OBJECTIVETo explore effects of Shenqi preparation,Traditional Chinese Medicine, on anti-fatigue and anti-oxidant functions.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty mice were randomly divided into control group and 3 experimental groups. The high, medium and low-dose of Shenqi preparation were given to the 3 experimental groups respectively, while distilled water to the control group for 15 d. The loaded swimming time, the level of lactate, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), muscle and liver glycogen, liver super-oxide dismutase (SOD), the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) were assayed.

RESULTSThe loaded swimming test showed that the exhausted swimming time of 3 experimental groups [(296.0 +/- 25.3)s, (437.0 ĝ 38.9)s, (595.0 +/- 53.9)s respectively] was longer than that of control group [(231.0 +/- 22.5)s, P < 0.05, P < 0.01]. The liver glycogen content of the high and medium-dose experimental groups were higher than that of control group respectively (P < 0.01). The SUN content of each experimental group was less than that of the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Moreover,in the medium and high dose experimental groups, less accumulation of lactate was found (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and the content of liver SOD and GSH-Px was higher (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The content of liver MDA in high-dose experimental group was less than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONShenqi preparation, especially the high and medium-dose experimental groups, is able to improve exercise tolerance and has anti-fatigue and anti-oxidant effects in mice.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective　To explore the correlation between the expression of p33/ING1 and the clinicopathological features in patients with colorectal cancer, and to understand the possible mechanism of p33/ING1 in the oncogenesis of colorectal neoplasms. Methods　All samples of normal mucosa and cancer tissues from 52 patients with colorectal cancer were detected for their expression levels of p33/ING1 by RT-PCR. Results　A significant decrease in p33/ING1 mRNA expression was found in 30 out of 52(57.7%) colorectal cancer tissues. The results also showed that repression of p33/ING1 expression markedly related to both the Duke's stage and metastasis. Conclusion　Down-regulation of p33/ING1 may play an important role in the oncogenesis and development of colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation in the treatment of severe liver damage.

METHODSAutologous bone marrow (50 ml) was harvested from 6 patients aged 44 to 69 years admitted for severe liver damage. Human bone marrow stem cells (HMSCs) were isolated and transplanted in to the patients' liver. At l, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the transplantation, the changes in ALT, ALB, Cr, TB, PT and the clinical symptoms of the patients were observed.

RESULTSThe transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells resulted in obvious improvement of the liver function. At 12 weeks after the transplantation, ALT was reduced from 98.4 IU/L to 41.5 IU/L, TB from 136.5 µmol/L to 78.4 µmol/L, Cr from 112.3 µmol/L to 72.1 µmol/L, and ALB rose from 23.3 g/L to 32.6 g/L. The survival of the patients was 100% at 12 weeks, but one patient died at 7 months after the transplantation. The symptoms of the patients were also alleviated after the transplantation. At 12 weeks after transplantation, 3 patients reported improved appetite, 3 showed recovery of physical strength, and 2 showed lessened abdominal swelling. No serious adverse complications in association with the transplantation were found in the in 4 patients available to the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONAutologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation can improve the liver function of patients with severe liver damage without causing serious complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Hepatic Insufficiency ; surgery ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome

Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-9(AQP-9)in the brain tissue of rats with infectious brain edema and explore the role of AQP-9 in the oecurrgnce and progression of the brain edema. Methods A total of 128 normal 1-month-old SD rats weighing 70-100 g of either sex were randomly divided into two equal groups, namely the normal saline(NS) group and lipopolysaecharide(LPS)group.Acute infectious brain edema was induced in rats in the LPS group by injecting LPS via the left internal carotid artery,and the rats in the NS groups received NS injection.At 6,12,24 and 48 h after the injection,the brain tissue was taken from the rats to observe the histopathology by Hernatoxylin-Eosin Stain and lneasure the brain water content(BWC).The permeability of the blood-brain barrier of the rats was tested using Evans blue(EB)method.The expressions of AQP-9 protein and mRNA in the brain tissue Were detected using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR,respectively. Results InLPS group,the space around the blood vessels was obviously broadened in the brain tissue,where inflammatory cell infiltration,glioeyte swelling,vacuolar degeneration of the neurons and neuronal nuclear shrinkage were seen.At 6,12,24,and 48 h following LPS or NS injection,the BWC,EB content,and expressions of AQP-9 protein and mRNA in the LPS group were all significantly higher than those in the NS group(P<0.05),In the LPS group,positive correlations were found between BWC and EB content,AQP-9 protein expression and BWC,AQP一9 mRNA and BWC,AQP-9mR.NA and EBcontent,and between AQP-9 protein andmRNA.Conclusion AQP-9 might participate in occurrcnce and development of infectious brain edema in rats,it might be positive correlation.

Objective To explore the expression ofapoptosis inducing factor (AIF) and the apoptosis ofnervous cells in infectious brain injury rat models induced by pneumolysin (PLY) and their significance.Methods A total of 80 infant SD rats were randomly divided into normal saline treatment group (NS group,n=40) and PLY treatment group (PLY group,n=40).Each group was divided into 4 subgroups:NS observation subgroups at the 6,12,24 and 48 h of treatment and PLY observation subgroups at the 6,12,24 and 48 h of treatment (n=10).Five rats in these subgroups were injected with Evan' s blue (EB) to determine the damage of BBB by measuring the content of EB in the brain tissues;the other 5 rats in these subgroups were not given EB,and their brain tissues were obtained to detect the protein expressions of NSE,GFAP and AIF by immunohistochemistry,and their apoptosis was examined by TUNEL staining.Results As compared with those in the NS treatment subgroups,the brain EB content and the expression levels of NSE,GFAP and AIF in the PLY treatment subgroups were significantly higher,and the number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased (P＜0.05).The number of apoptotic cells was positively correlated to the protein expression level of AIF in the PLY treatment group (r=0.959,P=0.000).Conclusion Apoptosis plays a role in the formation and development of infectious brain injury of rats and AIF might involve in the apoptosis ofneurocyte.

Objective To study the role of inflammation in white matter damage of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) through observing the pathology changes of tissues after white matter damage and detecting the levels of inflammation-related indicators.Methods Eighteen 40-week-old male SHRs were chosen as experimental group,and seven male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as control group.The animal brain tissues were taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining) and immunohistochemical staining to observe the pathological changes,and the levels of myelin basic protein (MBP),neurofilament (NF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).Real-time PCR was employed to detect toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4),monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression levels in the white matter tissues.Results The white matter of 40-week-old SHRs was apparently injured.HE staining displayed sponge-like changes in the white matter and immunohistochemical staining showed astrocyte activation,reduced number of axonal and demyelination in the white matter.As compared with those in the WKY rats,TLR-4,MCP-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expressions in SHR white matter were significantly increased (P＜0.05); and TLR-4,MCP-1 and VCAM-1 expression levels in SHRs were positively related to the degree of white matter damage.Conclusion The white matter damage in 40-week-old SHRs is similar to that of LA;inflammation is involved in the pathophysiological process of white matter damage,being one of induced factors of white matter injury.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism involved in the control of glioma cell proliferation with transfection of connexin (Cx) 43 gene.

METHODSC6 rat glioma and TJ905 human glioblastoma cell lines without Cx43 gene expression were transfected with Cx43cDNA mediated by lipofectamine. Northern blot, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical technology were used to detect the expression of Cx43mRNA and its protein with MTT assay and silver colloid stain for the detection of cell proliferation, TUNEL method for determination of cell apoptosis, scrape loading dye transfer (SLDT) for GJIC, Western blot and immunohistochemical technology for bFGF, PDGF, EGFR, IGF-I and IGFBP3 expression.

RESULTSCx 43 gene transfected glioma cells showed decreased proliferation, restored GJIC and decreased bFGF, PDGF, IGFBP3, except EGFR expression and cell apoptosis which showed no change.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of Cx 43 gene inhibiting gliomas cell proliferation is the restoration of GJIC and decreased autocrine growth factors.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Division ; physiology ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; physiology ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Glioma ; pathology ; Rats ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis of facial motor neurons and the expression of apoptosis-related genes, Bcl-2 and Bax, in the animal model of viral facial paralysis.

METHODSTotal of 84 Balb/c mice were divided into viral inoculation group and nerve transaction group. The animals were executed 1, 3, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 30 days after being operated respectively. The histopathological features of facial neurons in brain stem were observed by HE and Nissl stain. The changes of facial neuronal apoptosis were observed by TUNEL. The changes of expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in facial neurons were observed by immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSAfter nerve transection, increased apoptotic cells were found in homolateral facial motor nucleus and the peak appeared at 10 and 15 days. The level of Bcl-2 expression in neurons declined while the expression of Bax increased gradually. Correspondingly, the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax declined. In the viral inoculation group, no visible change of apoptosis and Bax expression, but the level of Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax increased gradually.

CONCLUSIONSComparing to axotomy, facial motor nucleus in HSV-1 infective animal model are free of apoptosis. Both the mild form of lesion and the ability to block apoptosis of HSV-1 are likely to be involved into the phenomenon. Bcl-2 and Bax might interfere with the apoptotic response.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Facial Paralysis ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Herpesvirus 1, Human ; pathogenicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neurons ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of alpha-glycosidase for epididymal lump induced obstructive azoospermia.

METHODSSeventy-six infertile men with normal spermatogenic function were divided according to sperm density into a normal density group (n = 27), an oligospermia group (n = 21) and an obstructive azoospermia group (n = 28), and another 30 fertile males were included as normal controls. Semen plasma alpha-glycosidase, leucocyte count, sexual hormone levels and the diameters of the epididymal lumps were measured and their correlations were analyzed.

RESULTSalpha-Glycosidase in the obstructive azoospermia group was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P <0.05), and negatively correlated with epididymal volume (r = -0.417, P <0.05) and leucocyte count (r = -0.342, P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlpha-Glycosidase has been proved of diagnostic value for epididymal obstructive azoospermia.

Adult ; Epididymis ; Genital Diseases, Male ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; alpha-Glucosidases ; analysis