Objective To observe the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in the hippocampi of rats stressed by restraint,and adjustments to 11β-HSD1 expression in response to electroacupuncture.The mechanisms of adjustment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA) to electroacupuncture were also studied.Methods Rats were randomly divided into a control group,a group stressed by restraint and an electroacupuncture group.The rats in the control group received no treatment. The rats in the strssd group were put into a small columnar cage and their hind legs tied outside the cage. The electroacupuncture group, in addition to being restrained,received electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoints on both sides of their bodies. The rats were then sacrificed and their hippocampi were isolated and lysed. The expression of 11β-HSD1 in each hippocampus were observed using the Western blotting technique. Results The leves of expression of 11β-HSD1 in the hippocampi of the restrained group were significantly higher than those in the control group.After electroacupuncture,11β-HSD1 expression in the hippocampus increased further and lasted 3 h. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoints (ST36) can increase 11β-HSD1 expression in the hippocampus of stressed rats, and this adjustment may be related to the HPA axis' negative feedback function.

Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy

Accidents, Occupational ; Acute Disease ; Adult ; Ethylene Oxide ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operating Rooms ; Young Adult

Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Styrene

Objective:To investigate the impact of conditioned medium of decidual stromal cell culture(DSCM) on proliferation,apoptosis and invasion of trophoblast cells.Methods:lsolution,culturing and indentifying the purity of decidual stromal cells from healthy women of early pregnancy to prepare different concentrations of DSCM (5％,20％,50％ and 100％);Proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay;Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry using annexin V-FITC/PI staining;Cell invasion was assayed using a Transwell chamber;RT-PCR and gelatin zymography were used to explore the mechanism of cell invasion.Results:Using this method we obtained a purity over 90％ of decidual stromal cells.With the concentration of DSCM increased(5％,20％,50％,100％),the OD value of the MTT assay has elevated and the rate of apoptosis declined,the infiltrating cell increased as well (P ＜ 0.05);Compared with control group,DSCM treatment led to a significant increase in the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2/9(P ＜0.05).Conclusions:Decidual microenviroment may promote trophoblast proliferation and inhibite its apoptosis besides could enhance its ability of invasion by altering the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

In order to investigate the effects of simvastatin on secretion and mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Production and mRNA expression of IL-6 and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The results showed that simvastatin could significantly suppress LPS-induced IL-6 production and mRNA expression in adipocytes (P<0.05), but increase the LPS-induced adiponectin secretion and mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). It was suggested that simvastatin could exert beneficial effects on prevention of obesity-induced metabolic changes in adipocytes.

A unilateral tinnitus occurred at right ear in a hypertensive and diabetic woman shortly after an ipsilateral peripheral facial palsy. Audiometric tests showed a predominant sensorineural hearing impairment at right ear. Her tinnitus was abolished after an administration of a low dose of gabapentin. In view of a controversy of gabapentin and tinnitus in previous trials, the fi ndings in this patient support that low dose gabapentin can benefi t specifi cally the subgroup of tinnitus patient with sensorineural impairment due to secondary contributing factor.