ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Curcumin combined with Rhodiola on rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) associated renal injury and explore the possible mechanisms. MethodsA total of 24 rats were randomly divided into SAP with renal injury group (SAP group, n=8), Curcumin group (n=8), Curcumin combined with Rhodiola group (n=8).The SAP group was given 1.5 mL saline through intragastric administration before operation while the Curcumin group was fed with same amount of Curcumin diluent.The Curcumin combined with Rhodiola group was given 1.5 mL Curcumin diluent through intragastric administration and 6 g/kg Rhodiola diluent through intraperitoneal injection before operation.The pancreas and pancreatic tail-segment was dissociated and the head of pancreas were occluded in rats to make the model, blood vessel forceps was loosed after three hours.All the rats were sacrificed at 18 h after modeling.The levels of serum amylase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen were detected and pathological changes of pancreas and the left kidney were observed under the light microscope.The cell apoptosis was analyzed using TUNEL staining.The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 among the three groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in the right kidney was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the renal tissue was determined by hydroxylamine method. ResultsCompared with the SAP group, the levels of serum amylase, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, IL-1β, IL-6, the cell apoptosis index, and the expression of iNOS mRNA were significantly decreased, the serum level of IL-10 and the activity of SOD were significantly increased (P < 0.05), the pancreas and the kidney damaged more slightly in the Curcumin group and Curcumin combined with Rhodiola group.Compared with the Curcumin group, the above situations were more better in the Curcumin combined with Rhodiola group. ConclusionsCurcumin combined with Rhodiola has a better protective effect on SAP associated renal injury.It might be through inhibiting the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, stimulating the expression of IL-10, down-regulating the expression of iNOS mRNA, and improving the activity of SOD.It could reduce the cell apoptosis and necrosis of the kidney and improve the ability of the kidney to tolerate hypoxia.
ObjectiveTo propose policy recommendations for improvement of the affordability of high cost medicines with significant public health implications under the patent system in China. MethodsThrough literature analysis and market investigation, this study targeted expensive life saving medicines under the patent protection, which are critical for the treatment of eight diseases with the most significant disease burden and critical social, economic and political impact for case studies, estimated the individual and insurance direct economic burden of medicines treatment. ResultsChemical product patent protection enhanced medicines price monopoly. The targeted medicines brought huge financial burden to Chinese citizens, especially to the rural residents. Breaking chemical product patent protection, achieving parallel importation or making generic drugs enter into the China's market, can save huge amount of medicines procurement budget for the government, and benefit the general public. ConclusionDeveloping and implementing medicines registration and intellectual property right protection strategies with public health perspective, adding continuously improved basic health insurance programs, can effectively promote the affordability of high cost medicines with significant public health, social, political and economic implications.