0.05)in the mild group compared with at the first day, but an obvious rise(P0.05), while continued to increase in the severe group(P

Objective To investigate the expression change of P2X3 receptor in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion(DRG) in rats with experimental inflammatory pain.Methods Totally 30 SD rats received a subcutaneous injection of carrageenan in the right paw to establish inflammatory pain model,and then divided randomly and equally into 5 groups,that is 6,12,24,72 and 168 h after injection.Another 6 rats undergoing a subcutaneous injection of normal saline in the right paw served as control.Pain threshold was assayed by thermal radiation and von Frey filament in 2,4,6,12,24,72 and 168 h after injection.Expression of P2X3 receptor in spinal dorsal horn and DRG of every group was measured by immunohistochemical staining(IHC).Results After injection of carrageenan,thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia appeared in the rats.The thermal withdrawl latency(TWL) and 50% paw withdrawl threshold(PWT) were decreased obviously from 2 h,descended to the lowest at 12 h,then returned to the normal level after 72 h.The expression of P2X3 receptor in spinal dorsal horn was increased obviously from 24 h,while that at DRG was increased obviously from 12 h.Both of the expressions lasted for 72 h,and returned to the normal level at 168 h after injection.Conclusion Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia appear in the rats after carrageenan injection,and the P2X3 receptor is activated and up-regulated in the DRG and spinal cord,suggesting that P2X3 receptor may play an important role in the incidence and development of inflammatory pain.

Objective To investigate the localization of Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7 proteins and their expression changes in the 5/6 subtotally nephrectomized rat kidney. Methods The rat model of chronic renal failure was established by performing 5/6 subtotally nephrectomy (SNx) and rats in the control group underwent sham-operation. The rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 week after operation. The sites and levels of expressions of Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7 proteins were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Renal fibrosis was assessed by measuring tissue hydroxyproline. Results Immunohistochemical staining indicated that Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 proteins were mainly expressed in glomeruli and renal tubular cells, while Smad protein 7 was expressed in glomeruli, but rarely in proximal renal tubular cells. Expressions of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 proteins in glomeruli were significantly increased during 4-12 weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy, but the expression level of Smad protein 7 was significantly decreased, but accompanied increase of hydroxyproline content in the renal tissues. Conclusion These results indicate that TGF-?/Smad signaling is involved in the progress of chronic glomerulosclerosis. The high level expressions of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 proteins and the down-regulation of Smad7 protein may be the major cause of the glomerulosclerosis in this model.

Objective To investigate the expression of P2X receptors in CA1 subfield of rat hippocampus and the effect of hypoxia on the expression. Methods We set up the hypoxia animal model of high altitude and observed the expression of P2X receptors by using immunohistochemical staining before and after hypoxia. Results Immunohistochemistry showed that there were several sub-type of P2X receptors expressed in hippocampus CA1 neurons. After long term hypoxia, the expression of these receptors was increased. Conclusion there were abundant of P2X receptors expressed on the hippocampus CA1 neurons. Hypoxia affects the expression P2X receptors.

Objective To investigate the P2X3 receptor expression and electrophysiological characteristics in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in rat with neuropathic pain caused by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve (CCI) Methods P2X3 receptor expressions in L4,L5 and L6 DRG following CCI were observed by using a polyclonal antibody to label the P2X3 receptor ATP-activated currents in corresponding DRG neurons following CCI were observed by using electrophysiological technique Results A significant increase in P2X3 immunoreactivity was observed in the ipsilateral (injured) L4,L5 and L6 DRG and spinal cord on 7,14 d after CCI In small diameter neurons,a significant increase in the number of cells exhibiting a transient current to ATP was observed on 7,14 d after CCI Moreover,amplitude of these currents was increased Conclusion After CCI,the expression and function of P2X3 receptor in corresponding DRG are increased

Objective To investigate the effects of chitin on the functional recovery after sciatic nerve axotomy. Methods Upon silicone-tubulization of the transected sciatic nerve in the adult rats, either 0.9% saline or 1% chitin solution was injected into the silicone chamber. The status of functional recovery of the injured sciatic nerve was observed by electrophysiological analysis, hydrogen-peroxide oxidoreductase (HRP) retrograde trace method, and axon morphometric analysis at 30 and 90 d respectively after sciatic nerve transection. Results ① Chitin shortened the latent period of CMAP by 1.79 ms and 1.29 ms, promoted the nerve conduction velocity by 16.00 m/s and 22.00 m/s, enhanced the amplitude by 8.17 mv and 12.42 mv, respectively, at 30 and 90 d after sciatic nerve transection (P

Objective To clarify the effective location of propofol in central nervous system (CNS) by detection of the c-jun expression after propofol-induced anesthesia in rats. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control (C), low-dose propofol group (50 mg/kg, P 1), middle-dose propofol group (100 mg/kg, P 2), high-dose propofol group (150 mg/kg, P 3), stimulation with tail broken group (S 1), and propofol + stimulation with tail broken group (S 2). The expressions of nucleoprotein JUN in the CNS were detected by immunohistochemisty. Results Rather weakly stained nucleoprotein JUN positive neurons were observed in the supraoptic nucleus, lateral septal nucleus, and lateral habenular nucleus in the control group. In groups P 1, P 2, and P 3, the expressions of nucleoprotein JUN were increased significantly as compared with those in the control group. The expressions were mainly located in the accumbent nucleus, lateral septal nucleus, periventricular hypothalamic nucleus, ventral lateral geniculalaten nucleus, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, supraoptic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, anteroventral preoptic nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, supramammillary nucleus, basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, paraventricular thalamic nucleus, lateral habenula nucleus, and islands of Calleja. The expressed positive neuron number was positively correlated with the doses of propofol. Conclusion Propofol anesthesia has the determined sites of action in rat CNS.

Computer science and technology has been used to promote the development of objectification of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is also required for international development of TCM. In this paper, on the basis of current situation of Chinese medicine tongue objective research, the analysis was made on involved computer-related technology, relevant standards, and the future trend was discussed.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of pricking anti-Ashi points with fire needles in treating acute lumbar sprain.Method Seventy-six patients with acute lumbar sprain were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 38 cases in each group. The treatment group was intervened by pricking anti-Ashi points with fire needles, while the control group was by warm needling. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Roland-Morris Dysfunction Questionnaire (RMDQ) were adopted to evaluate lumbar pain and dysfunction after 1-day and 5-day treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result Respectively after the first treatment session and 5 treatment sessions, the VAS and RMDQ scores were significantly changed in both groups (P<0.01). Respectively after the first treatment session and 5 treatment sessions, the VAS and RMDQ scores in the treatment group were significantly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate and recovery rate were respectively 94.7% and 63.2% in the treatment group, versus 86.8% and 42.1% in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01).Conclusion Pricking anti-Ashi points with fire needles is an effective method in treating acute lumbar sprain, and it can produce a significant real-time analgesic effect.

Objective To detect the changes of visceral sensitivity in rats presenting intestinal dysbacteriosis and the expressions of tight junction protein (ZO-1)and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)so as to explore the effect of intestinal dysbacteriosis on visceral sensitivity and the possible mechanisms.Methods We randomly divided 30 male SD rats of SPF grade into normal control group (n = 12 )and dysbacteriosis group (n = 18 ).Rats in dysbacteriosis group were administered with lincomycin hydrochloride (300 mg/mL),1 mL each time per rat once a day for 7 consecutive days;those in normal control group were fed with the same amount of saline.On the eighth day,six rats were randomly selected from normal control group and dysbacteriosis group respectively to detect whether the model was successful.After the model was successfully constructed,the remaining 12 dysbacteriosis rats were randomly divided into the negative control group and the probiotics intervention group with 6 in each.Rats in the intervention group were given probiotic bifidobacterium triple viable capsules (Bifico)orally,one capsule with 1/3 mL of saline,1 mL each time per rat once a day for 7 consecutive days;those in the negative control group received the same amount of saline.On the eighth day,fresh feces was cultured for flora to detect visceral sensitivity by abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR),the mRNA and protein expressions of ZO-1 and TLR4 in the colon,and the expression of serum inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TNFα.Results The expression of ZO-1 in the colon was significantly lower in the rats of dysbacteriosis group than those in the control group,and the expression of TLR4 was also significantly increased.Correspondingly,the expression of pro-inflammatory factor TNFα in the serum of the rats in dysbacteriosis group was significantly increased,while that of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was significantly lower than in the control group (P <0.05).Furthermore,compared with dysbacteriosis group,the expression of ZO-1 was increased significantly and TLR4 was decreased in probiotics group in varying degrees. Similarly,the expression of TNFα was obviously lower while that of IL-10 in the serum was higher (P < 0.05 ). Conclusion Inhibiting the expression of ZO-1 and increasing the expression of TLR4,thus leading to chronic low-grade inflammation, may be one mechanism of visceral hypersensitivity caused by intestinal dysbacteriosis. Probiotics may restore the dysbacteriosis and thus improve visceral hypersensitivity.