Mechanism and functional substances of Saiga antelope horn in treating hypertension with liver-yang hyperactivity syndrome explored using network pharmacology and metabolomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Saiga antelope horn (SAH) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating hypertension with liver-yang hyperactivity syndrome (Gan-Yang-Shang-Kang, GYSK), that has a long history of clinical application and precise efficacy, but its mechanism and functional substances are still unknown. Based on the demand for alternative research on the rare and endangered SAH, the group designed and carried out the following studies. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the functional substances and mechanisms of SAH in the treatment of GYSK hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The GYSK-SHR model was constructed by administering a decoction of aconite to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Blood pressure (BP), behavioural tests related to GYSK, and pathological changes in the kidneys, heart and aorta were measured to investigate the effects of SAH on GYSK-SHRs. Proteomic analysis was used to identify the keratins and peptides of SAH. Moreover, network pharmacology and plasma metabolomics studies were carried out to reveal the mechanisms by which functional peptides in SAH regulate GYSK-hypertension. RESULTS: SAH has a significant antihypertensive effect on GYSK hypertensive animals. It has also been proven to be effective in protecting the function and structural integrity of the kidneys, heart and aorta. Moreover, SAH improved the abnormalities of 31 plasma biomarkers in rats. By constructing a "biomarker-target-peptide" network, 10 functional peptides and two key targets were screened for antihypertensive effects of SAH. The results indicated that SAH may exert a therapeutic effect by re-establishing the imbalance of renin-angiotensin (RAS) system. CONCLUSIONS: Functional peptides from keratin contained in SAH are the main material basis for the treatment of GYSK-hypertension and exhibited the protective effect on the GYSK-SHR model through the RAS system.

Combination of mathematics and label-free proteomics for discovering keratin-derived specific peptide biomarkers to distinguish animal horn-derived traditional Chinese medicines.

Saiga antelope horn and Rhinoceros horn have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, due to the protection of wildlife, the application of these rare animal horns has been restricted or prohibited. Therefore, water buffalo horn, goat horn, and yak horn have been applied as alternatives to Rhinoceros horn or Saiga antelope horn in a clinic. It is extremely difficult to distinguish normal animal horns in powdered or decocted form, especially identifying related species such as water buffalo horn, yak horn, and cattle horn. In this work, mathematics set and label-free proteomics analysis were combined for discovering keratin-derived specific peptide biomarkers. By using mathematics set analysis after nano liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomics, the selected species-specific peptides could be used to identify the authenticity of the Saiga antelope horn and goat horn. Furthermore, peptide biomarkers were selected to distinguish related species-derived horns, water buffalo horn, yak horn, and cattle horn. In total, eight peptide biomarkers were selected and applied for simultaneously distinguishing different horn samples. The present strategy provides a method for peptide biomarkers discovery and also has positive significance for ensuring the quality and efficacy of animal horn-derived traditional Chinese medicines and their products.

Effects of Molybdenosis on Antioxidant Capacity in Endangered Przewalski's Gazelles in the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve in the Northwestern China.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of molybdenosis on antioxidant capacity in endangered Przewalski's gazelles (Procapra przewalskii) in the animal rescue center in the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve in Northwestern China. Ten P. przewalskii in molybdenosis were selected and treated orally with copper sulfate (CuSO4) at a dose of 20 g/animal/5 days for 20 days. Ten healthy P. przewalskii were also selected and allocated to healthy pastures for 20 days. Samples of soil, forage, and animal tissue were collected. The values of mineral and hematological parameters were measured. Results showed levels of molybdenum (Mo) in soil and forage were significantly higher than those in healthy ranches (P < 0.01). The Mo content of blood and hair in gazelles from the rescue center was also significantly higher than those in the healthy ranches animals (P < 0.01). The copper (Cu) contents in blood and hair from the rescue center were significantly lower than those from the healthy pasture (P < 0.01). Hemoglobin (Hb) and red cell volume (PCV) in the gazelles from the animal rescue center were significantly lower than those from animals in healthy ranches (P < 0.01). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphocreatine kinase (CPK), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly higher than those from gazelles in healthy ranches (P < 0.01). The antioxidant capacity in gazelles from the animal rescue center was significantly lower than that of gazelles in healthy ranches. Supplementing CuSO4 significantly decreased the Mo content of blood and cured molybdenosis in gazelles. In summary, the Mo content of soil and forage was very excessive for gazelles in the animal rescue center. The antioxidant capacity of P. przewalskii has been seriously affected by molybdenosis.

Rethinking the Process of Animal Mummification in Ancient Egypt: Molecular Characterization of Embalming Material and the Use of Brassicaceae Seed Oil in the Mummification of Gazelle Mummies from Kom Mereh, Egypt.

The study of animal mummification in ancient Egypt has recently received increasing attention from a number of modern scholars given the fact that this part of ancient Egyptian funerary and religious history is a practice yet to be fully understood. In this study, nine samples of embalming matter were extracted from six gazelle mummies from the archaeological site of Kom Mereh (modern village of Komir), dated to the Roman period of dominance in ancient Egypt. All samples were analyzed for the presence of inorganic and organic matter applying a multi-analytical approach based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, in order to identify more specific compounds such as bitumen and beeswax in studied balms, each sample was subjected to a solid phase extraction (SPE) and saponification separation process, respectively. The results of this study revealed that the majority of the analyzed embalming substances sampled from six gazelle mummies from Kom Mereh were complex mixtures of plant oils, animal fats, conifer resin, and beeswax. In this regard, this study was able to report a practice until now unmentioned in the scientific literature, namely, the use of cruciferous oil, derived from seeds of Brassicaceae plants, in animal mummification.

Response of the critically endangered Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) to selenium deprived environment.

Selenium (Se) is an essential mineral nutrient for animals. Se deprivation can lead to many disorders and even death. This study investigated the response of Przewalski's gazelle (P. przewalskii) to Se-deprived environment. We found that Se deprivation in soil and forage not only influenced the mineral contents of the blood and hair in P. przewalskii, but also severely disrupted their blood parameters. We identified significant changes in the abundance of 146 proteins and 25 metabolites (P < 0.05) in serum, including the selenoproteins L8IG93 (glutathione peroxidase) and F4YD09 (Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase). Furthermore, the major known proteins and metabolites associated with the Se stress response in P. przewalskii were Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, the vitamin K-dependent protein C, the C4b-binding protein alpha chain, complement component C7, lipase linoleic acid, peptidase D, thymidine, pseudo-uridine, L-phenylalanine, L-glutamine, PGA1, and 15-deoxy-delta-12,14-PGJ2. The main signaling pathways involved included complement and coagulation cascades, metabolic pathways, and stress granule formation. Our results indicate that the intake of Se-deficient forage elicited an oxidative stress response in P. przewalskii. These findings provide insights into the response mechanisms of this threatened gazelle to Se stress, and enable the development of conservation strategies to protect populations on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. SIGNIFICANCE: This study is the first to point out the presence of oxidative stress in P. przewalskii in selenium-deficient areas through proteomics and metabolomics studies. These findings should prove helpful for conservation efforts aimed at P. przewalskii populations and maintenance of the integrity of their ecological environment.

Evaluating a large-scale online behaviour change intervention aimed at wildlife product consumers in Singapore.

Interventions to shift the behaviour of consumers using unsustainable wildlife products are key to threatened species conservation. Whether these interventions are effective is largely unknown due to a dearth of detailed evaluations. We previously conducted a country-level online behaviour change intervention targeting consumers of the Critically Endangered saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) horn in Singapore. To evaluate intervention impact, we carried out in-person consumer surveys with >2,000 individuals pre- and post-intervention (2017 and 2019), and 93 in-person post-intervention surveys with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shopkeepers (2019). The proportion of self-reported high-usage saiga horn consumers in the target audience (Chinese Singaporean women aged 35-59) did not change significantly from pre- to post-intervention (24.4% versus 22.6%). However, post-intervention the target audience was significantly more likely than the non-target audience to accurately recall the intervention message and to report a decrease in saiga horn usage (4% versus 1% reported a behaviour change). Within the target audience, high-usage consumers were significantly more likely than lower-usage consumers to recall the message and report a behaviour change. Across respondents who reported a decrease in saiga horn usage, they cited the intervention message as a specific reason for their behaviour change significantly more than other reasons. Additionally, across all respondents, the belief that saiga is a common species in the wild decreased significantly from pre- to post-intervention. TCM shopkeepers, however, cited factors such as price and availability as the strongest influences on saiga horn sales. In sum, the intervention did significantly influence some consumers but the reduction of high-usage consumer frequency was not significant at the population level. We explore reasons for these findings, including competing consumer influences, characteristics of the intervention, and evaluation timing. This work suggests our intervention approach has potential, and exemplifies a multi-pronged in-person evaluation of an online wildlife trade consumer intervention.

Effects of Nano-Selenium on Antioxidant Capacity in Se-Deprived Tibetan Gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) is an endangered ungulate in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. This study aimed to determine the influence of nano-Se on antioxidant system in Se-deprived P. picticaudata. We analyzed contents of mineral elements in soil, forage, and animal tissue. Blood parameters and antioxidant indexes were also determined. The results showed that Se concentrations in the soil and forage from affected pasture were significantly lower than those in healthy area (P < 0.01). Se concentrations in blood and hair from affected P. picticaudata were also significantly lower than those in healthy animals (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the levels of Hb, RBC, and PCV in affected gazelle were significantly lower than those in healthy animal (P < 0.01). The activities of AST, ALT, LDH, CK, and UA content in affected animal were significantly lower than those in healthy gazelles (P < 0.01). The levels of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and T-AOC in serum were significantly lower and the MDA content was significantly higher in affected compared with healthy gazelle (P < 0.01). Affected P. picticaudata were treated orally with nano-Se, Se concentration in blood significantly increased and serum antioxidant indexes greatly returned to within the healthy range. Consequently, nano-Se could not only markedly increase the Se content in blood in Se-deprived P. picticaudata but also much improves the antioxidant capacity.

Nocardioides jishulii sp. nov.,isolated from faeces of Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata).

Two novel Gram-stain-positive, irregular rod-shaped bacterial strains, dk3136T and dk3543, were isolated from the faeces of Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China. The cells were aerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. Colonies were yellowish, circular without any observable aerial mycelium after culturing at 28 ℃ for 3 days on brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar with 5 % sheep blood. The cells grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 7.5 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl on BHI agar supplemented with 5 % sheep blood. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that their nearest phylogenetic relative was Nocardioides solisilvae Ka25T (97.9 % similarity). The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic/phylogenomic analyses illustrated that N. solisilvae Ka25T, Nocardioides gilvus XZ17T, Nocardioides houyundeii 78T and Nocardioides daphniae D287T were their nearest phylogenetic neighbours. The DNA G+C contents of strains dk3136T and dk3543 were 70.3 mol% and 70.4 mol%, respectively. Their genomes exhibit lower than threshold (95-96 %) average nucleotide identity to known species of the genus Nocardioides. ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-8(H4) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The two strains had C18 : 1 ω9c, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1 ω8c as the major fatty acids, and rhamnose and galactose as the main whole-cell sugars. On the basis of the results of our genotypic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, we conclude that strains dk3136T and dk3543 represent a novel species in genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides jishulii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is dk3136T (=CGMCC 4.7570T=JCM 33496T=KCTC 49314T).

Effects of Selenium-Deprived Habitat on the Immune Index and Antioxidant Capacity of Przewalski's Gazelle.

Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) is an endangered ungulate in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. This study aimed to determine the influence of selenium (Se) deprivation in the natural habitat on the immune index and antioxidant capacity of P. przewalskii. Samples of soil and forage were collected from affected and healthy areas, and animal tissues were collected from affected and healthy P. przewalskii. The samples were used for measuring mineral content and for hematological and biochemical analyses. The results showed that Se concentrations were significantly lower in the soil and mixed forage samples from the affected area than in those from the healthy area. The Se concentrations were significantly lower in blood and hair samples from affected P. przewalskii than in those from healthy P. przewalskii. Meanwhile, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and platelet count of affected P. przewalskii were significantly lower than those of healthy P. przewalskii. The serum level of glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity were significantly lower and the serum levels of malondialdehyde, total nitric oxide synthase, and lipid peroxide were significantly higher in affected P. przewalskii. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and IgG significantly decreased and the serum levels of IL-6 and IgM significantly reduced in affected P. przewalskii compared with healthy P. przewalskii. Therefore, the findings indicated that Se deprivation in soil and forage caused oxidative stress damage and posed a serious threat to the immune function of P. przewalskii.

Determination of haematological and biochemical parameters of Calf Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) living in the Gansu Endangered Animals Research Center.

BACKGROUND: The Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is native to Eurasia and is a member of the family Bovidae. Prior to 1920, the antelope had been extensively hunted for its horns, which were used in traditional Chinese medicine. Since 1920, the Saiga antelope has been protected because of this extensive hunting, which nearly led to its extinction. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated haematological and biochemical parameters to provide references for the Calf Saiga antelope (S. tatarica). The study also sought to explore the mechanisms affecting these parameters in both genders of the Calf Saiga antelope. METHODS: Haematological and biochemical parameters were collected from the Calf Saiga antelope. Haematological and biochemical parameters were analysed by the Coulter counter and Automatic analyser, respectively. RESULTS: The average concentrations of female triglyceride levels showed significantly higher values than the significant concentrations of male. Female red blood cells and platelets concentrations were statistically significant than the significant concentrations of males. Magnesium female concentrations were also significantly higher than male values. Other parameters showed differences between males and females. CONCLUSION: The reported results show that haematological and biochemical characteristics varied among Calf Saiga antelope and other animals. The study results suggest that regardless of the factors, breed, the breeding environment, and climatic variables, haematological and biochemical variations can be triggered that can result in a reduction in the heat production needed for maintenance of homeothermy.

Saiga horn user characteristics, motivations, and purchasing behaviour in Singapore.

Unsustainable wildlife trade is a pervasive issue affecting wildlife globally. To address this issue, a plethora of demand reduction efforts have been carried out. These necessitate consumer research which provides crucial knowledge for designing and evaluating targeted interventions. We implemented a rigorous consumer survey on saiga (Saiga tatarica) horn use in Singapore, where usage is legal and widely sold. Saiga are Critically Endangered antelopes from Central Asia with horns (often marketed as ling yang) used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Few past studies have assessed saiga horn consumers. This work is the most extensive consumer research to date specifically characterising saiga horn consumers and usage. We conducted 2294 in-person surveys on saiga horn use with Chinese Singaporeans, employing neutral questioning approaches. We found 19% of individuals reported saiga horn as a product they choose most often for themselves and/or others when treating fever and/or heatiness (a TCM state of illness), indicating a minimum estimate of high-frequency usage, not including possible low-frequency users. Overall saiga users were most characterised as middle-aged Buddhists and Taoists. However, saiga users were found in a range of demographic groups. Women preferred saiga shavings (the more traditional form), while men preferred saiga cooling water (the more modern form). About 53% of individuals who used saiga horn themselves also bought it for someone else. Buyers for others were most likely to be female middle-aged Buddhists or Taoists. Key motivating reasons for usage were "it works" and "someone recommended it to me." The top two reported recommenders were family and TCM shopkeepers. Saiga users were more likely than non-saiga users to perceive saiga as a common species in the wild. This research holds significance for interventions targeting saiga horn consumption within Singapore and throughout Asia, by identifying potential target audiences, product types, non-desirable alternatives, and motivations for use.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis to identify molecular mechanisms of the selenium deficiency response in the Przewalski's gazelle.

The Przewalski's gazelle shows long-term survival in a selenium (Se)-deficient environment, but fails to exhibit obvious pathological manifestations. To reveal proteomic changes in the Przewalski's gazelle in response to Se-deficiency, twenty Przewalski's gazelle were randomly divided into control group and Se-deficient group. After induction of Se-deficiency animal model, blood samples were collected from eight animals. An isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics approach was employed to explore blood protein alterations and potential mechanisms of the response to Se-deficiency challenge. Se deficiency contributed to a remarkable change in blood Se levels and routine blood indexes. In proteomic analyses, 130 proteins were differentially accumulated in the Se-deficient and control groups. The differentially expressed proteins were annotated mainly as single-organism process, extracellular region, or binding, respectively, and they were highly enriched in the coagulation and complement cascades. Protein-protein interaction analysis showed several important nodal proteins involved in the regulation of binding, cellular biochemical processes, and signal transduction pathways. To our knowledge, this study is the first to comprehensively analyze blood protein changes in the Przewalski's gazelle under Se-deficient conditions, which reveal that this species has developed physiological mechanisms of adaptation in response to Se-deficiency stress. SIGNIFICANCE: The present study is the first to comprehensively analyze alterations in the protein profiles induced by Se deficiency in the blood of the Przewalski's gazelle, showing that Se-deficiency contributed to a significant reduction in blood Se levels and marked changes in blood parameters, which will likely contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the changes in protein abundance in the Przewalski's gazelle in response to Se-deficiency stress.

Nocardioides houyundeii sp. nov., isolated from Tibetan antelope faeces.

In the present study, we describe two novel Gram-stain-positive, irregular rod-shaped bacterial strains, 78T and 601, that had been isolated from the faeces of Tibetan antelopes at the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The cells were aerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. When cultured on brain-heart infusion agar supplemented with 5 % sheep blood, colonies were cream in colour, circular, smooth and convex. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA sequences revealed that type strain 78T and strain 601 belong to the genus Nocardioides, sharing the highest similarity to Nocardioides solisilvae JCM 31492T (98.3 %), Nocardioides gilvus XZ17T (97.4 %) and Nocardioides daejeonensis JCM 16922T (97.4 %). The average nucleotide identity values between the two novel strains and the three closely related type strains of the genus Nocardioides were lower than the 95-96 % threshold. The DNA G+C content of strains 78T and 601 were 71.2 and 71.3 mol% respectively. MK-8 (H4) was the predominant respiratory quinone and ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in its cell-wall peptidoglycan. Its polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The main whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, xylose and galactose and the major fatty acids (>10 %) were C17 : 1ω8c, iso-C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. These data supported the affiliation of strains 78T and 601 to genus Nocardioides. Based on evidence collected from the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, we propose a novel species named Nocardioideshouyundeii sp. nov. The type strain is 78T (=CGMCC 4.7461T=DSM 106424T).

Identification of sialyl oligosaccharides including an oligosaccharide nucleotide in colostrum of an addax (Addax nasomaculatus) (Subfamily Antelopinae).

Mammalian milk/colostrum usually contains milk oligosaccharides along with the predominant lactose. Although milk oligosaccharides of a variety of Bovidae species including cow, sheep and goat have been characterized, those of the addax, an Antelopinae species of the Bovidae, have not as yet been clarified. In this study, several sialyl oligosaccharides were purified from a sample of addax colostrum and characterized as follows: Neu5Ac(α2-8)Neu5Ac(α2-3)Gal(ß1-4)Glc, Neu5Gc(α2-8)Neu5Gc(α2-3)Gal(ß1-4)Glc, Neu5Ac(α2-3)Gal(ß1-4)Glc, Neu5Ac(α2-6)Gal(ß1-4)GlcNAc, Neu5Gc(α2-3)Gal(ß1-4)Glc, Neu5Gc(α2-6)Gal(ß1-4)Glc, Neu5Gc(α2-6)Gal(ß1-4)GlcNAc. In addition, an oligosaccharide nucleotide Neu5Gc(α2-6)Gal(ß1-4)GlcNAcα1-UDP was characterized. Molecular species of a variety of sialyl oligosaccharides found in milk and colostrum of these Bovidae were compared.

Molecular identification of antelope horn by melting curve analysis.

Antelope horn is a valuable Chinese traditional medicine and widely used in clinic. However, with the deterioration of antelope's living environment and a lot of killing, the saiga population begins falling and in some places plummet. Since the increasing demand of this expensive and good bioactive medicine, the horn of artiodactyla animals is often used as the antelope horn. The adulterated or impostor not only cause damage to clinical medicine but also affect the antelope resources protection and sustainable development. Here, in order to establish a melting curve analysis (MCA) method to distinguish the antelope horn from other animal horns and identify the decoction pieces and Chinese patent medicine in a fast and easy way, animal horns and its decoction pieces, Chinese patent medicines were collected from the market and the DNA of all the collected samples were extracted. The melting curve of two universal fragments (COI and Cyt b) was scanned and Cyt b was selected as feasibility fragment for identifying authentic antelope horn from eight adulterant animal horns. After optimizing the condition for MCA, inspecting the precision and the replication of the method, a reference melting curve modern was established and we performed MCA on the antelope horns, fakes, and adulterants on a 1:1 mix, decoction pieces, and Chinese patent medicine. Thus, this study provides fast and easy methods so that MCA can detect the truth, fakes, and adulterations of antelope horns.

VALUES OF TRACE ELEMENTS SELENIUM, COPPER, ZINC, AND IODINE AND OF VITAMIN E IN CAPTIVE LESSER KUDUS (TRAGELAPHUS IMBERBIS).

Lesser kudus (Tragelaphus imberbis) have been kept in Zoo Basel since 1956. Juvenile mortality used to be high, and a recent study to reveal pathologic findings identified white muscle disease as a major contributor to this problem. Therefore, a retrospective study was initiated using 16 stored serum samples from lesser kudus from 2000 to 2013 to determine the concentration of selected trace elements, including selenium, copper, zinc, and iodine. Additionally, three serum samples were used to measure serum vitamin E values. Serum analysis revealed that copper, zinc, and iodine values were within reference ranges for domestic ruminants, and the supplementation status of these trace elements was assumed to be adequate. In contrast, vitamin E levels were low and selenium levels were scarce in several animals, indicating a deficiency of these essential micronutrients. The results of the analyses are compared with literature references.

Effect of rooibos extract (Aspalathus linearis) on lipid oxidation over time and the sensory analysis of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) droëwors.

The study objective was to investigate the addition of rooibos extract (RBE) in blesbok and springbok droëwors, a dried meat sausage with added beef fat, to improve oxidative stability. After a storage period of two weeks, inhibition of lipid oxidation showed to be successful with RBE 1.0% addition. No differences (P>0.05) in heme-iron results within the raw, dried or stored samples were seen. However, a positive correlation between lipid oxidation and heme-iron was noted. The fatty acid profiles suggest that after drying the decrease in polyunsaturated fats could be linked to the increase in lipid oxidation. Flavor and aroma differences between the varying RBE concentrations in the droëwors were detected by the sensory panel. A droëwors formulation using a combination of game meat and beef fat with the addition of RBE at a 1.0% concentration could be a successful addition to the processed meat market.

[Preliminary study on substitution of Antelope Horn in Danqi Piantan capsule with artificial bezoar].

To study the protective effect of Danqi Piantan capsule ( DPC) and its antelope horn substitution (DPCAS) on the cerebral ischemia, in order to preliminary study the possibility of replacing antelope horn with artificial bezoar. In this study, the left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was adopted. Totally 150 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the sham operation group, the model group, the Danqi Piantan capsule (DPC) group (0.246 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the Danqi Piantan capsule without antelope horn (DPCRA) group (0.246 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the Danqi Piantan capsule without antelope horn and with double artificial bezoar (DPCDB) group (0.246 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)). The MCAO model was prepared 1 h later after the administration on the 5th day. At 24 h after the operation, the inner canthus blood was collected to determine the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the endothelin (ET) content. At 72 h after the operation, the cerebral infarct size and the cerebral index were determined by TTC-staining. The fluorescent quantitative PCR method was used to detect brain Bcl-2, Caspase-3, IL-1ß, P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 mRNA expressions. The mmunohistochemical method was used to detect ICAM-1, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6 expressions in ischemic penumbra. According to the results, compared with the model group, DPCDB and DPC groups showed almost consistent results, indicating both of the two group can significantly improved cerebral infarction index and cerebral index (P < 0.05), increase the serum SOD activity (P < 0.05), decrease the serum ET level and Caspase-3 expression, IL-1ß, P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1 mRNA expressions in brain tissues (P < 0.05) and expressions of ICAM-1, IL-1,6, TNF-α, IL-6 positive cells in ischemic penumbra (P < 0.05) and increase the Bcl-2 expression (P < 0.05). The DPCRA group showed much lower impacts on indexes than DPCDB and DPC groups. This suggests that DPCDB and DPC reveal similar efficacies and antelope horn in Danqi Piantan capsule can be substitutes by artificial bezoar.

[Substitution of antelope horn in Danqi Piantan capsule with artificial bezoar in vitro].

The in vitro cell culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of Danqi Piantan capsule (DPC) and DPC dislodge the antelope horn with artificial bezoar double (DPCBD) on nerve regeneration and blood vessel regeneration and preliminarily investigate the possibility of substituting antelope horn in DPC with artificial bezoar. In this experiment, rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the blank serum control group, the model group, DPC groups (0.306 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), the same below), DPC remove of antelope horn (DPCRA) groups and DPCBD groups. Brain microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro (BMEC), astrocytes and neural stem cells (NSC) were co-cultured to simulate neurovascular unit, label neurons with microtubule associated protein III (ß-tubulin III) antibody and lable astrocytes with glial fibrillary acidicprotein (GFAP). ELISA was used for the detection of the content of BMEC lactate dehydrogenase instrument method (LDH), the inverted phase contrastmicroscope was adopted to observe the formation of BMEC tube like structure, the number of leukocytes and leukocytes adherent to BMEC were counted under the microscope, the expression levels of ß-tubulin III and the ratio of GFAP positive cells was detected with inimmunofluorescence, and RT-PCR method was used to detect NGF, BDNF, VEGF and VEGFr-2 mRNA. According to the result, compared with the model group, both DPC and DPCBD can reduce LDH leakage, promote the formation of BMEC tube like structure, inhibit leukocytes and their adhesion to BMEC, increase the ß-tubulin III positive cell differentiation proportion (P < 0. 01), reduce the proportion of GFAP positive cells (P < 0.01), increase the expressions of co-cultured NGF, VEGF, BDNF and VEGFr-2 mRNA to a certain extent, with the most significant difference on NGF and VEGF mRNA expressions (P < 0.05) and the same efficacy in both groups. DPCRA groups showed less impact on all indexes than that of DPCBD and DPC groups. The same efficacy of DPCBD and DPC on nerve regeneration and angiogenesis suggested that antelope horn in DPC can be substituted by artificial bezoar.

Substitution of antelope horn in Danqi Piantan capsule with artificial bezoar in vitro / 中国中药杂志

The in vitro cell culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of Danqi Piantan capsule (DPC) and DPC dislodge the antelope horn with artificial bezoar double (DPCBD) on nerve regeneration and blood vessel regeneration and preliminarily investigate the possibility of substituting antelope horn in DPC with artificial bezoar. In this experiment, rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: the blank serum control group, the model group, DPC groups (0.306 g x kg(-1) x d(-1), the same below), DPC remove of antelope horn (DPCRA) groups and DPCBD groups. Brain microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro (BMEC), astrocytes and neural stem cells (NSC) were co-cultured to simulate neurovascular unit, label neurons with microtubule associated protein III (β-tubulin III) antibody and lable astrocytes with glial fibrillary acidicprotein (GFAP). ELISA was used for the detection of the content of BMEC lactate dehydrogenase instrument method (LDH), the inverted phase contrastmicroscope was adopted to observe the formation of BMEC tube like structure, the number of leukocytes and leukocytes adherent to BMEC were counted under the microscope, the expression levels of β-tubulin III and the ratio of GFAP positive cells was detected with inimmunofluorescence, and RT-PCR method was used to detect NGF, BDNF, VEGF and VEGFr-2 mRNA. According to the result, compared with the model group, both DPC and DPCBD can reduce LDH leakage, promote the formation of BMEC tube like structure, inhibit leukocytes and their adhesion to BMEC, increase the β-tubulin III positive cell differentiation proportion (P < 0. 01), reduce the proportion of GFAP positive cells (P < 0.01), increase the expressions of co-cultured NGF, VEGF, BDNF and VEGFr-2 mRNA to a certain extent, with the most significant difference on NGF and VEGF mRNA expressions (P < 0.05) and the same efficacy in both groups. DPCRA groups showed less impact on all indexes than that of DPCBD and DPC groups. The same efficacy of DPCBD and DPC on nerve regeneration and angiogenesis suggested that antelope horn in DPC can be substituted by artificial bezoar.