Detection of maternal serum thromboxane B2 in different durations of pregnancy and prediction of preeclampsia

This study was aimed to detect maternal serum levels of thromboxane B2(TXB2)in different durations of pregnancy and explore the predictive value of TXB2 for preeclampsia.By employing a prospective and double-blind study method,180 pregnant women with previously normal blood pressures during their progestation were included in the study.Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained during 10+0–14+6(period I),20+0–24+6(period II)and 30+0–34+6(period III)weeks of gestation.Maternal serum levels of TXB2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay.The pathogenetic condition and pregnancy outcomes of these cases were observed.(1)Among the 180 previously normotensive women,ten developed preeclampsia(case group;four severe and six mild preeclampsia).One hundred and seventy remained normal till the end of pregnancy(control group).(2)With development of pregnancy,the levels of maternal serum TXB2 in the 180 cases gradually ascended as seen through the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test.There was a statistical significance in maternal TXB2 levels between two different gestational stages(P<0.01).(3)The levels of maternal serum TXB2 were slightly higher in the case group than in the control group during period I of gestation,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05);the levels of TXB2 were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group during periods II and III of gestation(both P<0.05).(3)The best cutoff points of maternal TXB2 were 3750 and 4400 ng/mL during periods II and III of gestation by receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve;and the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and odds radio of TXB2 in predicting preeclampsia were 80%,69.5%,13.3%,98.33%,9.11 and 90%,68.82%,13.84%,99.13,19.86,respectively.Higher levels of maternal serum TXB2 were detected a long time before clinical symptoms appeared.The maternal serum TXB2 after 20 weeks of gestation had predictive value,and the index after 30 weeks was superior to that prior to 30 weeks.

Effects of extract F of red-rooted Salvia on mucosal lesions of gastric corpus and antrum induced by hemorrhagic shock-reperfusion in rats

AIM: To compare the effects of extract F of red-rooted Salvia (EFRRS) on mucosal lesions of gastric corpus and antrum induced by hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion in rats. METHODS: The rats were subject to hemorrhagic shock and followed by reperfusion, and were divided randomly into two groups. Group 1 received saline, and group 2 received EFRRS intravenously. The index of gastric mucosal lesions (IGML) was expressed as the percentage of lesional area in the corpus or antrum. The degree of gastric mucosal lesions (DGML) was catalogued grade 0,1,2 and 3. The concentrations of prostaglandins (PGs) were measured by radioimmunoassay. The concentration of MDA was measured according to the procedures of Asakawa. The activity of SOD was measured by the biochemical way. The growth rates or inhibitory rates of above-mentioned parameters were calculated. RESULTS: As compared with IGML (%), grade 3 damage (%) and MDA content (nmol/g tissue) of gastric antrum which were respectively 7.96 +/- 0.59, 34.86 +/- 4.96 and 156.98 +/- 16.12, those of gastric corpus which were respectively 23.18 +/- 6.82, 58.44 +/- 9.07 and 230.56 +/- 19.37 increased markedly (P 【0.01), whereas the grade 0 damage, grade 1 damage, the concentrations of PGE(2) and PGI(2)(pg/mg tissue), the ratio of PGI(2)/TXA(2) and the activity of SOD (U/g tissue) of corpus which were respectively 3.01 +/- 1.01, 8.35 +/- 1.95, 540.48 +/- 182.78, 714.38 +/- 123.74, 17.38 +/- 5.93 and 134.29 +/- 13.35 were markedly lower than those of antrum which were respectively 13.92 +/- 2.25, 26.78 +/- 6.06, 2218.56 +/- 433.12, 2531.76 +/- 492.35, 43.46 +/- 8.51 and 187.45 +/- 17.67 (P【0.01) after hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion.After intravenous EFRRS, the growth rates (%) of grade 0 damage, grade 1 damage, the concentrations of PGE(2) and PGI(2), the ratio of PGI(2)/TXA(2) and the activity of SOD of corpus which were respectively 632.56, 308.62, 40.75, 74.75, 92.29 and 122.25 were higher than those in antrum which were respectively 104.89, 58.40, 11.12, 56.58, 30.65 and 82.64, whereas the inhibitory rates (%) of IGML, grade 3 damage and MDA content of gastric corpus were 82.93, 65.32 and 59.09, being higher than those of gastric antrum which were 76.64, 53.18 and 42.37. CONCLUSION: After hemorrhagic shock reperfusion, the gastric mucosal lesions in the corpus were more severe than those in the antrum, which were related not only to the different distribution of endogenous PGs in the mucosa, but also to the different ability of anti-oxidation of the mucosa. The protective effect of EFRRS on the gastric mucosa in the corpus was more evident than that in the antrum, which was related to higher growth degree of PGs contents and anti-oxitative ability in gastric corpus after administration of EFRRS.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and its pathogenic effects in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective：To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and its pathological effect in the experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver of rats, and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods：The rat NAFLD model was established by giving a fat-enriched diet. The blood samples were obtained form abdominal aorta and the levels of serum ALT, AST and IL-1, changes in the hepatic tissue 6-k-PGF1 α TXB2 were measured. The expression level of COX-2 in rats livers were assayed by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Westernblot. Results： Light microscope analysis revealed that hepatocytes were injured in the model group and slightly in the treatment group. The levels of serum TXB2 and IL-1 in the fatty liver rats were increased. Compared with the model group, the IL-1 and TXB2 increased significantly（P〈 0.05）, on the contrary, compared with the normal group, the hepatic tissue 6-Keto-prostagland decreased significantly in the model group（P 〈 0.05）, the treatment group also increased but P 〉 0.05. There was no positive expression of COX-2 in hepatic tissue of normal rats. In the model group, there was positive expression of COX-2 antigen and the number of COX positive cells progressively increased at 4, 8, 12 wks. The intensity of expression of COX-2 had significantly increased（P 〈 0.05 ） and the intensity of COX-2 expression in the treated group decreased remarkably compared with the model group（P 〈 0.05）. The expression of COX-2 mRNA and the level of COX-2 protein were significantly stronger in the liver of model rats compared with normal rats, and significantly weaker in treated rats, than in 8W and 12W model rats（P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion：The increase of COX-2 expression in NAFLD is closely associated with the severity of liver inflammation and damage. COX-2 may play an important role in the progression of rat NAFLD, and the expression of COX-2 mRNA is downregulated by cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, which can depress the oxidative stress and control inflammatory response efficiently.

Effects of Berberine on TXB 2 and 6 Keto PGF 1α Plasma Levels in Rabbits with Uncomplete Cerebral Ischemia

Effects of berberine (Ber) on platelet aggregation and TXB2 and 6 keto PGF1a plasma levels were studied in rabbits with uncomplete cerebral ischemia. Ber inhibited uncomplete cerebral ischemic rabbit platelet aggregation triggered by collagen, ADP, and arachidonic acid (AA) with the IC 50 of 0.15, 0.46, and 0.51 mg·ml 1 , respectively. In rabbits, Ber 25, or 50 mg·kg 1 iv 30 min after uncomplete cerebral ischemia, restrained the collagen ADP and AA induced platelet aggregation determined 90 min later. With radioimmunoassay, we measured the thromboxane B2 (TXB 2) and 6 ketoprostaglandin F 1α (6 keto PGF 1α ) contents in rabbit plasma. The results indicated that the TXB 2 level in rabbit 120 min after uncomplete cerebral ischemia (921±539 pg·ml 1 ) was higher than that (230±71 pg·ml 1 ) in normal rabbits ( P < 0.01), but 6 keto PGF 1α level after ischemia (73±23pg·ml 1 ) was lower than that (262±988pg·ml 1 ) in normal rabbit. Ber (5, 25 or 50 mg·kg 1 ) reduced obviously the plasma TXB 2 level in rabbit with uncomplete cerebral ischemia (504±196, 386±174, or 272±183 vs 921±539 pg·ml 1 , respectively, P < 0.01). We conclude that the decrease of TXB 2 content is one of the possible mechanisms of Ber anti cerebral ischemic effect.

ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATED BY THE METHOD OF RESOLVING BLOOD STASIS TO ELIMINATE OBSTRUCTION IN THE LOWER-JIAO

48 cases of endometriosis were treated with the Neiyi (ectopic endometrium) No. 2 Pills [symbol: see text] 2 [symbol: see text]) composed of fresh Dahuang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei), Biejia (Carapax Trionycis) and Taoren Shuang (powdered Semen Persicae). After 3 months of treatment, high effective rates were obtained in menorrhalgia, dyspareunia, proctalgia, hysteromyoma, ovary cyst, and tubercles in the pelvic cavity, with a pregnant rate of as high as 26.7% in sterility. Meanwhile, the levels of plasma PGF2 alpha and PGE2 markedly dropped, while that of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, beta-EP, and HYP significantly elevated.

Inhibitory Effect of β-Elemene Emulsion on Platelet Aggregation and its Mechanism

为阐明β榄香烯的抗血小板作用，本文分别采用比浊法和放免法测定大鼠连续ｉｐ７ｄβ榄香烯乳６．２５～１２．５ｍｇ·ｋｇ－１·ｄ－１后对血小板聚集、血浆ｋｅｔｏＰＧＦ１α和ＴＸＢ２水平的影响。结果表明，本品分别使凝血酶、花生四烯酸和ＡＤＰ诱导血小板最大聚集率下降３８．３％～４２．６％，１４．７％～１９．１％和７．２％～１０．８％，血浆ＴＸＢ２从８８ｎｇ·Ｌ－１下降至７２ｎｇ·Ｌ－１，ｋｅｔｏＰＧＦ１α从１７．５ｎｇ·Ｌ－１增加至２０．９ｎｇ·Ｌ－１。提示ＴＸＢ２降低和ｋｅｔｏＰＧＦ１α值增加是其抑制血小板聚集的作用机制之一。

Mechanism Underlying Protective Effect of Danbiqing Granule on Experimental Acute Bacterial Cholangitis in Rabbits

Aim To study the mechanism of protective effects of Danbiqing granule (DBQ) on experimental acute bacterial cholangitis in rabbits. Methods The acute bacterial cholangitis was induced by injecting 1 mL of 1×10 8 cfu·mL -1 Escherchia coli suspension into common bile duit. The serum nitrous oxide (NO) levels were measured using nitric acid reductase kit. Phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2) activity was assayed by a method of acid titration (microassay). Serum tumor necrcsis factor α(TNF α), inferleukin 6 (IL 6) and plasma thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2), 6 keto platelet growth factor 1 (PGF 1α ) were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results Compared with control group, serum NO, PLA 2, TNF α, IL 6 and plasma TXB 2 levels increased significantly in model group ( P <0.01) while those of DBQ groups decreased significantly( P <0 01). Conclusion DBQ dramatically inhibits the overproduction of pro inflammatory factor PLA 2 and inflammatory cytokine. Hence, the mechanism of DBQ underlying anti inflammatory and protective effect against acute bacterial cholangitis in rabbits has been revealed.

Effect of pretreatment with aspirin and ticlopidine on the change of platelet aggregability after radiofrequency catheter ablation

Eighty-two patients with supraventricular tachycardia undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were studied to observe the inhibition effect of aspirin and ticlopidine on platelet aggregability (PAG) and thromboxane B 2(TXB 2) of the blood samples. Patients were divided into aspirin group A, ticlopidine group B, aspirin+ticlopidine group C and control group D. PAG and TXB 2 were increased clearly after RFCA in all groups (P<0.001). Treatment with aspirin or ticlopidine before operation could reduce the platelet aggregability caused by RFCA and the joint effect of two drugs(change rate of group A:52.51±12.51%; group B:54.78±11.27%;group C: 30.51±10.59%;group D:91.75±21.43%; P<0.05)was studied. The much decreased platelet aggregability after antiplatelet therapy was evidence of the potential benefit of the treatment in preventing thromboembolism after ablation. Pretreatment with aspirin and ticlopidine together is a good way to decrease palatelet aggregability after RFCA.

Influence of acupoint-injection on TXB_2 and 6-keto-PGF_(1a) in patients with pseudobulbar palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Objective： To prove the feasibility and validity of Xing Nao Jing acupoint-injection （XNJ-AI） at Fengchi （GB 20） for pseudobulbar palsy caused by ischemic stroke （PBP-IS）. Methods： An assessor-blinded, two-parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted, and the patients with PBP-IS were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the control group received oral aspirin （100 mg per day for 2 weeks）. In addition to oral aspirin; patients in the treatment group received XNJ-AI at Fengchi （GB 20）, once a day, for two weeks. The primary outcome was assessed by the water-swallowing test （WST）. Thromboxane B2 （TXB2） and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α （6-keto-PGF1α） in plasma were measured before and after the treatment. Results： In the treatment group, the percentage of swallowing function no less than grade 3 before and after the treatment was 32% and 88%, respectively; in the control group, it was 28% and 76% before and after the treatment, respectively; the difference after the treatment between the two groups was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. There were statistical differences between pre- and post-treatment levels of plasma TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α in the two groups （both P〈0.05）. After the treatment, there were significant differences in the levels of plasma TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α between the two groups （both P〈0.05）. Conclusion： XNJ-AI at Fengchi （GB 20） can improve the patients＇ swallowing function and balance the levels of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α in plasma.

The Resrch on the PreventiOn and Treetment of Bronchial Asthma by Chuanxiong Antiasthma Mixture

Chuanxiong Antiasthma Mixture is a prescription for bronchial asthma which we have adoptedin the clinic for many years. The results of the animal experiment showed that it lias the function of relaxing ,the isolated bronchial smooth muscle spasm of the animal, lowering the experimented animal's asthma inci-dence and mortality. On the basis ot these results, we have expanded our clinical observation samples set-ting up the Chuanxiong antiasthma group : 100 cases and the control group : 50 cases. The results showed thatthe mixtore can apparently increase the ratio of 1 second forcoful expiration volume/ forceful vital capacity(FEV1%) and redce the value of thromboxane B2. The total effective rate is 92 % which is obviously superi-or than the control group (P<0. 05) . It suggests that the mixture has the antagonistic effect toward the syn-thesis and release of thromboxane B2. Also it has the fonction of relaxing the smcoth muscle and improve thepulmonary fonction.

Clinical Observation on Treatment of Pediatric Intractable Nephropathy with Modified Taohong Siwu Decoction(桃红四物汤)

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Modified Taohong Siwu Decoction (MTSD) in treating pediatric intractable nephropathy (PIN). Methods: Ninety-five patients with PIN were divided into 2 groups at random. The 60 patients in the treated group were treated with MTSD and the 35 patients in the control group were treated with heparin. The clinical therapeutic effect and levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostacyclin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) before and after treatment were observed. Results: The total effective rate in the treated group was 81.7%, which was similar to that in the control group (80.0%, P>0.05). The levels of TXB2 and TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α ratio were higher in both groups of the patients as compared with those of the healthy control (P<0.01). After treatment, the two criteria were significantly improved in the two treated groups, as compared with those before treatment, the difference was significant (P<0.01), while in comparison between the MTSD treated group and the control group, no significant difference was found (P>0.05). Conclusion: MTSD has good effect in treating PIN, it could improve the metabolic unbalance of thromboxane and prostacyclin.