Animals ; Oocytes ; metabolism ; physiology ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; physiology ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X ; physiology ; Xenopus laevis

OJECTIVETo explore whether different acupuncture signals were afferent to the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) neuron and to find out their corresponding effect features through observing the effect of spontaneous discharge of cerebellar FN neuron by needling at different acupoints.

METHODSTotally 120 male SD rats were anesthetized by 20% urethane and their right cerebellar FN were positioned (AP 11. 6 mm, RL 1. 0 mm, H 5. 6 mm). Extracelluar discharge was recorded by glass microelectrode (AP: -11. 6 mm, R: 1. 0 mm, H: 5.7 -7. 0 mm), using extracellular microelectrode recording method, recording the spontaneous discharge of cerebellar FN neurons as a baseline. Random order of needling at zusanli (ST36), quchi (Lil1), weishu (BL21), and zhongwan (CV12) were compared with the baseline before each acupuncture. Their effects on the discharge of cerebellar FN neurons were observed and compared with baselines.

RESULTSThe frequency of FN neuronal discharge could be elevated by needling at zusanli (ST36), quchi (LiI), weishu (BL21), and zhongwan (CV12) (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). The response rate of needling at Zhongwan (CV12, 56. 00%) was higher than that of needling at Zusanli (ST36), Quchi (Ll1), and Weishu (BL21) (35. 00%, 34. 62%, 36. 63%, respectively) with statistical difference (P <0. 05). The response rate of needling at zhongwan (CV12) was obviously higher than that of needing at other points (F = 2. 101, P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSNeedling at zusanli (ST36 ), quchi (Lil), weishu (BL21), and zhongwan (CV12) could elevate the spontaneous discharge frequency of cerebellar FN neurons. Needling at Zhongwan (CV12) had advantageous roles in regulating cerebellar FN.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Cerebellar Nuclei ; physiology ; Male ; Microelectrodes ; Neurons ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Background Recombinant hirudin variant Ⅲ(rHV3) can effectively prevent galactose-induced human lens epithelial cells LECs injury,but little is known about the molecular mechanism of its action.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of rHV3 on the expression of apoptosis-related genes in damaged LECs induced by galactose.Methods The rHV3 was extracted by our research group,and the biological activity of rHV3 was identified by titration of thrombase according to Markwardt's method.Human LECs (SRA01/04) were cultured using 125×10-3 mol/L D-galactose+10% FBS+D/F12 medium to establish the damaged human LECs model.rHV3 was added into the medium of the damaged human LECs model.Human LECs were cultured in D/F12 medium containing 10% FBS as normal control.The expression of apoptosis-related genes,such as aldose reductase (AR),bax,bcl2 and p53,in LECs at the mRNA level was detected using RT-PCR.The abundance ratio of target genes was presented with the absorbance (A) of gene mRNA/GAPDH mRNA.Results Compared to the normal control group,the A values of AR mRNA/GAPDH mRNA,bax mRNA/GAPDH mRNA and p53 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA were significantly elevated in model group (t=3.90E-06,t=8.44E-04,t=5.15E-08,P＜0.01).However,in the rHV3-treated group,the A values of AR mRNA/GAPDH mRNA,bax mRNA/GAPDH mRNA and p53 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA were lower than those of model group (t=5.90E-06,t=1.51E-04,t=3.42E-06,P＜0.01).The bcl2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA was markedly downregulated in the model group when compared with the normal control group (t=1.86E-05,P＜0.01);while after rHV3 addition,bcl2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA increased in comparison with the model group (t=8.56E-05,P＜0.01).Conclusion 125×10-3mol/L D-galactose induces the damage and apoptosis of human LECs.rHV3 likely plays a protective function on D-galactose-induced damage of human LECs by inhibiting the polyol pathway and mitochondria-mediated pathway.

Background The hyperplasia of human Tenon capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) is a common cause of filtering surgery failure in glaucomous eye.Researches demonstrated that hydroxycamptothecin is a cell cycle arresting drug and induce apoptosis of cancer and fibroblasts.However,its mechanism is currently less understood.Objective This study was to investigate whether hydroxycamptothecin induce the apoptosis of HTFs and explore the possible mechanism.Methods Human Tenon capsule tissue was obtained from EyeBank of Jiangsu Province Hospital.HTFs were cultured using explant method in vivo and passaged in DMEM containing 10％ FBS.The cells were identified using vimentin and keratin by immunochemistry,and the cells of generation 3-6 in the logarithmic growth phase were used in the experiment.The cells were incubated with 0.01,0.05 or 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin for 5 minutes respectively,and the cells without any hydroxycamptothecin were served as the control group.Cell viability then was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) for the optimal inhibition concentration.The cells were treated by 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin for 24 hours,and the apoptotic rate of the cells were assayed with annexin V/PI double-staining.Mitochondrial membrane potential of HTFs was assessed using JC-1 staining.The expressions of caspase-3,caspase-9 and cytochrome C (cyt C) in mitochondria and cytoplasm of HTFs were detected by Western blot.Results The proliferative value (A450) of the HTFs 0,0.01,0.05,0.10 g/L was 0.9716±0.0608,0.8035 ± 0.0346,0.7048 ±0.0446,0.6265 ±0.0286,with a significant difference (F =26.372,P =0.002).A450 of HTFs in the 0.01,0.05,0.10 g/L groups was significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05),with the lowest A450 value in the 0.10 g/L group.The apoptotic percentage of HTFs was (18.72±1.41)％,in the 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin group and that of the control group was (3.67 ±0.36)％,showing a significant difference between them (t =-10.374,P=0.001).The expression intensity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protein in HTFs was higher in the 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin group than that in the control group.JC-1 staining showed that the green fluorescence of the monomer JC-1 in cytoplasm was stronger in the 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin group than that in the control group,but the red fluorescence of the polymer JC-1 in the 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin group was weaker than that in the control group.The grey scale of cyt C protein in HTFs in mitochondrion was 0.0605±0.0022 in the 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin group,showing a significant increase in comparison with 0.0301 ±0.0016 of the control group (t=4.865,P=0.014).However,the grey scale of cyt C protein in cytoplasm was declined in the 0.10 g/L hydroxycamptothecin group than that in the control group (0.0605 ±0.0022 vs.0.0301 ±0.0016) (t =-11.177,P =0.001).Conclusions Hydroxycamptothecin can induce the apoptosis of HTFs through activating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

Adult ; Amides ; adverse effects ; Benzene ; adverse effects ; Burns, Chemical ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitro Compounds ; adverse effects ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Experimental proof for the efficacy, safety, and immunological assessment is needed when minocycline is used for root canal disinfection.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of minocycline for root canal disinfection on levels of interleukin-17 in apical exudates of periapical periodontitis and periapical exudate volume.METHODS: Sixteen patients with acute periapical periodontitis (16 teeth) scheduled for root canal therapy were enrolled and randomly divided into calcium hydroxide and minocycline groups, respectively, followed by root canal disinfection.One week after disinfection, periapical index, periapical exudate volume and interleukin-17 level were detected prior to the root canal filling. Another 16 patients with normal pulp vitality (16 teeth) scheduled for single root canal filling were enrolled as control group, in which periapical index, periapical exudate volume and interleukin-17 level were detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The periapical exudate volume and interleukin-17 level in the calcium hydroxide and minocycline groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The periapical index and interleukin-17 level in the calcium hydroxide and minocycline groups were decreased significantly at 1 week after root canal disinfection (P < 0.05), while there was no difference between these two experimental groups in the periapical index, periapical exudate volume and interleukin-17 level. To conclude, the use of minocycline significantly reduces interleukin-17 level and periapical exudate volume, and thus achieves effective outcomes in periapical disease.

Preliminary research in our laboratory found that compound YZG-330 can reduce mouse body temperature, which could be blocked by adenosine A₁ receptor (A₁R) antagonist DPCPX. Based on the downstream signaling pathway of the A₁R, the mechanism by which YZG-330 lowers body temperature was further studied. The pharmacodynamics of YZG-330 was evaluated by measuring the rectal temperature; expression of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel, the P38 protein and its phosphorylated form in mouse hypothalamic homogenate were detected by Western blotting. A Ca²⁺ fluorescent probe, Fluo-3AM, was added to cells to detect the effect of YZG-330 on the Ca²⁺ content of mouse hypothalamic cells. YZG-330 dose-dependently reduced the body temperature in mice, and the selective P38 inhibitor SB-203580 (20 mg·kg^-1, i.p.) significantly inhibited the hypothermic effect of YZG-330. A TRPM8 antagonist 2 (0.1 μg per mouse, i.c.v.) markedly attenuated the hypothermic effect of YZG-330 (0.25 or 1 mg·kg^-1, i.p.). YZG-330 (2 mg·kg^-1, i.p.) significantly increased the phosphorylation of P38, an effect that could be attenuated by the A₁R antagonist DPCPX (5 mg·kg^-1, i.g.) in mouse hypothalamus. In addition, YZG-330 also prominently enhanced the expression of TRPM8, which could be blocked by SB-203580; YZG-330 (0.1-10 μmol·L^-1) increased intracellular Ca²⁺ concetration in mouse hypothalamic cells in a dose-dependent manner, and was inhibited by the A₁R inhibitor DPCPX (0.5 and 1 μmol·L^-1) and TRPM8 antagonist 2 (1 μmol·L^-1). In conclusion, YZG-330 exerts its hypothermic effect by activating the A₁R to promote the phosphorylation of P38 protein and thereby up-regulating the expression and activity of the TRPM8 ion channel, resulting in increased intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration to stimulate mouse hypothalamus cells to down-regulate body temperature. All animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Objective To observe the effects of fosinopril(FOS),a new generation angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI),on protein and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-?_1(TGF-?_1) of rat glomerular mesangial cell(GMC) induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS);to demonstrate the preventive mechanism against glomerular sclerosis by applying FOS.Methods The cultured GMC in classic way were divided into 3 groups:control group;LPS group;LPS+FOS group.TGF-?_1 concentration in GMC supernatant fluid was detected by ELISA;TGF-?_1 mRNA expression was determined by semiquantitative real-time RT-PCR.Results LPS group was obviously higher than control groups in TGF-?_1 secretion and mRNA expression,while LPS+FOS group decreased distinctively in TGF-?_1 secretion and mRNA expression compared with LPS group.Conclusions FOS has obviously inhibited on TGF-?_1 expression of rat GMC both at protein level and mRNA level,which reveals that it may be an important mechanism by FOS on restraining the development of glomerulosclerosis.

BACKGROUND:This systematic review aims to investigate the prediction value of diffusion tensor imaging for motor function recovery of ischemic stroke patients. METHODS:Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library 2016, Issue 9), PubMed, Embase, Clarivate Analytics, Scopus, CINAHL, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Google Scholar were searched for either motor recovery or corticospinal tract integrity by diffusion tensor imaging in different stroke phase from January 1, 1970, to October 31, 2016. The study design and participants were subjected to metrological analysis. Correlation coefficient (r) was used for evaluating the relationship between fractional anisotropy (FA) and motor function outcome. Correlation coefficient values were extracted from each study, and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by Fisher's z transformation. Meta-analysis was conducted by STATA software. RESULTS:Fifteen studies with a total of 414 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that FA in the subacute phase had the significant correlation with motor function outcome (ES=0.75, 95％CI 0.62-0.87), which showed moderate quality based on GRADE system. The weight correlation coefficient revealed that an effect size (ES) of FA in acute phase and chronic phase was 0.51 (95％CI 0.33-0.68) and 0.62 (95％CI 0.47-0.77) respectively. CONCLUSION:This meta-analysis reveals that FA in the subacute phase after ischemic stroke is a good predictor for functional motor recovery, which shows moderate quality based on the GRADE system.

Objective:To determine if suitable electric pulses-mediated DNA and DNA and bupivacaine complexes delivery technologies could enhance effects of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A) DNA vaccines in mouse model. Methods:Vaccination of mice i.m. with plasmid DNA replicon vaccine pSCARSHc and conventional plasmid DNA vaccine pcDNASHc following electric pulses and with DNA and bupivacaine complexes. AHc-specific group antibody ELISA titers and lymphocyte proliferative responses of mice were detected and IgG1 and IgG2a isotype profiles were assayed. Results:Immune effects of DNA vaccines were enhanced following electric pulses and bupivacaine delivery. Effects of DNA vaccines following electric pulses were better than that of DNA vaccines formulated with bupivacaine,and the combined delivery technology of electric pulses and bupivacaine induced the highest level of specific antibodies and lymphocyte proliferative responses. Plasmid DNA replicon vaccine pSCARSHc induced relatively higher AHc-specific antibodies and lymphocyte proliferative responses in immunized Balb/c mice than conventional plasmid DNA vaccine pcDNASHc in these DNA delivery technologies. And vaccine pSCARSHc induced Th2/Th1-type immune responses with a general bias to Th2-type,and vaccine pcDNASHc induced Th2-type immune responses. Conclusion:Suitable electric pulses-mediated DNA and DNA and bupivacaine complexes delivery technologies could enhance effects of BoNT/A DNA vaccines in mouse model. Therefore,the methods described here potentially provide suitable strategies in developing an efficacious vaccine against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A.