AIM:To study the protective effect of aqueous extract of 2-branched and 3-branched velvet antler on cisplatin (CDDP)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice .METHODS:The mouse model of renal injury was induced by intra-gastric administration of CDDP at the dose of 15 mg/kg.After treatment, kidney index (KI), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the content of malondialdehyde ( MDA) in the kidney were determined .The renal pathological changes were observed with HE staining.RESULTS:Aqueous extract of velvet antler at the tested dose markedly decreased BUN , SCr and the content of MDA, and elevated the activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the mice pretreated with CDDP ( P<0.05) .The pathological chan-ges of the renal tissues were improved obviously , and the injury of the epithelial cells of renal tubules was mitigated .The effect of the aqueous extract of 2-branched velvet antler on renal function and cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was better than that of 3-branched one at the same concentration .CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of 2-branched and 3-branched velvet antler has a certain protective effect on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity , which may be associated with in-creasing the anti-oxidative capability of mouse renal tissue .

Objective To observe the change of coagulation function in chronic stress depression model rats and the effects of elec-troacupuncture (EA) on it. Methods A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided in control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8) after a week of acclimation. The 21-day unpredictable mild stress combined with solitarily feed-ing was used to make the depression model in the latter three groups, meanwhile EA group and the fluoxetine group accepted EA and fluox-etine. They were measured the prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB). Serum levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α(6-keto-PGF1α), P-selectin, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were determined with enzyme-linked im-munoabsorbent assay. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.01). The scores increased in EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.01) compared with the model group. Compared with the control group, PT, APTT and TT decreased (P<0.01), FIB increased (P<0.05), the level of 6-keto-PGF1αdecreased, the level of P-selectin and TXB2 increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, PT, APTT and TT increased (P<0.05), the level of 6-keto-PGF1αincreased (P<0.01), and the level of P-selectin and TXB2 decreased (P<0.05) in EA group and the fluoxetine group, and FIB decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Conclusion The chronic stress depression rats are impaired in the coagulation function and platelet activation, and can be allayed with electroacupuncture and fluoxetine.

Objective To observe the effects of different Mongolian acupuncture methods on neurons form in frontal lobe and NO-cGMP signaling pathways in rats with chronic stress depression; To explore biological mechanism of different Mongolian acupuncture methods for depression.Methods The male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, fluoxetine group, Mongolian silver acupuncture group, Mongolian acupuncture three modulation methods group, and the combination of acupuncture with fluoxetine group (8 rats in each group). Except for control group, other rats were kept alone. Rats receive different treatment 1 hour before stimulations. Behavior changes were observed after 28 days. Hippocampus and frontal lobe tissues were collected. Frontal lobe neurons form changes were observed through different dyeing methods. The content of NO-cGMP was detected by radioimmunoassay and nitrate reductase method.Results Results of Nissl's staining showed that the neuronal pyramidal cells in the frontal lobe of model group rats arranged disorderedly, morphology was not intact and the number was obviously reduced. Nissl's staining got shallow and the most were blurry. The form of the frontal lobe neurons in Mongolian acupuncture three modulation methods group and Mongolian acupuncture group were good, Nissl's staining was dark blue. HE staining results showed that cytomembrane of frontal lobe neurons in model group rats ruptured, and structure was not clear. some cells fell off and formed into cavities. In Mongolian acupuncture three modulation methods group and Mongolian silver acupuncture group, the frontal lobe cells arranged regularly, cellular level was rich, and the nerve cell membrane was complete. The content of NO-cGMP in frontal lobe and hippocampus tissues was significantly elevated in model group. Mongolian acupuncture, Mongolian acupuncture three modulation methods, fluoxetine, and the combination of acupuncture with fluoxetine treatments all could reverse the changes.Conclusion Different Mongolian acupuncture methods may treat depression through regulating and controlling the expression of NO-cGMP.

As the nerve regeneration has been researched more and more, nerve regeneration related signaling pathways after spinal cord injury (SCI) comes into the view. Inhibiting apoptosis signaling pathways may reduce the apoptosis, inflammation and nerve degenera-tion after SCI. Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and there was interaction among the four subordinate pathways. Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway does not only participate in the body cell survival, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, but also in the process of inflammatory and oxidative stress in the body. It has been found that blocking the Wnt signaling pathway after inju-ry in the central nervous system would inhibit neural axon regeneration. Exogenous Wnt3a can increase the number of neurons after SCI and promote the axon conduction and nerve function. Inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway after SCI can signif-icantly reduce neuronal loss, cell death and well promote the functional recovery. When Notch signaling pathways are activated, neural stem cells proliferate actively and differentiation are inhibited, and stem cells enter the stage of differentiation as the pathway inhibited. Activa-tion of Ras homolog gene/Rho associated coiled coil forming protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) signaling pathways leads to the collapse of the growth cone, inhibition of axon regeneration, whereas the selective inhibition of Rho can promote axon regeneration and recovery of motor function after SCI.

Objective To study the effect of electroacupuncture on the behavior of APP/PS1 transgenic mice of different age, and to explore the optimal intervention time of electroacupuncture in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Method APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice of 4 months, 6 months and 9 months old, 20 in each age group, were randomized into a model group and an electroacupuncture group, and ten C57BL/6 wild-type mice were taken as a control group; after 6-week electroacupuncture treatment, the Morris water maze was adopted for spatial memory and behavioral test, and the changes of behavior in each group were observed.Result Of the 5-month-old mice, there were no significant between-group differences (P>0.05), while the time factor (day) produced a statistical significance (P<0.01); of the 7-month-old mice, there were significant differences considering the different groups, time factor and interaction (P<0.01); of the 10-month-old mice, there were significant differences considering the different groups, time factor and interaction (P<0.05). The spatial probe test showed that there were significant between-group differences in comparing the platform crossings and swimming distance in platform quadrant in each age group (P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve the learning and memory of APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice, the age of 6-7 months old is possibly the optimal intervention time of electroacupuncture for AD, but there still requires further mechanism studies.

Spinal cord injury is a kind of central nervous system diseases with high morbidity. Acupuncture and moxibustion has unique advantages in treating spinal cord injury and its complications including neurogenic bladder, neuropathic pain, intestinal disorders, and muscle spasms. This article reviewed the researches of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment on spinal cord injury. It is presented to provide reference for clinical research.

Objective To explore the effect of Governor Vessel electroacupuncture in different time points on motor function and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) after spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 180 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (one day, three days and seven days after modeling), and each group was divided into normal control group, normal electroacupuncture group, sham operation group, model group and Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group with 12 cases in each group. The spinal cord injury model was established with the modified Allen's method. The normal electroacupuncture group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture on Dazhui (DU14) and Mingmeng (DU04) acupoints. Basso-Beattic-Bresnahan (BBB) Scale was performed to assess the motor function of rats. The expression of p75NTR was detected with Western blotting. Results The BBB score of the model group and the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group were significantly lower than that of the other three groups. The BBB score was significantly higher in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group seven days after intervention (t=-4.510, P<0.001). The expression of p75NTR was siginificantly lower in the Governor Vessel electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P<0.01). Conclusion The expression of p75NTR increased after spinal cord injury. Governor Vessel electroacupuncture could improve the motor function, and inhibit the p75NTR expression of damaged spinal cord tissues.

Objective To explore the biological mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) for depression. Methods Forty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=8), model group (n=8), EA group (n=8) and fluoxetine group (n=8). Depressive models were established with lonely raising and chronic unpredictable mild stress. They were tested with Open-field Test, and the expression of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4)A and PDE4D in hippocampus was detected with RT-PCR. Results The cross and rear scores were significantly lower in the model group than in the control group (P<0.001), while it increased in the EA group and the fluoxetine group (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D decreased in the EA group (P<0.001). Conclusion Electroacupuncture may relieve depression through inhibiting the expression of PDE4A and PDE4D.