Objective To investigate the changes of proteins expressions in intestinal mucosa of rats after is chemic postconditioning (IPo) against intestinal ischemic/reperfusion (Ⅱ/R) injury of intestine in order to elucidate its potential mechanisms of protective role. Methods Sixteen SD rats were randomly divided into Ⅱ/R group and IPo group ( n = 8). Rats of both groups received an episode of ischemic/reperfusion insult to intstine that was made by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 60 minutes. Rats of IPo group underwent three additional episodes of clamping SMA on for 30 seconds and off for 30 seconds successively after prolonged reperfusion/reperfusion of intestine. The intestinal mucosa was taken by scratching immediately after reperfusion in both groups, and total proteins were separated by immobilized pH gradient (IPG) based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed using Image Master 2D Elite 5.0 image analysis software, and the proteins were cut out from the gel and then identified using MALDI-TOF-MS. The biological information of these proteins was looked for in the database of these peptide mass finger-printing (PMF) .Results Ten differentially expressed proteins were found, of which 6 were up-regulated and 4 were down-regulated in IPo group. Nine proteins were identified and characterized by their bioelements including aldose reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase that were related to anti-oxidative stress and inhibition of cell apoptosis. Conclusions The well-reproducible 2-DE profiles of intestinal mucosa in II/R and IPo groups were established. The potentially protective effects of IPo may be attributed to up-regulating protein expressions of aldose reductase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, and thereby suppressing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo study the treatment effects of cultured Cordyceps sinensis combined with glucocorticosteroid on experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rats induced by bleomycin.

METHODFifty rats were randomly divided into five groups, including control group, model group, cultured C. sinensis groups, prednisone group, cultured C. sinensis combined with prednisone group. On experimental day 0, the rats were respectively intratracheally instilled with bleomycin, and rats in the control group and model group with the same volume of normal saline. One day after the injection, cultured C. sinensis and glucocorticosteroid was respectively given to rats daily by gastric gavage, while the same volume of normal saline was given to those in the control group and model group. On 28th d, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. Histological changes of the lungs were evaluated by HE stain, Masson's trichrome stain. Collagen content of the lung tissue was assessed by hydroxyprolin concentration. Lung expression of CTGF protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The level of TGF-beta1 protein was measured by ELISA.

RESULTCompared to model group, pulmonary fibrosis were alleviated in cultured C. sinensis and prednisone group, and CTGF expression, Hydroxyproline concentrations and protein TGF-beta1 were decreased. The combination effect of C. sinensis and prednisone group is augmented compared with using C. sinensis or prednisone group alone.

CONCLUSIONThe cultured C. sinensis and prednisone alleviates pulmonary fibrosis, and the combination use of both drugs has synergia effects in anti-fibrous degeneration.

Animals ; Bleomycin ; toxicity ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; analysis ; Cordyceps ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley