Objective: To investigate the effects of the combination of imbalanced branched-chain amino acids and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on nutritional and survival condition of tumor-bearing rats. Methods: The SD rats were each given a catheterization of jejunostomy and an inoculation of Walker-256 carcinosarcoma cells subcutaneously. Forty-eight rats were randomized into 4 groups: Group A (balance amino acid + NS), Group B (balance amino acid + 5-FU), Group C (valine-depleted amino acid + 5-FU), and Group D (complex amino acid of valine-depleted and leucine-supplemented + 5-FU). The change of rat′s weight, main organ weights, serum prealbumin (PA) and transferrin (TF) concentration were investigated.In addition, rat′s survival time was observed. Results: The loss of rat′s weight in group C was significantly increased compared with group A and B (P

Aim To observe the protective effects and its mechanisms of Garlic Polysaccharide(GP) on toxic cardiac myocyte induced by adriamycin (ADR). Methods Primary culture neonatal SD rat cardiac myocyte and ADR injury model were established. The activities of several superior fluid and cells enzymes were measured. Using MTT assay and flow cytometry, the apoptotic cardiac myocyte was shown. Results ADR increased the superior fluid creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and augmented myocardial malondialdehyde (MDA) content, while decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities (P

Aim To study the protective effect of the compound flavones on chronic alcohol induced testicu-lar damage in mice. Methods One hundred SPF C57 BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control group, chronic alcohol group, alcohol+low-dose drug group, alcohol+high dose drug group, and drug control group. Chronic alcohol testicular inju-ry model in mice was established by intragastric admin-istration of increasing dose of alcohol every four weeks for 6 months, meanwhile compound flavone interven-tion was in process. The activity of super oxide dis-mutase( SOD) , the levels of malondialdehyde( MDA) and testosterone in testicular tissue were measured. HE staining was used to observe testicular histomorpholo-gy, and ultrastructure changes were detected by elec-tron microscope. Results In chronic alcohol group, MDA content was obviously increased, while SOD and testosterone levels were decreased compared with nor-mal control group ( P <0. 05 ) . In addition, germinal epithelium, support cells and sperm production at all levels showed degraded degeneration in chronic alcohol group. However, compound flavonoids could success-fully reverse alcohol-induced testicular damage in a dose-dependent way. Conclusion The compound of flavones may have therapeutic potential for alcohol-in-duced testicular injury through inhibiting lipid peroxi-dation and increasing the level of testosterone.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of icariin against varicocele-induced damage on rat epididymis. Methods Forty adolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), experimental varicocele (EV) group (n=15), icariin (ICA) therapy group (n=15). Experimental varicocele model in the EV group and ICA group was established. The EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The rats in the control group underwent a sham operation that separated the spermatic vessels without ligation. Each rat in the control group and EV group was lavaged with 2 mL physiological saline every day for 6 weeks. Each rat in the ICA group was lavaged with icariin [100 mg/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. Rats in all groups were executed after 6 weeks. The contents of sialic acid were measured by spectrophotometry. Carnitine concentrations were measured by DTNB. HE stain was used to observe the microstructure changes in the epididymal tissue. Electron microscopy was used for observing the ultrastructural changes of the epididymis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to detect the apoptosis of the epididymal epithelium. Results Compared with the control group, the microstructure and ultrastructure of the epididymis in EV group showed pathological damage. Compared with the EV group, the damage of the epididymal microstructure and ultrastructure significantly alleviated. Apoptosis index (AI) of epididymal epithelium in the EV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). However, AI of epididymal epithelium in the ICA group was significantly lower than that in the EV group (P < 0.01). The sialic acid and carnitine concentrations of the epididymis in the EV group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), respectively. However, the sialic acid and carnitine concentrations of the epididymis in the ICA group was significantly higher than that in the EV group (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion This study indicates that varicocele could result in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and icariin decreased the varicocele-induced apoptosis , suggesting that varicocele could damage the structure and function of epididymis, which can be repaired by icariin.