Objective To evaluate the effect of sevoflurane on brain injury in pigs with hemorrhagic shock (HS).Methods Twenty-four adult male Bama miniature pigs, aged 6 months, weighing 22-25 kg, were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups using a random number table: sham operation group (group Sham) , group HS, and sevoflurane group (S group).In group Sham, the bilateral femoral arteries and internal jugular vein were only punctured.The animals were anesthetized with iv propofol 3.0 mg/kg, tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated.The right femoral artery was cannulated for blood-letting.HS was induced by blood-letting (40％ blood volume within 15 min), and it was then maintained for 1 h after the end of blood-letting to induce brain injury.In group S, 2％ sevoflurane was inhaled for 30 min after successful establishment of the model.Immediately before establishment of the model (T0) , and at 30, 60,90, 120, 180 and 240 min after HS (T1-6) , blood samples were collected from the internal jugular vein for determination of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in serum (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100β protein concentrations in serum (using double antibody sandwich method).Results Compared with group Sham, the serum IL-1β, TNF-α, NSE and S-100β protein concentrations were significantly increased at T2-6 in HS and S groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group HS, the serum IL-1β, TNF-α, NSE and S-100β protein concentrations were significantly decreased at T3-6 in group S (P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sevoflurane can mitigate brain injury in pigs with HS, and the mechanism is associated with inhibition of inflammatory responses.

Objective To evaluate the effect of monosialoganglioside (GM-1) on hippocampal protein kinase B (Akt) /glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) signaling pathway in the rats undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6 months, weighing 400-500 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =6 each) using a random number table:control group (group C), CPB group and GM-1 group.GM-1 20 mg/kg was added to the priming solution in group GM-1, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group CPB.At 3 h after termination of CPB, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein for determination of plasma neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S-100β protein concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.After blood sampling, the rats were sacrificed, and the hippocampi were isolated for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of the hippocampal neurons (with electron microscope), and for detection of neuronal apoptosis (with light microscope) and phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C, the concentrations of plasma NSE and S-100β protein, and the number of apoptotic neurons were significantly increased in CPB and GM-1 groups, the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β was decreased in group CPB, and the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β was increased in group GM-1 (P＜0.05).Compared with group CPB, the concentrations of plasma NSE and S-100β protein, and the number of apoptotic neurons were significantly decreased, the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK-3β was increased (P＜0.05), and the pathological changes were reduced in group GM-1.Conclusion GM-1 can reduce apoptosis in hippocampal neurons through activating Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway, thus mitigating CPB-induced brain injury in rats.

Objectives:To compare the effect of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) and methylprednisolone(MP) on intracellular free calcium(［Ca2+］i) and capacity of containing water(CCW) after spinal cord injury(SCI).　Methods:Forty-two SD rats were divided into four groups： control, GDNF,MP and GDNF+MP.GDNF and MP were supplied through subarachnoid cavity, tail vein and both of the above after T12 segments spinal cord injury by modified Allen crush method. Animals were executed and specimens were collected at 24 h, 72 h and 168 h after SCI.［Ca2+］i and CCW were measured using Fura-2 method.　Results:Both ［Ca2+］i and CCW of injured spinal cord in GDNF,MP, and GDNF+MP groups were lower than that of the control group at 24 h and 72 h after SCI(P<0.01).Levels of ［Ca2+］i and CCW in GDNF group was much higher than that of MP and MP+GDNF groups(P<0.01),but there was no difference between MP group and MP+GDNF group(P>0.05) 24 hours after SCI. Seventy-two hours after SCI,［Ca2+］i in GDNF group was higher than that in MP group, MP group was higher than MP+GDNF group(P<0.05).CCW of GDNF group exceeded that of MP and MP+GDNF group(P<0.01).［Ca2+］i in GDNF group was higher than that in MP group, and MP group was higher than MP+GDNF group(P<0.01) 7 days postoperatively, but for CCW, there were no differences among GDNF,MP and MP+GDNF groups(P>0.05).　Conclusions: Both GDNF,MP and GDNF + MP groups might reduce ［Ca2+］i and CCW of injured spinal cord. The curative effect of MP for SCI preponderate over that of GDNF, the effect of MP could be enhanced by adding GDNF.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and accuracy of quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in assessment of fracture healing. Methods Twenty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two groups, ie, Croup A (union model group, transverse fracture open created on mid-shaft of tibia and inter-fixed by kirschner wire) and Group B (non-union model group, transverse fracture with 5 mm defect on mid-shaft of tibia open created, then sealed with bone wax on fracture gap and medulla cavity, inter-fixed by kirschner wire). At 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, Kirschner wire was withdrawn and plain X-ray and QCT scanning were performed on the bilateral tibia. Then, rabbits were scarified and its bilateral tibia were desected and histologically examined. The result of X-ray and histological analysis was used as the "golden standard" for evaluation of fracture healing. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the evaluation performance of QCT. The corresponding segments of the contralateral healthy tibia were used as control to investigate the change of QCT parameters. Results In Group A, X-ray and histological analysis verified clear fracture line filled with irregular callus at 2 and 4 weeks but proved vague or vanishing fracture line and continuous and intact cortex of irregular callus at 8 and 16 weeks. In Group B, X-ray and histology analysis found clear fracture line with inactive ossification at 2 and 4 weeks but vague fracture line with scarce osteocyte and bone trabecula at 8 and 16 weeks. ROC analysis of QCT results showed the following results; (1) the areas under curve (accuracy) of material parameters including bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were 0.781 and 0.750 respectively; (2) structure parameter-cross-sectional area (CSA) and the area under curve of cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI) were 0.781 and 0.469 respectively (P <0.05); (3) the areas under curve of the extending parameters bone strength indices (BSICSA) and CSMI bone strength indices ( BSICSMI) were 0. 913 and 0. 813 respectively (P < 0.05); (4) the area under curve (accuracy) of BSICSA, CSA and BMD were 0.905, 0.921 and 0.905 respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions QCT has potential in distinguishing fracture union and nonunion models in measurement of local fracture pattern. The screening parameters with more accuracy are BSICSA, CSA, BMD, which have advantages of accuracy and specialty in assessing fracture healing.

Objective To evaluate the effects of non-wounded leg ischemic post-conditioning on the serum TNF-α and NO level of rats undergoing pancreas transplantation. Methods Group Sham consisted of 6 normal SD rats. 12 diabetic SD rats were randomly assigned to 2 groups: I/R group consisted of 6 diabetic rats which received ischemia reperfusion and NWLIPO group consisted of 6 diabetic rats which received ischemic post-conditioning. Blood glucose was measured before and after reperfusion. The level of serum NO and TNF-α was monitored 2 hours after long-time reperfusion. Results The level of blood glucose and TNF-α in NWLIPO group was lower than that in I/R group (P＜0. 01) while the level of NO was higher in NWLIPO group than in I/R group (P＜0.01). Conclusion Non-wounded leg ischemic post-conditioning can increase serum NO synthesis and down-regulate TNF-α.