Study on regulatory mechanism of compatibility of ginseng and gecko dispensing granule on neuroendocrine immune network in model rats with kidney yang deficiency / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To explore the regulatory mechanism of compatibility of ginseng and gecko dispensing granule on kidney yang deficiency model rats. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （no modeling ，no administration），model group （modeling，no administration ），Jinkui shenqi pill group （modeling，dose of 2.33 g/kg），ginseng group（modeling，dose of 0.53 g/kg），gecko group （modeling，dose of 0.21 g/kg）and compatibility group （modeling，ginseng 0.53 g/kg and gecko 0.21 g/kg）. The body mass and anal temperature of rats were measured at different time points ；the serum levels of cAMP ，cGMP，CRH，ACTH，CORT，T，T3，T4，E2，IgG and IgM were measured ；the pathomorphological changes of adrenal gland ，thyroid gland and testis were observed ；mRNA expression of CRH ，thyroid stimulating hormone releasing hormone （TRH）and gonadotropin releasing hormone （GnRH）in hypothalamus were detected. RESULTS Compared with model group ，the anal temperature ，the levels of cAMP ，CRH，ACTH，CORT，T3，T and cAMP/cGMP ，T/E2 in serum and mRNA expressions of TRH and GnRH in hypothalamus were significantly increased in the compatibility group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the levels of cGMP，E2 and IgG in serum and mRNA expression of CRH in hypothalamus decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the pathological injuries of adrenal gland ，thyroid gland and testis were all improved. Compared with ginseng or gecko dispensing granules alone ，the anal temperature and T/E 2 of rats in the compatibility group increased significantly ，and mRNA expression of CRH in hypothalamus decreasedsignificantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Thecompatibility of ginseng and gecko dispensing granule has a synergistic regulatory effect on kidney yang deficiency model rats ， the mechanism of which may be associated with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis ， hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis ， hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis and neuroendocrine immune network formed by immune function. Compatible drugs are better than single drugs.

Comparison on Changes of Volatile Components in Gecko Before and After Processing by HS-SPME-GC-MS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveOn the basis of sensory evaluation， the changes of volatile components in gecko before and after processing were compared， and the odor correction effect of different processing methods of gecko was discussed. MethodRaw products， fried yellow products， vinegar processed products， wine processed products， talcum powder scalding products and white wine sprayed products after scalding talcum powder of gecko were prepared， and 10 odor assessors were invited to evaluate the 6 samples in turn by sensory evaluation. Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （HS-SPME-GC-MS） and relative odor activity value （ROAV） were used to analyze the key odor components， and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the difference of volatile components between raw and processed products of gecko. Taking water-soluble extract and protein contents as internal indicators， sensory evaluation score and content ranking of differential components as external indicators， and assigning a weight of 0.25 to them respectively， the comprehensive scores of raw products and processed products of gecko were calculated to evaluate the odor correction effect of each processing method. ResultThe average sensory evaluation scores of the raw products， fried yellow products， vinegar processed products， wine processed products， talcum powder scalding products and white wine sprayed products after scalding talcum powder of gecko were 1.6， 5.2， 6.2， 6.1， 7.2 and 8.0， respectively. ROAV results showed that key components affecting odor of gecko were 2-ethyl-3，5-dimethylpyrazine， isovaleraldehyde， trimethylamine， 1-octen-3-ol， n-octanal， nonanal， 2-methylnaphthalene， γ-octanolide， 2-heptanone and phenol. Principal component analysis （PCA） significantly distinguished raw products from processed products. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） results showed that there were 16， 13， 16， 16， 16 differential components between raw products， fried yellow products， vinegar processed products， wine processed products， talcum powder scalding products and white wine sprayed products after scalding talcum powder of gecko. Among these differential components， there were 4 common components， namely， the contents of different odor components （2-methylnaphthalene and 2-ethyl-p-xylene） decreased， while the contents of different flavor components （2-decanone and 2，3，5-trimethylpyrazine） increased. The comprehensive scoring results showed that the odor correction effect of each processed products was in the order of talcum powder scalding products>wine processed products>vinegar processed products>fried yellow products>white wine sprayed products after scalding talcum powder. ConclusionTalcum powder scalding is a better method to improve the odor of gecko， and it can provide an experimental basis for the processing of gecko to correct the odor.

Effect of Gecko Extract on Neuroinflammation in Rats with Reserpine-induced Depression via TLR4/NF-κB Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanism of Gecko extract for treatment of depression in rats. Method:The depression rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of reserpine （0.5 mg·kg^-1）. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into model group， fluoxetine group （1.8 mg·kg^-1）， high dose and low dose groups of Gecko extract （12， 6 g·kg^-1）. The rats were given corresponding dose of drugs once a day for 10 days. After administration， the levels of neurotransmitters and inflammatory factors in serum and prefrontal cortex of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The cell changes in hippocampal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The mRNA levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， nuclear factor-<italic>κ</italic>B （NF-<italic>κ</italic>B）， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF-<italic>α</italic>） in the hippocampus of rats were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） and NF-<italic>κ</italic>B in hippocampal tissues of rats were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the normal group， Gecko extract significantly shortened the immobility time of tail suspension and swimming in mice. Compared with model group， Gecko extract significantly reduced blepharoptosis and retention time in circles for the rats （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， increased the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and dopamine （DA） in serum （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， decreased the levels of Monoamine oxidase （MAO）， IL-6， and TNF-<italic>α</italic> in serum （<italic>P</italic><0.05） and prefrontal cortex （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， decreased the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6， NF-<italic>κ</italic>B and TNF-<italic>α</italic> and the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-<italic>κ</italic>B in the hippocampus of rats （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic> P</italic><0.01）， and improved the pathological symptoms of the hippocampus. Conclusion:Gecko extract can significantly alleviate the pathological damage of depression and improve the symptoms of depression， and its mechanism may be due to inhibiting TLR4/NF-<italic>κ</italic>B signaling pathway and reducing the expression of NF-<italic>κ</italic>B， IL-6 and other inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of rats.

Comparative Study on the Effect of Raw Product and Different Processed Products of Gekko gecko on Kidney- yang Deficiency Model Mice Induced by Adenine / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To compare the effects of raw pro duct and different processed products of Gekko gecko on kidney-yang deficiency model mice induced by adenine. METHODS ：Totally 100 mice were randomly divided into blank group （n＝10）and modeling group （n＝90）. Modeling group was given adenine （50 mg/kg）intragastrically for 10 days to induce kidney-yang deficiency model ；blank group was given normal saline （0.2 mL/10 g）intragastrically. After modeling ，70 mice were randomly divided into model group ，positive group （Jinkui shenqi pill ，6.4 g/kg），G. gecko crude product group （1.2 g/kg）， wine-processed G. gecko group（1.2 g/kg）and oil-processed G. gecko group（1.2 g/kg）according to body weight and symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency ，with 14 mice in each group. Blank group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically；administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically （0.2 mL/10 g），once a day ，for consecutive 14 d. During the experiment ，the symptoms and signs of mice in each group were observed. After last medication ，renal index ，testis index and serum levels of T ，CORT，BUN and Cr were measured ；HE staining method was used to observe the pathological changes of renal tissue of mice in each group. RESULTS ：Compared with blank group ，the mice in the model group suffered from performance of kidney-yang deficiency ，such as weight loss ，crouch and arch back ，chills and cold limbs ，and sparse body hair ， while renal index and serum levels of BUN and Cr were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. In renal tissue ，there were BA28117 pathological damages such as irregular arrangement of renal KY2016YB211tubular epithelial cells ，light staining of nucleus and edema of cytoplasm. Compared with model group ， performance of kidney-yang deficiency was improved to different extents in G. gecko crude product group and processed product groups（especially in wine-processed G. gecko group）；serum levelsof BUN and Cr were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；pathological damage of renal tissue was alleviated in different degrees. In addition ，body weight of mice was increased significantly in G. gecko processed products groups （P＜0.01），and renal indexes of mice were decreased significantly in G. gecko crude product group and processed products groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with G. gecko crude product group ，renal index ，serum levels of BUN and Cr were significantly decreased in wine-processed G. gecko group（P＜0.01），and serum level of Cr was significantly decreased in oil-processed G. gecko group（P＜ 0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：G. gecko crude product ，wine-processed G. gecko and oil-processed G. gecko all show a certain improvement effect on kidney-yang deficiency mice induced by adenine ，especially wine-processed G. gecko .

Rapid identification of Gekko gecko by loop-mediated isothermal amplification based on 12S rRNA sequence / 中国中药杂志

Gekko gecko (Tokay Gecko) is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was introduced for visual rapid identification of G. gecko from adulterants. A total of sixty-five 12S rRNA sequences of fourteen species of G. gecko and its adulterants were obtained. The results showed that G. gecko could be identified from its adulterants through BLAST analysis based on 12S rRNA regions. The 12S rRNA sequences of ten batches of G. gecko were conserved. There were only two haplotypes and three variation sites in the available regions for primers design. Six specific LAMP primers were successfully designed online based on 12S rRNA sequences. The visual rapid detection of G. gecko could be achieved with the optimized conditions (64 °C for 1 h and 80 °C for 5 min). And the required minimal template concentration was 5 μg·L⁻¹ while conventional PCR with 0.5 mg·L⁻¹. Consequently, the LAMP method established from this study was rapid, specific, highly sensitive, and simple. It could be applied to detect G. gecko from its adulterants efficiently.

Primer caso de canibalismo registrado para el gecko de Lima, Phyllodactylus sentosus (Reptilia, Phyllodactylidae)

Se reporta un caso de canibalismo en el gecko de Lima, Phyllodactylus sentosus Dixon & Huey, 1970 donde un macho adulto devoró a un juvenil. Tras una búsqueda de literatura, no se encontró casos reportados en otras especies del mismo género, por lo que se considera que este es el primer reporte de canibalismo en Phyllodactylus

We report a case of cannibalism for the Lima leaf-toed gecko, Phyllodactylus sentosus, in which an adult male devoured a juvenile. No reported cases were found in other species of the same genus, so we consider that this is the first report of cannibalism in Phyllodactylus

Gecko crude peptides inhibit migration and lymphangiogenesis by down regulating the expression of VEGF-C in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and human lymphatic endothelial cells / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To explore the role of gecko crude peptides (GCPs) in the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and lymphangiogenesis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and human lymphaticendothelial cells (HLECs) in vitro. METHODS The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the anti- proliferative effect of GCPs and siRNA-VEGF-C on HepG2 cells, Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry were performed to analyze cycle and apoptosis. The migration and invasion ability of cells were assayed by transwell chamber experiment and wound-healing assay. The protein and mRNA expressions of vascular endo?thelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) were detected by q-PCR, immunofluorescence, Western blot. The protein expressions of the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERKI/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38-mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK), serine/threonine kinase (Akt) and phosphatidylinositol- 3- kinase (PI3K) were detected by western blot. The anti-lymphangiogenesis effect of GCPs on the HLECs was analyzed using an in vitro tube-formation assay. The protein and mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) were detected by q-PCR, Western blot. RESULTS GCPs and siRNA-VEGF-C inhibited HepG2 proliferation, invasion and migration, and the most obvious inhibitory effect was both synergistic effects. Thus, GCPs suppressed HLECs proliferation, migration and tube-like structure formationin a dose- dependent manner, and had inhibitory effect of tumor- induced lymphangiogenesis in vitro. Additionally, we found that GCPs and siRNA- VEGF- C decreased the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGF-C, CXCR4, phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-P38, phospho-JNK and PI3K in HepG2 cells. Moreover, GCPs had a dose-dependent depressive effecton the expressions of VEGFR- 3, SDF- 1 in HLECs. CONCLUSION The low expression of VEGF- C mediated by siRNA-VEGF-C and GCPs inhibit tumor proliferation, invasion and migrationby suppressing the MAPK signaling pathway through reduced levels of VEGF-C, and GCPs inhibit tumor lymphangiogenesis by suppressing the CXCR4/SDF-1 signaling pathway through suppressed VEGF-C/VEGFR-3.

Differentially expressed genes of HepG2 cells treated with gecko polypeptide mixture / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE In order to investigate the possible anti-tumor molecular mechanisms of gecko polypeptide mixture (GPM). METHODS RNA-seq technology was used to identify the differen?tially expressed genes of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 cells treated with or without GPM. The HepG2 cells were treated with different concentration of GPM (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mg·mL-1) for 6 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively. MTT assay was used to detect the viability of HepG2 cells. DAPI fluorescence staining was performed to observe nucleus morphological changes of HepG2 cells. Western blot analysis was applied to observe the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in HepG2 cells. RESULTS The results showed that GPM could induce HepG2 cells apoptosis and influence HepG2 cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. We applied many analysis methods, including differen?tially expressed genes analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, protein- protein interaction network analysis to screen out possible molecular mechanisms. ER-nucleus signaling pathway, cellular response to stress and apoptotic processes were identified the potential anti-cancer molecular biological process of GPM. GPM may also induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells via endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. The mechanism is closely related to ERs, which might be beneficial for clinical therapy of HCC. CONCLUSION GPM can inhibit cells proliferation and induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The gene expression profile of GPM in HepG2 cells was obtained. The present study revealed the potential anti-tumor mechanism of GPM.

Effects of aqueous extracts of gecko on stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国中药杂志

To explore the effects and mechanism of aqueous extracts of gecko on cancer stem cells properties of hepatocellular carcinoma. In vitro, MTT assay was used to detect the cells growth in Huh7 and Hep3B. Spheroid-forming assay and flow cytometry were performed to observe the the stemness of Huh7 and Hep3B cells. The protein expressions of β-catenin, CD44, c-Myc, CCND1, Sox2, Oct4, Nanog and ABCG2 were detected by Western blot. Interacting proteins were detected by co-immunoprecipitation; and a subcutaneous xenograft model was used to detect the stemness of hepatoma carcinoma cells. The results indicated that aqueous extracts of gecko induced cell growth inhibition in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with the IC₅₀ of (0.750±0.112) g•mL⁻¹ for Huh7 and (0.454±0.039) g•mL⁻¹ for Hep3B, respectively. The number and size of tumor spheres formed by hepatoma carcinoma cells were decreased after treatment by aqueous extracts of gecko(P<0.05); the proportions of cells staining with putative markers for cancer stem cells, such as CD133 and CD44, were decreased(P<0.05). After treatment with aqueous extracts of gecko, the expression levels of β-catenin, CD44, c-Myc, CCND1, Sox2, Oct4, Nanog and ABCG2 were decreased. Co-immunoprecipitation results showed that the aqueous extracts of gecko could inhibit the interaction between LRP6 and Frizzled6, indicating that the aqueous extracts of gecko could inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells, the formation of tumor spheres and the proportion of tumor stem cells, and inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway by targeting LRP6 to prevent the formation of LRP6 and Frizzled6 complexes.

Primer registro de Phyllodactylus sentosus (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) para el valle del río Chillón, Lima, Perú / First record of Phyllodactylus sentosus (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) from the Chillón River Valley, Lima, Peru

El gecko de Lima Phyllodactylus sentosus (Dixon & Huey, 1970) identificado como en peligro crítico de extinción ha sido registrado sólo en algunas localidades entre los valles de los ríos Rímac y Lurín, en el centro y sur de la ciudad de Lima, Región Lima, sin embargo, su distribución hacia el norte no está documentada. En el presente trabajo se reporta por primera vez la presencia de P. sentosus en la Huaca Tambo Inga, ubicada en el margen derecho del valle del río Chillón en el distrito de Puente Piedra, extendiendo su distribución 19 km al noreste.

Lima Leaf-toed Gecko Phyllodactylus sentosus (Dixon & Huey, 1970), listed as Critically Endangered, has been registered only in some localities between the valleys of the Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central and southern of Lima city; however its distribution to the north is not documented yet. In the present note we report for first time the presence of P. sentosus in the Huaca Tambo Inga, which is located on the right bank of the Chillón River Valley in the district of Puente Piedra, extending its distribution 19 km to the northeast.

THE ENDANGERED SPECIES Aristelliger georgeensis (SQUAMATA: SPHAERODACTYLIDAE) IN RONCADOR CAY, COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN / La especie amenazada Aristelliger georgeensis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) en el Cayo Roncador, Caribe colombiano

Aristelliger georgeensis, previously known to occur in the Yucatan peninsula (Mexico), the coasts and islands from Belize and Honduras, and the oceanic islands of Colombia in the Caribbean (San Andres, Providence and Saint Catalina) was registered for the first time in Roncador Cay, a flat and small island of coralline origin, located in the southwest of the Caribbean. Being considered as an endangered species at the national level, the new locality for this gecko constitutes an opportunity for its conservation. Some topics regarding the possible origins of this new population are discussed. This new locality represents the eastern most documented record of this species so far.

Aristelliger georgeensis, previamente conocido de la península de Yucatán (México), las costas e islas de Belice y Honduras y de las islas oceánicas de Colombia en el Caribe (San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina), fue registrado por primera vez en el Cayo Roncador, una isla plana y pequeña de origen coralino, ubicada en el suroccidente del Caribe. Siendo considerada como una especie amenazada a nivel nacional, la nueva localidad para este geco constituye una oportunidad para su conservación. Se discuten algunos tópicos relacionados con el posible origen de esta nueva población. Esta nueva localidad representa el registro documentado más al Este para la especie.

Identification of Gekko geeko Linnaeus and Adulterants Using the COI Barcode / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

DNA barcoding technology is widely opplied for species identification and discovery by using short and standard fragments of DNA sequences. In this study, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence as a DNA barcode was used to identify the Gekkogecko Linnaeus medicinal materials and adulterants in order to provide a new identification method of G. gecko Linnaeus. Genomic DNA was extracted from the experimental samples. The COI regions of nrDNA were amplified using polymerase chain reaction and sequenced bidirectionally. The alignment and NJ tree construction were performed in MEGA6.0. COI sequences can be obtained from all samples. The average intra-specific K2P distance of G. gecko Linnaeus was 0.005 and the maximum intra-specific distance was 0.013. All the G. gecko Linnaeus medicinal samples clustered into a clade in the NJ tree and can be distinguished from the adulterants. In a conclusion, COI can be used to correctly identify G. gecko Linnaeus, and it will be a potential DNA barcode for identification of other animal medicinal materials.

Gecko Proteins Exert Anti-Tumor Effect against Cervical Cancer Cells Via PI3-Kinase/Akt Pathway

Anti-tumor activity of the proteins from Gecko (GP) on cervical cancer cells, and its signaling mechanisms were assessed by viable cell counting, propidium iodide (PI) staining, and Western blot analysis. GP induced the cell death of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner while it did not affect the viability of normal cells. Western blot analysis showed that GP decreased the activation of Akt, and co-administration of GP and Akt inhibitors synergistically exerted anti-tumor activities on HeLa cells, suggesting the involvement of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in GP-induced cell death of the cancer cells. Indeed, the cytotoxic effect of GP against HeLa cells was inhibited by overexpression of constituvely active form of Akt in HeLa cells. The candidates of the functional proteins in GP were analyzed by Mass-spectrum. Taken together, our results suggest that GP elicits anti-tumor activity against HeLa cells by inhibition of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.

The Effect of the Gekko Gecko Ethanol Extract on the Granular Cells Apoptosis of Rat Ovaries / 实用妇产科杂志

Objective:To study the effects of the Gekko gecko ethanol extract on granular cells apoptosis of rat ovaries.Methods :3 month and 6 month female Wistar rats were taken in this study, and 20 rats were in each age group.Each age group were randomly divided into two groups(experimental group and control tragastric administration in experimental group, corresponding volume of 0.9% sodium chloride was given in control group by the same way.Apoptosis of granular cells and distribution of cell cycle in rat ovary were measured by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and propidi-um iodide(PI) staining, AnnexinV/PI double labelling staining by flow cytometry (FCM) after administration for 15 days.Re8utts:The apoptosis numbers of granular cells in 3 month and 6 month age experimental group were 34 ±7 and 53 ±11, in control group were 48±9 and 76±17 respectively by TUNEL.There was signrficantly statistic difference (P <0.01).The apoptosis rates in 3 month and 6 month age experimental group were(6.06 ±2.01)% and (12.16 ±3.26) % , in the control group were (8.23±2.13) % and (23.69 ±6.28)% respectively by PI staining.There was significantly statistic drfference (P <0.05).However, no significant difference was found between two groups in cellular cycle distribution (P > 0.05).Early apoptosis rates in 3 month and 6 month age experimental group were (6.71±3.11) % and (23.74±6.28) % , in the control group were (19.05 ±5.78) % and (36.55± 8.35) % respectively by AnnexinV/PI double labelling staining FCM.There was significantly statistic difference (P <0.01).The apoptosis of granular cells were sig-nificantly less in experimental groups comparing wrth control groups both in 3 month and 6 month age group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusions :The ethanol extract of gekko gecko can inhibit the apoptosis of granu-lar cells in rat ovary, then improves the ovary function and delay ageing of rat.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of evolutionarily conserved stathmin from Gekko japonicus spinal cord.

The cDNA encoding stathmin is identified from the brain and spinal cord cDNA library of Gekko japonicus. It contains a 450 bp open-reading-frame, corresponding to a deduced protein of 149 amino acids. At amino acid level, gecko stathmin shares more than 76.4% identities with vertebrate stathmins, and especially, it shares 100% identity with human stathmin, suggesting that the selective pressure must have been extremely high for the conservation of stathmin during the vertebrates including reptile evolution. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) shows that gecko stathmin is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues examined. In situ hybridization reveals that stathmin transcript mainly appear in the gray matter of spinal cord. The change of stathmin expression in spinal cord after tail amputation is examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Stathmin expression increases at 1 day and 3 day after amputation and decreases to the control level at 1 week. However, the expression level increases again at 2 weeks. These suggest that stathmin may be associated with the immune protection of the injury, as well as in the regeneration of spinal cord.

Hemidactylus frenatus (Squamata: Gekkonidae): call frequency, movement and condition of tail in Costa Rica

Call frequency and movements of the gecko Hemidactylus frenatus were studied in Punta Morales, Costa Rica from April 1999 through May 2000. Call activity of H. frenatus was positively related to air temperature at night and throughout the year. Higher activity was at dusk, dawn, and during the hottest months. Call frequency was related with gecko abundance per month, although not during the night. More males and females had a regenerated tail compared to juveniles, the last ones could have it complete or regenerated. Females moved longer distances than males and juveniles. Adults were found higher on walls. Males and females were recaptured more times than juveniles, and the period of time between their recaptures was longer. Members of this population do not seem to be as aggressive to other geckos as mentioned in the literature.

Estudié la frecuencia de canto y el desplazamiento de la lagartija Hemidactylus frenatus en Punta Morales, Costa Rica. La frecuencia de canto se corelaciona positivamente con la temperatura ambiental durante la noche y con la temperatura a lo largo del año. La mayor actividad fue al anochecer, al amanecer y durante los meses más calurosos. La abundancia mensual de lagartijas se relacionó con la frecuencia de canto, no así la abundancia por noche. Las colas regeneradas son más frecuentes en hembras y machos que en las lagartijas jóvenes. Las hembras se desplazaron mayores distancias que machos y jóvenes. Los adultos se encontraban más alto en las paredes de los edificios. Los machos y hembras se recapturaron más veces que los jóvenes, y el tiempo entre recapturas fue mayor. Esta población no parece ser tan agresiva como se menciona en la literatura.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for the Quantification of Cholesterol in Gekko Gecko / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To determine the content of cholesterol in Gekko Gecko.Methods High performance liquid chromatography was performed on Hypersil ODS2 (4.6 mm?150 mm,5 ?m).The chromatorgraphic conditions were as follows:methanol as mobile phase,flow rate being 1.0 mL/min and detecting wavelength at 208 nm.The column temperature was 40 ℃.Results A good linearity of cholesterol was shown in range of 0.885～14.000 ?g (r=0.999 5),the average recovery was 99.65%,RSD=3.45% (n=6).Conclusions This method is simple,rapid and accurate,and may provide a reliable way for the quantification of cholesterol in Gekko Gecko.

THE EFFECTS OF GEKKO GECKO L.ON THE METABOLISM OF FREE RADICAL IN THE RAT GUT / 重庆医科大学学报

The effects of alcoholic extract of Gekko gecko L. on the activities of SOL), GSH-Px, CAT and the level of GSH and LPO in the rat gut were investigated. The data presented in this paper indicated that the clcrance of free radical was accelerated, LPO was decreased, the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT was elevated, and, the content of GSH was increased. The extract from the tail part of the Gekko gecko L. was more active than the extract from the body. These results and our other results together indicate that Gekko gecko L. has an obvious antiaging effect

MORPHOLOGICAL ANATOMY AND THREE-DIMENSIONALRECONST RUCTION OF THE PALLIAL THICKENING IN THE LIZARD GEKKO GECKO / 解剖学报

Objective To clarify the position,figure and connections with adjacencies in the pallial thickening(Pth),and provide essential parameters for its function study. Methods The coronal serial sections of 60?m thickness in gekko gecko brain were made by cryo-microtome,and Nissl staining was used.Pictures were taken in each coronal section containing the Pth and the size of Pth in each section was measured.One of them was chosen for the three-dimensional reconstruction.3D MAX was used as the tool software to rebuild the nucleus. Results 1.The Pth was located in the rostral part of the telencephalon,the lateral part of anterior dorsal ventricular ridge,the medial part of the lateral cortex and the ventral part of the dorsal cortex.The length of Pth from the rostral to the caudal end was(912.67?110.96)?m(n=10),the cubage of Pth was about(0.1430?0.0414)?m~3(n=10).2.The Pth could be divided into four segments,the anterior,the middle,the posterior and the terminal segments from the rostral to the caudal end.In the posterior segment,its dorsoventral axis was the longest,and could be divided into two parts: the dorsal and the ventral parts.The boundary of the two parts was clear.Conclusion The Pth is a long,narrow and flat structure;its rostrocaudal axis is longer than its dorsoventral axis,and its dorsal edge is smoother than its ventral edge.In the Pth,its caudal region is larger than its rostral region,and the posterior segment in the caudal region is divided into the dorsal and the ventral cell populations.