OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Xiaoyao Powder (XP) and its compatible prescriptions on the ethology, morphology, and activities of neurotransmitters, thus exploring their effects and mechanism in preventing and treating D-galactose induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice, and clarifying the compatibility mechanism for soothing Gan, nourishing blood, and invigorating Pi.

METHODSSixty SPF mice were randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, and the XP group, Shugan Jianpi group (SJ), Shugan Yangxue group (SY), and Jianpi Yangxue group (JY), 10 in each group.The AD mouse model was prepared by peritoneal injecting D-galactose. Meanwhile, mice in the blank control group and the model group were administered with physiological saline (at the daily dose of 24 mL/kg) by gastrogavage. Mice in the XP group (2.485 g/kg), the SY group (1.136 g/kg), the SJ group (1.775 g/kg), and the JY group (2.059 g/kg) were administered with corresponding medicated decoction by gastrogavage, with the gastric volume of 24 mL/kg. On the 41st day the training of capability for learning and memory was started. On the 42nd day capability for learning and memory was tested. The brain tissue was cut. One half was used to determine the contents of homogenate acetyl cholinesterase (AchE), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and monoamine oxidase (MAO).Another half was used to carry out morphological observations.

RESULTSThe capability for learning and memory could be improved and the latency time could be lowered in all the treatment groups. Besides, the homogenate AchE and MAO could also be elevated, ChAT could be lowered; the morphology, number, and distribution of neurons could be improved. But the improvement of ethology, morphology, and activities of neurotransmitters were most obviously seen in the XP group.

CONCLUSIONSXP could improve the ethology, morphology, and activities of neurotransmitters, and showed better effects on prevention and treatment of AD. The rationality of compatibility methods and combination thinking ways of soothing Gan, nourishing blood, and invigorating Pi were clarified.

Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; psychology ; Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To study the effects of transient cerebral ischemic reperfusion(IR) and flunarizine on the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1) protein in brain tissue of gerbils.Methods A cerebral transient ischemic-reperfusion model in gerbils was established by clamping both common carotid.The gerbils were fed with flunarizine before experiment in flunarizine treatment group.The expression of PAI-1 protein in brain tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry technique at the 1,3 and 7 days after IR.Results There was slight expression of PAI-1 protein in the brain tissue of gerbils in the normal control group and sham operation group.Compared with normal control group,the expression of PAI-1 protein in neurons and gliacytes of ischemic gerbils was evidently increased at the 1,3 and 7 days in the cerebral ischemia group(all P

AIM To develop the quality control methods for Yixuning Tablet (Fructus Lycii,Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata,Radix Codonopsis,etc.) METHODS RP-HPLC was performed for the assay of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-?-D-glycoside.TLC was used to identify Fructus Lycii,Radix Polygoni Multiflori,and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. RESULTS The good linearity was within the range of 20-180 ?g?mL -1 ( r = 0.999 9 ).The average recovery was 99.0 % ( RSD was 2.8 T《B》 % ).TLC methods were special. CONCLUSION The method is convenient,accurate and sensitive.and suitable for the quality control of the preparation.

Objective To investigate the estrogen-like effects of Epimedium extractive.Methods By using the uterus growth test in mice and test of MCF-7 proliferation and adding estrogen receptor antagonist Icariin,we evaluated the estrogenic effects of Epimedium and Icariin and the possible mechanism.Results Epimedium and Icariin increased significantly the uterus coefficient in mice from 0.097?0.008 to 0.156?0.018 and 0.152?0.016,respectively;the weight increased significantly from(18.9?1.3)g to(19.8?1.3)g and(20.03?1.3)g(P

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke has a younger tendency; hence to explore the risk factors of stroke in the middle-aged and youth for primary rehabilitation has extremely important clinical significance.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factor-of stroke in the middle-aged and youth.DESIGN: A case-control analysis based on diagnose.SETTING: Department of neurology in a university hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 100 hospitalized patients including the middle-aged and youth ( ＜ 44 years old, n = 63 ) and the pre-elderly (45 - 49years old, n = 37) with mean age of(42. 91 ±6.8) were selected into stroke group from the Department of Neurology, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University between July 1997 and December 2000. Another 100 surgical patients without history of cerebrovascular diseases aged(42.70 ± 2.98) including the middle-aged and youth( n = 61 ) and the pre-elderly( n = 39) were collected randomly from the same corresponding period as control gruop.METHODS: A comparative study of 12 risk factors between two groups was studied and compared the middle-aged group and youth, the pre-elderly group with control group.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity comparison of each risk factor in each group.RESULTS: Hypertension, hyperlipemia, abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG),family history of stroke, arteriosclerosis of the eyeground, diabetes, and rheumatic heart disease are risk factors of ischemic stroke in the middle-aged.CONCLUSION: It is extremely important significance to reduce blood pressure and blood-fat level in the prevention of ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the effects of the rat serum with chronic renal failure (CRF) on ubiquitin-proteasome pathway,histone acetyltransferase p300 and activation of activating transcription factor 4(ATF4) of rat arterial vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) cultured in vitro,and explore the possible mechanism.Methods To establish the rat model of CRF by 5/6 nephrectomy,VSMCs were incubated in the media with the 10％ of CRF serum or control serum in vitro.The mRNA expressions of ubiquitin(Ub),ubiquitin activating enzyme(E1),ubiquitin ligases enzymes (β-transducin repeat containing protein 1,β-TrCP1),p300 and ATF4 in the rat VSMCs were examined by using realtime PCR.Expressions of E1,β-TrCP1,p300 and ATF4 proteins in response to the CRF serum in VSMCs were determined by Western blotting analysis.The enzyme activities of 20S proteasomes in the total protein were examined by using three special fluorogenic peptide substrates.Results The CRF serum significantly promoted the mRNA expressions of Ub,E1,β-TrCP1,p300 and ATF4 in VSMCs in a time dependent manner.Compared with that in control serum group,the mRNA levels of Ub,E1,β-TrCP1,p300 and ATF4 in CRF serum group increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).The CRF serum also increased the protein expressions of E1,β-TrCP1 and p300 in a time dependent manner.The expression of ATF4 was decreased,but the difference was not significant (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with that in control serum group,the protein expressions of E1,β-TrCP1,p300 and ATF4 in CRF serum group increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).The activities of 20S proteasomes in the CRF serum group were significantly increased in a time dependent manner.Compared with that in control serum group,the activities of 20S proteasomes in the CRF serum group increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The serum of CRF rat can effectively active the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway,but ATF4 ubiquitinylated degradation is blocked.The latter may be associated with increased expression of p300.

Hyperthermia is a means of adjuvant therapy, which have a sensitizing effect to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In recent years, the molecular biology, cell and animal experimental research of tumor thermochemotherapy progressed very quickly, which provide theoretical foundation and guidance for us to further develop hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy in clinical trials. In this paper, the studies with the mechanism of thermo-chemotherapy treatment of tumor, different ways of thermochemotherapy and commonly used drugs in thermochemotherapy are reviewed.

AIM: To investigate the potential role of 14-3-3 tau in trophoblast cells on invasiveness. METHODS: 14-3-3 tau expression was detected in first-trimester villi, deciduas and human trophoblastic cell line (BeWo) by immunohistochemistry. Small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting 14-3-3 tau was transfected into BeWo cells. The effects of down-regulated 14-3-3 tau on invasion of human trophoblasts cell line BeWo were examined by matrigel invasion assay, and the transcription, translation of E-cadherin and snail were estimated by RT-PCR or Western blotting. U0126 was used to detect the extracellular-signal related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) function on down-regulation of 14-3-3 tau induced cell invasion. RESULTS: 14-3-3 tau was detected in the invasive trophoblastic cells in the first trimester villi and that invaded to the deciduas. BeWo cells also expressed 14-3-3 tau. Down-regulation of 14-3-3 tau increased the invasive cell-number of BeWo, as well as the expression of snail, and inhibited E-cadherin. U0126 inhibited the enhanced invasiveness in these cells induced by the down-regulation of 14-3-3 tau. CONCLUSION: 14-3-3 tau may regulate the invasiveness of human trophoblastic cells through ERK1/2 signaling pathway.