Zero-Order Release Formulation of Oxprenolol Hydrochloride with Swelling and Erosion Control

Zero-order release of oxprenolol hydrochloride was obtained by controlling the swelling and erosion of the matrix. This formulation involves only mixing of drug, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na CMC) at the ratio of 1:0.4:1.6, respectively, and compressing the mixture directly into tablets. The in vitro release pattern from this optimized matrix tablet was reproducible. Accelerated stability studies revealed that the optimized formulation remains stable for an approximately 2-year shelf life. This sustained-release (SR) tablet was evaluated in dogs, and for comparison a conventional (CV) formulation was also given at the same dose level. Plasma oxprenolol levels were monitored by a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. Significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters, i.e., lower C _max, higher values of t _max, MRT, AUC, and plasma concentration at 24 hr, and nearly constant plasma levels over 12 hr, indicated that the SR matrix tablet is superior to the CV rapid-releasing formulation. The in vitro release parameters and in vivo pharmacokinetics correlated well.     

骨髓间充质细胞与速固化磷酸钙支架共培养的实验研究

[目的]观察人骨髓间充质干细胞在速固化磷酸钙骨水泥支架中的增殖和生长情况。[方法]将速固化壳聚糖-磷酸钙骨水泥支架材料预先成形。采用全骨髓法分离人骨髓间充质细胞并在体外对细胞进行培养和扩增。72h首次换液,细胞融合80%传代,取第3代细胞用于实验。将细胞与磷酸钙骨水泥支架复合培养,分别利用四甲基偶氮唑蓝MTT法及扫描电镜等检测细胞在材料中的增殖和生长情况。[结果]用酶标仪检测OD值提示共培养后,支架内的细胞数量逐渐增加。扫描电镜结果显示支架材料内部为多孔结构,孔内见有细胞生长,细胞表面可见分泌颗粒。[结论]速固化壳聚糖-磷酸钙骨水泥对人骨髓间充质干细胞有较好的细胞相容性,细胞可在材料内黏附和增殖,是理想的骨组织工程支架材料。     

大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞与多孔双相磷酸钙陶瓷支架体外黏附的实验研究

目的研究大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(marrowmesenchymalstemcells,MSCs)诱导培养后在多孔双相磷酸钙(biphasiccalciumphosphate,BCP)陶瓷支架材料上的黏附和生长。方法SD大鼠MSCs经矿化诱导培养、扩增,具有成骨细胞表型后,与多孔BCP陶瓷支架及普通多孔羟基磷灰石(hydroxyapatite,HA)陶瓷支架体外复合培养,扫描电镜观察比较MSCs在两种材料支架表面的黏附数量和形态;同时以0.5、1.0、2.0、3.0和4.0×106/ml浓度细胞悬液接种于多孔BCP支架材料,检测适宜的接种浓度及单位体积支架材料可黏附MSCs数量。结果大鼠MSCs经诱导培养14d后,行矿化沉积茜素红染色、型胶原免疫细胞化学染色及碱性磷酸酶细胞化学染色,结果均为阳性。大鼠MSCs黏附于多孔BCP陶瓷上的细胞数(88.00±6.58)明显高于HA陶瓷组(39.00±3.65),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。当接种浓度为2.0×106/ml时,单位体积的陶瓷支架材料最多可黏附MSCs数量为1.28×107个/cm3,为细胞适宜接种浓度。结论大鼠MSCs在体外经矿化诱导培养可表达成骨细胞表型,细胞浓度为2.0×106/ml时与多孔BCP陶瓷支架材料具有良好的黏附能力。     

Comparative study of renal sodium transport between ouabain-hypertensive rats and ouabain-nonhypertensive rats

Objective: To compare renal sodium transport, using fractional excretions of lithium(FELi) as a marker of proximal tubule sodium reabsorption, between hypertensive and non-hypertensive ouabain-treated rats and further to elucidate the role of ouabain in pathogenesis of hypertension. Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 180-200 g were randomly divided into normal control group and ouabain treated group. Rats were infused with 1 ml/kg·d normal saline or 27. 8μg/kg·d ouabain in-traperitoneally once a day respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate and body weight were recorded weekly. Rats were sacrificed 6 weeks after treatment. Blood and 24-hour urine sample were collected to measure the serum and urinary concentration of sodium, trace lithium and creatinine. Endogenous creatinine clearance rate(Ccr), fractional excretions of sodium (FENa), fractional excretions of lithium (FELi) and fractional reabsorption of sodium in the postproximal tubules (FDRNa) were calculated. Ouabain levels of plasma and renal tissue, plasma renin activity, angiotensin I and aldosterone concentration were determined. Results: 65% of the ouabain-treated rats achieved significantly higher SBP after 4 weeks, compared with that of the saline control groups or self baseline (P<0. 01). But in the other 35% of the ouabain-treated rats, their SBP was similar with control group during the experiment (P>0. 05). The body weight, heart rate and food intake between the 3 groups were no significant differences (P> 0. 05). FELi and FDRNa were significantly lower in ouabain-hypertensive group compared with ouabain-non-hypertensive group and control group(P<0. 01 and P<0. 05). The FEu and FDRn, of ouabain-nonhyper-tensive groups were similar with control group(P>0. 05). Ccr and FENa were comparable between the 3 groups (P>0. 05). Plasma and renal tissue ouabain levels, plasma renin activity, angiotensin I and aldosterone contents in ouabain-hypertensive rats were comparable with ouabain-nonhypertensive rats. Conclusion: Increase of proximal tubule sodium reabsorption play an important role in the pathogenesis of ouabain-hypertensive rats. The change of renal sodium transport may result from regulation to renal Na+ , K + -ATPase by ouabain.     

Levocabastine compared with sodium cromoglygate eyedrops in children with both birch and grass pollen allergy

Fifty–five children 6–16 years old with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to both birch and grass pollinosis were randomized into 2 parallel groups, treated in double–blind fashion with either levocabastinc (LEV) eye–drops twice daily plus placebo eyedrops twice daily or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) eyedrops 4 times daily for 3 months. Spersallerg® (antazolini chloride + tetryzolini chloride) eyedrops were allowed as rescue medicine. All children received basic treatment with an antihistamine (terfenadine) during the complete trial period, and a local nasal corticosteroid if needed. Eye symptoms were recorded daily by the patients and at 4 visits by the investigator, at start and after 4, 10 and 13 weeks. Pollen counts were performed and a blood sample was collected at start and end of the treatment. The global evaluation of treatment was similar for the 2 groups, and there was no significant difference in any effect parameter except for the symptom, itchy eyes, which had lower score in the SCG group as evaluated by the investigator after 4 weeks. On days with low pollen counts the patients in the SCG group had fewer days with moderate or severe eye symptoms. It is concluded that even though LEV and SCG eyedrops were given in addition to systemic treatment with an antihistamine, no consistently significant differences in clinical effect were found between the 2 treatment groups, but the SCG group experienced slightly less eye symptoms throughout the trial. LEV eye–drops appear safe in long–term treatment in children, and no signs of tachyphylaxis were recorded.     

次氯酸钠和氢氧化钙对牙本质弹性模量和挠曲强度的影响

目的 :评估 5 %次氯酸钠 (NaOCl)溶液和饱和氢氧化钙 [Ca(OH) 2 ]溶液对牙本质弹性模量和挠曲强度的影响 ,以进一步了解根管治疗过程中药物对牙齿机械性能的影响。方法 :取新鲜拔除的完整前磨牙制成标准规格牙本质条 ,经 5 %NaOCl和饱和Ca(OH) 2 溶液处理 ,三点加荷系统测定其弹性模量和挠曲强度。结果 :5 %NaOCl使牙本质弹性模量和挠曲强度显著降低 ;饱和Ca(OH) 2 溶液使牙本质挠曲强度显著降低 ,对弹性模量无显著影响 ;5 %NaOCl处理后再用饱和Ca(OH) 2 溶液处理对牙本质弹性模量和挠曲强度无进一步影响。结论 :5 %NaOCl和饱和Ca(OH) 2 溶液对牙本质的机械性能有一定影响     

Sodium removal and sodium concentration during peritoneal dialysis: effects of three methods of sodium measurement.

BACKGROUND: Sodium removal (NaR) may have a major impact on the survival of peritoneal dialysis patients. The dialysate/plasma sodium concentration ratio (D/P(Na)) is an indirect index of transcellular water transport by aquaporin channels, and thus of ultrafiltration. Sodium concentration can be assessed by means of flame photometry (F), and direct (D-ISE) or indirect ion-selective electrodes (I-ISE), but these methods have different properties. I-ISE is being used increasingly in clinical laboratories. The aim of this study was to evaluate NaR and D/P(Na) using the three different measurement methods. METHODS: We performed peritoneal equilibration tests (PETs) in 44 peritoneal dialysis patients and calculated the NaR. We also calculated D/P(Na) during the test; plasma and dialysate sodium concentrations were measured by F, D-ISE and I-ISE. RESULTS: NaR was lower (P<0.001) with D-ISE (69+/-29 mmol) than with F (81+/-29 mmol) or I-ISE (79+/-28 mmol). D/P(Na) was also lower at baseline (0.92+/-0.02 vs 0.95+/-0.02 and 0.95+/-0.02; P<0.001), after 60 min (0.87+/-0.03 vs 0.90+/-0.03 and 0.90+/-0.03; P<0.001) and at the end of PET (0.88+/-0.04 vs 0.92+/-0.04 and 0.92+/-0.04; P<0.001) when measured by D-ISE in comparison with F and I-ISE, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NaR and D/P(Na) were lower when measured by the D-ISE method compared with the F and I-ISE methods. NaR and D/P(Na) were similar when measured by F or I-ISE. I-ISE can be used reliably in the evaluation of NaR and D/P(Na) in everyday clinical practice of peritoneal dialysis.     

Autonomic Regulation of Voltage-Gated Cardiac Ion Channels

Altering voltage-gated ion channel currents, by changing channel number or voltage-dependent kinetics, regulates the propagation of action potentials along the plasma membrane of individual cells and from one cell to its neighbors. Functional increases in the number of cardiac sodium channels (Na_V1.5) at the myocardial sarcolemma are accomplished by the regulation of caveolae by β adrenergically stimulated G-proteins. We demonstrate that Na_V1.5, Ca_V1.2a, and K_V1.5 channels specifically localize to isolated caveolar membranes, and to punctate regions of the sarcolemma labeled with caveolin-3. In addition, we show that Na_V1.5, Ca_V1.2a, and K_V1.5 channel antibodies label the same subpopulation of isolated caveolae. Plasma membrane sheet assays demonstrate that Na_V1.5, Ca_V1.2a, and K_V1.5 cluster with caveolin-3. This may have interesting implications for the way in which adrenergic pathways alter the cardiac action potential morphology and the velocity of the excitatory wave.     

Fumonisins as a possible contributory risk factor for primary liver cancer: A 3-year study of corn harvested in Haimen, China, by HPLC and ELISA

Employing HPLC fluorometry, gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and a novel enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a monoclonal antibody, 40 corn samples, each collected in 1993 from agricultural stocks for human consumption in Haimen (Jiangsu County) and Penlai (Shandong Province), high- and low-risk areas for primary liver cancer (PLC) in China, respectively, were analysed for fumonisins (FBs), aflatoxins (AFs) and trichothecenes. Levels and positive rates of FBs and deoxynivalenol (DON) were significantly higher in Haimen than in Penlai. ELISA of the 40 corn samples harvested in the two areas in 1994 revealed that FB contamination levels and rates in these areas were comparable to those observed in 1993 in Haimen. ELISA analysis of 1993 and 1994 products revealed a wide occurrence of AFB₁ but the positive rates as well as levels were not significantly different between these areas. ELISA of the same sample number of corn harvested in 1995 revealed that FB contamination in Haimen was significantly higher than in Penlai. These 3-yearly surveys of corn samples (240 in total) demonstrated that corn harvested in Haimen was highly contaminated with FBs and that the contamination level, as well as positive rate in 1993 and 1995, were 10–50-fold higher than those in Penlai, suggesting FBs as a risk factor for promotion of PLC in endemic areas, along with the trichothecene DON. Co-contamination with AFs, potent hepatocarcinogens, was assumed to play an important role in the initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis.