BACKGROUND:Morphological characteristics of the rabbit lumbar vertebrae are of great significance for animal experiments about lumbar spine, but there is a lack of study on the lumbar morphology in rabbits. OBJECTIVE:To establish a three-dimensional model of rabbit lumbar vertebrae, and to observe its morphological characteristics, thereby providing anatomical basis for the animal experiments about lumbar spine.METHODS:Twenty New Zealand rabbits were subjected to 64-row multi-detector CT (Siemens) scan, and the three-dimensional models were constructed based on the CT data from 140 lumbar vertebrae. The morphological parameters of L1-7 were measured, and the internal and external structures of lumbar vertebrae and changes of different segments were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Changes of the morphological parameters of each lumbar vertebra:the L1-7 height first increased and then decreased, and the shortest height was in the L7, which was (1.12±0.18) cm. L1 vertebral body exhibited the shortest transverse diameter, (1.03±0.15) cm, and the longitudinal diameter did not differ significantly among vertebrae. The transverse and longitudinal diameters of L1-6 spinal canals were on a rise, but decreased abruptly at L7. The pedicle width of L1-7 increased gradually;the pedicle height of L1-5 increased gradually, and then began to decrease markedly, and the shortest at L7, (0.58±0.11) cm. The width and length of L1-6 spinous process increased steadily, but decreased at L7. The length of L1-3 transverse process increased gradually, tended to be steady at L3-6, and increased notably at L6-7;there were significant differences in the transverse process angle at L1-6, but the angle increased markedly to (58±2)° at L7, (2) These results indicate that the internal and external structures of lumbar vertebrae and changes of different segments are obtained through morphological measurement of lumbar vertebrae in New Zealand white rabbit, which provides a detailed anatomical data for relative animal experiments.

This article dealed with the effects of processing method and duration on the major bioactive components (sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate) in Brassica juncea. The contents of sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate in decoctions of raw and processed B. juncea were determined and compared by high performance liquid chromatography on a Alltima C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) at 35 degrees C with the acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid as the mobile phrase in gradient elution. The detection wavelength of sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate was set at 227 nm and 326 nm, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1). It was found that with the extended processing duration, the contents of sinigrin and sinapine thiocyanate first increased and then decreased: i.e., 0-2 minutes they increased gradually (for sinigrin, by 9.65% in processed products and 356. 10% in powder; for sinapine thiocyanate, by 12.82% in processed products and 3.41% in powder), and achieved their highest content at 2 min; then, decreased during the next 5 minutes (for sinigrin, by 80.35% in processed products and 82.09% in powder; for sinapine thiocyanate, by 14.29% in processed products and 17.54% in powder), suggesting that processing duration could significantly affect the contents of bioactive components in B. juncea, enzymatic hydrolysis of sinigrin when the seed is crushed in the present of moisture may be responsible for the content change. It is recommended that the slow fire should be the best processing method and the raw seed could be used directly in the water extracts related industrial production.
Brassica ; chemistry ; Choline ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosinolates ; chemistry ; Powders ; chemistry ; Thiocyanates ; chemistry

Objective:To investigate the preventive effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats and the underlying mechanism.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:the normal control group,hypobaric and hypoxic group and TMP group (100 mg·kg-1·d-1).After the animal models of hypobaric and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension were established,mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP),mean carotid artery pressure (mCAP),ratio of right ventricular/(lift ventricular + interventricular septum) (RVHI) and morphological changes of pulmonary vessels were observed and the rates of wall thickness/external diameter (WT%) and wall area/total vascular area (WA%) were calculated.The contents of nitric oxide (NO),endothelin-1 (ET-1),hypoxic-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected in serum after the 21-day treatment with TMP.Results:The values of mPAP,RVHI,WT% and WA% of hypobaric and hypoxic group were significant higher than those of the normal control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and those of TMP group were obviously lower than those of hypobaric and hypoxic group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The condition of hypobaric and hypoxic had no significant effect on mCAP,and there were no significant differences among the groups (P>0.05).The values of NO in serum of hypobaric and hypoxic group was lower than those of the normal control group (P<0.05) and those of TMP group were obviously higher than those of hypobaric and hypoxic group (P<0.05).The values of ET-1,HIF-1α and VEGF in serum of hypobaric and hypoxic group were higher than those of the normal control group (P<0.05) and those of TMP group were obviously lower than those of hypobaric and hypoxic group (P<0.05).Conclusion:TMP can effectively prevent pulmonary hypertension induced by hypobaric and hypoxic and structural remodeling of pulmonary arterioles.The mechanism may be related to the content up-regulation of NO and activity down-regulation of ET-1,HIF-1α and VEGF in serum of rats.

Objective To observe the expression of axon guidance cues Slit2 and Robo4 in lung tissue of rat with acute lung injury (ALI) and explore the function of Slit2 and Robo4 in ALI.Methods Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly (random number) divided into control group (n =24) and ALl group (n =24).ALI model was reproduced by cecum ligation and puncture (CLP).The control group only experienced a simulated operation without CLP.Both groups were further divided into 3 subgroups with 8 rats in each subgroup:12 h,24 h,and 48 h subgroups.artery blood gas analysis,lung tissue wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio,lung histopathologic changes,pulmonary microvascular permeability were observed.The serum tumor nocrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expression of Slit2 and Robo4 mRNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The expression of Slit2 and Robo4 protein in lung tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry.Date were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with SPSS version 13.0 software.Statistical significance was established at a P value of less than 0.05.Results Compared with the control group,in ALI rats at different time points,partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2) decreased significantly,lung W/D weight ratio and pulmonary microvascular permeability,the serum TNF-α increased significantly (all P ＜ 0.05),histopathology of lung revealed signs of injury.The expression of Slit2 mRNA in lung tissues was decreased markedly after CLP compared with control group [(0.56±0.13) vs.(0.87±0.05),F=41.39,P＜0.05,(0.42±0.10) vs.(0.85±0.07),F=93.54,P＜0.05,(0.26±0.08) vs.(0.89 ±0.09),F=227.05,P＜0.05].but there were no significant difference in expression of Robo4 mRNA in lung tissue between ALI group and control group [(0.86±0.07) vs.(0.83±0.05),F=0.695,P＞0.05,(0.82±0.05) vs.(0.89±0.08),F=2.061,P ＞ 0.05,(0.86 ± 0.08) vs.(0.86 ± 0.05),F =0.035,P ＞ 0.05].Immunohistochemistry study showed Slit2 protein was mainly expressed on the extracellular surface of vascular endothelial cells,while lung epithelial cell nuclei and endochylema.Robo4 protein was only expressed on the extracellular surface of vascular endothelial cells.Compared with the control group,expression of Slit2 protein in lung tissue in ALI group decreased markedly [(0.37 ± 0.05) vs.(0.45 ± 0.07),F =6.82,P ＜ 0.05,(0.32±0.06) vs.(0.47±0.09),F=23.54,P＜0.05,(0.28±0.07) vs.(0.46±0.06),F=28.01,P ＜ 0.05].As good as RT-PCR,there were no significant difference in expression of Robo4 protein in lung tissue between two groups [(0.53±0.04) vs.(0.52±0.05),F=0.155,P＞0.05,(0.53± 0.09) vs.(0.50±0.05),F=0.498,P＞0.05,(0.55±0.06) vs.(0.56±0.07),F=0.073,P ＞ 0.05].Conclusions Lung tissues of control group rats express Slit2 and Robo4.The decreased Slit2 mRNA and protein expressions in the lung tissue of rat with ALI caused by CLP may be associated with the occurrence of ALI.

Inflammation plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Our study was aimed to investigate whether salvianolate, a novel water-soluble phenolic compound of Danshen, alleviates atherosclerosis via regulating the inflammation in rats. High fat diet feeding plus vitamin D3 injection was used to induce atherosclerosis in rats. Salvianolate (60, 120 or 240 mg/kg) or placebo was given to atherosclerotic rats. The plasma lipids, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C reactive protein (CRP) were measured by ELISA. CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells were determined by flow cytometry. Histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results showed that the levels of plasma IL-6 and CRP were elevated in the rats fed on high fat diet, and the histological analysis demonstrated the successful establishment of atherosclerosis models. Treatment with salvianolate alleviated the atherosclerotic process and decreased the levels of plasma IL-6 and CRP. Also the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells was increased in salvianolate-treated rats. It was concluded that salvianolate could treat atherosclerosis via modulating the inflammation at cytokine and cell levels.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on vessel endothelial cells proliferation and microvessel formation in vitro.MethodsBMSCs and brain vessel endothelial cells were separated from adult and divided into co-culture group of BMSCs and endothelial cells, medium group of BMSCs, comparison group. Endothelial cells proliferation and microvessel formation were observed. ResultsEndothelial cells were promoted to proliferate and formate the microvessel in medium group and co-culture group. And the effect was prominence in co-culture group.ConclusionBMSCs can promote the proliferation and microvessel formation of endothelial cells.

ObjectiveTo study the value of the exfoliative cytology of prostatic fluid obtained from patients with elevated PSA in prostate cancer diagnosis.MethodsProstatic fluid was obtained from 130 patients with elevated PSA before prostate biopsy and then the Wright's stain and cytological class were done.Each cytological class and patient's age,PSA,total prostate volume,prostatic fluid volume and the number of leukocyte in the prostatic fluid were recorded.The relationship of leukocyte number and patient's age,PSA and prostate volume was analyzed by Spearman correlation test.ResultsProstate biopsy pathology results showed that there were 77 (59.2％) cancer cases and 53 (40.8％) non-cancer cases.Patient numbers in cytological class 1 to 5 were 28 (21.5％),32 (24.6％),22 (16.9％),36 (27.7％),12(9.2％),respectively.The prostate fluid cytology had a specificity of 100％ and high sensitivity of 62.5％(10/16) in patients with PSA≥20 μg/L.PSA value had significant difference between class 1,2,3,4and 5.Significant correlation was found among the prostatic fluid volume,total leukocyte number and prostate volume.Prostate volume,leukycyte density and total leukycyte number was significant higher in noncancer patients than in prostate cancer patients.ConclusionsThe exfoliative cytology of prostatic fluid is a valuable method in detecting prostate cancer,particularly in patients with high PSA levels.It has the advantages of non-invasion and less injury than prostate biopsy.There is a relationship between elevated PSA value and high leukocyte numbers.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a maladaptive response in a variety of organic heart disease(OHD),which is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction that results from disturbed energy metabolism. SIRT3, a mitochondria-localized sirtuin, regulates global mitochondrial lysine acetylation and preserves mitochondrial function. However, the mechanisms by which SIRT3 regulates cardiac hypertrophy remains to be further elucidated. In this study, we firstly demonstrated that expression of SIRT3 was decreased in AngiotensionⅡ(AngⅡ)-treated cardiomyocytes and in hearts of AngⅡ-induced cardiac hypertrophic mice. In addition, SIRT3 overexpression protected myocytes from hypertrophy, whereas SIRT3 silencing exacerbated Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.In particular,SIRT3-KO mice exhibited significant cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, we identified NMNAT3 (nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 3), the rate-limiting enzyme for mitochondrial NAD biosynthesis, as a new target and binding partner of SIRT3.Specifically,SIRT3 physically interacts with and deacety-lates NMNAT3,thereby enhancing the enzyme activity of NMNAT3 and contributing to SIRT3-mediated anti-hypertrophic effects.Moreover,NMNAT3 regulates the activity of SIRT3 via synthesis of mitochon-dria NAD.Taken together,these findings provide mechanistic insights into the negative regulatory role of SIRT3 in cardiac hypertrophy.Sirtuin 3(SIRT3),a mitochondrial deacetylase that may play an impor-tant role in regulating cardiac function and a potential target for CHF

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of compound decoction on notoginsenosides in Panax notoginseng.

METHODNotoginsenoside R1, Rg1, Re, Rb1 and pH were used as the parameters to investigate the changes on the content of notoginsenosides in different compound extractions by heating for two hours and their correlation with pH.

RESULTWhen the pH values of solution of P. notoginseng with Fructus ligustri, P. notoginseng with Eupolyphaga seu steleophaga, P. notoginseng with Pheretima asiatica, and Zhitangjiang Fang (free of Hirudo) were rept higher than 5.7, the reserved rate (RR) of notoginsenside were higher than 90%; When the pH values of decoetion of P. notoginseng with Salvia miltiorrhiza, P. notoginseng with Paeonia lactiflora, P. notoginseng with Platycodon grandiflorum, P. notoginseng with Arctium lappa were kept 4.5-5.5, their RR of notoginsenside were 60% - 85%; When the pH values of the decotction of P. notoginseng with Hirudo nipponica was decreased to 3.4, its RR of of notoginsenside was 38.4%; When the pH values of Zhitangjiang Fang extraction was regulated by 0.1% NaOH solution to pH 6. 3, and the RR of notoginsenside increased to 97%.

CONCLUSIONThe pH of other Chinese herbal medicines extraction with P. notoginseng compound is a critical effect on the stability and yields of notoginsensides.

Animals ; Arctium ; chemistry ; Cockroaches ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; Hirudo medicinalis ; chemistry ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Ligustrum ; chemistry ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oligochaeta ; chemistry ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Platycodon ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanical behavior of lumbar spine loaded by stress and provide the mechanical basis for clinical analysis and judgement of lumbar spine fracture classification, mechanical distribution and static stress.

METHODSBy means of computer simulation method, the constructed lumbar spine three-dimensional model was introduced into three-dimensional finite element analysis by software Ansys 7.0. The lumbar spine mechanical behavior in different parts of the stress loading were calculated. Impact load is 0-8000 N. The peak value was 8000 N. The loading time is 0-40 minutes. The values of the main stress, stress distribution and the lumbar spine unit displacement in the direction of main stress were analyzed.

RESULTSThe lumbar spine model was divided into a total of 121 239 nodes, 112 491 units. It could objectively reflect the true anatomy of lumbar spine and its biomechanical behavior and obtain the end-plate images under different stress. The stress distribution on the lumbar intervertebral disc (L(3)-L(4)) under the axial, lateral flexion and extension stress, and the displacement trace of the corresponding processus articularis were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONIt is helpful to analyze the stress distribution of lumbar spine and units displacement in static stress loading in the clinical research of lumbar spine injury and the distribution of internal stress.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiology ; Sacrum ; physiology ; Stress, Mechanical