Research progress in the use of leeches for medical purposes

Leeches are invertebrates that have a long history of application in the development of human medicine in both the East and the West.This paper comprehensively analyzes and evaluates current research and the latest progress with regard to the application of leeches,their medical value,and their application prospects from various perspectives,so as to provide a reference for new viewpoints and directions for research on leeches.Modern research has revealed that leeches contain various bioactive components,which have pharmacological effects such as anticoagulation,antithrombosis,blood viscosity reduction,and anti-atherosclerosis.Leech therapy is an important treatment approach for venous congestion after microsurgery and is also an effective adjuvant treatment for diabetic feet,chronic pain,and tumors.Therefore,leeches are of importance for the research and development of new drugs,the restoration of blood supply after surgery,and the adjuvant treatment of diseases accompanied by blood blocking.In addition,leeches can also be used as model organisms for research in evolutionary biology and invertebrate neurophysiology as well as in neurophysiological,behavioral,and functional studies.

Chloride channels in vascular function and disease

Vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） are the major component of vascular wall which are often stretched and compressed by pounding intravascular pressure.These mechanical signals are usually transformed to electrical signals by the opening or closing of ion channels in VSNCs and endothelial cells.Intravascular pressure causes a graded membrane potential depolarization of the VSMCs and leads to vasoconstriction（i.e.,myogenic response）,independent of the vascular endothelium. Although the important role of cation channels including L-type Ca2+ channels,K+ channels,and TRP channels in the regulation of vascular tone has been well established the functional roles played by Cl- channels in the regulation of the membrane potential and vascular tone remain essentially obscure. Recent emerging evidence implicates very important roles of Cl- channels in vascular function ranging from the control of membrane potential equilibrium, vascular contraction and relaxation to the regulation of intracellular pH,cell volume homeostasis,cell proliferation,migration,and apoptosis.

Neuroprotective effect of ethyl acetate extract from gastrodia elata against transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of neuroprotection against transient focal cerebral ischemia of the extract from Tianma(Rhizoma Gastrodiae) and the possible mechanisms underlying the action.METHODS: Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced through middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated,ischemia-reperfusion model, 102.6 mg/kg extract treated and 11.4 mg/kg extract treated groups. The extract was prepared from gastrodia elata with ethyl acetate. The effect of the extract tested on rat neurological de fi cits and Cerebral index, cerebral infarct volume, brain injury, terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) positive cells.RESULTS: The extract was able to reduce neurological scores, cerebral index and cerebral infarction rate. The brain injury was also relieved by the extract. The results of immunofluorescence staining analysis indicated that the extract increased the expression of Bcl-2 and reduced TUNEL-positive cells significantly in the extract treated groups.CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the extract relieved ischemic injury induced by transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, and this neuroprotective effect might be partially due to the attenuated apoptosis pathway.

Clinical observation of serum IL-18,IL-10 and sIL-2R levels in patients with chronic hepatitis Cpre-and post antiviral treatment

To discuss the roles of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and soluble interleukin-2R (sIL-2R) in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and to observe the effects of interferon (IFN) on the above- mentioned serum cytokines Methods The levels of above- mentioned cytokines were detected in 10 healthy individuals, 24 asymptomatic hepatitis virus C (HCV) carriers and 27 patients with chronic hepatitis C ( before and after IFN treatment) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Results The levels of the cytokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C are higher than in healthy people (P<0 05) and in asymptomatic HCV carriers(P<0 05) The values of the cytokines show a significant positive correlation to ALT (P<0 05) Levels of tested cytokines decreased observably after IFN treatment (P<0 05) The grades of the serum levels for sIL-2R and IL-10 before IFN treatment (from high to low) were categorized accordingly: non-response group> partial- response group >complete- response group (P<0 05) Conclusions The tested cytokines co-participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, and can be used to evaluate the effect of IFN on the immune state of organisms Furthermore, sIL-2R and IL-10 are important for predicting the anti-viral efficacy of IFN

In Silico Investigation of pH-Dependence of Prolactin and Human Growth Hormone Binding to Human Prolactin Receptor

Experimental data shows that the binding of human prolactin(hPRL)to human prolactin receptor(hPRLr-ECD)is strongly pH-dependent,while the binding of the same receptor to human growth hormone(hGH)is pH-independent.Here we carry in silico analysis of the molecular effects causing such a difference and reveal the role of individual amino acids.It is shown that the computational modeling correctly predicts experimentally determined pKa’s of histidine residues in an unbound state in the majority of the cases and the pH-dependence of the binding free energy.Structural analysis carried in conjunction with calculated pH-dependence of the binding revealed that the main reason for pH-dependence of the binding of hPRL-hPRLr-ECD is a number of salt-bridges across the interface of the complex,while no salt-bridges are formed in the hGH-hPRlr-ECD.Specifically,most of the salt-bridges involve histidine residues and this is the reason for the pH-dependence across a physiological range of pH.The analysis not only revealed the molecular mechanism of the pH-dependence of the hPRL-hPRLr-ECD,but also provided critical insight into the underlying physicchemical mechanism.

Cloning,expression,and immunological characterization of two novel profilins from Artemisia annua

The incidence of allergic disease has increased rapidly in recent decades in both developed and developing countries.[1]In China,pollen of Artemisia is one of the most important outdoor allergen as reported by the first national pollen survey across all provinces.[2]Artemisia pollen has been found to be an important cause of seasonal asthma.[3]Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia annua are the most important Artemisia species in China.A.vulgaris mainly grows in western regions,while A.annua is abundant in the densely populated northern and eastern regions.[4]Immunoglobulin E(IgE)antibodies play a key role in allergy diseases.They are synthesized and released by B cells and bind to high-affinity IgE receptors on mast cells or basophils.[5]Once the patients are exposed to corresponding allergens,the effector cells will be triggered and then release its mediator,leading to an allergic inflammation.