In this study, the expression of HSP70 during experimental tooth movement was dynamically observed and the relationship between HSP70 and orthodontic periodontal tissue remodeling were observed. The orthodontic appliance was placed between the right maxillary first molar and maxillary central incisors of adult SD rats to establish a rat molar movement model. Immunohistochemistry was performed 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 day(s) after orthodontic force application to observe the expression and localization of inducible HSP70. The expression of HSP70 was strongly positive in the early stage of the tooth movement, became gradually less positive, and was weakly positive in the restoration stage. There was difference in staining pattern between different parts of PDL during the same period. These results suggest that the expression of HSP70 and difference in staining pattern among different parts of PDL during orthodontic tooth movement in rats may be implicated in stress response and remodeling of periodontal tissue.

Objective To study the intervention effect of the fluorosis with the high aluminum plus soybean, selenium powder, spiral algae. Methods Two week-long SD rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups bases on body weight with 8 in each group, respectively being control, the high fluoride aluminum,the high fluoride aluminum plus soybean, the high fluoride aluminum plus selenium and the high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae group. The control group was fed with corn produced in non-endemic area containing 5.20 mg/L of fluoride and 6.80 mg/L of aluminum and tap water of fluoride 0.70 mg/L and aluminum 0.20 mg/L. Other groups were fed primarily with corn produced in the endemic area with the content of fluoride of 110.00 mg/L and aluminum of 19.70 mg/L and tap water with high aluminum also with fluoride of 0.70 mg/L and aluminum of 90.00 mg/L. The high fluoride aluminum plus soybean group was added soybean in the beginning of the experiment, approximately 30% of the total amount. Selenium (3.00 mg/kg) was given to the high fluoride aluminum plus selenium groups and spiral algae (1000.00 mg/kg) to the high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae groups after dental fluorosis was formed. The experiment lasted for 22 weeks. In the end of the experiment 24-hour urine and bones of the limbs were collected to test the content of fluorine and aluminum. The ultrastructure of femur spongiosa was observed under electron microscope. Results ① Bone fluoride in high fluoride aluminum group [(204.07 ± 63.78)mg/kg] was higher than that in the control group, high fluoride aluminum plus soybean group, high fluoride aluminum plus selenium group and high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae group[(30.06 ± 6.11), (54.12 ± 14.56), (30.44 ± 5.02), (105.08 ± 21.07)mg/kg, t = 0.62,0.53,0.62,0.35, all P < 0.01], indicating that it was lower in high fluoride aluminum plus selenium group than high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae group(t = 0.27, P < 0.01). ② The urinary fluoride levels in high fluoride aluminum group [(4.52 ± 3.09)mg/L] was higher than that in the control group [(0.89± 0.37)mg/L, t = 0.23, P < 0.01] and lower than that in the fluoride aluminum plus selenium group[(10.38 ± 1.58) mg/L, t = 0.34, P < 0.01], it was higher in high fluoride sluminum with selenium group than that in the high fluoride aluminum plus soybean group and high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae group[(5.56 ± 1.69), (4.38 ± 3.36)mg/L, t = 0.28,0.35, all P < 0.05]. ③ The bone aluminum level in the control group[(3.32 ± 3.02)mg/kg] was lower than that in the high fluoride aluminum group, high fluoride aluminum plus soybean group, high fluoride aluminum plus selenium group and high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae group [(374.21 ± 56.11), (118.20 ± 23.59), (114.01 ± 22.84), (67.11 ± 11.53)mg/kg, t = 1.42,0.44,0.42,0.24, all P < 0.05], it was higher in the high fluoride aluminum group than high fluoride aluminum plus the soybean and selenium and spiral algae groups (t = 0.56,0.57,0.68, all P < 0.01)lower in high fluoride aluminum plus spiral algae group than the soybean plus selenium group(t = 0.11,0.10, all P < 0.05). ④The urine aluminum level in high fluoride aluminum group [(1.14 ± 0.32)mg/L] was higher than that in the control group and the high fluoride aluminum plus the soybean group [(0.66 ± 0.10) mg/L, t = 1.92,2.24, all P< 0.05] and that in high fluoride aluminum plus the soybean group was lower than aluminum plus the selenium[(1.03 ± 0.22)mg/L] and aluminum plus spiral algae group[(1.10 ± 0.28) mg/L, t = 1.73,2.06, all P < 0.05]. ⑤ Under electron microscope, the collagenous fiber was arranged in disorder in high aluminum fluorine group, the trabeculum of bone merged into patches or mostly vanished, This phenomenon was alleviated in the intervened group compared to the high aluminum fluorine group, in an attenuating order of the selenium group, the spiral algae and the soybean group. Conclusion In this experiment the intervention measure alleviates fluorosis, the selenium is the best, spiral algae the second and soybean the last.

Objective To explore the influence of fluorine on mRNA and protein expression of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its receptor of rat osteoblasts.Methods Osteoblasts were isolated from rat bone by enzyme digestion.Different fluorine concentration [0 (control),10-7,10-6,10-5,10-4,10-3 mol/L] was add to the second generation osteoblasts.The IGF-1 in the culture medium was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at different fluorine concentration and different time (24,48 h).The expression of IGF-1 receptor was measured by the method of fluorescent quantitation PCR and the expression of protein IGF-1 receptor was measured by Western blotting.Results ①With increased dose of fluoride exposure,IGF-1 concentration in the osteoblastic culture medium increased first and then decreased at 24,48 h,respectively.Compared to the control group [(38.83 ± 3.48)ng/L],IGF-1 concentration of the 24 h 10-6 mol/L group[(65.45 ± 4.84)ng/L] was higher,and the difference was statistically significant(P ＜ 0.05).The same result was also shown in the 48 h 10-5 mol/L group [(59.14 ± 1.53)ng/L] to its corresponding control group [(33.79 ± 1.84)ng/L,P ＜ 0.05].②The mRNA expression of IGF-1 receptor of the 24,48 h 10-5 mol/L groups (0.0055 ± 0.0004,0.0262 ± 0.0040) was significantly higher than their corresponding control groups (0.0022 ± 0.0001,0.0073 ± 0.0008,all P ＜ 0.05).③With increased dose of fluoride exposure,the protein expression of IGF-1 receptor increased first and then decreased ;the expression of 24 h 10-5 mol/L group (1.39 ± 0.16) was compared with the corresponding control group (0.86 ±0.12),and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05) ; the expression of 48 h every fluorine group was also compared with the corresponding control group,and the difference was not statistically significant(all P＞ 0.05).Conclusions Fluorine can affect the mRNA and protein expression of osteoblastic IGF-1 and its receptor.It indicates that IGFS signal transduction pathways play an important role in fluorine regulation of bone metabolism.

OBJECTIVETo propose a simple and practical method for preparing a mouse model of oligo-astheno-terato-spermia/azoospermia, and to offer a methodological suggestion for the studies on the related mechanism of spermatogenesis and evaluation of medication efficacy by observing the early changes of testis morphology after 5-fluorouracil treatment.

METHODSMice were injected with a single dose of 5-flourouracil at 250 mg/kg via the tail vein, and their testes were harvested and paraffin sections prepared before and 3, 7, 11 and 14 d after the injection to be observed for the morphological changes by hematoxylin and eosin staining.

RESULTSThe numbers of spermatocytes/spermatids were progressively reduced inside the testis seminiferous tubules of the mice at 3, 7 and 11 d after the 5-fluorouracil injection, and the tubule walls became thinner, which reached the nadir at 11 d, with evident swelling and crazing of the seminiferous tubules. At 14 d, the swelling almost disappeared and spermatocytes became repopulated, while the flaws still existed in the seminiferous tubules and no mature sperm were seen.

CONCLUSIONOne-dose injection of 5-fluorouracil via the tail vein might be a simple and effective method for preparing the animal model of reproductive function damage induced by chemotherapeutic medication.

Animals ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate pathologically the effect of the single or combined application of UDP-glucose, GDNF and memantine on the improvement of white matter injury in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) under light and electron microscopy.

METHODSA five-day-old neonatal rat model for PVL was established by ligation of the lateral common carotid artery following 120-minute hypoxia. Rats were randomly divided into six groups (30 rats in each group): sham-operated, PVL, UDP-glucose (UDP-glucose 2000 mg/kg intraperitoneally after PVL), GDNF (GDNF 100 μg/kg intracerebrally after PVL), tmemantine (memantine 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally after PVL), and a combination administration of three drugs (UDP-glucose, GDNF and memantine). The rats were sacrificed 7 or 21 days after PVL for assessment of pathological changes in the white matter under both light and electron microscopy. The number and thickness of the myelin sheath in the white matter were measured under electron microscopy, and both of pathological grading and scoring were undertaken under light microscopy.

RESULTSThere was rare and sparse myelinogenesis with a loose arrangement of nerve fibers in the white matter under electron microscopy in the PVL group at 7 and 21 days after PVL. The number and thickness of the myelin sheath in the PVL group were significantly less than in the sham-operated, UDP-glucose, GDNF, memantine and combination administration groups (P<0.01). The results of pathological grading of white matter under light microscopy showed that all rats in the PVL group manifested either mild injury (38%-50%) or severe injury (50%-62%) at 7 and 21 days after PVL. The majority of rats (50%-88%) in the four drug administration groups had normal white matter at 7 and 21 days after PVL. The pathological scores at 7 and 21 days after PVL in the PVL group were the highest, and they were significantly higher than in the other five groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe single or combined application of UDP-glucose, GDNF and memantine may significantly improve pathological changes in the white matter of rats with PVL. The favorable effect is inferred to be closely correlated with the improvement of brain microenvironment and the enhancement of nerve regeneration promoted by the three drugs.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cerebral Ventricles ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; drug therapy ; Male ; Memantine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Microscopy, Electron ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uridine Diphosphate Glucose ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of acupoint injection of oxymatrine (OM) on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma and the mechanism.

METHODSThe rats of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-acetoaminoflurence (2-AAF) were randomly divided into a normal control group (group N), a model group (group M), a control group of oxymatrine intraperitoneal injection (OM ip group) and a treatment group of small dose oxymatrine injection into Zusanli (OM ZSL group). At the end of 12h week, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) were determined. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.

RESULTSThe number of cancer nodes on the surface of liver in th Om ip group and the Om ZSL group was lower than in the group M, with the serum ALT, AST, and gamma-GT levels significantly decreased (P<0. 01), and significantly inhibited expressions of cyclin D1, CDK4 mRNA (P<0. 01).

CONCLUSIONOM ip and small dose oxymatrine injection into ZSL can treat or delay hepatocarcinogenisis of hepatocellular carcinoma induced by 2-AAF. Partial mechanism of this anti-carcinoma is protecting hepatocytes possibly through improving hepatic functions, and inhibiting excessive proliferation of liver cancer cells via inhibiting the expressions of cyclin Dl, CDK4 mRNA.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Cyclin D1 ; genetics ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; genetics ; Injections ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Male ; Quinolizines ; administration & dosage ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study in vivo the endogenous self-repair mechanism in immature white matter induced by ischemia in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

METHODSFive-day-old neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham and PVL groups. Rat model of PVL was prepared by ligation of the right common carotid artery following 2 hours of exposure to 8% oxygen. Pathological changes and myelination in the white matter were assessed under light and electron microscopy at 7 and 21 days after PVL. O4-positive OL precursor cells in the white matter were determined with immunofluorescence staining. Activation, proliferation, migration and differentiation of glial progenitor cells in SVZ were observed using immunofluorescent double labeling of either NG2 (marker of progenitor cells) and 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), or O4 (marker of OL precursor cells) and BrdU.

RESULTSAll rats in the PVL group manifested either mild or severe white matter injury under light microscopy, and had higher pathological scores of white matter compared with the sham group at 7 and 21 days after PVL (P<0.05). Electron microscopy showed that the number and thickness of myelin sheath in the PVL group were significantly reduced compared with the sham group (P<0.01). O4-positive OL precursor cells in the white matter observed under fluorescence microscopy were significantly reduced in the PVL group compared with the sham group (P<0.05). BrdU/NG2-positive cells in the SVZ increased significantly in the PVL group 48 hours after PVL and migrated into the periventricular area, reaching a peak on day 7 after PVL. BrdU/O4-positive newborn cells began to appear in the periventricular area 72 hours after PVL, and the number of BrdU/O4-positive cells in the PVL group was statistically more than in the sham group on day 21 after PVL (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIschemia may induce brain self-repair in neonatal rats, resulting in activation and proliferation of NG2 glial progenitor cells in the SVZ migration and differentiation into OL precursor cells in periventricular white matter.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; pathology ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; pathology ; Myelin Sheath ; physiology ; Neuroglia ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of forearms devascularization on the volt-ampere (V-A) characteristics of Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) so as to investigate the relationship among functions of acupoints, qi and blood in human body and V-A characteristics of acupoints.

METHODSEither forearms of 23 healthy volunteers were devascularized and the changes of V-A characteristics in ipsilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) in normal and devascularization statuses were detected by home-made intelligent V-A detecting system.

RESULTSCompared with the normal status, both range-increasing and range-decreasing V-A areas of Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) were significantly increased in devascularization status (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the change rates of these two V-A areas of Neiguan (PC 6) were larger than those of Taiyuan (LU 9) (both P < 0.05). The inertia areas of Neiguan (PC 6) but not Taiyuan (LU 9) became significantly larger after devascularization (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe changes in V-A characteristics of Neiguan (PC 6) and Taiyuan (LU 9) can reflect the alteration of local blood supply, and Neiguan (PC 6) is more sensitive to changes of blood flow than Taiyuan (LU 9).

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Blood Circulation ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Forearm ; blood supply ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the reliability of a newly developed grating projection system 3DSS-STD-II by three-dimensional reconstruction of dental cast, so as to offer some evidence for dental computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM).

METHODSFive groups' data of mandibular dentition cast from different angle: Occlusion, right lateral dentition, anterior dentition, left lateral dentition and posterior of the cast were scanned and acquired by 3DSS-STD-II new measuring system. The five groups of acquired data were then under simplification and combination process and the digital dental cast was finally reconstructed by the reverse engineering software Geomagic 6.0. After the reconstruction process, the plaster dental cast and digital reconstructed dental cast were then manually and digitally measured respectively by different items: Width of incisors, width of anterior dental arch, width of buccal segment, length of anterior dental arch and length of buccal segment. The manual process was undergone by vernier caliper and the digital process was by reverse engineering software. The statistical analysis was then undergone in order to evaluate the reliability, repeatability and scan-precision of the new grating projection system.

RESULTSWith the statistical analysis results, the grating projection system 3DSS-STD-II showed its good reliability and repeatability in three-dimensional reconstruction of dental plaster cast. There were no significant differences between the data acquired by 3DSS-STD-II digital scanning system and manual measurement by vernier caliper in the precision.

CONCLUSIONThe new grating projection system of 3DSS-STD- II equipped with high reliability and fast speed can meet the need of the fast data acquisition and three-dimensional reconstruction of dental cast and CAD process.

Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Arch ; Dental Occlusion ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results ; Tooth

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of total flavonoid extract of Epimedium sagittatum (TFE) on the proliferation and differentiation of newborn rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB).

METHODTFE was supplemented into the culture medium of ROB at 0. 1, 1, 10 and 100 microg x mL(-1) respectively. The serum of rats administered TFES (SRAT) was also added into the medium in a parallel treatment at 2.5%, 5% and 10% respectively. Their effects on cell proliferation and differentiation was studied by MTT and the analysis of osteogenic differentiation marks.

RESULTTFE had no appreciable and on cell proliferation and differentiation at any concentration. However, 2.5% and 5% SRAT stimulated cell proliferation strongly and, 5% SRAT significantly promoted the maturation and function of osteoblast by improving the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin secretion, calcium deposition and the number of mineralized nodular structures.

CONCLUSIONThe metabolites of TFE should be the anti-osteoporosis constitutes of Epimedium sagittatum.

Animals ; Calcification, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; blood ; pharmacology ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar