Objective:To study the effects of glutamine on the rehabilitation and the immune function in patients with acute stroke. Methods: The study included 57 patients with cerebral ischemia and 29 patients with brain hemorrhage.Nutritional and immune function parameters were evaluated at admission and after 2 weeks following stroke respectively.Neurological deficit was also evaluated by the Chinese Stroke Scale at admission and after 28 days following stroke.The infective complications were investigated. Results:At the same duration after acute stroke,the extent of neurological deficit recovery was significantly lower in the control group than the glutamine group.The rate of the infective complications was significantly higher and it's duration was significantly longer in the control group than the glutamine group.The degree of nutriture and immune function deteriorating was significantly severer in the control group than the glutamine peptide group. Conclusion:Parenteral glutamine supplements is helpful for the rehabilitation and in preventing deterioration of nutrition status and immune function following acute stroke.

Aim To explore the pharmacological mechanism and the effects of polysaccharide sulfat(PSS) on cardiovascular diseases induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) through observing the risk factors.Methods Type 2 diabetic animal model was established by high-sugar and high-fat diets,combined with injection of small amount streptozotocin(STZ 20 mg?kg-1,iv).Adult male wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal control group,model group,polysaccharide sulfate group,metformin group and lovastatin group.They were treated with exact medicne for 8 weeks,but control group and model group were treated with 0.9% Nacl.During this process,FBG and serum lipid concentrations were measured.22 weeks later,the rats were sacrificed.The activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1(PAI-1) were detected by chemical methods.The aortas were collected for histopathlogical,immunohistochemical and Western blot studies.Results FBG concentrations and serum lipid(TC,TG,LDL) levels decreased in PSS group as compared from those of model group(P

Objective To assess the efficacy of stone fragmentation and clearance of this new intracorporeal ultrasound lithotripter (CQS-01) compared with currently available ultrasound units (EMS-Ⅲ/Ⅳ).Methods Twenty phantom stones composed of dental gypsum were randomly divided into four groups,and CQS-01 ultrasound lithotripter (70％ power and 70％ duty factor),EMS-Ⅲ ultrasound lithotripter (70％ power and 70％ duty factor),EMS-Ⅳ ultrasound lithotripter (type A,70％ power and 70％ duty factor) and EMS-Ⅳ ultrasound lithotripter (type B,70％ power and 100％ duty factor) were used to fragment and removepbantom stones.The mean stone breakdown time and fragment removal time and stone fragmental sizes for the standard ultrasound devices were compared to determine the completeness and efficiency of stone fragmentation and removal.Results The average time for stone breakdown was 7.4 ± 1.9 s,9.4 ± 1.6 s,82.2 ± 12.6 s and 51.4 ± 18.7 s,respectively.There was no significant difference between CQS-01 and EMS-Ⅲ (P ＞ 0.05),but there was significant difference between CQS-01 and EMS-Ⅳ (A or B) (P ＜ 0.001).The average time for stone clearance using the ultrasound devices was 387.8 ± 68.0 s,41 1.6 ± 57.6 s,568.0 ± 119.1 s and 383.6 ± 75.6 s,respectively.In addition,the average size of the largest fragments removed was the same among the groups (＜ 3 mm).Conclusion The ultrasound capabilities in a newly developed lithotriter (CQS-01) exhibited the same ability to fragment and clear phantom stones compared with standard ultrasound devices.

AIM:To investigate the effects of P2X4 receptor on peri-sciatic administration of recombinant rat TNF-α(rrTNF)-induced mechanical allodynia.METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180~200 g) were used in the experiments.The levels of P2X4 receptor on day 3, day 7 and day 14 after peri-sciatic administration of rrTNF were exam-ined by Western blot, and the location of P2X4 receptor in the spinal dorsal horn was observed by double immunofluores-cence staining.The changes of 50%paw-withdrawal thresholds of the rat were detected by behavioral test, and the level of TNF-αin the spinal dorsal horn was also examined by Western blot when TNP-ATP was intrathecally injected before the ad-ministration of rrTNF.RESULTS:Compared with control group, the expression of P2X4 receptor in the spinal dorsal horn on the ipsilateral side significantly increased on day 3, day 7 and day 14 (P<0.01) after rrTNF (100 ng/L) administra-tion.P2X4 receptor was co-localized only with microglia, but not with neurons or astrocytes.Intrathecal injection of TNP-ATP before rrTNF administration prevented mechanical allodynia induced by rrTNF and inhibited the upregulation of TNF-αin the spinal dorsal horn.CONCLUSION:P2X4 receptors in microglia may be involved in rrTNF-induced mechanical allodynia by the upregulation of TNF-αin the spinal dorsal horn.

Polysaccharide sulfate (PSS) is a new type of antiatherosclerotic medicine for its effects of anticoagulation, anti-thrombosis and modulation of dyslipidemia. However, it is still uncertain whether PSS could modulate the diabetic dyslipidemia or not. Here, the rat model of diabetic dyslipidemia was developed and the effects of PSS on glucose and lipid levels were investigated in this animal model. Wistar rats were iv injected with streptozotocin 20 mg·kg-1 after feeding with high fat diet for one and a half month. Then, rats received orally PSS (30, 90, and 180 mg·kg-1) for 1 month. After oral treatment with PSS (90 and 180 mg·kg-1) for 1 month, the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly reduced and the level of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) increased, compared with diabetic control rats. Moreover, PSS (30, 90, and 180 mg·kg-1) had a tendency to reduce glucose and insulin levels, and significantly increased insulin sensitivity index. Our results suggest that PSS could improve insulin sensitivity and relieve dyslipidemia in diabetic dyslipidemic rats.

Objective To investigate whether delayed treatment with exogenous kallikrein on neurogenesis after focal cortical infarction in stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats (RHRSP). Methods Seventy-two RHRSP were divided into 3 groups. Twenty-four rats were given human tissue kallikrein ( 1.6 × 10-2 PNAU/kg) and 24 rats were given vehicle through tail venous daily for 2 or 6 days consecutively starting at the 24th hour after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). 24 rats underwent sham-operation. Cell proliferation was examined by using 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU, 50 mg/kg). Rats were respectively sacrificed 3, 7, 14 or 28 days after MCAO. Results Treatment with kallikrein significantly increased the number of BrdU+ cells in the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ) (304.0±73. 9 vs 167.0±32.2 vs 56.0±12.2 at 7 d after operation, q =7.165, 12.916 and 5.751 respectively,all P<0.05) and in the peri-infarction region (490.0±82.0 vs 308.0±51.5 vs 49.0± 9.5 at 7 d after operation, q = 7.920, 19.184 and 11.264 respectively, all P < 0.01 ), and increased the number of BrdU+/DCX+ cells (225.0±13.6 vs 98.0±9.6 vs 23.0±5.6 at 7 d after operation, q = 30.731,48.735 and 18.004 respectively,all P < 0.01) in the ipsilateral SVZ compared with the vehicle group or the sham-operated group, which began on the 3 day, peaked in 7--14 days after MCAO, and then gradually decreased. Compared with the vehicle group, exogenous kallikrein markedly increased the number of BrdU+/NeuN+ cells (21.0±3.4 vs 13.0±2.6 at 14 d, P =0.001 ) in the peri-infarction region after MCAO. The kallikrein group showed a better functional improvement than the vehicle group after stroke ( all P < 0.05). Conclusion Our study suggests that administration of exogenous kallikrein at 24 h after cortical infarction enhances the SVZ neuroblasts proliferation, migration, and selective differentiation and improves functional recovery after stroke.

BACKGROUND: Studies of biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and regulatory factors that influenced the differentiation of MSCs have shown that the proportion of the natural differentiation from in vitro primarily cultured MSCs into hepatocytes was low, and to select a suitable inductor is important to enhance the differentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes.OBJECTIVE: To verify the feasibility of induced differentiation of rat bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) into hepatocytes using the combination of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-4).DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The cytological in vitro study was performed at the Experimental Center, Weifang Medical College in August 2007.MATERIALS: Totally 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were supplied by the Experimental Animal Center, Weifang Medical College.METHODS: Rat BMSCs were incubated by adherent method. BMSCs at passage 3 were assigned to 2 groups. BMSCs in the blank control group were treated with L-DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. BMSCs in the combination group were treated with 10 μg/L FGF, 8 μg/L HGF and 8 μg/L EGF following above-mentioned procedures.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Inverted microscope was used to observe the morphological changes in cells.Immunofluorescence method was used to observe the expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin (ALB). PAS was employed to detect the expression of glycogen. Fox green intake experiment was conducted. Enzymology was utilized to test the contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).RESULTS: BMSCs in the combination group presented polygonal, orbicular or round shape. BMSCs in the blank control group remained spindle. BMSCs in the combination group were positive for AFP and ALB at day 14 following culture, and a few PAS-positive and fox green-positive cells were found at day 7. Positive cells became more over time. Synthesis of ALT, AST and ALP was detected at day 14, reached a peak at 21 days, and then decreased. Above-described indexes were negative in the blank control group.CONCLUSION: After induced by the FGF, HGF and EGF, BMSCs have the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro.

Objective To explore the possibility that rat bone mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into hepatocytes under the affection of fetal liver filtrate. Methods PAS and green indigo dye were used to detect glycogen and differential level of hepatocytes, respectively. The concentration of ALT, AST, ALP in the culture supernatant were served as markers of hepaocyte function. Results Fourteen days after induced by the fetal liver filtrate, BMSCs changed their shapes into polygon, oval or round. Some of BMSCs were positive for AFP and ALB at 7 days after induction, then the number of positive cells increased, and most of BMSCs expressed AFP and ALB till 21days. The PAS reaction and indocyanine green(ICG) intaking also appeared at 7days. Enzyme in supernatant such as ALT, AST, ALP were fristly detected at 7days and peaked at 14days,then the level declined. Conclusion The fetal rat liver filtrate was able to induce BMSCs into cells with function and characteristics of hepatocytes.

AIM: To investigate the different vasoactive effects of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) on splanchnic arterial and venous vessels in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced in Wistar rats by subcutaneously administration of carbon tetrachloride. Maximal relaxation (Rmax) and contraction (Cmax) to NO and ET were determined in vitro using isolated vascular strips prepared from portal vein (PV) and mesenteric artery (MA) of both cirrhotic and normal rats, and EC50 was calculated for effects of NO and ET, respectively. RESULTS: Rmax of PV and MA to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (releasing NO) were significantly higher in cirrhotic rats (n=8) than those in normal rats (n=7), and EC50 of NO were dramatically lower in cirrhotic rats than those in control (P

Objective To observe the role of intermediate conductance calcium?activated potassium channels (KCa3.1) in alkalinization and β?glycerophosphate induced vascular calcification. Methods Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and aortic rings were obtained from rat thoracic aorta, and then randomly divided into control group (pH was provided into 7.4, 8.0), high phosphorus groups (pH was provided into 7.4, 7.7 and 8.0, VSMCs in three groups were treated with 10 mmol/L β?glycerophosphate; HCl and NaHCO3 were used to adjust the pH) and TRAM?34 group (20 nmol/L was added into pH8.0 high phosphorus dulbecco's modified eagle's medium). Calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were measured by Alizarin red staining, calcium content and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay after cells were simulated for 12 days. Intracellular free Ca2 + was measured by ELISA. The expression of KCa3.1, runt?related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were detected by RT?PCR and Western blotting 4 days after cells were stimulated. Calcium deposition was measured by von Kossa staining and calcium content after aortic rings were cultured for 12 days. The expressions of KCa3.1 and Runx2 were detected by immunohistochemistry after aortic rings were cultured for 4 days. Results Compared with control group, calcification in VSMCs and aortic rings were significantly increased in high phosphorus group (P<0.05) while decreased in TRAM?34 group (P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expressions of KCa3.1, Runx2 and the activity of ALP in high phosphorus groups were increased (P<0.05) while decreased in TRAM?34 group (P<0.05). Besides, expressions of Runx2 and KCa3.1 were augmented as the pH was higher (P<0.05). The expression of Runx2 in aortic rings was the same situation. Besides, the Ca2+ influx was blocked by TRAM?34 (P<0.05). Conclusions Alkalinization contributes to β?glycerophosphate induced VSMCs calcification through increase of Ca2 + influx, up?regulation of KCa3.1 and promotion of osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation.