Hypocholesterolaemic mechanism of bitter melon aqueous extracts via inhibition of pancreatic cholesterol esterase and reduction of cholesterol micellar solubility

This study investigated the hypocholesterolaemic effects of bitter melon aqueous extracts (BMAE) in vitro, the inhibitory effects of BMAE on pancreatic cholesterol esterase (CEase) and incorporation of cholesterol into micelles were investigated. BMAE decreased the in vitro micellar solubility of cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. The conformation of CEase was investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence. The result revealed the decrease of α-helix contents, increase of β-sheet and exposure of aromatic amino acid residuals. The incorporation of cholesterol into micelles was inhibited by BMAE. A complex was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which indicated interaction between cholesterol and BMAE. The result revealed that BMAE can play a role in decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption via inhibition of CEase, and of micelle formation.     

刺五加水提物对人精子体外运动活力的影响

目的研究刺五加水提物对正常男性精子体外运动活力的影响，探讨其可能的作用机制。方法将20例正常男性的精子通过上游优化法处理后，一组精子加入10 mg·mL^-1的刺五加水提物，另一组加入等量的Ham’s F10培养液作对照。应用计算机辅助的精子分析系统，分别测定孵育0.5，1，2，3，4，5 h后人精子各运动参数。结果随着时间的延长，加入Ham’s F10培养液的精子活动能力有不同程度的下降；加入10 mg·mL^-1的刺五加水提物后，不同时段精子的运动能力均较对照组明显提高，精子存活率、前向运动精子百分率、曲线运动速度、直线运动速度和平均路径速度与对照组比较，均明显改善(均P＜0.05)。 结论刺五加水提物能明显提高正常男性精子的体外存活率和运动能力。     

Poor association between allergen-specific serum immunoglobulin E levels, skin sensitivity and basophil degranulation: a study with recombinant birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and an immunoglobulin E detection system measuring immunoglobulin E capable of binding to FcɛRI

BACKGROUND: Results from several studies indicate that the magnitude of immediate symptoms of type I allergy caused by allergen-induced cross-linking of high-affinity Fc epsilon receptors on effector cells (mast cells and basophils) is not always associated with allergen-specific IgE levels. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of results from intradermal skin testing, basophil histamine release and allergen-specific IgE, IgG1-4, IgA and IgM antibody levels in a clinical study performed in birch pollen-allergic patients (n = 18). METHODS: rBet v 1-specific IgEs were measured by quantitative CAP measurements and by using purified Fc epsilon RI-derived alpha-chain to quantify IgE capable of binding to effector cells. Bet v 1-specific IgG subclasses, IgA and IgM levels were measured by ELISA, and basophil histamine release was determined in whole blood samples. Intradermal skin testing was performed with the end-point titration method. RESULTS: Our study demonstrates on the molecular level that the concentrations of allergen-specific IgE antibodies capable of binding to Fc epsilon RI and biological sensitivities are not necessarily associated. A moderate association was found between cutaneous and basophil sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the quantitative discrepancies and limitations of the present diagnostic tools in allergy, even when using a single allergenic molecule. The quantity of allergen-specific serum IgE is only one component of far more complex cellular systems (i.e. basophil-based tests, skin tests) used as indirect diagnostic tests for IgE-mediated allergic sensitivity.     

Sensitization to Zygophyllum fabago pollen. A clinical and immunologic study

Zygophyllum fahago is a herbaceous plant found widely in the Mediterranean area. There are no previous reports of its allergenicity. An aerobiologic and clinical survey was conducted in Murcia, southern Spain, to determine the quantity of airborne pollen and establish the possible role of this pollen as a cause of allergic symptoms. With a Hirst volumetric trap, we determined the atmospheric concentrations of this pollen in 1993, 1994,1995, and 1996. Of 1180 patients tested, 181 (15,34%) had a positive skin test. To determine its allergenicity, we divided 47 patients into three groups: in group 1, all the patients had symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis plus asthma; in groups 2 and 3, rhinoconjunctivitis. In group 1, we performed a bronchial provocation test (BPT): in groups 2 and 3, we performed nasal provocation (NPT) and conjunctival provocation (CPT) tests, respectively, SDS-PAGE was used to characterize the antigenic fractions and RAST inhibition to determine cross-reactivity with other pollens. The pollen dispersion period is from May to September (445 grains/m³), BPT was positive in 13 of 15 patients, NPT in 14 of 16 patients, and CPT in 13 of 16 patients. RAST inhibition revealed cross-reactivity with Mercurialis, Ricinus, Olea. and Betula. SDS-PAGE identified 25 IgE antibody-binding components, five of which (60, 65, 41, 38, and 15.5/14,7 kDa) were recognized by 40% of the sera. By SDS-PAGE immunoblotting with sunflower antiprofilin rabbit serum and affinity chromatography we established that the Z. fahago extract has profilin. This study shows that this pollen becomes airborne and elicits an IgE response which triggers respiratory symptoms in allergic subjects.     

蜂胶提取物对小鼠胸腺肽合成的影响

目的：研究蜂胶乙醇提取物黄酮（EEP）对小白鼠衰老过程中胸腺肽合成量的影响。方法：垂直板电泳法。结果：EEP可增加小鼠胸腺肽的合成量。结论：EEP可增强小鼠的免疫力。具有抗衰老作用。     

复方葡萄籽提取物对乙醇及四氯化碳肝损伤的影响

目的：探讨复方葡萄籽提取物（GSE）对化学性肝损伤的预防和治疗作用。方法：用小鼠建造四氯化碳肝损伤和乙醇肝损伤模型，观察乙醇灌胃前预先给予复方GSE及乙醇或四氯化碳灌胃后再给予复方GSE后小鼠血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT），肝细胞超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷光甘肽（GSH）、丙二醛（MDA）。结果：预先给予GSE可增强SOD活性，防止乙醇导致的肝GSH减少，有效降低小鼠血清ALT和肝细胞MDA上升程度，在乙醇或四氯化碳灌胃后再给予复方GSE，也可降低小鼠血清中ALT和肝细胞脂质过氧化产物。结论：复方GSE对乙醇肝损伤有预防和治疗作用。对四氯化碳肝损伤也有一定治疗作用。     

Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses

This study attempts to demonstrate the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from grass, and to develop a patch test series to screen patients with grass intolerance. 6 common grass species from lawns and military training areas were collected. Solvent extracts of polar. non-polar and volatile fractions were prepared and used for patch testing in 20 control subjects and 46 patients with a history of grass intolerance. The 20 control had negative responses to patch testing. 5 out of 46 patients had positive patch tests to Axonopus compressus (carpet grass). Ischaenmum muticum (sea-shore centipede grass). Imperata evlindrica (lalang). Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass). Reactions to the non-polar fraction for all 5 species were noted. This study demonstrates the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from various common species of grass. In our series, this is seen in 11% of those with a history of grass intolerance.     

Distinguishment of A 42 Capsomere Structure of Icosohedral Virion from A 32 One by Electron Microsco

ＤｉｓｔｉｎｇｕｉｓｈｍｅｎｔｏｆＡ４２ＣａｐｓｏｍｅｒｅＳｔｒｕｃｔｕｒｅｏｆＩｃｏｓｏｈｅｄｒａｌＶｉｒｉｏｎｆｒｏｍＡ３２ＯｎｅｂｙＥｌｅｃｔｒｏｎＭｉｃｒｏｓｃｏｐｅＣｎｅｎＢｉｎｇｙｉｎｇ（陈丙莺）；ＺｈｏｕＴｏｎｇ（周）（Ｄｅｐａｒｔｍｅ...     

苹果提取物抗辐射效应的研究

目的 :　研究苹果提取物的组成成分及其抗辐射效应。方法 :　利用分光光度法及HPLC法分析苹果提取物中酚类物质 ,并采用灌胃方式给予实验小鼠 ,连续灌胃 30 d后接受 7Gy60 Co-γ射线一次性辐照 ,照射后一半动物取血进行白细胞计数 ,另一半动物观察平均存活时间和 30d存活率。结果 :　 (1 )苹果提取物中主要的酚类成分为原花青素低聚体 ,儿茶素单体 ,酚酸 ,黄酮等酚类物质。 (2 )灌胃高剂量苹果提取物 30 d的小鼠经 7Gy一次性辐射后 ,第 7d小鼠白细胞数量比辐射对照组提高了 1 1 2 % (P<0 .0 1 ) ,第 1 4 d小鼠白细胞数量提高了 52 % (P<0 .0 5) ;且苹果提取物高剂量组小鼠的 30 d存活率明显高于辐射对照组 (P<0 .0 5)。 (3)服用中、高剂量的小鼠比辐射对照组平均存活天数分别提高了 72 % (P<0 .0 1 )和 69% (P<0 .0 1 )。结论 :　苹果提取物对 7Gy剂量一次性照射具有拮抗作用。其主要成分可能为原花青素低聚体 ,儿茶素等酚类物质。