AIM Taurine was reported neuroprotective under several ischemic models in vivo. In this study, the direct effect of taurine against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) inducing acute neuronal injury and the underlying mechanisms in vitro were investigated. METHODSFour hours OGD was used to induce in vitro ischemic injury in rat cortical neurons. Taurine 5, 10 and 20 mmol·L-1 was added 20 h before and during 4 h OGD period respectively. Mortality rate of neuron was assayed by MTT and flow cytometry methods. Level of neuronal [Ca2+]i was detected by Fura 2/AM loading. Amino acid concentrations in culture media were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS Under OGD conditions, neuronal death was markedly increased, and the levels of neuronal [Ca2+]i and extracellular glutamate level were enhanced obviously. Taurine pretreatment obviously decreased the percentage of neuronal death induced by OGD. In addition, abnormal elevation of neuronal [Ca2+]i and extracellular glutamate level induced by OGD both were markedly repressed by taurine. CONCLUSION Taurine can alleviate rat cortical neuron injury induced by OGD, the mechanisms were likely due to repressing calcium overload and inhibiting excessive release or leakage of glutamate under such conditions.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of noble dendrobium polysaccharides ( NDP ) on lipopo-lysaccharide ( LPS)-induced neuron injuries in newborn rat cerebral cortex glial cells and neuron mixed cul-tures.Methods The primary cultures of newborn rat cortical neurons and glial cells were established and the existence of the neurons , astrocytes and microglia was verified respectively .NDP was given to LPS-induced mixed cultures , the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-αand COX-2 were assayed by real time PCR .Results NDP reduced the glial cell activation and neuron dam-age after it was given to LPS-induced mixed cultures . The mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2 were re-duced .Conclusion NDP protects against LPS-in-duced neuron-inflammation in neurons and glial cells cultures.

Objective The purpose of our research was to quantitative study the degeneration of lumbar intervertebral discs by using T2 mapping technology at 3.0T MR and research the correlation of biomechanics and lumbar disc degeneration.Methods 34 patients with low back pain or sciatica were enrolled.The correlation of T2 values of lumbar intervertebral discs and Pfirrmann grading,disc location,patient ages were analyzed.T2 values before and after loading were also analyzed.Results T2 values of nucleus pulposus were correlation with Pfirrmann scoring,disc location and,patient ages.Conclusion (1 )T2 mapping provides a non-invasive and quantitative way to diagnose lumbar discs degeneration.(2)The change of external pressure load can affect the T2 values of the intervertebral disc.

Objective To investigate optimal extraction process of Piper puberulum ( Benth.) Maxim.and qualitative analyze the chemical component of the extracts.Methods Method of solvent heating reflux was used for extraction.On the basis of single factor experiment, L9 (34 ) orthogonal experiment was designed with the variants of extraction frequency, time, material-liquid ratio, and immersion time.Extraction rate as index, extraction processes were optimized to achieve best extraction.The extracts, including total extract, water elution, and ethanol elution, were physiochemically analysed to achieve an initial qualitative result.Results The optimal extraction process was: extractions 3 times for 2 hours, with an 1︰30 material -liquid ratio and 2 hours of immersion, Initial qualitative analyzed the total extracts containing amino acids, polypeptides, proteins, alkaloids, steroids or triterpenes, flavones, saponins, polysaccharides, reducing sugars or glucosides, cumarins, terpene lactones, phenols, and tannins.The water elution containing: amino acids, polypeptides, proteins, saponins, polysaccharides, reducing sugars or glucosides, cumarins, and terpene lactones.The ethanol elution containing: amino acids, polypeptides, proteins, alkaloids, steroids or triterpenes, flavones, polysaccharides, reducing sugars or glucosides, phenols, and tanins.Conclusion The experiments show that optimal extraction process can achieve high extraction yield, stable and practical.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of grow-inhibition and apoptosis induced by marine on Hep-2 line. Methods The growth inhibiting rate of matrine on Hep-2 cells was detected by MTT assay. Fluorescence microscope, DNA gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM) were applied to determine the presence of apoptosis and cell cycle. Results Matrine had cytotoxic effect to Hep-2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The FCM analysis showed that the number of Hep-2 cells of S phase and the apoptosis rate increased, while the number of G2/M phase decreased. There were morphological changes including chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation and apeptotic bodies formed. DNA gel electrophoresis analysis showed typical DNA ladder of apoptosis. Conclusion Matrine inhibits cell prolif-eration by blocking Hep-2 cell cycle to S phase, and exerts its anti-carcinoma function by inducing apoptosis.

Objective To study the effect of protopine (Pro) on the intracellular free calcium ions of the smooth muscular cells of the thoracic aorta in rats. Methods The procedure of calcium absence-calcium addition was designed to observe the changes of the level of calcium ions in the strips of the smooth muscle of the thoracic aorta indirectly. The concentration of calcium ions in the smooth muscle of the thoracic aorta was determined with Fura-2/AM loaded SMCs. The elevation of calcium ions was induced with norepinephrine (NE). The concentration of potassium ions was observed in the presence of Pro. Results Pro significantly inhibited the NE-induced transient contract of the smooth muscle of the thoracic aorta in calcium-free medium and long-lasting contraction after the addition of calcium ions in a concentration-dependent manner. In Fura-2/AM loaded SMCs, Pro (50 ?mol/L or 100 ?mol/L) exerted no effect on the resting calcium ions but obvious effect on the NE-induced and high potassium level-induced elevation of calcium ions. In the presence of extracellular calcium ions, Pro (50 ?mol/L) decreased the NE-induced elevation of calcium ions but showed no effect on potassium-induced elevation of calcium. Pro (100 ?mol/L) significantly decreased NE-induced and high potassium level-induced elevation of calcium ions. Conclusion Pro reduces NE-induced or high potassium level-induced elevation of calcium ions in the smooth muscle of the thoracic aorta through its effect on calcium release and/or calcium influx.

Aim To investigate the effect of Isorhynchophylline(Isorhy)on platelet aggregation or thrombosis,and explore the mechanism of it's action.Methods Rat platelet aggregation was determined.cAMP contents were assessed by Born's method and radioimmunoassay respectively.The effect of Isorhy on rat's thrombosis was observed with the thrombogenesis model of artery-vein bypass.Results Isorhy(0.65 mmol?L-1,1.30 mmol?L-1)was shown to markedly inhibit the rat's platelet aggregation induced by ADP or thrombin in a concentration-dependent manner(P

Objective To evaluate spleen autotransplantation with lower esophagus transection for the treatment of portal hypertension by three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (3D-DCE MRA). Methods Twenty-eight patients were randomly divided into study group undergoing splenic autotransplantation and cardia-esophageal devascularization plus lower esophagus transection and control group without splenic transplantation. The cross section area, blood velocity and blood flow of main portal vein (MPV) were measured by 3D-DCE MRA, and the blood flow, collateral circulation of transplanted spleen were assessed. Results The cross section areas (cm ) of MPV of the two groups decreased postoperatively ( study group 1. 80 ? 0. 69 vs. 1. 20 ? 0. 73 , t = 13.96, P = 0. 00; control group 1. 78 ? 0. 43 vs. 1. 29 ? 0. 57, t = 11. 38, P = 0. 00). The mean blood velocity ( cm/s) of MPV decreased postoperatively (study group 9. 85 ? 0. 09 vs. 7. 06 ? 1. 98, t = 18. 98 , P = 0. 00; control group 10. 01 ?0. 43 vs. 8. 19 ?2. 44, t =22. 32, P =0. 00) in the two groups, and the mean blood velocity ' of MPV in study group was lower postoperatively than that in control group ( t = - 8. 02, P = 0. 00 ) . The mean blood flow (ml/s) of MPV decreased postoperatively (study group 15. 05 ? 2. 43 vs. 10. 52 ? 2. 55, 1 = 16.93, P=0. 00; control group 14. 81 ?2. 29 vs. 11.58 ?2. 96, t = 15. 90, P=0. 00) , and the mean blood flow of MPV in study group was lower postoperatively than that in control group (t = - 2. 73, P = 0. 02). Extensive collateral circulation developed around the transplanted spleen. Conclusions 3D-DCE MRA clearly shows the autotransplantated spleen and portal hemodynamics. It is an important non-invasive way to evaluate the result of the procedures.

AIM:To study the role of prostaglandin F2?(PGF2?) in cardiac hypertrophy and its relation with calcineurin(CaN) signal transduction pathway in vitro.METHODS:The cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocyte was used to observe the hypertrophic effect of PGF2?,and the hypertrophic response was assayed by measuring the cell diameter,protein content and atrial natriuretic factor(ANF) mRNA expression.For mechanism studies,the intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca2+]i) in cultured cardiomyocytes was measured by using Fura-2/AM as a fluorescent indicator.ANF and CaN mRNA expressions,and the expressions of CaN and its downstream effectors,NFAT3 and GATA4 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS:In cultured cardiomyocytes,PGF2? induced profound hypertrophic morphology change and the significant increase in cell diameter,and protein content in a concentration-dependent manner compared with those in vehicle control(P

Objective To evaluate perioperative portal hemodynamic alterations in cirrhotic patients undergoing subtotal splenectomy,podicled spleen remnant retroperitoneal transplantation plus lower esophagus transection in the treatment of portal hypertension.Method Forty patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were randomly allocated into 2 groups:splenic transplantation group (n = 20),in which patients underwent subtotal splenectomy with pedicled remnant spleen retroperitoneal transplantation and cardia-esophageal devascularization and transection,and control group (n = 20),in which splenectomy and cardia-esophageal devascularization and transection were performed.The cross section area,blood velocity and flow and collateral circulation of portal parameters were comparatively evaluated by 3D DEC MRA,and the size of remnant spleen,blood flow and collateral circulation of retroperitoneal transplanted spleen were comparatively assessed.Results At 6-month after operation,the disappearance of esophageal-gastric varices in two groups was similar,and the cross section areas of main portal vein (MPV) in two groups all decreased postoperatively,in study group it was (1.81±0.73) cm~2 vs.(1.20±0.52) cm~2,P ＜ 0.01;in control group it was (1.78±0.52) cm~2 vs.(1.30±0.12) cm~2,p ＜0.01.The mean blood velocity of MPV decreased postoperatively,in study group it was (9.86±0.10) cm/s vs.(7.06±1.92) cm/s,P ＜0.01;In control group it was (10.0 ±0.6)cm/s vs.(8.2±2.4) cm/s,P ＜0.01.The mean blood flow velocity of MPV in study group was lower postoperatively than that in control group(P＜0.01).The mean blood flow volume of MPV decreased postoperatively from (15.0±1.9) ml/s to (10.5 ±2.7)ml/s,P ＜0.01 in study group;and from (14.9±2.1) ml/s to (11.6±2.1) ml/s,P ＜ 0.01 in control group.The mean blood flow volume of MPV in study group was lower postoperatively than that in control group(P＜0.05).A significant collateral formation was observed around the retroperitoneally translocated pedicled remnant spleen.Conclusions Compared with splenectomy,subtotal splenectomy,retroperitoneal translocation of the pedicled remnant speen helps to preserve splenic function as well as to increase retroperitoneal collateral formation which is conducive to further decreasing the portal veinous pressure.