AIM To observe the effect of aspirin on a model of Alzheimers disease in rats and its molecular mechanism. METHODS The AD pathological model was made by hippocampal CA 1 lesions with stereotaxic mini-injection of quinolinic acid;the rats learning and memory was observed by Y-maze; the apoptosis of hippocampal cells were detected by using flow cytometry and electronic microscope; the content of calcium in AD rats hippocampus was determined by atomic absortion spectrophotometer. RESULTS Aspirin was shown to improve learning and memory deficiency in rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions induced by quinolinc acid, to decrease apoptosis rate in hippocampal cells significantly and to reduce the concentration of calcium in hippocampus. CONCLUSION The protective effects of aspirin on a model of AD in rats may be involved in antagonism of calcium and inhibition of apoptosis in hippocampal cells induced by quinolinic acid.

Object To investigate the effect of puerarin (Pue) on renal protein kinase C (PKC) activity, kidney structure and function in diabetic rats. Methods STZ-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into five groups: Diabetic rats model group (DM), Pue (500, 250, 125 mg/kg) treatment group, and VitE group, in addition, normal rats for control group. All rats were given by ig for 12 weeks. Kidney function and kidney index were determined; The PKC activity was measured by ELISA. The excretion of microalbuminuria (MAU) was measured by radio-immunoassay, and kidney tissue was observed by light-microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results The excretion of MAU, kidney index (kidney weight/body weight) and PKC activity in diabetic rats were significantly increased. The excretion of MAU, and PKC activity were markedly decreased in Pue treatment group, and kidney pathologic changes of diabetic rats in Pue treatment group were improved. Conclusion Pue can ameliorate early kidney hy-perdynamic abnormality in diabetic rats, possess protective effect on kidney of diabetic rats, whose mechanism may be associated partly with a down-regulation of PKC activity.

Aim To investigate the effects of curcumin on the adherence between isolated rat brain microvascular endothelial cells(BMECs)and leukocytes induced by TNF-? in vitro.Methods The adherence ofleukocytes to BMECs and the effects of curcumin were determined by myeloperoxidase.The expression of ICAM-1 was detected by RT-PCR and immunoblotting.Results Curcumin inhibited the TNF-? stimulated adherence of leukocytes to BMECs.Pretreament of curcumin also inhibited TNF-?-induced increases in the mRNA and protein levels of ICAM-1 in BMECs.Conclusions Curcumin could protect the endothelial cells against damage caused by TNF-?.The protective effects of curcumin may be mediated through downregulation of the expression of ICAM-1.

Aim To investigate the effect of puerarin(Pue)on the experimental insulin resistance(IR)and the mechanism of Pue-treated metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods IR rat model was induced by i.v.small dosage streptozotocin(STZ)and high fatty diet.The effect of Pue on insulin sensitivity was studied by reformed hyperinsulinism euglycemia clamp technique(HEPC)on IR rats.Results The basic blood glucose(BBG),basic blood plasma insulin(BINS)and stable basic blood plasma insulin(SINS)of IR rats induced by high-fat feed were higher than those of control group,and those of the group treated by Pue were observably lower than those of IR model group.In HECT text,the average rate of glucose injection of IR model group was lower than that of control group from 60 min to 120 min,but the rate of high dose and middle dose of Pue group was significantly higher than that of IR model group.Conclusion The results suggest that Pue can improve the insulin sensitivity,and reduce basic blood glucose and blood plasma insulin of the experimental insulin resistance rats.

Aim To investigate the effects of lipophilic fraction of Ganoderma lucidum on PC12 differentiation. Methods Rat PC12 cells were cultured in DMEM medium. Differentiation of PC12 cells was evaluated by monitoring neurite outgrouth of PC12 cells with phase-contrast microscopy after treatment with lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum or it's effective component B_2. Expression of neuronal marker,microtubule-associated protein-2,was determined with immonofluorescence and western blot analysis. Results Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma at the concentrations between 125 and 500 mg?L -1 induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Nearly all cells showed morphological differentiation in response to lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma. Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma also potentiated NGF-induced differenti-ation of PC12 cells. Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma increased the expression of MAP-2. Conclusion Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum can induce differentiation of PC12 cells and potentiate NGFs actions.

Phosphatases play a key role not only in cell physiological functions of an organism, but also in host-pathogen interactions. Many studies demonstrated that some Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria could evade host immunity and promote pathogenicity by injecting phosphatases into host cells through type III secretion system. However, there were few reports about pathogenic fungi evading the immunity of hosts. Our researches indicated that the entomogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae could dephosphorylate the signal transduction substance of locust humoral immunity specifically in vitro by secreting extracellular protein tyrosine phosphatase, which implied that the fungus might interfere with the immune defense of locust. To provide reference for further studies of the functions of phosphatases, we reviewed the types of phosphatases and their roles in pathogen infection.
Animals ; Fungal Proteins ; metabolism ; Fungi ; enzymology ; physiology ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; enzymology ; physiology ; Grasshoppers ; immunology ; microbiology ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Metarhizium ; enzymology ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases ; classification ; physiology ; secretion

Nitrite is a by-product of the nitrogen cycle. The excessive nitrite not only constrains growth and metabolism of bacteria, but also impairs health of humans and aquatic organisms. On the other hand, the continuous maintaining of nitrite accumulation could achieve the shortcut nitrification process, and reduce energy consumption of biological nitrogen removal to save cost. This article reviews the biological processes and causes of nitrite accumulation in the water environment, and summarizes the factors that affect the accumulation of nitrite, to provide reference for wastewater treatments, including improving the nitrogen removal efficiency, reducing operating costs, decreasing discharge of sewage and nitrite nitrogen in natural water.

The wide use of ZnO and CuO nanoparticles in research, medicine, industry, and other fields has raised concerns about their biosafety. It is therefore unavoidable to be discharged into the sewage treatment system. Due to the unique physical and chemical properties of ZnO NPs and CuO NPs, it may be toxic to the members of the microbial community and their growth and metabolism, which in turn affects the stable operation of sewage nitrogen removal. This study summarizes the toxicity mechanism of two typical metal oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs and CuO NPs) to nitrogen removal microorganisms in sewage treatment systems. Furthermore, the factors affecting the cytotoxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) are summarized. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis and support for the future mitigating and emergent treatment of the adverse effects of nanoparticles on sewage treatment systems.
Wastewater/toxicity* ; Sewage/chemistry* ; Zinc Oxide/chemistry* ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Metal Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; Water Purification