Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; metabolism ; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide ; genetics ; metabolism ; Platelet Activating Factor ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression changes and regulation of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) mRNA in corpus luteum during pregnancy.

METHODSPregnant rats' ovaries were collected at different time points. The techniques of RT-PCR and in situ hybridization were used to observe expression changes of PACAP mRNA in rat ovaries during pregnancy. To further explore the regulation mechanism of PACAP mRNA expression in corpus luteum, luteal cells were cultured in vitro. Immature (25 - 28 days old) female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with 50IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), and 25IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) 48 h later, to induce follicular development and luteum formation. On day 6 after hCG administration (the day of hCG administration was the first day), the rats were killed by guillotine and the ovarian luteal cells were collected. After incubation for 24 h, luteal cells were administration with various factors for 24 h. And then expression changes of PACAP mRNA in luteal cells after administration with different factors were detected by RT-PCR, and radioimmunoassay was used to analyze progesterone levels.

RESULTSWith the development of pregnancy, the expression of PACAP mRNA increased gradually, reached the peak at pregnancy 19 d, and then decreased. Compared with control group, platelet activating factor (PAF), forskolin and PMA could obviously stimulate PACAP mRNA expression in luteal cells which were cultured with corresponding factors for 24 h. At the same time, progesterone levels in culture media were also elevated.

CONCLUSIONPACAP, acting as a local ovary regulator, was closely related to the maintenance of medium-term and late pregnancy. PAF could directly stimulate PACAP mRNA expression in luteal cells, and protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) signal pathways could both participate in this process.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Corpus Luteum ; metabolism ; Female ; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide ; genetics ; metabolism ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To investigate the types of dysphagia after stroke (DAS) calling for neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and to explore the probable mechanisms of the treatment. Methods Sixty patients with DAS diagnosed by videofluoroscopie swallowing study (VFSS) were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). VFSS, misaspiration, laryngeal elevation, food residues and food intake scores of the two groups were evaluated and compared before and after 10 days of treat-ment. After that, both groups were divided into mild, moderate and severe sub-groups separately according to their VFSS scores. The VFSS scores of the six subgroups were then compared. Results There was no significant differ-ence between the two groups with regard to VFSS scores and misaspiration, laryngeal elevation, food residues, food intake scores before treatment. After 10 days of treatment, VFSS scores in the treatment group were significantly high-er than in the control group, and miaspiration and laryngeal elevation scores were significantly lower. There were no significant difference between the two groups in terms of food residues and food intake scores. The VFSS scores of pa-tients with moderate DAS in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group, but there was no significant difference between patients with mild and moderate DAS in the two groups. Conclusions NMES could be an effective treatment for DAS. NMES treatment is most effective for moderate DAS, but has no advantage in treating the mild cases. NMES may improve laryngeal elevation and decrease misaspiration.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Zuojin Pill and Fanzuojin Pill (ZJP and FZJP) on the growth metabolism of enterobacteria from the biothermodynamic viewpoint, and to objectively validate the difference between the two drugs for investigating a new way in congener Chinese drugs research.

METHODSThe growth metabolism power-time curves of enterobacteria affected by ZJP and FZJP in different concentrations were obtained by microcalorimetry. And the activities of the two drugs were assessed depending some related characteristic parameters, including growth rate constant (k), maximum output power (P(max)), peak time (T(p)) , maximum heat-output (Q1), and bacteria inhibition rate (I).

RESULTSWith the drugs' concentration increasing, T(p) was prolonged, k value reduced in enterobacteria, i.e. , the two drugs both inhibited the growth of enterobacteria in different extents. Comparison of inhibiting rates showed that the bacteriostasis activity of ZJP was greater than that of FZJP.

CONCLUSIONSThere was objective difference in activities of inhibiting enterobacteria between ZJP and FZJP. Microcalorimetry could express the features at real-time, on-line and sensitively. It was able to determine the activity of drugs accurately and quickly in appraising congener Chinese drugs, like ZJP and FZJP, by microcalorimetry.

Animals ; Calorimetry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enterobacteriaceae ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains

OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanisms of Zuoguiyin (ZGY) on the ovarian nitric oxide (NO) production in peri-menopausal rats.

METHODSThe peri-menopausal model rats were respectively administered with low (13.78 g/kg), middle (20.67 g/kg), and high (31.00 g/kg) dose ZGY, and nilestriol for 8 weeks. Normal saline was given by gastrogavage to rats in the model group and the young control group (as the control group). The ovarian NO content and the activity of total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were detected using nitrate reductase method and chemical colorimetry respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of inducible NOS (iNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) were detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTS(1) Compared with that in the control group, the ovarian NO content and the activity of total NOS in peri-menopausal rats were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Middle and high dose ZGY could obviously up-regulate them (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (2) The three kinds of NOS expression levels in perimenopausal rats were obviously lower when compared with those of the control group (P < 0.01). Middle dose ZGY could significantly promote all the three kinds of NOS expression levels of pre-senile rats (P < 0.01). High dose ZGY could up-regulate the expressions of iNOS and eNOS, while low dose ZGY could only enhance the iNOS expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe down-regulated expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS in local ovaries resulted in decreased NOS activity and NO production, which were closely correlated with damaged microcirculatory vascular functions of ovaries in peri-menopausal rats. ZGY could protect rats' ovarian microcirculation by up-regulating the expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS, and enhancing the ovarian NOS activity and NO production.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Perimenopause ; Rats

Objective We aimed to investigate the expression of IRF4 and apoptosis of the histone deacetylase inhibitor LBH589 against MM cells in vitro,and study the mechanism of apoptosis when LBH589 alone or/and combined with lenalidomide in RPMI8226 cell so as to provide a new strategy for the treatment of multiple myeloma.Methods The cell viability on the growth of RPMI8226 cell were assessed by CCK8 assay.Apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry,The Grandpad software analyzes the statistical significance and evaluates the synergistic effect of the drug.The expression level of the related transcription factor and apoptotic gene protein were determined by western blot.The cell viability on the growth of RPMI8226-R cell were assessed by CCK8.Results LBH589 combined with lenalidomide have significant effect on inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.Apoptosis induced by LBH589/lenalidomide alone or combination was shown to involved PARP activation,decreased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression.significantly down regulated transcriptional related factors of IRF4 and c-MYC expression compared with either agent alone.Conclusion LBH589 and lenalidomide alone or combination decrease the expression of transcription factor IRF4 and c-MYC,and have a significant synergistic effect,and highly expression of IRF in RPMI8226-R reduce proliferation inhibition.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of diabetes (DM) in a community of Chongqing downtown area in 2008.Methods The investigation was conducted from March to June 2008.Cluster sampling in a population aged above 20 years was applied in a community of Chongqing downtown area.3668 subjects were enrolled by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTF).Results The prevalence rate of DM,IGT and IFG was respective 7.44%,6.43% and 7.16%.All the prevalence rates were inereased with aging.Conclusions The incidence of DM in Chongqing city is relatively high,and the incidence is increasing with time.The prevention may be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on injured neurons and the signal transduction mechanism of calmodulin (CaM) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI).

METHODSA total of 25 SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group, an EA. group, a TFP group and an EA+TFP group. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established by the modified Longa thread occlusion method. The EA group was treated with EA at "Dazhui" (GV 14) and "Baihui" (GV 20) for 30 minutes. The TFP group was treated with lumbar intrathecal injection of Trinuoperazine (TFP) at a dose of 40 microL/kg, the inhibitor of CaM. The EA + TFP group was treated with EA combined with TFP, and the sham-operation group and the model group without any treatment. The neurology deficit score was evaluated by the Julio's neuroethology score methods in all rats, and the expression of CaM in cerebral hippocampus tissue was detected with immunohistochemical method in different intervention condition.

RESULTS(1) In comparison with the model group of 6.90 +/- 1.66, the neuroethology score in the EA group of 14.50 +/- 1.08, the TFP group of 11.70 +/- 1.06 and the EA + TFP group of 14.30 +/- 1.06 were all significantly increased (all P < 0.01), while those still were all lower than the sham group of 17.60 +/- 0.52 (all P < 0.01), and the EA group was better than the TFP group (P < 0.01). (2) In comparison with the sham group of 0.080 +/- 0.045, the immune positive expression score of CaM protein in hippocampus in the model group of 1.680 +/- 0.268 was sig nificantly increased (P < 0.01). In comparison with the model group, the expression score of CaM protein in the EA group of 0.880 +/- 0.179, the TFP group of 0.720 +/- 0.179 and the EA + TFP group of 0.420 +/- 0.249 were all significantly reduced (all P < 0.01), and the expression score of CaM in the EA + TFP group was lower than that in the TFP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEA can reduce the injury of cerebral neurons induced by CIRI in rats and promote the recovery, which may be related to its effect in regulating CaM signaling pathway after the ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Calmodulin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Gene Expression ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the anti-inflammatory effect of Aike Mixture (AKM) on rats with nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP).

METHODSRat model of NBP was established by injection of Xiaozhiling Injection. The experimental rats were randomized into 7 groups: the three AKM groups (A1, A2 and A3), treated with high, middle and low dose of AKM respectively, the 2 positive control groups (C1 and C2), treated by Bazheng Mixture (BZM) and Qianliexian Decoction (QLXD) respectively, the model control group (Cm) and the sham-operative control group (Cso). The pathological changes in rats' prostate were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSSignificant differences in the number and structure of acini, mesenchyma, as well as the degrees of anti-fibroplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration were shown between the treated groups (A1, A2, A3, C1, C1, C2) and the untreated groups (Cm, Cso), with statistical significance (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, the anti-fibroplasia and anti-inflammatory effects in A1 were better than that in the two positive control groups significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAKM is a new TCM drug functioned for dispersing Gan-qi in treating NBP. It shows a better efficacy than that of BZM and QLXD, the two Chinese herbal medicines for clearing heat with remove dampness and activating blood circulation to remove stasis, respectively. Aike Mixture; prostatitis; pathological observation

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the different extracts from Radix Isatidis on multiplication of mice lymphocytes.

METHODLymphocytes were separated and cultured. Immunological activities of different extracts from Radix Isatidis were studied by thermodynamics and the results were tested by the conventional pharmacological experiments.

RESULTThe results showed that the water extract and residue had significant immunological effects while organic solvent extracts had immunological activity to some extent.

CONCLUSIONThe comparison of immunological activity among the extracts from Radix Isatidis were as follows: residue after extracting > general extract > nBuOH extract > EtOAc extract > CHCl3 extract > P E extract.

Animals ; Calorimetry ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Isatis ; chemistry ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry