OBJECTIVETo study the ultrastructural localization of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in the endolymphatic sac (ES) of the mouse inner ear and explore the function of the AQP1 in ES.

METHODSThe cellular localization of AQP1 in ES of the mouse inner ear was investigated by immunocytochemistry. The ultrastructural localization of AQP1 in the mouse inner ear was performed by immunogold electron microscopy which is characterized as cryoprotection and high sensitivity.

RESULTSIn the ES, strong AQP1 labeling was observed in the sub-epithelial connective tissue. Fibroblasts of sub-epithelial connective tissue of the ES present densely labeling of gold particles. But the epithelial cells of the ES were devoid of labeling. AQP1 was localized on the cell processes of the fibrocytes.

CONCLUSIONSAQP1 in the ES may play an important role in absorbing water and regulate the balance of fluid and ion in the inner ear.

Animals ; Aquaporin 1 ; metabolism ; Endolymphatic Sac ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Microscopy, Electron

Animals ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Leptin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Animals ; Beverages ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; metabolism

AIM AND METHODSBased on the reaction that 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH) can be oxidized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) to yield the highly fluorescent 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCF), ROS production in mitochondria can be observed dynamically as well as quantified directly by spectrofluorometer.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONDCF fluorescence showed linear increase in State 4 mitochondria, which suggest ROS produced at constant rate. The slopes of the linear increase in fluorescence with time were computed performing a linear regression that took into account all relevant data points in selected time windows. The slopes were proportional to ROS production in mitochondria. Addition of sodium azide and malonic acid increased and decreased the rate of ROS production respectively during measurement. DCF fluorescence varied linearly with increasing concentration of mitochondria, which showed quantitative relations in definite range. Repeated measures showed low coefficients of variation. This method is reliable and efficient for determining ROS in mitochondria.

Animals ; Fluoresceins ; Fluoroimmunoassay ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of bitumen fume on neurotransmitter and ultrastructure of mice brain and to investigate the toxicity of bitumen fume on nerve system of mice brain.

METHODSThe experimental mice were forced to inhale the bitumen fume at different exposure level and in different time periods. The contents of the three transmitters dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in mice brain were measured by the fluorescence meanwhile ultrastructure of mice brain was observed by electronic microscope. The ultrastructure of mice brain was observed under transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe contents of DA, NE and 5-HT in all groups decreased with the increasing of dose and prolonging of time (after 8 week, with the increasing of exposure lever, the content of DA, NE, 5-HT was respectively 2.194, 2.190, 2.181, 2.178 microg/g and 1.148, 1.138, 1.135 and 1.407, 1.403, 1.395 microg), but the results did not show significant differences. The structure of the mitochondria changes included the swollen mitochondria, chromatin margination, pyknosis and apoptosis in neuro cells and the processes of swollen astrocyte cells.

CONCLUSIONThe bitumen fume could induce changes of the ultrastructure of mice brain and affect the contents of neurotransmitter of mice brain.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Hydrocarbons ; toxicity ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; analysis

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Electrophysiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurons ; physiology ; Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Spiral Ganglion ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of apigenin on semen parameters in male mice.

METHODSTotally 100 healthy male mice of Kunming strain were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the body weight: negative control, solvent control, low-dose apigenin, median-dose apigenin and high-dose apigenin, the latter three groups given intragastric apigenin at a fixed time every day for 7 and 14 days. At 35 days after the first medication, all the mice were killed and detected for the sperm motion parameters by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA).

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences in sperm motion parameters, density and motility between the negative control and the three apigenin groups after 7-day medication. At 14 days, the high-dose apigenin group showed remarkable decreases in average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), straightness (STR), wobbliness (WOB), the percentage of grade b sperm and sperm motility, and a significant increase in beat cross frequency (BCF) as compared with the negative control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONApigenin affects sperm motility in male mice to a certain extent.

Animals ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Semen ; drug effects ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

Air Pollution, Indoor ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Memory ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

Acrylonitrile ; toxicity ; Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology