Safranal carried by nanostructured lipid vehicles inhibits generalized epilepsy in mice.

Safranal, a main component of Crocus sativus, is suggested to have neuroprotective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of safranal and nanostructured lipid vehicle (NLV) carried safranal in acute and chronic experimental mice models of epilepsy. In PILO acute seizure model, safranal dose-dependently extended latency to generalized seizure, decreased the highest seizure stages and the number of generalized seizures. Moreover, NLV carried safranal further enhanced the anti-seizure effect, which is comparable to the action of sodium valproate. Meanwhile, NLV carried safranal reduced and delayed the electroencephalogram spectra power after pilocarpine injection. In histological aspect, safranal dose-dependently reduced the loss of neurons induced by seizure and NLV system further improved this protection at the same dose. In MES acute model, safranal markedly increased the electroconvulsive threshold, where NLV further improved its effect. In PTZ chronic seizure model, NLV carried safranal significantly delayed the kindling rate of progress and the time it took to reach generalized seizures as compared to NLV control group. In conclusion, this study indicates that safranal inhibits generalized seizure in acute and chronic epilepsy models in mice and NLV can enhance this effect. So, NLV carried safranal may have potential value in treatment of generalized epilepsy.

Relationship between the polymorphism of start codon and CDX2 site in vitamin D receptor gene and the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density of postmenopausal women / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association of polymorphisms of start codon (Fok I site) and CDX2 binding site in vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) concerned with the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers of postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundreds unrelated postmenopausal women of Han ethnicity in Shanghai were randomly divided into 2 groups of 100 women: high calcium group (1000 mg element calcium and 400 units of vitamin D were given daily for 12 months) and low calcium group (300 mg element calcium and 300 units of vitamin D were given daily for 12 months). BMD and bone turnover markers were measured at baseline and 12 months after calcium supplementation. VDR gene Fok I and CDX2 polymorphisms were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele-specific multiplex PCR, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and seventy-one women completed 12-month study period. The frequency of VDR Fok I genotypes was 48.0 % for Ff, 31.0 % for FF, and 21.0 % for ff, and the frequency of CDX2 genotypes was 56.7 % for AG, 25.7% for GG, and 17.6% for AA. The frequencies distribution of Fok I and CDX2 alleles in the entire population or in two subgroups all followed the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant difference of baseline BMD and bone turnover markers in Fok I genotypes or CDX2 genotypes was observed in the entire population or in two subgroups. Moreover, regardless of calcium supplementation given for 12 months, no significant association was found between Fok I or CDX2 polymorphisms and the endpoint values or percentage changes of any BMD and bone turnover markers in either high calcium group or low calcium group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is no significant relationship between VDR gene Fok I or CDX2 polymorphisms and the effect of high or low doses calcium supplementation on BMD and bone turnover markers in Shanghai postmenopausal women of Han ethnicity.</p>