Animals ; Dementia, Vascular ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Neurons ; metabolism ; physiology ; Random Allocation

Objective To observe age-dependent feature of damage of hippocampus to different maturational stages rats after kindling repeated seizures.Methods The effects of 5 daily pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions in different rats beginning at postnatal day 10,20,60(P10,P20,P60)were evaluated.In the 3 groups,Thionin staining method was utilized to observe morphological changes and cell counting of dentate granule cells,CA3,CA1,and hilar neurons.Timm's method of silver sulfide staining was adopted to observe the mossy fiber sprouting.Results 1.Cell counting of CA1,CA3 and hilar neurons in P10 and P20 groups demonstrated no differences from controls in rats,whereas P60 with daily seizures had a significant decrease in CA1,CA3 neurons(8.22?1.88,5.62?1.68 vs 6.31?1.50,3.62?1.40)(t=2.246,2.587 Pa

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on the protein expression of c-fos in fastigial nucleus (FN) and lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) in rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), and to explore the role and mechanism of FN and LHA in EA at the Heart Meridian fighting against acute MIRI reaction. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, an EA-Heart Meridian group and an EA-Lung Meridian group, with 14 rats in each group; an LHA lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group) and a FN lesion plus EA-Heart Meridian group (FN+EA-Heart Meridian group), with 7 rats in each group. Except the sham operation group, the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was ligated to establish acute MIRI rat models in the other 5 groups. In the three groups with EA-Heart Meridian treatment, Shenmen (HT 7) and Tongli (HT 5) were selected; Taiyuan (LU 9) and Lieque (LU 7) were selected in the EA-Lung Meridian group. All the EA groups received EA stimulation prior to modeling, with 1 mA in current intensity and 2 Hz in frequency, 20 min each time, once a day for a total of 7 d. The sham operation group and the model group did not receive EA stimulation. The electrocardiogram was observed in the rats to analyze the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score. The expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA was detected by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in the FN and LHA increased significantly in the model group (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the ST-segment deviation, cardiac arrhythmia score and the expression of c-fos protein in FN and LHA decreased significantly in the EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05). Compared with the EA-Heart Meridian group, the ST-segment deviation and cardiac arrhythmia score increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group, LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (all P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in FN increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and LHA+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05); the expression of c-fos in LHA increased significantly in the EA-Lung Meridian group and FN+EA-Heart Meridian group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: FN and LHA are involved in the mechanism of EA at Heart Meridian to improve the acute MIRI reactions, and the cerebellum may participate in the improvement of cardiac function by EA through the cerebellum-hypothalamus projection.

Objective To explore the danger of lead exposure in newborns who accepted the blood stored in blood bank for blood change treatment.Methods The lead level of blood was examined before and after blood change treatment for 37 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia who accepted 53 cases blood stored in blood bank during Jun.to Dec.2006.The level of blood lead was measured by graphite stove atom absorb spectrum method.Results The average lead level of 53 cases blood stored in blood bank was 101.02 ?g/L,which had attained the level of lead poisoning.There were 15 cases(28.5%) whose blood lead levels was very high(≥100 ?g/L),3 cases whose blood lead level ≥200 ?g/L.After blood change treatment,the percentage of the blood lead level ≥100 ?g/L rose from 2.9% to 19.0%.The average level of blood lead after blood change treatment was higher than before(P

OBJECTIVETo predict part of medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces by using the traditional Chinese medicinal property data prediction platform, in order to establish the relationship between properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces.

METHODThe properties of traditional Chinese medicine components were predicted by using the medicinal property data prediction platform based on the pharmacological effects of the components.

RESULTThe total sum of identical or similar results of the prediction for the properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces accounted for over 75%.

CONCLUSIONThe self-similarity exists between properties of traditional Chinese medicine components and traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, which reflects the inheritance, additivity and emergence among different properties of traditional Chinese medicines.

Drug Combinations ; Drug Prescriptions ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

As a neuropeptide, neurotensin (NTS) is widely expressed in central and peripheral nervous system, which is mainly mediated byneurotensin receptor1 (NTSR1) to activate the related downstream signaling pathways. After summarized the function and mechanism of NTS/NTSR1 in various malignant tumors, we found that NTS/NTSR1 played essential roles during tumor initiation and development. NTS/NTSR1 regulates tumor initiation, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and differentiation mainly through three pathways, including IP3/Ca2+ /PKC/MAPKs pathway, MMPs/EGFR/MAPKs (PI3K/Akt) pathway, or Rho-GTPsaes and non-receptor tyrosine kinase pathway. Besides, NTS/NTSR1 is also regulated by some upstream pathways and some traditional Chinese medicine preparations and traditional Chinese medicine therapies. In this article, we summarized the function of NTS/NTSR1 and its mechanisms, and discussed the prospective in its application to clinical diagnosis and drugs targeting.
Animals ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; Neurotensin ; chemistry ; physiology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; physiology ; Receptors, Neurotensin ; chemistry ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; physiology

Objective To study the mechanism of marcosomia by investigating insulin-like growth factor 2(IGF_2)imprinting status,expression level and the promoter usage in the placenta of macrosomia. Methods We selected heterozygous cases for Apa Ⅰ polymorphism in exon 9 of IGF_2 gene and then analyzed its imprinting status in 168 placentas of macrosomia and normal pregnancies.IGF_2 transcription levels and promoter usages in macrosomic and normal placenta were evaluated by using semi-quantitative RT- PCR assay.Results Thirty specimens of macrosomic placenta and 30 of normal placenta were identified as heterozygous for IGF_2.All of the heterozygous specimens showed maintenance of imprinting.The expression of placental IGF_2 mRNA(2.2?1.2)was significantly higher in macrosomia than that of normal weight group (1.6?0.6,P 0.05).Conclusion It is possible that over expression of IGF_2 in placenta contributes to macrosomia while the promoter usage and imprinting status are not associated with macrosomia.

Objective To explore the role of Clara cell secretory protein(CCSP) in asthmatic children and compare the levels of CCSP in sera and induced sputum.Methods Thirty-four children with asthma who were in remission and 25 healthy controls were enrolled.Sera and hypertonic saline-induced sputum were obtained in asthmatic children,and sera alone were obtained in control subjects.The le-(vels) of CCSP were measured in sera and induced sputum by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Results Asthmatic children,compared with controls,had significantly lower concentration of CCSP in sera(P

Background Functional magnetic resonance imaging technique based on a manganese (Mn2+) tracer makes labeling the optic nerve in vivo possible.However studies on the optimal concentration and dynamic change after injection of Mn2+ are rare.Objective This study was designed to explore the time- and dose-dependent response for Mn2+-enhanced MRI of visual pathway after intravitreal injection of MnCl2.Methods Different concentrations of MnCl2(0.5,1,2,5,10,15,20,40mmol/L) with a volume of 25μl were intravitreally injected into the left eyes of 48 pigmented rabbits and were randomly divided into eight groups according to the drug concentrations.No reagent reg was injected into the right eyes as controls.MRI was performed at 4,6,8,12,24,48,96 and 168 hours after the administration of MnCl2 to examine the imaging of the optic nerve,chiasma,optic tract,lateral geniculate body and epithalamus.The signal-noise ratio of MRI in visual pathway was calculated and the optimal concentration and best imaging time after injection of MnCl2 were assessed.The use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The imaging of the optical nerve in the left eyes was enhanced in comparison with the right eyes 24 hours after injection of 0.5-1 mmol/L MnCl2 with a significant difference in SNR value between these two groups (t=1.17,t=0.95,P>0.05).24 hours after the injection of 2 mmol/L MnCl2 into the left eyes,the SNR value of the optic nerve on the left side was higher than the right side t=8.43,P<0.05),but no image of lateral geniculate body and epithalamus was found in the left side compared to the right side (t=0.04,t=0.22,P>0.05).The strongest imaging signal in optical nerve was seen in 24 hours after the intravitreal injection of 10-40 mmol/L MnCl2 and decayed gradually from 24 to 168 hours with a transportation speed of (3.32±0.19) mm/h in rabbit visual pathway.SNR value of optic nerve showed a positive correlation with the concentrations of MnCl2 with the regression equation Y=77.786+2.467X(F=20.102,P=0.004,R2=0.770).Conclusion Manganese-enhanced MRI is a viable method for temporospatial visualization of optic never in the pigmented rabbits.The image intensity of MRI is associated with the dose of Mn2+.

AIMTo investigate the mechanisms of Naoyikang (Traditional Chinese Medicine) on the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) model mice induced by D-galactose (D-gal) and NaNO2.

METHODSThe mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of D-gal and NaNO2. The capacity of learning and memory was tested on mice with electrical maze; the content of nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), Na(+) -K(+) -ATP enzyme and Ca(2+) -ATP enzyme in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were assayed by biochemical methods; expression of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA was detested by RT-PCR.

RESULTSNaoyikang could ameliorate the capacity of learning and memory of AD model mice and reduce MAO-B activity in the brain tissue and activate the activity of Na(+) -K(+) -ATP enzyme and Ca(2+) -ATP enzyme in the brain tissue and decrease the expression of Bax mRNA, but increase the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in the model brain tissue.

CONCLUSIONNaoyikang could protect AD model mice induced by D-gal and NaNO2. It could modify the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitter in brain through reducing MAO-B activity and protect neurons by activating the activity of Na(+) -K(+) -ATP enzyme and Ca(2+) -ATP enzyme and decrease Bax expression and increase Bcl-2 expression in the model brain tissue.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Galactose ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neuroprotective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Sodium Nitrite ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism