AIM To investigate if scallop (Placopecta magellanicus) skirt glycosaminoglycan (SS-GAG) inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) as heparin does so and to clarify its mechanism. METHODS The inhibitory effects of SS-GAG on the proliferation of rat thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta VSMC induced by fetal bovine serum (FBS) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were determined by cell counting, crystal violet staining and MTT colorimetry. The effects of SS-GAG on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in VSMC proliferation induced by bFGF were evaluated by immunohistochemical technique (LSAB method) and computer image analysis system. RESULTSSS-GAG exerted antagonistic effects on VSMC proliferation induced by 20% FBS and 50 μg·L-1 bFGF at concentrations ranging from 50 mg·L-1 to 200 mg·L-1 and repressed the increasing expression of PCNA and PDGF. CONCLUSION SS-GAG significantly inhibits the proliferation of VSMC, which may be carried out through repression of PDGF and PCNA expression.

Objective To study the chemical constituents and structures of the glycosaminogly-cans isolated from the leftover bits of the Chlamys farreri and Argopecten irradisus. Methods The qualitative and quantitative analyses of monosaccharides obtained by alcoholyses with HCl-methylalcohol from the samples were done by gas chromatography with standard contrast and inner standard methods. Mixed with KBr and pressed into pellet, the samples were analyzed by infrared spectrometer scanning from 4000-500 cm-1. Results The contents of monosaccharides from the samples were rhamnose 0. 75%, xylose 0. 63%, fucose 0. 67%, mannose 0. 97%, glucose 1. 11% and galactose 1. 59%, respectively. The infrared spectrum showed that the samples had typical infrared spectra of glycosaminoglycan. Conclusions The glycosaminoglycan isolated from the leftover bits of the Chlamys farreri contains neutral monosaccharides. Compared with standard glycosaminoglycans, the infrared spectra of the two samples are similar to that of hyaluronic acid.

Objective: To study the effects of glycosaminoglycan from scallop skirt (SS-GAG) on the formation of foam cells from porcine artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the expression of the total superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX)activity, NO production and the mechanism of anti-atherosclerosis action of SS-GAG. Methods: SMCs were incubated with 15 mg/L oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) for 72 h to establish a smooth muscle cell-derived foam cell model. In addition, SMC cells were divided into 6 groups:①blank group,②model(Ox-LDL) group, ③Ox-LDL+200 mg/L SS-GAG group,④Ox-LDL+400 mg/L SS-GAG group,⑤Ox-LDL+800 mg/L SS-GAG group, ⑥Ox-LDL+Heparin 100 mg/L group. After 72 h incubation, intracellular total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC), cholesteryl ester (CE) content and CE/TC ratio were measured through enzymatic method. The SOD, GSH-PX and NO concentration in the medium were also determined through Xanthine oxidase method or TBARs. Results: TC, CE, CE/TC in model group significantly increased, while FC, GSH-PX and NO concentration in the medium significantly decreased compared with blank group. After treatment with heparin (100 mg/L) and different concentrations of SS-GAG (200 mg/L, 400 mg/L,800 mg/L), TC, CE, and CE/TC significantly decreased (P

Objective To investigate the apoptotic effect induced by sulfur mustard on the lymphocytes of the rat spleen,and define the role of caspase-3 during the process.Methods Sulfur mustard was given by intraperitoneal injection in a dose of 3.5mg/kg.The animals were anesthetized and the spleens were harvested at different timepoints after intoxication.The histopathogy of spleen was studied with hematoxylin-eosin staining.Caspase-3 mRNA was detected with RT-PCR.Protein expression of caspase-3 was assayed with Western blotting,lymphocytes of rat spleen were isolated and cultured in vitro and they were challenged with sulfur mustard(100?mol/L).The effect of Ac-DEVD-CHO(a specific inhibitor of caspase-3)on sulfur mustard-induced apoptosis of the lymphocytes cultured in vitro was evaluated.Fluorescent probe labeled with Rhodamine 123 was used to study mitochondrial potential.Results The histology of rat spleen was affected after sulfur mustard intoxication,as evidenced by apoptosis of a part of lymphocytes.Protein and mRNA expressions of caspase-3 were increased significantly in the spleens of intoxicated rats as compared with that in control group.DNA ladder and 'sub-G1' peak of lymphocytes which were treated with sulfur mustard in vitro were partially improved by Ac-DEVD-CHO(the specific inhibitor of caspase-3).In addition,mitochondrial potential decreased in a time-dependent manner in the lymphocytes intoxicated by sulfur mustard in vitro compared with that in the control group.Conclusions The spleen is injured in the rat which is intoxicated by sulfur mustard.Lymphocyte apoptosis is one of the mechanisms splenic injury.Caspase-3 may be involved in the process of lymphocyte apoptosis induced by sulfur mustard.

Objective To compare the effects of tibolone and cisapride on gastrointestinal motility in menopausal patients with functional dyspepsia (MPFD).Methods Fifty-three MPFD and 31 MPFD complicated with bile reflux were divided into 3 groups randomly.They were treated with tibolone,cisapride and both drugs for 4 weeks,respectively.The gastric emptying,serum motilin and intragastric bile were measured before and after the treatment.Results The 30-min gastric emptying rates of all groups were significantly improved (P

This study reported the protective effects of poly-saccharide sulphate (PSS) on experimental model of myocardial infaction by high positioned double - ligation of the anterior descending left coronary artery in rabbits, and on ischemic injury of myocardium by intraperi-toneal injection of isoprenaline in rats. The results showed that PSS could decrease the infarct sizes of rabbits model expressed by ECG mappingof ∑ST segment, NST and NQ, and reduce the activities of CPK in serum. It also showed that PSS reduced the severity of myocardial necrosis and the activies of CPK in serum of the experimental rats . It suggested that PSS have the protective effects on ischemic injury of myocardium.

Objective To study the feasibility of stem cell transplantation under mild hypothermia so as to provide a prerequisite for stem cell transplantation in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during mild hypothermia treatment. Methods After transfecting plasmid containing temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen (tsSV40LT) into temperature-sensitive umbilical cord mes-enchymal stem cells (tsUCMSCs) , the changes of cell morphology, nuclear proliferation index (PIx) and telomerase activity were detested when the tsUCMSCs were cultured at 33℃ and 37℃. After the mouse model with tTBI treated with mild hypothermia was established, tsUCMSCs were transplanted into semi-injury area to detect survival rate, proliferation and apoptosis indices and perform neurological deficit scoring. Results When cultured at 33℃, the tsUCMSCs displayed long spindle-shaped and highly refractive, with higher proliferation index and telomerase activity than those cultured at 37℃. Compared with control group (non-temperature-sensitive UCMSCs transplantation), tsUCMSCs in semi-injury area showed much higher cell survival and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression ( P < 0.05 ) , with fewer apoptotic cells and better neurological function (P < 0.05). Conclusion The establishment of temperature-sensitive stem cell line enables stem cell transplantation during treatment of TBI with mild hypothermia, as provides us a new direction for treatment of TBI.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathological changes of genioglossus with transmission electron microscope (TEM) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) dominated by lingual region obstruction, and to explore the role of tongue organizations in the pathogenesis and its clinical significance. METHOD: Thirty-eight cases of genioglossus were collected from the patients received UPPP and partial glossectomy (3060 severe group 15 cases), 6 adult patients without oropharyneal and hypopharyneal obstructive disease received tongue tumor resection or trauma debridement surgery were collected as control group. The features of morphological changes in genioglossus were observed by TEM. RESULT: Under the TEM, in the control group,the muscle fibers of the genioglossus organization arranges regular, mitochondrial shape between muscle was regular; The below 3 kinds of variations existed simultaneously in all genioglossus specimens of all the OSAHS patients. In the mild group, myofibrillar atrophied, arranged sloppily, the gap was increased, localized filaments were edema, connective tissue between muscle bundles was proliferated, mitochondria were swelling, some were spherical, crests were still clear; In the moderate group, myofibrillar obviously atrophied with different diametric sizes and disorderliness, the Z lines were shortened or distorted, part of the myofibrillar ruptured, dissolved or disappeared, the connective tissues between muscle bundles were obviously proliferated, mitochondria were swellen, vacuolar degeneration, crests were vague, shorten and irregulatio; In the severe group, a large number of myofibrillar were fractured, dissolved, disorganized, integrated condensate lumpy, spotty or flake arranged, Z-lines were distorted or disappeared. Mitochondria were sizes, showed vacuolar degeneration, crests were disappeared, some changes were flocculent, mitochondria accumulation phenomenon was visible in some samples. Moreover, with the AHI increased, the occurence ratio of mild changes was decreased while severe changes occurence ratio increased. CONCLUSION The changes of genioglossus and mitochondrial in OSAHS patients is a continuous, progressive process, moverover, with the aggravation of OSAHS, genioglossus histopathological changes had gradually worsening tendency.
Adult ; Glossectomy ; Humans ; Mitochondria ; Muscle, Skeletal ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications ; Tongue ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the working mechanism and age-related change of the conflict processing system of the frontal cortex.

METHODSFifteen normal elderly people and 15 youth were performed a modified Eriksen flanker paradigm, while event-related potential (ERPs), which include 32 systerm electroencephalography, reaction time and correct rate were recorded.

RESULTSThe elderly group showed a distinct effect of reaction time and effect of conflict in the respond level compared with the youth group. The elderly group had a longer time window of N380 and same amplitude as the youth group. Low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) showed the bilateral temporal lobe and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (especially right) were activated in the youth group, while the left temporal lobe, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left medial frontal gyrus were activated in the elderly group.

CONCLUSIONWhen conflict stimuli existed in the response level, old people showed frontal interference control hypofunction. N380 reflected the activation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the left temporal lobe during response selection and executive control processing in older people.

Adolescent ; Aged ; Aging ; Electroencephalography ; Evoked Potentials ; Frontal Lobe ; physiology ; Humans ; Prefrontal Cortex ; physiology ; Reaction Time ; Temporal Lobe ; physiology

ObjectiveTo investigate the roles of 11 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 ( 11 β-HSD1 )on hippocampus of rat with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).MethodsTwenty-four male SpragueDawley rats were randomly divided into control group and depressive model group. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to make up depressive animal model.Behavioral changes were recorded by body weight measuring,sucrose consumption test (SCT) and open field test (OFT),respectively.The mRNA transcription of 11β-HSD1 in hippocampus tissues of the rats were detected by real-time RT-PCR,and the protein expression of 11β-HSD1 were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence.ResultsBcforc starting CUMS protocol,the rats exhibited equivalent weight and sucrose consumption.Twenty-eight days after CUMS protocol,behavior parameters such as body weight,sucrose consumption,nunber of crossing,and number of rearing were significantly decreased in rats exposed to CUMS group compared with control group (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜ 0.01 ).Correspondingly,realtime RT-PCR assays showed the mRNA expression of 11 β-HSD1 in the hippocampus of CUMS group,which was (31 ±9) ％ lower than that of control group.Meanwhile,the protein expression of it in CUMS group was lower than that of control group (P ＜ 0.05 ).Inmunofluorescence revealed that the number of positive 11 3-HSD1 cells was high (223 ± 13) in the control group,while the number was decreased prominently (92 ± 11 ) in the CUMS group (P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionDepressive behavior of rats is induced and the expression of 11 β-HSD1 in the hippocampus is decreased prominently by CUMS,the mechanism of which is at least related to the low expression of 11β-HSD1 and disturbance of glucocorticoid metabolism caused by CUMS.