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 study the compatibility between human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and porcine bone scaffolds.

METHODSPorcine bone tissues were co-cultured with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and the complex was observed under scanning electron microscope. The viability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of the cells were examined with the cells co-cultured with human bone scaffold as the control.

RESULTSAt 4 and 10 days after the co-culture, the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were observed to extend pseudopodia to adhere to the two scaffold materials. MTT assay showed that the cell proliferation on both of the materials increased with time, and the two cell complexes exhibited similar pattern of changes in ALP activity.

CONCLUSIONAs the seed cells, human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells exhibit good comparability with porcine bone scaffold, suggesting their potential of constructing tissue-engineered bone graft.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Adult ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; enzymology ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Swine ; Time Factors ; Tissue Scaffolds

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