Background Optic neuropathy is one of the diabetic eye complications.Rosiglitazone,a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ(PPARγ) agonist,plays a very important role in arresting the pathogenesis and development of diabetes.However,the role of PPARγ in diabetic optic neuropathy is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the protective effect of rosiglitazone against diabetic optic neuropathy and its mechanism.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group,diabetic group and rosiglitazone group,with 10 rats for each group.Diabetic models were induced by injecting 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin via the caudal vein,and rosiglitazone(5 ng/[kg· d])was used in the rats of the rosiglitazone group by intragastric administration every day for four weeks.At the end of the experiment,the fasting blood sugar(FBS) was tested in all the animals.The level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the blood plasma was detected by ELISA.Optical neural tissues were obtained from the rats of each group,and Lauck fast Blue myelin stain was used to examine the morphology of the optical myelin.The expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) mRNA and protein in the optic nerve was detected by real time PCR and Western blot,respectively.Results The levels of FBS,blood plasma VEGF,NCAM mRNA and protein in the optic nerve were significantly different among the control group,diabetic model group and the rosiglitazone group after the administration of 5 nmg/(kg · d) rosiglitazone for 4 weeks (F =6.12,P＜0.01 ; F =5.14,P＜0.05 ; F =4.75,P＜0.05 ; F =4.87,P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the level of FBS significantly increased in the diabetic model group(t =2.26,P＜O.05),and that in the rosiglitazone group significantly declined in comparison with the diabetic model group(t=2.08,P＜0.05).The optic nerve exhibited a normal morphology in the control group as revealed by the Lauck fast Blue myelin staining;however,severe demyelination of the optic nerve and proliferation of glial cells were found in the diabetic model group,and mild demyelination of the optic nerve and proliferation of glial cells were seen in the rosiglitazone group.Blood plasma VEGF was(28.76±4.21)ng/L in the control group and(134.28±11.36)ng/L in the diabetic model group,showing a significant difference between them (t=2.36,P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the model group,the blood plasma VEGF was significantly lower in the rosiglitazone group ([42.67 ± 5.83] ng/L) than that in the diabetic model group (t =2.17,P＜ 0.05).Expression of NCAM mRNA and protein in the optic nerve significantly decreased in the diabetic model group compared with the control group(t =2.21,t =2.58,both at P＜0.05);while those in the rosiglitazone group were significantly elevated in comparison with the diabetic model group(t =2.19,t =2.67,both at P＜O.05).Conclusions Rosiglitazone can protect optic nerve from damage in diabetic rats mainly by downregulating blood plasma VEGF level and upregulating NCAM expression.

AIM: To test the ability of multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in the detecting of glaucoma by comparing the mfVEP recorded from normal subjects and glaucoma patients.METHODS: The mfVEP of 32 normal eyes (n =21) and of 58 eyes (n =37) with primary glaucoma were recorded with the Vision Monitor electrophysical apparatus by the second kernel analysis and to determine the correlation of the topographic location between them.RESULTS: There were significant variability (the coefficient of variation was 43.05%) in mfVEP RMS amplitude in the normal subjects; The RMS amplitude of eyes with glaucoma were smaller than that of the normal eyes and significantly statistical difference were found in the relatively center (namely the 0° -10° ring zone) and in superior nasal quadrant (P＜0.05) while there were no significantly statistical differences of the latency time between them.CONCLUSION: The normal subjects have large individual variability of mfVEP responses. The RMS amplitude of the mfVEP of glaucomatous eyes descends, especially in center zone and superior nasal quadrant.

Objective To analyze the application of modified abdomen pathway for excising the adrenal huge pheoehromocytoma.Methods One patient(male,42-year-old)had adrenal huge pheochromocytoma.The pheochromocytoma was about 15.0 cm×8.0 cm×7.0 cm.After 3 weeks' preparations,the patient was operated.The operation was made through the modified abdomen pathway for excision,without excising the transverse on peritoneal,and the interference to organs of peritoneal was reduced.The tumor on adrenal gland adhered kidney very tightly.Expanded radical excision including tumor,kidney,adrenal gland was applied.Results The operative time was 300 rain and the volume of bleeding was about 1000 ml.In the operation process,blood pressure of the patient was stable,the visual field of operation was satisfactory.Blood pressure of the patient returned normal 6 months postoperatively.And there was no indication of tumour relapse or matastasis.Conclusion The modified abdomen pathway can expose the satisfactory visual field,and is safe and effective for adrenal gland tumor operation.

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of pituitary adenylate cyclase- activating polypeptide(PACAP)on the functional and morphological outcome in a mice model of Parkinson' s disease(PD)rendered by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP).Methods Male mice were treated with PACAP 0.02, 0.20 or 2.00 ?g by iv bolus for 7 days after MPTP was administered, and were compared with the saline-treated mice.The immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of PD biomarker including tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), dopamine transporter(DAT)and vesicular monoamine transporter2(VAMT2).In addition, monoamine neurotransmitters in the striatum of mice were measured by the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results TH immunohistochemistry indicated that the number of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra was increased in all PACAP-treated mice(PACAP(0.02 ?g/d)group was 93.33?4.87, F=85.85,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of renal sympathetic denervation on left ventricular hypertrophy and inflammatory factors in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

METHODSThirty six spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into 3 groups with 12 animals in each group: SHR control group,operation group and sham operation group. Bilateral renal sympathectomy or sham operation were performed in operation and sham groups,respectively; another 12 WKY rats served as normal controls. The blood pressure and body weight were examined weekly. The animals were sacrificed at w1 and w6, rat hearts were collected and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated. The expression of TLR4,TNF-α and IL-6 in heart tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe systolic blood pressure [(201.67 ± 11.09) mmHg compared with (140.0 ± 10.86)mmHg,P<0.05],diastolic blood pressure [(144.50 ± 10.48)mmHg compared with (78.50 ± 7.32)mmHg,P<0.05], LVMI (2.44 ± 0.05 compared with 1.93 ± 0.05,P<0.05),the expression of TLR4 (0.298 ± 0.004 compared with 0.126 ± 0.004, P<0.05), NF-κB (0.249 ± 0.006 compared with 0.195 ± 0.005, P<0.05),TNF-α(0.323 ± 0.004 compared with 0.146 ± 0.004,P <0.05), IL-6 (0.283 ± 0.005 compared with 0.207 ± 0.006, P<0.05) in SHR control group were significantly higher than those in WKY group. Compared to sham operation group,the systolic blood pressure (157.30 ± 9.35 compared with 197.30 ± 11.5, P<0.05),diastolic blood pressure (112.50 ± 6.25 compared with 146.80 ± 7.6, P<0.05),LVMI (2.32 ± 0.04 compared with 2.57 ± 0.09, P<0.05, TLR4 (0.198 ± 0.006 compared with 0.317 ± 0.008, P<0.05), NF-κB (0.208 ± 0.006 compared with 0.332 ± 0.007, P<0.05), TNF-α(0.27 ± 0.009 compared with 0.375 ± 0.004,P<0.05), IL-6 (0.218 ± 0.004 compared with 0.376 ± 0.009, P<0.05) in operation group were all decreased at w1 after sympathectomy. Six weeks after the operation,there were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure (197.50 ± 12.13 compared with 208.83 ± 10.23,P>0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (150.33 ± 7.74 compared with 151.50 ± 8.22, P>0.05) between denervated and sham-operated SHRs; however,the LVMI (2.46 ± 0.07 compared with 2.81 ± 0.05,P<0.05) and the expression of TLR4(0.301 ± 0.009 compared with 0.567 ± 0.006, P<0.05), NF-κB (0.251 ± 0.004 compared with 0.476 ± 0.009,P<0.05),TNF-α(0.324 ± 0.005 compared with 0.535 ± 0.006, P<0.05,IL-6 (0.285 ± 0.009 compared with 0.549 ± 0.007, P<0.05) in operation group were still significantly lower than those in sham operation group.

CONCLUSIONRenal sympathetic denervation can significantly delay the progression of LVH in SHR, which may associated with lowering blood pressure and decreasing expression of TLR4, NF-κB,TNF-α, IL-6 in myocardial tissue.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; surgery ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Sympathectomy ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

To investigate the relationship between the structures of methylhesperetin-7-alkyl ether analogues and their anti-inflammatory activities, nine new compounds, methyl-hesperetin (2), methylhesperetin-7-ethyl ether (3), 7-n-butyl ether (4), 7-n-hexyl ether (5), 7-n-octyl ether (6), 7-n-decyl ether (7), 7-n-dodecyl ether (8), 7-n-tetradecyl ether (9) and 7-n-hexadecyl ether (10), were synthesized with the lead compound of methylhesperidin (1). Their structures were confirmed by UV, 1H NMR, MS and HR-MS spectral data. The in vivo antiinflammatory activities of these compounds were tested on mouse paw edema induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) and mouse capillary permeability induced by acetic acid with po dose of 300 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). The result indicated that the anti-inflammatory activities of the synthetic compounds increased firstly and then decreased with the elongating of the length of alkyl chain. After 25-day oral administration of compounds 6, 7 and 8, the inhibitory rates on mouse paw edema of adjuvant arthritis (AA) were 31.9%, 38.5%, 39.1%, respectively. They showed the concentrations of COX-2 in serum of AA mice respectively were 79.3, 75.4, 73.9 ng x L(-1) and the concentrations of PGE2 were in correspondence with 275.4, 258.9, 242.6 ng x L(-1). The inhibitory rates of compounds 6 and 7 on mouse capillary permeability induced by acetic acid were, respectively, 42.4% and 41.5% after 5-day oral administration. Compared with the lead compound of methylhesperidin, the anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 6, 7 and 8 were increased and showed an effective inhibition on the symptom of adjuvant arthritis and capillary permeability in mice.
Acetic Acid ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; blood ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Edema ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Female ; Freund's Adjuvant ; Hesperidin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo explore the dynamic postburn changes in rat hepatic function and the effects of hyperoxic Ringer's solution resuscitation on the function.

METHODSOne hundred and ninety Wistar rats of both sexes with body weight of 250 - 300 g were employed as the model and were divided into 6 groups as A, B, C, D, E and F groups as follows: normal control (A, n = 10), early resuscitation with Ringer's solution (B, n = 40), delayed resuscitation with Ringer's solution (C, n = 30), early resuscitation with hyperoxic Ringer's solution (D, n = 40), delayed hyperoxic Ringer's solution resuscitation (E, n = 30) and burn control (F, n = 40). Blood samples were drawn from the injured rats under anesthesia at 6, 12, 24 and 48 postburn hours (PBHs), and the serum contents of ALT, AST and MDA in these blood samples were determined. Hepatic tissue samples were also harvested at the same time and served histologically.

RESULTSThe plasma ALT level at 6 PBH in all groups was higher than that in A group (P < 0.05). There was significant difference of plasma ALT levels between hyperoxic Ringer's solution treatment group an other treatment groups (P < 0.05). And there was evident difference of plasma ALT levels between hyperoxic Ringer's solution treatment groups and other treatment groups (P < 0.05). The dynamic change in plasma AST was almost similar to that of ALT. The plasma MDA level was increased obviously after injury, especially in F group (highest level). Furthermore, the MDA level in C group was higher than that in B group. The plasma MDA levels in D and E groups were evidently lower than that in all other groups (P < 0.05). It was revealed by histological examination that there were different degrees of degeneration an necrosis of hepatocytes during early postburn stage, but less so in D group.

CONCLUSIONFluid resuscitation during early postburn stage with hyperoxic Ringer's solution could inhibit the production of oxygen free radicals and blunt lipid peroxidation, and it could also enhance the host tolerance to hypoxia and prevent hepatocytes from injury, thus hepatic function was protected.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; therapy ; Fluid Therapy ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; Isotonic Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Oxygen ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Shock, Traumatic ; metabolism ; therapy

Biomarker identification is crucial for the selection of patients who might benefit from radiotherapy. To explore potential markers for response and prognosis in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy followed by surgery, we evaluated the expression of cell cycle checkpoint-related proteins Chk2, Cdc25C, and Cyclin D1. A total of 56 patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were treated with radiotherapy followed by surgery. Pretreatment tumor biopsy specimens were analyzed for Chk2, Cdc25C, and Cyclin D1 expression by immunohistochemistry. High expression of Chk2, Cyclin D1, and Cdc25C was observed in 44 (78.6%), 15 (26.8%), and 27 (48.2%) patients, respectively. The median survival was 16 months (range, 3-154 months), with a 5-year overall survival rate of 19.6%. Overexpression of Chk2 was associated with smoking (P = 0.021), overexpression of Cdc25C was associated with patient age (P = 0.033) and tumor length (P = 0.001), and overexpression of Cdc25C was associated with pathologic complete response (P = 0.038). Univariate analysis demonstrated that overexpression of Cdc25C and pathologic complete response was associated with better survival. In multivariate analysis, Cdc25C was the most significant independent predictor of better survival (P = 0.014) for patients treated with radiotherapy followed by surgery. Overexpression of Cdc25C was significantly associated with pathologic complete response and better survival of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer treated with radiotherapy followed by surgery. These results suggest that Cdc25C may be a biomarker of treatment response and good prognosis for esophageal carcinoma patients. Thus, immunohistochemical staining of Cdc25C in a pretreatment specimen may be a useful method of identifying optimal treatment for patients with esophageal carcinoma.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Checkpoint Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Particle Accelerators ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Smoking ; Survival Rate ; cdc25 Phosphatases ; metabolism

A novel dual luciferase expression vector was designed and its expression characteristics were studied in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, the Gluc and Fluc genes were connected via the TaV 2A sequence by overlaping PCR, and inserted into the expression vector pAAV2neoCAG, obtaining the recombinant plasmid pAAV2neoCAG-Gluc-2A-Fluc. Then pAAV2neoCAG-Gluc-2A-Fluc was transfected into BHK21 cells and the activity of Gluc and Fluc in the supernatant and cell lysates were assayed respectively. Results showed that both Gluc and Fluc were expressed successfully. The Gluc was mainly detected in the culture media while the Fluc was mostly within cells. The activity of Gluc in the supernatant increased gradually with time while the Fluc activity in cells almost kept stable. To investigate the expression of pAAV2neoCAG-Gluc-2A-Fluc in vivo, the plasmid was hydrodynamically injected into BALB/c mice through tail vein. The Gluc activity was assayed in a small volume of blood taken by tail vein at different time points. Results showed that Gluc was expressed stably at least 7 days. Live bioluminescence imaging technology was used to compare the expression characteristics of Gluc and Fluc. Whole body imaging was seen when coelenterazine, a specific substrate for Gluc, was injected, and the imaging signals decreased rapidly within 10 minutes. Liver imaging was showed when Flue specific substrate named D-Luciferin was injected, and the imaging remained stable at least for half an hour. The dual luciferase expression vector pAAV2neoCAG-Gluc-2A-Fluc combines the advantages of the secreted report gene Gluc and the non-secreted report gene Fluc, and will provide a new tool for cell labeling and tracing.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cricetinae ; Crustacea ; enzymology ; Fireflies ; enzymology ; Gene Expression ; Genes, Reporter ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Luciferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data

BACKGROUNDIn addition to neurons, all components of the neurovascular unit (NVU), such as glial, endothelial, and basal membranes, are destroyed during traumatic brain injury (TBI). Previous studies have shown that excessive stimulation of calpain is crucial for cerebral injury after traumatic insult. The objective of this study was to investigate whether calpain activation participated in NVU disruption and edema formation in a mouse model of controlled cortical impact (CCI).

METHODSOne hundred and eight mice were divided into three groups: the sham group, the control group, and the MDL28170 group. MDL28170 (20 mg/kg), an efficient calpain inhibitor, was administered intraperitoneally at 5 min, 3 h, and 6 h after experimental CCI. We then measured neurobehavioral deficits, calpain activity, inflammatory mediator levels, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and NVU deficits using electron microscopy and histopathological analysis at 6 h and 24 h after CCI.

RESULTSThe MDL28170 treatment significantly reduced the extent of both cerebral contusion (MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 16.90 ± 1.01 mm΃ and 17.20 ± 1.17 mm΃ vs. 9.30 ± 1.05 mm΃ and 9.90 ± 1.17 mm΃, both P < 0.001) and edema (MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 80.76 ± 1.25% and 82.00 ± 1.84% vs. 82.55 ± 1.32% and 83.64 ± 1.25%, both P < 0.05), improved neurological scores (MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 7.50 ± 0.45 and 6.33 ± 0.38 vs. 12.33 ± 0.48 and 11.67 ± 0.48, both P < 0.001), and attenuated NVU damage resulting (including tight junction (TJ), basement membrane, BBB, and neuron) from CCI at 6 h and 24 h. Moreover, MDL28170 markedly downregulated nuclear factor-κB-related inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]: MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 1.15 ± 0.07 and 1.62 ± 0.08 vs. 1.59 ± 0.10 and 2.18 ± 0.10, both P < 0.001; inducible nitric oxide synthase: MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 4.51 ± 0.23 vs. 6.23 ± 0.12, P < 0.001 at 24 h; intracellular adhesion molecule-1: MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 1.45 ± 0.13 vs. 1.70 ± 0.12, P < 0.01 at 24 h) and lessened both myeloperoxidase activity (MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 0.016 ± 0.001 and 0.016 ± 0.001 vs. 0.024 ± 0.001 and 0.023 ± 0.001, P < 0.001 and 0.01, respectively) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels (MDL28170 vs. vehicle group, 0.87 ± 0.13 and 1.10 ± 0.10 vs. 1.17 ± 0.13 and 1.25 ± 0.12, P < 0.001 and 0.05, respectively) at 6 h and 24 h after CCI.

CONCLUSIONSThese findings demonstrate that MDL28170 can protect the structure of the NVU by inhibiting the inflammatory cascade, reducing the expression of MMP-9, and supporting the integrity of TJ during acute TBI.

Animals ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Calpain ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Dipeptides ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Peroxidase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism