Objective To study prospectively the morphological relations among hemorrhage of optic disc, defect of retinal nerve fiber layer, and peripapillary atrophy in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to evaluate the relations among hemorrhage of optic disc, defect of retinal nerve fiber layer, and peripapillary atrophy by using stereo ocular fundus photography and computer analyzer systems. Results In 37 patients (42 eyes) in NTG hemorrhage group, 50 hemorrhagic spots at optic disc was found, including coloboma of retinal nerve fiber layer in 35 eyes (83.3%)(35/42). In 35 patients (40 eyes) in non-hemorrahge group, partial coloboma of retinal nerve fiber layer was found in 21 eyes (52.5%)(21/40). The difference of incidence of coloboma of retinal nerve fiber layer between the two groups was not significant (?2=1.403, P=0.236). The incidence of atrophic arc in hemorrhage group differed much from which in non-hemorrhage group (?2=7.008, P=0.008). The area of atrophic arc at ?section in hemorrhage group [(2.05?0.88)mm2] was significantly different from which in non-hemorrhage group [(1.42?0.53)mm2] (t=-2.618, P=0.012). In the follow-up period, the difference of incidence of disc-rim loss between hemorrhage and non-hemorrhage group was significant, (?2=5.802, P=0.016); while the difference of the incidence of visual field defect between the two groups was not. Conclusion In eyes with NTG, hemorrhage of optic disc, coloboma of retinal nerve fiber layer and atrophic arc are closely related. More disc-rim loss and changes of atrophic-arc area in hemorrhage group in the follow-up period suggests that hemorrhage of optic disc is the risk factor of development of NTG.

P2 receptors activated by purine and pyrimidine nucleotides are divided into two subclasses:P2Y receptors which are G-protein coupled and P2X receptors which are ligand-gated ion channels.The expression of specific P2X and P2Y receptor subtypes in skeletal muscle cells has been demonstrated.Purinergic signaling plays an important role in muscle regeneration of muscular dystrophy,and is involved in skeletal muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy,tendon inflammation and epilepsy,and provides the possibility of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of muscle diseases.

Objective To observe the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on acute nociception in rat hindpaw induced by purine 2X (P2X) receptor agonists, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and ?, ?-meATP, prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2), and substance P (SP). Methods The effects of TMP administered intraplantarlly on the acute nociception induced by P2X receptor agonists, PGE 2, or SP in the rat hindpaw were investigated by the method of the behavioral study. Results TMP (10 mmol/L) significantly depressed the acute nociception induced by ATP (1 ?mol/L) or ?, ?-meATP (0.6 ?mol/L) in the rat hindpaw. TMP (10 mmol/L) could inhibit the acute nociception induced by PGE 2 (5 ?mol/L) or ?, ?-meATP (0.2 ?mol/L) coinjected with PGE 2 (5 ?mol/L). TMP (10 mmol/L) could not affect the acute nociception induced by ?, ?-meATP (0.2 ?mol/L) coinjected with SP (10 ?mol/L). TMP could not obviously affect the inflammatory edema in rat hindpaw induced by the local administration of PGE 2, SP, or ?, ?-meATP coinjected with PGE 2 or SP individually. Conclusion The antinociceptive effects of TMP may mainly be associated with inhibiting the transmission of nociceptive information mediated by P2X receptor activation.

Objective:Coherence analysis of the EEG is used to study the synchrony or coupling between cortical areas underlying the electrodes. However,the effects of intravenous anesthetics on EEG coherence have not been defined. Method: Forty patients were administered with intravenous thiopental (5mg/kg),propofol (2.5mg/kg ), ketamine(4mg/kg)or fentanyl(10?g/kg). The changes of coherences in total and in a given frequency band of the EEG(?.?.?.?) were measured with an AXON Systems Sentinel-4 Neurological monitor between two pair electrodes(Cz-F_7 vs Cz-F_8 and Cz-A_1 vs Cz-F_2). Result: The anesthetics had significantly different effects on the coherence by either increase or decrease. The variability of the coherences had no regular pattern,and no relationship to excitement or depression of the anesthetics and to potency of them. Conclusion:Each anesthetic above selectively depresses and excites generators of the EEG in quite different ways.

Objective: To explore influence of ginsenoside Rg1 on coronary artery angiogenesis in rats with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its mechanism.Methods: A total of 120 Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into sham operation group (only received thoracotomy to expose heart without coronary ligation),AMI group (no treatment after model development with ligating left coronary artery) and ginsenoside group (received ginsenoside Rg1 injection on 3h after AMI model development).Infarct area, expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (Flk-1), and VIII factor expression were respectively measured on 24h, one week and five weeks after model development.Results: Compared with sham operation group after five weeks, there were significant rise in myocardial infarction area, number of new blood capillaries and expression levels of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 in ginsenoside group and AMI group, P<0.05 or <0.01;compared with AMI group, there was significant reduction in myocardial infarction area [(51.31±9.67)% vs.(29.33±6.70)%], and significant rise in number of new blood capillaries [(18.31±5.07) vs.(46.79±13.67)], expressions of VEGF [greyscale value: (84.3±8.7) vs.(32.9±16.7), greyscale value was inversely proportional to expression] and Flk-1 [(17.6±8.7) vs.(59.9±16.2)] in ginsenoside group, P<0.05 or <0.01.Conclusion: Application of ginsenoside Rg1 in AMI rat model can mobilize marrow stem cells gather in ischemic myocardium, upregulate expressions of VEGF and its receptor Flk-1, effectively promote angiogenesis of blood capillaries, and reduce myocardial infarction area.

Objective To investigate the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and methylprednisolone (MP) on Toll-like receptor (TLR)2/4 mRNA expression in endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide,LPS) induced shock.Methods Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into LPS group (n =20),LPS + VIP group (n =20),LPS + MP group (n =20),LPS + VIP + MP group (n =20) and control group (n =10).LPS group injected intravenously LPS (E Coli O55B5) 10 mg/kg.LPS + VIP group,LPS + MP group and LPS + VIP + MP group were injected intravenously VIP 5 nmol/kg,MP 3 mg/kg and VIP 5 nmoL/kg + MP 3 mg/kg after LPS 10 mg/kg injection.The control group injected normal saline intravenously instead of LPS.The rats were sacrificed at 6 h and 24 h after injection and the intestine samples were collected.Pathological changes of the intestine were observed by microscopy.RT-PCR was used to detect the intestinal TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expressions.Results Intestinal mucosa showed edema or necrotic change with structure of the microvilli disappeared after LPS injection.The inestinal lesions in VIP,MP and VIP + MP groups were milder than LPS group.At 6 h after LPS injection,TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expressions were significantly up-regulated in LPS group,LPS + VIP group,LPS + MP group and LPS + VIP + MP group (TLR2 mRNA:1.14 ±0.38,1.17 ±0.42,1.16 ±0.41,0.92 ± 0.29;TLR4 mRNA 1.21 ±0.18,1.04 ± 0.38,1.11 ± 0.34,1.01 ± 0.20) compared with the control group (0.32 ± 0.20,0.24 ± 0.17) (P ＜ 0.01).But there was no significant difference between LPS group,LPS + VIP group,LPS + MP group and LPS + VIP + MP group (P ＞ 0.05).At 24 h after LPS injection,TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expressions in LPS + VIP group,LPS + MP group and LPS + VIP + MP group (TLR2 mRNA:0.63 ± 0.12,0.59 ± 0.13,0.52 ±0.19;TLR4 mRNA 0.67 ±0.09,0.64 ±0.09,0.51 ±0.13) were significantly lower than LPS group (1.04 ± 0.38,0.82 ±0.18) (P ＜0.01) (P ＜0.05).Conclusion VIP and/or MP can mitigate intestinal injury induced by LPS shock.The gastrointestinal protection of VIP and glucocorticoids were related to downregulation signaling TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA expression.But VIP/MP and VIP + MP have no significant effect on expression of intestinal TLR2/4 mRNA until 24 h after LPS shock.

Objective To study the anti-oxidative stress effects of benazepril and candesartan.Methods SHRs of 12 weeks old were given benazepril(10 mg/kg?d,n=9)or candesartan(4 mg/kg?d,n=9)or combina- tion(Ben:10 mg/kg?d+Can:4 mg/kg?d)for 12 weeks.The tail arterial pressure was measured every two weeks.At end of study,pathological changes in the thoracic aorta,activity of SOD,serum contents of NO and hydroxy radicals,plasma Ang Ⅱ and cGMP,eNOS and P22~(phox)protein expressions in aortic tunica intima were de- termined.Results The thoracic aorta wall was thickened markedly in SHRs,and blood pressure,hydroxy radi- cal,Ang Ⅱ and P22~(phox)protein expression were increased significantly,while the serum NO,level of cGMP and eNOS expression were decreased.Benazepril(Ben)or Candesartan(Can)inhibit the thickening of vessel wall, enhance the activity of SOD(Ben:68.7?2.1,Can:65.6?4.2 vs SHR:48.8?3.2 U/mL,P

OBJECTIVETo observe morphological changes of enteric nervous system (ENS)-interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)-smooth muscle cell (SMC) structure injury in deep muscle nerve plexus offunctional dyspepsia (FD) rats, and the repair of Shuwei Decoction (SD) on it, and to explore its effecton FD.

METHODSTotally 72 rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the lowdose SD group, the medium dose SD group, and the high dose SD group, the Mosapride group, 12 ineach group. Rats in the low dose SD group, the medium dose SD group, and the high dose SD group were intragastrically fed with SD at 0.767, 1.534, 3.068 g/mL, respectively. Rats in the Mosapride group were intragastrically fed with Mosapride (1.37 mg/kg). FD rat model with Gan depression Pi deficiency syndrome (GDPDS) was established using complex pathogenic factors. Corresponding liquors were respectively administered to rats in corresponding groups from the 3rd day after modeling. Distilled water(10 mL/kg) was administered to rats in the control group and the model group, once per day for 14 successive days. Rats were sacrificed and small intestine tissues collected for observing ENS-ICC-SMC structure injury using immunofluorescence double labeling, laser scanning confocal microscope, and transmission electron microscope at day 15. Repair of SD on it was also observed.

RESULTSENS-ICC SMC structure was incomplete, with obvious injury in mutual link of ICC, ICC, SMC, and connecting structure. ENS-ICC-SMC structure was more complete in high, medium, and low dose SD groups, with close link of ICC and SMO. Their connecting structures were in good conditions.

CONCLUSIONSD could keep the integrity of ENS-ICC-SMC structure by promoting regeneration and morphology of ICC, thereby, improving gastrointestinal movement disorder and showing therapeutic effect on FD.

Animals ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dyspepsia ; drug therapy ; Enteric Nervous System ; drug effects ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; drug effects ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats

To investigate the mechanism of agarwood formation in Aquilaria sinensis induced by Lasiodiplodia theobromae, the fermentation liquor of L. theobromae was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). JAs were detected in the fermentation liquor. The effect of the fermentation liquor on the abundance of sesquiterpenes in the callus of A. sinensis was analyzed by solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). And the fermentation liquor stimulated alpha-guaiene, alpha-humulene and delta-guaiene biosynthesis in calli. It was inferred that L. theobromae produced JAs, which resulted in a significant increase of sesquiterpenes in A. sinensis.
Ascomycota ; physiology ; Fermentation ; Sesquiterpenes ; metabolism ; Thymelaeaceae ; metabolism ; microbiology