Objective To investigate effects of Baishile Capsules on cAMP-CREB-BDNF signal pathway about hippocampal neurogenesis in model rats with chronic unpredicted stress depression. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, fluoxetine hydrochloride group, and Baishile Capsules high, medium, and low dose groups. Chronic stress depression rat model was established by chronic and mild unpredictable stressors. All groups were given relevant medicine for 21 days. The open-field test, sugar consumption experiment, place navigation test, and space searching experiment were used to detect behavior changes of the rats. ELISA was used to detect content of corticosterone in plasma. The protein expressions of PKA, BDNF, and CREB were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results Compared with model group, Baishile Capsules high dose and medium dose groups could remarkably increase the number of vertical and horizontal activities and 1% sucrose partial eclipse. Platform latency and target quadrant searching time decreased significantly in Baishile Capsules high dose group (P<0.05), and content of corticosterone in plasma increased obviously (P<0.05) in Baishile Capsules all dose groups. Protein expressions of PKA, CREB, and BDNF in hippocampal DG and CA3 area increased significantly (P<0.05) in Baishile Capsules high dose group. Conclusion Baishile Capsules can promote hippocampal neurogenesis through the cAMP-CREB-BDNF signal pathway and realize anti-depression effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription on neurotrophic effects of astrocytes in diabetes mellitus rats with depression. Methods The diabetes mellitus with depression rat models were established by composite method, and then were randomly divided into 5 groups: model group, positive group, Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription high-, medium-, low-dose groups, with 12 rats in each group. 12 normal rats were set as control group. Each administration group was given relevenat medicine for gavage for continuous 4 weeks. Open-field test was used to evaluate the depression-like behavior. The expression of GFAP in astrocyte and MAP2 in neuron were tested by immunohistochemistry. The expression of protein and mRNA of BDNF, GDNF, and NGF were tested by Western blot and RT-PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the activities of rats in model group were significantly reduced. The expression of GFAP increased, while the expressions of MAP2, BDNF, GDNF and NGF decreased. Compared with the model group, the depression-like behavior of rats in model group were significantly improved. The expression of GFAP decreased, while the expressions of MAP2, BDNF, GDNF and NGF increased, and GFAP decrseaed significantly. Conclusion The secretion function of astrocyte can be improved by Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription. Its anti-depression and neuron-protection function might be correlated with the enhancement of neurotrophic effects of astrocytes.

Objective To approach the efficiency of second-trimester prenatal screening using two serum markers for Down's syndrome (DS).Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on the results of prenatal screening using two serum markers,alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin(free-β-hCG),in 50 cases of DS pregnancy identified among 60 931 pregnant women received prenatal screening from November 1997 to April 2008 in Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital.Results Among the 50 DS cases,the detection rate of DS was 50% (25/50) when taking free-β-hCG≥2.5 MoM as the cut-off,with the positive rate of screening was 6.6%.And the detection rate of DS would be 18.0%(9/25) when taking AFP≤0.5 MoM as the cut-off,with the positive rate of screening was 4.6%.When the risk cut-off value of DS was set at 1/270,the detection rate changed to 52.0%,and the positive rate of screening was 4.7%;and the two figures changed to 62.0% and 5.5%,respectively,when the risk cut-off was set to 1/300.Thirteen DS cases showed the risk value between 1/1000 and 1/300,among which two were monomarker abnormality.Thirteen (26.0%) of the 50 DS fetus were found to have one or two abnormality markers by ultrasound scan,among which one was DS low risk,and the other 12 were DS high risk in serum screening.Conclusions The second-trimester prenatal screening using AFP or free β-hCG for Down's syndrome is effective in identifying DS pregnancy with limited specificity and sensitivity.But the detection rate can be elevated by the combination of these two markers.The second trimester systemic ultrasound scan is not ideal for DS identification,but it can increase the specificity and sensitivity of serum prenatal screening.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the intervention effect of Caulis sinomenii compatible with prepared Aconiti Lateralis on bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis （RA）model rats ，and to investigate its mechanism. METHODS Totally 40 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group ，model group ，positive control group （indomethacin 0.013 5 g/kg）and C. sinomenii compatible with prepared Aconiti Lateralis group （C. sinomenii 1.08 g/kg+prepared Aconiti Lateralis 1.35 g/kg）according to body mass ，with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group ，all the other groups made RA rat models by injecting type Ⅱ bovine collagen. Rats in each group were given corresponding drugs or distilled water intragastrically. The general information ，body weight ，foot swelling and arthritis index （AI）scores of rats in each group were recorded. After the 30th day of administration ，the changes of ankle bone in rats were detected by small animal CT machine. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin- 31（IL-31），IL-25 and IL- 3] and chemokines [receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand（RANKL），receptor activator of nuclear factor κB （RANK）and osteoprotegerin （OPG）] in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological indexes of rat ankle joint were observed by HE staining. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of RANKL ，RANK and OPG in synovial tissue of rat ankle joint. RESULTS Compared with blank group ，the mental state of the model group was weak ， the activity decreased significantly ，the hair lost luster ，and the body weight decreased significantly on the 12th to 30th days （P＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01）；the swelling degree of the foot was significantly increased and the AI score was significantly increased on the 12th to 30th days（P＜0.01）；the ankle joint in model group had rough surface ，obvious tissue damage and serious bone erosion ； serum levels of IL- 31，IL-25，IL-3，RANKL and RANK were increased significantly ，while the level of OPG was decreased significantly （P＜0.01）； the expression of RANKL and RANK in synovium of ankle joint increased significantly ， while the expression of OPG decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. Compared with model group ，the above indexes of administration groups were improved to varying degrees ，and most of the differences were statistically significant （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS By inhibiting the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway ，C. sinomenii compatible with prepared Aconiti Lateralis can inhibit the excessive proliferation of osteoclasts and restore the balance of bone metabolism so as to play a role in protecting bone joints and treating RA.