Effects of rhein on intestinal transmission, colonic electromyography and expression of aquaporin-3 by colonic epithelium cells in constipated mice.

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in the world. This study was to investigate the effects of rhein on intestinal transmission and colonic electromyography and expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) in the colonic mucosa of mice with constipation. The mouse model of constipation was established using the compound diphenoxylate. The first defecation time, the number of stools in the initial 6 hours and the promoting rate of eosin were measured as the bowel transit function. The BL-420F system was used to compare changes in the myoelectrical signals in the colons of the mice. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect the expression of AQP3 in the colonic mucosa of mice. Rhein had an obvious effect on the first defecation time and the number of red stool in the initial 6 hours. The first defecation time is reduced, and the number of red stools in 6 hours and the promoting rate of the small intestine were significantly increased after the treatment of rhein. In the rhein group, the slow-wave frequency and slow-wave amplitude of colonic myoelectrical activity were increased, and the mean optical density of AQP3 in the colonic mucosa and the area of positive expression were decreased. In conclusion, rhein can improve motor function and colonic electromyography of constipation mice, and reduce expression of AQP3 in the colonic mucosa, thereby relieving the symptoms of constipation effectively.

[Effect of Beclin-1 shRNA on hypoxia-induced autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of hypoxia on autophagy in Beclin-1-knockdown SH-SY5Y cells by constructing a stable transfected SH-SY5Y cell lines of silencing Beclin-1 gene. METHODS: Beclin-1shRNA lentiviral vector and negative control lentiviral vector were constructed; the vector was transfected into SH-SY5Y cells; then the expression of Beclin-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, the level of Beclin-1 protein was detected by Western blot. CCK-8 method was used to determine the effect of Beclin-1 knockdown on the viability of SH-SY5Y cells. Next, the blank control, negative control and transfected cells were cultured under 21% normoxia and 5% hypoxia conditions. The expression of LC3 protein in each group was detected by Western blot and the autophagic bodies were observed by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Beclin-1 shRNA significantly inhibited the expression of Beclin-1 mRNA and protein in SH-SY5Y cells; after silencing Beclin 1 gene, the survival rate of Beclin-1 shRNA group cells was no different from that of negative control (NC) group. After 5% hypoxia treatment, compared with NC group, the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰand the number of autophagy bodies were all decreased in Beclin-1 shRNA group. CONCLUSIONS: Beclin-1 knockdown SH-SY5Y cell lines and negative control cell lines were successfully established. Lentivirus-mediated Beclin-1 shRNA has no effect on the viability of SH-SY5Y cells, but can inhibit hypoxia-induced autophagy.

[Effects of aminooxyacetic acid on the learning and memory ability and its possible mechanism in rats with chronic alcoholism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA) on learning and memory ability and possible mechanisms in rats with chronic alcoholism. METHODS: Sixty SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups on average.The model group rats and the remedy group rats were fed with the water containing (v/v) 6% alcohol for 28 days.After 14 days, the remedy group rats were treated with AOAA (5 mg/kg·d) by intraperitoneal injection once a day for 14 days and the other two group rats were treated with the equal amount of saline by intraperitoneal injection every day.Five days before the end of the experiment, the water maze test was carried out to test the learning and memory ability of rats for 5 days.Subsequently, the content of H2S, the activity of ATP enzyme and the expression of 5-HT in hippocampus were measured. RESULTS: Compared with the rats in the control group, the latency and the swimming distance of the 2nd to the 4th day, the content of H2S in hippocampus of rats in the model group were all increased, the mitochondrial ATP enzyme activity in hippocampus and the positive expression of 5-HT in hippocampus CA1 and CA3 of rats in the model group were decreased (P<0.01).Compared with the rats in the model group, the latency and the swimming distance of the 2nd to the 4th day, the content of H2S in hippocampus of the rats in the remedy group were decreased, the mitochondrial ATP enzyme activity in hippocampus and the positive expression of 5-HT in hippocampus CA1 and CA3 of rats in the model group were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: AOAA could alleviate the symptoms of chronic alcoholism rats, which may be related to the effects of AOAA on the content of H2S, the mitochondrial enzyme activity and the expression of 5-HT in hippocampus.

Arginine vasopressin relates with spatial learning and memory in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

Spinocerebellar ataxia is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that the most prevalent type is type 3 (SCA3). Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is released within the lateral septum for controlling the learning and memory. This communication studied the effect of AVP on the spatial learning and memory of SCA3 mice. The spatial learning and memory were analyzed by Morris water maze test (MWM), and AVP concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that (Alves et al., 2010) the swimming velocity, distance traveled and latency to the platform of MWM in SCA3 mice were reduced slower than those in WT mice over 4 training days (p<0.05, 0.01 or 0.001); (Antunes and Zimmerman, 1978) SCA3 mice showed a lower performance of spatial learning and memory of MWM during the fifth day (test day) compared to WT mice; (Bao et al., 2014) SCA3 mice had a decrease of AVP concentration in cerebral cortex (6.3±0.6pg/mg vs. 11.4±1.0pg/mg, p<0.01), hypothalamus (6.1±1.3ng/mg vs. 10.3±2.1ng/mg, p<0.05), hippocampus (3.2±0.5pg/mg vs. 5.2±1.0pg/mg, p<0.01) and cerebellum (4.7±0.9pg/mg vs. 8.3±1.1pg/mg, p<0.01), not in spinal cord, pituitary and serum; and (Barberies and Tribollet, 1996) intraventricular AVP could significantly quicken swimming velocity, cut down distance traveled and reduce latency to the platform of MWM in a dose-dependent manner, but intraventricular AVP receptor antagonist weakened the spatial learning and memory of MWM in SCA3 mice during the fifth day. The data suggested that AVP in the brain, not spinal cord and peripheral system of SCA3 mice related with the change of the spatial learning and memory of MWM.

Enrichment of MTHFR 677 T in a Chinese long-lived cohort and its association with lipid modulation.

BACKGROUND: Variants in the Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene may result in a lowered catalytic activity and associate with subsequent elevated serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentration, abnormal DNA synthesis and methylation, cardiovascular risk, and unhealthy aging. Several investigations on the relationship of MTHFR C677T polymorphism with serum lipid profile and longevity have been conducted in some populations, but the findings remain mixed. Herein, we sought to look at the association between MTHFR C677T and lipid profile in a longevous cohort in Bama, a well-known home of longevity in China. METHODS: Genotyping of MTHFR C677T was undertaken in 516 long-lived inhabitants (aged 90 and older, long-lived group, LG) and 493 healthy controls (aged 60-75, non-long-lived group, non-LG) recruited from Bama area. Correlation between MTHFR genotypes and lipids was then evaluated. RESULTS: T allele and TT genotype were significantly more prevalent in LG (P=0.001 and 0.002, respectively), especially in females, than in non-LG. No difference in the tested lipid measures among MTHFR C677T genotypes was observed in LG, non-LG and total population (P>0.05 for all). However, female but not male T carriers exhibited higher TC and LDL-C levels than did T noncarriers in the total population and in LG after stratification by sex (P<0.05 for each). These differences did not however remain through further subdivision by hyperlipidemia and normolipidemia. CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence of MTHFR 677 T genotypes and its modest unfavorable impact on lipids in Bama long-lived individuals may imply an existence of other protective genotypes which require further determination.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein TaqIB polymorphism and its association with serum lipid levels and longevity in Chinese Bama Zhuang population.

BACKGROUND: TaqIB polymorphism in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene has been reported to be associated with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and longevity in several populations, but controversial results also arose probably due to racial/ethnic diversity. Bama is a remote and mountainous county located in the northwest of Guangxi, People's Republic of China, which has been well known for its longevity for centuries. The current study was to investigate the possible association of CETP TaqIB polymorphism with serum lipid levels and longevity in the Bama Zhuang population. METHODS: The CETP TaqIB genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism in 523 long-lived inhabitants (long-lived group, LG; aged 90-107 years) and 498 healthy controls without longevity family history (non-long-lived group, non-LG; aged 40-69 years) residing in Bama County. RESULTS: The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were higher but TG, HDL-C/LDL-C ratio and the prevalence of dyslipidemia were lower in LG than in non-LG (P < 0.001 for all). There were no differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies between the two groups (P > 0.05). Serum HDL-C levels and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio in LG were different among the genotypes (P < 0.01 for each), the subjects with B2B2 and B1B2 genotyes had higher HDL-C levels and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio than the subjects with B1B1genotye, whereas the levels of TC and HDL-C in non-LG were different among/between the genotypes (P < 0.01 for each), the B2 allele carriers had lower TC and higher HDL-C levels than the B2 allele noncarriers. Serum TG and HDL-C levels and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio were correlated with genotypes in LG, whereas serum TC and HDL-C levels were associated with genotypes in non-LG (P < 0.05-0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The association of CETP TaqIB polymorphism and serum lipid profiles is different between LG and non-LG in the Chinese Bama Zhuang population. CETP TaqIB polymorphism might be one of the longevity-related genetic factors in this population.

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene -493G/T polymorphism and its association with serum lipid levels in Bama Zhuang long-living families in China.

BACKGROUND: The -493G/T polymorphism in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene is associated with lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels and longevity in several populations, but the results are inconsistent in different racial/ethnic groups. The current study was to investigate the plausible association of MTP -493G/T polymorphism with serum lipid levels and longevity in Zhuang long-lived families residing in Bama area, a famous home of longevity in Guangxi, China. METHODS: The MTP -493G/T was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 391 Bama Zhuang long-lived families (BLF, n = 1467, age 56.60 ± 29.43 years) and four control groups recruited from Bama and out-of-Bama area with or without a familial history of exceptional longevity: Bama non-long-lived families (BNLF, n = 586, age 44.81 ± 26.83 years), Bama non-Zhuang long-lived families (BNZLF, n = 444, age 52.09 ± 31.91 years), Pingguo long-lived families (PLF, n = 658, age 50.83 ± 30.30 years), and Pingguo non-long-lived families (PNLF, n = 539, age 38.74 ± 24.69 years). Correlation analyses between genotypes and serum lipid levels and longevity were then performed. RESULTS: No particularly favorable lipoprotein and clinical phenotypes were seen in BLF as compared to general families in the same area. Instead, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia were significantly higher in the three Bama families as compared to the two non-Bama families (P < 0.01 for all). There were no differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the tested cohorts (P > 0.05 for all), but the TT genotype tended to enrich in the three long-lived cohorts from both areas. In addition, the individuals harboring TT genotype exhibited lower LDL-C and TC levels in the overall populations and Bama populations with a region- and sex-specific pattern. Multiple linear regression analyses unraveled that LDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in Bama combined population, BNLF, and the total population (P < 0.05 for each) but not in Pingguo populations; TC and HDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in Bama combined population and BLF, respectively (P < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: MTP -493G/T polymorphism may play an important role in fashioning the serum lipid profiles of Bama populations, despite no direct association between MTP -493G/T and longevity was detected.

[Analysis of publication of West China Journal of Stomatology from 2000 to 2005].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristic of publication of West China Journal of Stomatology (WCJS). METHODS: Making use of literature metrology, a comprehensive analysis of the information publication of West China Journal of Stomatology from 2000 to 2005 was made. RESULTS: The quantity of articles published from 2000 to 2005 in West China Journal of Stomatology was 964, the average fund paper ratio was 0.419, 96.78% of articles had more than one author, and the average paper author cooperating degree was 4.01. The authors scattered in 31 provinces. CONCLUSION: West China Journal of Stomatology is one of the most important information source of stomatology.

[Experimental study on the reconstruction of bone defects in vivo and the osteoinduction with degradation products of alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to clarify the characteristics of alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements in reconstructing bone defects and the action of degradation products of cements in vitro. METHODS: The defect (diameter 1.5 cm) was created in the calvaria of rabbit. Alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements were planted in the treatment groups. All groups were observed by histological examination and roentgenography. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSc) were cultured in the degradation products of cements in vitro, and were observed by means of cytology and ALP. RESULTS: Degradation of artificial bone, new bone formation, and osteogenesis between artificial bone particles were observed at 12 weeks after implantation. Osteoinduction was observed in vitro. CONCLUSION: Alpha-tricalcium phosphate cements have good biocompatibility, osteoinductivity and degradability, and are ideal bone substitute material for reconstruction.