Objective: To study the action of brain angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors and underlying intracellular mechanism in the catecholaminergic system (CATH) Methods: Action potentials (APs) of the primary co-cultured catecholaminergic tumor (CATH. a) cells were recorded with the whole-cell patch clamp configuration in current clamp mode. Expression of Ang II receptors subtypes (AT1 and AT2) was detected by RT-PCR technique. Results: The differentiated CATH. a cells represented a neuron-like characterization. All CATH, a cells expressed mRNA encoding both Ang II AT1 and AT 2 receptor subtypes. Ang II increased the firing rate in the CATH. a cells, which was inhibited completely by addition administration of the AT 1 but not AT2 receptor antagonist, and partially by using the inhibitors of signal molecules, U73122 (10 μmol · L-1), or KN-93 (10 μmol · L-1), or calphostin C (10 μmol · L-1). Conclusion: Ang II increases firing rate in CATH. a cells via AT1 receptor. The CATH. a cells expressing functional AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes may be of general utility for the study of the Ang II receptor-induced modulation of brain catecholaminergic system.

32 cases of insomniacs were treated by using EMG biofeedback. The total efficierky was 84.4%. The result indicated that the curative effect of the therapy was satisfactory. Furthermore this paper mentioned the advantages of the therapy and points for attention. Also the principle of the treatment was discussed.

The cord dorsum potential evoked by stimulation in the ventrolateral aspect of periaqueductal grey (PAG-CDP) was recorded from the dorsal surface of the spinal lumbosacral cord in rats. PAG stimulation with the same parameters as for producing PAG-CDP inhibited the C discharges of convergent neurons in spinal dorsal horn. There was a positive correlation between the time course of the inhibitory effect of PAG on convergent neurons and the duration of the slow wave of PAG-CDP. a positive correlation also presented between the latencies of the PAG inhibition and the slow wave. Furthermore, the PAG inhibition did not appear when the intensity of PAG stimulation was below the threshold of PAG-CDP. These results indicate that the presynaptic inhibition is involved in the PAG inhibition of the C discharges of convergent neurons in spinal dorsal horn.

Objective To explore the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs)group Ⅲ and its subtypes mGluR7 and mGluR8 in nucleus tractus solitarius(NTS)in cardiac-somatic motor reflex (CMR),and to clarify the modulation role of mGluR Ⅲ and its subtypes in NTS in cardiac nociceptoion.Methods 40 SD rats were randomly divided into L-AP4 group,microinjection of mGluRs Ⅲ agonist L-AP4 0.1,1.0,10.0 or 20.0 nmol in NTS;AMN082 group,microinjection of mGluR7 agonist AMN082 1,2 or 4 nmol;DCPG group,microinjection of mGluR8 agonist DCPG 4, 6 or 8 nmol;MSOP group, microinjection of mGluR Ⅲ antagonist MSOP 20 or 100 nmol,20 nmol MSOP+410 nmol L-AP,20 nmol MSOP+2 nmol AMN082,20 nmol MSOP+6 nmol DCPG. The changes of CMR of the rats in various groups were observed.Results Compared with control,the CMR in L-AP4 and AMN082 groups was decreased (P<0.05);the CMR in DCPG group was increased (P<0.05);the CMR in MSOP group after injection of 20 nmol MSOP had no change (P>0.05);the CMR in MSOP group after injection of 100 nmol MSOP was increased (P<0.05);the CMR in MSOP group after injection of 20 nmol MSOP followed L-AP4 or AMNO82 had no change (P>0.05).Conclusion The group Ⅲ mGluRs in the NTS play an inhibitory role in cardiac nociception, and mGluR7 has anti-nociceptive effects while mGluR8 has pro-nociceptive effects.

Objective To study the role of glutamate receptor subtypes in nucleus tractus solitarius(NTS)in cardiac-somatic motor reflex (CMR)induced by intrapericardial administration of capsaicin,and to clarify the modulation mechanism of NTS to cardiac nociceptoion.Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into ibotenic (IBO)group, glutamate group, MK-801 group, MCGP group, MK-801 + MCPG group and DNQX group. The NTS microinjected with 130 mmol·L-1 IBO 100 nL,100,200,500 mmol·L-1 L-glutamate 100 nL,NMDA receptor antagonist 40 and 60 mmol · L-1 MK-801 100 nL, metabotropic glutamate receptors antagonist 25 and 50 mmol·L-1 MCPG 100 nL,25 mmol· L-1 MCPG 50 nL plus 40 mmol· L-1 MK-801 50 nL,non-NMDA receptor antagonist 20 and 50 mmol·L-1 DNQX 100 nL,respectively.The changes of CMR of the rats in various groups were observed.Results Compared with control group,the CMR of the rats in IBO group was decreased (P<0.05);the CMR was increased as the concentration increased in glutamate group(P<0.05);the CMR in MK-801 and MCPG groups were decreased (P<0.05);the CMR in MK-801+MCPG group was decreased (P<0.05);the CMR in DXQX group had no changes (P>0.05).Conclusion NTS play an facilictory role in cardiac nociception,and the NMDA receptors and mGluRs receptors mediate this facilitory modulation.

Objective The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether the folliculo-stellate cells (FSC) respond to angiotensin(Ang) Ⅱ by increasing intracellular free concentration ([]i) ,and where the o-rigin of mobilization is if that has occurred. Methods Pituitary cells in primary culture were prepared from male Wister rats(250g) by a conventional method and cultured in MEM supplemented with 4％ normal rat serum. Af-ter 2 days in culutre,cells were loaded with 1 μmol/L fura-PE3/AM for 1 h and subjected to a ment with Quanti Cell 700 system. Excitation wavelengths of 340 and 380 nm were selected by means of a computer-controlled filterwheel. Results The of FSC in the rat anterior pituitary was elevated by Ang Ⅱ. The eleva-tion of of FSC induced by 0. 1,1.0,10 and 100 nmol/L Ang Ⅱ was (56.33±6.18), (117.07± 36.07), (175.59 ± 40.01 ) and (216.02 ±11.52) nmol/L, respectively. The increase of of FSC induced by 100nmol/L Ang Ⅱ was not influenced by the medium without (0Ca),but significantly suppressed by thapsigargin (TG),an inhibitor of ATPase. The rate of responsive FSC to Ang Ⅱ (100 nmol/L) was 61.84％ which was obviously higher than that of pituitary endocrine cells (43.49％). Conclusion The present experiment demonstrates that the FSC in the rat anterior pituitary responds to Ang Ⅱ by increasing [which raises the possibility that Ang Ⅱ re-leased from either lactotrophs or gonadotrophs affects FSC through paracrine mechanism. The elevation of [induced by Ang Ⅱ presents a dosage-dependent relation, and is possibly because of the release of from an intra-cellular pool (s). Fashions of release are relative to the concentration of Ang Ⅱ. The results indicate that Ang Ⅱ functions as a paracrine factor among pituitary cells including FSC.

Objective To observe whether or not long-term inhalation of nitrous oxide can affect the cardiac function in rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex were randomly divided into four groups. Group A: inhaled common air for 50 days as control; Group B: inhaled 500mL/L N_2O for 15 days, two hours every day; Group C: inhaled 500mL/L N_2O for 30 days, two hours every day; Group D: inhaled 500mL/L N_2O for 50 days, two hours every day. Float glass intracellular microelectrode recording technique was used for observation of the duration (MAPD_(90), MAPD_(50) and MAPD_(20)) and amplitude of action potentials (APs) of left ventricular muscle cells in vitro. Angiotensin-2 (Ang-2) and eNOS were detected by immunohistochemical technique. Results ① Compared with that in Group A, the Aps duration of left ventricular muscle cells (MAPD) in Group B had no significant change while the MAPDs in Group C and Group D were extended significantly. There were no significant differences among the four groups in Aps amplitude. ② The expression of Ang-2 did not differ significantly between Group B and Group A. The expression level was higher in Group C and D than in Group A. ③ The expression level of eNOS was significantly lower in Group C and D than in Group A (P<0.05). Conclusion Long-term inhalation of N2O can significantly affect the cardiac function in rats, which may be related to higher expression of AngⅡin the heart induced by the long-time excitation of sympathetic nerves.

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of Sky bone expander percutaneous ky-pbeplasty (Sky-PKP) in treatment of old osteoperotic vertebral compression fractures. Methods The study involved 27 patients (27 vertebrae) with old osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by Sky-PKP from March 2005 to June 2007. Normotopia, lateral and dynamia radiographs, CT scanning and MRI were performed preoperatively to verify fluid collection in the vertebral body, vacuum phenomenon and open-close phenomenon. Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior body height, middle line body height, posterior body height and kyphotic angle changes were measured on a lateral radiograph before and after treatment. Results All patients were followed up for mean 6.2 months, which showed no severe complications. VAS score was decresed from preoperative 7.8 to postop-erative 3.1 and ODI from 65% to 37%. However, The anterior vertebral height and middle line vertebral height were recovered for 4.6 nun and 5.7 mm respectively compared with preoperation. Correction of ky-photic angle was mean 5.6°postoperatively. There was no sitatistical changes in regard to posterior body height before and after operation. Conclusions Sky-PKP is a reasonable procedure for treatment of old osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures under strict control of indications, especially with vacuum phenomenon, open-close phenomenon and fluid collection. While high degree of difficulty in puncturation results in insignificant correction of kyphotic angle and body height.

Objective To observe the effects of soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors tAUCB on cholesterol efflux in adipocytes. Methods 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiation and maturation. Cells were stimilated with 100μg/L LPS after starved for 24 hours, then tAUCB in various concentrations(1 ,10,50,100 μmol/L)were added for 24 h, or incubated with the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARy) antagonist GW9662 (5 μmol/L).0μmol/L tAUCB treated group was taken as empty control. After then, the mRNA expression of PPARγ and adenosine triphosphate binding cassette transporter Al (ABCA1) in cells were determined via realtime-PCR, the amounts of protein expression of PPARγand ABCA1 in cells were detected by Western blot, the efflux rates of 3H-cholesterol in cells were detected by means of liquid scintillation counter. Results tAUCB could dose-dependently increase the apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1)-mediated cholesterol efflux in adipocytes. After stimulated by 1, 10,50,100 μmol/L tAUCB, cholesterol efflux rates were (5.93±0.66) %, (7.40 ± 0. 43) %, (8. 30 ±0. 34)% ,(9.77±0.42)% respectively, there were significant difference after treated by 10-100 μmol/L tAUCB compared with control(5.67±0.17)%(P＜0.05). With the concentration of tAUCB increased,ABCA1, PPAR mRNA and protein expression were also dose-dependently up-regulated. GW9662 could significantly inhibit the effects of tAUCB, and then reduce the cholesterol efflux and the expression of PPARγ and ABCA1 in adipocytes. Conclusions tAUCB could up-regulate PPARγ expression in adipocytes, and promote the cholesterol efflux of adipocytes via apoA1-ABCA1 pathway, which might decrease the cellular cholesterol accumulation in adipocytes.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumol on apoptosis of human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC823 and the molecular nechanisms.Methods BGC823 cells were cultured and treated with different curcumol concentration (12.5,25,50 and 100 mg/L) for 24 h and 48 h,and the growth inhibition were tested by thiazolyl blue terazolium bromide (MTF) assay.Flow cytometry (FCM) were used to measure the cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle of BGC823 cells.Caspase-3 activity was assessed by colorimetric assay.Cells treated with 100 mg/L curcunol for 48 h were collected and subjected to RTPCR and Western blot assays for the expression of Caspase-3,Bcl-2,Bax and Survivin.Results There was a time-and dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation of BGC823 cells by curcumol.Tbe cells in G0/G1 phase increased,and in S phase decreased on exposure to curcumol for 24 h.FCM analysis also indicated that the apoptosis rate of BGC823 cells increased in dose-dependent manner (P ＜ 0.05).Curcumol increased the activity of Caspase-3 dose-dependently (P ＜ 0.05).RT-PCR and Western blot indicated that curcumol decreased Bcl-2 and Survivin expression as well as increased Caspase-3 and Bax expression (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Curcumol inhibits BGC823 cell growth,arresting cells in G0/G1 phase and inducing cell apoptosis.The mechanism may be related with increasing the activity of Caspase-3,down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Survivin,and up-regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Bax.