OBJECTIVE:To prepare Capsaicin liposome and to investigate its stability.METHODS:0.075%capsaicin li-posome(W/V)was prepared with thin-film dispersion and micro-fluidic technology.The stability indices such as grain size,surface potential and encapsulation efficiency were investigated.RESULTS:The prepared liposome was characterized by small and steady grain size.No obvious changes were found in appearance,grain size,surface potential and encapsulation efficiency of liposome under the airtight storage for9days or stored at4℃for10months.CONCLUSIONS:The technology of liposome can encapsulate capsaicin,and maintain good stability in the short period of time.

OBJECTIVETo labele MESPU35, a embryonic stem (ES) cell line derived from C57BL/6j mouse, with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) for further application.

METHODSThe EGFP gene was controlled by the hybrid CA promoter/enhancer (CMV enhancer/chicken beta-actin promoter/beta-actin intron) to construct the vector of the transgene, pCA-EGFP. The vector was transfected into MESPU35 by electroporation.

RESULTSWe generated EGFP expressing ES cells demonstrating normal properties. The green fluorescence of EGFP expressing cells was maintained in propagation of the ES cells for more than 30 passages as well as in differentiated cells. Cultured in suspension, the "green" ES cells aggregated, and formed embryoid bodies maintaining the green fluorescence at varying developmental stages. The "green" embryoid bodies could expand and differentiate into various types of cells, exhibiting ubiquitous green fluorescence.

CONCLUSIONSThe hybrid CA promoter/enhancer used to control the EGFP expressing ES cells, resulted in more intense and ubiquitous activity. The EGFP transfected cells yield bright green fluorescence, which can be visualized in real time and in situ. In addition, the ES cells, MESPU35, are derived from C57BL/6j mice, which are the most widely used in oncology, physiology and genetics. Compared to 129 substrains, C57BL/6j mice avoid a number of potential problems apparent in the other strains.

Animals ; Embryo, Mammalian ; cytology ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; Luminescent Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of emodin on proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and the possible mechanism.

METHODSCell proliferation was determined by MTT spectrophotometry, cell differentiation was determined by Oil Red O staining,and fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity was determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSEmodin promoted proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte at low concentration and inhibited the proliferation at high concentration in a dose-related manner. In contrast, it inhibited cell differentiation into adipocyte at low concentration in a dose-related manner. In vitro emodin inhibited the activity of FAS in a dose-related manner.

CONCLUSIONSThe effects of emodin on 3T3-L1 cell's proliferation and differentiation are dose dependent. Emodin inhibits the activity of FAS. Our results suggest that emodin should have a potential to serve as a fat-reducing drug.

3T3 Cells ; Adipocytes ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Emodin ; pharmacology ; Fatty Acid Synthases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Stem Cells ; drug effects ; physiology