The effects of vitamin A on wound healing and thymus weight were studied in postoperative rats. Serum vitamin A level was significantly lowered in rats (group I) received vitamin A 6?g ? 100g bw-1?d-1. per os as.compared to the uninjured control received the same dose of vitamin A. The thymus in group I was significantly atrophic than the control. In rats received vitamin A 25?g?100g bw-1?d-1 (group Ⅱ), serum vitamin A level was kept normal and the thymus was unchanged. The histological change of the skin during wound healing nearly approached normal, and the tensile strength of the healed wound was markedly greater than in group Ⅰ. In rats received vitamin A 50?g?100g bw-1?d-1 (group Ⅲ), the effect on wound healing and the thymus was not better than group Ⅱ. A suitable dosage of vitamin A in wound healing was about 25?g?100g bw-1?d-1, i.e. 4 times the normal allowances of the rat.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the change of phosphorylation of tau protein and expression of cyclooxygenase 2 ( COX-2) in colon submucosal neurons of enteric nerve system in inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD) rats induced by tri-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).METHODS:Male rats (n=30) were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=10 each):control group, IBD group and TNBS group.The IBD rats were induced by TNBS+ethanol enema for 14 d.The control and TNBS rats were given an equal volume of saline and TNBS, respectively.The general situation and the histopathologic change of the rat colon were observed.Immunofluorescence was used to check the change of phosphalated tau protein and COX-2 expression in the submucosal neurons of the colon.The expression of COX-2 and phosphorylated tau231 and tau262 in the rat colon submucosal neurons was observed by double immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:Compared with con-trol group, the number of neurons in the colon of IBD rats decreased obviously and the expression of phospholated tau231 and tau262 was significantly increased.The number of neurons in the colon of TNBS rats showed no significant difference compared with control rats.The rat neurons in control group and TNBS group did not express COX-2.COX-2 expression was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of colonic neurons in IBD rats, which showed significantly different from control and TNBS rats.CONCLUSION:The decreased neurons in the enteric nerve system of IBD rats might be associated with the phosphorylation of tau protein and the expression of inducible COX-2.

Objective: To study the regulatory effects of Momordica charantia L. saponins on immune function of senile mice. Methods: Female senile Kunming mice (15 months) were divided into senile control group(SC), experiment group 1(E1) and experiment group 2(E2). SC drank tap water, E1 and E2 drank tap water supplemented with 100mg/L and 200mg/L Momordica saponins respectively. After 5 weeks, samples were collected for IL 2, TNF ?, T cell subpopulation, phagocytosis index, thymus and spleen indices. At the same time, splenocyte, peritoneal macrophage, thymocyte obtained from senile mice, were cultured in medium containing 25mg/L and 50mg/L Momordica saponins respectively, and tested for IL 2, TNF ? and apoptosis. Results: There was no change in spleen index, but thymus index increased markedly in E2 group. Phagocytosis index, serum IL 2 level were increased obviously, while there was significant difference between E2 and E1. At the same time, ratio of CD8 + T cell raised significantly in thymus, and ratio CD + 4 CD + 8 T cell declined obviously in both thymus and spleen. Momordica saponins could increase splenocyte to secrete IL 2, enhance peritoneal macrophage to secrete TNF ?, but had no effect on apoptosis of thymocyte. Conclusion: Momordica saponins can improve immune function of senile mice by modulating the ratio of T cell subpopulation.

BACKGROUND: Genistein is the main component of phytoestrogen soy isoflavone and its structure is similar to estrogen,which suggests that it might prevent or delay osteoporosis. Research on the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and calcium(Ca), phosphor(P), zinc(Zn) and magnesium (Mg) in ovariectomized rats are rare.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and Ca,P,Zn and Mg in ovariectomized rats to provide a theoretical gist for the prevention of osteoporosis by genistein.DESIGN: A controlled experiment based on experimental animals.SETTING: Department of Nutrition,General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine,Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA between February and June 2003. Ten-week old female Wistar rats [certification number: (military medical animal): D98014] with a body mass of(170±20) g were selected.INTERVENTIONS: Experimental animals were fed with normal feeding for 6 weeks and then the feeding was changed to AIN-93 compound. Animals were then randomly divided into ovariectomized group (n=40) and sham-operation group(n=7) based on bodyweight after 5 days. Ovariectomized group received ovariectomy and sham-operation group only received abdominal incision. After 5 days of recovery,the ovariectomized group was further randomly divided into 5 subgroups with 8 rats each including ovariectomized control subgroup,estrogen subgroup [diethylstilbestrol 20 μg/(kg · d)],genistein Ⅰ,Ⅱ,or Ⅲ subgroup[dose of 25,50 or 100 mg/(kg · d)]. After 3months of feeding,6 rats were randomly selected from each group for the detection of bone density and corresponding bone hismorphometric indicators.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone density,corresponding parameters of bone mineralization,Ca,P,Zn and Mg contents in bone of mice in each group RESULTS: After ovariectomy,femoral bone density decreased [(0. 247± 0.007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width increased[(7. 04 ±0. 32)μm],bone mineralization delayed [(4.96±0.99) days],osteoid maturity prolonged [(26.99±7.70) days],and Ca[ (251.11± 5.31) mg/g],P[(115.08± 3.78) mg/g],Zn[ (299.69±37.1)μg/g] and Mg[(4. 32±0. 12) μg/g]were all significantly different from that of sham-operation group(P<0.05).After the application of genistein,femoral bone density had a tendency of improvement[ (0. 250±0. 007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width narrowed[ (4. 97±0.77) μm],bone mineralization delayed time[ (3.18±0.69) days] and osteoid maturity time[(14.53 ±3.84) days] shortened, contents of Ca [(270.00±5.65) mg/g],P[(124.25±2.37) mg/g] andMg[(4.61±0. 08) μg/g]elevated while Zn content had no significant changes.CONCLUSION: Genistein promotes osteoid mineralization,reduces the loss of Ca, P and Mg in the bone and prevent the generation of osteoporosis in unsexed rats

Objective To investigate the relationship of the initiative-aggressive behavior and D2S1338,D19S433 loci.Methods PCR and electrophoresis method were used to conduct genotype analysis on D2S1338 and D19S433 in the peripheral blood of 187 male initiative-aggressive violent offenders and 459 healthy men living in Jiangsu area.Results D2S1338 and D19S433 loci in initiative-aggressive behavior group and healthy group were found to coincide with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P ＞ 0.05).There were significant difference in locus D19S433 (P ＜ 0.05)between initiative-aggressive behavior group and healthy group,but not on locus D2S1338 (P＞0.05).Univariate analysis showed significant differences at allele 14.2 and genotype 14-14 on locus D19S433 between the two groups (P =0.0011,P =0.0008) with the OR values being 0.50 (95 ％ CI:0.33-0.76) and 3.49(95％ CI:1.62-7.52),respectively.Conclusion Locus D19S433 may be related to with initiative-aggressive behavior with allele 14.2 being the resistant factor and genotype 14-14 being the susceptible factor.

Objective To evaluate the role of hippocampal AMPA receptors in the antidepressant effect of ketamine in rats.Methods Thirty male Wistar rats aged 2 months weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =10 each):control group (group C); ketamine group (group K) and AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX group (group N).The animals were forced to swim for 15 min on the 1st day.On the 2nd day,NBQX 10 mg/kg was injected intrapefitoneally in group N; 30 min later,normal saline was injected intraperitoneally in group C,while ketamine 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally in groups K and N.The forced swimming test was performed again for 5 min at 30 min after administration and the immobility time of the rats was recorded.Then the animals were sacrificed and the hippocampus was removed for determination of the expression of phosphorylated rapamycin (p-mTOR) and phosphorylated glutamate receptor 1 (p-GluR1).Results Compared with group C,the immobility time was significantly shortened and the expression of p-mTOR and p-GluR1 up-regulated in group K,and the immobility time was significantly shortened,the expression of p-mTOR up-regulated and the expression of p-GluR1 down-regulated in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group K,the immobility time was significantly prolonged and the expression of p-mTOR and p-GluR1 down-regulated in group N (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion AMPA receptors in hippocampus are involved in the antidepressant effect of ketamine in rats and the inhibition of mTOR and GluR1 activities may be involved in the mechanism.

Objective To investigate the relationship between rapists and related allele genes based on the analysis of 15 short tandem repeats (STRs) loci genetic polymorphism. Methods The method of Genome-wide scan was being used. Buccal swab samples of 129 rapists and 156 random populations were collected and PCR compound amplification was carried out with the aid of AmpFISTR Identifiler system. Then the products were subjected to electrophoresis and gene detection with AB13100 type gene analysis system so as to calculate and compare the alleles of 15 STRs gene frequency in the two groups. Results All the 15 STRs loci allele gene frequency in rapists and random population was found to coincide with Hardy-Weinberg law(P>0. 05). Allele 28 of D21S11 (rapists: 1.55% ,control group:5. 13%) ,allele22 of FGA(rapists:24.03% ,control group:16.99%),allele23 of FGA(rapists: 17.05% ,control group:26.28%) ,allele 10 of TH01(rapists:1.16% ,control group:4.17%) ,allele 8 of TPOX(rapists:55.77% ,control group:63.77%),allele 12 of TPOX(rapists:4.26% ,control group: 1.28%) were different between the two groups (P< 0.05) .while it is no differ significantly in other STRs loci allele gene(P >0.05). Conclusion Allele 28 of D21 S11,allele 22 and 23 of FGA, allele 10 of TH01, allele 8 and 12 of TPOX may be associated with the violent crime of rape. It is suggested that there are existing sensitive or resistance genes about the violent crime of rape in chromosome 2,4,11,21.

Objective: To investigate the effects of genistein (Gen) on bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Forty-seven Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups: sham-operated (sham), ovarietomized (ovx), ovarietomized plus diethyl stilbestrol [E, 20?g/(kg bw?d)] or Gen [25、50、100 mg/(kg bw?d)] administration. After the rats had been fed for 3 mo,bone mineral density (BMD), histomorphometric parameters, the serum concentration of osteocalcin (BGP) and urinary contents of pyridine and hydroxyproline (HYPRO) were analysed. Results: BMD, trabecular bone volume (TBV) and mean trabecular plate density (MTPD) of ovariectomized rats were significantly decreased, but serum concentrations of BGP,urinary contents of deoxypyridinoline and HYPRO and mean trabecular plate space (MTPS) increased compared with the sham. After 3 mo of Gen supplementation, TBV,MTPD and urinary deoxypyridinoline were improved significantly in ovariectomized rats. Conclusion: Genistein reduced bone loss in ovariecromized rats by suppressing bone metabolism and osteoclast activity.

To study the effect of soybean isoflavones(SI) on thymocytes in irradiated mice. Method: Ninety male mice were randomly divided into control group, irradiated group, irradiated plus 0.5% dose SI group. After 2w feeding, the mice received 4.0 Gy 137Cs ?-radiation. The cell cycles,cell apoptosis and proliferation of thymocytes and thymus index were observed in irradiated mice after 12h, 24h, 1w and 2w. Results: After the mice were irradiated, the thymus became significantly atrophic, and the rate of cell apoptos and the cell cycles of G0-G1 phase in thymocytes were significantly increased (P

Forty-two male rats were fed with normal vitamin E( VE)requirement diet, i.e. 0.2mg?100gbw?-1d-1 for one week and then thirty-five rats were induced a 3rd degree burn of 20% BSA, another 7 uninjured rats served as normal contrsol. The burned rats were divided into 5 subgroups receiving VE at the dosage of 0.2, 1, 2, 5,10mg. 100gbw-1?d-1 respectively for 14 days. The re-ults showed that the serum and liver VE contents were lower and the serum LPO higher significantly in the burned rats as compared with the normal control,it wao also found that thymus was atrophic, the thymic cortex become thinner thymocytes constricted, and the splenic corpuscles decreased, the sperm and spermatocytes were markedly decreased with testis atrophy. Whet burned rats were fed VE, as the dosage increased to 2mg?100gbw-1?d-1, the serum and liver VE levels significantly raised and the serum LPO returned to control level. The histological changes of thymus, spleen and testes were nearly similar to the normal control rats.