ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Tangmaikang on oxidative and carbonyl stress in streptozocin-induced diabetic rat kidneys,and to also explore their reno- protecting mechanisms in diabetic rats.MethodsRats were randomly divided into three sub-groups:normal control (group A),diabetic control (group B) and diabetic with Tangmaikang (group C).Blood glucose,blood lipid,HbAlC,kidney to body weight ratio and urinary protein excretion were measured after 12 weeks.Malonyldialdehyde (MDA)level,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity,total sulfhydryl group and protein carbonyl levels in renal tissue were also determined.ResultsCompared to group A,kidney to body weight ratio,urinary protein excretion,MDA,and protein carbonyl levels in group B were significantly higher,while SOD and GSH-Px activities and total sulfhydryl group level were significantly lower than those in group A.Kidney to body weight ratio,urinary protein excretion,MDA,and protein carbonyl level in group C were significantly lower than those in group B.SOD and GSH-Px activity in group C were higher than those in group B.ConclusionTangmaikang can prevent renal hypertrophy and decrease urinary protein excretion in diabetic rats.The renoprotective effects of this drug may be related to his ability to inhibit oxidative and carbonyl stress.

Objective To investigate the effects of epalrestat on oxidative and carbonyl stress in streptozocin-induced diabetic rat kidneys, and to also explore their reno -protecting mechanisms in diabetic rats.Methods Rats were randomly divided into three sub-groups:normal control (group A),diabetic con-trol (group B) and diabetic with epalrestat (group C). Blood glucose, blood lipid, HbA1C, kidney to body weight ratio and urinary protein excretion were measured after 12 weeks.Malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, total sulfhydryl group and protein carbonyl levels in renal tissue were also determined .Results Compared to group A , kidney to body weight ratio , urinary protein excretion , MDA, and protein carbonyl levels in group B were significantly higher , while SOD and GSH-Px activities and total sulfhydryl group level were significantly lower than those in group A.Kidney to body weight ratio , urinary protein excretion , MDA, and protein carbonyl level in group C were significantly lower than those in group B .SOD and GSH-Px activity in group C were higher than those in group B .Conclusion Epalrestat can prevent renal hypertrophy and decrease urinary protein excretion in diabetic rats .The renoprotective effects of this drug may be related to his ability to inhibit oxi-dative and carbonyl stress .

Rat's adrenal medulla(AT group)or adrenal medulla soaked with monosialogan-glioside(AGT group)were transplanted into the head of striatum of rat model of Parkinsonism.Apomorphine induced greater improverment in rotational behavior in AGT group than in AT group with significant difference.Immunocytochemical staining with Chromagranin A showed that a lot of positively stained cells were distributed in the graft area and some cells developed process in AGT group. Our results showed that the monosialoganglioside had effects of increasing the survival of chromaffin cells and inducing the cells to develop processes.

Objective To study the effect of hypothyroidism on oxidative stress status in developing rat brain and to further explore the mechanism of impaired brain development caused by hypothyroidism. Methods Perinatal hypothyroidism was induced by administering propylthiouracil(PTU) solution to the dams by gavage.The oxidative stress indexes were measured in brain homogenate of normal and hypothyroid pups which were sacrificed on the 21st d after birth. Results As compared to the control,the following indexes were found to be increased in the hypothyroid group: protein carbonyl contents,thiobarbital acid reactive substances,reduced glutathione,total antioxidative capacity,activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase(P0.05). Conclusion Hypothyroidism during rat brain development may cause oxidative stress,which may be related to the brain damage caused by hypothyroidism.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the mechanism of gambogenic acid (GNA) in inducing the apoptosis of melanoma B16 cells.

METHODThe inhibitory effect of GNA on the proliferation of B16 cells was measured by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The effect of GNA on B16 cells was detected by the Hoechst 33258 staining. The transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultra-structure changes of B16 cells. The changes in PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, p-mTOR, PTEN proteins were detected by the Western blotting to discuss the molecular mechanism of GNA in inducing the apoptosis of B16 cells.

RESULTGNA showed a significant inhibitory effect in the growth and proliferation of melanoma B16 cells. The cell viability remarkably decreased with the increase of GNA concentration and the extension of the action time. The results of the Hoechst 33258 staining showed that cells processed with GNA demonstrated apparent apoptotic characteristics. Under the transmission electron microscope, B16 cells, after being treated with GNA, showed obvious morphological changes of apoptosis. The Western blot showed a time-dependent reduction in the p-PI3K and p-Akt protein expressions, with no change in p-PI3K and p-Akt protein expression quantities. The p-mTOR protein expression decreased with the extension of time, where as the PTEN protein expression showed a time-dependent increase.

CONCLUSIONGNA could inhibit the proliferation of melanoma B16 cells and induce their apoptosis within certain time and concentration ranges. Its mechanism in inducing the cell apoptosis may be related to PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; metabolism ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Terpenes ; pharmacology ; Xanthenes ; Xanthones ; pharmacology

Animals ; Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; HIV ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; HIV Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; immunology ; virology ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the prevalence of adult epileptic patients with interictal depression symptoms(IDs) and identify early predictors of IDs. Methods Adult patients with epilepsy were recruited ( n =110,45 females and 65 males) ,age between 16 and 67 years ( median 24 years). The sociodemographic and clinical factors of patients were recorded. Hamilton Depression Scale ( HAMD ) were applied to evaluate interictal symptoms of depression ( at least 72 hours after the last epileptic seizure). According to HAMD score,the epileptic patients were divided into IDs ( ≥8 ) and non-IDs(＜8) groups. The sociodemographic and clinical factors were compared between the two groups to identify the prevalence and early predictors of IDs in adult epileptic patients.Results The prevalence of IDs in adult patients with epilepsy was 38.2% ,49.0% in active epilepsy and 12.1 %in seizure freedom. 30.0% ,5.5% ,and 2.7% were experiencing mild-to-moderate (HAMD score≥8),moderateto-severe ( ≥ 18 ) and severe ( ≥25 ) depression. 42 patients who met the HAMD score≥8 were classified as IDs group,and the remaining 68 patients were classified as non-IDs group. With multiple stepwise backward logistic regreasion, independent predictors of IDs were epileptic seizures ( OR = 8. 845, P = 0. 003 ); symptomatic or cryprogenic epilepsy ( OR = 3.132, P = 0. 045 ); prolonged duration of illness ( OR = 1. 106, P = 0.004 ) and employment status (OR =0. 154, P=0.001 ). There were no relationship between seizure frequency and severity of IDs ( Kruskal-Wallis test, x2 = 4.5, P = 0. 104). Conclusion IDs is a frequent psychiatric comorbidity in adult patients with epilepsy. The prevalence of IDs is higher in those with active epilepsy compared with those in seizure freedom and most of them are mild-to-moderate. Epileptic seizure, symptomatic or cryprogenic epilepsy, prolonged duration of illness and employment status are independent predictors of IDs, but seizure frequency has nothing to do with the IDs severity of patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition on the down-regulation of adiponectin (ADPN) in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).Methods AGEs were prepared for incubating with cell.3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in vitro and differentiated into mature adipocytes.Cell differentiation and lipid accumulation were determined by oil red O staining.After being intervened with AGEs,2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) capture agent and the fluorescent intensity of 2',7 '-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) was detected by flow cytometry.Adiponectin expression under AGEs in 3T3-L1 adipocytes pretreated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) or not was detected by real-time fluorescent PCR and ELISA.Results The level of ROS in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with AGEs was increased.mRNA and protein of ADPN were down-regulated.After inhibition with ROS,mRNA and protein expressions of ADPN injured by AGEs were ameliorated.Conclusion Exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to AGEs induces oxidative stress in vitro,which decreases the expression of ADPN,and causes functional impairment of adipose cells and insulin resistance.

Acute bulbar palsy is considered an extremely rare manifestation of neuromuscular disorder in thyrotoxicosis.It happens abruptly and progresses quickly,sudden onset of dysphagia is common.It will endanger patient's life without proper treatment.The definite treatment of acute bulbar palsy in hyperthyroidism is to restore the euthyroid state.The dysphagia usually resolves within 3 to 4 weeks.In this article a case of thyrotoxicosis with acute bulbar palsy in reported herewith to call attention to the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

Objective To investigate the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on NADPH oxidase expression in rats′ pancreatic cells. Methods Isets of rats were isolated and intervened with AGEs for certain times (2, 12, 24, 48 h). The Nox2 mRNA expression was assayed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Real-time PCR. NADPH oxidase activity was detected by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Results Nox2 mRNA level was 1.75, 2.31-fold higher in AGEs intervened group than control at 12 h and 24 h respectively. The NADPH oxidase activity was increased by AGEs stimulation in a time dependent manner. A distinct peak was at 24 hours and then with a decline , which is still higher than that of the control. Conclusion Exposure of rat islet to AGEs induces NADPH oxidase expression and leads to injury of islet.