Intestinal flora plays an important role in promoting digestion,maintaining intestinal physiological function and regulating immune system. In recent years,it is found that intestinal flora not only regulates intestinal activity,but also affects the brain function and behavior. Early studies have shown that changes in probiotics may lead to alteration in brain function and mood. Studying the influence of intestinal flora on brain function helps us to catch on the pathogenesis of mental disorders such as autism,and expand our comprehension on the mechanism of brain activity as well. This article reviewed the advances in study on affecting pathway of intestinal flora on brain.

OBJECTIVE:To study the improvement effect of Z-Guggulsterone(Z-GL)on blood coagulation and vascular endo-thelial functions of acute blood-stasis model rats and its mechanism. METHODS:40 rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,positive group(Aspirin tablet,50 mg/kg)and Z-GL low-dose and high-dose groups(25,50 mg/kg),with 8 rats in each group. They were given relevant medicine intragastrically every 12 h,and normal group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically for consecutive 7 times. After the fifth administration,except for normal group, those groups were given adrenalin hydrochloride subcutaneously+ice-cold water to induce acute blood-stasis model. Within 30 min after the last administration,aorta abdominalis sample were selected to detect the coagulation parameters [prothrombin time(PT), thrombin time (TT),activated partialthromboplastin time (APTT),fibrinogen (FIB)],and pathological changes of carotid artery were observed. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUEVCs) were divided into blank group (normal saline),model group (normal saline) and Z-GL low-concentration and high-concentration groups (25,50 μmol/L). After culturing for 24 h,the cells were exposed to glucose and oxygen deprivation for 6 h in model group and Z-GL groups. The expression of p-eNOS protein was detected. Other cells were selected,grouped,administrated and treated as above cells,and the NO level of these cells were detect-ed. RESULTS:Compared with normal group,PT,TT and APTT were all shortened in model group,while FIB content was in-creased (P<0.01);vascular endothelium was injured,and endothelial cells fell off from the wall. Compared with model group, PT,TT and APTT were prolonged in administration groups,while FIB content was decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);vascular en-dothelium injury was relieved. Results of p-eNOS protein and NO levels determination showed that compared with model group, p-eNOS protein and NO levels were increased in Z-GL groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Z-GL can significantly im-prove coagulation and vascular endothelium functions of blood-stasis model rats,and its mechanism may be associated with the acti-vation of eNOS and the increase of NO level.

Objective To study the effects of morroniside on the expression of Wnt signaling-related transcription factors neurogenin 2 (Ngn2), Pax6 and Tbr2 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex 7 days after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=3), ischemia group (n=3), and morroniside groups (low, medium and high dosage groups, n=3). The middle cerebral artery were occluded for 30 min, and re-perfused. Morroniside was administered intragastrically once a day at dose of 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg and 270 mg/kg 3 hours after operation. The expression of Ngn2, Pax6 and Tbr2 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex were detected with Western blotting analysis 7 days after operation. Results The expression of Ngn2 increased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group (P<0.05), and it further increased the morroniside groups of medium and high dosage compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the ischemia group and sham group in the expression of Pax6, while it increased the morroniside groups of medium and high dosage compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference among all the groups in the expression of Tbr2. Conclusion Morroniside could increase the expression of Ngn2 and Pax6 in the ischemic ipsilateral cortex 7 days after ischemia-reperfusion in rats, suggesting promoting the neurogenesis after ischemia.

Objective To study the effects of morroniside on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and MMP-9 in the peri- infarct cortex 3 days after cerebral ischemia- reperfusion. Methods 15 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=3), ischemia group (n=3), and morroniside groups (low, medium and high dosage groups, n=3). The middle cerebral artery were occluded for 30 min, and re-perfused. Morroniside was administered intragastrically once a day at dose of 30 mg/kg, 90 mg/kg and 270 mg/kg 3 hours after operation. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in peri-infarct cortex were detected with immunohistochemistry staining 3 days after operation. Results The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased in the ischemia group compared with the sham group (P<0.01), and it decreased in all the morroniside groups compared with the ischemia group (P<0.01). Conclusion Morroniside could decrease the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the peri-infarct cortex 3 days after ischemia, suggesting protecting the function of blood-brain barrier from ischemia.

Objective To explore the effect of celecoxib on proliferation and apoptosis of the glioma cells. Methods The glioma cell U251 was used and disposed with different densities of celecoxib (0 μmol/L, 10 μmol/L, 20 μmol/L, 40 μmol/L and 80 μmol/L) for 24 h, 48h and 72 h. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the tumor cell proliferation and flow cytometry was used to detect the tumor cell apoptosis rate. Results The Glioma U251 cells proliferation were significantly decreased with the increase of density of celecoxib in vitro, and there was significant difference in the inhibited rate in different density and different time (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate was higher in the density of 80 μmol/L (17.86%) than in that of 0 μmol/L (11.23%) (P<0.05). Conclusion Celecoxib can inhabit the proliferation of glioma U251 cells, and promote the apoptosis especially with the density of 80 μmol/L.

AIM:To compare the reliability and plaque area between using high-cholesterol diet and high-cho-lesterol diet with corn oil to establish a rabbit atherosclerotic model .METHODS:Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were ran-domly divided into 3 groups (6 rabbits each):normal diet group (group C), high-cholesterol diet group (group H1) and high-cholesterol diet containing 6%corn oil group (group H2).All rabbits were fed for 12 weeks, and their body mea-sured was weighed at the end of every weeks .The serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C) , low-den-sity lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) , total cholesterol ( TC) and triglyceride ( TG) were measured by automatic chemistry analyzer at 0 week and 12 weeks.At the end of 12 weeks, the thoracic aorta of 8-cm length since aortic root was isolated from the rabbit after anesthesia , and stained with Sudan IV or oil red O to verify the existence of plaque .The percentage of plaque area (PA/IA) in the intima area was further calculated by ImageJ 2x software.RESULTS:At the end of 12-week feeding, the serum levels of HDL-C, LDL-C and TC in both group H1 and group H2 were significantly higher than those in group C, and serum TG in group H2 was significantly higher than that in group C .Serum HDL-C in group H2 was signifi-cantly higher than that in group H1, but no significant difference of serum LDL-C, TC and TG between group H1 and group H2 was found .There was no plaque in the intima in group C , and plaques were observed in the intima of all rabbits in group H1 and group H2.Rabbit atherosclerotic models in both group H 1 and group H2 were established with a success rate of 100%.The values of PA/IA in group H1 [(49.74 ±18.78)%] and group H2 [(56.95 ±26.74)%] were both sig-nificantly higher than that in group C (0%), and no significant difference of PA/IA between group H1 and group H2 was observed.CONCLUSION:High-cholesterol diet with or without corn oil can establish a rabbit atherosclerotic model with a success rate of 100%after 12-week feeding , and the percentage of plaque area in the total aortic intimal area is not differ-ent in the 2 feeding methods .

Objective To investigate the role of chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in the spinal cord expression in a rat model of tibia bone cancer pain.Methods Eighty-four female SD rats weighing 160-180 g were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n =28):control group (group C),sham operation group (group S) and tibia bone cancer pain group (group P).Tibia bone cancer pain was induced by intra-tibial inoculation of Walker-256 breast cancer cells.Paw withdral threshold to mechanical stimulation (MWT) was measured with von Frey filaments at 1 d before and at 1,3,7,10,14 and 21 d after inoculation.Six rats in each group were sacrificed after the measurement of MWT at 1 d before inoculation and at 7,14 and 21 d after inoculation.Lumbar 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of CCL2 by ELISA.The coexpression of CCL2 with Iba-1 (a specific marker of microglia),GFAP(a specific marker of astrocyte) and NeuN (a specific marker of neuron) was determined by double immunofluorescence assay after the measurement of MWT at 14 d after inoculation in group P.Results Compared with groups C and S,MWT was significantly decreased from 7 d to 21 d after inoculation,the expressive of CCI-2 in the spinal cord up-regulated at 7,14 and 21 d after inoculation in group P ( P ＜ 0.05).CCL2 was expressed in the microglia and astrocyte but not in neuron in the spinal cord dorsal horn in a rat model of tibia bone cancer pain.Conclusion Release of CCL2 from microglia and astrocytes in the spinal cord was involved in mechanical hyperalgesia in a rat model of tibia bone cancer pain.

Objective To analyze the reasons of non-planned decannulation (NPD) of peripheraly inserted central catheter (PICC) and explore the applicable prevention strategies.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 432 patients who underwent PICC cannulations maintenance between July 2005 and June 2008.The reasons of 26 cases of NPD were analyzed.Results The main reasons of NPD included cannulation occlusion,cannulation ectopia or translocation,cannulation exfoliation,cannulation-related infections,mechanical phlebitis,and thrombus formation.The complications usually were caused by the poor cannulation material,incorrect fixation,top of canuulation not reaching superior vena cava,lack of management measures for outpatients,accidents,and others.Effective measures for preventing NPD included:use silica gel cannulation;ensure the top of canuulation reach the superior vena cava;and improve the communications between outpatients and nurses.Conclusion NPD of PICC may be caused by various reasons and effective prevention measures should be taken.

Objective To perform molecular cloning and sequencing, bioinformatics analysis,protein expression and function of extracellular signal regulated kinase (EgERK1) of Echinococcus granulosus in Xinjiang. Methods The specific primers of EgERK1 were designed and total RNA was extracted from Echinococcus granulosus in Xinjiang. EgERK1 gene was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and prokaryotic expression plasmid pET28a-EgERK1 was constructed and sequenced. The sequences were analyzed by DNA sequencing and bioinformatics technology. The recombinant EgERK1 protein was induced and expressed. The biological function was detected using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis and Western blot. Results The sequence of RT-PCR product was 1125 bp, encoding 374 amino acids with isoelectric point of 6.34.This gene was a new ERK-homologues gene indicated by BLAST, named EgERK1(EU701008).Homology comparisons indicated that the homology of EgERK1 and EmMPK1from Echinococcus multilocularis was 95.45%, and was 43.04%-61.88% to ERK from Caenorhabditis elegans, S. cerevisiae, D. melanogaster and human. Phylogenetic analysis showed that EgERK1 clustered with EmMPK1. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that EgERK1 contained a highly conserved T-X-Y motif and activation loop segment of ERK-like kinase.Western blot results showed the EgERK1 recombinant protein could reacted specifically with anti-human ERK monoclonal antibody. Conclusion A new EgERK1 gene of Echinococcus granulosus is successfully cloned and its recombinant protein could reacted specifically with ERK1/2 antibody, which provides the basis for further study of EgERK1 function in the host-parasite interaction.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of the potential factors, including Chinese herbal decoction, on the long-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSPrevious clinical data of 162 patients with AMI were collected, who were followed-up to observe the important events for prognosis, as death and cardio-cerebral episode, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the relative factors.

RESULTSThe degree of cardiac function (by New York grading) increased 1 grade when age increased for 10 years, and the relative hazardous degree (RHD) raised to 1.983 and 3.169. After treatment with Chinese herbal decoction and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), the RHD could be reduced to 0.177 and 0.161 respectively. Taking the important cardio-cerebral events, including death, as the endpoint, when age increased for 10 years, the cardiac function would increase for 1 grade and RHD of endpoint events increased to 2.021 and 1.863, if patients had history of anterior infarction, arrhythmia and diabetes mellitus, it increased to 2.903, 2.588 and 4.039 respectively. Chinese decoction and ACEI treatment could reduce it to 0.093 and 0.141 respectively.

CONCLUSIONAge, heart failure, anterior infarction, arrhythmia and diabetes mellitus are the hazardous factors of the long-term prognosis of AMI, Chinese herbal decoction and ACEI are the protective factors.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Phytotherapy ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies