AIMTo elucidate the mechanism of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), the effects of CUMS on serotonin (5-HT), tryptophan, stress hormones and behaviour were investigated in rats.

METHODSDepression was induced by for 8 weeks CUMS and confirmed by behavioral tests, the brain and plasma levels of monoamine neurotransmitters were analyzed by HPLC-ECD techniques, the content of plasma corticosterone was evaluated by I125 cortisol radioactivity immunoassay and the serum tryptophan content was measured by HTTACHI L-8800 amino acid analyzer.

RESULTS(1) Rats exposed to a series of mild, unpredictable stressors for 8 weeks displayed the decreased body weight, reduced scores of open-field test and preference of sucrose solution (P < 0.05). (2) Plasma and brain 5-HT contents in rats after exposure to CUMS 8 weeks decreased significantly (P < 0.05). While serum tryptophan content increased at the same time (P < 0.05). (3) Plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine in rats were increased after CUMS 8 weeks, but there was no difference between control and CUMS group in plasma corticosterone.

CONCLUSIONThe behavioral changes induced by CUMS for 8 weeks are similar to the features of human depression, which may be related to the disturbances of tryptophan metabolism induced by increased norepinephrine and epinephrine in CUMS rat.

Animals ; Depression ; metabolism ; Epinephrine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neurosecretory Systems ; metabolism ; Norepinephrine ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Stress, Psychological ; metabolism

To investigate the chemical constituents of the roots of Aconitum taipaicum, silica gel column chromatography was used for the isolation and purification of compounds. A new norditerpenoid alkaloid, isodelelatine (1), along with five known alkaloids, atisine (2), delfissinol (3), liangshanine (4), hypaconitine (5) and delelatine (6) were isolated and identified. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data.
Aconitine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

AIMTo study the fingerprint of Ezhu by GC-MS.

METHODSGC-MS analysis was performed for 18 samples of three species of Curcuma used as Ezhu. TIC profiles were evaluated by "Computer Aided Similarity Evaluation System" (MATLAB5.3 based, Ver. 1.240, developed by Research Center for Modernization of Chinese Medicine, Central South University). The characteristic peaks in chromatograms were identified by comparing mass data with literatures. Hierarchical clustering analysis was performed by SPSS based on the relative peak area (RPA) of identified peak to germacrone in 18 samples.

RESULTSResemblance values of 18 samples of Ezhu were pretty low. The mutual mode fingerprint plots of Ezhu were failed to develop. However, 18 samples were divided into two main clusters based on hierarchical clustering analysis, Curcuma wenyujin cluster and Curcuma phaeocaulis cluster, but the samples of Curcuma kwangsiensis were dispersive. Therefore, based on hierarchical clustering analysis, two mutual mode fingerprint plots of Curcuma wenyujin and Curcuma phaeocaulis were developed. But that of Curcuma kwangsiensis was failed because of low resemblance among samples.

CONCLUSIONThe mutual mode fingerprint is the basis for quality control of Chinese materia medica from multi-origins. Development of GC-MS fingerprint of Ezhu was failed, which indicates that the chemical components in different species of herbs used as one Chinese materia medica may be significantly different. The relationship of chemical components and pharmacological activities should be further studied so as to elucidate the rationality of Chinese materia medica from multi-origins.

Cluster Analysis ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; classification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Phylogeny ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation factors affecting the incidence of burn shock, so as to provide guidance for the clinical treatment of shock after burns.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of clinical data of 15 624 patients hospitalized in our department from 1973 to 2005 was undertaken . The incidence of shock during every 10 years, as well as the relationship between shock incidence and age, burn area, interval between injury and hospitalization, and complications were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe incidence of shock during 1973-1980, 1981-1990, 1991-2000 and 2001-2005 periods was 14.69%, 13.50%, 9.38% and 7.88%, respectively, and there was significant difference of shock incidence between each 10 years and its succeeding period (P < 0.01). The occurrence of shock was closely related to age, length of time between injury and hospitalization, and burn area. The shock incidence of children under 7 years old or elderly more than 60 years old was obviously higher than other age groups, and there was positive relationship between burn area and shock incidence. Moreover, the shock incidence of the patients hospitalized later than 4 to 12 hours after burn shock was also markedly higher than those hospitalized earlier (P < 0.01). In addition, the incidence of sepsis, alimentary tract hemorrhage, acute renal failure, pulmonary failure, and cardiac failure in patients with shock was obviously higher than those without shock (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONFor the children and aged people, special attention should be paid in the prevention and resuscitation of burn shock. Early fluid resuscitation is vital for the prevention of organ complication, and it is beneficial to promote wound healing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Burns ; complications ; pathology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the image features and the diagnostic value of spiral CT for cystic renal cell carcinoma.

METHODSThe clinical data and CT manifestations of 17 operated and pathologically proven cystic renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 5 females with an average age of 47.3 years (33 - 82 years). Plain and contrast CT scan (Siemens somatom) single layer sensation 16 layer spiral CT had been performed before operation. The image of artery phase (30 - 40 s), venous (60 - 70 s) and excretory (120 - 180 s) were respectively obtained after contrast administration. Various image reconstructions were done using Siemens Wizard workstation based on the raw images.

RESULTSIt was found that 5 cystic renal cell cancers located in the right kidney and 12 in the left kidney. The long dimension of the tumor arranged from 21 - 100 mm with an average of 57 mm. The tumor looked like a round or round-like shape with density similar to fluid on plain CT scan. Some cystic renal carcinomas had a thick wall. Some had single or multiple cystic spaces filled with fluid of different densities. Some had infiltrated out of kidney surface or into renal sinus. Some showed enhanced nodules on the wall.

CONCLUSIONCystic renal cell carcinoma has its own specific morphologic features in spiral CT scan. Spiral CT may be very helpful in the diagnosis of cystic renal cell carcinoma before operation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; diagnostic imaging ; Kidney Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

AIMTo explore the level of anti-HSP70 antibody in plasma during atherosclerosis procedure induced by high-fat diet in rat and the relationship of them.

METHODSTwenty eight rat were divided into high-fat diet group (H) and control group (C). The total cholesterol (TC), Glyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum, pathology change of rat Arch of the aorta were determined, the level of anti-HSP70 antibody and their Phenotype were evaluated by ELISA.

RESULTSAfter two weeks, the serum concentrations of TC and LDL-C in rat supplemented by high-fat diet were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01), the serum TG were much lower than those in control group (P < 0.01). Four weeks later the level of anti-HSP70 antibody, IgM, IgG phenotype were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). There were lipin deposition and mottling formation in rat Arch of the aorta in rat supplemented by high-fat diet in 12th week.

CONCLUSIONAtherosclerosis could be induced by high-fat diet in rat. Accompany with the atherosclerosis procession, the level of anti-HSP70 antibody was continuously elevated, the level of anti-HSP70 antibody was related to atherosclerosis. The level of anti-HSP70 antibody was closely associated with atherosclerosis.

Animals ; Antibodies ; blood ; Atherosclerosis ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

AIMTo assay the transcriptional regulation effect of hHSF1 on prohibitin gene promoter.

METHODSThe total length of hHSF1 exon was amplified by PCR method and cloned into pcDNA3. 1(+) vector. pcDNA3. 1(+)-hHSF1 and pGI3 prohibitin were co-transfected into HEK293 cells. The luciferase activity was detected by Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay System to evaluate the transcriptional regulation effect of hHSF1 on prohibitin gene promoter.

RESULTSThe pcDNA3.1(+)-hHSF1 vector was constructed successfully. The assay of luciferase activity showed that the transcription of pGL3-prohibitin was dramatically upregulated by hHSF1.

CONCLUSIONhHSF1 can transcriptionally regulate prohibitin expression.

Base Sequence ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HEK293 Cells ; Heat Shock Transcription Factors ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; physiology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDThere are no reports on exnografting cultured human fetal neocortical cells in this infracted cavities of adult rat brains. This study was undertaken to observe whether cultured human cortical neurons and astrocytes can survive and grow in the infarcted cavities of adult rat brains and whether they interconnect with host brains.

METHODSThe right middle cerebral artery was ligated distal to the striatal branches in 16 adult stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats. One week later, cultured cells from human embryonic cerebral cortexes were stereotaxically transferred to the infarcted cavity of 11 rats. The other 5 rats receiving sham transplants served as controls. For immunosuppression, all transplanted rats received intraperitoneal injection of cyclosporine A daily starting on the day of grafting. Immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), synaptophysin, neurofilament, and microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP-2) was performed on brain sections perfused in situ 8 weeks after transplantation.

RESULTSGrafts in the infarcted cavities of 6 of 10 surviving rats consisted of bands of neurons with an immature appearance, bundles of fibers, and GFAP-immunopositive astrocytes, which were unevenly distributed. The grafts were rich in synaptophysin, neurofilament, and MAP2-positive neurons with long processes. The graft/host border was diffuse with dendrites apparently bridging over to the host brain, into which neurofilament immunopositive fibers protruded.

CONCLUSIONCultured human fetal brain cells can survive and grow in the infarcted cavities of immunodepressed rats and integrate with the host brain.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; transplantation ; Brain ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Fetal Tissue Transplantation ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Humans ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Neocortex ; cytology ; Neurons ; transplantation ; Rats ; Synaptophysin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from Delphinium honanense var. piliteram.

METHODThe constituents were isolated and purified with chromatographic methods, identified by NMR, MS and IR.

RESULTSix compounds were isolated and elucidated as siwanine E (1), isoatisine (2), 12-epi-napelline (3), acontine (4), ajadelphinine (5) and beta-sitosterol (6).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-6 are all isolated from the plant for the first time.

Delphinium ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry