Abstract:The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa in 2014 has greatly destroyed the public health system of the three countries. And it is still early to see an end to its influence on the society, public health and medical service in the area although the outbreak is gradually under control. More thinking from the epidemiology, translational medicine, and sociology aspects of the outbreak will help to formulate the "go global strategies" of PLA and our medical service.

Abstract:Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognoses of patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) and to summarize the clinical treatment experience. Methods The epidemiologic history, symptoms, signs, treatment, and prognoses of 5 confirmed EVD cases were summarized. And the relationship between clinical features and clinical outcomes was analyzed. Results The 5 patients, 2 men and 3 women, ranged in age from 32-58 years old, with a median age of 46. Three were severe cases when they were admitted while the others were relatively mild. All the patients admitted the exposure history within 21 days before onset of the symptoms, with two patients (one medical staff) from the same transmission chain. The main symptoms included fever, weakness or fatigue, lack of appetite, diarrhea and red eyes, with one patient having gastrointestinal bleeding. The first test of PCR Ebola virus (EBOV) RNA was positive in all the 5 cases. They were promptly isolated and treated with antipyretic and fluid replacement therapy. Meanwhile, prevention of complications and treatment of basic diseases were also conducted. Three patients survived at last and the other two died. Conclusion Prompt isolation of the infection source and tracing the contacts can effectively prevent the transmission of EVD. PCR assay is an effective, rapid and simple method to diagnose EVD. Early supporting treatment-centered multimodality therapy can improve the treatment outcome of EVD.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of oral rehydration salts for treating Ebola virus disease. Methods The treatment outcomes of 4 patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease in Liberia were analyzed. Oral or intravenous rehydration salts were chosen according to the severity of illness and the occurrence of severe vomiting. The fluid volume was determined according to the following conditions: urine, feces and sweat volume, and the daily fluid volume was 750-2 000 mL. Three patients received oral rehydration salts; one patient received oral rehydration salts on the first day and intravenous rehydration salts afterwards due to severe illness. The rehydration salt treatment was given until the complete remission of clinical symptoms. Results The three patients receiving oral rehydration treatment survived and the severe case who also received intravenous treatment died finally. Conclusion Oral rehydration should be used as the first-line choice for early, long-term treatment of patients with mild to moderate Ebola virus disease in West Africa, where the economic and health situation are backward.

Abstract:Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of the death cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), so as to provide control and treatment reference for EVD. Methods and Results The second medical team of PLA to Liberia arrived in Liberia at the beginning of 2015 and stayed for two months. Totally we treated 5 confirmed EVD cases and 2 of them died. Case 1 was a young female patient; she had clinical manifestations of febrile, fatigue, anorexia, diarrhea and hemorrhage. She died soon after admission and was confirmed positive of Ebola virus (EOV) by swab sample. Case 2 was an old male patient who was presented to China Ebola Treatment Unit with symptoms of febrile, fatigue, muscular soreness, anorexia and severe diarrhea; and his viral load in blood remained high during the course of illness. Both patients died from hypovolemic shock. Conclusion Tracing and isolating the contacts, early diagnosis and treatment, and providing basic health care services for the infected are the cores for prevention of Ebola virus disease.

Abstract:Objective To analyze the clinical significance of PCR results for diagnosis and treatment of Ebola virus disease. Methods From 2014 November to 2015 March, a total of 101 patients were admitted to China Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia, and 172 specimens were sent for laboratory test: detection of Ebola virus RNA using real time PCR. The result of detection was recorded as positive or negative. If positive, the cycle threshold (CT) in real-time PCR was also reported. The relationship of laboratory findings with illness and prognosis was analyzed. Results Ten patients were identified as virus positive. The results of the first detection were positive in 8 patients and negative in 2 patients, and the 2 patients were positive in a second detection performed again 48 h later. The low CT values of PCR test observed in the 4 patients suggested high virus loads, and they died finally. In the 6 survived patients the CT values increased as their condition became better, which indicated that the virus loads decreased gradually. Conclusion Detection of Ebola virus mRNA by real-time PCR and the CT value can provide important reference for diagnosis and treatment of Ebola virus disease.

Abstract:Objective To summarize our experience on medical observation and treatment of 32 cases with suspected or probable Ebola virus disease (EVD) under level 4 personnel bio-protective condition in Liberia. Methods A total 32 suspected or probable EVD cases admitted in China Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Liberia during January 14, 2015 to March 14 were included in the present study. The doctors made the ward rounds under level 4 personal bio-protective conditions. They were diagnosed by inquiring the detailed history and performing partial physical examination, and were given dihydroartemisinin piperaquine phosphate tablets (3 tablets, 1/d), levofloxacin (0.5 g, 1/d), centrum (1 tablet, 1/d), oral rehydration salt Ⅲ(2 bags, 3/d), and nutrients (40 g, 3/d) as basic treatments initially combined with supportive medication, which was aimed to relieve their symptoms. The clinical data, including the epidemiologic history, clinical symptoms and signs, diagnosis, treatment efficiency and adverse effects were retrospectively analyzed. Results The mean age of the 32 patients was (40.53±13.89) years old(ranging 14-83), with 22 males and 10 females. The average time after the onset of illness was 4.5(1-30)d. All the patients had fever, with the average maximum temperature being (38.36±1.01)℃. The main symptoms included fatigue in 25 cases (78.12%), joint/muscle pain in 22 patients (68.75%), nausea/vomiting in 17 cases (53.12%), headache in 16 cases (50.00%), anorexia/loss of appetite in 15 cases (46.88%), diarrhea in 14 cases (43.75%), abdominal pain in 14 cases (43.75%), cough in 12 cases (37.50%), chest pain in 10 cases (31.25%), dyspnea in 5 cases (15.62%), dysphagia in 4 cases (12.50%), hiccup in 3 cases (9.38%), and gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 2 cases (6.25%). The mean time of hospitalization was (3.94±2.29) d. The final clinical diagnosis were: acute gastroenteritis in 13 cases, acute respiratory tract infection in 7 cases, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 1 case, ascites of unknown cause (suspected hepatoma) in 1 case, jaundice of unknown cause in 1 case, asthma exacerbation in 1 case, malaria in 1 case, and incomplete intestinal obstruction in 1 case. Twenty-six cases were discharged and 6 cases died, showing an improvement rate of 81.25%(26/32). The temperature restored the normal level in 23 cases and the mean time it took was (3.51±1.60) d. The treatment was tolerable and there were no severe side effects. Conclusion Close medical observation, professional inquiry and physical examination are important methods to make clinical diagnosis for suspected Ebola cases in ETU. Empiric therapy with oral drugs combined with supportive therapy is safe and effective for suspected or probable EVD patients in Liberia.

Abstract:Ebola virus disease (EVD) caused by Ebora virus (EBOV) is one of the most violent infectious disease so far. It is so highly infective and fatal that there has been no effective treatment until now. Ebola viral infection can cause a series of immune responses. Specific and nonspecific antiviral innate immune deficiency in the hosts is a recognized important reason for EVD associated death. This paper reviews the influence of EBOV on innate immune reaction of humans and the corresponding countermeasures.

Abstract:Objective To explore the relationship between the Ebola virus genome variations and its epidemiological characteristics by analyzing the 102 whole genome sequences of Ebola viruses in 2014 outbreak. Methods Whole genome sequences of Ebola viruses (EBOVs) were obtained from the NCBI database, and the variations in genome sequences were analyzed by Mummer3.0. The evolutionary analysis was carried out through MEGA5; and the 3D modeling of the protein was performed using CPHmodels and PyMOL software. Results It was found that there were 606 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the genome of 2014 EBOVs, of which 49 nonsynonymous SNVs were unique. The amino acids of NP-182, GP-82 and L-1951, which were highly conserved not only among all the Zaire EBOVs before 2014, but also among different EBOV species, were altered in 2014 EBOVs. Conclusion The unique mutation of 2014 EBOVs resulting in alterations of NP, GP and L protein, especially the alteration of aa82 of GP (Ala→Val), might weaken the stability of α-helix where the amino acid is located, which might be associated with the weakened lethality and enhanced transmission of the virus. Further studies are needed to confirm whether genomic variations in 2014 EBOVs is responsible for change of the epidemiological characteristics.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the core pathways and driver genes associated with development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Methods Meta-analysis was employed to screen differently expressed genes between CRC and the adjacent normal mucosa in 5 studies. ComBat was used to combine the gene data of the 5 studies and then the differently expressed genes were used to construct a stable co-expression network in CRC using PCIT software. CFinder software was used to extract the core sub-networks of the constructed coexpression network, and Gather software was used for functional enrichment analysis of the core subnetworks. Finally, those genes with up-regulation and DNA gain in CRC or down-regulation and DNA loss were identified as driver genes. Results Our meta-analysis found 2 073 differently expressed genes between CRC and the adjacent normal mucosa, including 1 174 up-regulated and 899 down-regulated in 5 the CRC studies. A coexpression network was constructed with those differently expressed genes; it had 798 nodes, 1 462 edges, and 22 core subnetworks. The largest sub-network consisted 77 genes and 436 edges, and the function mainly involved cell cycle and proliferation regulation, with the driver genes including UBE2C, MYBL2, FAM83D, AURKA and TPX2. Conclusion Cell cycle and proliferation pathways are the core ones in the development of CRC, and 11 genes including UBE2C and AURKA are the driver genes of the pathways.

Abstract:Objective To analyze the prognostic factors influencing the survival of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) after radical excision. Methods The clinical data of ICC patients who were treated with radical excision from March 2009 to March 2014 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 32 clinical or laboratory findings were selected, and the risk factors influencing the survival of ICC patients after radical excision were analyzed by univariate analysis and Cox regression model. Results Ultimately 189 patients were included in this study. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size, number of intrahepatic tumors, lymph node metastasis, pre-operation serum CA19-9 and γ-glutamyl transferase levels, one-day postoperative total bilirubin and five-day postoperative alanine aminotransferase levels were the independent prognostic factors for the survival of ICC patients after radical excision (P<0.05). Conclusion The one-day postoperative total bilirubin and five-day postoperative alanine aminotransferase may be used to predict the prognosis of ICC patient after radical resection. Preoperative and postoperative liver supporting treatment, minimizing liver trauma during operation, and improving the nutritional status can improve the prognosis of ICC patients.

Abstract:Objective To observe the expression of β-arrestin2 in cardiac tissues of ovariectomzied (OVX) rats, and to explore the role of β-arrestin2 in estrogen-mediated cardiovascular protection in OVX rats. Methods OVX rats were evaluated by monitoring the serum levels of estrogen and the ratio of uterine weight to body weight. The cardiovascular function of rats was assessed by measuring the ratio of heart weight to body weight, blood pressure and heart rate after estrogen replacement treatment for 4 weeks, Western blotting analysis was performed to detect the protein expression of β-arrestin1, β-arrestin2 and angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1R) in the cardiac tissues. Results Compared with rats in the sham group, the serum estrogen level and the ratio of uterine weight to body weight in OVX rats were decreased significantly (P<0.05); meanwhile, the cardiovascular parameters including blood pressure, heart rate and the ratio of heart weight to body weight were significantly increased (P<0.05) in OVX rats, and they were attenuated after treatment with estrogen replacement. Compared with the sham controls, the cardiac expression of β-arrestin2 was decreased significantly in OVX rats (P<0.05), with up-regulated estrogen expression and unchanged expression of β-arrestin1 and AT1R. Conclusion β-Arrestin2 expression is decreased in the cardiac tissues of OVX rats, which can be increased by estrogen replacement therapy.

Abstract:Objective To observe the protective effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-polylactic-co-glycolic acid (BDNF-PLGA) sustained release microspheres on the peripheral nerve injury of rats. Methods BDNF loaded PLGA microspheres were prepared by double emulsion solvent evolution method. A total of 48 adult SD rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, BDNF group and BDNF-PLGA sustained release microspheres group (n=12); the model of sciatic nerve ring clamp injury was established in the latter three groups. After operation BDNF(30 μg/mL, 1 mL/kg) was injected into the local nerve injury sites for BDNF group and BDNF-PLGA sustained release microspheres (BDNF 30 μg/mL,1 mL/kg)were injected for BDNF-PLGA group, once a week for four weeks. The general status, pace, and joint motion of each group were observed after operation; and the changes of neurological scores, nerve conduction velocity (NCV), amplitude, latency period, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and histopathology were observed 4 weeks after operation. Results The general status, pace, and joint motion of the sciatic nerve injury in BDNF-PLGA group were significantly improved compared with the model group and BDNF group. The BDNF-PLGA sustained release microspheres effectively improved the functions of injured peripheral nerve, which basically restored the normal level after four weeks, and the recovery was rapid than the BDNF group. The NCV, amplitude and latency period, CMAP amplitude, and recovery rate of CMAP in the BDNF-PLGA group was significantly improved compared with the model group(all P<0.01), and the improvements were also significantly greater than those in group BDNF (P<0.05). The BDNF-PLGA sustained release microspheres also significantly improved the pathology changes of sciatic nerve injury, including those of the myelin sheath, axon and vacuole. Conclusion The BDNF-PLGA sustained release microspheres have prominent protective effect against the peripheral nerve injury in rats.

Abstract:Objective To study the relation of ulinastatin administration (dose and course) with the prognoses of patients with severe sepsis. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of selected patients with sepsis, who were treated in the ICU of Changzheng Hospital from January 2010 to April 2014. The blood routine examination, C-reactire protein (CRP), bilirubin, procalcitonin (PCT), and coagulation function were collected within 24 hours after hospitalization, and APACHE Ⅱ was calculated. The patients were grouped into ulinastatin group or the control group. The survival rates were compared between the two groups, and the relationship between ulinastatin (dose/course) and death rate was discussed. Results A total of 134 patients were included, with a mean age of (53.8±17.2) years old. Thirty-six patients (26.9%)died. Thirty-nine patients used ulinastatin; the death rates in the ulinastatin group and the control group were 33.3%(13/39)and 24.2%(23/95), respectively, showing no significant difference(P>0.05). The death rates of the patients with APACHE Ⅱ≥25 were 44.4% (4/9)in the ulinastatin group and 90.0%(9/10) in the control group, showing significant difference (P<0.05). The total dose of ulinastatin was (6.984 6±2.535 7) million unit in the death group and (10.303 8±6.331 9) million unit in the survival group, and the application course was (7.54±3.02) days vs (14.57±6.14) days, both showing significant differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion Megadosing ulinastatin at an early stage can improve the prognosis of sepsis patients with APACHEⅡ≥25.

Abstract:Objective To design an emergency medical rescue simulation system, and to provide reference for optimizing rescue strategy and medical resource allocation by simulating different rescue conditions. Methods Firstly, Stateflow was used to build the main simulation unit, which included arrival of the wounded, classification of the wounded (emergent [type A] and non-emergent [type B]), and medical treatment modules, and then the related event and response function were appended. Secondly, the system parameter input unit and character display unit were set up in Simulink. Finally two different medical treatment strategies (strategy 1: type B wounded waiting for treatment in the rescue module with least waiting patients; strategy 2: type B wounded waiting for treatment in the rescue module with least workload) were simulated and the corresponding rescue strategies were analyzed. Results The system could simulate the medical rescue process of different strategies. The type A wounded could be rescued in a timely manner in both strategies. Type B wounded had a shorter waiting time in strategy 1, but the rescuers had a heavy work load; while they had a longer waiting time in strategy 2, and the rescuers had a lighter work load. Conclusion We have successfully designed a simulation system for emergency medical rescue and its feasibility and effectiveness are verified. Different rescue strategies have their respective advantages and disadvantages in the waiting time and work load, and the two strategies can be combined in practice in order to achieve a dynamic balance between the waiting time of the wounded and the work load of the rescuers.

Abstract:Objective To investigative the chemical components of Subergorgia suberosa collected from the South China Sea. Methods The Et₂O extract of S. Suberosa was purified by repeated column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and semi-preparative RP-HPLC. The structures of obtained compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with previously reported data. The anti-tumor activity of 10 obtained 9,11-secosterols were tested with human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line and human osteo-sarcoma MG63 cell line; the antifungal activities of them were tested with Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro. Results and Conclusion Ten 9,11-secosterols were isolated from Subergorgia suberosa collected from the South China Sea. Compounds 2 and 7 have been obtained for the first time from the genus of gorgonian Subergorgia. In vitro anti-tumor experiment showed that compounds 3-6 and 9 had different degrees of tumor inhibitory effects against cell lines A549 and MG63, with the IC₅₀ values being 6.31, 30.42, 8.33, 9.57 and 3.30 μg/mL for A549 cell line and 30.83, 21.32, 9.19, 28.01 and 8.62 μg/mL for MG63 cell line, respectively. The ten steroids showed no anti-fungi activity against Candida albicans or Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro.

Abstract:Controversy still exists as to the best mode for treating middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms. Surgical clipping remains the optimal treatment in many institutions. With the progression of endovascular technique and devices, the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms have been further improved and endovascular approach has become an acceptable alternative. This review discussed the recent progress on endovascular treatment of MCA aneurysms and assessed its safety and effectiveness, hoping to provide evidences for neurointerventionalists to select appropriate therapies.

Abstract:Objective To study the effect of acanthopanax senticosus saponins (ASS) on expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in rat spinal cord after spinal cord injury, so as to explore the protective effect of ASS against spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 45 male rats were evenly randomized into three groups: sham operation group, model group and ASS intervention group. The experimental animals were anesthetized with 10% chloral hydrate and then acute spinal cord injury model was made using modified Allen's method. After modeling the sham group received normal feeding, the model group was intraperitoneally given normal saline for 7 consecutive days, and the ASS intervention group was given appropriate dose of ASS for 7 consecutive days. Then ELISA was used to detect the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); the pathological changes of spinal cord tissue were observed, and the expression of BDNF and NGF was examined by Western blotting analysis. Results Compared with the sham group, the other two groups had significantly increased serum MDA (P<0.05) and significantly decreased SOD level (P<0.05), with notable spinal cord injury; besides, the two groups also had significantly increased expression of BDNF and NGF protein in the spinal cord tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, ASS group had significantly improved spinal cord injury, with significantly decreased serum MDA content (P<0.05) and increased SOD content and BDNF, NGF expression in the spinal cord tissue (P<0.05). Conclusion ASS can promote BDNF and NGF protein expression in neurons of spinal cord, improving repair of damaged neurons and protecting spinal cord against acute injury in rats.

Abstract:Objective To study the prognostic value of arterial blood lactate clearance rate in patients with sepsis. Methods The clinical data of sepsis patients who were treated from January 2011 to December 2012 in our intensive care unit were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into the survival group and the dead group according to different outcomes. The lactate clearance rates at 6 h after admission were compared between the two groups. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated and the best cut-off value of arterial blood lactate clearance was used to evaluate the prognosis of sepsis. Then the patients were divided into the high lactate clearance group and low lactate clearance group, and the values of lactate, procalcitonin (PCT), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score and mortality were compared between the high and low lactate clearance groups. Results A total of 84 patients were finally included in this study, with 48 in the survival group and 36 in the dead group. The levels of arterial blood lactate on admission ([2.31±1.39] mmol/L and [3.93±1.84] mmol/L, P<0.01) and arterial blood lactate clearance rates at 6h after admission ([44.01±27.37]% and [10.49±24.53]%, P<0.01) were significantly different between the two groups. The AUC of lactate clearance rate, APACHEⅡ score and SOFA score were 87.15%, 77.89% and 84.84% for predicting sepsis, respectively. The Youden Index reached the peak value (0.72) when the lactate clearance rate was 31%. The APACHEⅡ score, SOFA score and mortality rates were significantly different between the high lactate clearance rate group (≥ 31%) and the low lactate clearance rate group (<31%, P<0.05). Lactate clearance rate was an independent risk factor of prognosis in sepsis patient (OR=0.021,95%CI 0.002-0.237, P=0.002). Conclusion Arterial blood lactate clearance may serve as a promising index for predicting prognosis of sepsis.

Abstract:Objective To study the clinical characteristics, treatment methods and prognosis of the paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). Methods We comprehensively analyzed 48 patients diagnosed with PSH from the neurosurgery department of Changzheng Hospital in Shanghai using a prospective study design. The patients were divided into two groups according the treatments they received. In addition to general treatment and hyperbaric oxygen treatment, patients in group A were mainly given propranolol, gabapentin, and benzodiazepines combined therapy, and those in group B received hibernation therapy as controls. The clinical characters, case characteristic, and treatment effect after two weeks of treatment were recorded and compared. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores were used to evaluate the prognoses of patients after 12 months. Results The average age of the PSH patients was (27.48±9.62) years old, with the GCS score ≤ 8 at admission. The treatment group (group A) had a shorter hospitalization time ([206.08±28.57] d vs [223.75±27.74] d, P<0.05) and a shorter episode time after two weeks' treatment ([170.08±79.39] min vs [225.63±105.70] min, P<0.05) compared with the control group. Two patients in group A were lost in the 12 months follow-up. The GOS score of group A was significantly better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The GCS scores were not significantly different between the 40 survived patients in the two groups (20 in each group). Conclusion PSH is commonly seen in young people suffering severe traumatic brain injury, who require early drug treatment. Propranolol combined with gabapentin treatment can improve the prognosis of patients, and it is superior to artificial hibernation by shortening hospitalization time and improving patient survival.

Abstract:Objective To study the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods Fifty-two patients with Graves'disease (GD, 18 males and 34 females,39 cases of GD patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy [GO])and 22 healthy controls (8 males and 14 females) were recruited in the present study. The RDW and thyroid functions were measured in all participants. Ophthalmological examinations including Hertel's exophthalmometer readings (HER) and clinical activity score (CAS) evaluation were obtained in GD patients, and the results were compared between different groups. Results Thyroid functions were significantly different between GD patients and healthy controls (P<0.05), while they were not between GD patients with or without GO; the HER level was significantly higher in those with GO compared with those without GO(P<0.05). The RDW value in patients with GD was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls (P<0.05). For GD patients, RDW increased with the increase of CAS, and those with GO had significantly higher RDW than those without GO(P<0.05). Conclusion RDW is associated with the state of the GD patients, indicating that RDW may provide evidence for assessing the severity of GO.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the protective effects of SalB on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in PC12 cells and the potential mechanism. Methods The injured model of PC12 cells was established by exposing to MPP⁺ and the mitochondrial function was evaluated by mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. PCR was used to measure the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and the expression of PGC-1, NRF-1 and TFAM. The expression of mitochondrial dynamic related proteins was detected by Western blotting analysis. Results SalB significantly attenuated the MPP⁺-induced decrease in MMP and mitochondrial ATP synthesis(P<0.05), and it significantly increased mtDNA content and the expression of PGC-1, NRF-1 and TFAM mRNA after MPP⁺ exposure (P<0.05). Moreover, Western blotting analysis showed that SalB significantly increased the expression of Opa-1 and Mfn-1 protein, but decreased that of Drp-1 and Fis-1 after MPP⁺ treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion SalB can protect PC12 cells against MPP⁺-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, probably through regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial fusion related proteins.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the effects of different calcium and magnesium concentration ratios in drinking water on renal lithogenesis and metabolism in rats with ethylene glycol (EG)-induced relative hyperoxaluria. Methods Normal SD rats were exposed to 0.1% EG and different Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentration ratios (360/10, 120/10, 10/10, 10/40, and 10/80, in mg/L) in drinking water for 8 weeks. After the treatments, 24 h urine volume and oxalate, citrate, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ levels were measured, and the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ levels and renal pathologies were examined. Results No significant differences were found among the groups in body weight, water intake, 24 h urine volume, 24 h urinary citrate excretion, blood Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ levels, or serum creatinine. Ca/Mg ratios of 10/10 and 10/40 in drinking water caused a significant increase in kidney weight (P<0.05), and the latter was associated with significantly increased 24 h urinary Mg²⁺ excretion as compared with the normal control group (P<0.05). BUN was significantly higher in Ca/Mg (10/40) group than in the normal control and model groups (P<0.05). The model group and Ca/Mg groups (120/10, 10/10 and 10/40) all showed significantly increased urinary oxalate excretion compared with the normal control group (P<0.05 or 0.01); except for Ca/Mg (10/10) group, all the other treatment groups had significantly lower oxalate excretion than the model group (P<0.01). None of the groups showed detectable crystal deposition or renal pathologies. Conclusion Relative hyperoxaluria does not affect calcium and magnesium metabolism or the formation of lithogenesis and urinary calcium oxalate crystals in rats. Increased Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations that are below the limits in hard water can cause decreased 24 h urinary oxalate excretion. In uncomplicated hyperoxaluria, only a sufficiently high oxalate concentration can lead to lithogenesis. Urinary citrate is not affected by Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ ratios in drinking water.

Abstract: