OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of Cornus officinalis polysaccharide on learning and memory ability of vascular dementia (VD) model rats and its mechanism. METHODS:30 rats were randomly divided into sham operation (normal saline) group,model(normal saline)group and C. officinalis polysaccharide(0.28 g/kg)group. Except sham operation group,VD model was induced in other groups and given relevant medicine intragastrically once a day. After 4 weeks,the frequency of leaping over original platform position,water maze mean escape latencies,platform retention time and average swimming distance were detect-ed,and the mRNA and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and apoptosis related gene Bcl-2 in hippo-campal tissue of rats were determined. RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group,learning and memory ability of rats in model group weakened,manifesting as the frequency of leaping over original platform position decreased,water maze mean escape latencies prolonged,platform retention time shortened,average swimming distance extended(P<0.05);mRNA and protein expres-sion of BDNF and Bcl-2 in hippocampus decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with model group,learning and memory ability of rats in C. officinalis polysaccharide group increased,manifesting as the frequency of leaping over original platform posi-tion increased,water maze mean escape latencies shortened,platform retention time prolonged,average swimming distance short-ened(P<0.05);mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and Bcl-2 in hippocampus was enhanced significantly(P<0.05). CON-CLUSIONS:C. officinalis polysaccharide can improve the learning and memory ability of VD rats,and its mechanism may be asso-ciated with the expression up-regulation of BDNF and Bcl-2 in hippocampus.

[Objective]To investigate the means and effect of total hip arthroplasty(THA) for treating serious flexed hips caused by ankylosing spondylitis(AS). [Methods]A total of 20 male patients(28 hips) and 1 female patient(1 hip)with ankylosing spondylitis underwent THA.Eight patients had bilateral surgery.The mean age were 32.4 years(ranged 21~49 years).The disease course were 3~32 years,with the mean of 15.6 years.And the flexed deformation were 30?~95?,with the mean of 58.6,including ankylosis in 23 hips(79.3%).There were 17 patients(22 hips)in the biological prosthesis group and 4 patients(7 hips) in the cement group.The clinical results were evaluated by the Harris hip scoring system.[Results]The mean duration of follow-up were 4.5 years,all hip joints function were improved,and the postoperative Harrris Score were 83.2 versus the preoperative Harrris Score of 21.7.The serious flexed deformity of the involved hips were disappeared.The average range of motion of hip joint were 196?.The pain of the hips were disappeared almost completely and pain of lowerwaists and knees were relieved obviously.Patients got their gait right and could care themselves approximately.[Conclusion]Total hip arthroplasty is an effective treatment for serious flexed hips caused by ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective To study the influences of dichloromethane extraction from crude and processed Cornus Officinalis on bone marrow cells of aging mice induced by D-galactose. Methods DNA damage of bone marrow cells of aging mice induced by D-galactose was detected by the comet assay, the expression of p53 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Results The tail formation rate of model group was significantly higher than the rate of control group (P

Desmosomes with well-preserved architecture were isloated from the epidermis of bovine muzzle.The thickness of the dense plaque was about 15 nm and the width of desmoso-mal interspace 30~40 nm.The midline in the desmosomal interspace was shown as a moderately electrondense material.The component proteins of the desmosomes were analyzed with SDS-PAGE.It was found that both DP Ⅰ and DP Ⅱ consisted of 3 polypeptides and the molecular weight of DP 1 a,b and c was 235 kd,226 kd and 215kd and that of DP Ⅱ a,b and c was 206 kd,198 kd and 186 kd respectively ; and DP Ⅲ was composed of 2 polypeptides and the molecular weight of DP I a and b was 87 kd and 86 kd.The above mentioned data were different from those of other reports,while the data of the other component proteins were similar to those of others.The molecular weight of DG I was 150 kd.that of DG Ⅱ a and b was 135 kd and 118 kd,that of DG Ⅲ was probably 22 kd.and that of DP Ⅳ was 82 kd.According to our findings,it is concluded that both DP Ⅰ and DP Ⅱ consist of 3 polypeptides and DP Ⅲ of 2 polypepties.

Objective To observe the change of lipid metabolism during adaptive heart failure.Method The transverse aorta constriction mouse models established by minimal invasive surgery technique were evaluated for early small changes of body composition by EchoMRITM whole body composition analysis,and the different gene expression was analyzed by whole genome expression microarray.Results Three weeks after the surgery,the fat composition,in the mouse models were (0.49 ± 0.13) g,which was significantly lower than that in the sham surgery group [(0.81-±0.14) g] (P =0.002).The expression of the natriuretic peptide type A significantly increased over time (R2 =0.939,P =0.005).In addition,the levels of fatty acid desaturase,long-chain fatty acid elongase 5,and N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase increased,and the levels of acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase,muscle glycogen phosphorylase,and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase decreased,showing increased fat mobilization and decreased carbohydrate utilization.Conclusions Surgery for transverse aorta constriction can cause complex metablic changes in heart.The activated lipid mobilization maybe lead to the low body fat composition.

Objective:To study the effect of exendin-4 on weight reduction in normal rats after long-term subcutaneous injection.Methods:40 Wistar rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into four groups and were injected subcutaneously with 0,1,5,25 ?g/kg exendin-4 for 26 weeks.Body weight,food intake,cholesterol,triglyceride,kidney fat pad weight and diameter of adipocytes were measured.Results:Body weight,kidney fat pad weight and serum tricyleride in 25?g/kg group were significantly lower than that in control group(P

Sufficient embryos are needed for the preservation of Beagle dogs germplasm resources and the prepara-tion of gene?modified human disease animal models. Up to now, the induced ovulation technique has no effect on dogs,it is hard to obtain mature oocytes in vivo, although the scientists try a lot in many aspects, but still could not make a break?through. The in vitro maturation rate is too low to support the preservation of germplasm resources, application in gene?modified disease models and biomedical research. Aiming to provide useful information on breakthrough in dog oocytes mat?uration, this review will summarize the effect of different age and reproductive stage,different morphology and size of the oo?cytes and lipid droplet on the in vitro maturation of dog oocytes.

Objective To prepare a completely biological hybrid scaffold for small-diameter vascular tissue engineering using porcine fibrin and decellularized canine carotid artery.MethodsPorcine fibrin was sprayed coating on the external surface of decellularized canine carotid artery to construct completely biological hybrid scaffold for small-diameter vascular tissue engineering. The completely biological hybrid scaffold was evaluated with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, scanning electron microscopy and biomechanics test.ResultsHistology examination revealed that the porcine fibrin was sprayed coating uniformly on the external surface of decellularized canine carotid artery. Scanning electron microscopy examination confirmed that the external surface of completely biological hybrid scaffold was smooth and uniformly. Compared with fresh canine carotid artery and decellularized artery, the biological hybrid scaffold had similar burst and breaking strength. Furthermore, compared with decellularized artery, the biological hybrid scaffold had higher compliance.ConclusionThe porcine fibrin was sprayed coating uniformly on the external surface of decellularized canine carotid artery to prepare a completely biological hybrid scaffold for small-diameter vascular tissue engineering. The biological hybrid scaffold had appropriate biomechanical properties and had potential to serve as scaffolds for small-diameter vascular tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND: Osthol is a simple coumarin from Cnidium monnier (L.)Cusson which has been long used of in China as a herbal medicine for arthritis. We have previously observed protective effects of osthol on Ca2+antagonism, oxidative stress and inflammation. And other researches reported that it could inhibit increase of serum xanthine oxidase induced by liver tumor.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of osthol on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury of mice.DESIGN: Completely randomized controlled study.SETTING: Department of Pharmacology, Gannan Medical College; Physical Education, Gannan Normal College.MATERIALS: A total of 40 Kunming mice were of both genders and weighing (20±2) g. Osthol was provided by Chengdu Longquan High-Tech Natural Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.METHODS: The experiment was performed at Department of Pharmacology, Gannan Medical College from March to July 2005. Forty mice were randomly divided into control, model, osthol (ip 50 g/kg) and osthol (ip 100 g/kg) groups with 10 in each. Separately once a day for 15 consecutive days, the control and model groups were equalized injected intraperitoneally with 10 mL/kg saline and osthol groups injected intraperitoneally with 50 and 100 g/kg osthol, respectively. On 15 day just after treatment,they, except the control, were challenged with CCl4 (ip 1 g/L peanut oil solution 10 mL/kg). Then all mice were free access to water but fast food.At specified time points 16 hours after the injection of CCl4, all mice were sacrificed and blood was collected in centrifuge tubes. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined, and the pathological examination of liver was observed.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contents of serum ALT, AST, MDA and pathological examination.RESULTS: Forty mice were involved in the final analysis. ① At 16 hours after CCl4 induction, contents of ALT and AST were higher in model group than those in control group (P ＜ 0.001). The increase in the contents of ALT and AST was inhibited by osthol in a dose-dependent manner, especially in 100 mg/kg osthol group (P ＜ 0.05). Both 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg osthol could inhibit the increase of AST induced by CCl4 (P ＜ 0.01-0.001).② Content of MDA in model group was increased (P ＜ 0.05), and content of MDA in 100 mg/kg osthol group was similar to that in control group.100 mg/kg osthol could decrease content of MDA, 50 mg/kg osthol could increased the content; however, it still had the tendency of decrease. ③Effect of osthol on histopahtological changes, the livers of CCl4intoxicated mice showed massive fatty change, gross necrosis, broad infiltration of the lymphocytes, and Kupffer cells around the central vein, loss of cellular boundary. The histological pattern of the livers of the mice treated with 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg osthol showed a mild degree of fatty change,necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration. In contrast, the inhibitory potency of 100 mg/kg osthol on the histological changes significantly higher than those models.CONCLUSION: Osthol can protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through decreasing activities ALT and AST and contents of MDA.

BACKGROUND: Tongbiling is the modified guizhi shaoyao zhimu tang (Decoction of Cinnamon Twig, Peony and Anemarrhena) recorded in Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber. It has been used for rheumatoid arthritis(RA) for more than ten years. Here is the experimental study on effects of tongbiling on interleukin 2(IL-2) and its α-chain, IL-2Rα(CD25), to explain the mechanism of tongbiling in regulating the cellular immunity and resisting RA From the aspects of in vivo and in vitro.OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of tongbiling on IL-2 in collagen introduced arthritis of rats and the influence of total base of tongbiling on expression of IL2-Rα (CD25).DESIGN: A totally randomized and controlled experimental study based on the experimental animalsSETTING: Department of Jinkui of a university and the center of organ transplantation and immunity of another university.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out from April to July 2001 in the Central Laboratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The 36 Wistar rats, clean degree, male,bought from the Animal Experimental Center of Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University, certificate No. 2000A050, weighted(110 ± 20) g, were divided into 6 groups with 6 in each: normal group, model group, methotrexate (MTX) high dosage group, MTX low dosage group, tongbiling high dosage group, and tongbiling small dosage group.METHODS: The experiment in vivo was done with the modeled rats of collagen-induced arthritis. The foot swelling was measured with volume method, the cells of primary synovium cultured, and the upper clear fluid of culture fluid tested with radioimmunoassay to observe the effect of tongbiling on synovial IL-2. The experiment in vitro was done in the way of separating the lymphocytes, giving extraneous stimulation with phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB) or concanavalin A(ConA), using bicolor immunofluorescence labeling, testing with flow cytometer to observe the influence of total base of tongbiling on the expression of CD3 +, CD25 +.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The influence of tongbiling on the foot swelling and synovial IL-2 of rats with collagen-induced arthritis.RESULTS: In the experiment in vivo, the high dosage of tongbiling could relieve obviously the foot swelling, compared with MTX, there was no remarkable difference ( P ＞ 0.05) . Both high and low dosage of tongbiling could inhibit the synthesis of synovial IL-2 ( P ＜ 0.01 ). In the experiment in vitro, the total base of tongbiling could extremely inhibit the expression of CD3 +, CD25 + stimulated by ConA, but not effective for that stimulated by PDB plus ionomycin.CONCLUSION: Tongbiling can inhibit the IL-2 synthesis and the signal transduction of IL-2Rα (CD25) activated by ConA, relieving the inflammation of local joint. It provides an experimental evidence for the application of tongbiling in the treatment of RA.