Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Wei Jia.
Two new sesquiterpene alkaloids, 1beta-hydroxy-2beta,5alpha,11-triacetoxy-7beta-nicotinoyl-8beta-benzoyl-dihydroagarofuran, and 1beta,5alpha,11-triacetoxy-7beta-nicotinoyl-8beta-benzoyl-dihydroagarofuran were isolated from the xylem of Tripterygium wilfordii, together with six known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic studies.
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we examined the expression of CD226 on megakaryocytic, granulocytic and erythroid lineage from hematopoietic stem cells/progenitor cells in adult and fetus and its potential role in megakaryocytic maturation. METHODS: CD34(+) cells from adult and fetus were induced to differentiate toward the megakaryocytic lineage by thrombopoietin (TPO) and the granulocytic lineage by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), respectively. Mononuclear cells from fetal liver and CD34(+) cells from adult were induced to differentiate toward erythroid-lineage by erythropoiesis (EPO). We investigated the expression of CD226 and lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) (CD11a) during hemopoiesis. We also studied the effect of CD226 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and LFA-1 MoAb on megakaryocyte with antibody cross-liking technique. RESULTS: CD34(+) cells from adult and fetus and TPO-induced CD41(+) cells all expressed CD226 molecule. CD226 was not expressed on erythroid progenitor cells and erythroblasts and most cells of granulocytic lineage although G-CSF induced a significant increase of the expression of CD226 on CD34(+) cells in early period of time. CD226 MoAb acts on megakaryocytes by inducing intracellular calcium mobilization. The expression of LFA-1 decreased significantly at late stage of differentiation and maturation of fetal megakaryocytes whereas the expression of LFA-1 on adult megakaryocytes retained at a high level. CD226 MoAb in combination with LFA-1 MoAb shifted the ploidy of generated megakaryocytes from adult-derived CD34(+) cells to higher classes significantly although CD226 and LFA-1 MoAb slightly increased the ploidy of the generated megakaryocytes individually. CD226 MoAb or LFA-1 MoAb or CD226 MoAb plus LFA-1 MoAbs did not increase the ploidy of the generated megakaryocytes from fetus-derived CD34(+) cells. CONCLUSION: CD226 molecules play an important role in maturation of the megakaryocytes in combination with LFA-1.
AIM: To investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) and cell membrane microdomain lipid rafts. METHODS: The expression of TRAIL on K562 cells was detected by indirect immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. The lipid rafts on K562 cells were detected with FITC-labeled cholera toxin B subunit (CTx-FITC) which bound to the GM1 glycosphingolipid in lipid rafts. The lipid rafts were then cross-linked with an anti-FITC mAb after binding with CTx-FITC. The localization of TRAIL on K562 cells was analyzed with rabbit anti-TRAIL antibody, Cy3-labeled goat-anti-rabbit IgG (Cy3-labeled GAR) and laser scanning confocal microscope. RESULTS: The cross-linking of lipid rafts appeared at 20 minutes, reached peak at 30 minutes, and weakened around 40 minutes. After the cells were labeled with CTx-FITC and anti-FITC mAb TRAIL was aggregated in the cross-linked lipid rafts. CONCLUSION: The anti-FITC mAb could be used for cross-linking of lipid rafts. TRAIL can be recruited to lipid rafts.
This paper reviewed the phytochemical and pharmacological research progress in Leontopodium medicinal plants, including the resource distribution, the chemical constitutes, the pharmacological activities and clinical application. The review has provided some information for the study and development of Leontopodium medicinal plants in future.
OBJECTIVE: To test the dissolution rate of silymarin dropping pill as well as to be compared with other three commercial products of the silymarin. METHOD: By UV spectrophotometry, we studied the dissolution conditions of silymarin dropping pill and compared its dissolution rate with Yiganling tablets (film-coating, sugar-coating) and Legalon capsule which are available in the market. RESULT: The dissolution parameters T50 and Td of silymarin dropping pill, Yiganling tablet (film-coating), Yiganling tablet (sugar-coating) and Legalon capsule are 6.78, 9.85 min, 51.01, 73.78 min, 74.35, 86.97 min and 53.10, 72.65 min. CONCLUSION: The dissolution rate of silymarin dropping pill is superior to that of two kinds of Yiganling tablets and Legalon capsule.
This paper reviewed the advances on effective constituents and biological activities of coumarins in recent ten years. Coumarins are a group of important natural compounds, and have been found to have multi-biological activities such as anti-HIV, anti-tumor, anti-hypertension, anti-arrhythmia, anti-osteoporosis, assuaging pain, preventing asthma and antisepsis. Therefore, further investigation should emphasize on improving techniques for extraction and separation, searching the effective precursory compound, and synthesizing and screening out courmarin derivatives with high activity and low toxicity.
This review presents some recent discoveries of ancient Chinese herbal formulas evolved through thousands of years of clinical practice. It appears that many of the ancient combination formulas have sound scientific basis through modern pharmacological evaluation. Significant chemical changes occurred during the preparation (decoction) process of a prescribed herbal formula. For example, some toxic ingredients were significantly reduced and new active compounds generated due to the chemical interactions among the ingredients. Many combination formulas showed significantly better pharmacological results than individual herbal medicines participated in the formula. These findings suggest that the current drug screening and regulatory methodology will not be appropriate for the development of a botanical drug containing a group of phytochemicals, in which a synergistic interaction from chemical ingredients plays a fundamental role in the treatment of disease. If we view a diseased state in a holistic and dynamic way, i.e. it involves interactions among many biological systems in human body and these interactions change as the disease improves or worsens, the treatment of such disease with a single chemical entity may not be logical or technically feasible. Combination formulas may hold the potential to become the therapeutics of choice in the future due to the synergistic effect and dynamic adjustment achieved by the multiple ingredients that will restore the balance of an imbalanced or diseased human body.
LAIR-1, the leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1, is a trans-membrane molecule that functions as an inhibitory receptor on natural killer cells, T lymphocytes and monocytes. It has been well known that many trans-membrane receptors can shed from the cell surface and be released into the circulation in soluble form when lymphocytes, endothelials and other immune cells are activated. In many cases, the levels of soluble receptors in the circulation can be used as markers of lymphocyte activation in transplant patients and virus infection patients. To investigate whether LAIR-1 is able to be released into the sera, we developed a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system based on two anti-LAIR-1 monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with different epitope specificities. Using this ELISA, we found that sLAIR-1 existed in the supernatants collected from PMA, PHA or CD3 MAb-stimulated lymphocytes cultures in vitro for the first time. Moreover, we found that LAIR-1 level in serum samples from healthy individuals was 6.2 +/- 3.3 ng/ml, whereas the levels in sera of patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and patients 3-7 days after kidney transplant increased to 47.2 +/- 35.9 and 24.4 +/- 16.0 ng/ml, respectively. Furthermore, HFRS patients in oliguric phase showed higher serum sLAIR-1 levels than those in other phases, and transplant patients with rejection showed higher serum sLAIR-1 level than those without rejection. These findings demonstrated that LAIR-1 can be released when lymphocytes are activated, suggesting sLAIR-1 may be used as a predictor for monitoring immune reaction in some virus infections and organ transplants which may be useful in clinical treatment of these diseases.
Two new diterpenes, named sibiriquinone A (1) and B (2), along with four known diterpenes have been isolated from the aerial part of Veronicastrum sibiricum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopy. The isolated compounds showed significant immunosuppressive activities.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of vascularized free peroneal flap as a new method for reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects. METHODS: Twenty-one cases received reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects with free vascularized peroneal flaps in our hospital were studied retrospectively. All of the relevant data of operation, such as the cause of the defect, design of the flaps the recipient vessels of the recipient and the complications were investigated. RESULTS: Twenty cases survived, the average size of the vascularized free peroneal flap was 8.5 cm x 5.25 cm. CONCLUSION: It is safe and reliable to use free peroneal flap to reconstruct the oral maxillofacial defects.
Utilization of spaceflight technology will benefit the modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine study. Many countries, such as USA or Russia, have conducted extensive experimental research with plants in the regenerative life-support system in space stations as well as the research on breeding or chromosomal aberration after spaceflight. The space botany is still in its preliminary stage in our country. Research has mainly been focused on breeding under space-environment. In addition, many experiments have been conducted with the spaceflown plants to investigate the growth, development, biochemical and physiological changes, as well as the inheritance and variation. Little has been done with regard to the facility development to contain the spaceflying seeds and no research has been reported on plant growth in spacecrafts. Medicinal plant study has certain characteristics and advantages in our country where small biological vessels are developed for the spaceflown seeds, which are then distinguished to microgravity group and radiation exposed group with analytical instrument. However, research has been carried out in medicinal plant breeding or inheritance. In future research, more effort should be directed to the study of medicinal plants as an important link of a future biological life support system as well as to the health care of astronauts by.
Cholelithiasis is one of the clinically common and frequently encountered diseases. In this paper, the Chinese Meteria Medica and prescriptions utilized to treat cholelithasis were discussed in four aspects. In addition, we discussed the clinical effect and mechanism of actions of these drugs in order to provide some reference for future drug development in this area.
OBJECTIVE: To establish an instant determination method of emodin, aloe-emodin and rhein, from Rheum, and one of their preparations, Qinghai Wild Dahuang Tea, by micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis for the first time. METHOD: Separation was carried out in an uncoated fused silica capillary (75 microm x 50.0 cm). Meanwhile, a running voltage 20 kV, 15.0 mmol x L(-1) borax buffer with 30.0 mmol x L(-1) SDS and 10% ethanol (pH 9.60) and a UV detector at 254 nm were adopted. RESULT: The linear calibration rang was 4-120 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.992 1) for emodin, 10-200 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.997 0) for aloe-emodin, and 2-100 mg x L(-1) (r = 0.997 1) for rhein, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the relative standard deviation (RSD) values (n = 6) for the migration time and the peak area of each peak were 0.59%-0.80%, 1.30%-3.22%, respectively. The contents of the analytes were easily determined with recoveries ranging from 97.6%-102.3%. CONCLUSION: The method is proved to be simple, rapid and accurate, and can be used for the quality control of medicinal herb, Rheum, and its tea preparation.
The leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is a negative regulator of natural killer (NK) cells, its encoding gene belonging to the leukocyte receptor complex (LRC). Antibody to LAIR-1 can inhibit Ab-induced redirected lysis and TNF-alpha release of effector cells. LAIR-1 contains 2 immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIM) in its cytoplasmic region that have been shown to bind constitutively and presumably regulate the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in hematopoietic cells. SHP-1 mutation in mice results in abnormal lymphoproliferation, suggesting that LAIR-1 may also be implicated in regulating hematopoiesis. Here we investigated a monoclonal antibody, 9.1C3, against a NK cell antigen previously described as inducing increased colony formation in in vitro assays of human bone marrow cells. We found that 9.1C3 was expressed on CD34 positive hematopoietic progenitors for the first time. In functional assays, 9.1C3 MAb was able to inhibit Ab-induced redirected lysis and TNF-alpha secretion of NK cells. We proved that 9.1C3 is identical to LAIR-1, based on the fact that not only the antigen precipitated by 9.1C3 MAb was of 40kDa but also 9.1C3 MAb bound specifically to LAIR-1 cDNA transfected COS7 cells as well as recognized LAIR-1 fusion protein in ELISA. This finding provided the first evidence that LAIR-1 expresses on hematopoietic progenitor, implicating its role in the regulation of hematopoiesis at early stage.
CD226 is a 67 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein mainly expressed on activated T cells, NK cells and platelets, and involved in the differentiation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and NK, as well as platelet activation and aggregation. Here we found that the expression of CD226 protein and CD226mRNA were very weak in resting HUVEC and ECV304 cells, whereas high level expression could be observed when these cells were stimulated. The binding activities between activated endothelial cells and activated Jurkat cells could be partly blocked by CD226/Ig fusion protein. Similarly, CD226/Ig could also partly block the adhesion between activated endothelial cells and some leukocytes or colo205 cells. These data provided the evidence that activated endothelial cells could express high level of CD226, and CD226 was involved in the endothelial cells' adhesion. The above findings suggested that CD226 is a novel inducible adhesion molecule on human endothelial cells.
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Over the centuries, Chinese herbal drugs have served as a major source of medicines for the prevention and treatment of diseases including diabetes mellitus (known as 'Xiao-ke'). It is estimated that more than 200 species of plants exhibit hypoglycaemic properties, including many common plants, such as pumpkin, wheat, celery, wax guard, lotus root and bitter melon. To date, hundreds of herbs and traditional Chinese medicine formulas have been reported to have been used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This paper provides a brief review of the antidiabetic drugs of plant origin that have been approved by the Chinese health regulatory agency for commercial use in China. It was believed, through pharmacological studies, that medicinal herbs were meticulously organized in these antidiabetic drug formulas such that polysaccharide containing herbs restore the functions of pancreatic tissues and cause an increase in insulin output by the functional beta cells, while other ingredients enhance the microcirculation, increase the availability of insulin and facilitate the metabolism in insulin-dependent processes. Pharmacological and clinical evaluations indicated that these drugs had a mild, but significant, blood glucose lowering effect and that the long-term use of these agents may be advantageous over chemical drugs in alleviating some of the chronic diseases and complications caused by diabetes. Additionally, the use of these natural agents in conjunction with conventional drug treatments, such as a chemical agent or insulin, permits the use of lower doses of the drug and/or decreased frequency of administration which decreases the side effects most commonly observed.
Xuan-Ju agent is an herbal formula containing aqueous extract of Formica fusca, Herba epimedii, Fructus cnidii, and Fructus lycii, all of which are reputed for their beneficial effects in the treatment of the immunodeficient diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We performed a study on the anti-inflammatory effects of this agent using carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced paw edema in rats. Xuan-Ju agent showed a marked inhibitory effect on edema in two models of inflammation in rats, at the dose of 0.20, 0.40 and 0.80g/kg. Based on this study, Xuan-Ju agent is considered to be a potentially useful drug suitable for further evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis.