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

AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous L-carnitine on lipid metabolism in semi-starved rats fed on high fat diet. METHODS: The semi-starved rats were restricted half in calorie intake on high fat diet for 2 week. L-carnitine was supplied at dose of 250 mg/kg?bw. The changes of plasma carnitine concentration, urinary excretion of ketone body, serum lipase activity, muscle carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity, triglyceride secretion and clearance rate were measured. RESULTS: The results showed that the concentration of plasma free carnitine increased significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to normal and semi-starved rats.The activities of muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase and serum lipase were significantly enhanced in carnitine supplemented rats. The triglyceride secretion rate(TGSR) was also improved remarkably by carnitine supplementation. Meanwhile, the urinary excretion of ketone body was reduced significantly in carnitine supplemented rats compared to semi-starved rats. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that carnitine supplementation can significantly increase the plasma concentration of free carnitine and accelerate the lipid metabolism in semi-starved rats fed on high fat diet.

AIM: To investigate the antagonistic effect of zinc on hepatic ischemia- reperfusion (HIR) injury and the effect of zinc on the expression of adhesion molecules in rat liver to clarify the mechanisms involved. METHODS: After zinc supplementation (5 ?mol/kg bw,po) , the changes in hepatocellular morphology,ALT and AST activities in serum,MDA levels in serum,and expression of ICAM-1,VCAM-1 in liver of the animals subjected to HIR were examined. RESULTS: The results showed that HIR (30 minutes of ischemia followed by 90 minutes of reperfusion) significantly increased ALT, AST activities and MDA levels in serum. The destruction of hepatic structure was observed in HIR rats. In the mean time, the expression of adhesion molecule was enhanced.After zinc administration, ALT and AST activities in serum and MDA levels in serum were all decreased. The structure of hepatocyte was nearly normal.The further experiment showed that adhesion molecule expression was suppressed.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that zinc may protect liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting the production of free radicals and the expression of adhesion molecule.

Objective:[WT5BZ]To explore the molecular mechanism of protection of zinc against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury(HIRI). [WT5HZ]Methods:[WT5BZ]The expression of hepatic metallothionein 1(MT 1)gene and regulation by zinc were determined by RT PCR(reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction)in HIRI rats. [WT5HZ]Results:[WT5BZ]1.Hepatic MT 1 mRNA was expressed in all groups;2.The level of hepatic MT 1 mRNA in HIRI group(ischemia 30 min,reperfusion 90 min)was significantly lower than control.After zinc supplementation,the content of hepatic MT 1 mRNA was increased significantly;3.The hepatic MT 1 expression was also enhanced by zinc in normal rats. [WT5HZ]Conclusion:[WT5BZ]The results of our studies suggest that the regulation of hepatic MT 1 genes by zinc is one of the main ways contributed to the mechanism of protection by zinc in HIRI.

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.

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

The ascorbic acid in plasma was determined on the basis of reduction of ferric to ferrous ion and its formation of a colored complex with batho-phenanthroline. This method was highly correlated to Roe's dinitrophe-nylhydrazine method in the determination of plasma ascorbic acid of 16 normal adults and the correlation coefficient was 0.90. By animal experiment the new method may be used to discriminate different levels of plasma ascorbic acid. It is rather simple and water bath is not required. Only 0.25ml of plasma is needed for each determination. So this method is useful in assessing the ascorbic acid nutriture in tield survey.

Nutritional studies were made on eleven elderly male hospitalized patients (60-83 years old) receiving nasogastric feeding for from several months to as long as 10 years duration.The major nutrients intake obtained was listed in table 1. According to the physical examination, biochemical parameter of the blood and nitrogen balance, the average intake 1722 kcal of enegy (1175-2700 kcal) and 82.4 g of protein (52.6-117.3g) probably met the need of the patients. Vitamin status (B1 B2 C) by blood and urine examination was rather good because of taking additional vitamin preparation regularly daily besides meal sources. Blood cholesterol concentration was moderately higher (339.3mg/dl) than the normal value possibly due to excessive daily intake. It suggested that the intake of cholesterol should be restricted.A better nasogastric feeding regimen was presented and discussed.

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.