Objective To study the effects of uhrashortwave and low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in fracture healing. Methods Fifty-six New Zeal-and rabbits with artificial fractures were randomly divided into 4 groups:a control group,an ultrashortwave group,a low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field group and an ultrashortwave combined with low frequency pulsed electro-magnetic field group(combined group),with 14 in each group.Radiographic evaluation of callus formation and frac-ture healing,pathohistological examination and detection of VEGF expression through immunohistochemical staining were performed at the 1 st,2nd,4th and 6th week after the operation. Results Radiographic examination showed that there was significantly greater callus formation in the combined group than in the other groups throughout the healing process. Pathohistological examination also revealed significantly more cartilage islets and callus formation in the combined group.At the 1 st,2nd and 4th week after the operation,VEGF positive indexes in the combined group were significantly higher than in the other groups. Conclusion Uhrashortwave combined with low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field exposure can up-regulate the expression of VEGF and thus can accelerate fracture healing.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on expression of caspase-3 in the is- chemic penumbra in the early stage of cerebral ischemia in rats. Methods 100 Wistar rats were randomly divid- ed into a sham-operated group, a model group and an electroacupuncture group. The middle cerebral artery was ex- perimentally occluded in the rats in the model and electroacupuncture groups, while a sham operation without cere- bral artery occlusion was carried out on the rats in the sham-operated group. Immunocytochemistry was employed to detect the expression of caspase-3 in the ischemic penumbra at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after cerebral ischemia. Re- suits There was almost no positive expression of caspase-3 in the sham-operated rats. Numerous caspase 3-posi- tive cells were found in the ischemic penumbra in the model and electroacupuncture groups. The peak of expression was reached 24 hours after cerebral ischemia. The number of caspase 3-positive cells was significantly greater in the model group than in the electroacupuncture group at 24 h and 48 h. Conclusion The increase of caspase 3-posi- tive cells in the ischemic penumbra is time-dependent. Electroacupuncture can significantly decrease the expression of caspase-3.

Objective To observe the expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins in the smooth bladder muscle of rats after spinal cord injury (SPI).Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly and evenly divided into a model group and a control group.The model group had SPI induced using the modified Allen's method,while the control group was only given laminectomy.Six hours after the operation,the Basso Beattle Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale was used to evaluate the rats' hindlimb locomotor function.Nissl staining was used to observe the morphological changes in their spinal cords,while Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were employed to assess the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and protein 62 (P62).The expression of autography gene Beclin1 mRNA was determined using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The average BBB score in the model group was significantly lower than in the control group.After Nissl's staining,a decreased number of neurons and Nissl bodies was observed.Western blotting showed that the expression of LC3-Ⅱ had increased significantly and that of P62 had decreased significantly in the model group compared with the control group.The immunofluorescence staining showed LC3 and P62 dots in the bladders' smooth muscle cells.RT-PCR detected significantly higher LC3 and Beclinl mRNA levels in the model group than in the control group;in contrast the average P62 mRNA level was significantly lower.Conclusions Autophagy was activated in rats' bladder muscles after SPI.That may be related to the pathogenesis of a neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury.