AIMTo investigate the roles of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in the rapid effects of corticosterone (CORT) on the presympathetic neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of rats, and study the non-genomic mechanism of glucocorticoid (GC) in the integration of sympathetic cardiovascular activity.

METHODSThe effects of microelectrophoresis of CORT on the discharge of the presympathetic neurons in the RVLM were observed by extracellular recording in urethane-anaesthetized rats. The responses of atropine (a blocker for M type of ACh receptor, ATR), d-tubocurarine (a blocker for N1 type of ACh receptor, d-TC) and hexamethonium (a blocker for N2 type of ACh receptor, C6) to the effects of CORT on the presympathetic neurons were investigated respectively.

RESULTSTotally 33 presympathetic neurons in the RVLM were recorded. Among them the firing rate of 25 (76%) presympathetic neurons was increased by microelectrophoresis of CORT. The effects of CORT were also positively correlated with the currents. In the other 8 presympathetic neurons, had was shown no effect after microelectrophoresis of CORT. In 10 presympathetic neurons, which discharge was increased by CORT, microelectrophoresis of ATR decreased the firing rate of these presympathetic neurons (P < 0.05), and did not fully block the excitatory effect induced by CORT. In both 7 and 6 presympathetic neurons, application of d-TC and C6 had no effect on these neurons respectively, and did not fully block the excitatory effect induced by CORT.

CONCLUSIONCORT had rapid excitatory effects on the presympathetic neurons in the RVLM, which effect might be independent on ACh receptors.

Animals ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Corticosterone ; pharmacology ; Electrophoresis, Microchip ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology ; Nicotinic Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cholinergic ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo summarize and discuss the lapsus and the treatment of the lumbar intervertebral disc herniation using percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD).

METHODSBetween July 2002 and October 2010, 689 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated by PELD were analyzed, including 448 males, and 241 females. Single lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were 669 cases. double lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were 19; three lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were 1. Central type in 66, side central type in 365, lateral type in 242, extreme lateral type in 10, sequestered type in 6. These cases with complications in operation and postoperation were studied retrospectively.

RESULTSThere were nucleus pulposus omissions in 5 patients and 2 patients underwent open resection of nucleus pulposus during operation immediately and the second operation was needed in 3 cases, 1 case with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and the others with open resection of nucleus pulposus. Two patients had nerve root injury, but all completely recovered in 3 - 6 months after operation. Spinal dura mater disruption was in 2 patients, recovered after suturing of skin wound. All 689 patients were followed up for 6 - 96 months, mean follow-up time was 33 months. Postoperative spondylodiscitis was in 7 patients, recovery after expectant treatment in 1, percutaneous puncture irrigation and drainage for continued use of local antibiotics in 4, posterior infective lumbar discectomy in 2. Postoperative relapse was in 6 patients, operated secondly by PELD in 4 and by TLIF in 2, recovery after the second operation. Nerve root induced hyperalgesia and burning-like nerve root pain was seen in 19 patients, the symptom was improved by analgesic drug, neurotrophy drug and physiotherapy. The effect of single segment PELD was not good in 10 patients with spinal stenosis, who underwent multiple segment TLIF later.

CONCLUSIONSThe complications during operation usually are nucleus pulposus omissions, nerve root injury, spinal dura mater disruption. Accordingly the complications after operation include spondylodiscitis, recurrence, nerve root induced hyperalgesia or burning-like nerve root pain. Strict indication, aseptic technique, skilled operation and proper rehabilitation exercise are effective ways to reduce complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; adverse effects ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Intraoperative Complications ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Zerumbone(ZER), one of humulane-type sesquiterpenoids, showed its unique advantage against tumor activities. The main underlying mechanisms include inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells and differentiation of cancer cells, regulating immune function, inhibiting invasion and metastasis of cancer cells, and reversing multidrug resistance of cancer cells. Studies on ZER focusing its cytotoxic or anti-tumor is one of hot topic. Currently, with the increasing studies on ZER, the clarified mechanisms are getting rich. The present paper describes a summary of its anti-tumor mechanism of action and helps to provide significant reference to more in-depth research.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Sesquiterpenes ; pharmacology