OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of metformin (MF)on serum sex hormone and leptin contents in ovariectormized female rats. METHODS: 40 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group(normal saline 5 mL? kg-1?d-1,NS group),OVX group(normal saline 5 mL?kg-1?d-1),OVX+low and high dosage MF group(135,270 mg? kg-1?d-1,MFlow and MFhigh group),all group were ig drugs for 30 days on end.The serum sex hormone indexes including E2,P,LH,LSH and leptin content were measured with RIA. RESULTS:Compared with NS group,the serum E2 and P content were significantly lower(P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MF can significantly improve sex hormone secretion and lower serum content of LEP in OVX rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of clemastine fumarate on lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits.Methods Fifty New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes,weighing 2.0-3.0 kg,were divided into 3 groups using a random number table:sham operation group (Sham group,n =10),I/R group (n =20) and clemastine fumarate group (Cle group,n =20).The model of lung I/R was established by clamping the left hilum of lung and decreasing the tidal volume followed by restoration of perfusion and ventilation 1 h later in I/R and Cle groups.At 3 h of ventilation in group Sham and 2 and 4 h of reperfusion in I/R and Cle groups,blood samples were collected for determination of serum tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The left lung was lavaged,and the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was colleted for determination of white blood cell count.Lung specimens were obtained for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of lung tissues and for determination of wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio),expression of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction) and cell apoptosis (by TUNEL).The apoptosis rate was calculated.Results Compared with Sham group,the W/D ratio,white blood cell count in BALF,serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 and apoptosis rate were significantly increased,and the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA was up-regulated in I/R and Cle groups (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Compared with I/R group,the W/D ratio,white blood cell count in BALF,serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-8 and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased,and the expression of IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA was down-regulated in Cle group (P＜0.05 or 0.01).The pathological changes of lung tissues were significantly attenuated in Cle group than in I/R group.Conclusion Clemastine fumarate can attenuate lung I/R injury in rabbits.

Objective To explore the expression change of Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits and the influence of clemastine fumarate on it. Methods Fifty rabbits were divided into five groups randomly (n=10): Sham (N+S), reperfusion for 2 hours (N+I1/R2), reperfusion for 4 hours (N+I1/R4), clemastine fumarate + reperfusion for 2 hours (F+I1/R2) and clemastine fumarate+reperfusion for 4 hours (F+I1/R4). The ischemia time in each group was 1 hour and normal saline was given respectively in groups of N+S , N+I1/R2 and N+I1/R4. Western blotting , RT-PCR and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of TLR4 in lung tissue , and the changes of ultrastructure in ischemia-reperfusion lung tissue were observed by electron microscope. Result The expression of TLR4 was elevated obviously in ischemia-reperfusion lung tissue (P<0.05), and there was positive correlation between the increased TLR4 level and reperfusion time (P<0.05), the swelled and thick-ridge mitochondria were observed in type II alveolar epithelial cells after LIRI (P<0.05); but clemastine fumarate inhibited the expression of TLR4 in lung tissue significantly caused by LIRI (P<0.05). And the mitochondria injury was reduced in the groups of clemastine fumarate. Conclusion TLR4 expression is elevated in lung tissue after LIRI; clemastine fumarate inhibits the expression of TLR4 caused by LIRI and protects the lung tissue from LIRI in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the method for rapid and effective isolating of calcium-tolerant cardiomyocytes(CTC) from rats. METHODS: CTC were obtained by retrograde perfusion using modified Langendorff heart perfusion apparatus. After incubation of cardiomyocytes in KB solution, the ion currents were recorded with patch-clamp technique in whole-cell mode. RESULTS: Of the whole isolated cells, 70% were survival. Of which, 80% were CTC. A typical outward potassium current was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: A large number of CTC with normal electrophysiological characteristics can be obtained by mastering the digestion time based on variation of perfusion pressure and keeping all the factors in cell isolation under control.

Aim To study the effects of Metformin (MF) on endocrine function of pituitary-gonad axis in rats. Methods The serum hormone concentration was measured with radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the morphology of gonad endocrine cells was observed with electron microscope. Results MF(135 mg?kg-1?d-1,ig,14 d)decreased serum T concentration in male rats and serum LH concentrations in female rats significantly(P

Aim To study effects of metfomin(MF) on calmodulin(CaM) mRNA exprssion of the pitutary-gonad axis in rats.Methods The CaM mRNA expression of the pitutary-gonad axis in rats was measured with the real time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Results MF (270 mg?kg-1?d-1,ig,21 d) significantly inhibited the CaM mRNA expression in testes (P

Objective: To investigate the association between gene polymorphism of vesicular monoamine transporter type 2(VMAT2) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese population. Methods: 430 patients with schizophrenia and 470 age-sex matched controls were recruited from four mental health centers. All patients were diagnosed by two psychiatrists based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID). The ligase detection reactions (LDR) method was used to assess the polymorphism of the two SNPs (rs363371 and rs363324) of VMAT2. Results: No associations of two SNPs with schizophrenia was found. When we stratified males and females for the analysis, we found that that in the recessive model of rs363371, there was an obvious significant association between rs363371 and schizophrenia in males (OR=0.564, 95% CI=0.357–0.892, p=0.014) but not females. For the association between rs363324 and schizophrenia, no association was found in either males or females. No association was found when stratifying early-onset schizophrenia and late-onset schizophrenia. Conclusion Our findings indicate that both rs363371 and rs363324 were not associated with schizophrenia, while it seemed that the AA genotype of rs363371 plays a protective effect in male Chinese in developing schizophrenia.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with different types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods:A total of 272 eligible COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University from January 22 to February 15, 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. General characteristics, the first laboratory examination and imaging data of these patients were collected. According to the clinical classification, there were 236 cases in non-severe group (mild+ common type) and 36 cases in severe group (severe+ critical type). Comparisons between groups were performed by t test, chi-square test or rank-sum test when appropriate. Results:There were 23 males and 13 females in the severe group, 103 males and 133 females in the non-severe group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.149, P=0.023). The age of severe group was (60.5±11.2) years, which was higher than that of non-severe group (46.8±15.7) years. The difference was statistically significant ( t=6.43, P<0.01). The lymphocyte (LYM) count, platelet (PLT) count and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2) in the severe group were 0.90(0.55, 1.10)×10 9/L, 170.00(143.50, 198.00)×10 9/L and 73.50(69.70, 83.00) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), respectively, which were all lower than those in the non-severe group (1.42(1.09, 1.95)×10 9/L, 187.00(148.00, 230.00)×10 9/L and 96.00(83.20, 108.00) mmHg, respectively). The differences were all statistically significant ( Z=5.59, 2.00 and 5.00, respectively, all P<0.05). The levels of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C reaction protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the severe group were 123.00(79.00, 212.00) U/L, 32.10(27.00, 47.40) U/L, 305.50(216.00, 396.00) U/L, 37.02(23.92, 63.66) mg/L and 0.09(0.05, 0.19) μg/L, respectively, which were all higher than those in the non-severe group (68.00(48.00, 103.00) U/L, 20.10(16.70, 26.20) U/L, 179.00(150.00, 222.00) U/L, 26.55(18.11, 36.96) mg/L and 0.04(0.03, 0.06) μg/L respectively), and the differences were all statistically significant ( Z=3.89, 5.60, 5.12, 2.85 and 5.43, respectively, all P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in white blood cell count, creatine kinase isoenzyme and blood lactate between the two groups ( Z=1.53, 0.41 and 1.00, respectively, all P>0.05). Conclusion:Gender, age, LYM count, PLT count, PaO 2, CK, AST, LDH, CRP and PCT could be used to provide reference for clinical classification of COVID-19 patients.