OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) on morphology and function of progenitor Leydig cells (PLC) in rats.

METHODSTwenty pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 5): normal control group, DEHP low dose group , middle dose group, and high dose group, which were treated from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND 21 of the pubs with DEHP at the doses of 0, 10, 100, 750 mg/(kg · d) in 0.5 ml of corn oil by gavage respectively. At the end of the treatment, the male pups were killed and blood samples were collected for determination of serum testosterone concentration by chemiluminescence method. The body weight, testis weight and anogenital distance (AGD) were measured. The morphology of PLC was observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR) in PLC was determined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the testis was assayed by real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared with normal control group, the serum testosterone and AGD of male pubs from the middle and high dose groups were declined significantly (P < 0.01), the testis weight and body weight from high dose group were decreased significantly (P < 0.01), while the testis weight increased in the low dose group (P < 0.05). Under light microscope, PLC showed hyperplasia and cluster aggregation in the low dose group and focal hyperplasia in the middle and high dose group. The spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubules showed decrease, apoptosis and unfix in the high dose group. Under transmission electron microscope, the PLC showed decreased lipid droplets, smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondriae in the treated group. The mRNA expression of IGF-I increased in the low dose group, and the protein expression of StAR decreased in the middle and high dose group.

CONCLUSIONLactating exposure to DEHP may interfere with the synthesis of testosterone of PLC in male pubs, the decrease of StAR and the damage of PLC may be involved in it.

Animals ; Body Weight ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; adverse effects ; Female ; Germ Cells ; drug effects ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Lactation ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Organ Size ; Phosphoproteins ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Testis ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect and mechanism of curcumin derivative B06 on kidney from rats with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes.

METHODSThirty five male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups(n = 7): the normal control group, high-fat group, high-fat + B06-treatd group, diabetic group, diabetic + B06-treated group. After fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks, the later two groups were in- jected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. B06-treated groups were given B06 by gavage at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg . d for 8 weeks. After the treatment, the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were detected biochemically, the morphology of kidney was observed with light and transmission electron microscopy, the expression of collagen fibers was observed with Masson staining, the protein expression of collogen IV and fibronectin in kidney were determined by Immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIt was showed that the levels of the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen elevated significantly in diabetic group. In high-fat and diabetic groups, increased glomerular mesangial matrix and collagen fiber and thicken glomerular basal membrane were observed under light microscopy, swelling and fusion of foot process were found under electron microscope; increased green matrix within glomeruli was observed under Masson staining. collogen IV and fibronectin protein expression were significantly enhanced in high-fat group and diabetic group. After B06's intervention, the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were decreased in diabetic groups, the morphological change of kidney was obviously relieved, Collogen IV and fibronectin protein expression reduced.

CONCLUSIONCurcumin derivative B06 exerts a protective effect on kidney in type 2 diabetic rats, reduced expressions of collogen IV and fibronectin, inhibition of the accumulation of extracellular matrix and glomerular mesangial proliferation, and then prevention of renal fibrosis may be the mechanism.

Animals ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Creatinine ; blood ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin ; Uric Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of different points combination in the treatment of menopausal insomnia.

METHODSNinety-six cases of menopausal insomnia were randomized into 3 groups, Xinshu (BL 15), Shenshu (BL 23), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were chosen in the restore interaction between the heart and the kidney group (group A, 32 cases); Zhaohai (KI 6), Jiaoxin (KI 8), Shenmai (BL 62), Pucan (BL 61) were chosen in the acupuncturing qiao mai group (group B, 32 cases); auricular Shenmen (TF4) and sensitive spot at the distribution area of auricular vagus nervus were chosen in the ear acupuncture group (group C, 32 cases). Six days made one session and the treatments were finished after 4 courses. The polysomnography (PSG) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were employed before and after treatment to evaluate the alleviation of insomnia.

RESULTSThe parameters of the sleep latency (SL), rapid wave sleep latency (RL) and sleep efficiency (SE) were significantly improved in the three groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The SL and awaking time (AT) in group C [SL (401.08 +/- 16.54) min and AT (4.87 +/- 2.64) times] were significantly superior to those in the other two groups [SL (50.36 +/- 18.47) min, (54.87 +/- 20.92) min, AT (5.98 +/- 2.11) times, (6.13 +/- 3.04) times, all P < 0.05]. The S(3+4) (%) in group C was also significantly higher than those in the other two groups (both P < 0.05). It was indicated by PSQI that the sleep quality of group C (0.78 +/- 0.12) was significantly superior to that in group B (1.32 +/- 0.29), the total score and cured and markedly effective rate in group C [(4.34 +/- 1.43), 68.8% (22/32)] were superior to those in group A [(7.48 +/- 3.09), 53.1% (17/32), both P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONEar acupuncture has a better curative effect than the restore interaction between the heart and the kidney group and acupuncturing qiao mai group, it is worth of being promoted.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; psychology ; Middle Aged ; Sleep ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

AIM:To investigate the expression of IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-17A in asthmatic mice vaccinated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG)and hepatitis B(HepB)in the neonatal period.METHODS: BALB/c mice were ran-domly divided into BGG+HepB+ovalbumin(OVA)group(B/H/O group),B/O group,H/O group,B/H group,OVA group,BCG group,HepB group and normal saline(NS)group(n=6).The mice in B/H/O group and B/H group at 0, 7 and 14 d received subcutaneous injection of 1×105CFU BCG for 3 times,while at 0 and 28 d received intramuscular in-jection of 1.5 μg HepB on the hindlimb twice.The mice in other groups were individually vaccinated with BCG or HepB. OVA sensitization and aerosol inhalation were performed to establish the asthma model.The lung tissues were collected for HE staining.Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)and peripheral blood(PB)were collected,and the number of eosino-phils(EOS)in BALF was counted.The serum levels of IFN-γand IL-4,and the level of IL-17A in lung tissue homoge-nate were measured by ELISA.RESULTS: The pathological changes of the lung in OVA group, B/O group, B/H/O group and H/O group were observed.There were extensive inflammatory cell infiltration around the bronchus,and epithe-lial cell hypertrophy.Those in B/H/O group and H/O group were worse than those in OVA group, while those in B/O group was better than those in OVA group.Total BALF cell counts in B/H/O group,B/O group and H/O group were de-creased(P<0.05)as compared with OVA group.The BALF EOS count in B/H/O group was higher than that in B/H group,that in B/O group was higher than that in BCG group,and that in H/O group was higher than that in HepB groups (P<0.05).Compared with H/O group, OVA group and NS group, the serum IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in HepB group was in-creased(P<0.05),and compared with B/H/O group,B/O group,OVA group and NS group,that in B/H group was al-so increased(P<0.05).Compared with OVA group, the level of IL-17A in the lung tissues of B/H/O group and B/O group was decreased(P <0.05), and compared with B/O group, that in B/H/O group was further decreased(P <0.05).CONCLUSION:Combined vaccination of BCG and HepB reduces the inflammotory responses in the lung tissues of asthmatic mice.The mechanism may be related with the decrease in the release of IL-4, the increase in IFN-γ/IL-4, and the inhibition of IL-17A expression.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of curcumin derivatives B06 on myocardium from type 2 diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal control group (NC group), high fat group (HF group), high fat treatment group (FT group), diabetes mellitus group (DM group) and diabetes treatment group (DT group) (n = 7). The late four groups were fed with high fat food, after four weeks of high fat feeding, the rats from DM group and DT group were injected with low dosage of streptozocin intraperitoneally to induce diabetes mellitus, FT group and DT group were gavaged with curcumin derivatives B06 at the dosage of 0.2 mg/kg x d. The blood glucose and lipid were detected biochemically, blood insulin was assayed by ELISA and the insulin resistance index was calculated, the morphology of myocardium was observed by light and transmission electron microscopy, the protein expression of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKalpha) and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (p-AMPKalpha) in myocardium were tested by Western blot.

RESULTSThe level of blood glucose, lipid, insulin and the insulin resistance index were increased in HF group and DM group, but they were decreased after the treatment with B06. The expression of AMPKalpha and p-AMPKalpha were decreased, but they became increased after the treatment of B06. There were increased collagen fibers in interstitium and expansion of mitochondria in cytoplasm of myocardium from DM group, but they were ameliorated in B06 treatment group.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that B06 may relieve the damage of myocardium from type 2 diabetic rats and the increased expression of AMPKalpha and p-AMPKalpha may be involved in it.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Heart ; drug effects ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVETo establish a neonatal pig model of hemolytic jaundice.

METHODSTwelve seven-day-old purebred Yorkshire pigs were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group (n=6 each). Immunization of New Zealand white rabbits was used to prepare rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell antibodies, and rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum was separated. The neonatal pigs in the experimental group were given an intravenous injection of rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum (5 mL), and those in the control group were given an intravenous injection of normal saline (5 mL). Venous blood samples were collected every 6 hours for routine blood test and liver function evaluation.

RESULTSThe experimental group had a significantly higher serum bilirubin level than the control group at 18 hours after the injection of rabbit anti-porcine red blood cell serum (64±30 μmol/L vs 20±4 μmol/L; P<0.05). In the experimental group, the serum bilirubin level reached the peak at 48 hours (275±31 μmol/L), and decreased significantly at 96 hours after the injection (95±17 μmol/L), but all significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). At 18 hours after the injection, the experimental group had a significantly lower red blood cell (RBC) count than the control group [(4.58±0.32)×10(12)/L vs (5.09±0.44)×10(12)/L; P<0.05]; at 24 hours, the experimental group showed further reductions in RBC count and hemoglobin level and had significantly lower RBC count and hemoglobin level than the control group [RBC: (4.21±0.24)×10(12)/L vs (5.11±0.39)×10(12)/L, P<0.05; hemoglobin: 87±3 g vs 97±6 g, P<0.05]. The differences in RBC count and hemoglobin level between the two groups were largest at 36-48 hours.

CONCLUSIONSThe neonatal pig model of hemolytic jaundice simulates the pathological process of human hemolytic jaundice well and provides good biological and material bases for further investigation of neonatal hemolysis.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Jaundice ; etiology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Swine

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical result of 546 tetracycline-stained teeth corrected with Cerinate porcelain laminate veneer system for esthetic purpose.

METHODS546 tetracycline-stained teeth were corrected with Cerinate porcelain veneer system, and bonded with Ultra Bond resin cement. The restorations were recalled after 0.5 year, 1.5 years and 2.5 years, respectively. modified Ryge criteria were used to evaluate the veneers marginal adaptation, interfacial staining, secondary caries, postoperative sensitivity and the patients' satisfaction with the shade of the restorations.

RESULTSthis study found that 99% veneers had excellent marginal adaptations; and less than 1% veneers were rebonded after debond in the first half year application; the color of the veneers was stable and no evident staining was found. Almost all patients were satisfied with their restoration color after 1 year's application.

CONCLUSIONThe research indicated that Cerinate porcelain veneer restoration system is a reliable and ideal choice for the correction of tetracycline-stained teeth.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; Color ; Composite Resins ; Dental Marginal Adaptation ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Veneers ; Humans ; Tetracycline ; adverse effects ; Tooth Discoloration ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

In order to reveal the cause of disease occurred in the process of Coptis chinensis growth, this paper studied the bacterial species diversity index of different aged rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil planting normal or sick C. chinensis by using PCR-DGGE technique. The representative DGGE bands were chosen to be cloned, and sequenced, the phylogeny were constructed. The results showed that the bacterial communities were very different between the normal and diseased soil samples of C. chinensis, and the diversity index (H) of diseased soil samples were higher than that of normal soil samples. Sequencing analysis of representative cloned DGGE bands showed that the unculturable bacteria were the dominant groups, and bacteria belonged to genus Bacillus, Acidovorax, Acinetobacter, uncultured Kluyvera, and uncultured Comamonas were also existing, but the reported plant pathogenic bacteria were not found in the C. chinensis planting soil. The density and brightness of clone band d in diseased soil samples was higher than that in normal soil sample, and sequencing analysis showed that it belonged to genus Acidovorax. Obviously, during the process of C. chinensis growth, the rhizospheric bacteria population changed, and the quantity of bacteria belong Acidovorax increased, which probably resulted in the disease occurred during C. chinensis growth.
Bacteria ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Biodiversity ; Coptis ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizosphere ; Soil Microbiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the better therapy for peripheral facial paralysis.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients were randomized into three groups: a common acupuncture group: acupuncture at Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2) and Yingxiang (LI 20) as main acupoints, a ST 9 group: acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) as main and a ST 9 plus SGB group: acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) as main cooperated with stellate ganglion block (SGB). Once daily, 7 treatments made one session. After three sessions of treatment, the latency period and amplitude of evoked potential in ENoG, R1 value and R2 value of blink reflex were compared before and after the treatment in different groups separately. The total therapeutic effect was evaluated after treatment.

RESULTSAll the treatments shortened the latency period of ENoG, and elevated the amplitude evoked potential significantly. After treatment, the latency period in ST 9 plus SGB group was reduced significantly as compared with common acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The amplitude of evoked potential in ST 9 group was increased significantly as compared with the other two groups (both P < 0.05). After treatment, in each group, R1 and R2 values were shortened significantly. The difference values of R1 and R2 in ST 9 group and ST 9 plus SGB group were all significantly higher as compared with common acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). Additionally, the difference value of R1 in ST 9 plus SGB group was higher significantly than that in ST 9 group (P < 0.05). The clinical cured and remarkably effective rate was 87.5% (35/40) in ST9 plus SGB group, which was higher than 77.5% (31/40) in ST 9 group, and 65.0% (26/40) in common acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAs compared with common acupuncture group, ST 9 group and ST 9 plus SGB group achieve the much superior efficacy on peripheral facial paralysis. The treatment with ST 9 acupuncture and SGB can better repair the early reflex induced by the injury of facial nerve.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Autonomic Nerve Block ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Facial Nerve ; physiopathology ; Facial Paralysis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stellate Ganglion ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDHistamine H(3) receptor antagonists have been considered as potential drugs to treat central nervous system diseases. However, whether these drugs can inhibit epileptogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thioperamide, a selective and potent histamine H(3) receptor antagonist, on the seizure development and memory impairment induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindling epilepsy in rats.

METHODSChemical kindling was elicited by repeated intraperitoneal (ip) injections of a subconvulsant dose of PTZ (35 mg/kg) once every 48 hours for 12 times, and seizure activity of kindling was recorded for 30 minutes. Control rats were ip injected with saline instead of PTZ. Morris water maze was used to evaluate the spatial memory. Phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) was tested by Western blotting in hippocampus.

RESULTSIntracerebroventricular (icv) injections with thioperamide (10 µg, 20 µg) 30 minutes before every PTZ injections, significantly prolonged the onset of PTZ-kindling and inhibited the seizure stages. PTZ-kindling seizures led to the impairment of spatial memory in rats, and thioperamide ameliorated the impairment of spatial learning and memory. Compared to non-kindling rats, there was a significant decrease in p-CREB level in hippocampus of the PTZ-kindling rats, which was reversed by thioperamide.

CONCLUSIONSThioperamide plays a protective role in seizure development and cognitive impairment of PTZ-induced kindling in rats. The protection of thioperamide in cognitive impairment is possibly associated with the enhancement of CREB-dependent transcription.

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Histamine H3 Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Kindling, Neurologic ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory Disorders ; prevention & control ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Pentylenetetrazole ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seizures ; prevention & control ; Synaptic Transmission