Black rice anthocyanidins prevent retinal photochemical damage via involvement of the AP-1/NF-kappaB/Caspase-1 pathway in Sprague-Dawley Rats

The effects of black rice anthocyanidins (BRACs) on retinal damage induced by photochemical stress are not well known. In the present study, Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93M for 1 week, after which 80 rats were randomly divided into two groups and treated with (n = 40) or without BRACs (n = 40) for 15 days, respectively. After treatment, both groups were exposed to fluorescent light (3,000 +/- 200 lux; 25degrees C), and the protective effect of dietary BRACs were evaluated afterwards. Our results showed that dietary BRACs effectively prevented retinal photochemical damage and inhibited the retinal cells apoptosis induced by fluorescent light (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary BRACs inhibited expression of AP-1 (c-fos/c-jun subunits), up-regulated NF-kappaB (p65) expression and phosphorylation of IkappaB-alpha, and decreased Caspase-1 expression (p < 0.05). These results suggest that BRACs improve retinal damage produced by photochemical stress in rats via AP-1/NF-kappaB/Caspase-1 apoptotic mechanisms.

Anticancer activities of an anthocyanin-rich extract from black rice against breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Anthocyanins widely present in human diet and have a variety of health effects. This study investigates the anticancer effects of an anthocyanin-rich extract from black rice (AEBR) on breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. AEBR reduced the viability of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 (ER(+), HER2/neu(-)), MDA-MB-231 (ER(-), HER2/neu(-)), and MDA-MB-453 (ER(-), HER2/neu(+)) and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-453 cells via the intrinsic pathway in vitro by activating caspase cascade, cleaving poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), depolarizing mitochondrial membrane potential, and releasing cytochrome C. Oral administration of AEBR (100 mg/kg/day) to BALB/c nude mice bearing MDA-MB-453 cell xenografts significantly suppressed tumor growth and angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of angiogenesis factors MMP-9, MMP-2, and uPA in tumor tissue. Altogether, this study suggests the anticancer effects of AEBR against human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by inducing apoptosis and suppressing angiogenesis.

Protective effects of taurine on retina photochemical damage in rats / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To establish the animal model of photochemical damage and investigate the protective effects and mechanism of taurine on the retina photochemical damage in rats. Methods Fifty rats were randomly divided into normal control group, light damage group and 4% taurine supplementation group. After 15 day cyclic light and 24-hour dark adaptation, the last two groups were exposed to (3000?200) lx transmitted by six cold white lights. After 24-hour exposure, the rats were stayed in darkness. The retinal morphology was detected through light and electron microscope and the retinal function was detected by Scot-ERG. The concentration of MDA and the activity level of SOD/GSH-px were measured. Results In light damage group, the a and b amplitude (Aa/Ab) were significantly decreased, but in taurine group, except the decreased Aa, others were of no significant changes. The retina inner and outer segments were swollen and in disorder after exposure, the outer nuclear layer got thinner than that of control. The mitochondria in light damage group was swollen, but in taurine group changes were less significant. After exposure, the concentration of MDA in retina was markedly increased in light damage group and the activity level of SOD/GSH-px were decreased, but in taurine group MDA slightly increased and SOD/GSH-px was up-regulated but of no significance. Conclusion Dietary supplementation with 4% taurine partially protected photoreceptor from degeneration, which might correlate with the antioxidation and inhibition of free radical character of taurine.

Effects of nutritional intervention on the micronutrients metabolis m of radar operators / 第三军医大学学报

Objective　To explore the metabolism of micronutri ents related to dark adaptation of radar operators through nutritional intervent ion. Methods　A total of 34 male radar operators aged between 18 ～29 years old were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The c ontrol group were on normal diet, and the experimental group received the supple ment of VA, Zn and Se in additional to normal diet. The experiment lasted 4 week s. The levels of serum VA, Zn and Se were measured before and after the experime nt. Results　The levels of serum VA, Zn and Se in the experime ntal group were significantly higher than that in the control group after the experiment (P<0.01). Conclusion　The supplement of VA, Zn an d Se for 4 weeks may elevate, the levels of serum VA, Zn and Se significantly (reached or surpassed normal levels) and suggests that VA, Zn and Se su pplementation may effectively enhance the dark adaptation of radar operators.

Effect of lead on calcium absorption and bone development in weanling rats / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To study the effect of lead on the calcium absorption and bone development in weanling rats. Methods Totally 80 weanling Wistar rats were equally divided into normal control (given with pure water and standard feed, including 1.15% calcium), lead group (given 1.0 g/L lead acetate water and standard feed), lead+low calcium group (1.0 g/L lead acetate water and feed including 0.69% calcium), and lead+high calcium group (1.0 g/L lead acetate water and feed including 1.72 % calcium). The development of rats was observed. Serum contents of osteocalcin and parathormone,and bone levels of lead and calcium in the femur were determined. The femur was examined with histological method. Another 5 Wistar rats received gastric irrigation of 10% lead acetate for 5 d, 5 more rats served as control, and then their absorption of calcium was detected with 45CaCl2. Results Lead and low calcium inhibited the development of rat remarkably, with the content of osteocalcin, the length and diameter of the femur decreased. High calcium antagonized these effects of lead. The absorption of calcium in rats was repressed by lead. Conclusion Bone depression by lead may be due to that lead inhibits the absorption of calcium in rats, and the supplement of calcium is helpful to minimize the repression.

EFFECT OF CALCIUM ON THE EXPRESSION OF OSTEOCALCIN, PARATHORMONE AND PARATHORMONE RECEPTOR IN RAT EXPOSED TO LEAD / 营养学报

Objective: To study the effect of calcium on osteocalcin(OC) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in rat exposed to lead. Method: Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, lead group, low-calcium+lead group and high-calcium+lead group. The content of calcium and lead in bone, OC and PTH of rat with different treatments were detected. At the same time, RT-PCR analysis was used to determine the expression of OC and PTHr1. Results: Lead decreased the content of calcium in bone and OC. The expression of OC was inhibited, and the level of PTH and the expression of PTHr1 increased, which could be enhanced by low calcium treatment, but high calcium treatment could antagonize these effects of lead. Conclusion: Supplementation of calcium in diet could extenuate the toxicity of lead on bone in rat.

INFLUENCE OF VITAMIN COMPLEX ON IMMUNE FUNCTION IN MICE / 营养学报

The influence of individual vitamin on immunity has been described before. In this report, the comprehensive effect of vitamin A, E, riboflavin, pyridoxine and folic acid on the immune response was studied in the BALB/C mice. Animals were divided into five groups:control group, one-third requirement group, double requirement group, triple requirement group and restored group (feeding insufficient diet for six weeks, and then normal diet for another two weeks). The results showed that the percentages of the peripheral blood T cell, Tu cell were diminished significantly in the deficient group in comparison to controls, on the contrast, those in double and triple requirement groups increased obviously, and also did the restored group supplemented normally but no difference in the percentage of Ty in all groups. The study also showed a positive correlation between the relative, absolute thymic weight and the percentage of the peripheral blood T cell. The changes stated above of the peripheral blood T cell and its sub-populations are partially owing to the abnormality of the thymic tissue, but the distribution of lymphocyte shouldn't be neglected. The study found the plaque forming cells (PFC) of spleen, aud the ratio of 3H-thymidine incorporating into splenic lymphocyte after exposure to ConA, PHA and LPS in vitro were increased significantly in double and triple requirement groups; but with the vitamin complex under supply, the former was requced significantly, the latter was comparable to the controls. The PFC increased markedly and no difference with the double group after insufficient animals fed normal diet for two weeks. It is therefore not surprising that the vitamin complex plays a special role in the differentiation and maturation of PFC. According to the study, the vitamin complex may influence the growth of lymphoid tissue, the differentiation and maturation of immunocompetent cells and functional manifestation by mainly affecting the contents of cAMP, cGMP of lymphocyte, and the metabolism of nucleic acid and protein.

EFFECTS OF TAURINE ON APOPTOSIS OF PHOTORECEPTORS AND NF?B/CASPASE-1 PATHWAY IN PHOTOCHEMICAL DAMAGE / 营养学报

Objective: To observe the effects of taurine (Tau) on photoreceptor apoptosis and investigate the mechanism. Method: Seventy rats were randomly divided into control group (Cont) and 4% taurine supplementation group (Tau). The subjects were exposed to the cool white light (3000?200 lx)for 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 or 24 h . The apoptotic index (AI) of photoreceptor was evaluated by TUNEL method. Meanwhile, levels of p65 in nuclear and caspase-1 were determined by Western-blot analysis and I?Ba mRNA was detected by RT-PCR . Results: After 9 h exposure, scattered TUNEL positive photoreceptors were found in Tau group, and each AI was lower than the corresponding control (P