This study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of polysaccharides extract of rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae on heart function in aged rats. Polysaccharides extract of rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae was administered to aged rats. Results showed that thymus, spleen and cardiac indexs were significantly increased, whereas caspase-3 activity ratio, Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2/Omi protein expression, Smac/DIABLO and HtrA2/Omi mRNA expression levels were markedly reduced. It can be concluded that polysaccharides extract of rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae may enhance immunity and improve heart function in aged rats.

Objective: To study the relationship between expression of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) in human lymphocytes, variant CYP2E1 genotype, exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and liver abnormalities in VCM-exposed workers. Methods: A case-control study was performed on 90 male occupationally exposed workers and 42 matched male nonexposed controls. Data were collected based on health surveillance, workplace investigation and questionnaire Survey. Total RNA and DNA were isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes, and CYP2E1 mRNA expression was determined using RT-PCR, and the presence of CYP2E1 polymorphisms was identifi ed based on PCR-RFLP. Results: The mRNA expression of CYP2E1 in exposed workers (0.89±0.46) was signifi cantly higher than in nonexposed controls (0.61±0.35) (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a statistically signifi cant association between CYP2E1 mRNA expression levels and liver abnormalities in the VCM-exposed workers (OR = 3.66, P < 0.05). The genotype frequency for CYP2E1 variants among VCM-exposed workers was not signifi cantly different between workers with liver abnormalities and those without. Conclusions: Liver abnormalities in subjects exposed to VCM are positively associated with expression of peripheral blood lymphocyte mRNA, which is signifi cantly increased in exposed workers compared to nonexposed controls. Therefore, CYP2E1 mRNA levels may be useful for health surveillance and protection of VCM-exposed workers.