According to their polypeptide length and number of d is ulphide bonds, disintegrins are divided into five groups, including short-sized disintegrins, medium-sized disintegrins, long-sized disintegrins, dimeric dis integrins and disintegrin-like molecules released from the disintegrin-like do mains of P-III snake venom metalloproteinases. The integrin-inhibitory activit y of disintegrins, to inhibit platelet aggregating, cell attaching and angiogene sis, depends on the active tripeptide RGD, the appropriate pairing of cysteine r esidues, the amino acids adjacent to the RGD motif within the integrin-binding loop and the C-terminus of the disintegrin polypeptidesl as well.

The free amino acid concentrations in serum were determined in 65 normal adults by use of the physiological fluid analysis in Hitachi 835-50 Model Amino Acid Autoanalyer. 29 specimens were determined by physiological fluid analysis and protein hydrolyzate analysis method simultaneous-ly.The results of Serine, Glycine, Valine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Lysine, Tryptophan, Proline, and the molar ratio of the bran-ched-chain amino acids/aromatic amino acids were very similar. By hy-drolyzate method Aspartic acid was not detected and Threonine, Glutmic acid, Cystine, Methionine and Arginine were higher than physiological fluid analysis.The reasons for such higher values were discussed.

The effects of vitamin A on wound healing and thymus weight were studied in postoperative rats. Serum vitamin A level was significantly lowered in rats (group I) received vitamin A 6?g ? 100g bw-1?d-1. per os as.compared to the uninjured control received the same dose of vitamin A. The thymus in group I was significantly atrophic than the control. In rats received vitamin A 25?g?100g bw-1?d-1 (group Ⅱ), serum vitamin A level was kept normal and the thymus was unchanged. The histological change of the skin during wound healing nearly approached normal, and the tensile strength of the healed wound was markedly greater than in group Ⅰ. In rats received vitamin A 50?g?100g bw-1?d-1 (group Ⅲ), the effect on wound healing and the thymus was not better than group Ⅱ. A suitable dosage of vitamin A in wound healing was about 25?g?100g bw-1?d-1, i.e. 4 times the normal allowances of the rat.

Objective: To study the regulatory effects of Momordica charantia L. saponins on immune function of senile mice. Methods: Female senile Kunming mice (15 months) were divided into senile control group(SC), experiment group 1(E1) and experiment group 2(E2). SC drank tap water, E1 and E2 drank tap water supplemented with 100mg/L and 200mg/L Momordica saponins respectively. After 5 weeks, samples were collected for IL 2, TNF ?, T cell subpopulation, phagocytosis index, thymus and spleen indices. At the same time, splenocyte, peritoneal macrophage, thymocyte obtained from senile mice, were cultured in medium containing 25mg/L and 50mg/L Momordica saponins respectively, and tested for IL 2, TNF ? and apoptosis. Results: There was no change in spleen index, but thymus index increased markedly in E2 group. Phagocytosis index, serum IL 2 level were increased obviously, while there was significant difference between E2 and E1. At the same time, ratio of CD8 + T cell raised significantly in thymus, and ratio CD + 4 CD + 8 T cell declined obviously in both thymus and spleen. Momordica saponins could increase splenocyte to secrete IL 2, enhance peritoneal macrophage to secrete TNF ?, but had no effect on apoptosis of thymocyte. Conclusion: Momordica saponins can improve immune function of senile mice by modulating the ratio of T cell subpopulation.

Forty-two male rats were fed with normal vitamin E( VE)requirement diet, i.e. 0.2mg?100gbw?-1d-1 for one week and then thirty-five rats were induced a 3rd degree burn of 20% BSA, another 7 uninjured rats served as normal contrsol. The burned rats were divided into 5 subgroups receiving VE at the dosage of 0.2, 1, 2, 5,10mg. 100gbw-1?d-1 respectively for 14 days. The re-ults showed that the serum and liver VE contents were lower and the serum LPO higher significantly in the burned rats as compared with the normal control,it wao also found that thymus was atrophic, the thymic cortex become thinner thymocytes constricted, and the splenic corpuscles decreased, the sperm and spermatocytes were markedly decreased with testis atrophy. Whet burned rats were fed VE, as the dosage increased to 2mg?100gbw-1?d-1, the serum and liver VE levels significantly raised and the serum LPO returned to control level. The histological changes of thymus, spleen and testes were nearly similar to the normal control rats.

BACKGROUND: Genistein is the main component of phytoestrogen soy isoflavone and its structure is similar to estrogen,which suggests that it might prevent or delay osteoporosis. Research on the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and calcium(Ca), phosphor(P), zinc(Zn) and magnesium (Mg) in ovariectomized rats are rare.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and Ca,P,Zn and Mg in ovariectomized rats to provide a theoretical gist for the prevention of osteoporosis by genistein.DESIGN: A controlled experiment based on experimental animals.SETTING: Department of Nutrition,General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine,Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA between February and June 2003. Ten-week old female Wistar rats [certification number: (military medical animal): D98014] with a body mass of(170±20) g were selected.INTERVENTIONS: Experimental animals were fed with normal feeding for 6 weeks and then the feeding was changed to AIN-93 compound. Animals were then randomly divided into ovariectomized group (n=40) and sham-operation group(n=7) based on bodyweight after 5 days. Ovariectomized group received ovariectomy and sham-operation group only received abdominal incision. After 5 days of recovery,the ovariectomized group was further randomly divided into 5 subgroups with 8 rats each including ovariectomized control subgroup,estrogen subgroup [diethylstilbestrol 20 μg/(kg · d)],genistein Ⅰ,Ⅱ,or Ⅲ subgroup[dose of 25,50 or 100 mg/(kg · d)]. After 3months of feeding,6 rats were randomly selected from each group for the detection of bone density and corresponding bone hismorphometric indicators.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone density,corresponding parameters of bone mineralization,Ca,P,Zn and Mg contents in bone of mice in each group RESULTS: After ovariectomy,femoral bone density decreased [(0. 247± 0.007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width increased[(7. 04 ±0. 32)μm],bone mineralization delayed [(4.96±0.99) days],osteoid maturity prolonged [(26.99±7.70) days],and Ca[ (251.11± 5.31) mg/g],P[(115.08± 3.78) mg/g],Zn[ (299.69±37.1)μg/g] and Mg[(4. 32±0. 12) μg/g]were all significantly different from that of sham-operation group(P<0.05).After the application of genistein,femoral bone density had a tendency of improvement[ (0. 250±0. 007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width narrowed[ (4. 97±0.77) μm],bone mineralization delayed time[ (3.18±0.69) days] and osteoid maturity time[(14.53 ±3.84) days] shortened, contents of Ca [(270.00±5.65) mg/g],P[(124.25±2.37) mg/g] andMg[(4.61±0. 08) μg/g]elevated while Zn content had no significant changes.CONCLUSION: Genistein promotes osteoid mineralization,reduces the loss of Ca, P and Mg in the bone and prevent the generation of osteoporosis in unsexed rats

Objective To evaluate the role of hippocampal AMPA receptors in the antidepressant effect of ketamine in rats.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats aged 2 months weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 each):control group (group C); ketamine group (group K) and AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX group (group N).The animals were forced to swim for 15 min on the 1st day.On the 2nd day,NBQX 10 mg/kg was injected intrapefitoneally in group N; 30 min later,normal saline was injected intraperitoneally in group C,while ketamine 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in groups K and N.The forced swimming test was performed again for 5 min at 30 min after administration and the immobility time of the rats was recorded.Then the animals were sacrificed and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of phosphorylated rapamycin (p-mTOR) and phosphorylated glutamate receptor 1 (p-GluR1).Results Compared with group C,the immobility time was significantly shortened and the expression of p-mTOR and p-GluR1 up-regulated in group K,and the immobility time was significantly shortened,the expression of p-mTOR up-regulated and the expression of p-GluR1 down-regulated in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group K,the immobility time was significantly prolonged and the expression of p-mTOR and p-GluR1 down-regulated in group N (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion AMPA receptors in hippocampus are involved in the antidepressant effect of ketamine in rats and the inhibition of mTOR and GluR1 activities may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective: To investigate the effects of genistein (Gen) on bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Forty-seven Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups: sham-operated (sham), ovarietomized (ovx), ovarietomized plus diethyl stilbestrol [E, 20?g/(kg bw?d)] or Gen [25、50、100 mg/(kg bw?d)] administration. After the rats had been fed for 3 mo,bone mineral density (BMD), histomorphometric parameters, the serum concentration of osteocalcin (BGP) and urinary contents of pyridine and hydroxyproline (HYPRO) were analysed. Results: BMD, trabecular bone volume (TBV) and mean trabecular plate density (MTPD) of ovariectomized rats were significantly decreased, but serum concentrations of BGP,urinary contents of deoxypyridinoline and HYPRO and mean trabecular plate space (MTPS) increased compared with the sham. After 3 mo of Gen supplementation, TBV,MTPD and urinary deoxypyridinoline were improved significantly in ovariectomized rats. Conclusion: Genistein reduced bone loss in ovariecromized rats by suppressing bone metabolism and osteoclast activity.

To study the effect of soybean isoflavones(SI) on thymocytes in irradiated mice. Method: Ninety male mice were randomly divided into control group, irradiated group, irradiated plus 0.5% dose SI group. After 2w feeding, the mice received 4.0 Gy 137Cs ?-radiation. The cell cycles,cell apoptosis and proliferation of thymocytes and thymus index were observed in irradiated mice after 12h, 24h, 1w and 2w. Results: After the mice were irradiated, the thymus became significantly atrophic, and the rate of cell apoptos and the cell cycles of G0-G1 phase in thymocytes were significantly increased (P

Objectives To study the radiation-protective effects produced by the estrogenic activities of genistein(Gen) .Method After blocking estrogen receptor activities by Tamoxifen and Faslodex,the effects of Gen on 30d survival rate and average life span of the mice were monitored after exposure to lethal dose ? radiation(7.5Gy),and the effects of Gen on innate(nonspecific) immune response as well as humoral(B-cell mediated)immune response of the mice were examined after exposure to 4.0Gy ? radiation.Results Gen can enhance the survival rate,average life span,and immune response of the ?-radiation exposed mice.While Tamoxifen had no significant effects on survival rate and immune response of the exposed mice,Faslodex caused a decrease in survival rate and average life span and also inhibited the immune response in those exposed mice.Conclusion Genistein can enhance the radiation tolerance in mice through activation of estrogen receptor ? pathway.