BACKGROUND: The studies in recent years proved that the inflammatory reaction is of the main reasons in the damage of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), as a kind of transcription factor, plays an important role in regulating the expressions of various inflammatory cell factors in the inflammatory reaction of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The previous experiments show that puerarin functions to resist the oxidated free radicals and the apoptosis of nerve cells. In case it has the functions of anti-inflammation, its brain protection can be explained further.OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of puerarin on NF-κB for the rats with the damage of ischemia reperfusion.DESIGN: A random parallel controlled study.SETTING: The Emergency Department of Beijing Hospital, Emergency Department of Tongji Hospital, Pathology Department and Experimental Animal Center of Tongji Medical College, and Health Statistics Department of Public Health College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was started on April 12, 2003 in the Pathology Department of Tongji Medical College. The 75 healthy and clean Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups with 25 in each, Sham operation group, cerebral ischemia reperfusion group, and puerarin group. Each group was reperfused at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after ischemia and 5rats were used at each time point.METHODS: [1] Sham operation group: Without electric coagulation of bilateral vertebral arteries, without blockage of bilateral common carotid arteries, without medicinal administration. [2] Cerebral ischemia reperfusion group: Ten minutes after the blockage of bilateral common carotid arteries with non-invasive artery clamp, the reperfusion was given. At the beginning of reperfusion, the abdominal injection of normal saline 1 mL was applied and later every 6 hours the injection was repeated once. [3] Puerarin group:The procedure was the same as for the reperfusion group, only with normal saline changed to puerarin 100 mg/kg.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At the time points of 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion, the activity of NF-κB and inhibitory protein κB(IP-κB) in the hippocampus CA1 region was examined with immunohistochemical method; the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA was measured with in situ hybridization method; and the number of surviving neurons was detected with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.RESULTS: After supplement, 75 rats entered the result analysis. [1] Activity of NF-κB: In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was obviously increased at 2 hours after reperfusion, to the highest at 6 hours, and still higher than that of the sham operation group, (P ＜ 0.01). In the puerarin group, it was lower at each time point than that of the ischemia reperfusion group (P ＜ 0.01). [2] Expression of TNF-α mRNA: In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was obviously increased at 2 hours after reperfusion, to the highest at 12 hours, and still higher than that of the sham operation group at 48 hours (P ＜ 0.01). In the puerarin group, it was lower than that of the ischemia reperfusion group at 6-48 hours (P ＜ 0.01). [3] Activity of IP-κB:In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was obviously decreased at 2 hours after reperfusion, to the lowest at 6 hours, and then gradually increased to the level of 12 hours. In the puerarin group, it was higher than that of the ischemia reperfusion group at each time point (P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05). [4] Number of surviving neurons: In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was decreased gradually with the time prolonging after reperfusion (P ＜ 0.01). In the puerarin group, at each time point, it was higher than that of the ischemia reperfusion group (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).CONCLUSION: In the cerebral ischemia reperfusion, puerarin can protect the brain through decreasing the degradation of IP-κB, the activity of NF-κB, the expression of TNF-α mRNA, and the inflammatory reaction.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of endotoxin precondition on hepatic tissue in rats with endotoxemia.Method The models of rats with acute endotoxemia were produced by injecting LPS directly.Seventy-two male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:saline control group(N,n=24),lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated group(L,n=24),LPS pretreated group(P,n=24).Each group was divid-ed into four subgroups:saline control and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated 2 h,4 h,6 h,12 h groups and LPS-pretreated 2 h,4 h,6 h,12 h groups.Rats in group P were first administered with introperitoneal injection of 0.25 mg/kg LPS,and after 24 hours,the rats were injected with 0.5 mg/kg LPS.Rats in group N and group L received with an equivalent amount of saline.After 72 hours,rats in group L and group P were intravenonsly injected with 10 mg/kg LPS,and rats in group N received with an equivalent amount of saline.Six rats were killed at 2,4,6 and 12 hours after injection of LPS in group L and P.The hvers were removed for detecting Toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4),nuclear factor-кB(NF-кB),tumor Necrosis Factor-apha(TNF-α)and malondialdehyde(MDA).The blood was drawn for detecting Alamine aminotmnsferose (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferose (AST).The patho-logical changes of liver were also examined.Software SPSS13.0 was utilized to do ANOVA for statistical analysis.Results The rats exposed to LPS alone demonstrated an increase in TLR-4.NF-кB and TNF-α activity of the liver tissue.Incontrast.the rats exporsed 10 LPS prelreatment exhibited a significant decrease in TLT-4,NF-кB and TNF-α activity.The contents of TLR-4,NF-кB and TNF-α of LPS-treated 4 h groupwere,(38.76±0.67),170.82 ±31.40),293.16±49.49)and(6.263±0.351),significantly higher than those of the saline control group.The administration of endotoxin pretreatment reduced the indexes to(22.35±1.35),(135.55±26.44)and(234.23±44.96),respectively(P＜0.05).Conclusions TLR-4,NF-кB and TNF-α take part in the progress of hepatic injury in rats with endotoxemia.Endotoxin pretreatment can eliminate hepatic injury and protect the hepatic tissue by downmgulating the levels of TLR-4.NF-кB and TNF-α.

Based on the framework and approaches of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and psychometry,the theory and methods of the development and standardization of functioning and disability measurement for stroke were reviewed.

Objective To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in rat models.Methods Forty-five male SD rats were randomly into sham group (n =15),CPR group (n =15) and NaHS group (n =15).Rats of CPR group and NaHS group were operated to induce cardiac arrest by transcutaneous electrical stimulation to epicardium.In NaHS group,NaHS (5 mg/kg) was administrated via the femoral venous line 1 min before CPR.Hemodynamic variables were monitored and obtained continuously.Survival rats were sacrificed at 24 h after restoration of spontaneous circulation and the hearts were removed for analysis by RT-PCR and TUNEL assays.Blood samples were collected and plasma content of cTnT was detected.Results Compared with the CPR group,animals treated with NaHS had improved left ventricular function (P ＜0.01),lower plasma cTnT levels (P ＜0.05) and decreased apoptosis index (P ＜ 0.01) 24 h after ROSC.The expressions of Caspase-3 mRNA,Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA in CPR group and NaHS group were higher compared with the control group (P ＜0.01).The NaHS group had lower expressions of Caspase-3 mRNA and Bax mRNA (P ＜0.01),but higher expression of Bcl-2 mRNA (P ＜0.05) compared with the CPR group.Conclusions Exogenous (H2S) regulated the expressions of Caspase-3,Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA,thereby preventing apoptosis of cardiomyocytes,inhibiting cTnT release and improving left ventricular function 24 h after CPR.

Objective To investigate the effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on injury of rat hippocampus neurons induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) and explore its mechanism.Methods Hippocampus neurons were isolated from embryonic day 16-18 (E16-18) rat embryos.Hippocampus was immediately removed and digested with 0.25％ trypsin.The neurons were isolated and cultured at 37 ℃ for 7 days and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) was detected by immunohistochemical staining method to identify neurons.At 8th day,the neurons were placed in deoxygenated glucose-free medium and exposed to 95％ N2-5％ CO2 in an air tight chamber for 1 hour,and then replaced the glucose-free medium with original medium,and returned the cultures to a standard incubator in 5％ CO2 at 37 ℃ and incubated for another 24 h.The neurons were divided into 3 groups:group Ⅰ control; group Ⅱ OGD/R,and group ⅢOGD + NaHS,the latter was further divided into 5 subgroups:groups Ⅲ1-5 with 25,50,100,200,400 μmol/L NaHS added,respectively.Then cell viability was quantified by MTT method,the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were detected,apoptosis was measured by Annexin V FITC/PI Apoptosis Kits,and RT-PCR was used to assay HIF-1 α mRNA in neurons in all groups.Results Compared with control group,the LDH level,apoptosis and expression of HIF-1α mRNA in group Ⅱ were significantly increased,the cell viability was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.01).There were no significant differences in the LDH level,apoptosis and expression of HIF-1 α mRNA and the cell viability between group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ1 (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group Ⅱ,the LDH level,apoptosis and expression of HIF-1α mRNA in group Ⅲ2-4 were significantly increased,the cell viability was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with group Ⅱ,the LDH level,apoptosis and expression of HIF-1 α mRNA in the group Ⅲ 5 were significantly decreased,the cell viability was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions H2S of low concentration has no significant effects on injury of rat hippocampus neurons induced by OGD/R.H2S of moderate doses can protect rat hippocampus neurons from OGD/R injury and H2S of high concentration can aggravate injury.The expression of HIF-1α mRNA in rat hippocampus neurons was increased after OGD/R,and the protective role of H2S is associated with increase in the expression of HIF-1α mRNA.

To investigate the interaction and involvement of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H(2)S donor, on hippocampus of rats suffering from sepsis-associated encephalopathy, rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham group, CLP group, CLP+NaHS group and CLP+aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, an inhibitor of H(2)S formation) group. The four groups were observed at 3, 6, 9, 12 h after treatment. We examined hippocampal H(2)S synthesis and the expression of cystathionine-β-synthetase (CBS), a major enzyme involved in the H(2)S synthesis in hippocampus. CBS expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) were determined in hippocampus by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neuronal damage was studied by histological examination of hippocampus. In CLP group, H(2)S synthesis was significantly increased in hippocampus compared with sham group and it peaked 3 h after CLP (P<0.05). Sepsis also resulted in a significantly upregulated CBS mRNA in hippocampus. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the hippocampus were substantially elevated at each time point of measurement (P<0.05), and they also reached a peak value at about 3 h. Administration of NaHS significantly aggravated sepsis-associated hippocampus inflammation, as evidenced by TNF-α and IL-1β activity and histological changes in hippocampus. In septic rats pretreated with AOAA, sepsis-associated hippocampus inflammation was reduced. It is concluded that the rats subjected to sepsis may suffer from brain injury and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines are responsible for the process. Furthermore, administration of H(2)S can increase injurious effects and treatment with AOAA can protect the brain from injury.

Objective To investigate the changes of the expression of HIF-1α (hypoxia induciblefactor-1a) mRNA in myocardium of rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the intervention effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on it. Method Forty five male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group ( n = 15 ), cardiopulmonary resuscitation group ( CPR group, n = 15 ) and NaHS + CPR group (n = 15 ) . Rats of control group were anesthetized and intubated without asphyxia and cardiac arrest. The rats of CPR group and NaHS + CPR group were operated to induce cardiac arrest by asphyxiation. In the rats of NaHS + CPR group, NaHS in dose of 50 ug/kg was administrated via the femoral venous line 1 minute before CPR. Hemodynamic was monitored continuously. The expression of HIF - lα mRNA in myocardium of rats in each group was determined by using RT-PCR and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the myocardium of rats in each group was assayed by using a patent reagent box 6 h after CPR. The histopathological changes of myocardium were also observed. The t- test was used for statistical analysis. Results There was no statistically significant difference in hemodynamic changes between CPR group and CPR + NaHS group ( P ＞ 0. 05 ) . When compared with the control group, the activity of MPO and the expression of HIF-1α mRNA in CPR group and CPR + NaHS group were both increased, and those increased in CPR + NaHS group was more significant (P ＜ 0. 05) . When compared with CPR group, the expression of HIF-1α mRNA in CPR + NaHS group was higher, however, the activity of MPO in CPR + NaHS group was lower ( P ＜ 0. 05) . There were various histopathological changes of myocardium of rats found in CPR group and CPR + NaHS group, and the damage of myocardium of rats in CPR group was more obvious than that in CPR + NaHS group. Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α mRNA in myocardium of rats was increased after CPR. Exogenous hydrogen sulfide can protect myocardium cells from resuscitation-perfusion injury, and the protection is associated with increase in expression of HIF 1 αmRNA.

Objective To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide on sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats.Methods Male SD rats were randomly ( random number) divided into 4 groups:control group ( Ⅰ group),sepsis group ( Ⅱ group),sepsis + NaHS group (Ⅲ group),sepsis + PAG group (Ⅳ group). Cecal ligation and puncture technique was used in Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ group. Hemodynamic was observed,and H2S synthesis,CSE (cystathionine-r-lyase) mRNA,MPO activity and the level of TNF-α,IL-1β were determined.The morphological changes and infiltration of inflammatory cells in myocardium were also observed.Results Compared with Ⅰ group,H2S synthesis,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,the activity of MPO increased ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ),and the expression of CSE-mRNA increased,and blood pressure of rats decreased significantly in Ⅱ group.Compared with Ⅱ group,H2S synthesis,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and the activity of MPO increased (P ＜ 0.05),the expression of CSE mRNA did not change noticeably ( P ＞ 0.05),and blood pressure of rats decreased more significantly in Ⅲ group.Compared with Ⅱ group, H2S level decreased,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and the activity of MPO decreased significantly,the expression of CSE mRNA decreased and blood pressure of rats decreased in Ⅵ group (P ＜0.05).Histopathological changes of myocardium were aggravated in the following severity order: Ⅰ ＜ Ⅳ ＜＜ Ⅲ.Conclusions CSE/H2S system of the myocardium was upregulated in sepsis rats.Hydrogen sulfide could raise the levels of MPO,TNF-α,IL-1β,aggravating myocardial injury. Contrarily,the inhibitor of H2S could counteract it.

To investigate the interaction and involvement of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS),a H2S donor,on hippocampus of rats suffering from sepsis-associated encephalopathy,rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis.Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups:Sham group,CLP group,CLP+NaHS group and CLP+aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA,an inhibitor of H2S formation) group.The four groups were observed at 3,6,9,12 h after treatment.We examined hippocampal H2S synthesis and the expression of cystathionine-β-synthetase (CBS),a major enzyme involved in the H2S synthesis in hippocampus.CBS expression was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α,IL-1β) were determined in hippocampus by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Neuronal damage was studied by histological examination of hippocampus.In CLP group,H2S synthesis was significantly increased in hippocampus compared with sham group and it peaked 3 h after CLP (P＜0.05).Sepsis also resulted in a significantly upregulated CBS mRNA in hippocampus.The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the hippocampus were substantially elevated at each time point of measurement (P＜0.05),and they also reached a peak value at about 3 h.Administration of NaHS significantly aggravated sepsis-associated hippocampus inflammation,as evidenced by TNF-α and IL-1β activity and histological changes in hippocampus.In septic rats pretreated with AOAA,sepsis-associated hippocampus inflammation was reduced.It is concluded that the rats subjected to sepsis may suffer from brain injury and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines are responsible for the process.Furthermore,administration of H2S can increase injurious effects and treatment with AOAA can protect the brain from injury.