Prevention and treatment of lipoic acid-niacin on blue-light-induced retinal damage in rats / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the preventive effect and optimal drug dose of lipoic acid-niacin(N2L)against blue light-induced retinal damage in SD rats, and to explore its possible protective mechanism.METHODS: A total of 36 specific pathogen free-grade male SD rats of 150-200 g were selected and randomly divided into normal control group, blue light injury group, N2L low-dose group(1.0 mg/kg), N2L medium-dose group(2.5 mg/kg), N2L high-dose group(5.0 mg/kg), and physiological saline group, with 6 rats in each group. The normal control group was reared in a 12 h dark and light cycle, and the rest of the groups received 9 h of daily light exposure, 3 h of blue light irradiation with a wavelength of 455 nm and an intensity of 3000±50 lx, and 12 h of darkness to establish the injury model, and were exposed to light exposure for 14 d. For 14 consecutive durations, a 1 mL dose of the corresponding drug was injected intraperitoneally. The rats were reared for another 5 d with a regular 12 h light-dark cycle and were examined by electroretinography. Specimens were prepared by over anesthesia, HE staining, and the thickness of the outer nuclear layer was observed under a optical microscope; superoxide dismutases(SOD)activity was detected by CheKineTM SOD Activity Assay Kit; and the retinal Caspase-3, quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), glutathione S transferase(GST), Bcl-2, and Bax protein expression in rat retina were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: The amplitude of b-wave in dark-vision ERG 3.0 and 10.0(cd·s)/m2 stimulated light, b-wave in bright-vision ERG 3.0(cd·s)/m2 stimulated light, and the amplitude of the 2nd wave peak of oscillatory potential were significantly lower in blue light injury group than that in the normal control group(all P<0.01), while the amplitude was significantly higher in the N2L medium-dose group than in the blue light injury group(all P<0.05), and was not statistically different from that of the normal control group; the thickness of the retina in the blue light injury group was decreased in the ONL compared with that of the normal control group(P<0.001), while in the N2L medium dose group, it was thicker than that of the blue light injury group(P<0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference from the normal control group; SOD activity was significantly higher in the N2L medium-dose group than in the remaining 5 groups(P<0.05); the expression of Caspase-3, Bax, and NQO1 in the blue light injury group was higher than that of the normal control group(all P<0.01), and expression of Bax and Caspase-3 was significantly lower in the N2L medium-dose group compared with the blue light injury group(all P<0.001), whereas GST, NQO1 and Bcl-2 were significantly increased(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:A concentration of 2.5 mg/kg N2L can effectively antagonize the damaging effect of blue light on the retina of SD rats, and it is expected to be a preventive and curative drug for it.

Pinus massoniana needle extracts attenuate oxidative stress injury in cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats by regulating JNK3/caspase-3 signal transduction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Pinus massoniana needle extracts (PNE) on oxidative stress injury in cerebral ischemia reperfusion rats. METHODS: The SD male rats were randomly divided into sham group, model control group, Edaravone (3 mg/kg) group, PNE low-dose (200 mg/kg), medium-dose (400 mg/kg) and high-dose (800 mg/kg) groups. PNE was administered by gavage for 7 d before modeling and 6 h after modeling in PNE treatment groups; Edaravone was given by intraperitoneal injection 7 d before modeling and 6 h after reperfusion. The rat model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion method. After 24 h of reperfusion, the neurological deficit score, brain water content and cerebral infarction volume of rats were measured. The pathological changes of cerebral cortex and hippocampus were observed by HE staining, and the number of normal nerve cells was counted. The apoptosis rate of neurons in cerebral cortex was detected by TUNEL method. The content of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in ischemic brain tissue were detected. The protein expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 3, phosphorylated JNK3 (p-JNK3), B-cell lymphoma protein(Bcl) -2, Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), cytochrome C and caspase-3 in cerebral cortex were detected by Western blotting method. RESULTS: Compared with the model control group, the behavioral score, brain water content and cerebral infarction volume in PNE groups were significantly reduced (all P<0.05), the pathological damage of cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA1 area was significantly alleviated, and the number of normal nerve cells in ischemic cortex and hippocampal CA1 area was increased (all P<0.05). The medium-dose PNE group had the best effect. Compared with the model control group, the apoptosis rate of cortical neurons, the content of NO and MDA in cerebral cortex, the ratio of p-JNK3/JNK3, the expression level of cytochrome C and caspase-3 protein in PNE medium-dose group were significantly reduced , and the activity of SOD, the Bcl-2/Bax ratio were significantly improved (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: PNE ameliorates brain injury after cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats, which may be related to scavenging NO and MDA, inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated JNK3/caspase-3 signsal transduction to inhibit neuronal apoptosis.

Clinical efficacies, underlying mechanisms and molecular targets of Chinese medicines for diabetic nephropathy treatment and management.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been recognized as a severe complication of diabetes mellitus and a dominant pathogeny of end-stage kidney disease, which causes serious health problems and great financial burden to human society worldwide. Conventional strategies, such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade, blood glucose level control, and bodyweight reduction, may not achieve satisfactory outcomes in many clinical practices for DN management. Notably, due to the multi-target function, Chinese medicine possesses promising clinical benefits as primary or alternative therapies for DN treatment. Increasing studies have emphasized identifying bioactive compounds and molecular mechanisms of reno-protective effects of Chinese medicines. Signaling pathways involved in glucose/lipid metabolism regulation, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and podocyte protection have been identified as crucial mechanisms of action. Herein, we summarize the clinical efficacies of Chinese medicines and their bioactive components in treating and managing DN after reviewing the results demonstrated in clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, with a thorough discussion on the relative underlying mechanisms and molecular targets reported in animal and cellular experiments. We aim to provide comprehensive insights into the protective effects of Chinese medicines against DN.

Effect of electro-acupuncture therapy on limb spasm and excitability of motor neurons in stroke rats.

To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture therapy on limb spasm and excitability of motor neurons in stroke rats. Ischemic stroke model was induced with middle cerebral artery embolization in SD rats. Thirty-three modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, electro-acupuncture group, and baclofen group with 11 rats in each group, and another 10 rats were taken as sham operation group. The electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group were treated with electro-acupuncture and baclofen tablets respectively. The model group and the sham operation group had no intervention. The neural function was evaluated with Bederson's scale and balance beam test; the muscle tension was measured with electrophysiography; the pathological changes of brain tissue was examined with HE staining; the content of glutamic acid (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rat cerebral cortex was analyze with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a () and γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor subunit 1 () mRNA were detected with RT-qPCR. Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of the electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group showed a downward trend at d7 after operation (all >0.05), and the neurological function scores of the electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group were significantly decreased at d12 after the operation (all <0.05). Compared with sham operation group, the electrophysiological results of model group, electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group were significantly lower (all <0.05), and there was no statistical difference in the electrophysiological results of the model group, electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group at d7 after operation (all >0.05). Compared with the model group, the electrophysiological results of the electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group were significantly increased after operation (all <0.05). The results of HE staining showed that there was no cell edema and degeneration in the sham operation group, no pyknosis of the nucleus, and no bleeding in the interstitium. Cell edema and degeneration and mesenchymal congestion appeared in the model group. Compared with the model group, the cytoplasmic edema and degeneration and the interstitial bleeding in the electroacupuncture group and the baclofen group were reduced. Compared with sham operation group, the Glu content and the relative expression of mRNA was increased in the model group, electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group, while the GABA content and the relative expression of mRNA decreased (all <0.05). Compared with model group, the Glu content and the relative expression of mRNA in the electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group decreased, and the GABA content and relative expression of mRNA increased (all <0.05). Electro-acupuncture may improve limb spasm after stroke through regulating the expression of Glu and GABA in the cerebral cortex and the excitability of motor neurons in rats.

Effects of long-term taurine supplementation on age-related changes in skeletal muscle function of Sprague-Dawley rats.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a free amino acid found abundantly in mammalian tissues. Increasing evidence suggests that taurine plays a role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle function and increase of exercise capacity. Most energy drinks contain this amino acid; however, there is insufficient research on the effects of long-term, low-dose supplementation of taurine. In this study, we investigated the effects of long-term administration of taurine at low doses on aging in rodents. In Experiment 1, we examined age-related changes in aging Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (32-92 weeks old) that O2 consumption and spontaneous activity decreased significantly with aging. In Experiment 2, we examined the effects of long-term (21-week) administration of taurine on healthy aging SD rats. SD rats were stabilized for 32-34 weeks and divided into three groups, administrated water (control), 0.5% taurine (25 mg/kg  body weight (BW)/day), or 1% taurine (50 mg/kg  BW/day) from age 34 to 56 weeks (5 days/week, 5 mL/kg BW). Our findings suggest that long-term administration of taurine at relatively low dose could attenuate the age-related decline in O2 consumption and spontaneous locomotor activity. Upon intestinal absorption, taurine might modulate age-related changes in respiratory metabolism and skeletal muscle function via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), cytochrome c (Cycs), myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and myoglobin, which are regulated by the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This article examines the mechanism underlying the effects of taurine on age-related changes, which may have potential clinical implications.

Effect of electro-acupuncture therapy on limb spasm and excitability of motor neurons in stroke rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture therapy on limb spasm and excitability of motor neurons in stroke rats. Ischemic stroke model was induced with middle cerebral artery embolization in SD rats. Thirty-three modeled rats were randomly divided into model group, electro-acupuncture group, and baclofen group with 11 rats in each group, and another 10 rats were taken as sham operation group. The electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group were treated with electro-acupuncture and baclofen tablets respectively. The model group and the sham operation group had no intervention. The neural function was evaluated with Bederson's scale and balance beam test; the muscle tension was measured with electrophysiography; the pathological changes of brain tissue was examined with HE staining; the content of glutamic acid (Glu) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rat cerebral cortex was analyze with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a () and γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor subunit 1 () mRNA were detected with RT-qPCR. Compared with the model group, the neurological function scores of the electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group showed a downward trend at d7 after operation (all >0.05), and the neurological function scores of the electro-acupuncture group and the baclofen group were significantly decreased at d12 after the operation (all 0.05). Compared with the model group, the electrophysiological results of the electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group were significantly increased after operation (all <0.05). The results of HE staining showed that there was no cell edema and degeneration in the sham operation group, no pyknosis of the nucleus, and no bleeding in the interstitium. Cell edema and degeneration and mesenchymal congestion appeared in the model group. Compared with the model group, the cytoplasmic edema and degeneration and the interstitial bleeding in the electroacupuncture group and the baclofen group were reduced. Compared with sham operation group, the Glu content and the relative expression of mRNA was increased in the model group, electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group, while the GABA content and the relative expression of mRNA decreased (all <0.05). Compared with model group, the Glu content and the relative expression of mRNA in the electro-acupuncture group and baclofen group decreased, and the GABA content and relative expression of mRNA increased (all <0.05). Electro-acupuncture may improve limb spasm after stroke through regulating the expression of Glu and GABA in the cerebral cortex and the excitability of motor neurons in rats.

S-Allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, a garlic odor precursor, suppresses elevation in blood ethanol concentration by accelerating ethanol metabolism and preventing ethanol absorption from gut.

Alcoholic beverages are enjoyed together with meals worldwide, but their excessive intake is associated with an increased risk of various diseases. We investigated whether S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO), a sulfuric odor precursor of garlic, suppresses elevation in plasma ethanol concentration by accelerating ethanol metabolism and preventing ethanol absorption from the gut in rats. ACSO and garlic extract with a high ACSO content (Garlic-H) suppressed elevation in concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde in plasma and promoted the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. However, ACSO and Garlic-H did not affect plasma acetate so much. Furthermore, we examined the change in plasma ethanol concentration by injecting ACSO or Garlic-H into the ligated stomach or jejunum together with ethanol solution. ACSO and Garlic-H suppressed the absorption of ethanol from the stomach and jejunum, but suppression in the jejunum was less than in the stomach. In conclusion, ACSO inhibits ethanol absorption and accelerates ethanol metabolism.

[Protective effect of astaxanthin against epididymal oxidative damagein rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the improving effect of astaxanthin (AST) on the sperm quality of rats with ornidazole (ORN)-induced oligoasthenozoospermiaand its action mechanism. METHODS: Forty adult male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control), B (low-dose ORN ï¼»400 mg/（kg·d）］), C (high-dose ORN ï¼»800 mg/（kg·d）］), D (low-dose ORN ï¼»400 mg/（kg·d）］ + AST ï¼»20 mg/（kg·d）］), and E (high-dose ORN ï¼»800 mg/（kg·d）］ + AST ï¼»20 mg/（kg·d）］), all treated intragastrically for3 weeks.After treatment, the epididymal tails ononeside was taken for determination of sperm concentration and activity, and the epididymideson the other side harvested for measurement of the activities of GSH-Px, GR, CAT and SOD and the MDA contentin the homogenate. RESULTS: Compared with group A, sperm motilityin the epididymal tail andGSH-Px and SOD activities in theepididymiswere markedly decreased while the MDAcontent significantlyincreased in group B (P<0.05), spermmotility and concentrationin the epididymal tail, testisindex, and the activities of GSH-Px, GR, CAT and SOD in the epididymis were remarkably reduced while theMDA contentsignificantly increased in group C(P<0.05). In comparison with group B, group D showed markedly increased sperm motility (ï¼»45.3±8.7ï¼½% vs ï¼»66.3±8.9ï¼½%, P<0.05) in the epididymal tail and SOD activity in the epididymis (ï¼»116.7±25.3ï¼½ U/mg prot vs ï¼»146.1±23.8ï¼½ U/mg prot, P<0.05), decreased MDA content(ï¼»1.68±0.45ï¼½ nmol/mg prot vs ï¼»1.19±0.42ï¼½ nmol/mg prot, P<0.05).Compared with group C, group Eexhibited significant increases in the weight gained (ï¼»89.0±9.5ï¼½ vs ï¼»99.9±4.1ï¼½ %, P<0.05) and sperm motility (ï¼»17.9±3.5ï¼½% vs ï¼»27.3±5.3ï¼½ %, P<0.05) but a decrease in the content of MDA (ï¼»2.03±0.30ï¼½ nmol/mg prot vs ï¼»1.52±0.41ï¼½ nmol/mg prot, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AST can improve spermquality in rats with ORN-inducedoligoasthenozoospermia, which may be associated with its enhancing effect on the antioxidant capacity of the epididymis.

[Swimming plus medication reduces the expressions of cytokines in rats with chronic abacterial prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of swimming plus medication on the expressions of cytokines in rats with chronic abacterial prostatitis (CAP). METHODS: Forty healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, normal control, CAP model control, medication, exercise therapy, and exercise + medication. The CAP model was made by Xiaozhiling injection, and at 7 days after modeling, the rats in the medication and exercise + medication groups were treated intragastrically with Qianlie Shutong Capsules (0.016 g/ml) at 20 ml per kg of the body weight qd, those in the exercise therapy and exercise + medication groups were made swim at a regular time once a day, 35 minutes on the first day and 5 minutes more on the second until 50 minutes once, for 4 successive weeks, and those in the normal control, model control and exercise therapy groups received normal saline only. After 14 and 28 days of treatment, all the rats were killed and their prostates harvested for observation of histopathological changes and determination of the expressions of TNF- α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in the prostatic tissue homogenate by ELISA. RESULTS: After 14 days of treatment, the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the groups of CAP model control (ï¼»183.08±8.07ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»57.55±3.53ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»256.15±13.95ï¼½ ng/L), medication (ï¼»118.49±8.06ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»42.64±4.64 ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»200.74±9.33ï¼½ ng/L), exercise therapy (ï¼»169.63±10.64ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»50.45±5.71ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»245.23±6.49ï¼½ ng/L), and exercise + medication (ï¼»107.82±7.81ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»40.35±6.93ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»187.04±10.85ï¼½ ng/L) as compared with those in the normal control (ï¼»20.36±1.82ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»14.64±1.91ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»70.58±2.09ï¼½ ng/L) (P<0.05). At 28 days, the levels of TNF- α, IL-1ß, IL-6 were remarkably lower in the exercise + medication group (ï¼»29.30±3.78ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»16.91±1.24ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼» 88.65±6.74ï¼½ ng/L) than in the medication group (ï¼»39.67±3.19ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»26.27±3.49ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»110.26±6.33ï¼½ ng/L) (P<0.05) and close to those of the normal control group (ï¼»19.34±1.76ï¼½ pg/ml, ï¼»13.68±1.06ï¼½ pg/ml and ï¼»71.34±2.50ï¼½ ng/L). During the treatment, no obvious pathological changes were found in the prostate tissue of the normal control rats, while significant chronic prostatic inflammation was observed in the CAP models, and the inflammation was relieved in different degrees after intervention, most significantly in the exercise + medication group. CONCLUSIONS: Swimming can relieve prostatic inflammation and swimming plus medication can effectively reduce the expressions of cytokines and alleviate histological damage in the prostatic tissue of CAP rats.

Swimming plus medication reduces the expressions of cytokines in rats with chronic abacterial prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To observe the effects of swimming plus medication on the expressions of cytokines in rats with chronic abacterial prostatitis (CAP).@*METHODS@#Forty healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, normal control, CAP model control, medication, exercise therapy, and exercise + medication. The CAP model was made by Xiaozhiling injection, and at 7 days after modeling, the rats in the medication and exercise + medication groups were treated intragastrically with Qianlie Shutong Capsules (0.016 g/ml) at 20 ml per kg of the body weight qd, those in the exercise therapy and exercise + medication groups were made swim at a regular time once a day, 35 minutes on the first day and 5 minutes more on the second until 50 minutes once, for 4 successive weeks, and those in the normal control, model control and exercise therapy groups received normal saline only. After 14 and 28 days of treatment, all the rats were killed and their prostates harvested for observation of histopathological changes and determination of the expressions of TNF- α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the prostatic tissue homogenate by ELISA.@*RESULTS@#After 14 days of treatment, the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly elevated in the groups of CAP model control (［183.08±8.07］ pg/ml, ［57.55±3.53］ pg/ml and ［256.15±13.95］ ng/L), medication (［118.49±8.06］ pg/ml, ［42.64±4.64 ］ pg/ml and ［200.74±9.33］ ng/L), exercise therapy (［169.63±10.64］ pg/ml, ［50.45±5.71］ pg/ml and ［245.23±6.49］ ng/L), and exercise + medication (［107.82±7.81］ pg/ml, ［40.35±6.93］ pg/ml and ［187.04±10.85］ ng/L) as compared with those in the normal control (［20.36±1.82］ pg/ml, ［14.64±1.91］ pg/ml and ［70.58±2.09］ ng/L) (P<0.05). At 28 days, the levels of TNF- α, IL-1β, IL-6 were remarkably lower in the exercise + medication group (［29.30±3.78］ pg/ml, ［16.91±1.24］ pg/ml and ［ 88.65±6.74］ ng/L) than in the medication group (［39.67±3.19］ pg/ml, ［26.27±3.49］ pg/ml and ［110.26±6.33］ ng/L) (P<0.05) and close to those of the normal control group (［19.34±1.76］ pg/ml, ［13.68±1.06］ pg/ml and ［71.34±2.50］ ng/L). During the treatment, no obvious pathological changes were found in the prostate tissue of the normal control rats, while significant chronic prostatic inflammation was observed in the CAP models, and the inflammation was relieved in different degrees after intervention, most significantly in the exercise + medication group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Swimming can relieve prostatic inflammation and swimming plus medication can effectively reduce the expressions of cytokines and alleviate histological damage in the prostatic tissue of CAP rats.

Protective effect of astaxanthin against epididymal oxidative damagein rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the improving effect of astaxanthin (AST) on the sperm quality of rats with ornidazole (ORN)-induced oligoasthenozoospermiaand its action mechanism.@*METHODS@#Forty adult male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control), B (low-dose ORN ［400 mg/（kg·d）］), C (high-dose ORN ［800 mg/（kg·d）］), D (low-dose ORN ［400 mg/（kg·d）］ + AST ［20 mg/（kg·d）］), and E (high-dose ORN ［800 mg/（kg·d）］ + AST ［20 mg/（kg·d）］), all treated intragastrically for3 weeks.After treatment, the epididymal tails ononeside was taken for determination of sperm concentration and activity, and the epididymideson the other side harvested for measurement of the activities of GSH-Px, GR, CAT and SOD and the MDA contentin the homogenate.@*RESULTS@#Compared with group A, sperm motilityin the epididymal tail andGSH-Px and SOD activities in theepididymiswere markedly decreased while the MDAcontent significantlyincreased in group B (P<0.05), spermmotility and concentrationin the epididymal tail, testisindex, and the activities of GSH-Px, GR, CAT and SOD in the epididymis were remarkably reduced while theMDA contentsignificantly increased in group C(P<0.05). In comparison with group B, group D showed markedly increased sperm motility (［45.3±8.7］% vs ［66.3±8.9］%, P<0.05) in the epididymal tail and SOD activity in the epididymis (［116.7±25.3］ U/mg prot vs ［146.1±23.8］ U/mg prot, P<0.05), decreased MDA content(［1.68±0.45］ nmol/mg prot vs ［1.19±0.42］ nmol/mg prot, P<0.05).Compared with group C, group Eexhibited significant increases in the weight gained (［89.0±9.5］ vs ［99.9±4.1］ %, P<0.05) and sperm motility (［17.9±3.5］% vs ［27.3±5.3］ %, P<0.05) but a decrease in the content of MDA (［2.03±0.30］ nmol/mg prot vs ［1.52±0.41］ nmol/mg prot, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#AST can improve spermquality in rats with ORN-inducedoligoasthenozoospermia, which may be associated with its enhancing effect on the antioxidant capacity of the epididymis.

Nonclinical Safety Assessment of Morus alba L. Fruits: Study of 90-D Toxicity in Sprague Dawley Rats and Genotoxicity in Salmonella.

Morus alba L. is a traditional herb with a long history of consumption, both as an edible fruit and as medicine. However, its safety evaluation has not yet been established. The objective of this study was to evaluate subchronic oral toxicity and genotoxicity of M. alba L. fruits (MFE). The subchronic toxicity after daily oral administration of MFE at 0, 40, 200, and 1000 mg/kg for 90 d was examined in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. MFE administration did not lead to death, adverse effects, change in food and water consumption, and body weight gain. Significant toxic effects were not found within the parameters of organ weight, biochemical values, and hematological and urine analysis between the control and the MFE group. The genotoxicity of MFE was assayed by Ames test in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA102, and TA1535. No genotoxicity was found in all the tested strains. Thus in this study, a no-observed-adverse-effect level for MFE in 90 d repeated oral toxicity study in rats was determined to be greater than 1000 mg/kg regardless of gender. The results also suggested that MFE does not have a genotoxicity potential.

Anti-Obesity Effects of Aster spathulifolius Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and antihyperlipidemic efficacy and molecular mechanisms of Aster spathulifolius Maxim extract (ASE) in rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Rats were separately fed a normal diet or a HFD for 8 weeks, then they were treated with ASE (62.5, 125, or 250 mg/kg) for another 4.5 weeks. The ASE supplementation significantly lowered body weight gain, visceral fat pad weights, serum lipid levels, as well as hepatic lipid levels in HFD-induced obese rats. Histological analysis showed that the ASE-treated group showed lowered numbers of lipid droplets and smaller size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. To understand the mechanism of action of ASE, the expression of genes and proteins involved in obesity were measured in liver and skeletal muscle. The expression of fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis-related genes (e.g., PPAR-α, ACO, CPT1, UCP2, and UCP3) of HFD-induced obese rats were increased by ASE treatment. On the other hand, ASE treatment resulted in decreased expression of fat intake-related gene ACC2 and lipogenesis-related genes (e.g., SREBP-1c, ACC1, FAS, SCD1, GPATR, AGPAT, and DGAT). Furthermore, ASE treatment increased the level of phosphorylated AMPKα in obese rats. Similarly, the level of phosphorylated ACC, a target protein of AMPKα in ASE groups, was increased by ASE treatment compared with the HFD group. These results suggest that ASE attenuated visceral fat accumulation and improved hyperlipidemia in HFD-induced obese rats by increasing lipid metabolism through the regulation of AMPK activity and the expression of genes and proteins involved in lipolysis and lipogenesis.

Reduced responsiveness of kisspeptin neurons to estrogenic positive feedback associated with age-related disappearance of LH surge in middle-age female rats.

Age-related disappearance of the LH surge is one of major biomarkers of reproductive aging in female rats. Kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) are proposed as the critical regulator of the preovulatory LH surge in response to estrogenic positive feedback. Here we investigated the possible involvement of the AVPV kisspeptin neurons in the disappearance of the LH surge in middle-age rats. Middle-age rats exhibiting persistent estrus (M-PE) did not show an LH surge although neither Kiss1 mRNA nor peptide in the AVPV was differentially expressed when compared to young rats exhibiting normal estrous cycles (YN). M-PE released LH in response to exogenous kisspeptin in a similar dose-dependent manner as YN, suggesting that their GnRH neurons still maintained responsiveness to kisspeptin. To investigate the estrogenic positive feedback effect on kisspeptin neurons in the AVPV, rats were ovariectomized and supplemented with estradiol (OVX+E2). We performed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for Kiss1 mRNA and cFos, respectively, and found that M-PE exhibited a significantly lower percentage of Kiss1 mRNA positive neurons with cFos immunoreactivity, although the total number of kisspeptin neurons was not different from that in cyclic rats. Furthermore, OVX+E2 M-PE did not show the surge-like LH release under high estradiol administration while YN did. Thus our current study suggests that the reduced responsiveness of the AVPV kisspeptin neurons to estrogenic positive feedback presumably results in the decrease in kisspeptin secretion from neurons and eventually causes the age-related disappearance of the LH surge in middle age female rats.

Experimental Study on Yisheng Injection for Reducing Cold Ischemia Injury in Isolated Rat Heart / 重庆医科大学学报

Objective;To investigate whether the traditional Chinese medicine Yisheng Injection can reduce the injury on isolated rat heart induced by cold ischemia. Methods ;18 isolated female closed colony SD rats were divided into two groups at random. In the control group, the isolated rat hearts were preserved in 0.9% sodium chlorine solution at 4℃ , while in the experimental group ,the hearts were preserved in 0.9% sodium chlorine solution containing Yisheng injection at 4℃. The specimens were harvested 2,6,12, 24,48 and 72 hours after preservation. Histochemical changes were observed in two groups. Results ;In the control group, the activities of alkaline phosphatase ( ALP) and NADPH diaphorase (NADPHD) decreased after cold ischemia for 24 hours. Lactic dehydro-genase (LDH) decreased slightly, while ALP and NADPHD decreased evidently, after cold ischemia for 48 hours. Succinic dehydro-genase ( SDH) and cytochrome oxidase ( CCO) decreased slightly, and NADPHD disappeared after cold ischemia for 72 hours respectively. In the experimental group, NADPHD, LDH and CCO decreased slightly after cold ischemia for 24, 48 and 72 hours. ALP decreased slightly after cold ischemia for 48 hours, however, SDH showed no changes, after cold ischemia for 72 hours. Conclusion : Cold ischemia can induce cold ischemia injury in isolated rat hearts, especially the vascular endothelial cells being more sensitive. Yisheng injection can reduce this kind of injury to some degree.