Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; physiology ; Infant, Newborn ; Urination

OBJECTIVEThis study explored the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on the expression of nerve cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy induced by lithium-pilocarpine (Li-PILO) in order to provide a basis for investigating the antiepileptic mechanism of LEV and its doseresponse.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control, a Li-PILO model and two LEV treatment groups (LEV: 150 and 300 mg/kg) (n=12 each). The LEV treatment groups received LEV by intragastric administration 6 hrs after status epilepticus (once daily for 2 two weeks). The expressions of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus was determined by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the Li-PILO model group was significantly higher than in the normal control group (P<0.05). LEV treatment of 150 and 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA compared with the Li-PILO model group (P<0.05). The LEV treatment group at the dose of 300 mg/kg showed significantly lower expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA than the 150 mg/kg LEV treatment group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLi-PILO can up-regulate the expressions of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy. LEV can inhibit the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA and the effect is associated with the dose of LEV.

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Piracetam ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor wortmannin on long-term learning and memory abilities in neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).

METHODSForty-eight neonatal rats were randomly assigned to blank control (n=8), sham-operated (n=8), HIBD model (n=10), HIBD+DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide, n=8) and HIBD+wortmannin groups (n=8). Wortmannin (2 μL) was injected to the left hippocampus 30 minutes before HIBD inducement in the HIBD+wortmannin group. The Morris water maze test was used to examine the long-term learning and memory abilities at the age of 28 days.

RESULTSWith the increased number of swimming, the escape latency was shortened in various groups. From the second day, the escape latency in the HIBD+wortmannin group was significantly longer than that in the sham-operated and the blank control groups (P<0.05), and the differences increased with the time. On the fourth day, there were significant differences in the escape latency between the HIBD+wortmannin group and the HIBD+DMSO group as well as the HIBD model group (P<0.05). On the eighth day (retention trial), there were the most obvious differences in the escape latency between the HIBD+wortmannin group with the other four groups. In the space exploration test, the number of times crossing the former platform location within 120 seconds after removing the platform in the HIBD+DMSO and the HIBD model group was lower than the sham-operated and the blank control groups (P<0.05). The HIBD+wortmannin group showed lower number of times crossing the former platform location compared with the HIBD+DMSO and the HIBD model groups (P<0.05), as well as the sham-operated and the blank control groups (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSP13K/Akt signaling pathway inhibitor wortmannin can aggravate the cognitive impairments, thus affecting adversely long-term learning and memory abilities in neonatal rats with HIBD.

Androstadienes ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; psychology ; Learning ; Maze Learning ; Memory ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; physiology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and caspase-3 in the intestine of neonatal rats with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and explore the protective effects and possible regulatory mechanisms of glutamine (Gln) in NEC.

METHODSSixty premature rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=20 each): control, NEC model and Gln intervention group. NEC model was prepared by formula feeding, hypoxia and cold stress. The Gln intervention group was also subjected to hypoxia and cold stress but was fed with formula containing Gln (0.3 g/kg). Two days later, the rats were sacrificed and the intestine tissues were obtained. The histological changes of ileal tissues were observed by hemetoxylin and eosin staining. The expression of caspase-3 and TLR-4 protein in the jejunum, ileum and colon were detected by inmunohistochemistry. The expression of TLR-4 mRNA in the jejunum, ileum and colon were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the histological score of ileal tissues, and the expression of caspase-3, TLR-4 protein and TLR-4 mRNA in the NEC model group increased significantly (P<0.01). Gln intervention decreased significantly the histological score of ileal tissues, and the expression of caspase-3, TLR-4 protein and TLR-4 mRNA compared with the NEC model group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTLR-4 might be involved in the pathogenesis of NEC. Gln may provide protective effects on intestine possibly through reducing the TLR-4 expression and then decreasing the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Caspase 3 ; analysis ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glutamine ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of brain development delay in rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) by examining the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and tyrosine kinase receptor A (Trk A) in the brain.

METHODSThirty-two pregnant rats were randomly fed with a normal diet (control group) or lower protein diet (IUGR group) during pregnancy (n=16 each). The pup rats were sacrificed at 0, 7, 14 or 21 days after birth. The protein levels of NGF and TrkA in the brain were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSThe levels of NGF and TrkA in the brain in pup rats of the IUGR group were significantly lower than those in the control group 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after birth.

CONCLUSIONSThe decreased expression of protein levels of NGF and TrkA in the brain might be one of the causes of brain development delay in IUGR rats.

Animals ; Birth Weight ; Brain Chemistry ; Female ; Fetal Death ; epidemiology ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, trkA ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of brain protection against convulsive brain damage in premature brains by observing the changes of apoptotic-regulating genes of bcl-2 and c-Jun expression in the hippocampus in Wistar rats with different ages after status convulsion (SC).

METHODSSC was induced in infant Wistar rats (IRs) and adult Wistar rats (ARs) by intraperitoneal injection of lithium-pilocarpine. The rats were sacrificed at 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after SC (n=8). Bcl-2 and c-Jun protein and mRNA levels were measured using immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization.

RESULTSc-Jun protein levels increased significantly at 3 hrs and reached the peak at 6 hrs after SC in both IRs and ARs compared to those in the normal control group (P<0.01). c-Jun protein levels started to decrease 12 hrs after SC in both IRs and ARs. The expression of c-Jun protein in IRs returned to the basal level 1 day after SC, while remained higher in ARs than in the normal control group by 7 days after SC. The expression of c-Jun protein in ARs was much higher than that in IRs from 6 hrs to 7 days after SC (P<0.05). c-Jun mRNA level was in parallel with the protein level as mentioned in IRs and ARs after SC. There were no changes observed in both bcl-2 protein and bcl-2 mRNA levels after SC in IRs and ARs.

CONCLUSIONSSC may induce an up-regulation of proapoptotic gene c-Jun in the hippocampus after SC, with a less strong extent and shorter duration in IRs compared to that in ARs. This might be one mechanism of brain protection against convulsive brain damage in IRs. The expression of bcl-2 remains unchanged after SC and is not affected by age in both IRs and ARs.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seizures ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 in lungs of mice with asthma and the effect of rosiglitazone (PPAR-γ agonist) on their expression.

METHODSFortyfive BALB/c SPF female mice were randomized into control group and asthma groups with and without rosiglitazone intervention. After ovalbumin stimulation and rosiglitazone intervention the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed. Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lung tissues were determined using RT-PCR. The levels of IL-4 and IFN-γ in peripheral blood were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA of lung tissues in the untreated asthma group increased significantly compared with the control and the rosiglitazone treated groups (P<0.05). A significantly increased blood expression of IL-4 and a significantly decreased blood expression of IFN-γ were found in the untreated asthma group compared with the control and the rosiglitazone-treated groups (P<0.05). The expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA was positively correlated with blood IL-4 level (r=0.792, r=0.794 respectively; P<0.05), but negatively correlated with blood IFN-γ level (r=-0.692, r=-0.757 respectively; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGalectin-9 and Tim-3 mRNA levels in lungs increase in mice with asthma and significantly correlate with the levels of blood Th1/Th2 cytokines. This suggests that Galectin-9 and Tim-3 are closely related to inflammatory process in asthma. Rosiglitazone treatment may decrease the expression of Galectin-9 and Tim-3.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Female ; Galectins ; genetics ; Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; PPAR gamma ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Receptors, Virus ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Thiazolidinediones ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of the prenatal use of tetrandrine (TET) against congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in rats and possible mechanisms.

METHODSPregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, nitrofen and TET treatment. The later two groups were administered with nitrofen by gavage on day 9.5 of gestation. On day 18.5 of gestation, TET (30 mg/kg) was given by gavage (once a day, for three days) in the TET treatment group. On day 21 of gestation, parts of pregnant rats were delivered by cesarean section and amniotic fluid was collected. The fetal rats were examined for a diaphragmatic hernia. Lung histologic evaluations with microscope and immunohistochemistry staining of TNF-α were performed. TNF-α in amniotic fluid was detected using ELISA. The remaining pregnant rats were allowed to deliver spontaneously at term. The survival of pup rats was observed until 24 hrs of age.

RESULTSIn the nitrofen group, significant lung hypoplasia was presented not only in fetuses with CDH but also in those without CDH. Stronger expression of TNF-α was observed in fetal lungs and amniotic fluid in the nitrofen group, even when CDH was absent. The TET treatment group showed improved lung development compared with the nitrofen group. The incidence of large diaphragmatic hernia in the TET treatment group was lower than that in the nitrofen group (P<0.05), and the expression of TNF-α in fetal lungs and amniotic fluid in the TET treatment group was also lower than in the nitrofen group (P<0.01). The 24-hr survival rate of pup rats in the TET group was higher than that in the nitrofen group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPrenatal use of TET can improve nitrofen-induced pulmonary hypoplasia, decrease the incidence of large diaphragmatic hernia and increase the survival rate of pup rats, possibly through a reduction in the production of TNF-α in fetal lungs and amniotic fluid in rats with CDH.

Animals ; Benzylisoquinolines ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; prevention & control ; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVECyclinD1 and p21CIP1 are major proteins to regulate lung cell proliferation and involved in lung development and lung injury reparation. This study aimed to explore the expression manners of CyclinD1 and p21CIP1 at canalicular, saccular and alveolar stages during lung development in Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSLung tissues were obtained from fetal rats of 20 and 21 days gestational ages, and neonatal rats at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days (n=6). Lung tissues were used for histopathology and the protein analysis of CyclinD1 and p21CIP1 (immunohistochemistry and Western blot).

RESULTSThe strongest expression of CyclinD1 and the weakest expression of p21CIP1 occurred at 20-21 days gestation (canalicular stage). At the canalicular stage, CyclinD1 was mainly expressed in epithelial cells, and the expression of p21CIP1was negative. At the saccular stage, the expression of CyclinD1 decreased significantly and the p21CIP1 expression increased significantly. Positive expression of CyclinD1 and p21CIP1 was found in epithelial cells and interstitial cells. At the alveolar stage, the CyclinD1 expression was the lowest and the p21CIP1 expression was the highest. The positive expression of CyclinD1 was found in interstitial cells and that of p21CIP1 was found in epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONSThe location and quantity of CyclinD1 and p21CIP1 expression are different at various stages during lung development in rats. A strongest CyclinD1 expression found in the canalicular stage may be associated a high lung cell proliferation. A strongest p21CIP1 expression found in the alveolar stage may be associated with alveolar maturity.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclin D1 ; analysis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; analysis ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; embryology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria is a rare disorder of organic acid metabolism caused by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase deficiency. The disorder was common in neonatal or infant period. Here a case of late onset 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria complicated by leucodystrophy was reported. The patient was a 7-year-old boy. He presented with progressive headache, drowsiness and vomiting. Hepatic lesions, ketosis and leucopenia were found. Symmetrical diffused leucodystrophy was shown by MRI. Blood levels of isovalerylcarnitine and acetylcarnitine increased significantly. Urinary levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric, 3-methylglutaconic, 3-hydroxyglutaric acids and 3-methyl-crotonylglycine increased significantly. Symptoms were released by intravenous infusion of L-carnitine and glucose. After treatment for 6 months, urinary levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria decreased in the boy and his health improved.
Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase ; deficiency ; Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; complications ; Child ; Hereditary Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Male