Gaseous homeostasis during low-flow anaesthesia

The object of this clinical study was to investigate the circle system gas homeostasis during low-flow anaesthesia using a technique designed to keep a constant inspired oxygen fraction of 0.30. Denitrogenation was adequately accomplished with mask preoxygenation, 10 l/min, for 1 min and an initial fresh gas flow of 5 l/min for 6 min after intubation. There was no need to wash out accumulated nitrogen at intervals, since the already low nitrogen concentration in the system tended to decrease after 1 h. The fresh gas flow of nitrous oxide to oxygen ratio and the inspiratory to end-expiratory oxygen concentration difference both reflected the uptake of nitrous oxide. The calculated rates of uptake of nitrous oxide, a subject of controversy, were in accordance with those found by Severinghaus and Barton & Nunn.     

Nitric oxide and gamma-aminobutyric acid as regulators of neurogenesis in the brain of adult mammals: Models of seizure activity

New neurons are known to be generated in the brain of adult mammals throughout their entire life in the area of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. The regulatory mechanisms of neurogenesis are complex and poorly understood. Numerous studies performed during the last decade have shown that the intensity of generation of new cells in the germinative regions of the brain is significantly influenced by various environmental factors. Pronounced changes in neurogenesis were also found in the models of various pathologies of the central nervous system (such as neurodegeneration, brain ischemia, and epilepsy). This review is focused on the regulation of neurogenesis in the brain of adult mammals in the course of experimental epilepsy. The involvement of nitric oxide and gamma-aminobutyric acid in the regulation of the proliferation and differentiation of brain cells during seizure activity is discussed.     

Expression of differential nitric oxide synthase isoforms in human gastric mucosa infected with Helicobacter pylori

Objective: To study the relationship between nitric oxide synthase ( NOS) expression in human gastric mu-cosa and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Methods: Gastric mucosa samples were obtained from antrum of 33 patients received gastroendoscopy. H. pylori infection was confirmed by Giems staining and bacteria culture under mi-croaerophilic conditions. Expression of iNOS, eNOS and nitrotyrosine were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: (1) The positive rate of H. pylori infection was 66. 7% (22/33) . (2) iNOS positive staining in inflammatory cells was detected in 77. 3% (17/22) of samples with H. pylori and 27. 3% (3/11) without H. pylori infection (P < 0.01). (3) eNOS expression in inflammatory cells was found in 77. 3% (17/22) of samples with H. pylori and 18.2% (2/11) without H. pylori infection ( P < 0. 01) . (4) Nitrotyrosine expression in inflammatory cells was observed in 59. 1% ( 13/22) of samples with H. pylori and 54.5%(6/11) without H. pylori infection (P>0.05). (5) Moderate a     

Reversible and irreversible airway inflammation and fibrosis in mice exposed to inhaled ovalbumin

Objective and design: We examined the reversibility of several changes in the lungs and airways of mice immediately after exposure to ovalbumin aerosol and after a period of recovery breathing clean air.Methods: Mice were exposed for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks, with recovery in clean air for 1–3 weeks.Results: Airway collagen content, exhaled NO, airway mucous cell hyperplasia, and lung lavage inflammatory cell content increased upon exposure to ovalbumin aerosol. All parameters except airway fibrosis decreased partially or completely to control values with recovery in clean air.Conclusions: Airway mucous cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia appear to be completely reversible after recovery in clean air, while exhaled NO and airway inflammation appear to be mostly reversible, except for persistence of lymphocytes in the lung lavage fluid. Airway fibrosis appears to be reversible when mice are exposed to ovalbumin aerosol for periods of up to 4 weeks of exposure, but becomes irreversible after 6 or more weeks of exposure.Received 30 June 2004; returned for revision 24 September 2004; accepted by J. S. Skotnicki 13 October 2004     

L-精氨酸对高原肺水肿患者血液流变学的作用

目的：探讨雾化吸入左旋精氨酸（L-Arg）对高原肺水肿患者血液流变学的影响。方法：在海拔3700m高原，采用氧气驱动雾化吸入L-Arg，治疗高原肺水肿（HAPE）患者9例（L-Arg组），将吸入低浓度一氧化氮（NO）混合气治疗的另外8例高原肺水肿患者（NO组）作对照，分别测定患者的红细胞压积（HCT）、血液粘度（ηb）、血浆粘度（ηp）、还原粘度（ηr）、红细胞刚性指数（IR）、红细胞变形系数（TK）、红细胞聚集系数（VAI）和血栓形成系数（TFL）等血液流变学指标。结果：NO组和L-Arg组治疗后较治愈前ηb、ηp、ηr、VAI、TFL均降低显著（P〈0．05～0．01），而HCT、TK、IR无统计学差异（P〉0．05）；NO组与L-Arg组比较，各指标均无统计学差异（P〉0．01）。结论：L-Arg治疗HAPE有效，通过提高NO水平而改善血液循环，且经济简便，易于推广应用。     

躁狂症患者血清一氧化氮水平研究

目的：了解躁狂症患者的血清一氧化氮(NO)水平。方法：对20例躁狂症患者的血清NO水平进行检测，采用Bech-Rafaelsen躁狂量表(BRMS)进行评定。以18例正常体检者为对照。结果：躁狂症组的血清NO水平明显高于正常对照组，血清NO水平与BRMS分之间未发现有相关性。结论：躁狂症患者存在相对较高的血清NO水平，可能是躁狂发作的病理生理基础。     

Magnetic nanoparticle labeling of mesenchymal stem cells without transfection agent: cellular behavior and capability of detection with clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance at the single cell level.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of labeling human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by ionic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) without a transfection agent and verifying its capability to be detected with clinical 1.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) at the single-cell level. Human hMSCs were incubated for 24 h with an ionic SPIO, Ferucarbotran. The labeling efficiency of hMSCs was determined by iron content measurement spectrophotometrically, and the influence of labeling on cell behavior was ascertained by examination of cell viability using the trypan blue exclusion method, cell proliferation analysis using MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) change, differentiation capacity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production measured by dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescent probe. Labeled hMSCs were scanned under 1.5 T MRI with three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) T(2)-weighted gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequences. Human hMSC labeling without transfection agent was efficient. The iron content in hMSCs was 23.4 pg Fe/cell. No significant change was found in viability, proliferation, MMP change, ROS production, or differentiation capacity. About 45.2% of the hMSCs could be detected using 1.5 T MRI at the single cell level with 3D GRE and four repetitions.     

Effect of curcumin on nitric oxide synthase expression in Iipopolysaccharide-activated microglia cells and the anti-oxidative effect of curcumin

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that curcumin can increase the activities of various anti-oxidase in blood and tissue, effectively eliminate various free radicals, reduce the production of peroxisome, and alleviate oxidative stress reaction. Whether it has the same effect on microglia? OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of curcumin on the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in microglial cell line BV stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). DESIGN: An observational comparative study. SETTING: Research Room of Biochemistry, Medical College of Nantong University. MATERIALS: Mice microglia cell line BV, iNOS and NF-κB reporter gene plasmids were presented by Dr. Bhat.NR. from the Medical University of South Carolina (USA). Curcumin was produced by the Xi'an Branch of China Chengdu Scholar Bio-Tech. Co.,Ltd.; LPS (E.Coli O26:B6), anti-mice iNOS monoclonal antibody, horseradish peroxidase labeled goat-anti-mice IgG were the products of Sigma Company (USA). METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the Research Room of Biochemistry, Medical College of Nantong University from May 2006 to April 2007. ① Detection of iNOS: The cells were seeded onto 24-well plate at the density of 1×105, After the cells had adhered to the cover glasses, the cells were grouped as negative control group (the primary antibody was replaced by phosphate buffered solution PBS); normal control group (the cells were normally cultured); LPS-treated group (the cells were treated with LPS for 24 hours); curcumin+LPS group (the cells were treated with curcumin for 1 hour and LPS for 24 hours). The expressions of iNOS protein were detected with immunocytochemical staining. ② Determination of iNOS and NF-κB gene activities: According to the introduction of the kit for transfection, iNOS or NF-κB report gene plasmids were transiently transfected with LipofectamineTM2000 liposomes into the cells in the 24-well plate for 24 hours. The cells were divided into normal control group (the cells were normally cultured after transfected with report gene plasmids); blank plasmid group (the cells were normally cultured after transfected with blank plasmids); LPS-treated group (the cells were treated with LPS for 4 hours after transfected with report gene plasmids); curcumin+LPS group (the cells were treated with curcumin for 1 hour and LPS for 24 hours after transfected with report gene plasmids). The content of luciferase in the cell lysis buffer was determined after cell lysis. ③ Determination of SOD activity: The cells were seeded into culture bottle at the density of 1×106, and the divided into four groups, including normal control group (the cells were normally cultured); LPS-treated group (the cells were treated with LPS for 24 hours); curcumin+LPS group (the cells were treated with curcumin for 1 hour and LPS for 24 hours); vitamin C+LPS group (the cells were treated with vitamin C for 1 hour and LPS for 24 hours). The SOD activity was determined with xanthine oxidase and quantitative colorimetric assay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The expressions of iNOS protein, iNOS and NF-κB, and the activity of SOD were observed. RESULTS: ① Expression of iNOS protein in microglia: The expression of iNOS protein in the LPS-treated group was obviously higher than that in the negative control group (P < 0.01); Those in the curcumin+LPS group were significantly decreased as compared with that in the LPS-treated group (P < 0.01). ② Expressions of iNOS and NF-κB genes: The expressions of iNOS and NF-κB genes in the LPS-treated group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group (P < 0.01); Those in the curcumin+LPS group were significantly lower than those in the LPS-treated group (P < 0.01). ③ SOD activity: The activity of SOD in the LPS-treated group was significantly lower than those in the normal control group (P < 0.01). It in the curcumin+LPS group and vitamin C +LPS group was significantly higher than that in the LPS-treated group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Curcumin could inhibit the expression of iNOS in the activated microglia, and it also has the abilities in eliminating free radicals and antagonizing lipid peroxidation.     

以胆酸为载体的肝靶向疗法

通过肝靶向给药技术将化学治疗药物选择性地投放于肝脏,能够减轻或避免其全身的毒副作用.胆酸是唯一的口服有效的小分子肝靶向载体,以胆酸为载体的肝靶向疗法为肝病及肝脏代谢性疾病提供了新的疗法.如胆酸-一氧化氮供体靶向偶合物能够选择性地将一氧化氮投放于肝脏,产生治疗肝硬化的作用;胆酸-脂肪酸靶向偶合物能够选择性地调节肝脏的脂代谢,具有治疗胆结石、脂肪肝和动脉粥样硬化的作用;胆酸-米非司酮偶合物能够选择性地作用于肝脏,产生特异性的降糖作用,而没有全身副作用.     

Effects of chronic treatment with a nitric oxide donor on nerve conduction abnormalities and endoneurial blood flow in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Abstract. This study examined the ability of nitrova-sodilator treatment with isosorbide dinitrate to prevent the development of reduced nerve conduction velocity and nutritive blood flow in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. Two month untreated diabetes caused approximately 23% and 13% reductions in sciatic motor and saphenous nerve sensory conduction velocity ( P < 0.001). Isosorbide dinitrate treatment provided 64.6 and 67.6% protection for motor and sensory nerves, respectively ( P < 0.01). Sciatic endoneurial nutritive blood flow was measured by microelectrode polarography and a hydrogen clearance technique. After 1 month untreated diabetes, flow was reduced by 41.9% ( P < 0.001). Isosorbide dinitrate treatment for 1 month in non-diabetic and diabetic rats significantly increased blood flow ( P < 0.01). When between-group variations in blood pressure were taken into account, vascular conductance increased by 29% and 31% in non-diabetic and diabetic rats, respectively ( P < 0.01). Thus, nitrovasodilator treatment improves nerve perfusion and function in experimental diabetes, probably by compensating for reduced endothelium-derived nitric oxide release or action.