Objective:To investigate the preventive effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats and the underlying mechanism.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:the normal control group,hypobaric and hypoxic group and TMP group (100 mg·kg-1·d-1).After the animal models of hypobaric and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension were established,mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP),mean carotid artery pressure (mCAP),ratio of right ventricular/(lift ventricular + interventricular septum) (RVHI) and morphological changes of pulmonary vessels were observed and the rates of wall thickness/external diameter (WT%) and wall area/total vascular area (WA%) were calculated.The contents of nitric oxide (NO),endothelin-1 (ET-1),hypoxic-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected in serum after the 21-day treatment with TMP.Results:The values of mPAP,RVHI,WT% and WA% of hypobaric and hypoxic group were significant higher than those of the normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and those of TMP group were obviously lower than those of hypobaric and hypoxic group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The condition of hypobaric and hypoxic had no significant effect on mCAP,and there were no significant differences among the groups (P>0.05).The values of NO in serum of hypobaric and hypoxic group was lower than those of the normal control group (P<0.05) and those of TMP group were obviously higher than those of hypobaric and hypoxic group (P<0.05).The values of ET-1,HIF-1α and VEGF in serum of hypobaric and hypoxic group were higher than those of the normal control group (P<0.05) and those of TMP group were obviously lower than those of hypobaric and hypoxic group (P<0.05).Conclusion:TMP can effectively prevent pulmonary hypertension induced by hypobaric and hypoxic and structural remodeling of pulmonary arterioles.The mechanism may be related to the content up-regulation of NO and activity down-regulation of ET-1,HIF-1α and VEGF in serum of rats.

Objective To observe the effects of Baishile Capsules on the hippocampal PI3K signaling pathway in chronic mild unpredictable stress (CUMS) rats; To discuss its mechanism of action for anti-depression. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, control group, model group, fluoxetine group, Baishile Capsules high-, medium- and low-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. The cums depression model was established, and gavage for medication was conducted at the same time for 21 days in a row. The behavioral changes of rats in each group were detected by the novel feeding experiment and Open-field experiment; monoamine neurotransmitter in serum were detected by ELISA; the expressions of PI3K, AKT and SGK1 in rat hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot test. Results Compared with the control group, feeding latency of rats in model group was significantly prolonged (P<0.01), horizontal and vertical activities were significantly reduced (P<0.01); the content of serum monoamine neurotransmitter decreased (P<0.01); the expressions of PI3K and AKT in hippocampus decreased, while the expression of SGK1 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, Baishile Capsule high- and medium-dose groups can significantly shorten the incubation period of feeding rats (P<0.05), and increase the number of horizontal and vertical activities (P<0.01); the 5-HT and NE levels in serum were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01); the expressions of PI3K, AKT in hippocampal increased; the expression of SGK1 decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Baishile Capsules can alleviate the depression like behavior in rat models, and regulate key factors of hippocampal PI3K signaling pathway, so as to exert antidepressant effects.

Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Proteins ; Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

This article dealed with the effects of processing method and duration on the major bioactive components (sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate) in Brassica juncea. The contents of sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate in decoctions of raw and processed B. juncea were determined and compared by high performance liquid chromatography on a Alltima C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 35 degrees C with the acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid as the mobile phrase in gradient elution. The detection wavelength of sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate was set at 227 nm and 326 nm, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). It was found that with the extended processing duration, the contents of sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate first increased and then decreased: i.e., 0-2 minutes they increased gradually (for sinigrin, by 9.65% in processed products and 356. 10% in powder; for sinapine thiocyanate, by 12.82% in processed products and 3.41% in powder), and achieved their highest content at 2 min; then, decreased during the next 5 minutes (for sinigrin, by 80.35% in processed products and 82.09% in powder; for sinapine thiocyanate, by 14.29% in processed products and 17.54% in powder), suggesting that processing duration could significantly affect the contents of bioactive components in B. juncea, enzymatic hydrolysis of sinigrin when the seed is crushed in the present of moisture may be responsible for the content change. It is recommended that the slow fire should be the best processing method and the raw seed could be used directly in the water extracts related industrial production.
Brassica ; chemistry ; Choline ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosinolates ; chemistry ; Powders ; chemistry ; Thiocyanates ; chemistry

Objective: To observe hypoglycemic effects of Yunu Decoction, Zuogui Pill and Shenqi Pill, three compound traditional Chinese herbal medicines, in treatment of diabetes mellitus induced by alloxan in rats, and to compare the therapeutic effects among the three recipes for nourishing yin, clearing away heat, and nourishing yin and warming yang. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats with alloxan at a dose of 60 mg/kg via tail vain injection. The diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups: alloxan model group, Yunu Decoction-treated group, Zuogui Pill-treated group and Shenqi Pill-treated group. Rats in the three recipe groups were administered intragastrically with water extraction of Yunu Decoction, Zuogui Pill, and Shenqi Pill accordingly for 10 days. Then the level of blood glucose was measured by glucose oxidase method and the glucose tolerance was determined. Results: Compared with the normal rats, blood glucose level in the alloxan model group was obviously increased (P<0.05). Glucose levels in the three recipe groups were obviously decreased as compared with the alloxan model group (P<0.05), and glucose level in the Yunu Decoction-treated group after treatment was significant lower than before treatment (P<0.05). The glucose tolerance test indicated that rats in the alloxan model and three recipe groups revealed impaired glucose tolerance as compared with the normal rats, and there were no significant differences between the alloxan model group and the three recipe groups. Conclusion: Yunu Decoction, Zuogui Pill and Shenqi Pill can effectively decrease the glucose level of the rats with diabetes mellitus induced by alloxan, and Yunu Decoction showed the best therapeutic effects. The glucose tolerance test shows that the three recipes cannot correct the abnormal metabolism of glucose.

Objective To study the content of monoamine neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex in anxious depression rats, and explore the possible pathogenesis.Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, vehicle group, anxiety group, depression group, and anxious depression group, 12 rats in each group.Chronic restraint stress combined with corticosterone injection was used to establish anxiety and depression model, the modeling time was 21 d.After modeling, elevated plus maze test, open field test, and forced swimming test were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression-like behavior, HPLC-ECD was used to detect the content of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex of rats.Western-blotting was used to detect the expression of BDNF and NT-3 in rats.Results Rats in anxious depression model group were comparable to the anxiety group in time and frequency entering open arm time, and number of locomotor activity in open field, and it had a significant difference when compared with the control and depression groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Immobile time in anxious depression model rats was increased significantly when compared with the control and anxiety groups (P<0.01).Meanwhile, compared with the control group, 5-HT in hippocampus and 5-HT, NE in amygdala or prefrontal cortex were significantly decreased in the depressive rats with anxiety (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Moreover, the content of BDNF and NT-3 was significantly decreased in each brain regions compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and BDNF levels were obviously decreased compared with the anxiety group (P<0.05).Conclusions Rats of anxious depression have significant anxiety and depression-like behaviors.Its mechanism may be associated with the down-regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors BDNF and NT-3 in hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex region.

Inflammation plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Our study was aimed to investigate whether salvianolate, a novel water-soluble phenolic compound of Danshen, alleviates atherosclerosis via regulating the inflammation in rats. High fat diet feeding plus vitamin D3 injection was used to induce atherosclerosis in rats. Salvianolate (60, 120 or 240 mg/kg) or placebo was given to atherosclerotic rats. The plasma lipids, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells were determined by flow cytometry. Histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results showed that the levels of plasma IL-6 and CRP were elevated in the rats fed on high fat diet, and the histological analysis demonstrated the successful establishment of atherosclerosis models. Treatment with salvianolate alleviated the atherosclerotic process and decreased the levels of plasma IL-6 and CRP. Also the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells was increased in salvianolate-treated rats. It was concluded that salvianolate could treat atherosclerosis via modulating the inflammation at cytokine and cell levels.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of p53 gene mutation in colorectal carcinoma and assess the value of peripheral blood p53 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma.

METHODSNSP in axons 5-8 of p53 gene was detected using ligase detection reaction-polymerase chain reaction (LDR-PCR) in the peripheral blood of 100 patients with colorectal cancer and 100 healthy subjects.

RESULTSThe mutation rate of p53 gene was 24% (24/120) in colorectal carcinoma patients and 0% (0/120) in the healthy subjects (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONp53 plays an important role in the carcinogenesis of colorectal carcinoma, and SNP analysis for p53 gene can be helpful in early diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

DNA microarrays have been acknowledged to represent a promising approach for the detection of viral pathogens. However, the probes designed for current arrays could cover only part of the given viral variants, that could result in false-negative or ambiguous data. If all the variants are to be covered, the requirement for more probes would render much higher spot density and thus higher cost of the arrays. Here we have developed a new strategy for oligonucleotide probe design. Using type I human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) tat gene as an example, we designed the array probes and validated the optimized parameters in silico. Results show that the oligo number is significantly reduced comparing with the existing methods, while specificity and hybridization efficiency remain intact. The adoption of this method in reducing the oligo numbers could increase the detection capacity for DNA microarrays, and would significantly lower the manufacturing cost for making array chips.

Objective To observe the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription (ZGJTJYP) on pathological morphology of hippocampal neurons in rats of diabetes mellitus with depression (DD); To discuss its protective mechanism of action. Methods DD rat model was established by tail vein injection of STZ combined with chronic stress. Totally seventy-two SPF rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive medicine group, ZGJTJYP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 12 cases in each group, and were given corresponding medicine. After the last administration, blood glucose and behavioral changes were measured in each group. HE staining, Nissl staining, and Golgi staining were used to observe the changes of pathological morphology in rat hippocampus. The expression of Caspase-3 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the normal group, blood glucose level was significantly increased in the model group; the number of neurons in the hippocampus decreased in the model group; the apoptosis increased in the model group; the neuronal soma showed deformation and reduced dendritic spines and other pathological damages in the model group. After intervention of ZGJTJYP, hyperglycemia and depression-like status of the model rats were relieved; the number of hippocampal neurons increased significantly; neuronal morphology basically returned to normal. The expression of Caspase-3 in ZGJTJYP high-and medium-dose groups was significantly lower than that in model group. Conclusion ZGJTJYP can significantly improved blood glucose and learning and memory abilities in DD rats, which may be related to slowing hippocampal injury and apoptosis, and restoring neuronal quantity and morphology.