Low-dose apatinib and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil as palliative treatment in recurrent cervical cancer patients with poor performance status: A case series.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: A large proportion of recurrent cervical cancer (RCC) patients present with poor performance status (PS) after comprehensive treatments, which usually prevents them from opting for clinical trials. We retrospectively analysed the effect and safety of low-dose apatinib and tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil (TGO) in the treatment of these patients. CASE SUMMARY: Six patients treated with low-dose apatinib and TGO showed a disease control rate of 83.3% and grade 1-2 adverse events (AEs). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: This case series indicates that low-dose apatinib and TGO could be considered as palliative therapy for RCC patients with poor PS.

iRhom2 deficiency relieves TNF-α associated hepatic dyslipidemia in long-term PM2.5-exposed mice.

Accumulating researches reported that particulate matter (PM2.5) is a risk factor for developing various diseases, including metabolic syndrome. Recently, inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) was considered as a necessary modulator for shedding of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in immune cells. TNF-α, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, was linked to various pathogenesis of diseases, including dyslipidemia. Here, wild type (WT) and iRhom2-knockout (iRhom2-/-) mice were used to investigate the effects of iRhom2 on PM2.5-induced hepatic dyslipidemia. The hepatic histology, inflammatory response, glucose tolerance, serum parameters and gene expressions were analyzed. We found that long-term inhalation of PM2.5 resulted in hepatic steatosis. And a significant up-regulation of iRhom2 in liver tissues was observed, accompanied with elevated TNF-α, TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE), TNFα receptor (TNFR)2 and various inflammatory cytokines expressions. Additionally, PM2.5 treatment caused TG and TC accumulation in serum and liver, probably attributed to changes of genes modulating lipid metabolism. Intriguingly, hepatic injury and dyslipidemia were attenuated by iRhom2-/- in mice with PM2.5 challenge. In vitro, iRhom2-knockdwon reduced TNF-α expressions and its associated inflammatory cytokines in Kupffer cells, implying that liver-resident macrophages played an important role in regulating hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism in cells treated with PM2.5. The findings indicated that long-term PM2.5 exposure caused hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia through triggering inflammation, which was, at least partly, dependent on iRhom2/TNF-α pathway in liver-resident macrophages.

Antisense knockdown of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase promotes the neutral lipid accumulation in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

BACKGROUND: Microalgae have been an emerging biofuel resource; however, the germplasm improvement has been slow due to the lack of molecular tools. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK) deactivates the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate. Acetyl-CoA production via PDC is important in plant tissues that are active in fatty acid synthesis. RESULTS: A 1261-bp cDNA of a putative PDK gene (PtPDK) was cloned from a diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and PtPDK antisense knockdown transgenic diatoms were generated. Both PtPDK transcript abundance and enzyme activity were reduced significantly due to antisense knockdown of PtPDK. Neutral lipid content of transgenic diatom cells increased up to 82% as determined by Nile red staining, and fatty acid composition was not altered. Transgenic cells showed slightly lower growth rate but similar cell size with the wild type, hence retaining similar biomass productivity. CONCLUSIONS: This work first obtained a successful engineered diatom regulating a key gene involved in lipid metabolism. Our findings also provide powerful indications in enhancing microalgal lipid production by metabolic engineering for biofuel industry.

Complete mitogenome sequences of four flatfishes (Pleuronectiformes) reveal a novel gene arrangement of L-strand coding genes.

BACKGROUND: Few mitochondrial gene rearrangements are found in vertebrates and large-scale changes in these genomes occur even less frequently. It is difficult, therefore, to propose a mechanism to account for observed changes in mitogenome structure. Mitochondrial gene rearrangements are usually explained by the recombination model or tandem duplication and random loss model. RESULTS: In this study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of four flatfishes, Crossorhombus azureus (blue flounder), Grammatobothus krempfi, Pleuronichthys cornutus, and Platichthys stellatus were determined. A striking finding is that eight genes in the C. azureus mitogenome are located in a novel position, differing from that of available vertebrate mitogenomes. Specifically, the ND6 and seven tRNA genes (the Q, A, C, Y, S1, E, P genes) encoded by the L-strand have been translocated to a position between tRNA-T and tRNA-F though the original order of the genes is maintained. CONCLUSIONS: These special features are used to suggest a mechanism for C. azureus mitogenome rearrangement. First, a dimeric molecule was formed by two monomers linked head-to-tail, then one of the two sets of promoters lost function and the genes controlled by the disabled promoters became pseudogenes, non-coding sequences, and even were lost from the genome. This study provides a new gene-rearrangement model that accounts for the events of gene-rearrangement in a vertebrate mitogenome.

Pause-melting misalignment: a novel model for the birth and motif indel of tandem repeats in the mitochondrial genome.

BACKGROUND: Tandem repeats (TRs) in the mitochondrial (mt) genome control region have been documented in a wide variety of vertebrate species. The mechanism by which repeated tracts originate and undergo duplication and deletion, however, remains unclear. RESULTS: We analyzed DNA sequences of mt genome TRs (mtTRs) in the ridged-eye flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus), and characterized DNA sequences of mtTRs from other vertebrates using the data available in GenBank. Tandem repeats are concentrated in the control regions; however, we found approximately 16.6% of the TRs elsewhere in the mt genome. The flounder mtTRs possess three motif types with hypervariable characteristics at the 3' end of the control region (CR). CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis of this larger dataset of mtTR sequences, we propose a novel model of Pause Melting Misalignment (PMM) to describe the birth and motif indel of tandem repeats. PMM is activated during a pause event in mitochondrial replication in which a dynamic competition between the nascent (N) heavy strand and the displaced (D) heavy strand may lead to the melting of the N-strand from the template (T) light strand. When mispairing occurs during rebinding of the N-strand, one or several motifs can be inserted or deleted in both strands during the next round of mt-replication or repair. This model can explain the characteristics of TRs in available vertebrate mt genomes.

Optimum capture size of Trichiurus japonicus in the East China Sea.

Trichiurus japonicus is an economically valuable species in the East China Sea, whose allowable capture size varies with fishing effort in different years. To clarify the optimum capture size for T. japonicus in the East China Sea, we collected samples and data from T. japonicus targeting fishing gears such as trawls, canvas spreader stow nets and longlines from 2016 to 2020. We estimated growth and mortality parameters using the FiSAT II software, and calculated the size limit standards for capture. The results showed that the inflection point of anal length, the critical anal length and the anal length of one-year-old T. japonicus was 382.84, 397.12, and 216.05 mm, respectively. The anal length of maturity was 230.38 mm, and the minimum capture size (anal length) was 219.23 mm. Based on the yield per recruitment analysis using Beverton-Holt model, the current fishery reference points were under overfishing condition (tc=0.38 a, F=2.11), and the suggested optimum capture size was 364.64 mm. There would be a sharp decline of T. japonicus catches in the East China Sea if the suggested minimum capture size was substantially higher, which might be non-practical for local fishermen. Therefore, we suggested 220 mm as the capture size limit, which was close to the anal length of one-year-old fish and the anal length of maturity.

Biting activity and host attractancy of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Manzhouli, China.

The biting activity and host attractancy of vector mosquitoes are important in assessing the risk of arbovirus transmission, especially where migratory and nonmigrating bird species congregate, such as in Hulun Lake, Manzhouli. In 2009, the population distribution, species diversity, biting activity, and host attractancy of mosquitoes were investigated in Hulan Lake and its associated prairie area. The adult mosquitoes were captured either by human volunteers using aspirators in mosquito nets, by CO2-baited light traps, or by animal-baited traps. In total, 27,004 mosquitoes, representing three genera and 10 species, were collected from Manzhouli, China, in July 2009, of which Aedes dorsalis (Meigen) were most predominant species, followed by Ae. vexans (Meigen). Biting activity peaks by Ae.flavescens (Muller), Ae. dorsalis, and Culex modestus (Facalbi) on human subjects were investigated. Four mosquito species were captured from different animal sheds (sheep, cattle, and goose). Ae. flavescens was more abundant in the cattle shed than in the other two sheds. The Ae. dorsalis in the sheep shed was much higher than in the other animal sheds. The Ae.flavescens collected via chicken-baited traps were significantly higher than those collected via rabbit-baited and pigeon-baited traps. There were no significant differences in the number of Ae. dorsalis and Ae. vexans collected using the three different animal traps.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion in adult skeletal muscle fibres measured with the biosensor D1ER.

The endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) plays a crucial role in cytoplasmic signalling in a variety of cells. It is particularly relevant to skeletal muscle fibres, where this organelle constitutes the main Ca2+ store for essential functions, such as contraction. In this work, we expressed the cameleon biosensor D1ER by in vivo electroporation in the mouse flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle to directly assess SR Ca2+ depletion in response to electrical and pharmacological stimulation. The main conclusions are: (1) D1ER is expressed in the SR of FDB fibres according to both di-8-(amino naphthyl ethenyl pyridinium) staining experiments and reductions in the Förster resonance energy transfer signal consequent to SR Ca2+ release; (2) the amplitude of D1ER citrine/cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) ratio evoked by either 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC) or electrical stimulation is directly proportional to the basal citrine/CFP ratio, which indicates that SR Ca2+ modulates ryanodine-receptor-isoform-1-mediated SR Ca2+ release in the intact muscle fibre; (3) SR Ca2+ release, measured as D1ER citrine/CFP signal, is voltage-dependent and follows a Boltzmann function; and (4) average SR Ca2+ depletion is 20% in response to 4-CmC and 6.4% in response to prolonged sarcolemmal depolarization. These results indicate that significantly depleting SR Ca2+ content under physiological conditions is difficult.

Atrial myxoma with metastasis misdiagnosed as Takayasu arteritis.

The objective of the study is to report a case of atrial myxoma with bloodstream metastasis misdiagnosed to be Takayasu arteritis. A 23-year-old woman manifested with fever, repetitive vasocerebral events and extremities ischemic signs (claudication, difference of BP in arms and absence of pulse) for 5 years. Imaging studies revealed multiple cerebral infarction, bilateral iliac artery stenosis and as thrombosis formation. Takayasu arteritis was diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. Glucosteroids and immunosuppressants were given; however, symptoms were not relieved even after treatment. Echocardiography suggested a mass in left atrium, which was surgically removed and pathologically confirmed to be atrial myxoma. Clinical symptoms completely relieved after operation. In conclusion, atrial myxoma with bloodstream metastasis sometimes presented with similar clinical symptoms of Takayasu arteritis and may lead to misdiagnosis of these two diseases. Usually, accepted diagnosis criteria are not enough in distinguishing these diseases. Echocardiography should be considered in these patients.

Evaluation of lambda-cyhalothrin barrier spray on vegetation for control of Aedes albopictus in China.

Aedes albopictus is a primary nuisance pest and disease vector in China. Control of Ae. albopictus using current methods is difficult because of diverse larval breeding sites. In the present study, lambda-cyhalothrin was applied as a barrier spray to vegetation surrounding human dwellings for control of adult mosquito populations. Compared to the landing rate counts in the untreated control site, the barrier spray resulted in an 83-98% reduction of Ae. albopictus within 9 wk posttreatment. The study results indicate that lambda-cyhalothrin applied as a barrier spray to vegetation can reduce Ae. albopictus landing rates collections for more than 2 months.

[Community structure of macrozoobenthos and its relationship with environmental factors in Sanmen Bay, Zhejiang, China]. / ä¸‰é—¨æ¹¾å¤§åž‹åº•æ –åŠ¨ç‰©ç¾¤è½ç»“æž„åŠå ¶ä¸ŽçŽ¯å¢ƒå› å­çš„å ³ç³».

To understand the status and dynamics of macrozoobenthos community in Sanmen Bay, we collected benthos samples by Agassiz trawl in November 2015, and February, May and August in 2016. The results showed that: 1) A total of 119 macrozoobenthos species were recorded, with main groups of fishes, crustaceans and molluscs, accounting for 79% of the total number of species. 2) The dominant species of macrozoobenthos throughout the year were Leptochela gracilis, Hyperacanthomysis longirostris and Amblychaeturichthys hexanema. The identity of dominant species changed significantly in different seasons. 3) The annual average biomass and density were 0.025 g·m-2 and 0.07 ind·m-2, respectively. 4) The Shannon's diversity index of macrozoobenthos in Sanmen Bay varied from 2.21 to 3.18, the Margalef's species richness index varied from 3.25 to 3.78, and the Pielou's evenness index varied from 0.53 to 0.79. Results from abundance-biomass curve analysis showed that the community was moderately disturbed in spring and winter, and slightly disturbed in summer and autumn. Results from Canonical correspondence analysis showed that water depth, temperature, salinity, and pH were the most important environmental factors affecting macrozoobenthos community.

[Clinical efficacy of Corydalis composite combined with methotrexate in treating rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Corydalis composite (CDC) combined with methotrexate (MTX) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Seventy-six RA patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, 37 in the treated group received the combined therapy, and the 39 received MTX treatment alone, all were treated for 12 weeks. Efficacy of treatment was evaluated adopting the standard of American College of Rheumatology (ACR), taking ACR20 as the chief criterion; ACR50, ACR70 as well as the clinical indexes and items in Health Account Questionnaire (HAQ) as the auxiliary criteria, including joint swelling index, joint tenderness index, holding power, morning stiffness time, resting pain, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein. And the adverse reaction was recorded at the same time. RESULTS: After being treated for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, the ACR20 response rate reached 35.14%, 59.46% and 70.27% respectively in patients of the treated group, while that in the control group was 17.95%, 35.90% and 46.15% respectively, significant difference between groups was shown in the outcome of week 8 and 12 (P < 0.05). ACR50 and ACR70 improving rate at all the time points of observation were increased in the treated group, with the ACR50 improving rate at week 12 higher than that in the control group (43.24% vs. 20.51%, P < 0.05). As compared with the control group, the improvements in all the auxiliary criteria were more significant in the treated group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction was less in the treated group than in the control group (32.43% vs. 56.41%, P < 0.05), particularly in term of the damage on liver (0 vs. 10.26%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CDC combined with MTX is more effective than MTX alone in treating active RA with less adverse reaction.

Di-µ(2)-chlorido-bis-[aqua-(2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid-κN,N')(nitrato-κO)copper(II)].

In the title compound, [Cu(2)Cl(2)(NO(3))(2)(C(12)H(8)N(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], which consists of a chloride-bridged Cu(II) dimer, the Cu atom is in a distorted octa-hedral environment defined by two N atoms from the 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid ligand (H(2)bpdca), two bridging chlorido ligands, and two O atoms from an equatorial water mol-ecule and an axial nitrate anion, respectively. The two halves of the dimeric unit are related by an inversion centre at the midpoint between the two Cu atoms. Both carboxylic acid groups in the H(2)bpdca ligand remain protonated, as confirmed by the two sets of C-O bond lengths. The dinuclear mol-ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network via inter-molecular hydrogen bonds.

Effect of moxibustion on mTOR-mediated autophagy in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease model rats.

Defects in autophagy-mediated clearance of α-synuclein may be one of the key factors leading to progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Moxibustion therapy for Parkinson's disease has been shown to have a positive effect, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Based on this, we explored whether moxibustion could protect dopaminergic neurons by promoting autophagy mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), with subsequent elimination of α-syn. A Parkinson's disease model was induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of rotenone at the back of their necks, and they received moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36), Guanyuan (CV4) and Fengfu (GV16), for 10 minutes at every point, once per day, for 14 consecutive days. Model rats without any treatment were used as a sham control. Compared with the Parkinson's disease group, the moxibustion group showed significantly greater tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity and expression of light chain 3-II protein in the substantia nigra, and their behavioral score, α-synuclein immunoreactivity, the expression of phosphorylated mTOR and phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p-p70S6K) in the substantia nigra were significantly lower. These results suggest that moxibustion can promote the autophagic clearance of α-syn and improve behavioral performance in Parkinson's disease model rats. The protective mechanism may be associated with suppression of the mTOR/p70S6K pathway.

[Degradation of OG with Peroxymonosulfate Activated by a MnFe2O4-graphene Hybrid].

The rG-MnFe2O4 was synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Raman spectra. The rG-MnFe2O4 was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to decolorize azo dyes, e.g., Orange G, and the effect of PMS dosage, rG-MnFe2O4 loadings, initial pH, and the concentration of Cl- were investigated. The results indicated that the degradation rate of OG was 100% within 27 min with 0.3 g ·L-1 of rG-MnFe2O4 and at a 40:1 of PMS:OG molar ratio. The decolorization efficiency of OG increased with increasing PMS concentration and increasing rG-MnFe2O4 dosage. The initial pH had a significant effect on OG degradation, and pH 5.00 was most favorable for its decolorization. In addition, the addition of Cl- accelerated the decolorization of OG, and the decolorization rate increased with increasing concentration of Cl-. The rG-MnFe2O4 also exhibited an excellent reusability, and its activation of PMS was still observed after five rounds of tests. From the analysis of UV-vis spectra and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), the naphthalene ring and azo band were found to be destroyed, with p-nitrophenol and phthalic acid as the main degradation products. Finally, a TOC analysis indicated that a certain degree of OG mineralization was obtained in the rG-MnFe2O4/PMS system.

Herbal Fufang Xian Ling Gu Bao prevents corticosteroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head-A first multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of Chinese herbal Fufang Xian Ling Gu Bao (XLGB) with antiadipogenic compounds for the prevention of corticosteroid (CS)-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH). METHODS: Patients of both genders, aged between 18 and 65 years, with diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, nephrosis, dermatosis and rheumatoid arthritis indicated for CS treatment and who did not show magnetic resonance imaging of ONFH at baseline were recruited into the study and then randomised into either XLGB group (n = 129) with daily oral administration of XLGB or placebo group (n = 146). RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a total of 30 ONFH cases at 6 months after CS treatment, with 6.98% (9 of 129 cases) and 14.4% (21 of 146 cases) in the XLGB group and placebo group, respectively, (p < 0.05), i.e., a 2-fold significantly less ONFH identified in the XLGB treatment group. Blood tests suggested that XLGB significantly inhibited the elevation of activated protein C resistance induced by CS treatment. CONCLUSION: This is the first multicentre clinical study to demonstrate that the antiadipogenic compounds-rich herbal Fufang (formula) XLGB is effective in preventing CS-associated ONFH in patients with immune-inflammatory diseases under CS treatment. THE TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE: The translation potential of this clinical trial is that the initially officially approved clinical indication for XLGB for treatment of osteoporosis has been now also proven to be effective for a new clinical application.

[Kinetics for Degradation of Orange G with Peroxymonosulfate Activated by Carbon Nanotubes].

Carbon nanotube (CNT) was used as an activator to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade azo dye orange G (OG) in aqueous solution. The results indicated that CNT exhibited a much better performance in activating PMS to decolorize OG than activated carbon (GAC), with 99% decolorization of OG achieved within 45 min. Afterwards, the degradation mechanism of OG in CNT activated PMS system was explored, and SO4-·was found to be dominantly responsible for OG degradation, which mainly took place on the surface of CNT. Effects of various factors, including temperatures, initial concentration of OG, CNT loadings, PMS dosage, and initial pH, on degradation of OG were then investigated, and OG degradation in these cases well conformed to first-order kinetics. From the analysis of UV-vis spectra of OG during the reaction, the peaks at 479 nm and 330 nm were found to be significantly decreased, suggesting that the azo band and naphthaline ring were destructed, respectively. Finally, TOC analysis indicated that a certain degree of OG mineralization was obtained in CNT activated PMS system.

[Activated Carbon Supported Co3O4 Catalysts to Activate Peroxymonosulfate for Orange G Degradation].

Activated carbon supported cobalt catalysts (Co/AC) were prepared through wet impregnation and high temperature calcination methods. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) characterization results showed that Co3O4 was the major form of Co species distributed on AC. The performance of Co/AC was evaluated as catalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to produce sulfate radicals (SO4-·) for Orange G (OG) degradation in solution. The activation mechanism and several influential factors were also investigated. The results demonstrated that SO4-·played a dominant role in OG degradation. And the degradation efficiency of OG increased with increasing Co/AC dosage, higher PMS concentration or elevating reaction temperature. Initial pH had a significant effect on OG degradation, with pH range of 4 to 8 as the optimal pH for degradation. In addition, the strong acidic or alkaline conditions were unfavorable for OG degradation. A dual effect of chloride ions (Cl-) was observed. The high Cl- concentration promoted degradation, while low concentration led to inhibition. The Co/AC also exhibited excellent reusability and its activating performance toward PMS was still observed after 6 rounds of tests. Finally, the degradation process and intermediate products of OG were analyzed with UV-visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

[Degradation of Acid Orange 7 with Persulfate Activated by Silver Loaded Granular Activated Carbon].

Granular activated carbon with silver loaded as activator (Ag/GAC) was prepared using impregnation method. N2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were adopted to characterize the Ag/GAC, showing that silver was successfully loaded on granular activated carbon. The oxidation degradation of acid orange 7 (AO7) by the Ag/GAC activated by persulfate (PS) was investigated at ambient temperature. The influences of factors such as Ag loading, PS or Ag/GAC dosages and initial pH on the degradation of AO7 were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the degradation rate of AO7 could reach more than 95.0% after 180 min when the Ag loading content, PS/AO7 molar ratio, the Ag/GAC dosage were 12.7 mg x g(-1), 120: 1, 1.0 g x L(-1), respectively. The initial pH had significant effect on the AO7 degradation, with pH 5.0 as the optimal pH for the degradation of AO7. The possible degradation pathway was proposed for the AO7 degradation by using UV-visible spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GG/MS). The azo bond and naphthalene ring in the AO7 were destroyed during the degradation, with phthalic acid and acetophenone as the main degradation products.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture Intervention on Expression of Cx 43 and Concentration of Glutamate in the Striatum of Rats with Parkinson's Disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the action of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on the expression of gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx 43) and content of glutamate (Glu) in the striatum in Parkinson's disease (PD) rats, so as to reveal its mechanism underlying improvement of PD. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, sham operation, model and EA groups (n = 10 in each group). The PD model was duplicated by microinjection of 6-hydroxyldopamine (6-OHDA, 15 µg/rat) into the right striatum of rats (AP: 1.0, 1.0; R: 3.0, 4.5; H: 4.5, 6.0), and for control, the same dose of normal saline was injected into the right striatum for rats in the sham operation group. EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to "Fengfu" (GV 16) "Taichong" (LR 3) for 30 min, once a day for 2 weeks. The PD rats' rotational behavior changes (the numbers of rotations in 30 min) were detected following subcutaneous injection of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg). The Glu concentration and the expression of Cx 43 in the striatum were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the model group and EA group in the number of rotations before the treatment, between the control and sham operation groups in the levels of Glu content and Cx 43 protein expression in the striatum (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Glu content and Cx 43 protein expression level were significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01), while in comparison with the model group, the number of rotations was significantly reduced in the EA group (P < 0.05). Following EA intervention, both Glu content and Cx 43 expression were considerably down-regulated in the EA group compared with the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EA can improve PD rats' rotation behavior, which may be associated with its effects in down-regulating the level of Glu and Cx 43 protein expression in the striatum.