[Objective] The purpose is to determine the effect of Chaihu Plus Longgumuli Decoction(CD)on behaviors and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)level changed by psychological stress in rats.[Methods] Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to four groups as follows:normal(C),psychological stress model(P),CD(12.5g/kg,ig)+P(DP),and CD(25g/kg,ig)+P(HP).One week later,rats were subjected to psychological stress.The behaviors of rats were tested in open field conditions,and the plasma ACTH level was detected by radioimmunoassay.[Results] The crossing scores,the rearing cores and plasma ACTH level increased more significantly in the psychological stress model rats than that in normal group;Rats in both DP and HP groups showed lower crossing and rearing cores and blunted elevation of plasma ACTH after psychological stress compared with rats in psychological stress model.[Conclusion] The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical(HPA)axis function and anxiety-like behavior could be regulated by CD during psychological stress in rats.

Objective To study the effects of PM2.5 on reproductive hormone levels and pregnancy outcome in female rats.Methods Thirty healthy 4-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (normal saline), low dose of PM2.5(1.5 mg/kg) group and high dose of PM2.5 (37.5 mg/kg) group.After the blood samples were collected, the animals were exposed to PM2.5for 10 days, and then the rats were mated.On the 19th day of pregnancy, the rats were sacrificed for pregnancy outcome observation and blood samples were collected for hormone test.The blood hormone levels were detected using an ELISA kit.Results The live fetus rates in the control, low dose PM2.5 and high dose PM2.5 groups were 90.77%, 59.49% and 60.27%, respectively (P<0.05).The live fetus rates in the low dose PM2.5 and high dose PM2.5 groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05).PM2.5decreased the levels of E2, PROG, CG and LH (P<0.05), compared with that in the control group.Although the blood levels of FSH were not significantly different between the low dose and control groups (P>0.05), the level of FSH in the high dose group was significantly decreased (P<0.05).Conclusions PM2.5may affect pregnancy outcome through influencing the hormone levels.

Objective: To study the mechanism of baicalin in inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis（MTB）and to provide reference for drug-resistant tuberculosis treatment. Methods: Forty male Kunming mice were injected isoniazid-resistant MTB into their tail veins to build models of infection. They were evenly divided into MTB group,isophosiazone group,NF-κB inhibition group and baicalicin group according to treatment. The lung tissue and peripheral blood of the mice were collected on the 8th day after modeling. The morphological changes of the lungs were observed by HE staining. The number of MTB in lung tissue was detected by acid-fast staining and quantitative PCR. The number of macrophagein lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of NF-κB and TLR4 in monocytes/macrophages were detected by flow cytometry. Results: The average weight of mice in the baicalicin group was significantly higher than that in the MTB group,the isophosiazone group and the NF-κBinhibition group（P<0.05）. The average fluorescence intensity of NF-κB and TLR4 in monocytes/macrophages in the baicalicin group were 448.21±30.61 and 401.01±34.58,which were significantly higher than those in the MTB group and the isophosiazone group（P<0.05）. Typical tuberculous chronic granulomatous lesions were observed in the MTB group,isophosiazone group and NF-κB inhibition group,except the baicalin group. The mean number of MTB and CD68+ macrophagesin lung tissue of mice in the baicalin group were significantly less than that in the MTB group,the isophosiazone group and the NF-κB inhibition group（P<0.05）. Conclusion Baicalin achieves an anti-tuberculosis effect by regulating the expression of NF-κB and TLR4 in macrophages,which can be weakened by adding NF-κB inhibitor.

OBJECTIVETo observe the in vitro growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of paclitaxel on the human osteosarcoma cell line U-2 OS.

METHODSU-2 OS cells were treated with various concentrations of paclitaxel. Proliferation was determined by cell count in a neubauer cytometer chamber. Viability was assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion. Paclitaxel-induced morphologic alterations were visualized using light and transmission electron microscopy. The extent of paclitaxel-induced apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemical detection (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling technique, TUNEL).

RESULTSThe cells treated with paclitaxel initially showed G(2)/M arrest, which was followed by apoptosis. The characteristic apoptotic changes, including nuclear disintegration and chromatin agglomeration, were displayed. Large amounts of micronuclei cells appeared, something not observed in those cells treated with cisplatin and adriamycin for contrast. Also, extensive DNA-cleavage was detected using TUNEL.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates that paclitaxel has an apoptotic-inducing effect on osteosarcoma cells through the initiation of G(2)/M arrest and inhibiting mitosis in both a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osteosarcoma ; drug therapy ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured