OBJECTIVETo explore the scavenging action of tenuigenin (TEN) on intracerebral amyloid β protein (Aβ) aggregation and the abnormal phosphorylated tau protein and its mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats' brain.

METHODSAβ1-40 was injected into the right CA1 region hippocampus to establish the AD model. Successfully modeled rats were divided into the model group, the low, middle, high TEN group. Rats were administered with TEN (18.5, 37.0, 74.0 mg/kg) by gastrogavage. Besides, a sham-operation group was set up. Expression levels of Aβ1-40 and Tau p-Ser262 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub-protein ligase E3 were measured by Western blotting.The content of 26S proteasome was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical results showed that the number of Aβ and Tau p-Ser262 positively reacted neurons significantly increased in model group, when compared with the sham-operation group (P < 0.01). Results of Western blot showed expression levels of ubiquitinated protein were up-regulated and those of Ub-protein ligase E3 were down-regulated in the model group (P < 0.01). ELISA results showed that the content of 26S proteasome significantly decreased in AD rats' brain (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, expression levels of Aβ1-40, Tau p-Ser262, and Ub significantly decreased; expression levels of Ub-protein ligase E3 apparently increased; the content of 26S proteasome significantly increased in each TEN treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Best effect was shown in 37.0 mg/kg and 74.0 mg/kg TEN groups.

CONCLUSIONSUb proteasome pathway (UPP) participated in the occurrence of AD. TEN could obviously reduce intracere- bral Aβ1-40 accumulation and abnormal tau phosphorylation.

Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex ; metabolism ; Rats ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; metabolism ; Ubiquitins

OBJECTIVE: To set up a natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from endplate of intervertebral discs of rats in order to offer an appropriate carrier for the study on mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS: The method of enzyme digestion combined with natural subculture was used to set up the in vitro natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from the endplate of intervertebral disc of rats. The morphological appearances and microstructures of the chondrocytes of different generations were observed. The expression of collagen II in chondrocytes was detected by immunocytochemical method. RESULTS: The chondrocytes derived from the endplate of intervertebral disc expressed collagen II. After 13 days of culture, the chondrocytes of generation III showed that the ability of cell division descended, the nucleoli became unclear, the cells deformed obviously, fusiform shape with weak optical activity appeared, and the intercellular space was enlarged. There were vacuoles and lipid droplets in cytoplasm. The synthesis of collagen II, as well as the cell proliferation rate, descended notably. All results showed the natural degeneration process of the chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: The in vitro natural degeneration model of chondrocytes derived from endplate of intervertebral discs of rats was successfully established. This can offer the cytological basis for study on the mechanism of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective To observe the effects of low-intensity(650 nm,5 mW)laser irradiation on the pathological changes associated with aortic atherosclerosis using a rabbit model.Methods Thirty-six male Zelanian rabbits were randomly divided into 4 equal groups:a control group,a laser irradiation group,a simvastatin treatment group and a laser plus simvastatin group,and were treated accordingly.After being fed the basic diet for a week,all the animals were fed a high fat diet during the experiment.Blood samples were taken for lipid assay at the 60th day. The animals were sacrificed at the 61st day and their aortas removed for gross and microscopic examination.Any pathological changes were graded as mild,intermediate or severe according to the indicators of atherosclerosis observed.Results There were no significant differences in blood fat levels among the four groups before the experi- ment,but significant differences in serum triglyceride prevailed after the treatments.Low-density lipoprotein(LDL)- C level in the control group was significantly higher than those in the laser irradiation,simvastatin treatment and laser plus simvastatin groups.There was also a very significant difference in high-density lipoprotein(HDL)-C levels among the laser irradiation group,the laser plus simvastatin group and the control group.The pathological changes observed were correlated with blood fat levels.Mild atherosclerosis was found in the treated groups,but severe or in- termediate atherosclerosis was more prevalent in the control group.Conclusion Low-intensity laser irradiation a- lone or combined with simvastatin can significantly decrease blood lipid levels and the severity of pathological changes associated with aortic atherosclerosis in this animal model.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of automated urine formed elements analyzer and/or urine dipstick analyzer for examination of urinary formed elements in screening urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods 148 fresh midstream clear-catch urine samples from the UTI patients and 284 fresh midstream clear-catch urine samples from non-UTI subjects were selected. Bacteria culture was performed for bacterial colony counting and identification. Bacteria counts ( BACT), yeast-like fungus and WBC were performed by UF-looOi automated urine formed elements analyzer. Leukocyte esterase test (LEU) and nitrite test (NIT) were performed by URISYS 2400 urine dipstick analyzer. We evaluated data obtained from urine dipstick analyzer, UF-1000i and combination of UF-1000i with urine dipstick analyzer and the results was compared with those obtained from quantitative bacterial culture. Then we evaluated the sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy. Results Among the 148 patients with UTI, the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture was 73.6% (109/148), the positive rate of LEU and NIT detected by dipstick test 26. 4% (39/148).There was significantly statistical difference between bacterial culture and strip test(χ2 = 55.68 ,P < 0. 05 ). The positive rate of urine flow cytometry by UF-1000i with either positive of BACT and WBC was 91.2%(135/148), which was higher than the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture. There was significant difference between two methods (χ2 = 14. 70, P < 0. 05 ). The positive rate of anyone positive among BACT, WBC, LEU and NIT was 94. 6% (140/148) when detected with combination of dipstick test and UF-1000i, which was higher than the positive rate of the quantitative bacterial culture. And there was significant difference between two methods (χ2 = 20. 45, P < 0. 05 ). The sensitivity of dipstick test was low (26. 4% ,39/148 ), and specificity was high ( 99. 3%, 282/284 ) . The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of BACT detected by UF-1000i in diagnosing urinary tract infection were 92. 6% ( 137/148 ), 39. 8% ( 113/284 ). 44. 5% ( 137/308 ) and 91.1% ( 113/124 ), respectively. If the dipstick test was combined with UF-1000i, the sensitivity, negative predictive value, specificity, positive predictive value and accuracy were 98.0% ( 145/148 ), 97.1% ( 100/103 ). 35.2% (100/284) ,44. 1% (145/329) and 56. 7% (245/432), respectively. Conclusions The combination of urine dipstick test and automated urine formed elements analyzer UF-1000i plays an important role in early diagnosis of UTI. And it has significant value in diagnosis of UTI, especially for the patients with negative bacterial cultures of urine sample.

Objective To explore the expression alteration and significance of inteleukin (IL)-37 in pso-riasis valguris (PV) patients. Methods Patients with PV had been treated with oral acitretin for 8 weeks. PASI score, ELISA and qRT-PCR were used to exam the data of 38 patients (PV group) and 32 controls (control group). Results IL-37 in PV group was significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.001) and IL-37 changed slightly after 4 weeks of treatment(P > 0.05) but decreased obviously after 8 weeks(P < 0.001). Signif-icant correlations existed among PASI scores, IL-37, IFN-γ and IL-17, as well as among IL-37 and IFN-γ, IL-17 (P < 0.05). Conclusions The increase of IL-37 is relevant to PV development and is associated with pa-tients’ conditions, IFN-γ and IL-17 but the alteration of IL-37 is not related with IL-4.

Objective To discuss the expressions and clinical significance of p53 and p33ING1b in human psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Methods Immunohistochemistry EnVision technique was used to detect the expressions of p53 and p33ING1b in samples of 36 psoriasis vulgaris, 28 BCC and 14 normal skins. Results The expression of p53 increased while p33ING1b had a degressive expression in the control group, the psoriasis group and the BCC group. It was found significant statistical difference between the two groups (all P < 0.05). Prominent positive correlation between p53 and p33ING1b were found in both psoriasis group and BCC group (all P<0.05). Conclusions p53 coacts with p33ING1b at local lesions of abnormal proliferative diseases . It′s one of the most prominent mechanisms contributing to deviant cell proliferation.

Objective Toexplore the expression and significance of microRNA-155 (miR-155) in psoriasis vulgaris. Methods Areal-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method with TaqMan probe technology was performed to detect miR-155 expression in skin lesion area and nonskinlesionalarea of 35 patients with psoriasis vulgaris , compared with that of 30 normal controls. The correlations among miR-155 expression, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score and Interleukin-17A(IL-17A)expression were studied. Results The expressions of miR-155 and IL-17A in lesional and non-lesionalgroups were higher than that of control group (all P < 0.01). Also expressions in lesional skin were higher than non-lesional skin (both P < 0.01). In skin lesion group, significant positive correlations existed betweenmiR-155 or IL-17A expression and PASI score as well as miR-155 and IL-17A expression (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Up-expression of miR-155 was relevant to psoriasis development , which is related withthe hyperfunctionof Th17 cells in psoriasis.

To investigate the effects of serum containing Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, on expressions of aggrecan and type X collagen mRNAs of the degenerated intervertebral disc cells in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

To investigate the gene expression changes in the degenerated cervical intervertebral discs of rats, and to study the function of Yiqi Huayu Bushen Recipe, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, and its discomposed formulas in regulating gene expressions in the degenerated cervical intervertebral discs.

OBJECTIVE: To make an animal model of cervical spondylosis (arthralgia syndrome type) with stimulation of wind, cold, and dampness. METHODS: Twenty-four 8 months old male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups: normal control group, light stimulation group, moderate stimulation group and severe stimulation group. The wind speed was 10.8-13.8 m/s, the temperature was (5+/-0.5)degrees centigrade, and the humidity was 100%. The rabbits of light, moderate, and severe stimulation groups were kept in the above-mentioned environments for 4 hours everyday, and for a total of 32, 64, and 128 hours, respectively. The intervertebral discs were stained with HE method, and observed with a light microscope. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), 6-ketone-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-K-PGF(1alpha)) and thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) contents were measured by ELISA. Fas and Bcl-2 expressions were examined by immunohistochemical avidin-biotin peroxidose complex technique. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA expressions were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The nucleus pulposus of rabbits in the light and moderate stimulation groups shrunken, and in the severe stimulation group, the anulus fibrosus loosed or ruptured, and the cartilage end-plate became proliferated. Compared with rabbits in the normal control group, the PGE(2) content rose in the light stimulation group, the contents of PGE(2), 6-K-PGF(1alpha), and TXB(2) increased, the expressions of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNAs and Fas were up-regulated, and the expressions of TGF-beta mRNA and Bcl-2 were down-regulated in the moderate and severe stimulation groups. The expression of Fas was up-regulated mostly and Bcl-2 was down-regulated mostly in the severe group. CONCLUSION: Moderate and severe stimulations of wind, cold and dampness can lead to degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs of rabbits. The model corresponds to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine about arthralgia syndrome caused by wind, cold and dampness.