OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of Rehmannia glutinosa oligosaccharides (ROS) on the proliferation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and insulin resistance.

METHOD3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured, the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was detected by MTT method. Insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes cell model was induced by dexamethasone and the change of glucose concentration in cell culture was determined after ROS treatment.

RESULTIn the high glucose DMEM culture media, MTT method showed that the absorbance at 570nm of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was increased and that of 3T3-L1 adipocytes was decreased. ROS significantly increased glucose consumption in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes culture in a concentration-dependent manner. ROS improved the sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to insulin.

CONCLUSIONROS can promote the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, inhibite the proliferation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and also, significantly improve insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone.

3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice ; Oligosaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rehmannia ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and brain injury in inflammation-induced preterm mice, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of brain injury.

METHODSAn intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide in pregnant mice was performed to establish a model of inflammation-induced preterm mice with brain injury (preterm group). The full-term mice delivered by normal pregnant mice were used as controls (full-term group). The lncRNA chip assay was used to screen out the lncRNAs associated with brain injury in preterm mice. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate the lncRNAs identified by the above method.

RESULTSThe preterm and full-term groups showed significant differences in the expression of 1 978 lncRNAs (P<0.05), consisting of 786 up-regulated lncRNAs and 1 192 down-regulated lncRNAs, and 29 lncRNAs were 1.5 or more times differentially expressed between the two groups. A further analysis was performed for the 10 most differentially expressed lncRNAs, and the results showed that these lncRNAs were involved in the biological processes including transcription, signal transduction, apoptosis, cell cycle, and inflammatory response, as well as G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway and neuropeptide signaling pathway. Real-time PCR was performed to validate the expression of two lncRNAs in brain tissue in the preterm and full-term groups, and the results were consistent with those of the chip assay.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression profiles of lncRNAs in brain tissue change significantly in inflammation-induced preterm mice, and the G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of preterm brain injury.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Female ; Inflammation ; complications ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; analysis ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo observe whether the community-based management for patients with hypertension can reduce the incidence of stroke.

METHODSSample of this study included 36 863 people aged 35 years or more who came from a cohort consisting three communities from Tiantan Hospital, Puren Hospital and the Gymnasium Road Hospital in Beijing, based on the surveys on the Integrated Community Intervention Measures of Cerebro-vascular Diseases. Some patients with hypertension in this cohort were followed up and under management. First-ever stroke was considered as the end-point event.

RESULTSIn both groups diagnosed as borderline hypertension or definite hypertension group, the rates of management and control showed an annual increase. The management rate for women was higher, but the control rate was lower (P < 0.05) than that for men. In the third year of this study, the control rate was nearly 18%. With the qualification of control rate, the risk factors of overall stroke, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke reduced gradually, and the qualification of control rate showed more effects on hemorrhagic stroke. The qualification of control rate in the three years could cause the risk factors of total stroke, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke to reduce by 25.7%, 19.1%, 27.4%, respectively. When comparing with blood pressure level at < 160/95 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), the level of < 140/90 mm Hg could reduce the risk factors as: 12.3% to total stroke, 12.8% to ischemic stroke and 14.9% to hemorrhagic stroke.

CONCLUSIONPrograms as long-term followed-up and management for patients with hypertension, and control the blood pressure at low level etc. could significantly reduce the incidence of stroke.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; etiology

To obtain the recombinant pZP3alpha protein for the study of the contraceptive vaccines, the DNA sequence (446-1423) encoding purified pZP3alpha was inserted into a vector--pPICZalphaA. The recombinant plasmid pPICZalphaA-pZP3alpha was linearized and then transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. Engineering strains were attained by screening with zeocin and induced to produce rpZP3alpha in high-density fermentation. Then rpZP3alpha was purified by Cu2+ metal affinity column chromatography from the separated and concentrated fermentative supernatants. The purified rpZP3alpha was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and the quantity, purity and rate of recovery of the rpZP3alpha were analyzed by Quantity One software. One male rabbit was immunized with the Cu-NTA-purified rpZP3alpha. The antibody responses against rpZP3alpha and porcine ZP were detected by ELISA and the indirect immunofluorescence. Engineering strains expressing rpZP3alpha in secretion were constructed. A 46kD component named rpZP3alpha which can react with anti-pZP3 antibody was purified from fermentative supernatants of engineering strains and the average yield of purified rpZP3alpha obtained from fermentative supernatants was 8mg/L. The purity and the rate of recovery were up to 92% and 63% respectively. The anti-rpZP3alpha antiserum was prepared by immunization of a male rabbit with purified rpZP3alpha. This anti-rpZP3alpha antiserum could react with rpZP3alpha and purified pZP3 in ELISA and bind to porcine zona pellucida which produced bright green fluorescence in the indirect immunofluorescence. The rpZP3alpha (46kD) protein could be successfully expressed in the Pichia pastoris expression system. And this protein retained the immunogenic activity of natural pZP3.
Animals ; Egg Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electroporation ; Fermentation ; Immunization ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; secretion ; Swine ; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins

AIMTo survey the morphology and size distribution of silymarin microemulsion, to investigate the absorption of silymarin microemulsion in rat intestine compared with the absorption of silymarin micelle in rat Jejunum.

METHODSThe intestine in rats was canulated for in situ recirculation.

RESULTSThe absorption rate constants (Ka) of silymarin microemulsion at the entire intestine, ileum jejunum, duodenum and colon were 6.22 x 10(-2), 2.27 x 10(-2), 1.9 x 10(-2), 1.9 x 10(-2), 1.05 x 10(-2) and 0.43 x 10(-2) h(-1), respectively. The absorption rate constants of two kinds of silymarin micelle at jejunum were 0.36 x 10(-2), 0.65 x 10(-2) h(-1).

CONCLUSIONSilymarin microemulsion was well absorbed at the middle and lower segments of intestine in rats. The absorption was a first-order process with the passive diffusion mechanism.

Animals ; Colon ; metabolism ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Emulsions ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Micelles ; Particle Size ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silymarin ; pharmacokinetics

To study the role of resveratrol in the discharges of neurons in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in hypothalamic slices, extracellular single-unit discharge recording technique was used. The effects of resveratrol were examined with glass microelectrodes in the rat PVN neurons at resting potential level. The results were as follows: (1) In response to the application of resveratrol (0.05, 0.5, 5.0 μmol/L, n=29) to the superfusate for 2 min, the spontaneous discharge rate (SDR) of neurons in 28/29 (96.6%) hypothalamic slices significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner; (2) Pretreatment with L-glutamate (0.2 mmol/L) led to a marked increase in the SDR in all 8/8 (100%) slices in an epileptiform pattern. The increased discharges were suppressed by the application of resveratrol (5.0 mmol/L) in all 8 slices; (3) In 8 slices, perfusion of the selective L-type calcium channel agonist, Bay K8644 (0.1 μmol/L), induced a significant increase in the discharge rate in 8/8 (100%) slices. Resveratrol (5.0 μmol/L) significantly attenuated the increased SDR in all 8 slices; (4) Pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 50 μmol/L) increased SDR in 7/8 (87.5%) slices, but did not affect the inhibitory effect of resveratrol (5.0 μmol/L). These results suggest that resveratrol inhibits the electrical activity of PVN neurons and exerts neuroprotective actions on central neurons. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol is possibly related to the blockade of L-type calcium channel, but not due to NO release.
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester ; pharmacology ; Action Potentials ; Animals ; Calcium Channel Agonists ; pharmacology ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; metabolism ; Glutamic Acid ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microelectrodes ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of atorvastatin on parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH1-34) induced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and on the expression changes of small GTP-binding protein (K-Ras) and extracellular signal regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2).

METHODSNeonatal rat cardiomyocytes hypertrophy was established with 10(-7) mol/L rPTH1-34 in the presence or absence of 10(-5) mol/L atorvastatin or 10(-4) mol/L mevalonic acid (MVA). Cardiomyocyte diameter was measured by Motic Images Advanced 3.0 software, the synthetic rate of protein in cardiomyocytes was determined by (3)H-leucine incorporation and single-cell protein content was measured by BCA. The concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were determined by ELISA. Protein expression of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2 and K-Ras was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared to PTH1-34 group, cellular diameter was decreased 12.07 µm, (3)H-leucine incorporation decreased 1622 cpm/well and single-cell protein content decreased 84.34 pg, ANP or BNP concentration reduced 7.13 µg/L or 20.04 µg/L, protein expression of K-Ras, ERK1/2 or p-ERK1/2 downregulated 0.81, 0.19 and 1.44 fold, respectively, in PTH1-34 plus atrovastatin co-treated cardiomyocytes (all P < 0.05). Compared to PTH1-34 plus atrovastatin co-treated group, cardiomyocyte diameter increased 4.95 µm, (3)H-leucine incorporation increased 750 cpm/well and single-cell protein content increased 49.08 pg, ANP or BNP increased 3.12 µg/L or 9.35 µg/L and protein expression of K-Ras, ERK1/2 or p-ERK1/2 upregulated 0.52, 0.06 and 1.19 fold (all P < 0.05) in MVA, PTH1-34 and atrovastatin co-treated cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSIONSAtrovastatin attenuates PTH1-34 induced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes hypertrophy through downregulating K-Ras and ERK1/2 pathway.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Cardiomegaly ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Parathyroid Hormone ; metabolism ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

The paper is aimed to establish a methods for identication of pearl powder and conch powder from different origins. Hermetic aluminum pan was used to encapsulate samples. The optimal testing conditions were: heating rate 10 degrees C x min(-1), sample weight 3 mg and nitrogen gas flow rate 40 mL x min(-1). The enthalpy values of pearl powder and conch powder was obvious different. Identication of pearl powder and conch powder by DSC is a practical method for its accuracy, convenience and practificality.
Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; methods ; China ; Discriminant Analysis ; Pinctada ; chemistry ; classification ; Powders ; chemistry

Objective To analyze the spatio-temporal process on 2009 influenza A (HlNl) pandemic in Changsha and the influencing factors during the diffusion process. Methods Data were from the following 5 sources, influenza A (HlNl) pandemic gathered in 2009, Geographic Information System (GIS) of Changsha, the broad range of theorems and techniques of hot spot analysis, spatio-temporal process analysis and Spearman correlation analysis. Results Hot spot areas appeared to be more in the economically developed areas, such as cities and townships. The cluster of spatial-temporal distribution of influenza A (HlNl) pandemic was most likely appearing in Liuyang city (RR=22.70,P<0.01). The secondary cluster would include districts as Yuelu (RR=6A9,P< 0.01) , Yuhua (RR=81.63, P<0.01). Xingsha township appeared as the center in the Changsha county (RR=2.90, P<0.01) while townships as Yutangping (RR=19.31, P<0.01) , Chengjiao (RR=73.14,P<0.01) and Longtian appeared as the center in the west of Ningxiang county (RR= 14.43,P<0.01) and Wushan as the center in the Wangcheng county (RR= 13.84,P<0.01). As time went on, the epidemic moved towards the eastern and more developed regions. Regarding factor analysis, population, the amount of students, geographic relationship and business activities etc. appeared to be the key elements influencing the transmission of influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. At the beginning of the epidemic, population density served as the main factor (r=0.477, P<0.05) but during the initial and fast growing stages, it was replaced by the size of students to serve as the important indicator (r=0.831, P<0.01; r=0.518, P<0.01). However, during the peak of the epidemics, the business activities played an important role (r=-0.676, P<0.01). Conclusion Groups under high risk and districts with high incidence rates were shifting, along with the temporal process of influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, suggesting that the protection measures need to be adjusted, according to the significance of influencing factors at different stages.

Objective To investigate the effect of collagen scaffold loaded with collagen-binding domain neurotrophin-3 (CBD-NT3) on the extension of cellular processes of dorsal root ganglions (DRGs), and explore the significance of this kind of combinatorial strategies in the spinal cord injury repair. Methods The tail tendons of SD neonatal rats were performed the removal of cellular components to prepare the collagen scaffold; HE staining was employed to evaluate whether the cells were completely removed from the collagen scaffold. The collagen scaffold was loaded with CBD-NT3,and then, they were co-cultured with primary DRGs for 1, 3 and 5 d, respectively. NT3 and PBS were also co-cultured with primary DRGs for 1, 3 and 5 d, respectively, as controls. Cells on the scaffold were stained by fluorescein diacetate (FDA) for morphology observation and the lengths and angles of the processes in each group were also quantitatively analyzed. Scanning electron microcopy (SEM) was employed to observe the topography of scaffold and the ultrastructure of DRGs 3 d after the co-culture.Results HE staining indicated that the cellular components in the scaffold were removed completely.The length of processes elongation in CBD-NT3 treatment group was significantly longer than that in the controls 3 d after the co-culture (P＜0.05). The 95% confidence interval of the angle between the line which the process emerged from the cell soma to the growing tip of the process and the long axis of fiber was 18.8-20.7 degrees. The results of SEM showed that cells could rely on the topography of the scaffold to anchor and grow. Conclusion The combinatorial strategies of collagen scaffold with CBD-NT3 can play a double function for oriented guiding and inducing extension of cellular processes effectively,which may provide a better therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury repair.