OBJECTIVE: To compare the analgesic effect of Jin Ling Zi Powder (JLZ) and its two single herbs. METHODS: The hot plate method was used to induce pain. Totally 36 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups by a complete random design, including control, model, aspirin (ASP, 0.14 g/kg body weight), JLZ (14 g/kg body weight), Corydalis yanhusuo (YHS, 14 g/kg body weight), and Toosendan Fructus (TF, 14 g/kg body weight) groups, 6 mice in each group. The mice in the control and model groups were given the same volume of saline, daily for 2 consecutive weeks. At 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the last administration, the pain threshold of mice in each group was measured, and the improvement rate of pain threshold was calculated. Serum endogenous metabolites were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in pain threshold among groups before administration (P>0.05). After 2 weeks of administration, compared with the model group, the pain threshold in JLZ, YHS, TF and ASP groups were increased to varying degrees (P<0.05). JLZ had the best analgesic effect and was superior to YHS and TF groups. A total of 14 potential biomarkers were screened in serum data analysis and potential biomarkers levels were all reversed to different degrees after the treatment with JLZ and its single herbs. These potential biomarkers were mainly related to glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and inositol phosphate metabolism. CONCLUSIONS The analgesic mechanism of JLZ and YHS was mainly due to the combination of glycine and its receptor, producing post-synaptic potential, reducing the excitability of neurons, and weakening the afferent effect of painful information.
Animals ; Mice ; Analgesics/therapeutic use* ; Aspirin/pharmacology* ; Biomarkers ; Body Weight ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Glycine ; Glyoxylates ; Inositol Phosphates ; Isoleucine ; Leucine ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Powders ; RNA, Transfer ; Serine ; Threonine ; Valine

Neuropathic pain is a chronic debilitating symptom characterized by spontaneous pain and mechanical allodynia. It occurs in distinct forms, including brush-evoked dynamic and filament-evoked punctate mechanical allodynia. Potassium channel 2.1 (Kir2.1), which exhibits strong inward rectification, is and regulates the activity of lamina I projection neurons. However, the relationship between Kir2.1 channels and mechanical allodynia is still unclear. In this study, we first found that pretreatment with ML133, a selective Kir2.1 inhibitor, by intrathecal administration, preferentially inhibited dynamic, but not punctate, allodynia in mice with spared nerve injury (SNI). Intrathecal injection of low doses of strychnine, a glycine receptor inhibitor, selectively induced dynamic, but not punctate allodynia, not only in naïve but also in ML133-pretreated mice. In contrast, bicuculline, a GABA receptor antagonist, induced only punctate, but not dynamic, allodynia. These results indicated the involvement of glycinergic transmission in the development of dynamic allodynia. We further found that SNI significantly suppressed the frequency, but not the amplitude, of the glycinergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (gly-sIPSCs) in neurons on the lamina II-III border of the spinal dorsal horn, and pretreatment with ML133 prevented the SNI-induced gly-sIPSC reduction. Furthermore, 5 days after SNI, ML133, either by intrathecal administration or acute bath perfusion, and strychnine sensitively reversed the SNI-induced dynamic, but not punctate, allodynia and the gly-sIPSC reduction in lamina IIi neurons, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest that blockade of Kir2.1 channels in the spinal dorsal horn selectively inhibits dynamic, but not punctate, mechanical allodynia by enhancing glycinergic inhibitory transmission.
Animals ; Bicuculline ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hyperalgesia ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; pharmacology ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Phenanthrolines ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Receptors, GABA-A ; metabolism ; Receptors, Glycine ; metabolism ; Strychnine ; pharmacology ; Synaptic Transmission ; drug effects ; physiology ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; Touch

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in acute liver injury induced by crushing hind limbs of rats. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into the following groups: control, crushing, H2S donor sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) + crushing, H2S inhibitor propargylglycine (PAG) + crushing group. The acute liver injury model was established by 'crushing the hind limbs of rats with standard weight. Rats were sacrificed at 30 min and 120 min after the crush. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured by colorimetric method, and the content of H2S in plasma and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, glutathione (GSH) in the liver and the activity of H2S generating enzyme (cystathionine y-lyase, CSE) were determined by chemical method. The expression of CSE mRNA in liver was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: For crush injury group, the levels of AST and ALT in serum, MDA and protein carbonyl in liver increased. The levels of GSH, CSE, CSE mRNA in liver and H2S in serum decreased. The administration of NaHS before limbs crush could attenuate the changes of liver injury, but the pre-treatment with PAG could exacerbate the changes. CONCLUSION The decrease of H2S production could involve in mediating the acute liver injury induced by traumatic stress in rats.
Alanine Transaminase/blood* ; Alkynes/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/blood* ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase/metabolism* ; Glutathione/metabolism* ; Glycine/pharmacology* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology* ; Liver/injuries* ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism* ; Protein Carbonylation ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sulfides/pharmacology*

This study aims to detect the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in lung carcinoma A549 cells, and to investigate the effects of mGluR8 and mGluR4 activation on the growth of A549 cells in vitro. The mRNA expression levels of the 8 subtypes of mGluRs in A549 cells were determined by real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the protein expression of mGluR4 and mGluR8 in A549 cells and lung tissue sections obtained from lung adenocarcinoma patients. To observe the effects of mGluR8 and mGluR4 activation on the growth of A549 cells, the cultured cells were treated with (S)-3,4-DCPG (an agonist of mGluR8) and VU0155041 (an agonist of mGluR4), respectively, and then the cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 kit, the percentage of DNA synthesis was detected by EdU incorporation, and the apoptosis of the cells was measured by hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. The results showed that there were low expressions of mGluR1, mGluR5, mGluR6, mGluR7 mRNA, no expression of mGluR2 and mGluR3 mRNA, and high expressions of mGluR8 and mGluR4 mRNA in A549 cells. Accordingly, there were also mGluR4 and mGluR8 protein expressions in the A549 cells and the lung adenocarcinoma tissue sections. VU0155041 had no effect on the growth of A549 cells, but (S)-3,4-DCPG significantly decreased the cells' growth in a dose-dependent manner and increased the apoptosis of the cells. The results revealed a role of mGluR8 in the growth and apoptosis of A549 cells and suggested a potential target for clinical treatment of lung cancer.
Anilides ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids ; pharmacology ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; physiology

The purpose of this study is to explore depression metabolic markers in rat hippocampus and to investigate the anti-depressant effect of genipin and its mechanisms using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabonomics. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) procedure was conducted to establish the depressive rat model. At the beginning of the third week, genipin low dose (25 mg x kg(-1)), middle dose (50 mg x kg(-1)), high dose (100 mg x kg(-1)), and venlafaxine (50 mg x kg(-1)) were given to the CUMS rats separately once daily for two weeks except control and model groups. Rat hippocampus was analyzed by 1H NMR based metabonomics after drug administration for 2 weeks. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of rat hippocampus of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed with metabolic effects of CUMS including decreasing in glycine and N-acetylaspartate, increasing in inositol, glutamate, lactate, glutamine, taurine and alanine. Genipin showed ideal antidepressive effects at a dose of 50 mg x kg(-1) in rats, decrease of inositol, glutamate, lactate, alanine were observed, while glycine and N-acetylaspartate were increased. Important influence has been found on normal nervous system function of these significant changed metabolites, which suggests that the antidepressant effect of genipin may be played by enhancing the activity of neurons in hippocampus, repairing and improving the function of the neuron. The metabonomics approach is an effective tool for the investigation of the anti-depressant effect and pharmacologic mechanisms of genipin.
Alanine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Aspartic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Gardenia ; chemistry ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Glycine ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Inositol ; metabolism ; Iridoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Lactic Acid ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VL-PAG) metabotropic glutamate receptors subtype 7 and 8 (mGluR 7/8) in descending modulation of cardiosomatic motor reflex (CMR) in rats.

METHODSAMN082 (agonist of mGluR 7) and DCPG (agonist of mGluR 8) were injected into the VL-PAG of a rat model of CMR to observe their effects in modulating CMR. The raphe magnus nucleus (NRM) or the gigantocellular reticular nucleus (Gi) was then damaged, and the changes in VL-PAG descending modulation were observed.

RESULTSSelective activation of mGluR 7 of the VL-PAG by AMN082 obviously facilitated capsaicin (CAP)-induced CMR (P<0.05), which was suppressed by DCPG-induced mGluR 8 activation (P<0.05). These facilitatory or inhibitory effects were completely reversed by group III mGluR antagonist MSOP. Damaging the NRM of VL-PAG main relay nucleus did not significantly affect the facilitatory effect produced by AMN082 microinjection (P>0.05), but partially attenuated the inhibitory effect of DCPG microinjection (P<0.05). Both the facilitatory effect of AMN082 and the inhibitory effect of DCPG were reduced obviously after bilateral Gi damage (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONVL-PAG mGluR 7 and mGluR 8 mediate biphasic regulation of CMR in rats probably through activation of different sub-nuclei and different neurons in the rostroventral medulla.

Animals ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Male ; Medulla Oblongata ; metabolism ; Periaqueductal Gray ; metabolism ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate ; agonists ; metabolism ; Reflex ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate function of glycine receptors (GlyRs) at the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and to characterize the pharmacological properties of these receptors at early postnatal stage. METHODS: We used whole cell patch clamp recording to study the current response in the acutely prepared hippocampal slices from postnatal day 11-13 rats induced by glycine applied in the artificial cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: Application of glycine to the pyramidal cells elicited strychnine sensitive chloride currents. EC50 for GlyRs respond to glycine was 123. 23 μmol/L and Hill coefficient was 1.24. Picrotoxin could partly blocked the currents. CONCLUSION Strychnine sensitive glycine receptors are functionally expressed in CA1 pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal CA1 area at early postnatal stage, and some of GlyRs are αβ heteromeric receptors.
Animals ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal ; cytology ; Glycine ; pharmacology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Pyramidal Cells ; drug effects ; Rats ; Receptors, Glycine ; metabolism ; Strychnine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study and compare the effect of neutrophil elastase inhibitors (GW311616A and sivelestat) on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells.

METHODSInhibitory effects of GW311616A and sivelestat on the proliferation of U937 cells were assayed by MTT assay. The morphologic changes of U937 cells were detected by transmission electron microscope, and apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of NE in U937 cells was observed by indirect immunofluorescence, the variations of content and activity of NE in U937 cells were measured through ELISA assay and colorimetric method.

RESULTSMTT showed that both NE inhibitors could inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 of GW311616A and sivelestat were 150 and 214 μmol/L respectively. The inhibition effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01). Typical apoptosis morphological changes of U937 cells was observed through electron microscope. AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining showed that U937 cells could be induced to undergo apoptosis by the two inhibitors, the apoptosis ratio of 150μmol/L GW311616A group (13.60%) was significantly higher than that of 150μmol/L sivelestat group (3.69%)(P<0.01). The result of flow cytometry indicated that the apoptosis ratio of 150 μmol/L GW311616A group was 14.61%, U937 cell cycle was mainly blocked in G2/M phase; meanwhile 150 μmol/L sivelestat group as 4.25% with cell cycle in S phase. The fluorescence intensity of GW311616A group obviously decreased than of sivelestat group. And the two inhibitors could reduce the content and activity of NE in U937 cells, but the effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONGW311616A and sivelestat could inhibit the proliferation and cause apoptosis of U937 cells. Furthermore, GW311616A was more effective and harmful to cells than sivelestat.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leukocyte Elastase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory ; pharmacology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

This study is to investigate the role of endogenous CSE/H2S in regulating apoptosis of HepG2 cells. MTT and Trypan blue assay were performed to determine the effect of CSE inhibitor PAG and CSE siRNA on proliferation of HepG2. Production of H2S from HepG2 cells was assessed spectrophotometrically using N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine-dihydrochloride. Cells apoptosis was detected by means of double staining of Hoechst 33342 and PI with Array Scan V(TI)HCS600 High-Contents. Dihydroethidine (DHE) and 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay was used to determine intracellular superoxide anion and ROS level. Reduced glutathione (GSH) was determined by OxiSelect Total Glutathione Assay Kit. Recombinant plasmid pcDNA 3.1/myc-His(-)-CSE was constructed and transfected into 293T cells to rescue the ROS and GSH level to further investigate the effect of CSE/H2S on ROS and GSH. Western blotting was performed to test the effect of CSE siRNA on expression of activated caspase 3 and p-AKT and Nrf2 protein. The results showed that PAG and CSE siRNA could significantly decrease the production of H2S in HepG2 cells and inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells at a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, respectively. PAG and CSE siRNA could promote the cell apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Moreover, PAG and CSE siRNA induced increased ROS generation and depletion of the critical antioxidant GSH and recombinant plasmid pcDNA 3.1/myc-His(-)-CSE rescued the level of ROS and GSH. Meanwhile, CSE siRNA increased the expression of activated caspase 3, but CSE siRNA did not affect the expression of p-AKT and Nrf2. These results suggested that the CSE/H2S pathway was involved in suppression of HepG2 cell growth and promoted apoptosis of HepG2 cells in an oxidative stress-dependent manner.
Alkynes ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glycine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; HEK293 Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo research the content changes of excitatory neurotransmitter and inhibitory neurotransmitter in corpus striatum of rats after single-used borneol and combining it with diazepam in hope of comprehending the activity of borneol on central nervous system and to observe whether borneol could increase the penetration of other drugs into the brain.

METHODThe content of four amino acids neurotransmitters in corpus striatum of rats were sampled by brain microdialysis technology at different time after administration and were determined by RP-HPLC which involved pre-column derivation with orthophthaladehyde (OPA), using phosphate gradient elution and fluorescence detection to detect the content of excitatory neurotransmitter aspartate (Asp), glutamate (Glu) and inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine (Gly), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in standards and samples and carry on statistical analysis.

RESULTThe content of both Gly and GABA in corpus striatum of rats with borneol increased significantly, compared with diazepam group (P < 0.05), while Asp and Glu showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONBorneol can improve permeability of diazepam through BBB.

Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; analysis ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Bornanes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Corpus Striatum ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Diazepam ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; analysis ; Glycine ; analysis ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; analysis