Objective:To investigate the alteration of delayed memory and its relationship with neurogenesis and angiogenesis in vascular dementia (VD) rats after moxibustion therapy. Methods: Two hundred adult male SPF Wistar rats were chosen for the experiment. Thirty-six rats were randomly selected as the sham operation group. Except for rats in the sham operation group (n=36), the others were made into VD models by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAo). After modeling, the 108 survived rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: a model group, a neural stem cells (NSCs) plus endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) moxibustion group and a NSCs moxibustion group. Co-transplanted implant was transplanted into the rats in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group, and the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group were transplanted by NSCs only. The NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group received suspended moxibustion therapy at Baihui (GV 20), Dazhui (GV 14) and Shenting (GV 24), (each group was divided into 3 subgroups by the treatment course as 1, 2 and 3 courses). Every group was measured by Morris water maze to evaluate its delayed memory after 3 treatment courses and the rat’s brain was taken out after perfusion of 4% paraformaldehyde one day after 1, 2 and 3 treatment courses, respectively. Marker protein expression was detected by laser confocal microscope to analyze the effect on neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Results: VD rats showed delayed memory in Morris water maze test 3 d after ischemic injury. After 3 courses of moxibustion therapy, VD-induced delayed memory deficits were improved in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group and the NSCs moxibustion group. The expressions of nestin, doublecortin (DCX) and CD34 increased significantly in the two moxibusiton groups after every treatment course (all P＜0.05), which might contribute to the neurogenesis and angiogenesis in hippocampus. In addition, compared with the rats in the NSCs moxibustion group, the expressions of nestin, DCX and CD34 increased significantly in the NSCs plus EPCs moxibustion group (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Moxibustion can reverse VD-induced delayed memory deficits, which may be related to the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the function of POLH(polymerase eta) through establishment of the POLH gene-blocked cell line FL-POLH(-).

METHODSA mammalian expression vector expressing antisense POLH gene fragment pMAMneo-amp-POLHA (-) was constructed by cloning the 1473 - 2131 fragment of POLH gene into the mammalian expression vector pMAMneo-amp(-) in antisense orientation. The FL cells were transfected with this antisense RNA expressing vector and selected by G418. The mutation assay was conducted using the shuttle plasmid pZ189.

RESULTThe spontaneous mutation frequency of SupF tRNA gene in the plasmid replicated in the FL-POLH(-) was 13.5 x 10(-4), while it was 4.9x10(-4) and 3.7x10(-4) in the control cells FL and FL-M, respectively. The nontargeted mutation frequency of SupF tRNA gene decreased in the plasmid replicated in these cell lines pretreated with MNNG.

CONCLUSIONPOLH plays an important role in maintenance of genetic stability and genesis of nontargeted mutation.

Antisense Elements (Genetics) ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; genetics ; physiology ; Methylnitronitrosoguanidine ; toxicity ; Mutagenesis

Objective To explore the effect of L-carnosine on neuronal cell apoptosis in young rats with experimental febrile seizures(FS).Methods Forty 15-day SD rats were randomly divided into intervention group(n=30)and FS group(n=10).Warm water was used to induce 10 times FS.The intervention group was divided into E,G and H group,10 rats in each group.Intraperitoneal injection of L-carnosine(250 mg/kg)was separately given to the rats in E group,G group and H group respectively after 30,60 and 120 min of seizure.FS group were induced FS,but they were not given intervention.The rats were sacrificed at 12 hours after the last seizure.Neuronal cell apoptosis was determined by terminal eoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)in situ cell death kit.TUNEL positive cells were stained and counted as apoptosis in hippocampus and cortex.Ultrastructural changes of apoptosis neurons were observed under the electron microscope.Results The neuronal cells apoptosis count was 25.37?1.95 in FS group,12.36?1.13 in E group,17.85?2.04 in G group,and 22.69?2.69 in H group.Neuronal apoptosis of FS group was apparently higher than that of interventional groups(F=10.75 P0.05).Under the electron microscope,neuronal damage on hippocampal CA1 area and dentate gyrus of FS group and H group was obviously higher than that of E group.Conclusions Early injection of L-carnosine would not only relieve neuronal apoptosis of repeated FS,but also play a role in the protection of neuronal cells.

0.05).Conclusions Early injection of L-carnosine would not only improve cerebral oxidative phosphorylation,relieve neuronal injury of repeated FS,but play a role in the protection of neuronal cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the -344T/C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene and essential hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population.

METHODSBy cluster-sampling method, a total of 1575 Mongolian people in Tongliao city of Inner Mongolia were included in this study. And 417 subjects were normotension, 596 subjects were prehypertension and 562 subjects were essential hypertension. A survey was conducted to collect data by personal interview using a standard questionnaire, meanwhile fasting blood samples were drawn. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood-fat indexes and fasting plasma glucose were measured. The variant genotypes of CYP11B2 were identified by PCR assays. The relationship between the -344T/C polymorphism of CYP11B2 gene and essential hypertension were analyzed by multinomial logistic regression model.

RESULTSCrude prevalence of prehypertension among Mongolian people was 37.84% (596/1575) and hypertension was 35.68% (562/1575). The age-standardized prevalence of prehypertension was 38.57% and hypertension was 31.53%. The frequency of the T and C allele was 0.66 (481/728) and 0.34 (247/728) for normotension group, 0.69 (696/1042) and 0.33 (346/1042) for prehypertension group, 0.71 (706/998) and 0.29 (292/998) for hypertension group. The multiple logistic models showed CYP11B2 variant genotypes were associated with prehypertension (TT/CC, OR = 1.33, 95%CI: 0.87 - 2.01; TC/CC, OR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.67; TC + TT/CC, OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.01 - 2.22); CYP11B2 variant genotypes were associated with hypertension (TT/CC, OR = 1.70, 95%CI: 1.07 - 2.70; TC/CC, OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 0.98 - 2.50; TC + TT/CC, OR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.06 - 2.58).

CONCLUSIONCYP11B2 gene -344T/C polymorphism were associated with essential hypertension in Chinese Mongolian population.

Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Pressure ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

Objective To ohserve the rat myocardial damage induced by citreoviridin(CIT)in the status of combined selenium and protein deficiency.Methods According to 2×2 factorial design,forty 4-week-old healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups.i.e.combined selenium and protein adequate with no CIT and with some CIT groups(Se+Pro+CIT-.Se+Pro+CiT+),combined selenium and protein deficiency with no CIT and with some CIT groups(Se-Pro-CIT-,Se-Pro-CIT+).The numbers of male and female were fifty-fifty.Theserats were fed with combined selenium and protein adequate and combined selenium and protein deficiency fodder until the 16th week. Cardiac toxicity of CIT was evaluated by general state of health, heart weight index, myocardial pathological change, the levels of selenium and the activities of glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) and creatine kinase (CK) in serum, and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) of myocardium. Results The interaction effects of combined selenium and protein deficiency and adequate CIT on body weight, serum levels of selenium and albumin, heart weight index, the activities of CK and GSH-Px in serum and SOD of myocardium were statistically not significant(F= 0.000, 1.210, 0.625, 0.981, 2.785, 0.074, 0.001, all P> 0.05). The main effects of combined selenium and protein on the levels of serum selenium and albumin, heart weight index and the activity of GSH-Px in serum were statistically significant(F = 507.698, 87.734, 4.201, 109.389, all P < 0.05). The main effects of CIT on body weight, the levels of serum selenium and albumin, heart weight index and the activity of CK in serum were statistically significant(F = 10.929, 4.371, 26.108, 24.844, 4.439, all P < 0.05). The mean levels of serum selenium of Se-Pro- groups [(70.4 ± 40.0), (87.7 ± 59.6 )μg/L] were lower than those of Se+Pro+ groups [(446.1 ± 74.8),(502.1 ± 39.2)μg/L, all P < 0.05]. The mean levels of serum albumin of Se-Pro- groups [(34.36 ± 1.28 ), (33.38 ±2.48)g/L] were lower than those of Se+Pro+ groups[(40.69 ± 1.30), (38.71 ± 2.15)g/L, all P < 0.05]. The mean levels of heart weight index of CIT+ groups[(4.14 ± 0.36) × 10-3, (4.39 ± 0.53) x 10-3] were higher than those of CIT-groups[(3.56 ± 0.26) x 10-3, (3.80 ± 0.28) x 10-3, all P < 0.05] respectively at the same levels of selenium and protein. The mean levels of CK in serum of Se-Pro-CIT+ group[(2.54 ± 0.56)kU/L] was lower than that of Se-Pro-CIT- group [(3.37 ± 0.67 )kU/L, P < 0.05]. The mean levels of activity of GSH-Px in serum of Se-Progroups[(408.1 ± 412.6), (510.5 ± 392.0)U/L] were lower than those of Se+Pro+ groups[(1667.8 ± 102.2),(1731.5 ± 144.4)U/L, all P < 0.05]. In Se+Pro+CIT+ group, there was part of intercalary disc of cardiac myocytes fragmented;the conjunctions between myoeytes were broken;in some region, cardiac myocytes became edematous,even dissolved. In Se-Pro-CIT- group, the change of cardiac myocytes membrane structures was not obvious;filament structure was disappeared around nucleus;deposition of mass floccule could be seen. In Se-Pro-CIT+ group,the structure of sarcomeres was not obvious;mitochondrial cristae was loosened;cavities in myocytes could be seen occasionally;there were lots of disseminated sareoplasmic reticulum extending. Conclusions .CIT is the main risk factor in inducing myocardial damage. The deficiency of combined selenium and protein can aggravate the damage,but its independent pathogenic effect is weak.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether or not administration of folic acid and resveratrol have preventive effects on cleft palate formation as well as the comparison of the two drugs' s effects.

METHODSPregnant mice were randomly divided into 9 groups, with 8 mice in each group. The TCDD group mice were dosed with TCDD 28 microg/kg body weight on gestation day 10 (GD 10) animals in folic acid group were respectively dosed with folic acid 15, 10, 5 mg/kg and TCDD 28 microg/kg; resveratrol treated mice were divided into 3 groups: resveratrol 50 mg/kg were orally administered for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day GD 8 to GD13 in resveratrol (GD8-13 ) group; resveratrol 50 mg/kg were orally administered for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day GD 8 to GD13, followed hy an oral administered with TCDD on GD10 in resveratrol (GD8-13) + TCDD group; resveratrol 50mg/kg and TCDD 28 microg/kg were used by gavage administration at GD10 in resveratrol (GD10) + TCDD group. Control mice were treated with the same volume of water for 6 consecutive days from GD8 to GD13 and were given a single dose of corn oil on GD10. The pregnant mice weight and embryos, the number of live, cleft palate, dead and resorption fetal mice were recorded on GD 17.5. The coronal sections of the fetal mice heads were prepared at GD 17.5 and observed by microscopy.

RESULTSTotal frequency of clefts was 92.86% in TCDD group, 84.00% (15 mg), 73.08% (10 mg), 84.00% (5 mg) in folic acid + TCDD groups, 0% in resveratrol (GD10) group, 74.51% (GD10), 57.78% (GD8-13) in resveratrol + TCDD groups. The frequency of cleft was 0% in the control group. Compared with the control and the TCDD groups, there were significant differences in the number of live, dead and resorption fetal mice in TCCD + resveratrol (GD8-13) group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in embryonic weight, live fetuses weight, the number of live, dead and resorption fetal mice were found in the other groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTest dose of folic acid and resveratrol both had certain antagonistic effect on cleft palate in mice induced by TCDD, with folic acid 10 mg/kg, resveratrol 50 mg/kg GD8-13 doses having stronger antagonistic action. Effects of both the two drugs have no significant difference, but resveratrol (50 mg/kg, GD8-13) significantly affects the fetal mice's growth and development under TCDD exposure in utero.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Cleft Palate ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Female ; Fetus ; Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Stilbenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Teratogens

A phytochemical investigation on the stems of Garcinia bracteata collected from Xishuangbanna resulted in the isolation of a new flavone. By analysis of the HRESIMS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR spectra, the structure of the new compound was determined as 7-methoxy-4',6-dihydroxy-8-isobutyryl-flavone(1). Compound 1 was also tested for its anti-tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) activity. Results suggested the 1 possessed remarkable anti-TMV activity, with an inhibition rate of 28.2%.
Antiviral Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Garcinia ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Tobacco Mosaic Virus ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) on autoimmune prostatitis in rat models.

METHODSSixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: blank control, low-concentration purified prostate protein (low-conc PPP), low-conc PPP + CXC treatment, high-concentration PPP (hi-con PPP), and hi-conc PPP + CXC treatment. Autoimmune prostatitis models were established by intragastric administration of PPP solution at 15 mg/ml (low concentration) and 80 mg/ml, respectively. At 30 days after modeling, the rats in the blank control and low-conc and hi-conc PPP model groups were treated with normal saline, and those in the other two groups with CXC at a daily dose of 0.068 g/ml. At 30, 45, and 60 days, all the animals were sacrificed for observation of pathological changes in the prostate tissue and determination of the levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in the serum.

RESULTSCompared with the PPP models, the hi-conc PPP + CXC group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the serum at 45 days ([148.54 +/- 17.23] and [62.14 +/- 5.59] pg/ml vs [100.77 +/- 11.08] and [32.63 +/- 2.91] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([143.69 +/- 17.28] and [59.38 +/- 5.50] pg/mlvs [95.77 +/-10.53] and [29.63 +/- 2.66] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so did the low-cone PPP + CXC group at 45 days ([128.47 +/- 12.21] and [40.43 +/- 3.64] pg/ml vs [111.76 +/- 10.07] and [35.44 +/- 3.17] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([131.07 +/- 10.93] and [43.34 +/- 3.91] pg/ml vs [97.46 +/- 8.75] and [30.44 +/- 2.75] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-10 was remarkably elevated in the hi-cone PPP + CXC group as compared with that of the PPP models at 45 and 60 days ([189.14 +/- 16.78] and [184.14 +/- 15.89] pg/ml vs [230.48 +/- 29.96] and [248.48 +/- 31.03] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was it in low-cone PPP + CXC group ([223.14 +/- 17.87] and [224.14 +/- 17.93] pg/ml vs [231.42 +/- 23.18] and [249.42 +/- 24.97] pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed morphological damages to the prostate tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model rats, but no obvious changes in the normal controls. At 15 days of treatment, the rats in the PPP + CXC group showed enlarged prostate glandular cavity, mild proliferation of epithelial cells, no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue, and a few visible fibrous tissues under the light microscope.

CONCLUSIONCompound Xuanju Capsule is efficacious on autoimmune prostatis in rats by reducing inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue and improving the expression of inflammatory factors.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Capsules ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Prostatic Secretory Proteins ; Prostatitis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the association between nutritional factors and gastric cancer in islanders.

METHODSA population-based case-control study on diet and gastric cancer was carried out in Zhoushan islands, China. 103 cases of gastric cancer newly diagnosed in 2001 and 133 controls frequency-matched by age, sex, and islands of residence among residents in Zhoushan were included in the study. Dietary intake was estimated using a constructed food frequency questionnaire. Total calories and 15 nutrients were calculated according to the food composition table and their adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by gender using unconditional logistic regression models.

RESULTSIncreased risks of gastric cancer were associated with protein (ORQ4 vs. Q1=10.3; P for linear trend=0.01), saturated fat (ORQ4 vs. Q1=3.24), and cholesterol (ORQ4 vs. Q1=2.76) particularly among males. Among females, carbohydrate was a significant high-risk nutrient (ORQ4 vs. Q1=14.8; P for linear trend=0.024). In both sexes, all cases reported a significantly higher daily intake of natrium mainly from salts than controls. An inversed association with the risk of gastric cancer was seen in vitamin A and vitamin C.

CONCLUSIONThe findings from this study provided information about the role of specific nutrients in the etiology of gastric cancer. High intakes of protein, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and poor intakes of vitamin A and C could increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet ; Energy Intake ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires