Embolism, Paradoxical ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; etiology

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the activity of NR2B and NR1 in the spinal dorsal horn in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods Diabetes mellitus was induced by high-sucrose and high-fat diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin 35 mg/kg,then confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol/L 3 days later in male Sprague-Dawley rats.DNP was confirmed by the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after streptozotocin administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value.The rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each) using a random number table:DNP,DNP+ curcumin group (group DCur)and DNP + solvent control group (group DSC).Curcumin 100 mg· kg-1 · d-1 and corn oil 4 ml· kg-1 · d-1 were injected intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozotocin in DCur and DSC groups,respectively.Another 27 normal male Sprague-Dawley rats served as control group (group C) and were fed with normal forage.At 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection,MWT and TWL were measured and the lumbar segments (L4-6) of the spinal cord were removed.The expression of pTyr1472-NR2B and pSer896-NR1 in the spinal dorsal horn was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,and the expression of pTyr1472-NR2B was up-regulated at each time point in group DNP.Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased,and TWL was prolonged at 7 days after curcumin injection,and the expression of pTyr1472-NR2B was down-regulated at 3 days after curcumin injection in group DCur.There was no significant difference in each parameter between DNP and DSC groups,and in the expression of pSer896-NR1 between the four groups.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin mitigates neuropathic pain in type 2 diabetic rats may be related to inhibition of up-regulation of pTyr1472-NR2B expression,while unrelated to pSer896-NR1 expression in the spinal dorsal horn.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in surgical treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fracture in the elderly.Methods From March 2007 to February 2013,210 cases (100 males and 110 females;55-91 years of age,mean 72.5 years) of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture were treated with PKP.Single-segment fracture was observed in 180 cases,two-segment fracture in 20 cases and three-segment fracture in 10 cases.Lesion involved in 250 vertebrae located in the T6-L5 segment.Bone cement injected into each vertebra was 3-5 ml (mean,4 ml).Treatment effects were assessed with vertebral height,Cobb angle and visual analogue score (VAS).Results At the follow-up of 6-15 months (mean 11 months),thoracic back pain significantly alleviated or disappeared.After operation,improvements were observed in VAS [(8.7 ± 1.2) points vs (2.6 ±0.7) points],anterior vertebral height loss [(11.0 ±3.2) mm vs(5.5 ± 0.8) mm],central vertebral height loss [(8.6 ± 1.1)mm vs (3.3 ± 1.0) mm],and Cobb angle [(29.8 ± 4.5) ° vs (16.7 ± 3.4) °] (P ＜ 0.01).Four patients appeared no pain or numbness in lower limbs although cement leak into disc.Whereas two patients had lower extremity nerve irritation because of cement leak into the spinal canal and recovered after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion PKP is an effective method for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture in the elderly,for it can rebuild vertebral height,increase vertebral rigidity as well as stability and relieve thoracic back pain.

Objective To study the effect of radon exhalation on the external dose model for building material,so as to provide the scientific and precise assessment of external radiation exposure hazard.Methods The mechanism of exhalation of radon from building material was analyzed,mathematical model of correction factor for the effect of radon exhalation was derived and resolved by Matlab program and the relationship between correction factor and diffusion length,surface emanation coefficient and thickness of building material was discussed.The absorbed dose rate induced by several classical building materials was calculated and compared.Results The radon exhalation correction factor was independent of diffusion length and thickness of building material in most cases.Negative correlation was found between radon exhalation correction factor and radon surface emanation coefficient.Radon exhalation correction factor numerically equals to '1-radon surface emanation coefficient'.The relative percentage deviation between absorbed dose rate induced by several classical building materials was in the range of 2.23％-10.02％,for both corrected and uncorrected radon exhalation effects.Conclusions Radon exhalation from building material has a certain effect on external dose model for building material,which should attract attention.It is important to conduct the correction for external dose model by introducing ‘1 -radon surface emanation coefficient’ as the radon exhalation correction factor,in order for the scientific assessment and control of external radiation exposure hazards from building materials.

AIM:To evaluate the effect of curcumin on impaired learning-memory ability and the expression of high mobility group box protein 1 ( HMGB1 ) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase ( JNK ) in a rat model of Alzheimer disease (AD).METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250~270 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=9):blank control group (group A), model group (group B), curcumin treatment group (group C, curcumin injected intraper-itoneally at 100 mg· kg-1· d-1 for 6 consecutive days) and solvent control group (group D).The rats of AD model were induced by injection of ibotenic acid into the nucleus basalis of Meynert ( NBM) bilaterally.All rats were trained in Morris maze to assess the ability of learning and memory .The expression of HMGB1 and JNK in the hippocampus was detected by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting .RESULTS:Compared with group A , the average escape laten-cy (AEL) in groups B and D were obviously longer (P<0.05), while AEL in group C in the 5th and 6th days were signif-icantly shorter (P<0.05).The releases of HMGB1 in the CA1 and CA3 areas in groups B and D from the nucleus were a-bundant.Compared with groups B and D , HMGB1 in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas in group C secreted out of the nu-cleus decreased obviously (P<0.05).No significant difference of the release of HMGB1 between group A and group C was observed (P>0.05).No significant difference in the expression of HMGB1 in the hippocampus among the 4 groups was found (P>0.05).However, compared with groups B and D , the expression of JNK in group C was decreased obvi-ously (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Curcumin significantly improves the learning and memory ability of AD rats .The probable mechanisms may be related to inhibiting the release of HMGB 1 from the nucleus of hippocampal neurons and de-creasing the expression of JNK in the hippocampus .

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of curcumin on type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP)and expression of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in rats.MethodsType 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35 mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level ＞ 16.7 mmol/L in male SD rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWI.) measured on day 14 after STZ administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value.The rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups ( n =27 each):DNP group,curcumin group (group Cur) and solvent control group (group SC).Curcumin and corn oil 100 mg/kg (25 mg/ml) were given intraperitoneally once a day for 14 consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozocin in Cur and SC groups respectively.Another 27 rats were chosen and served as control group (group C) and fed with common fodders.MWT and TWL were measured at 3,7 and 14 day after curcumin administration.The expression of IRE1α in spinal dorsal horn and DRG was detected by Western blot.ResultsCompared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased and TWL was significantly shortened,and the expression of IRE1α was up-regulated in DNP,Cur,and SC groups (P ＜ 0,05),Compared with group DNP,MWT were significantly increased,TWL was significantly prolonged,and the expression of IRE1α in spinal dorsal horn and DRG was down-regulated in group Cur (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significantdifference in the parameters mentioned above between DNP and SC groups (P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionCurcumin can attenuate type 2 1)NP and inhibition of the expression of IRE1α in spinal dorsal horn and DRG is involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on the expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1) and NR2B subunit-containing NMDA receptor in spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in a rat model of neuropathic pain.Methods Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 200-230 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =18 each):sham operation group (S group),chronic constrictive injury (CCI) group,curcumin group (Cur group) and solvent control group (SC group).Neuropathic pain was induced by CCI.The sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 loose ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals in groups CCI,Cur and SC.Curcumin was injected intraperitoneally at 100 mg· kg- 1· d-1 for 14 consecutive days after operation in Cur group,while the equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide was given instead of curcumin in SC group.Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured on 2 days before operation and on 1,3,7,10 and 14 days after operation.Six rats in each group were sacrificed on 3,7 and 14 days after operation and the lumbar segments of the spinal cord ( L4,5 ) and DRGs were removed to determine the expression of CBR1 and NR2B by immuno-histochemistry.Results Compared with S group,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was significantly shortened,and the expression of CBR1 and NR2B in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG neurons was up-regulated after operation in the other three groups (P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared with CCI group,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was significantly prolonged,the expression of CBR1 inspinal cord dorsal horn and DRG neurons was up-regulated,and the expression of NR2B in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG neurons was down-regulated after operation in group Cur (P ＜ 0.05 ),and no significant change in the parameters mentioned above was found in group SC ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusion Curcumin can alleviate neuropathic pain in rats,and up-regulation of CBR1 expression and down-regulation of NR2B expression in spinal cord dorsal horn and DRG neurons are involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on the apoptosis in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion neurons in a rat model of diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) . Methods One hundred and eight male SD rats weighing 200-230 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 27 each): control group (group C), DNP group, solvent control group (group SC) and curcumin group (group Cur) . Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal streptozocin 70 mg/kg. Successful induction of diabetes was defined as blood glucose ＞ 16.7 mmol/L. Curcumin and com oil 100 mg/kg (23 mg/ml) were given intraperitoneally once a day for 14 consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozocin in Cur and SC groups respectively. Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured 2 d before and 14 d after streptozocin injection and 3, 7 and 14 d after curcumin injection. The pain threshold measured at 14 d after administration of streptozocin decreased by more than 15% of the baseline in all the rats. The expression of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion was determined at 3, 7 and 14 d after curcumin injection by immuno-histochemistry and Western blot, and the neuronal apoptosis rate was determined by TUNEL. Results Compared with group C, MWT and Bcl-2 expression were significantly decreased, TWL was significantly shortened, the neurona lapoptosis rate and caspase-3 expression were significantly increased in DNP, SC and Cur groups ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group DNP, MWT and Bcl-2 expression were significantly increased, TWL was significantly prolonged, the neuronal apoptosis rate and caspase-3 expression were significantly decreased in Cur group ( P ＜0.05) . There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between DNP and SC groups ( P ＞0.05). Conclusion Curcumin can attenuate DNP by inhibiting the apoptosis in spinal dorsal hom and dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats, and the inhibition of caspase-3 expression and increase in Bcl-2 expression are involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons and the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in hippocampus during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats with spontaneous hypertension (SH) .Methods One hundred and thirty-five male rats (homologous with WKY) with SH and 90 male normotensive WKY rats, weighing 275-325 g,were used in this study. The WKY rats were randomized into 2 groups ( n = 45 each) : sham operation group (WS group) and cerebral I/R group (W-I/R group) . The rats with SH were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n = 45each) : sham operation group (S-S group), cerebral I/R group (S-I/R group) and curcumin group (S-C group) .Global cerebral ischemia was produced by 4 vessel-occlusion method. The bilateral common carotid arteries were only exposed but not ligated in W-S and S-S groups. Intraperitoneal corn oil 10 ml/kg was injected at 30 min of reperfusion in W-I/R and S-I/R groups. Intraperitoneal curcumin 100 mg/kg was injected at 30 min of reperfusion in S-C group. Three animals in each group were sacrificed at 2 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d and 7 d of reperfusion and their brains were harvested for determination of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons and the expression of JNK3 and PSD95in hippocampus. Results The number of apoptotic neurons was significantly increased in S-S group compared with W-S group ( P < 0.05) . The number of apoptotic neurons was significantly increased and the expression of JNK3was up-regulated in S-I/R group compared with S-S group ( P < 0.05) . The number of apoptotic neurons was significantly decreased and the expression of JNK3 was down-regulated in S-C group compared with S-I/R group (P <0.05) . There was no significant difference in the expression of PSD95 among all the groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion Curcumin can inhibit apoptosis in hippocampal neurons and the mechanism is related to down-regulation of the expression of JNK3 in hippocampus. The mechanism by which curcumin down-regulates the expression of JNK3in hippocampus may not be related to PSD95 pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin pretreatment on endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods One hundred forty-four male SD rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 36 each): sham operation group (group S) ; I/Rgroup; curcumin group (group Cur) and vehicle control group (group VC). Global cerebral I/R was produced by four-vessel occlusion technique in S, I/R, Cur, VC groups. Bilateral vertebral arteries were cauterized. Bilateral common carotid arteries were occluded by clipping for 15 min. Curcumin 200 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally (IP) at 1 h before cerebral ischemia. Global cerebral ischemia was confirmed by unconsciousness and disappearance of papillary and righting reflex. Animals were sacrificed at 12 h, 1,3 and 7 d of reperfusion. Neuronal apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by TUNEL assay. Apoptosis index (AI) was calculated. The expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) ,growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gene 153 (GADD153) and caspase-12 protein in hippocampal region was assessed by Western blot analysis. Results Cerebral I/R significantly increased AI and GRP78 and caspase-12 protein expression in hippocampus as compared with group S( P <0.05) . Curcumin pretreatment significantly decreased AI, increased GRP78 protein expression and decreased caspase-12 protein expression as compared with group I/R ( P < 0.05) . There was no significant difference in the GADD153 protein expression among Cur, VC and I/R groups ( P > 0.05) . Conclusion Curcumin pretreatment can significantly reduce global cerebral I/R-induced neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus by increasing GRP78 expression and decreasing easpase-12 expression in hippocampus.