[Huangpu Tongqiao Capsule improves cognitive impairment in rats with Wilson disease by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of Huangpu Tongqiao Capsule (HPTQ) in a rat model of Wilson disease (WD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: SD rat models of WD were established by feeding of coppersupplemented chow diet and drinking water for 12 weeks, and starting from the 9th week, the rats were treated with low-, moderate- and high-dose HPTQ, penicillamine, or normal saline by gavage on a daily basis for 3 weeks. Copper levels in the liver and 24-h urine of the rats were detected, and their learning and memory abilities were evaluated using Morris water maze test. HE staining was used to observe morphological changes of CA1 region neurons in the hippocampus, and neuronal apoptosis was detected with TUNEL staining. Hippocampal expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-mediated apoptosis pathway-related proteins GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 at both the mRNA and protein levels were detected using RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence assay or Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with normal control rats, the rat models with copper overload-induced WD exhibited significantly increased copper levels in both the liver and 24-h urine, impaired learning and memory abilities, obvious hippocampal neuronal damage in the CA1 region and increased TUNEL-positive neurons (P<0.01), with also lowered mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 in the hippocampus (all P<0.01). Treatments with HPTQ and penicillamine significantly lowered copper level in the liver but increased urinary copper level, improved learning and memory ability, alleviated neuronal damage and apoptosis in the hippocampus, and decreased hippocampal expressions of GRP78, CHOP, caspase-12, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 in the rat models (P<0.01 or 0.05). CONCLUSION: HPTQ Capsule has neuroprotective effects in rat models of WD possibly by inhibiting ERS-mediated apoptosis pathway.

Quantitative assessment of the effects of human activities on phytoplankton communities in lakes and reservoirs.

Global algal blooms have been severely threatening safety of drinking water and development of socio-economy. Effective prevention and accurate control of algal blooms require a quantitative assessment of the influence of human activities and identification of priority areas. However, previous studies on the quantitative assessment of the effects of human activities on algal communities are lacking, severely hindering the effective and precise control of algal blooms. This paper proposes a quantitative assessment model to evaluate the impact intensity of human activities on phytoplankton. Applications showed that the proliferation of phytoplankton were more limited by nutrients such as total phosphorus and ammonia where waters are less influenced by human activities, yet were less limited by these nutrients where there are highly intensive human activities. The density of phytoplankton in waters increased with an increase in human activity intensity, particularly in concentrated agricultural areas, which are priority areas for the prevention and control of algal blooms. The methodologies can clearly identify key areas for algal bloom prevention and control and can provide scientific evidence for water and nutrient management throughout the world, reducing the risk of algal blooms and ensuring aquatic ecosystem health and potable water safety.

A clinical study of yi zhi capsules in prevention of vascular dementia.

The raised score in the revised Hasegawa dementia scales (HDS) demonstrated that the effect of Yi Zhi Capsules (YZC) in treating loss of intellectual function after cerebrovascular diseases was significantly better than that of the western drug Piracetam [symbol: see text] (P < 0.01). The morbidity of vascular dementia was much lower in the treatment group than that of the control group (P < 0.05) after a one-year follow-up; and the blood lipid level and some indexes in rheological examinations were also improved significantly (P < 0.05, or < 0.01). The data indicate that YZC is a relatively good preparation for prevention of vascular dementia.

[Experimental study on multi-infarct dementia treated with reinforcing essence to refresh mental activity method].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of multi-infarct dementia (MID) treated with reinforcing essence to refresh mental activity method (RERM). METHODS: MID rat models were established by injecting sterile dry blood clots into common carotid artery and screening by the first jumping-off latency of diving platform reflex. Effect of RERM on model rats in learning, memory, serum and brain malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, brain monoamine neurotransmitter content, and brain morphosis were observed. RESULTS: Obvious malfunction of learning and memory was found in MID rat models, and there were also significant decreasing of monoamine neurotransmitters content in partial brain zones, decreasing of SOD activity in brain and increasing of MDA content in serum and brain. RERM could obviously improve learning and memory, raise SOD activity and monoamine neurotransmitters content in brain tissue, lower MDA content in serum and brain of MID rat models, protect brain morphosis of multi-infarction rats. CONCLUSION: RERM might treat MID by restraining lipid peroxidation, improving monoamine neurotransmitters content in partial brain zones and decreasing ischemic damage of brain tissue.

Induction of apoptosis by the tumor suppressor protein BRCA1.

The breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene BRCA1, is a nuclear phosphoprotein which functions as a tumor suppressor. To investigate the role of BRCA1 in apoptosis, we have developed mouse fibroblast cell lines and human breast cancer cell lines expressing BRCA1. The expression of BRCA1 protein in the BRCA1 transfectants were analysed by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. The BRCA1 transfectants showed a flattened morphology compared to the parental cells. We show that serum deprivation or calcium ionophore treatment of BRCA1 transfectants resulted in programmed cell death. These results indicate that BRCA1 genes may play a critical role in the regulation of apoptosis. Thus, since a wide variety of human malignancies like breast and ovarian cancers have a decreased ability to undergo apoptosis, this could be due to lack/decreased levels of functional BRCA1 proteins. Treatments that are aimed at increasing the apoptotic threshold by BRCA1 gene therapy may have the potential to prevent the progression of these malignancies.