安宫牛黄丸联合神经节苷脂治疗儿童病毒性脑炎的临床研究

目的观察安宫牛黄丸联合单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂钠注射液治疗儿童病毒性脑炎的临床疗效。方法选取2016年12月—2017年12月新乡市中心医院收治的128例病毒性脑炎患儿作为研究对象,采用随机数表法将所有患儿随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各64例。对照组静脉滴注单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂钠注射液,20 mg加入10%的葡萄糖溶液100 mL中,1次/d。治疗组在对照组的基础上口服或鼻饲安宫牛黄丸,3岁以下患儿每次1/4丸,4～6岁每次1/2丸,7～13岁每次1丸,生理盐水15～20mL研成匀浆,每日1～2次。两组患儿均连续治疗2周。观察两组患者的临床疗效,同时比较两组治疗前后的临床症状、体征改善情况、神经功能指标、炎症因子水平和脑脊液检查结果。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组的总有效率分别为76.57%、96.88%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,治疗组呕吐消失时间、意识清醒时间、头痛消失时间、锥体束征消失时间均显著短于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血清S100β蛋白、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、神经生长因子(NGF)、髓磷脂碱性蛋白(MBP)水平均显著降低,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后治疗组S100β、NSE、NGF、MBP水平显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血清白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、C反应蛋白(CRP)水平均显著降低,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后治疗组血清IL-1、TNF-α、CRP水平显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组总细胞数、单核细胞数、蛋白含量均显著降低,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后治疗组总细胞数、蛋白含量显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论安宫牛黄丸联合单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂钠注射液可显著提高病毒性脑炎临床疗效,改善患儿的临床症状和神经功能,减轻炎症反应,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

血塞通注射液联合脑苷肌肽治疗老年急性脑梗死的临床研究

目的探讨血塞通注射液联合脑苷肌肽注射液治疗老年急性脑梗死的临床效果。方法选取2015年1月—2017年12月海南西部中心医院收治的老年急性脑梗死患者180例,随机分成对照组(90例)和治疗组(90例)。对照组静脉滴注脑苷肌肽注射液,20 m L加入300 m L生理盐水,1次/d。治疗组在对照组的基础上静脉滴注血塞通注射液,400 mg加入250m L生理盐水,1次/d。两组连续治疗14 d。观察两组患者临床疗效,同时比较治疗前后两组患者美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、脑卒中专门化生存质量量表(SS-QOL)评分、理化指标、大脑中动脉(MCA)血流动力学参数、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、丙二醛(MDA)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平。结果治疗后,对照组的总有效率为76.7%,显著低于治疗组的91.1%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者NIHSS评分显著下降,SS-QOL评分显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),且治疗后治疗组NIHSS和SS-QOL评分明显优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者血清总胆固醇(TC)/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)比值、血浆黏度(PV)和红细胞聚集指数(EAI)值比治疗前显著降低,血小板计数(PLT)值显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),且治疗后治疗组上述理化指标改善水平明显优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者血流动力学参数收缩期峰值血流速度(Vs)和舒张末期血流速度(Vd)均显著升高(P0.05),且治疗后治疗组Vs和Vd明显高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者血清Hcy、TNF-α、IL-6和MDA浓度较治疗前均显著降低,SOD水平显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),且治疗后治疗组Hcy、TNF-α、IL-6、MDA和SOD水平明显优于对照组(P0.05)。结论血塞通注射液联合脑苷肌肽治疗老年急性脑梗死疗效显著,能明显改善微循环,增加局部脑血流量,减轻炎症损伤。     

黄葵胶囊对糖尿病肾病血液透析患者微炎症和氧化应激状态的影响

目的探究黄葵胶囊对糖尿病肾病血液透析患者微炎症和氧化应激状态的影响。方法选取我院2018年1月～2019年6月收治的行血液透析治疗的糖尿病肾病患者90例,根据随机数字表法分为观察组45例和对照组45例。观察组采用黄葵胶囊辅助治疗,对照组则给予常规性辅助治疗,比较两组的微炎症指标和氧化应激情况。结果治疗前两组患者hs-CRP、IL-6和TNF-α等微炎症指标水平差异无统计学意义(P 0.05);治疗后,两组hs-CRP、IL-6和TNF-α水平均低于治疗前,同时观察组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。治疗前,两组MDA、SOD和GSH-Px等氧化应激指标水平差异无统计学意义(P 0.05);治疗后,两组MDA、SOD和GSH-Px水平均较治疗前有变化,其中观察组MDA水平低于对照组,SOD和GSH-Px水平高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论糖尿病肾病血液透析治疗时,辅助黄葵胶囊治疗,可以改善患者的微炎症和氧化应激状态,值得推广。     

谷红注射液联合丁苯酞治疗急性脑梗死的临床研究

目的探讨谷红注射液联合丁苯酞注射液治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效。方法选取2016年1月—2017年6月亳州市人民医院收治的急性脑梗死患者136例,随机分成对照组(68例)和治疗组(68例)。对照组静脉滴注丁苯酞氯化钠注射液,100 mL/次,2次/d,两次给药间隔6 h。治疗组在对照组的基础上静脉滴注谷红注射液,20 mL加入生理盐水250 mL,1次/d。两组患者均连续治疗14 d。观察两组患者临床疗效,比较治疗前后两组患者美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)和Barthel指数、血液流变学指标、以及血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和丙二醛(MDA)水平。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组临床总有效率分别为82.35%、94.12%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者NIHSS评分明显降低,Barthel评分显著升高,同组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗组NIHSS评分和Barthel指数均显著优于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者全血高切黏度、全血低切黏度、血小板聚集率、血细胞比容均显著降低(P0.05);且治疗组各项血液流变学指标水平比对照组更低(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血清MDA水平均显著降低,治疗组患者血清TNF-α水平明显降低,同组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗组血清TNF-α和MDA水平明显低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论谷红注射液联合丁苯酞注射液治疗急性脑梗死能有效改善患者机体血液流变学与微循环状态,减轻神经功能缺损。     

复方苦参注射液联合FOLFOX4化疗方案治疗晚期胃癌的临床研究

目的探讨复方苦参注射液联合FOLFOX4化疗方案治疗胃癌患者的临床疗效及对外周血Th和Tc漂移的影响。方法 2013年7月—2014年1月襄阳市中心医院收治的晚期胃癌患者86例,随机分对照组和治疗组,每组43例。两组患者均采用FOLFOX4方案化疗。治疗组在此基础上每个化疗周期1~10 d静脉滴注复方苦参注射液,20 m L加入250 m L生理盐水,1次/d。2周为1个化疗周期,两组患者均连续治疗2个周期后评价疗效。同时比较两组患者外周血Th、Tc漂移情况。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组总有效率分别为55.81%、69.77%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者Th1、Th1/Th2、Tc1、Tc1/Tc2均显著升高,同组治疗前后差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗后治疗组Th1、Th2、Th1/Th2、Tc1、Tc1/Tc2高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,治疗组IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、TNF-α均明显改善,对照组仅IL-4、TNF-α改善,同组治疗前后差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗后治疗组IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、TNF-α改善程度优于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。对照组和治疗组不良反应发生率分别为60.46%、34.88%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论复方苦参注射液联合FOLFOX4化疗方案治疗胃癌具有较好的临床疗效,可明显提高患者的机体免疫功能,值得临床推广应用。     

鱼腥草注射液联合阿莫西林治疗上呼吸道感染的临床研究

目的探讨鱼腥草注射液联合阿莫西林治疗上呼吸道感染的临床效果。方法选取2015年10月—2017年3月于航天中心医院进行治疗的上呼吸道感染患者120例,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各60例。对照组口服阿莫西林胶囊,0.5 g/次,3次/d。治疗组患者在对照组治疗基础上静脉滴注鱼腥草注射液,20 m L加入5%葡萄糖250 m L,1次/d。两组患者均连续治疗5 d。观察两组的临床疗效,比较两组体温变化、临床症状及体征改善情况、血清学指标的变化情况。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组的总有效率分别为78.33%、91.67%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者体温均显著降低,同组治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后3、4 d治疗组患者体温均显著低于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组患者咳嗽消失时间、咽痛消失时间、啰音消失时间均显著短于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平均显著降低,同组治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组IL-6、IL-10、TNF-α水平均显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论鱼腥草注射液联合阿莫西林胶囊治疗上呼吸道感染具有显著的效果,可显著改善患者临床症状,降低机体炎症因子水平,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

乌司他丁联合黄芪注射液治疗心肌梗死PCI术后炎症反应的临床研究

目的探究乌司他丁联合黄芪注射液治疗心肌梗死PCI术后炎症反应的临床疗效。方法选取2012年7月—2015年1月重庆市涪陵中心医院心内科收治的急性心肌梗死并且成功完成PCI医治的患者86例,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各43例。对照组患者于PCI术后静脉滴注黄芪注射液30 m L/次,1次/d。治疗组静脉滴注注射用乌司他丁,30万单位/次,1次/d,黄芪注射液的用法用量同对照组。两组均连续治疗7 d。观察两组患者肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、细胞黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)、血清丙二醛(MDA)、血清肌酸磷酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)峰值及CK-MB曲线下面积的变化情况。结果术后1 d两组患者IL-1、TNF-α、ICAM-1、MDA水平均较术前有所提高,同组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);术后3、7 d两组患者这些因子水平均显著降低,且均低于同组治疗前(P0.05),且治疗组的降低程度优于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。经7 d治疗后,治疗组CK-MB峰值和CK-MB曲线下面积均显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论乌司他丁联合黄芪注射液用于治疗PCI术后炎症反应具有较好的临床疗效,可降低患者炎症因子表达水平,降低缺血再灌注对心肌的损伤,具有重要的临床应用价值。     

马来酸桂哌齐特治疗急性脑梗死的疗效及对神经、炎症因子水平的影响

目的观察马来酸桂哌齐特和银杏提取物注射液治疗急性脑梗死(ACI)的疗效及对神经、炎症因子水平的影响。方法选取我院脑科在2016年10月～2018年3月收治的78例ACI患者,按照随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组(各39例),对照组给予银杏提取物注射液治疗,观察组给予马来酸桂哌齐特治疗,两组患者连续治疗21d;比较两组患者临床疗效、血清神经因子(血清脑源性神经营养因子、神经生长因子、神经元特异性烯醇化酶、炎症因子(肿瘤坏死因子-α、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1、可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1)水平,记录两组治疗期间不良反应。结果观察组临床有效率高于对照组(92.31%vs 74.36%),差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);两组患者治疗后BDNF、NGF水平升高,NSE水平降低,治疗后两组患者BDNF、NGF、NSE水平比较差异有统计学意义(P 0.05);两组患者治疗后TNF-α、MCP-1、sICAM-1水平均降低,观察组TNF-α、MCP-1、sICAM-1水平低于对照组(P 0.05);两组患者治疗期间不良反应比较差异无统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论相比于阴性提取物注射液,马来酸桂哌齐特治疗ACI疗效可靠,能够明显减轻神经细胞炎症反应,提高血清神经因子水平,值得临床借鉴。     

滑膜炎颗粒联合玻璃酸钠治疗创伤性膝关节滑膜炎的临床研究

目的探讨滑膜炎颗粒联合玻璃酸钠注射液治疗创伤性膝关节滑膜炎的临床疗效。方法选取2015年5月—2016年4月在汉中市中心医院接受治疗的创伤性膝关节滑膜炎患者80例,根据治疗方案的差别分为对照组和治疗组,每组各40例。对照组患者关节腔注射玻璃酸钠注射液,2 m L/次,1次/周。治疗组在对照组的基础上口服滑膜炎颗粒,1袋/次,3次/d。两组患者均连续治疗5周。观察两组的临床疗效,同时比较两组治疗前后VAS评分、HSS评分、症状体征积分、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白介素-1(IL-1)和白介素-6(IL-6)水平的变化情况。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组的总有效率分别为80.00%、95.00%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者VAS评分降低,而HSS评分升高,同组治疗前后差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗组VAS和HSS评分的改善程度优于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者肿胀评分、疼痛评分、活动度评分和临床症状积分均较治疗前显著降低,同组治疗前后差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗组上述症状体征积分降低更明显,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组TNF-α、IL-1、和IL-6水平显著降低,同组治疗前后差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且治疗组的降低程度优于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论滑膜炎颗粒联合玻璃酸钠治疗创伤性膝关节滑膜炎的效果显著,可明显改善患者临床症状,降低炎性因子水平,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

还原型谷胱甘肽联合二甲双胍治疗糖尿病周围神经病变的临床研究

目的评价注射用还原型谷胱甘肽联合盐酸二甲双胍缓释片治疗糖尿病神经病变的临床疗效。方法选取2017年1月—2018年1月西电集团医院收治的92例糖尿病神经病变患者作为研究对象,将患者按随机数字表法分为对照组和治疗组,每组各46例。对照组患者口服盐酸二甲双胍缓释片,3片/d。治疗组在对照组治疗的基础上静脉滴注注射用还原型谷胱甘肽,1.8 g加入到0.9%氯化钠注射液250 mL中,1次/d。两组患者均连续治疗1个月。观察两组患者的临床疗效,同时比较两组的相关指标、运动神经传导速度(MNCV)、感觉神经传导速度(SNCV)、血清游离脂肪酸(FFA)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-6(IL-6)水平。结果治疗后,治疗组总有效率为95.65%,明显高于对照组的82.61%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者空腹血糖(FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)和三酰甘油(TG)水平均明显降低,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组FBG、HbA1c和TG水平明显低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的正中神经、腓神经的MNCV和SNCV均明显升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组正中神经、腓神经的MNCV和SNCV明显高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,对照组患者的FFA、TNF-α、IL-6水平均明显降低,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组FFA、TNF-α、IL-6水平显著低于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论注射用还原型谷胱甘肽联合盐酸二甲双胍缓释片治疗糖尿病神经病变具有较好的临床疗效,可明显改善患者的临床症状,降低血糖水平,提高神经传导速度,减少炎性因子,安全性好,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

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.

     

In vitro studies on sterically stabilized liposomes (SL) as enzyme carriers in organophosphorus (OP) antagonism

This study describes a new approach for organophosphorous (OP) antidotal treatment by encapsulating an OP hydrolyzing enzyme, OPA anhydrolase (OPAA), within sterically stabilized liposomes. The recombinant OPAA enzyme was derived from Alteromonas strain JD6. It has broad substrate specificity to a wide range of OP compounds: DFP and the nerve agents, soman and sarin. Liposomes encapsulating OPAA (SL)* were made by mechanical dispersion method. Hydrolysis of DFP by (SL)* was measured by following an increase of fluoride ion concentration using a fluoride ion selective electrode. OPAA entrapped in the carrier liposomes rapidly hydrolyze DFP, with the rate of DFP hydrolysis directly proportional to the amount of (SL)* added to the solution. Liposomal carriers containing no enzyme did not hydrolyze DFP. The reaction was linear and the rate of hydrolysis was first order in the substrate. This enzyme carrier system serves as a biodegradable protective environment for the recombinant OP-metabolizing enzyme, OPAA, resulting in prolongation of enzymatic concentration in the body. These studies suggest that the protection of OP intoxication can be strikingly enhanced by adding OPAA encapsulated within (SL)* to pralidoxime and atropine.     

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.     

Pharmacological treatment of COVID-19: an opinion paper

The precocity and efficacy of the vaccines developed so far against COVID-19 has been the most significant and saving advance against the pandemic. The development of vaccines has not prevented, during the whole period of the pandemic, the constant search for therapeutic medicines, both among existing drugs with different indications and in the development of new drugs. The Scientific Committee of the COVID-19 of the Illustrious College of Physicians of Madrid wanted to offer an early, simplified and critical approach to these new drugs, to new developments in immunotherapy and to what has been learned from the immune response modulators already known and which have proven effective against the virus, in order to help understand the current situation.     

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.     

Steroidal sapogenin contents in some domestic plants

In order to find out the values of the steroid resources for the future use. the compositions and contents of steroidal sapogenins from 13 domestic plants have been investigated. As a result,Dioscorea nipponica, D. quinqueloba andSmilax china were found to have large amount of diosgenin. And pennogenin inTrillium kamtschaticum andParis verticillata, yuccagenin inAllium fistulosum, hecogenin inAgave americana and neochlorogenin inSolanum nigum were appeared to be major steroidal sapogenins.