The oil content and fatty acid composition of Ganoderma lucidum collected from different producing areas, varieties, tissue types and growth periods were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the oil content was 23. 61%-34.17% in different domestic producing areas of China; the oil content of fruiting bodies from major varieties cultured in Zhejiang province were 0.81%-1.87%, wall-unbroken spores were 0.07%-0.24%, wall-broken spores were 27.54%-34.17%, so the oil content of wall-unbroken spores were much higher than fruiting bodies, and wall-breaking treatment would increase the oil extraction rate 150-340 times. G. lucidum spores oil was mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acid composition. oleic acid and linoleic content were 53.26%-58.16% and 10.69%-16.87% respectively. Fatty acid composition ratio of spores and fruiting bodies were significantly different by PLS-DA. Determining the composition of fatty acid, especially the content of oleic acid, stearic acid and palmitic acid, could identify the tissue types of G. lucidum products' sources. In addition, the study result showed that the spores and fruiting bodies collected in the first year contained richer oil and fatty acid than second year's samples from the same variety of G. lucidum.
Fatty Acids ; analysis ; Oils ; analysis ; Reishi ; chemistry

Objective To assess the value of integrated 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in differentiation of malignant and benign pericardial effusion. Methods 18F-FDG PET/CT were performed in 23 patients with pericardial effusion. The detected soft tissue tumor or nodulous lession in pericardium or the thickened pericardium, with the maximum standardized uptake value( SUVmax ) ≥2.5, was defined as PET/CT-positive. The invaded lession in pericardium with SUVmax ≥2.5 was also as the positive. The difference of SUVmax of benign and malignant lesions was analyzed with two-independent-sample test of nonparametric tests. The final diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy or post-operative pathology. Results The diagnosis were confirmed with 14 malignant and 9 benign lesions. The median of SUVmax was 6.0 in malignancy group and 2.2 in benign group (z= -3. 279, P =0.001 ). According to the pathology results, there were one false negative case and two false positive cases with PET/CT imaging interpretation. The sensitivity, specificity,accuracy, positive predictive value ( PPV ) and negative predictive value ( NPV ) of 18 F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of benignity or malignance of pericardium effusion were 92.9% ( 13/14), 7/9, 87.0% (20/23),86.7% (13/15) and 7/8, respectively. Conclusion For the patients with pericardium effusion 18F-FDG PET/CT may be a helpful modality for malignancy differentiation

Background Chronic administration with inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (N_?-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester,L-NAME) induces persistent hypertension,cardiovascular remodeling,surrounding vascular fibrosis, necrosis and hypertrophy of myocardium,and inflammation in cardiovascular system.Local RAS involves in hyper- tension and remodeling of cardiovascular system,via increasing production of oxygen free radicals (OFR).Objec- tive To elucidate the preventive and therapeutic effect of antioxidant Ebselen and/or VitE on hypertensive heart damage in NO~- deficient rats induced by L-NAME.Methods Thirty-two Wistar rats were administered with L- NAME 50 mg/(kg?d) by gavage for 8 weeks,and randomized to received a placebo(L),or Ebs(S,30 mg/kg?d), or VitE(V,40 mg/kg?d) or Ebs 30 mg/(kg?d)+VitE 40 mg/(kg?d),with 8 normal Wistar as control. Body mass and SBP were measured fortnightly.Plasma and homogenate of heart were collected for NO,Ang Ⅱ, GSH-PX,MDA and O_2~- determination.Results Eight weeks after L-NAME administration,SBP in experimental groups was obviously higher than that of control (P

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effect of dl-tetrahydropalmatine(dl-THP) on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CC4) in mice.

METHODMice were administracted with dl-tetrahydropalmatine ip 20, 40 mg x kg(-1) daily for 9 d respectively, and then actue liver injury model was induced by 0.1% carbon tetrachloride ip 20 mL x kg(-1). The mice were killed 17 h after injection ip of CCl4, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST) activity were measured, and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity in liver were detected.

RESULTdl-THP significantly reduced the level of serum ALT and AST, inhibited lipoperxidation in liver, while increased SOD activity in liver tissue. Degeneration of hepatocytes was obviously prevented in mice treated with dl-THP, and the liver histological structure was well maintained.

CONCLUSIONdl-THP has inhibitory effects on liver injury induced by CCl4 in mice. The mechanisms may be related with its effects of reducing lipid peroxidation product.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To study the receptors for the axon guidance factor Netrin-4 and whether the known Netrin-1 receptors, DCC and UNC5H1, are coreceptors for Netrin-4. Methods The receptor for Netrin-4 was detected by affinitycytochemistry and in situ staining with the alkaline phosphatase (AP) tagged Netrin-4 fusion protein. The dynamic character of the binding between Netrin-4 and its receptor was evaluated through ligand-receptor binding assay and competitive binding assay. Results In situ staining of AP4-Netrin-4 protein bound to COS7 cells transiently transfected with eukaryotic expression coding DCC and UNC5H1 showed that the Netrin-4 could bind to the transfected cells. Competitive binding assays showed that Netrin-1 could compete with Netrin-4 for the same receptors. Conclusion DCC and UNC5H1 are coreceptors for Netrin-4. However, because the binding affinity of Netrin-4 with its receptor was lower than that of Netrin-1,it could be inferred that there should exist unique receptor(s) for Netrin-4 other than DCC and UNC5H1.

Objective:To study the acidic heteropolysac charides of Cynomorium songaricum.Method:The polysaccharides were purified by Sephadex G-100 and G-150 gel column chromatography.Purity and molecular weight of the polysaccharides were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography; neutral sugars composition were identified by PC, TLC and GC. Uronic acids were determined by carbazole method.Result:The molecular weight of SYP-A and SYP-B were estimated to be 3.1×105 and 2.8×105 respectively, and neutral sugars were composed of galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, mannose and ribose. The molar ratio for SYP-A and SYP-B were 5.1∶4.1∶1.6∶1.0∶0.5∶0.3 and 5.2∶4.2∶1.5∶1.0∶0.5∶0.2 respectively, The contents of uronic acids were 10.7% and 10.5% respectively.Conclusion:SYP-A and SYP-B are homogeneous acidic heteropolysaccharides.

OBJECTIVETo compare the influences of stapedectomy and small fenestra stapedotomy on the hearing of guinea pigs.

METHODSTwenty-four (48 ears) guinea pigs were randomized equally into two groups, and the left ears were subjected to stapedectomy and total stapes replacement with a prosthesis, or sham operation (12 ears) to expose the footplate of the stapes and the round window. Each guinea pig was tested by ABR perioperatively. Four guinea pigs were chosen randomly from each group and decapitated for morphological examination by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy after ABR test.

RESULTSIn the sham operation group, the post-operative latencies of each wave, the intervals and the hearing threshold exhibited no significant changes other than prolonged latency of wave I. In stapedectomy group, the hearing threshold increased to 23.75-/+3.77 dBSPL 1 h after operation with significantly prolonged post-operative latencies of all the waves and intervals but for III-IV interval, which was shortened. The latencies of each wave (especially waves I and III) in the stapedectomy group were increased by a greater magnitude than those in the sham operation group, but the intervals were comparable between the two groups. No significant difference was noted in the parameters of ABR either 1 h or 1 day after the operation between the two groups, in which the architecture of cochleas remained intact with similar number of spiral ganglion cells. The stereocilia of the outer hearing cells (OHC) were normal in the sham operation group while in stapedectomy group, slight stereocilia disorder occurred but became normal 1 day after operation. No obvious changes were found in the stereocilia of the inner hearing cell (IHC) in either groups.

CONCLUSIONStapedectomy can induce mild hearing loss without seriously damaging the function of the cochlea in guinea pigs.

Animals ; Auditory Threshold ; physiology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; physiology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; cytology ; Hearing ; physiology ; Male ; Round Window, Ear ; cytology ; physiology ; surgery ; Stapes Surgery ; adverse effects ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of auditory steady-state response (ASSR) threshold in guinea pigs with posterior semicircular canal fistula.

METHODSIn 10 guinea pigs, a window was opened in the posterior semicircular canal of the left ear with the right ear serving as the control for testing the ASSR under anesthesia with pentobarbital sodium.

RESULTSThe mean and standard deviation of ASSR threshold (dB SPL) at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in the left ear was 35.00+/-14.33, 25.50+/-12.37, 20.00+/-9.37 and 20.00+/-9.18, respectively, and was 31.00+/-16.19, 25.50+/-12.34, 18.00+/-6.96 and 18.50+/-6.71 in the right ear, respectively. Paired-sample t test showed no significant difference in the ASSR at the same frequency between the two ears.

CONCLUSIONSmall fistula by surgery causes no significant hearing loss in guinea pigs.

Animals ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; methods ; Auditory Threshold ; physiology ; Cochlea ; pathology ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Fistula ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Guinea Pigs ; Labyrinth Diseases ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Semicircular Canals

AIMTo investigate the relation between Glu-R and the protective effect of hypothermia on oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) injury in hippocampal slices of rat.

METHODS(1) We had established OGD injury model in rat hippocampal slices. The changes of orthodromic population spike(OPS) during OGD and after administration of hypothermia (32 degrees C, 25 degrees C) were observed. (2) We had established Glu excitatory toxicity injury model in rat hippocampal slices. The changes of OPS after exposure to Glu and the effect of hypothermia (32 degrees C, 25 degrees C) against the Glu excitatory toxicity injury were observed. The non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) in the CA1 area were recorded via adding the GABA-R specific agonists bicuculline (BMI) and NMDAR agonists D-(-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic Acid (AP5) in normal artificial cerebrospinal fluid (nACSF), the NMDA receptor-mediated EPSP were recorded via adding the BMI and non-NMDA-R agonists 6,7-Dinitroquinoxaline-2, 3(1H,4H)-dione(CNQX) in nACSF. The variety of the changes of OPS during OGD14min in nACSF groups and added BMI compounded AP5 or BMI compounded CNQX ACSF groups were observed after administration of 25 degrees C hypothermia 28 min. (3) The changes of ultrastructure of CA1 area after OGD 1 h and the effect of hypothermia (25 degrees C) on it were observed.

RESULTS(1) OPS reduced and abolished quickly during OGD14min, and the recovery amplitude of OPS was very low after reoxygenation/glucose 1 h. While the time of OPS abolishing significantly elongated and the recovery of OPS was higher in hypothermia (32 degrees, 25 degrees C) groups. The effect in groups 25 degrees C was more significant than those in groups 32 degrees C. (2) In control groups, Glu (2 mmol/L, 14 min) decreased the amplitude of OPS, after the end of Glu exposure the recovery amplitude of OPS was very low. After administration of hypothermia (32 degrees C, 25 degrees C), the recovery amplitude and rate of OPS were significantly higher than those in the control groups, while the antagonism on Glu excitatory toxicity injury in H 25 degrees C was more significant than those in H 32 degrees C. The changes of OPS during OGD 14 min were no distinct difference in nACSF groups and added BMI (50 micromol/L) compounded AP5(20 micromol/L) or BMI (50 micromol/L) compounded CNQX (100 micromol/L) ACSF groups. The protection of hypothermia (25 degrees C) could not be cancelled by added AP5 compounded BMI or BMI compounded CNQX in nACSF. (3) After OGD (14 min) 1 h, the nuclear membrane of pyramidal cells in CA1 area was irregular, nucleus were homogenized, the organelle in the cytoplasm was degenerate, even more to necrosis or loss, mitochondrion swelled, ridge was vacuoles. In H 25 degrees C the nuclear membrane was regular, mitochondrion swelled only lightly. Small chromatin gathered to edge.

CONCLUSIONHypothermia shows the protective effects of against OGD injury in hippocampal slices. The mechanism is related to the antagonism of Glu excitor toxicity and maintenance the ATP level in cells, and the antagonism perhaps is mediated by NMDA-R and non-NMDA-R.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; toxicity ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Hypothermia ; Membrane Potentials ; N-Methylaspartate ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs in macrophage-rich areas of advanced atherosclerotic lesions and contributes to macrophage apoptosis and subsequent plaque necrosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) on ER stress-induced apoptosis in cultured macrophages and the underlying mechanisms. RAW264.7 cells were incubated with thapsigargin (TG) to establish ER stress model. And Cav-1 expression was detected by Western blot. After being pretreated with filipin(III), a caveolae inhibitor, RAW264.7 cells were assayed with flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy to detect cell apoptosis. Moreover, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression were detected with Western blot. The results showed that Cav-1 expression was markedly increased at early stage of TG treatment (P < 0.05) and then decreased with prolonged or high dose TG treatments. The increasing of Cav-1 expression induced by TG in RAW264.7 cells was abolished under inhibition of caveolae by filipin(III) (P < 0.05). The effect of TG on apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells was further augmented after pretreatment with filipin(III) (P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that MAPK phosphorylation induced by TG was inhibited by filipin(III) in RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05), whereas CHOP remained unchanged (P > 0.05). These results suggest that Cav-1 may play a critical role in suppressing ER stress-induced macrophages apoptosis in vitro, and one of the mechanisms may be correlated with the activation of p38 MAPK prosurvival pathway.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caveolin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; physiology ; Filipin ; pharmacology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Thapsigargin ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism