Effects of n-6 PUFA-rich soybean oil, MUFA-rich olive oil and camellia seed oil on weight and cardiometabolic profiles among Chinese women: a 3-month double-blind randomized controlled-feeding trial.

Previous studies have suggested that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat is beneficial for cardiometabolic health. However, research that directly compares the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) is rare. The present 3-month, three-arm, randomized, controlled-feeding trial aimed to investigate the effects of n-6 PUFA- and MUFA-rich cooking oils on body weight and cardiometabolic profiles among middle-aged and elderly Chinese women at high cardiovascular risk. Ninety participants were recruited and randomly assigned to groups fed diets using n-6 PUFA-rich soybean oil (SO, n = 30), MUFA-rich olive oil (OO, n = 30), and MUFA-rich camellia seed oil (CSO, n = 30) as cooking oils considering traditional Chinese eating habits for 3 months. Participants were required to eat only the foods provided for lunch and dinner, and avoid intake of edible oils in breakfast. Body weight and cardiovascular profiles were measured at the baseline, middle, and end of the intervention, and group differences in changes of outcomes during intervention were examined by a linear mixed model. We found no significant difference in the changes of body weight among the SO group (mean change, 0.31 kg; 95% CI, -0.88 to 0.27), the OO group (mean change, -0.13 kg; 95% CI, -0.62 to 0.36), and the CSO group (mean change, -0.72 kg; 95% CI, -1.38 to -0.07). For secondary outcomes, the OO group showed a slight increase in HDL cholesterol (P = 0.03), while the CSO group showed greater reduction in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.02) when compared with the SO group. These results suggested that MUFA-rich OO and CSO exerted more favorable effects on cardiometabolic profiles among middle-aged and elderly Chinese women at high cardiovascular risk than the n-6 PUFA-rich SO.

Dietary camellia (Camellia oleifera Abel) seed oil in traditional Chinese cooking for high-risk cardiovascular disease: A three-arm double-blind randomized controlled feeding trial protocol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As the Chinese economy has developed, dietary patterns have modernized, thereby increasing the incidence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Many observational studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet based on olive oil is associated with a decreased incidence of CVD. This article aims to study the possible effects of dietary models by using three edible oils: olive oil, camellia seed oil (CSO), and soybean oil. CSO has a fatty acid composition similar to that olive oil and is unique in China, and soybean oil is a dietary oil used in traditional Chinese cooking. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This intervention is designed based on a three-arm double-blind randomized controlled feeding trial. Three dietary models are established according to traditional Chinese cooking methods, each using one of the three plant edible oils mentioned above as a leading factor. Participants will be randomly assigned to each group and provided with a designated diet for 3 months. RESULTS: The study population is planned to be women with a high risk of CVD and aged between 35 and 69 years. Weight and other CVD-related factors are treated as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This trial may inform dietary nutrition policies to a certain extent, especially concerning traditional Chinese cooking methods, for weight control and the improvement of cardiovascular-related risk factors in women with a high risk of CVD.

New observations on the effect of camellia oil on fatty liver disease in rats.

Camellia oil has become an important plant oil in China in recent years, but its effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have not been documented. In this study, the effects of camellia oil, soybean oil, and olive oil on NAFLD were evaluated by analyzing the fatty acid profiles of the plant oils, the serum lipids and lipoproteins of rats fed different oils, and by cytological and ultrastructural observation of the rats' hepatocytes. Analysis of fatty acid profiles showed that the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) n-6/n-3 ratio was 33.33 in camellia oil, 12.50 in olive oil, and 7.69 in soybean oil. Analyses of serum lipids and lipoproteins of rats showed that the levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a camellia oil-fed group (COFG) were lower than those in an olive oil-fed group (OOFG) and higher than those in a soybean oil-fed group (SOFG). However, only the difference in total cholesterol between the COFG and SOFG was statistically significant. Cytological observation showed that the degree of lipid droplet (LD) accumulation in the hepatocytes in the COFG was lower than that in the OOFG, but higher than that in the SOFG. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that the size and number of the LDs in the hepatocytes of rats fed each of the three types of oil were related to the degree of damage to organelles, including the positions of nuclei and the integrity of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. The results revealed that the effect of camellia oil on NAFLD in rats was greater than that of soybean oil, but less than that of olive oil. Although the overall trend was that among the three oil diets, those with a lower n-6/n-3 ratio were associated with a lower risk of NAFLD, and the effect of camellia oil on NAFLD was not entirely related to the n-6/n-3 ratio and may have involved other factors. This provides new insights into the effect of oil diets on NAFLD.

Anti-senescence effect and molecular mechanism of the major royal jelly proteins on human embryonic lung fibroblast (HFL-I) cell line.

Royal jelly (RJ) from honeybee has been widely used as a health promotion supplement. The major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) have been identified as the functional component of RJ. However, the question of whether MRJPs have anti-senescence activity for human cells remains. Human embryonic lung fibroblast (HFL-I) cells were cultured in media containing no MRJPs (A), MRJPs at 0.1 mg/ml (B), 0.2 mg/ml (C), or 0.3 mg/ml (D), or bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 0.2 mg/ml (E). The mean population doubling levels of cells in media B, C, D, and E were increased by 12.4%, 31.2%, 24.0%, and 10.4%, respectively, compared with that in medium A. The cells in medium C also exhibited the highest relative proliferation activity, the lowest senescence, and the longest telomeres. Moreover, MRJPs up-regulated the expression of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) and down-regulated the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR), catenin beta like-1 (CTNNB1), and tumor protein p53 (TP53). Raman spectra analysis showed that there were two unique bands related to DNA synthesis materials, amide carbonyl group vibrations and aromatic hydrogens. These results suggest that MRJPs possess anti-senescence activity for the HFL-I cell line, and provide new knowledge illustrating the molecular mechanism of MRJPs as anti-senescence factors.

Supplementation with turmeric residue increased survival of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) under high ambient temperatures.

Turmeric residue (TR), containing residual levels of curcumin, is a solid by-product waste generated after the extraction and separation of curcumin from turmeric root. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of TR on the survival of Chinese soft-shelled turtles (SSTs), Pelodiscus sinensis, under a high ambient temperature. A total of 320 female SSTs were assigned randomly to two diets: basal diet (the control group, n=160) and an interventional diet supplemented with 10% TR (the TR group, n=160). Our results demonstrated that supplementation of TR increased the SST survival rate by 135.5%, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of SST liver by 112.8%, and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of SST liver by 36.4%, compared to the control group. The skin of the SST fed TR showed a golden color. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis indicated that the concentrations of curcumin in TR and the skin of the SST fed TR were (1.69±0.30) and (0.14±0.03) µg/g, respectively. Our observation suggests that supplementation of TR increased the survival rate of SST under high ambient temperatures. We speculated that the increased survival rate and tolerance at the high ambient temperature were associated with the anti-oxidation activity of curcumin from TR. Moreover, curcumin in TR could be deposited in SST skin, which made it more favored in the market of China. Our findings provide new knowledge and evidence to effectively reuse TR as a feed additive in animal and aquatic farming.

Effect of Major Royal Jelly Proteins on Spatial Memory in Aged Rats: Metabolomics Analysis in Urine.

Royal jelly (RJ) produced by worker honeybees is the sole food for the queen bee throughout her life as well as the larvae of worker bees for the first 3 days after hatching. Supplementation of RJ in the diet has been shown to increase spatial memory in rodents. However, the key constituents in RJ responsible for improvement of cognitive function are unknown. Our objective was to determine if the major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) extracted from RJ can improve the spatial memory of aged rats. The spatial memory assay using the Morris water maze test was administered once to rats after a 14-week feeding. Metabolomics analysis based on quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was conducted to examine the differences in compounds from urine. Aged male rats fed MRJPs showed improved spatial memory up to 48.5% when compared to the control male aged rats fed distilled water. The metabolite pattern of the MRJPs-fed aged rats was regressed to that of the young rats. Compounds altered by MRJPs were mapped to nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, cysteine taurine metabolism, and energy metabolism pathways. In summary, MRJPs may improve spatial memory and possess the potential for prevention of cognitive impairment via the cysteine and taurine metabolism and energy metabolism pathways in aged rats.

Supplementation with Major Royal-Jelly Proteins Increases Lifespan, Feeding, and Fecundity in Drosophila.

The major royal-jelly proteins (MRJPs) are the main constituents responsible for the specific physiological role of royal jelly (RJ) in honeybees. Male and female Drosophila flies were fed diets containing either no MRJPs (A) or casein (B) at 1.25% (w/w) of diet or MRJPs at 1.25% (C), 2.50% (D), or 5.00% (E). Diets B, C, D, and E increased mean lifespan by 4.3%, 9.0%, 12.4%, and 13.9% in males and by 5.8%, 9.7%, 20.0%, and 11.8% in females in comparison to results from diet A, respectively. The diet supplemented with 2.50% MRJPs seems to have the optimal dose to improve both physiological and biochemical measures related to aging in both sexes. Interestingly, lifespan extension by MRJPs in Drosophila was positively associated with feeding and fecundity and up-regulation of copper and zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and the Egfr-mediated signaling pathway. This study provides strong evidence that MRJPs are important components of RJ for prolonging lifespan in Drosophila.

[Effects of acupuncture combined general anesthesia on endorphin and hemodynamics of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in the perioperative phase].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different anesthesia ways on endorphin and hemodynamics of laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in the perioperative phase. METHODS: A total of 90 laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients, 29 to 80 years old, were randomly assigned to Group A (treated with electroacupuncture at acupoints combined general anesthesia), Group B (treated with electroacupuncture at non-acupoints combined general anesthesia), and Group C (treated with general anesthesia) according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 30 cases in each group. All patients were induced by 3 microg/kg Fentanyl (Fen), 2 mg/kg Propofol (Pro), and 0.1 mg/kg Vecuronium (Vcr). Bispectral index (BIS), being 40 -65, indicated the state of general anesthesia. The anesthesia was maintained by intravenous injecting Pro, interruptedly intravenous injecting Fen and Vcr. Each patient received patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after operation. On these bases, patients in Group A received electrical acupuncture at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Quchi (Ll11), Zusanli (ST36), and Yanglingquan (GB34). Patients in Group B received electrical acupuncture at the points beside acupoints. The electroacupuncture was lasted from 15 -30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of the operation in Group A and B. The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and acceleration index (ACI) were recorded before anesthesia induction, immediate before pneumoperitoneum, 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, excision of gallbladder, and at the end of operation. The time consumption from discontinuation to spontaneously breathing recovery, analeptic, and extubation were recorded. The blood samples (3 mL each time) were collected from the peripheral vein before anesthesia induction, 2 h after operation, the 1st day after operation, and the 3rd day after operation to detect the beta-endorphin (beta-EP) level. The visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed and recorded in the 3 groups at post-operative 4, 6, 8, 24, and 44 h, respectively. RESULTS: (1) Compared with before anesthesia induction in the same group, the CI, CO, ACI of all patients decreased significantly at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum and at excision of gallbladder (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The HR, MAP, SVRI obviously increased in Group B and Group C at each time point (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Less change happened in Group A. Compared with Group C, the increment of MAP was less in Group A at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). (2) The time consumption from discontinuation to analeptic and extubation was obviously shorter in Group A than in Group B and Group C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) The level of beta-EP on the 1st day of operation was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05) and Group C (P < 0.01). (4) The VAS score at post-operative 44 h was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B and Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture at acupoints combined general anesthesia could maintain the stabilization of haemodynamics, and relieve the stress reaction after pneumoperitoneum and operation, and prolong it to early post-operative period, and strengthen the effects of post-operative analgesia. The post-operative recovery was fast, safe, and reliable.

Curcumin and aging.

Turmeric has been used commonly as a spice, food additive, and an herbal medicine worldwide. Known as a bioactive polyphenolic extract of Turmeric, curcumin has a broad range of health benefit properties for humans. Recently, active research on curcumin with respect to aging and related traits in model organisms has demonstrated that curcumin and its metabolite, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), increase mean lifespan of at least three model organisms: nematode roundworm, fruit fly Drosophila, and mouse. Nematodes grown on media containing curcumin showed a significantly increased lifespan by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species. Genes osr-1, sek-1, mek-1, skn-1, unc-43, sir-2.1, and age-1 are required for curcumin-mediated lifespan extension. The lifespan extension of Drosophila by curcumin supplementation was associated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased lipofuscin and malondialdehyde levels. Curcumin up-regulated expression of SOD genes and down-regulated expression of several age-related genes, such as dInR, ATTD, Def, CecB, and DptB. In addition, THC extended lifespan in Drosophila and inhibited the oxidative stress response by regulating FOXO and Sir2. Mice fed diets containing THC starting at the age of 13 months had significantly increased mean lifespan. In summary, the positive effects of curcumin on lifespan extension likely arise from beneficial regulation of common oxidative stress responses and age-related genes. Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of curcumin action has provided base knowledge and rationale for future human clinical trials, and for nutritional intervention in aging and age-associated disorders in humans.

Curcumin-supplemented diets increase superoxide dismutase activity and mean lifespan in Drosophila.

Curcumin is a polyphenolic bioactive compound in turmeric. We examined if antioxidant effects of curcumin are associated with lifespan extension in Drosophila. In this experiment, females and males of Drosophila were fed diets either containing no curcumin (C0) or supplemented with curcumin at 0.5 (C1) and 1.0 (C2) mg/g of diet. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expression of seven age-related genes in females and males were analyzed. We found that C1 and C2 increased mean lifespan by 6.2 % and 25.8 % in females, and by 15.5 % and 12.6 % in males, respectively. Meanwhile, C1 and C2 significantly decreased MDA levels and increased SOD activity in both genders. Diets C1 in females and C2 in males are effective in extending mean lifespan and improving levels of two physiological and biochemical measures related to aging in Drosophila. Lifespan extension of curcumin in Drosophila was associated with the up-regulation of Mn-SOD and CuZn-SOD genes, and the down-regulation of dInR, ATTD, Def, CecB, and DptB genes. The present results suggest that curcumin increases mean lifespan of Drosophila via regulating gene expression of the key enzyme SOD and reducing accumulation of MDA and lipid peroxidation. This study provided new insights for understanding the anti-aging mechanism of curcumin in Drosophila.

Moxibustion inhibits interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and modulates intestinal flora in rat with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on intestinal flora and release of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from the colon in rat with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: A rat model of UC was established by local stimulation of the intestine with supernatant from colonic contents harvested from human UC patients. A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: normal (sham), model (UC), herb-partition moxibustion (HPM-treated), and positive control sulfasalazine (SA-treated). Rats treated with HPM received HPM at acupuncture points ST25 and RN6, once a day for 15 min, for a total of 8 d. Rats in the SA group were perfused with SA twice a day for 8 d. The colonic histopathology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin. The levels of intestinal flora, including Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis), were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect bacterial 16S rRNA/DNA in order to determine DNA copy numbers of each specific species. Immunohistochemical assays were used to observe the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in the rat colons. RESULTS: HPM treatment inhibited immunopathology in colonic tissues of UC rats; the general morphological score and the immunopathological score were significantly decreased in the HPM and SA groups compared with the model group [3.5 (2.0-4.0), 3.0 (1.5-3.5) vs 6.0 (5.5-7.0), P < 0.05 for the general morphological score, and 3.00 (2.00-3.50), 3.00 (2.50-3.50) vs 5.00 (4.50-5.50), P < 0.01 for the immunopathological score]. As measured by DNA copy number, we found that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are associated with a healthy colon, were significantly higher in the HPM and SA groups than in the model group (1.395 ± 1.339, 1.461 ± 1.152 vs 0.045 ± 0.036, P < 0.01 for Bifidobacterium, and 0.395 ± 0.325, 0.851 ± 0.651 vs 0.0015 ± 0.0014, P < 0.01 for Lactobacillus). On the other hand, E. coli and B. fragilis, which are associated with an inflamed colon, were significantly lower in the HPM and SA groups than in the model group (0.244 ± 0.107, 0.628 ± 0.257 vs 1.691 ± 0.683, P < 0.01 for E. coli, and 0.351 ± 0.181, 0.416 ± 0.329 vs 1.285 ± 1.039, P < 0.01 for B. fragilis). The expression of TNF-α and IL-12 was decreased after HPM and SA treatment as compared to UC model alone (4970.81 ± 959.78, 6635.45 ± 1135.16 vs 12333.81 ± 680.79, P < 0.01 for TNF-α, and 5528.75 ± 1245.72, 7477.38 ± 1259.16 vs 12550.29 ± 1973.30, P < 0.01 for IL-12). CONCLUSION: HPM treatment can regulate intestinal flora and inhibit the expression of TNF-α and IL-12 in the colon tissues of UC rats, indicating that HPM can improve colonic immune response.

[Effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy under different anesthetic methods on T-lymphocyte immune function and postoperative analgesia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the differences in the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with different anesthetic methods on T-lymphocyte immune function and postoperative analgesia as well as validate the specificity of meridian points. METHODS: Ninety cases of LC were randomized into three groups, named group A (compound general anesthesia group with meridian points involved), group B (compound general anesthesia group with placebo points involved) and group C (general anesthesia group). In group A, electroacupuncture was applied at first for 15 to 30 min to bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Quchi (LI 11). Afterwards, the general anesthesia was conducted and electric stimulation lasted till the end of operation. In group B, the points adopted were the midpoints between the meridians in which the acupoints were selected in group A and the adjacent meridians on the lateral side, at the level of selected meridian points correspondingly. The method and time of electroacupuncture were same as those in group A. In group C, the general anesthesia was adopted simply. The changes of T-lymphocyte subgroup were detected before anesthesia, in 2 h, 1 day and 3 days after operation separately; and the dose of narcotic in operation as well as the dose of analgesia pumper in 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h and 44 h after operation separately. RESULTS: (1) In comparison between the result 2 h after operation and that before operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ in all of three groups were lower than those before operation. Except that the change in CD4+ in group A did not present significant statistical difference as compared with that before operation (P > 0.05), all of the other differences in T-lymphocyte subgroup indicated statistical significance (all P < 0.05). The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in three groups was higher than that before operation, but the difference in group A was significant statistically (P < 0.05). In 3 days after operation, the levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ were all higher than those before operation, indicating significant statistical differences (all P < 0.05) except CD4+/CD8+ in group B (P > 0.05). (2) In group A, during operation, the dose of narcotic reduced apparently (P < 0.05). (3) Separately, in 4, 6 and 8 h after operation, the dose of analgesia pumper reduced significantly in group A (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compound general anesthesia with meridian points involved can increase pain threshold of human body, reduce the dose of narcotic during operation, alleviate the suppression in body immune regulation due to stress reaction of general anesthesia and operation, prolong the time-effect of postoperative analgesia and explain the specificity of meridian points.

[Effect of different anesthesia methods on immune function in patients of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in peri-operational period].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the influence of acupuncture combine with general anesthesia (ACGA) and general anesthesia (GA) on immune function in patients of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in peri-operational period. METHODS: Thirty-nine cases undergoing LC were randomly divided into an ACGA group and a GA group. The ACGA group was treated with electroacupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) for 15-30 minutes and subsequently with the general anesthesia followed by continuous electroacupuncture stimulation till the operation finished. The GA group was treated with simple general anesthesia. Changes of T cell subset, tumor necrosis factor-apha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed at time points of before anesthesia induction, 2 hours after operation, 1 and 3 days after operation and the occurrence of adverse reaction after operation was recorded. RESULTS: The percentages of CD3+ and CD8+ in both groups at 2 hours after operation were significant lower than that before anesthesia induction (all P < 0.05), and the percentage of CD4+ in the GA group decreased significantly at that time point (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the ACGA group and CD4+/CD8+ increased significantly (P < 0.05). The level of TNF-alpha in the ACGA group decreased significantly at 3 days after operation as compared with that of before anesthesia induction (P < 0.05). There were significantly less cases nauseated after operation in the ACGA group than that in the GA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combine with general anesthesia has very little effect on immune function in patients of LC with less adverse reactions.

[Influence of acupuncture at acupoints and non-acupoints on the perioperative analgesic effect in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of general anesthesia, acupuncture at acupoints compound general anesthesia and acupuncture at non-acupoints compound general anesthesia on the perioperative analgesic effect in patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Ninety patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly divided into a general anesthesia group (group A), an acupuncture at acupoints compound general anesthesia group (group B) and an acupuncture at non-acupoints compound general anesthesia group (group C), 30 cases in each group. General anesthesias were all induced by Fentanyl, Propofol and Vecuronium Bromide. The bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Yanglingquan (GB 34) were selected in the group B, and the middle points of the line connecting the meridians where every acupoint mentioned above belonged and their lateral neighbor meridians selected in the group C. The dosage of anesthetics, the time of goggle and the time of evulsion cannulation and direction location in all the patients were compared, and the dosage of analgesia pump within 4, 6, 8, 24 and 44 hours and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain were recorded after surgery. RESULTS: The dosage of Fentanyl in the group B was obviously lower than that in both the group A and the group C (both P<0.05), and the dosages of Propofol and Vecuronium Bromide in the group B were obviously lower than those in the group A (P<0.05, P<0.01). The time of goggle, evulsion cannulation and direction location in the group B were significantly shorter than those in the other groups (all P<0.01). After surgery, the dosage of analgesia pump in the group B was significantly fewer than that in the group C within 4 and 6 hours (both P<0.05), and it was significantly fewer than that in the group A within 4, 6, 8 hours (all P<0.05). The scores of VAS of pain at 44th hour after surgery in the group B were obviously lower than those in the other groups (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at acupoints can enhance the anesthetic effect of compound general anesthesia and prolong the analgesia period. Acupuncture at non-points has a certain effect, but their effectiveness is less than that of acupoints. Thus, the acupoint has the specificity and accurate acupoint selection is the key factor affecting analgesia effect.

Drosophila lacks C20 and C22 PUFAs.

Drosophila melanogaster has been considered a model organism for investigating human diseases and genetic pathways. Whether Drosophila is an ideal model for nutrigenomics, especially for FA metabolism, however, remains to be illustrated. The aim of this study was to examine the metabolism of C20 and C22 PUFAs in Drosophila. Analysis of FA composition revealed a complete lack of C20 and C22 PUFAs in the body tissue of larvae, pupae, and adult flies fed either a base or supplemented diet abundant in the PUFA precursors linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid. PUFA with >C20 could only be found in flies supplemented with specific FAs. Interestingly, the supplemented C22 PUFAs docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and docosatetraenoic acid (22:4n-6) were largely converted to the shorter chain C20 PUFAs eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and arachidonic acid (20:4n-6), respectively. Furthermore, a genome sequence scan indicated that no gene encoding Δ-6/ Δ-5 desaturases, the key enzymes for the synthesis of C20/C22 PUFA, was present in Drosophila. These findings demonstrate that Drosophila lacks the capability to synthesize the biologically important C20 and C22 PUFAs, and thereby argue that Drosophila is not a valid model for the study of lipid metabolism and related diseases.

[Ovicidal activity of nine essential oils against Chrysomya megacephara in bacon and kipper].

To exploit safe ovicides against the flies that attack bacon and kipper, the ovicidal activity of 9 plant essential oils was investigated by a modified egg-dipping method. The results indicated that the essential oils from Cinnamomun cassia, Eugenia caryophyllata and Illicum verum had higher ovicidal activity, with their LC50 values being 0.428, 1.605 and 2.489 mg x ml(-1), respectively. Through GC/MS analysis, a total of 22 components were identified from C. cassia oil, among which, cinamaldehyde was the most predominant one, accounting for 92.33% of the total. The LC50 of synthesized cinamaldehyde (97.33%) was 0.281 mg x ml(-1), being a little higher than the LC50 of C. cassia oil, suggesting that cinamaldehyde was the main ovicidal component of C. cassia oil and could replace the latter as an ovicide against harmful flies.

[Analysis of ant oil extracted with supercritical CO2 fluid from Polyrhachis vicina by GC-MS].

OBJECTIVE: To study the optimum extraction parameters and components on ant oil from Polyrhachis vicina. METHOD: The optimum condifious for supercritical CO2 fluid extraction (SFE-CO2), were investigated with orthogonal design, GC-MS was applied for analyzing. The components and their contents in the ant oil were analyzed by GC-MS, and the contents of lead, zinc and manganese in the oil were determined by ICP-AES. RESULT: The optimum extraction parameters were achieved, temperature of 50 degrees C, pressure of 30 MPa and time of 2 hours. The extracting yield of the ant volatile oil was 11.4% - 14.3%. 51 Constituents were identified including 9-octadecenoic acid, ethyl oleate, cholesterol, n- Hexadecanoic acid, etc, and the content of various constituents was determined by orea normalization. The oil contained unsaturated fatty acid of 64.6%, lead of 0.80 microg x g(-1), zinc of 0.54 microg x g(-1) and manganese of 0.15 microg x g(-1). CONCLUSION: The method showes advantages including faster and efficient of extraction, good quality and no solvent residues in the oil.