Analysis on internal mechanism of zedoary turmeric in treatment of liver cancer based on pharmacodynamic substances and pharmacodynamic groups

Zedoary tumeric (Curcumae Rhizoma, Ezhu in Chinese) has a long history of application and has great potential in the treatment of liver cancer. The anti liver cancer effect of zedoary tumeric depends on the combined action of multiple pharmacodynamic substances. In order to clarify the specific mechanism of zedoary tumeric against liver cancer, this paper first analyzes the mechanism of its single pharmacodynamic substance against liver cancer, and then verifies the joint anti liver cancer mechanism of its "pharmacodynamic group". By searching the research on the anti hepatoma effect of active components of zedoary tumeric in recent years, we found that pharmacodynamic substances, including curcumol, zedoarondiol, curcumenol, curzerenone, curdione, curcumin, germacrone, β-elemene, can act on multi-target and multi-channel to play an anti hepatoma role. For example, curcumin can regulate miR, GLO1, CD133, VEGF, YAP, LIN28B, GPR81, HCAR-1, P53 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, HSP70/TLR4 and NF-κB. Wnt/TGF/EMT, Nrf2/Keap1, JAK/STAT and other pathways play an anti hepatoma role. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the core targets of the "pharmacodynamic group" for anti-life cancer are AKT1, EGFR, MAPK8, etc, and the core pathways are neuroactive live receiver interaction, nitrogen metabolism, HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc. At the same time, by comparing and analyzing the relationship between the specific mechanisms of pharmacodynamic substance and "pharmacodynamic group", it is found that they have great reference significance in target, pathway, biological function, determination of core pharmacodynamic components, formation of core target protein interaction, in-depth research of single pharmacodynamic substance, increasing curative effect and so on. By analyzing the internal mechanism of zedoary tumeric pharmacodynamic substance and "pharmacodynamic group" in the treatment of liver cancer, this paper intends to provide some ideas and references for the deeper pharmacological research of zedoary tumeric and the relationship between pharmacodynamic substance and "pharmacodynamic group".     

Poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin play an active role in the recovery of spinal cord injury

Objective To investigate the role of poly-lactic acid and agarose gelatin in promoting the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. Methods Poly-lactic acid ( PLA) or agarose was embedded in the space between two stumps of the hemisectioned spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry was used to show astroglia proliferation and the infiltration of RhoA-positive cells. Locomotor activity recovery was evaluated by testing the function of hindlimbs. Results Astrogli-as and RhoA labeled non-neuronal cells accumulated in the area adjacent to the implant, while the number of RhoA-positive cells was decreased dramatically in the absence of implant. Animals implanted with agarose gelatin recovered more quickly than those with PLA, concomitant with a higher survival rate of the neurons. Conclusion Both PLA and agarose gelatin benefited the recovery of spinal cord after injury by providing a scaffold for astroglia processes. Modulation of the rigidity, pore size and inner structure of PLA and agarose gelatin might make these biodegradable materials more effective in the regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS).     

Pancreatic cancer–Palliative therapy: surgery (bypass/resection)

Objective: We compare the outcome of palliative pancreaticoduodenectomy and palliative surgical bypass in patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma in our hospital. Recent published related articles are also reviewed. Methods: A respective analysis was performed comparing the perioperative parameters and outcome of 20 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with a gross suspected cancer residue and 30 patients who underwent a surgical bypass, all of the patients were diagnosed as in advanced stages intra-operatively. Results: The two groups were comparable with patient characteristics, including age, gender, initial symptoms and concomitant major organ diseases. Tumors are similar in size and intra-operatively diagnosed as in advanced stages in both groups. All of the patients in the resection group were microscopically proved having cancer residue. One postoperative mortality occurred in the resection group (5%), zero in the bypass group (P > 0.05). Overall complications were significantly higher in the resection group (30% vs. 0, P < 0.01), including 2 patients developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), zero in the bypass group (P < 0.01); hemorrhage and transfusions in the resection group were much more than that in the bypass group (P < 0.05). Hospital stay after resection was significantly longer than bypass (20 vs. 12 days, P < 0.01). Hospital fee after resection was 4 times more than after bypass (median 61.500 vs. 15. 300 yuan, P < 0.01). Survival was significantly longer after resection (median 12.2 vs. 7.1 months, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our results show that palliative resection in advanced pancreatic carcinoma lengthens the survival time of the patients, but this is paid for significantly higher complications than bypass.     

GABAergic Interneurons at Supraspinal and Spinal Levels Differentially Modulate the Antinociceptive Effect of Nitrous Oxide in Fischer Rats

Background: The study hypothesizes that nitrous oxide (N2O) releases opioid peptide in the brain stem, which results in inhibition of [gamma]-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) neurons that tonically inhibit the descending noradrenergic inhibitory neurons (DNIN), resulting in activation of DNIN. In the spinal cord, activation of DNIN leads to the release of norepinephrine, which inhibits nociceptive processing through direct activation of [alpha]2 adrenoceptor and indirect activation of GABAergic neurons through [alpha]1 adrenoceptor. Arising from this hypothesis, it follows that GABAergic neurons will modulate the antinociceptive effect of N2O in diametrically opposite directions at supraspinal and spinal levels. The authors have tested this tenet and further examined the effect of midazolam, a GABA-mimetic agent, on N2O-induced antinociceptive effect.

Methods: Adult male Fischer rats were administered muscimol (GABAA receptor agonist) intracerebroventricularly (icv), gabazine (GABAA receptor antagonist) intrathecally (intrathecal), or midazolam intraperitoneally (intraperitoneal). Fifteen minutes later, they were exposed to air or 75% N2O and were subjected to the plantar test after 30 min of gas exposure. In some animals administered with midazolam, gas exposure was continued for 90 min, and the brain and spinal cord were examined immunohistochemically.

Results: The N2O-induced antinociceptive effect, which was attenuated by icv muscimol, intrathecal gabazine, and intraperitoneal midazolam. Midazolam inhibited N2O-induced c-Fos expression (a marker of neuronal activation) in the pontine A7 and spinal cord.     

STYLOID PROCESS SYNDROME LENGTFI AND PALPATION OF THE STYLOLD PROCESS

In 1980, 267 patients with related symp- toms were examined by tomography in our hos- pital. Among them the styloid process (SP) of 128 cases were 30 mm or more in length. Pha- ryngeal palpation was performed in 98. The SPs of 61 patients were palpable and tender. Diagno- sis was based on the related symptoms, tomogra- phy, positive pharyngeal palpation and SP tender- ness. Tomography showed that the longest SP was 75 mm, while the longest one with symptoms was 65 mm. The medial angulations of the SPs were from 100 t0 27° and the anterior angulations from 300 t0 50°.     

ULTRASTRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION OF EXPERIMENTAL FRACTURE HEALING ROLE OF OSTEOGENESIS PLAYED BY FIBROBLASTS

Transmission electron microscopic investigation of standardized fractures of radii in 50 rabbits re vealed that fibroblasts took part in the formation of bony callus. The osteogenetic role played by the fibroblasts can be categorized into the following 5 aspects: a. Fibroblasts synthesize and secrete Type collagen fibrils and induce deposition of calcium salt crystals in the collagen fibrils. b. Fibroblasts produce matrix vesicles in their surroundings. These matrix vesicles become calcified and turn into floccu- lent calcospherules which coalesce and fuse into bone tissues. c. Fibroblasts harbor calcium granules in their mitochondria, thus providing calcium for calci- fication of the intercellular matrix and bone forma tion between the cells. d. Fibroblasts can transform directly into osteocytes; there is bone formation around the fibroblasts, the bone tissues surround the fibroblast in the form of bony lacuna, then the fibro- blast in the lacuna transforms into osteocyte. e. Fibroblasts can undergo degenerative changes leading to decease and replacement by bone tissues.     

EXPRESSION OF C-MYC AND N-RAS ONCOGENES IN HUMANHEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND PANCREATIC ADENOCARCINOMA A BIOCHEMICAL ANDIMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY

WiLh RNA-DNA dot blot technique, the expression of c-myc and N-ras oncogenes in human hepato cellular carcinoma was found to be higher than in tie non-cancerous liver tissue adjacent to the carci noma (p<0.01). The expression of both oncogenes was high in the fetal liver and gradually decreased with age during development, indicating a probable co-operation of c-myc and N-ras. Immunocytochemi- cal analysis showed changes in protein products of c-myc hepatocellular carcinoma and its nan cancerous tissue were similar to those in mRNA expression. The same was true for the fetal liver during its development. A comparable study was also made on the ex pression of c-myc and N-ras oncogenes in limited samples of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma and its noncancerous tissue. The results are inconclu sive, and further studies are needed.     

Ultrastructural Observations of The Anterior Chamber Angle Tissues in Congenital Glaucoma

Eighteen trabeculectomy specimens of congenital glaucoma were examined by light and transimssion electron microscopy. The results showed that the primary anomalies in congenital glaucoma included the developmental defects of trabecular meshwork, excessive collagen fibrils in the trabecular matrix, shifting forward of ciliary muscle fibres and persistent mesenchymal tissues in the anterior-chamber angle. The authors also pointed out the importance of the secondary lesions of the trabecular meshwork in the pathogenesis of congenital glaucoma. Eye Science 1994; 10:50-56.