⁺T,CD3⁺CD4⁺T及CD3⁺CD8⁺T细胞明显下降的免疫抑制模型,其中以环磷酰胺50 mg/kg 5 d和80 mg/kg 3 d方式对肝肾功能的损伤较小。     

白头翁汤抑制小鼠阴道念珠菌的增殖并降低炎性细胞因子水平

目的研究白头翁汤对外阴阴道念珠菌病(VVC)小鼠Th17细胞及炎性因子的调控作用。方法选取昆明种雌性小鼠72只,随机分为空白对照组、模型组、氟康唑治疗组、(7.5、15.0、22.5)g/kg白头翁汤治疗组。通过对注射雌二醇造成假发情期的小鼠阴道灌注白念珠菌复制出VVC小鼠模型,经过7 d治疗,采用稀释涂布法检测VVC小鼠阴道白念珠菌载荷;Gram染色法观察VVC小鼠阴道分泌物白念珠菌形态;ELISA检测VVC小鼠血清中白细胞介素6(IL-6)、IL-17、IL-21、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的水平;免疫组织化学染色法检测阴道组织中的转录因子维甲酸相关孤核受体γt(RORγt)的含量。结果成功建立了VVC小鼠模型;与模型组相比,22.5 g/kg白头翁汤治疗组与氟康唑治疗组的VVC小鼠阴道内白念珠菌载荷数量显著性减少;Gram染色显示,VVC小鼠阴道分泌物中,模型组小鼠含有大量白念珠菌菌丝,7.5 g/kg白头翁汤治疗组小鼠仍有大量较长菌丝,15 g/kg白头翁汤治疗组小鼠虽有菌丝但部分白念珠菌为酵母相,22.5 g/kg白头翁汤治疗组与氟康唑治疗组未见菌丝,只有少量酵母相;经过7 d治疗后,与模型组比较,氟康唑治疗组、(15.0、22.5)g/kg白头翁汤治疗组VVC小鼠血清中IL-6、IL-17、IL-21、TNF-α水平降低;氟康唑治疗组、(15.0、22.5)g/kg白头翁汤治疗组VVC小鼠阴道组织中RORγt水平降低。结论白头翁汤可抑制VVC小鼠白念珠菌增殖并降低炎性细胞因子水平。     

霉酚酸酯对MRL-lpr/lpr小鼠狼疮性肾炎的治疗作用

目的　采用MRL lpr/lpr自发狼疮小鼠观察霉酚酸酯 (MMF)对狼疮性肾炎的治疗作用 ,探讨其作用机制。方法　 12周龄雌性MRL lpr/lpr自发狼疮小鼠分别予以MMF(90mg·kg-1·d-1,po)、甲基强的松龙 (MPS) (2 5mg·kg-1·d-1,ip)、环磷酰胺 (CTX) (2 5mg·kg-1·w-1,ip)治疗 2 4周。分别测定3种不同药物对小鼠尿蛋白排泄量、动物死亡率的影响 ;放免法测定血清抗dsDNA抗体的变化 ;运用RT PCR和免疫组化方法观察治疗药物对小鼠肾组织表达ICAM 1、PAI 1的影响。结果　治疗 2 4周后 ,各治疗组与对照组相比 ,体重均有不同程度增长 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,尿蛋白排泄量明显下降 (P <0 .0 1) [治疗9个月时 ,对照组为 (11.9± 2 .8)mg/d ,MMF组 (5 .1± 1.2 )mg/d ,MPS组 (3.4± 0 .8)mg/d ,CTX组 (2 .9±0 .3)mg/d],动物累积死亡率明显降低 ,血清中抗dsDNA抗体水平均有一定程度的降低 (P <0 .0 1) [治疗 9个月后 ,对照组为 (6 1.6± 7.1) % ,MMF组 (2 8.7± 4.6 ) % ,MPS组 (37.6± 4.3) % ,CTX组 (4 0 .1± 5 .8) % ],肾间质炎细胞浸润、肾小球硬化及间质纤维化程度较对照组减轻 ;肾组织免疫组化、RT PCR结果表明 ,3种药物在基因转录、蛋白质表达水平可不同程度地降低肾组织内ICAM 1、PAI 1表达。结论　MMF对MRL lpr/lpr自发     

rhBMP-2m对化疗损伤小鼠的修复治疗作用

目的 :探讨重组人骨形成蛋白 2 (rhBMP 2m)对环磷酰胺 (CTX)致骨髓损伤小鼠的治疗作用。方法 :18只小鼠随机分为 3组 :即CTX注射组、BMP治疗组和PBS对照组 ,每组 6只小鼠。CTX组和BMP治疗组小鼠 ,一次性腹腔注射 2 0 0mg/kgCTX建立骨髓损伤的模型。注射CTX第 2天 ,BMP治疗组每只小鼠腹腔注射 0 .5mg的rhBMP 2m开始治疗。观察 3组小鼠外周血白细胞数的变化。分别在第 5天和第 8天 ,用流式细胞仪 (FCM )检测骨髓有核细胞中DNA的含量及细胞周期的变化 ,同时进行粒单细胞集落形成 (CFU GM)细胞培养。结果 :注射CTX后第 4天 ,BMP治疗组和CTX注射组的外周血白细胞数均降至最低点 ,然后逐渐回升 ,两组相比较无显著差异 (P >0 .0 5 )。注射CTX后第 5天 ,BMP治疗组骨髓有核细胞中 ,G0 /G1期细胞的比例较CTX组明显提高 ,细胞的坏死及凋亡率明显下降 (P <0 .0 1)。第 8天 ,BMP治疗组的骨髓有核细胞数较CTX组增加明显 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :BMP对CTX所致小鼠骨髓的损伤具有修复治疗作用     

豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物对免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的:研究豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物对环磷酰胺所致免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法:采用腹腔注射环磷酰胺(80mg/kg)制备免疫抑制模型,并给模型小鼠灌胃分别含苦马豆素(Swainsonine,SW)8、16、32mg/(kg.d)的豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物稀释液11天,同时设正常对照组和免疫抑制模型组,末次灌胃后24小时,眼眶采血,收集胸腺和脾,进行免疫学检测。结果:腹腔注射CTX80mg/kg,连续3天,可致小鼠免疫抑制,剂量为8、16mg/(kg.d)的SW组均可提高小鼠的外周血白细胞数,颉颃环磷酰胺所致的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能的降低,提高外周血中溶血素水平、脾脏淋巴细胞转化以及NK细胞杀伤活性,尤其以SW16mg/(kg.d)最为明显。结论:豆类丝核菌次级代谢产物对环磷酰胺致免疫抑制小鼠的免疫功能有一定的恢复和增强作用。     

美洲大蠊多肽对MFC荷瘤小鼠免疫影响的初步探究

目的初步探究美洲大蠊多肽对MFC荷瘤小鼠免疫的影响,以了解其抗肿瘤机制。方法建立MFC荷瘤Balb/c小鼠模型,随机分为模型组(生理盐水20 ml/kg灌胃,1次/d)、CTX组(45 mg/kg,10 ml/kg隔日腹腔注射1次)、CⅡ-3高剂量组(400 mg/kg,20 ml/kg灌胃,1次/d)、CⅡ-3低剂量组(200 mg/kg,20 ml/kg灌胃,1次/d)、短肽HFDT1组(7.8 mg/kg,10 ml/kg腹腔注射,1次/d)及正常对照组(生理盐水20 ml/kg灌胃,1次/d)。处理结束后测小鼠抑瘤率、脾及胸腺指数、外周血细胞变化,流式细胞术检测脾淋巴细胞变化。结果 CⅡ-3高、低剂量、HFDT1及CTX均能抑制肿瘤生长。与CTX比较,CⅡ-3高、低剂量、HFDT1能够增加荷瘤小鼠的体质量,升高白细胞总数、淋巴细胞、单核细胞及粒细胞(P0.05),能升高脾指数及胸腺指数(P0.05),增加脾淋巴细胞总数及NK细胞比例(P0.05)。与模型组比较,CⅡ-3高、低剂量、HFDT1能增加脾T细胞比例。结论美洲大蠊多肽及人工合成短肽HFDT1能够抑制肿瘤的生长,其抗肿瘤作用可能是通过提高机体的免疫力且无毒副作用来实现的,详细的免疫调节机制有待进一步研究,其有望成为抗肿瘤及毒副作用低的候选药物。     

蝎毒抗帕金森病小鼠多巴胺能神经元凋亡

研究蝎毒对帕金森病 (PD)小鼠脑内多巴胺能神经元的抗凋亡作用及其机制。用C5 7BL/ 6 品系小鼠 ,每日于颈部皮下注入 1 甲基 4 苯基 1,2 ,3,6 四氢吡啶 (MPTP ,2 0mg/kg)复制帕金森病模型 ,随机分为模型组及蝎毒 (SV)提取液高 (2 0 0mg/kg)、低剂量 (2 0mg/kg)治疗组 ;另设对照组 (NS)和空白给SV高、低剂量组。各组均为 8只。采用爬杆、游泳行为学检测小鼠的运动功能障碍 ;应用DNA断裂点标记法 (TUNEL)检测黑质致密部 (SNc)多巴胺 (DA)能神经元的凋亡 ;利用免疫细胞化学法检测Bcl 2 /Bax基因的表达。结果表明 :SV能改善PD小鼠运动功能障碍 ;模型组SNc部可见大量TUNEL阳性细胞 (P <0 0 1) ,治疗组TUNEL阳性细胞数均明显减少 (P <0 0 1) ;模型组SNcBcl 2免疫反应活性 (IR)阳性神经元数明显减少 (P <0 0 1) ,Bax IR阳性神经元数明显增多 (P <0 0 1) ,治疗药组未见Bcl 2 IR阳性神经元数明显减少或Bax IR阳性神经元数明显增多。提示 :SV可能通过上调Bcl 2、下调Bax基因表达抑制DA能神经元凋亡。     

抑制Treg联合瘤内转染Ad.GM-CSF增强阿霉素治疗肝癌效果的实验研究

目的:探讨抑制调节性T细胞(Treg)联合瘤内转染Ad.GM-CSF增强阿霉素治疗肝癌效果的可行性,并对其机制进行探讨。方法:建立C57BL/6J小鼠皮下肝癌模型,待肿瘤长至100-150mm3时随机分为6组,每组12只:(1)对照组(PBS);(2)环磷酰胺组(CTX);(3)阿霉素组(DOX);(4)Ad.GM-CSF组;(5)CTX+DOX组;(6)CTX+DOX+Ad.GM-CSF组。末次治疗后第5d每组处死其中4只小鼠,取脾脏测定CTL活性;取肿瘤组织行病理检查;每组另外的8只小鼠用于观察皮下肿瘤生长和小鼠生存期。结果:CTX可以显著增强DOX对肿瘤生长的抑制作用(P0.05),延长小鼠生存期[(62.13±4.21)dvs(79.88±9.00)d,P0.05],而联合应用Ad.GM-CSF可显著增强该效果[(79.88±9.00)dvs(106.13±5.23)d,P0.01]。同其它组相比,CTX+DOX+Ad.GM-CSF组小鼠瘤体内可见大量肿瘤细胞坏死,CD8+T细胞浸润显著增加,而小鼠脾脏CTL杀瘤活性显著增强(P0.05)。结论:以阿霉素为治疗基础的化疗联合抑制Treg并瘤内转染Ad.GM-CSF的免疫治疗具有协同抗肝癌作用,免疫化疗治疗晚期肝癌具有一定的应用前景。     

精氨酸单糖苷( AF) 对免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的:研究精氨酸单糖苷(Arginyl-fructose,AF)对环磷酰胺(CTX)诱导的免疫抑制小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法: ICR 小鼠100 只,随机分成5 组,即正常对照组(N),免疫抑制模型组(M),免疫抑制AF 低、中、高剂量组(M-L、M-M、M-H)。试验组连续给药28 d。免疫抑制组,每周前3 天,腹腔注射80 mg/ kg 环磷酰胺,形成免疫抑制。末次给药12 h 解剖后,测定免疫器官指数,AF 对脾淋巴细胞转化及增殖、巨噬细胞吞噬功能、特异性IgG 抗体、血清中TNF-β、IL-2 含量的影响。并通过实时荧光定量PCR 检测TNF-β、IL-2 基因表达的差异。结果:AF 能够显著提高小鼠的胸腺指数和脾脏指数,促进脾淋巴细胞的自然转化与增殖,增强巨噬细胞吞噬功能,显著提高小鼠血清中特异性IgG 抗体含量,可显著提高小鼠血清中TNF-β、IL-2 含量,实时荧光定量PCR 检测结果显示,TNF-β、IL-2 mRNA 能够良好表达。结论:AF 能拮抗CTX 免疫功能低下小鼠的免疫抑制作用。     

Antifungal activities of D0870 against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans.

We compared the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of D0870, a new triazole antifungal agent, with those of other antifungal agents against 8 clinical isolates of fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans. Microdilution testing was performed according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) document M27-T. Minimal inhibitory concentration of D0870 (<0.004-1.0 micro g/ml) was lower than those of fluconazole (2->64 microEg/ml) and itraconazole (0.031-8.0 microEg/ml). In systemic infection models with C. albicans in normal and immunosuppressed mice, D0870 at 0. 3-30 mg/kg/day for 5 days after infection prolonged survival of the animals and showed the highest efficacy among the triazole antifungal agents. At pH 7 and 37C in Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB), D0870 inhibited the growth of C. albicans and acted cytocidally against one of the middle-resistant strains. In an in vivo study against this strain, D0870 at 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days after infection significantly reduced kidney colony counts (2850+406-997+537 CFU/kidney, P<0.05) on day 7 after infection in comparison with those of the control mice at 24 h after infection. Plasma concentration of D0870 after a single oral administration at 10 mg/kg maintained a sufficient level for interpretation of in vivo antifungal activities. These results suggest that D0870 has strong antifungal activities against clinical isolates of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans in vitro and in vivo, and that these strong activities are at least partially concerned with the fungicidal action.     

Cardiac damage in rodents after exposure to bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane

We report that an environmental agent, bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane (CEM), caused cardiac toxicity in male and female F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice exposed to the chemical by dermal administration at doses of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 600 mg/kg 5 days a week for up to 14 weeks. Treatment-related deaths occurred in 10/10 male and 10/10 female rats at 600 mg/kg, in 2/10 female rats at 400 mg/kg, and in 3/10 female mice at 600 mg/kg. The heart lesions were more severe in rats than mice, and more severe in females than males. In rats, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for the heart lesions was 200 mg/kg for males and 100 mg/kg for females; in mice, it was more than 600 mg/kg for males and 200 mg/kg for females. Multifocal, widespread vacuolization of the myocytes comprised the main morphological feature of the lesions, and only in rats was it accompanied by mononuclear cell infiltration, myocytic necrosis and atrial thrombosis. Hearts from male rats were immunohistochemically stained for troponin T (cTnT) protein. Loss of cytoplasmic cTnT correlated with histopathological damage only in the 600 mg/kg animals. CEM is metabolized to thiodiglycolic acid, a chemical that causes mitochondrial dysfunction. It is hypothesized that mitochondrial damage leads to the heart toxicity from bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane.     

Treatment of a murine model of systemic candidiasis with liposomal amphotericin B bearing antibody to Candida albicans

Survival of mice infected with an intravenous injection of Candida albicans was observed in a short-term (21-day) survival study. Concentration of C. albicans in the kidneys, liver, and spleen was determined at various times. The effects of treatment with the commercial formulation of amphotericin B (fAMB), liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB), and liposomal amphotericin B bearing external antibody specific for C. albicans (LAMB-Ab) were compared. In single intravenous treatment dosages of 0.6 mg of amphotericin B/kg, the liposomal forms of the drug (LAMB and LAMB-Ab) enhanced the percentage survival and mean survival time of mice in comparison with those treated with the unencapsulated antifungal compound, fAMB (p less than 0.03 and p less than 0.001, respectively). LAMB-Ab, at this dosage, produced an increase in the survival (p less than 0.007) of mice over that produced by LAMB. LAMB-Ab treatment caused a greater than 3-fold increase over fAMB. The percentage of LAMB-Ab-treated mice which survived for 21 days was almost double that of the LAMB-treated mice. The increase in survival following this treatment did not, however, lead to the eradication of C. albicans in all mice which survived to the end of the experiment.     

小剂量环磷酰胺治愈荷膀胱癌小鼠过程中外周血血小板计数的动态变化及意义

目的:建立环磷酰胺(CTX)治愈荷膀胱癌T739小鼠的动物模型,观察外周血象特别是血小板计数在化疗治愈肿瘤中的动态变化及其意义.方法:给正常T739小鼠皮下接种小鼠可移植性膀胱移行细胞癌组织,建立荷膀胱癌的小鼠模型.接种后第7天,荷瘤小鼠腹腔内分别注入15、40、100 mg/kg的CTX,等量生理盐水对照,确定CTX治愈肿瘤的量效关系.然后再取12只荷瘤小鼠,随机分成2组,15 mg/ks CTX单次腹腔内注射,等量生理盐水对照,分别在用药后6 h、用药后第2、4、9、14天内眦静脉取血,进行血常规检测,分析荷瘤小鼠外周血象的动态变化.结果:15～100 mg/kg CTX治疗后2周内,荷瘤小鼠肿瘤生长受抑制或肿瘤结节缩小的速率与所用CTX的剂量呈正相关;CTX治疗后2月,荷瘤小鼠的存活率与所用CTX的剂量呈负相关.15 mg/kg CTX单次腹腔内注射在治愈多数荷瘤小鼠的同时对外周血象无明显抑制作用.用药后6 h治疗组荷瘤鼠外周血血小板计数为(1483.4±184.4)×109/L,明显高于对照组小鼠(1086.6±81.0)×109/L,两组数据比较具有统计学意义(P<0.01);用药后第2、4、9、14天治疗组荷瘤鼠外周血血小板计数与对照组小鼠比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:15 mg/kg CTX可治愈多数荷膀胱癌T739小鼠.单剂量CTX治疗后6 h荷瘤小鼠外周血血小板计数的一过性增高可能与其抗肿瘤作用有关.     

Retinal degeneration induced in adult mice by a single intraperitoneal injection of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea

Seven-week-old female BALB/c mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) (50, 100, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg), and retinal damage was evaluated after 7 days. Sequential morphological features of the retina and retinal apoptosis, as determined by the TUNEL assay, were analyzed 6, 12, 24, and 72 hr and 7 days after treatment with 600 mg/kg of ENU. Moreover, older mice (25 to 34 weeks of age) received an intraperitoneal injection of 600 mg/kg ENU and were sacrificed 7 days later. All animals were necropsied, and both eyes were examined histopathologically. Two of the 5 mice that received 600 mg/kg ENU died during the experimental period. Histopathologically, all mice that received 600 mg/kg of ENU experienced retinal degeneration characterized by the loss of photoreceptor cells (disappearance of the outer nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer) in both the central and peripheral retina within 7 days. One of 5 mice treated with 400 mg/kg ENU exhibited retinal damage that was restricted to the central retina. Older mice treated with 600 mg/kg ENU exhibited retinal damage that was similar to the retinal damage in younger mice. In the 600 mg/kg ENU-treated mice, TUNEL-positive photoreceptor cells peaked 72 hr after ENU treatment. Retinal thickness and the photoreceptor cell ratio in the central and peripheral retina were significantly decreased, and the retinal damage ratio was significantly increased 7 days after treatment. In conclusion, ENU induces retinal degeneration in adult mice that is characterized by photoreceptor cell apoptosis.     

Increased survival times of New Zealand hybrid mice immunosuppressed by graft-versus-host reactions.

New Zealand mice develop autoimmune disease usually accompanied by glomerulonephritis. A graft-versus-host reaction was induced in New Zealand Black X New Zealand White F1 hybrid mice by administration of New Zealand White spleen cells. The mice so treated had diminished antibody responses to both an exogenous antigen (sheep red blood cells) and an endogenous antigen (native DNA). They had much less glomerulonephritis and increased survival times compared to unmanipulated controls, apparently due to immunosuppression. Similar hybrid mice treated with high doses of cyclophosphamide (70mg/kg/week) were more immunosuppressed than mice with graft-versus-host reactions and had even greater survival times.     

Protective effect of oral administration of several traditional Kampo-medicines on lethal Candida infection in immunosuppressed mice]

The protective effects of a "hozai" type of Kampo medicine, Juzen-taiho-to (Shi-quan-da-bu-tang, TJ-48), Hochu-ekki-to (Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang, TJ-41) or Ninjin-yoei-to (Ren-shen-yang-rong-tang, TJ-108) on experimental candidiasis in immunosuppressed mice were investigated. ICR mice, which were immunosuppressed by injection of cyclophosphamide or prednisolone, were given these medicines orally andchallenged intravenously with Candida albicans (day 0). Treatments with a daily dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-48 or that of 1 or 2 g/kg/day of TJ-108 for 4 consecutive days from day-4 significantly prolonged the survival time of the Candida-infected mice pretreated with cyclophosphamide. Treatments with a daily dose of 1 g/kg/day of TJ-48 for 4 consecutive days from day 0, but not from day -4, significantly prolonged the life span of the Candida-infected mice pretreated with prednisolone. On the basis of these results and previous findings, characteristics of these kampo medicines as therapeutic agents against candidiasis in immunosuppressed hosts were discussed.     

Comparison of anidulafungin's and fluconazole's in vivo activity in neutropenic and non-neutropenic models of invasive candidiasis

We compared the rate and extent of anidulafungin's and fluconazole's activity in neutropenic and non-neutropenic mice with Candida albicans invasive candidiasis. In immunocompetent mice, anidulafungin significantly improved survival vs. controls and fluconazole, and significant reductions in (1→3)-β-D-glucan and fungal burden were observed. In neutropenic animals, the highest doses of anidulafungin (5 mg/kg) and fluconazole (10 mg/kg) also improved survival and reduced fungal burden. However, there were no differences in survival between these antifungals as anidulafungin's activity was attenuated in this model. These results demonstrate that the extent of anidulafungin in vivo efficacy may be dependent on host immune status.     

Activity of 9 beta-lactam antibiotics combined with clavulanic acid or sulbactam against the strains of broad-spectrum beta-lactamase (CTX-1) producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated at the Henri Mondor Hospital

Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of seven cephalosporins: cefotaxime (CTX), ceftriaxone (CRO), ceftazidime (CAZ), latamoxef (MOX), cefoxitin (FOX), cefotetan (CTT) and CM 40876 (CM), of aztreonam (ATM) and imipenem (IPM) were evaluated by agar dilution with and without 5 mg/l of clavulanic acid (AC) or sulbactam (SB) for 28 strains isolated in 1986 (15 K. pneumoniae, 3. K. oxytoca, 4 E. coli, 4 E. cloacae, 1 E. aerogenes and 1 C. freundii). Comparatively to MICs of sensitive strains and to those of cured variants, MICs of these strains were very increased for CTX, CRO, ATM (mode MIC: 1 mg/l), and CAZ (2); weakly increased for MOX and CTT (0.25), and identical for IMP (0.12-0.25), CM (0.06) and FOX (2-4), except for Enterobacter and Citrobacter (64). Association with AC or SB did not modify MICs of FOX, CM and IMP. For the other antibiotics, MICs were reduced by addition of AC: Klebsiella: 5 log2 for CTX and CRO, 4 for CAZ and ATM, 2 for MOX and CTT; E. coli: 4 log2 for CTX and ATM, 3 for CRO and CAZ, 1 for MOX and CTT; Enterobacter and Citrobacter 2 log2 for CTX, CRO, CAZ and ATM, 1 for MOX and CTT. With SB, decrease of MICs was two to for fold lesser than with AC. AC, and less efficiently SB, restored activity of CTX, CRO, CAZ and ATM on CTX-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Klebsiella and E. coli. It was the same for MOX and CTT, weakly affected by this resistance. AC and SB had not effect on FOX, CM and IPM which remained active on these strains.     

Investigation on Immunomodulatory Activity of Calf Spleen Extractive Injection in Cyclophosphamide‐induced Immunosuppressed Mice and Underlying Mechanisms

Calf spleen extractive injection (CSEI), extracted from the spleen of healthy cows (within 24 h of birth), is a small peptides enriched extraction while the ratio between peptide and ribose is 76 ± 15.2 mg/μg. CSEI is usually used as an ancillary agent to assist cancer patients with immune dysfunction. The present study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of CSEI in cyclophosphamide (CTX)‐induced mice model of immunosuppression and its underlying mechanisms. During the experiment, thymosin ɑ1 (0.16 mg/kg) was served as the positive control drug. In CTX‐induced immunosuppressed mice, CSEI significantly increased bodyweights and spleen indexes, and upgraded the natural killer activity together with lymphocytes proliferation. CSEI regulated the production of IgG and IgA, and the levels of IL‐2, 6, 10, 12 and IFN‐ɑ, γ and TNF‐ɑ in serum of CTX‐induced immunosuppressed mice. Furthermore, CSEI markedly downregulated nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) expression which was controlled by IKKβ. Taken together, CSEI effectively improved immune function in CTX‐induced immunosuppression related to NF‐κB signalling pathway via regulating the production of immunoglobulins, interleukins and some inflammatory factors.