Analysis of constituents from different parts of Callicarpa nudiflora by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this study was to clarify the main components of the green leaves of Callicarpa nudiflora,and to compare the difference of main components between the green leaves,yellow leaves,branches and seeds. In this study,ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with the UNIFI scientific information system was adopted. And the identification of the main chemical components of C. nudiflora was combined with reference materials,literatures and online database. In addition,the difference of main components was analyzed by Progenesis QI,principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant(OPLS-DA). A total of 57 compounds were identified in green leaves,including phenylpropanoids,flavonoids and iridoids. Among them,the relative content of phenylethanoid glycosides was highest. Furthermore,the PCA analysis showed that there are significant differences in main components of the branches and other parts of C. nudiflora. Combined with OPLS-DA analysis,nudifloside,parvifloroside B and β-hydroxysamioside were selected as the characteristic components for distinguish the leaves and branches of C. nudiflora. Our study provided a scientific basis for the collection and identification of C. nudiflora.

Pharmacological actions of miltirone in the modulation of platelet function / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge contains various active constituents, some of which have been developed as commercially available medicine. Moreover, some other ingredients in Salvia miltiorrhiza play great roles in anti-platelet activity. The aim of the present study was to investi-gate the effects and the underlying mechanism of miltirone,a lipophilic compound of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. METHODS The ability of miltirone to modulate platelet function was investigated by a variety of in vitro and in vivo experiments.Platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion induced by various agonists were measured with platelet aggregometer.Clot retraction and spreading were imaged by digital camera and fl uorescence microscope. Ferric chloride-induced carotid injury model and pulmonary thromboembolism model were used to check miltirone effect in vivo. To elucidate the mechanisms of anti-platelet activity of miltirone,flow cytometry and Western blotting were performed. RESULTS Miltirone (2,4,8 μmol·L-1)was shown to suppress platelet aggregation,dense granule and α granule secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, miltirone inhibited the clot retraction and spreading of washed platelets.It reduced the phosphorylation of PLCγ2,PKC,Akt,GSK3β and ERK1/2 in the down-stream signal pathway of collagen receptor.It also reduced the phosphorylation of Src and FAK in the integrin αⅡbβ3 mediated"outside-in"signaling,while it did not suppress the phosphorylation of β3.In addition, miltirone prolonged the occlusion time and reduced collagen/epinephrine induced pulmonary thrombi. CONCLUSION Miltirone suppresses platelet "inside-out" and "outside-in" signaling by affecting PLCγ2/PKC/ERK1/2, PI3K/Akt and Src/FAK signaling. Therefore, miltirone might represent a potential anti-platelet candidate for the prevention of thrombotic disorders.

Relationship between PMI and ATR-FTIR Spectral Changes in Swine Costal Cartilages and Ribs / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze postmortem chemical changes in Landrace costal cartilages and ribs using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and to provide a novel technique for estimation of postmortem interval (PMI).@*METHODS@#The swines were sacrificed by hemorrhage and their costal cartilages and ribs were kept in 20 degrees C. The chemical analysis of the costal cartilages and ribs were performed using ATR-FTIR every 72 h. The correlation between the certain spectral parameters and PMI was also analyzed. The time-dependent changes of costal cartilages were more significant than ribs.@*RESULTS@#There were no obvious changes for the main absorbance bands position, and some absorbance band ratios showed time-dependent changes and significant correlations with the PMI.@*CONCLUSION@#ATR-FTIR has the ability to analyze postmortem chemical changes of the swine costal cartilages and ribs, and it can be a new method to estimate PMI based on spectroscopy.

Influence of thyroid dysfunction on male sexual and reproductive functions and its mechanisms / 中华男科学杂志

Thyroid dysfunction may affect the body growth metabolism and the synthesis and secretion of sex steroids. A large number of clinical and basic studies suggest that thyroid hormone abnormality can cause sexual and reproductive problems. Patients with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may develop not only premature ejaculation but also erectile dysfunction. The thyroid hormone level also influences Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and spermatogenesis. This review focuses on the association of thyroid dysfunction with male premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and infertility and its mechanisms.

The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in horses in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, northwestern China / Prevalência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondiiem cavalos na Região de Uygur, Xinjiang, Noroeste da China

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect warm-blooded animals and humans. The present study was performed to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China. A total of 637 blood samples were collected from seven regions in Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang in 2011 and assayed for T. gondiiantibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Risk factors (age, gender, and region) related to seroprevalence were determined by a multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 200 horses (31.4%, 95% CI 27.79–35.00) were seropositive for T. gondii. Age, gender, and region present no association with seroprevalence (p>0.05) in the logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that T. gondii is widely prevalent in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China, representing a serious threat to animal and human health. Therefore, more careful measures should be performed to control and prevent T. gondii infection in horses from Xinjiang, northwestern China.

A toxoplasmose é uma zoonose global causada pelo Toxoplasma gondii, o qual pode infectar animais de sangue quente e seres humanos. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar a soroprevalência em cavalos para T. gondii, na região de Xinjiang, no Noroeste da China. Em 2011, foram recolhidas 637 amostras de sangue em sete distritos da Prefeitura Autônoma de Changji Hui do Xinjiang, as quais foram testadas para a presença de anticorpos, utilizando-se o teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT). Foram estimados fatores de risco relacionados com a soroprevalência (idade, sexo e distrito), através de uma análise de regressão logística multivariada. Um total de 200 equinos (31,4%, 95% IC 27,79 – 35,00) foi positivo para T. gondii. Idade, sexo e região estudada não apresentaram associação com a soroprevalência (p>0,05) na análise de regressão logística. Os resultados revelam que a infecção por T. gondii tem uma prevalência generalizada em todo o território de Xinjiang, no Noroeste da China, constituindo uma séria ameaça à saúde de animais e de humanos. Consequentemente, propõe-se que sejam adotadas medidas reforçadas para o controle e prevenção da infecção de cavalos por T. gondii, no Xinjiang, Noroeste da China.

The hypolipidemic effect of artesunate and ursolic acid in rats

To find the novel hypolipidemic agents, the effects of ursolic acid and artesunate on hyperlipidemia were determined in rats fed a Western-type diet developed a hyperlipidemia. Rats received ursolic acid [50 mg/kg] or artesunate [50 mg/kg] alone, or in combination [25+25 mg/kg and 50+50 mg/kg], to prevent hyperlipidemia. Ursolic acid or artesunate alone significantly decreased the plasma triglyceride, but had no effect on the levels of cholesterol. The combination of ursolic acid and artesunate can reduce both triglyceride and cholesterol, and the effects were more potent than either agent alone, which indicates a strong synergistic effect. The hypolipidemic effect of artesunate is firstly reported. Its combination with ursolic acid might have the potential to further develop for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Effect of aquaporin-4 deficiency on intravenous anaesthetic induced hypnotic effects in mice / 生理学报

The deficiency of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has been reported to alter release of neurotransmitters in the mouse brain. However, the functional relevance of AQP4 in mediating essential components of the general anaesthetic state is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of AQP4 in general anaesthesia in mice lacking AQP4. The hypnotic effects of propofol, ketamine, and pentobarbital in AQP4 knockout (KO) and CD1 control mice were evaluated using the behavioural endpoint of loss of righting reflex (LORR). The effects of propofol on extracellular levels of amino acids in prefrontal cortex of freely moving mice were investigated using microdialysis coupled to high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection. The result showed that, after receiving ketamine or pentobarbital, LORR occurred at earlier time in KO mice than that in control animals. Intraperitoneal injection of ketamine or pentobarbital increased the duration of LORR. After the administration of propofol, the duration of LORR was significantly reduced in KO mice compared with that in controls. Propofol increased the extracellular levels of aspartate, glutamate, and GABA, but not taurine, in prefrontal cortex. There were significant differences of increase patterns of the three kinds of neurotransmitters between KO and WT mice. Notably, the duration of GABA level increase correlated with the duration of LORR in two genotypes of mice. These results provide in vivo evidence of different responses in time-dependent release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in prefrontal cortex of the two genotypes of mice. It is suggested that changes in anaesthetic reactions in mice with AQP4 loss may be related to neurotransmitter regulation, and that normal functioning of AQP4 plays an important role in the maintenance of anaesthetic hypnosis.

Calculation of likelihood ratio for X-STR typing in kinship testing / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To deduce the calculation formulae of likelihood ratio for kinship testing with X-short tandem repeat (X-STR) typing.@*METHODS@#With the identity by decent coefficient of different relationships, the joint genotypic probability of two individuals with specific genotypes was calculated as X value, and then the joint genotypic probability of two unrelated individuals was calculated as Y value; therefore, the likelihood ratio value (X/Y) was obtained.@*RESULTS@#The calculation formulae of the likelihood ratio for different genotype combinations of the female-female, female-male and male-male genetic relationships were derived and verified by real cases.@*CONCLUSION@#The calculation formulae are simple and accurate to evaluate the likelihood ratio for two individuals' genetic relationship with X-STR typing. The formulae provide the basic potential value for the difficult kinship testing with X-STR loci.

Analysis of allelic drop-out at short tandem repeat loci / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the cause for allelic drop-out at short tandem repeat (STR) loci upon paternity testing with a PowerPlex® 16 kit.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 10 642 DNA confirmed paternity testing cases (18 314 parent/child allelic transfers) were analyzed with the PowerPlex® 16 kit. Samples suspected for having allelic drop-out were verified with an Identifiler™ kit and/or locus-specific singleplex amplification systems. PCR products of null alleles were separated and directly sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight cases of allelic drop-out were found. The overall rate of null allele in the PowerPlex® 16 system was 0.437 × 10(-3). DNA sequencing has confirmed single base variations within the binding region of published primers, in which 4 cases involved the D18S51 locus (2 cases with G>A transitions at 79 bp upstream of the repeats, 1 case with G>T transversion at 162 bp downstream of the repeats and 1 case with G>C transversion at 74 bp upstream of the repeats), 2 cases involved the D21S11 locus (1 case with C>A transversion at 17 bp upstream of the repeats and 1 case with A>G transition at 12 bp upstream of the repeats). One case involved the FGA locus (1 case with G>A transition at 142 bp downstream of the repeats) and 1 case involved TPOX locus (1 case with G>A transition at 198 bp downstream of the repeats).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Base variation in the primer binding region may cause failed PCR and result in null allele reports. Alternative primer sets should be used to verify the suspected allelic drop-out. Attention should be paid to this during paternity testing and data exchange for personal identification.</p>

Learning resource exploration of anesthesiology postgraduate / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Thorough excavation and artful utilization of various kinds concrete and invisible learning resources contribute to the cultivation of excellent postgraduates.In postgraduate education of anesthesiology Xuzhou Medical College utilizes time,network,technique platform,research outcome,self-potentiality and clinical patients resources,which produces an active effect and has important instructional significance.

The risk factors for ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among adolescents

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is garnering increasing interest and acceptance as one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for NAFLD among selected adolescent students in Hualien City, Taiwan.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A stratified random sampling scheme was carried out among 1724 adolescent students aged 12 or 13 years old in Hualien City. In total, 220 students (normal: overweight: obese = 97:48:75) agreed to join the study. They underwent physical examination, laboratory tests and ultrasonography examination of the liver. Diagnosis of NAFLD in this study was based on sonographic evidence of a fatty liver and testing negative for serum HBsAg and anti- HCV antibody.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 220 participants, 4 were excluded because they tested positive for HBsAg or anti-HCV antibody. NAFLD was detected in 86 (39.8%) out of the 216 subjects. The rate of NAFLD in the adolescents increased progressively from 16.0% in the normal group to 50.5% in the overweight group, and 63.5% among the obese subjects. Compared to their normal counterparts, adolescents with NAFLD had a significantly higher weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride and nonhigh- density-lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol. However, among the participants with NAFLD, only 20 (23.3%) showed ALT abnormality but there was an increasing trend of ALT abnormality as the severity of fatty liver increased. In addition, the higher ALT, Homeostasis model assessment- insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), cholesterol, triglyceride, and non-HDL levels and lower HDL-C as the severity of fatty liver increased. In a stepwise logistic regression analysis, the most significant factor associated with the presence of NAFLD was weight category. When compared with their normal counterparts, overweight and obese adolescents had a 4.14 and 5.98 times the risk of having NAFLD, respectively. Elevated ALT was the second most important factor as adolescents with elevated ALT were more likely to have NAFLD (odds ratio = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.16 to 9.50). Non-HDL cholesterol level was the third most important factor associated with NAFLD with a 3.81-fold increase in risk incurred for every l n (1 mg/dL) increment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Obesity, ALT abnormality and elevated non-HDL-cholesterol are risk factors for NAFLD in adolescents. However, only 23.3% of the adolescents with NAFLD showed an abnormality for ALT. Therefore, ALT alone is not a sufficient indicator; and it is recommended that ultrasonography of the liver should be part of the routine health examination of obese adolescents.</p>

Systematic evaluation of acupuncture for treatment of post-stroke spastic paralysis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of acupuncture on post-stroke spastic paralysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A systematic evaluation including all the relavant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of post-stroke spastic paralysis were carried out according to the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine hundred and seventy-eight patients being included in fourteen papers met the enrolled criteria. However, their methodological quality was relatively poor. Meta-analysis of nine trials indicated that there was no significant difference between the treatment groups and the control groups in Ashworth scores, Carr-Shepherd scores, nerve defect scores and hip adductor tension scores. Whereas the Fugel-Meyer scores in one trial and the Barthel scores in three trials were better in the treatment groups than those of the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A reliable conclusion can not be drawn from the present data because of the defects in methodological quality and insufficient numbers of trials, especially lack the long-term terminal outcomes, although it appears a tedency that acupuncture can improve the conditions of post-stroke spastic paralysis. Therefore, it is necessary to perform more multi-central RCTs of high quality in future.</p>

The effect of propofol preconditioning on cytochrome C release from mitochondria after mild hypothermic ischemia/reperfusion in isolated rat hearts / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the effect of propofol preconditioning on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cytochrome C release from mitochondria during mild hypothermic ischemia/reperfusion in isolated rat hearts.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>50 isolated SD rat hearts perfused on Langendorff apparatus were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10): control group (C), DMSO group (D), 3 different concentrations of propofol groups of 25 micromol x L(-1) (P1), 50 micromol x L(-1) (P2), 100 micromol x L(-1) (P3) propofol respectively. All of the isolated rat hearts were subjected to 31 degrees C mild hypothermic ischemia for 55 min followed by 60 min reperfusion. The D, P1, P2, P3 groups were preconditioned by perfusing with K-H solution containing 20 micromol x L(-1) DMSO and 25, 50, 100 micromol x L(-1) propofol respectively for 10 min and then followed by 5 min K-H solution washing out before ischemia. The preconditioning procedure was repeated twice. Hemodynamics of the hearts was recorded after equilibration(baseline values) immediately before ischemia, 30 min and 60 min after reperfusion respectively. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate and contents of cytosolic and mitochondrial cytochrome C were measured at the end of reperfusion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 30 min and 60 min reperfusion, LVEDP was significantly lower and LVDP was significantly higher in P3 group than those in C group ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with C group, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate of the hearts decreased significantly in P2,P3 groups at the end of reperfusion (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Cytochrome C level increased significantly in mitochondria but decreased significantly in cytosol in P2, P3 groups as compared with C group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Propofol preconditioning decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, protected the heart against 31 degrees C mild hypothermic ischemia/reperfusion injury by attenuation of the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytosol.</p>

Role of extracellular-signal regulated kinase cascade on cerebral ischemia and ischemic preconditioning in hippocampal neuron in gerbils / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the role of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) cascade on cerebral ischemia and ischemic preconditioning in hippocampal neuron.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male gerbils were randomly divided into sham group (SH), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/ R), ischemia preconditioning group (IP), specific antagonist of ERK-PD98059 (PD), solvent control groups (VE group), PD98059 combined with IP group (PIP). Forebrain ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries and confirmed by isoelectricity of EEG. Observations were carried out in each group 15 min, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d after ischemia. Open field test was used to examine the spontaneous motor activity, the survival and apoptotic neurons, Fos and NF-kappaB masculine neurons in hippocampal CA1 region were counted, the expression of HSP70 in hippocampal CA1 region and p-ERK in hippocampal CA3/DG regions were detected by SABC immunocytochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The spontaneous motor activity, the number of apoptotic neurons and NF-kappaB masculine neurons at 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d in CA1 region were much less in IP group than in I/R group (P < 0.01). The number of Fos masculine neurons at 15 min, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 1 d in CA1 region were significant more in IP group than in I/R group (P < 0.01). The expressions of p-ERK and HSP70 were significantly higher in IP group than in I/R group. The number of Fos masculine neurons at each point were more and apoptotic neurons at 1 d, 3 d were less in PD group than in I/R group. Results of observation in PIP group were within IP group and I/R group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Activation of ERK in CA3/DG regions were related to ischemic tolerance. Induction of the expression of Fos and HSP70, decreasing of the product of NF-kB which might be one of the molecule mechanisms playing an important role in neural protection of ischemic preconditioning.</p>

Expression of drebrin in the distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons of rats with chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve / 生理学报

To observe the expression of drebrin in the distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons (dCSF-CNs) of rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve by immunofluorescence technique, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, sham surgery group and CCI group. The behavior of rats was scored. After choleratoxin subunit B-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP, 3 muL) was injected into the lateral cerebroventricle to trace dCSF-CNs, the expression of drebrin was observed in the dCSF-CNs through immunofluorescence double staining and laser scanning confocal microscopy technique. The results showed that only the pain threshold of CCI group was decreased. The dCSF-CNs were clearly displayed in three groups. No drebrin expression was observed in the control and sham groups. In CCI group, drebrin was markedly expressed in intracytoplasm. It is suggested that the technique displaying dCSF-CNs with immunofluorescence is successful and the dCSF-CNs are possibly involved in the transmission of nociceptive information under the neuropathic pain state.

Protective effect of heme oxygenase-1 on lung injury induced by erythrocyte instillation in rats / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Intratracheal instillation of blood induces self-repaired acute lung injury. However, the mechanism of repair has been unclear. Heme-oxygenase (HO)-1, which catalyzes heme breakdown, acts as an inducible defense against oxidative stress and plays an important role in inflammation. The objective of this study was to test the role of HO-1 in lung injury caused by intratracheal instillation of red cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty healthy, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, saline group, erythrocyte group, erythrocyte+zinc-protoporphyrin (ZnPP, HO-1 inhibitor) group and saline+ZnPP group. At 2 days after intratracheal instillation of red cells, lung tissues and lavage samples were isolated for biochemical determinations and histological measurements.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Histological analysis revealed that administration of ZnPP worsened the acute lung injury induced by instilled erythrocytes. HO-1 was over-expressed in the erythrocyte group and in the erythrocyte + ZnPP group. Compared with the erythrocyte + ZnPP group, the levels of total protein, lactate dehydrogenase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the lavage were lower (P < 0.01), while the level of interleukin-10 was higher in the erythrocyte group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HO-1 protects against erythrocyte-induced inflammatory injury in lung.</p>

The relationship between the effects of curcumin on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury and immediately genic expressions of fos, Jun and NF-kappaB in hippocampal CA1 area and its significance in gerbils / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the relationship between the effects of curcumin on cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury and immediately genic expressions of Fos, Jun and NF-kappaB in hippocampal CA1 area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Gerbils were randomly divided into sham group (SH), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R), curcumin group (CU) and solvent control group (SC). Forebrain ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries. Observations were carried out in each group 15 min, 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 5 d and 7 d after ischemia: open field test was used to examine the behavioral change, the apoptosis neurons in hippocampal CA1 region was counted, the expression of Fos, Jun and NF-kappaB in hippocampal CA1 was detected by SABC immunocytochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The behavioral mark and the number of apoptosis neurons in hippocampal (CA1 region was much less in CU group than in I/R group (P < 0.01) The expression of Fos was more and the expression of Jun and NF-kappaB was less in CA1 area in CU group than in I/R group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin can significantly protect neurons against cerebral ischemia, increasing the expression Fos and decreasing the expression of Jun and NF-kappaB may be the protective mechanisms.</p>

The lesion of CSF contacting neurons in rat brain parenchyma inhibits the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of CSF contacting neurons (CSF-CNs) lesion in rat dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) on the scores of morphine withdrawal symptoms precipitated by naloxone and the nNOS expression in dorsal horn of spinal cord, and study the relationship between the distal CSF-CNs in rat brain parenchyma and the development of morphine dependence and withdrawal.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chemical lesion of neurons the injection of cholera toxin subunit B with horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP) into one of the rats lateral ventricles, TMBST reaction, nNOS immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used in this study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The withdrawal symptoms by the naloxone precipitated attenuated obviously after the lesion of CSF-CNs in rat DRN, scores of all signs were significantly decreased about 38% compared to that of withdrawal group without lesion (P < 0.05). The withdrawal symptoms scores of vehicle withdrawal group and side lesion withdrawal group were not changed significantly (P > 0.05). Neurons in the location of CSF-CNs concentrated in the rat brain slices of lesion group were damaged obviously, there were only few CB-HRP positive neurons around the lesion location. But the location and the quantity of the CB-HRP positive neurons in the brain slices of the group without lesion was stable relatively, and their appearance was very clear. After the lesion, the nNOS expression and the quantity of the nNOS positive neurons in dorsal horn of spinal cord decreased significantly compared to that of withdrawal group without lesion (P < 0.05), but it also increased significantly compared to that of normal group and dependence group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lesion of distal CSF contacting neurons attenuated the scores of morphine withdrawal symptoms precipitated by naloxone and the nNOS expression in dorsal horn of spinal cord. The distal CSF contacting neurons in rat brain parenchyma partly participated in the development of morphine dependence and naloxone precipitated withdrawal possibly by the modulation of NO (nitric oxide).</p>

Distribution and expression of p38 MAPK in the distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons in brain of rat by noise stress / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To observe the distribution and expression of p-p38MAPK in the distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons in brain of rat by noise stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By a double-labelled method combing the tracing of CB-HRP and the immunohistochemical technique p-p38MAPK, the distribution and expression of p-p38MAPK in the distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons(csf cn) were observed following noise stress. Expression of p-p38MAPK and double-labelled of CB-HRP/p-p38MAPK were also observed in rat brain after noise stress.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Two groups of CB-HRP labeled neuron clusters consistently appeared in certain regions of the brainstem but none in other regions of the brain. Without noise stress exposure, only a few neurons were found double-labeled by CB-HRP/p-p38MAPK. After 1 day noise stress exposure, only few neurons double-labeled by CB-HRP/p-p38MAPK were observed in the above-mentioned regions. After 5 days, the number of neurons double-labeled by CB-HRP/p-p38MAPK increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After 10 days, the number of neurons double-labeled by CB-HRP/p-p38MAPK increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05). After 20 days, both of the numbers of neurons double-labeled by CB-HRP/p-p38MAPK increased significantly compared with that of the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Two groups of distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neuron clusters consistently existed in certain regions of the brain parenchyma, and in these clusters only a few neurons con rained p-p38MAPK. After noise stress exposure of different durations (days 1, 5, 10, 20), the number of distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons with p-p38MAPK increased significantly with increasing days. The results indicate that distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons are special neurons existing consistently in brain, including distal cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons with p-p38MAPK which may participate in the whole procedure of signal transduction or central modulation in noise stress response and play greater roles with increasing days.</p>

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptor agonist Ro5-4864 inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition in rat heart / 生理学报

Opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores leads to mitochondrial injury during oxidative stress. The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) located at mitochondrial outer-membrane has been shown to be involved in several mitochondrial functions. In the present study, we used Ro5-4864, a PBR agonist, to test if activation of PBR could prevent MPT pore opening during Ca(2+) overloading. Cardiac mitochondria isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by 150 mmol/L Ca(2+) to induce MPT. Ro5-4864 (50, 100 and 200 micromol/L) was added into incubation buffer before adding 150 micromol/L Ca(2+). In additional group, atractyloside (ATR, 20 micromol/L), an opener of MPT pores was added 5 min before the addition of 100 micromol/L Ro5-4864. The change of absorbance at 520 nm was monitored with a spectrophotometer at 30 degrees C for 10 min. Western blot was used to detect cytochrome C loss. The mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored with the fluorescence dye JC-1. Ro5-4864 inhibited the decrease of absorbance at 520 nm compared to that in the untreated Ca(2+) group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the presence of ATR, Ro5-4864 was not able to prevent MPT anymore. Opening of MPT pores by Ca(2+) decreased the content of cytochrome C in mitochondria, but increased cytochrome C content in cytosol. Ro5-4864 preserved cytochrome C content in mitochondria and led to less cytochrome C release to cytosol. ATR treatment reversed the protective effect of Ro5-4864 on cytochrome C content. Opening of MPT pores led to mitochondrial depolarization, whereas Ro5-4864 treatment maintained mitochondrial membrane potential. Thus, prevention of MPT by activation of PBR during calcium overloading maintains mitochondrial cytochrome C content and membrane potential. Activation of PBR during cardiac ischemia and reperfusion may be an alternative way for cardioprotection.