Objective To investigate the effect of neutral amino acid on preventing Parkinson disease.Methods Mice were injected with L-Valine,L-Pheylalanine,D-Valine or L-Lysine before or after paraquat administration,by which prakinsonian mouse model was constructed.The paraquat immunoreactivity was observed within nigral cell bodies.Then neurodegeneration and ?-synuclein aggregation were observed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Paraquat immunoreactivity was abolished by the administration of L-Valine,L-Pheylalanine before paraquat exposure.Pre-treatment with these two amino acids also protected the paraquat-induced loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cells and formation of thioflavine S-positive aggregates.In contrast, paraquat-induced toxicity was unaffected if animals were injected with these two amino acids after paraquat exposure or pre-treated with D-Valine or L-Lysine.Conclusions L-type neutral amino acids such as L Valine and L-Pheylalanine can prevent paraquat-induced neurodegeneration and a synuclein pathology through a competitive inhibition mechanism with stereospecificity in the central nervous system (CNS).Neutral amino acid could protect the dopaminergic neuron in substantia nigra and may prevent Parkinson disease.

To ascertain current situation of wild Marsdenia tenacissima resources in Honghe, Yunnan province, the distribution, habitat characteristic and resources reserves of M. tenacissima were surveyed based on interviews and investigation. The results showed that M. tenacissima was found in 7 counties such as Jinping, Mengzi etc, and distributed mainly on the mountainsides from 800 m to 1 200 m. And distribution was affected by many factors, such as light, heat, topography, soil, and vegetation. M. tenacissima grew well in distribution areas. M. tenacissima had averagely a weight of 2.8 kg per plant. Resources reserve of M. tenacissima in Honghe was estimated to 1 300 tons by now but it reduced rapidly in resent years, the wild resources reserve may not meet demand of market. Resources protection and wildlife tending would be conducted to deal with increasing medication requirements.
China ; Ecosystem ; Marsdenia ; classification ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; growth & development ; Soil ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the therapeutic mechanism of Zhizhu Pill (ZP) for treating functional dyspepsia (FD) rats.

METHODSTotally 30 ten-day-old male rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (n =10) and the model group (n = 20). The FD rat model was induced using gastric administration of 0.1% iodoacetamide (IA) combined tail clamping. The model was evaluated when rats were 8-week old. Successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group (n = 10) and the ZP group (n = 10). Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, while those in the ZP group were administered with ZP Decoction (2 mL/100 g) by gastrogavage. All medication lasted for 7 successive days. The contractile activity in in vitro longitudinal gastric muscle was recorded using Power Lab biological signal collecting system. The expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in stomach of FD rats was detected using Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, average frequencies of gastric contraction and changing rates of amplitude obviously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Results of Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of GHSR decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, average frequencies of gastric contraction and changing rates of amplitude obviously increased in the ZP group (P < 0.05). Results of Western blot and IHC showed that the expression of GHSR increased in the ZP group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZP could promote the gastric motility in FD rats induced by gastric administration of IA combined tail clamping, and its mechanism might be related to up-regulating GHSR protein level.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Dyspepsia ; drug therapy ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Receptors, Ghrelin ; metabolism

Objective To explore the relationship between the genesis of dyskinesia and the degree of substantia nigra lesion in Parkinson disease(PD).Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat model was established by injecting 6-OHDA stereotaxically to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB). Then the hemi-parkinsonian rat was injected intraperitoneally with levodopa methylester(25 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),twice a day)for 21 days,the abnormal involuntary movements were estimated.After being sacrificed,the midbrain was removed,and the injured degree of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra was observed by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry staining.The relationship between the abnormal involuntary movement scores and dopaminergic neurons loss at substantia nigra was evaluated by sigmoid equation analysis by using Excel software.Results The apomorphine-induced rotation rate above 7 r/min was found in 10 of 25 rats,those rats were regarded as successful hemi-parkinsonian model rats.After the treatment with levodopa methylester,8 of 10 rats displayed abnormal involuntary movements,including stereotype and contralateral rotation,the types of movements varied.Abnormal involuntary movements were appeared in the rats with dopaminergic neurons loss above 90%.The positive relationship was observed between the degree of lesion in substantia nigra and the severity of abnormal involuntary movements.Conclusions The severe loss of dopaminergic neurons at substantia nigra probably plays a role in the development of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patient with Parkinson disease.

Objective To investigate cellular and behavioural effects of 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8- OH-DPAT in a rat model of levodopa-induced motor complications.Methods The hemi-parkinsonian rat model was produced by stereotaxically injecting 6-OHDA to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB).Two sets of experiments were performed.First,rats were intrapefitoneally treated with levodopa 50 mg/kg plus benserazide 12.5 mg/kg twice a day for 22 days.On day 23,rats intraperitoneally received either 8-OH- DPAT(1 mg/kg)or 8-OH-DPAT plus WAY-100635(0.1 mg/kg)or dissolvent with each levodopa dose as controls.In the second set,rats were intraperitoneally treated either with levodopa(50 mg/kg)plus 8-OH- DPAT(1 mg/kg)or levodopa 50 mg/kg plus dissolvent,administered twice daily for 22 consecutive days. Rotational duration and frequency of off period were estimated.After sacrificed,subcellualr distribution of GluR1 and GluR1Ser845 phosphorylation was observed by Western blot.Results 8-OH-DPAT,reversing the shortened rotational duration induced by levodopa,prolonged the rotational duration by 27.8%?6.1% and reduced the frequency of failures to levodopa by 7.2%?1.7%.Co-administration of WAY-100635,a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist,with 8-OH-DPAT eliminated the effect of 8-OH-DPAT on motor complications, indicating that the observed 8-OH-DPAT responses were probably mediated via the 5-HT1A autoreceptor. Moreover,8-OH-DPAT could regulate subcellular distribution of GluR1 and reduce hyperphosphorylation of GluR1 Ser845 by 22.1%?3.5%,which was closely associated with levodopa-induced motor complications. Conclusions These results suggest that pharmaceuticals stimulating 5-HT1A receptors could be useful in the treatment and prevention of the motor complications in parkinsonian patients.

Objective To explore the mechanism of deep brain stimulation(DBS)therapy to Parkinson's disease(PD).Methods We produced hemi-parkinsonian rat model with stereotaxically injecting 6-OHDA to right medial forebrain bundle(MFB)and stimulated ipsilateral subthalamu nucleus (STN)with platinum electrodes chronically to investigate the influence of DBS to the expression of Calbindin-28,synaptophysin and tyrosine dioxydase(TH)in Striatum by Western blot.In addition,slices of bilateral PD rats after DBS were stained to observe the expression of Calbindin-28 and synaptophysin in substantia nigra by Immunohistochemistry.Results High frequency stimulation impaired the rotational frequency 31% of unilateral PD rats triggered by apomophine;Long-term DBS increased the expression of TH in innocent striatum of unilateral PD rats 78.6%?9.5%,since the ipsilateral striatum(lesion side) was TH depleted by 6-OHDA insults;Calbindin-28 expression in ipsilateral striatum of hemi-PD rats raised up 75.4%?15.0% and long-term DBS reduced the effect by 43.0%?7.1%,meanwhile Calbindin-28 positive neurons in substantia nigra compacta in sham,PD and DBS rats were 74.5?10.2,75.7?15.6, 33.1?7.8.However,Synaptophysin expression in substantia nigra and striatum kept stable even after long- term DBS.Conclusions Consistent to the treatment to PD patients,DBS to STN alleviated the motor disorder of PD rats,the treatment might be based on regulating the expression of Calbindin-28 and TH.

OBJECTIVETo detect the methylation status of p16 gene promotor in DNA derived from plasma and blood cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) , and it's relationship with clinical symptoms.

METHODSp16 promotor methylation in plasma and peripheral blood cells (PBCs) DNA were simultaneously detected with the methylation specific PCR (MSP) method in 24 active SLE patients, 21 inactive SLE patients, as well as 20 healthy controls.

RESULTSIn the plasma DNA, p16 gene methylation ratio (MP%) was higher in SLE patients than in the healthy controls (64.4% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.05). MP% in the active SLE patients was significantly higher than that in the inactive SLE patients (83.3% vs. 42.9%, P < 0.05). In the PBCs, p16 gene methylation ratio (MC%) in the healthy controls was significantly higher than that in SLE (80.0% vs. 48.9%, P < 0.05). MC% in the active SLE patients (29.2%) was the lowest among three groups. There was no significant difference between the inactive SLE patients and healthy controls (71.4% vs. 80.0%, P > 0.05). Each patient could be judged as one of the four methylation patterns: MP/MC, UP/MC (UP: unmethylated plasma p16) , MP/UC (UC: unmethylated PBCs p16) , and UP/UC. The ratios of MP/ MC and UP/UC were similar between the active and inactive SLE patients. However, different distributions of other two patterns were found in the active and inactive SLE patients as UP/MC 4.2% vs. 42.9% (P <0.05) and MP/UC 58.3% vs. 14.3% (P < 0.05), respectively. The active SLE patients with MP/UC and the inactive SLE patients with UP/MC showed different clinical symptoms and laboratory examinations. Significant correlation was found between the disease activity index for lupus patients (SLEDAI) scores and MP% (r = 0.93), between the SLEDAI scores and MC% (r = - 0.96) also between MC% and MP% (r = - 0.79).

CONCLUSIONThe p16 methylation assay provides available information for the diagnosis, judgment of disease activity, as well as novel insights into the pathogenesis underlying this disease.

Adult ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of testis homotransplantation in the treatment of androgen deficiency and infertility.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 12 cases of testis homotransplantation.

RESULTSSurgical success was achieved in 11 cases, all with a significantly increased level of serum testosterone, and markedly improved secondary sex characteristics and sexual function.

CONCLUSIONTestis homotransplantation is highly effective for the treatment of androgen deficiency in males, but has little effect on spermatogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Living Donors ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis ; transplantation ; Testosterone ; blood ; deficiency ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the safety, effectiveness and feasibility of suprapubis-assisted umbilical laparoendoscopic mini-dual-site surgery (SAU-LEMDS) in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODSThis study included 80 varicocele patients aged 24 - 44 (mean 28.5 +/- 2.6) years, 25 cases of grade I, 45 cases of grade II and 10 cases of grade III, 58 cases in the left side, 6 in the right and 16 in both sides, and all with asthenospermia. The patients were treated by SAU-LEMDS under subarachnoid anesthesia combined with general anesthesia in a supine position with a head-down-feet-up slope of 15 degrees. Two 5 mm trocars were inserted bilaterally at the umbilical edge, one with a 5 mm 30 degrees laparoscope placed in it, and another into the abdominal cavity below the pubic hairline with a 5 mm laparoendoscopic clipper placed in it. The operation procedure was similar to that of standard laparoscopic ligation of spermatic veins, with reservation of the spermatic artery and double-ligation of spermatic veins. And the procedure was repeated for the contralateral lesion in the bilateral cases. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for the incidences of orchiatrophy and testicular hydrocele and changes of seminal parameters.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful, with the mean operation time of (10 +/- 5.0) min (range 8 to 25 min) for the unilateral cases and (18 +/- 6.5) min (range 15 to 30 min) for the bilateral cases, the mean blood loss of (1.5 +/- 0.5) ml (range 1 to 2 ml), and the mean postoperative hospital stay of (2 +/- 0.5) d (range 1.5 to 3 d). The patients were followed up for 6 -24 (12 +/- 2.5) months, which showed significant improvement in sperm motility as compared with the baseline ([28.53 +/- 5.21] vs [19.62 +/- 3.56]%, P < 0.05), with 28 cases (35.0%) restored to normal. Recurrence was found in 4 cases (5.0%). Testicular hydrocele occurred in 7 cases (8.75%), but orchiatrophy in none. The scars in the umbilicus and suprapubis were invisible because of the wrinkles and pubic hair.

CONCLUSIONSAU-LEMDS is safe, effective and feasible for the treatment of varicocele. It is superior to umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (U-LESS) for its less invasiveness, simpler operation, and better cosmetic appearance.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Ligation ; methods ; Male ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Spermatic Cord ; blood supply ; Testicular Hydrocele ; etiology ; Treatment Outcome ; Umbilicus ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Veins

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapic effects of the recompression treatment schedule D2 (breathing 100% oxygen at 0.12 MPa gauge pressure) on the type I decompression illness (DCI) by hyperbaric chamber pressurized with air.

METHODSThe recompression treatment schedule D2 was from the decompression treatment tables of in Germany BGI690. Seven cases on work site group (work site group) and five cases in hospital (hospital group) were treated using recompression treatment. All cases suffered from type I DCI after normal decompression procedures from working in compressed air in tunnel construction. These patients were treated with basic schedule D2 or extended schedule D2 according to the symptoms of the cases responded to recompression therapy.

RESULTSIn the work site group, the pains of joints, arms and legs were released quickly, the therapic effects appeared at (8.1 +/- 8.1) min, the cases were cured with a recompression therapy of basic schedule D2, the total mean time of treatment was (150 +/- 0.0) min. In the hospital group, the pains of joints, arms and legs disappeared slowly, the therapic effects appeared at (115.0 +/- 60.0) min, the cases were cured with a recompression therapy of extended schedule D2, the total mean time of treatment was (270.0 +/- 0.0) min, which was significantly longer than that in the work site group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment pressure is 0.12 MPa(gauge pressure) in schedule D2 with medical hyperbaric chamber pressurized with air,which can be used for treatment of type I DCI, the curative effects in the work site group are better than those in the hospital group.

Adult ; Decompression ; methods ; Decompression Sickness ; therapy ; Diving ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Treatment Outcome