[Effect of lycopene on oxidative stress and behavioral deficits in rotenone induced model of Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neuroprotective potential of lycopene on oxidative stress and neurobehavioral abnormalities in rotenone induced Parkinson' disease (PD). METHODS: Forty adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): control, lycopene (10 mg/kg body weight, orally), rotenone (3 mg/kg bw, intraperitoneally) and rotenone plus lycopene, which were sacrificed for 5 weeks. The spectrophotometry was used to determine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in substantia nigra and right striatum. At the same time, the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), alpha-synuclein (alpha-SYN) and microtubule-associated protein 3 light chain (LC3-B) positive neurons were estimated by immunohistochemistry. We also examined neurobehavioral abnormalities by WT-200 water maze. RESULTS: Rotenone administration increased the MDA levels and significantly decreased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT. However, lycopene administration to the rotenone treated animals increased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT when compared to rotenone treated animals in substantia nigra and right striatum. The cognitive and motor deficits in rotenone administered animals, which were reversed on lycopene treatment. Along with this, the number of TH decreased, alpha-SYN increased and LC3-B positive neurons increased in rotenone administered animals, which were reversed on lycopene treatment. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these observations provide an evidence for beneficial effect of lycopene supplementation in rotenone-induced PD and suggest therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases involving accentuated oxidative stress.

[Effects of stem numbers per ground area on the quality of standard cut Chrysanthemum morifolium in greenhouse: simulation model].

In order to understand the effects of stem numbers per ground area on the quality of standard cut Chrysanthemum morifolium, an experiment with different cultivars, different stem numbers per plant, different planting densities, and different planting dates was conducted in a greenhouse in Shanghai in 2005 and 2006. The effects of stem numbers per ground area on the canopy leaf area index and external quality of standard cut C. morifolium were quantified using the experimental data. Based on the physiological product of thermal effectiveness and PAR (PETP) the canopy absorbed, a model for predicting the effects of stem numbers per ground area on the quality of standard cut C. morifolium was developed, and validated with independent experimental data. The results showed that with the increase of stem numbers per ground area, the leaf area index increased, whereas plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and flower diameter decreased. The model gave satisfactory predictions of the quality of standard cut C. morifolium cultivated with different stem numbers and planting density. The coefficient of determination (R2) and relative prediction error (RSE) based on the 1:1 line for fresh mass per stem, plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, flower diameter, and the number of qualified stem harvested per ground area were 0.95, 0.96, 0.94, 0.91, 0.81 and 0.97, and 16.1%, 10.1%, 12.8%, 13.4%, 15.9%, 16.1% , respectively. The model developed in this study could be used for the optimization of light and temperature management for standard cut C. morifolium cultivated with different stem numbers and planting densities in greenhouse.

[Quality prediction model of greenhouse standard cut chrysanthemum based on light-temperature effect].

Based on the effects of light and temperature on chrysanthemum quality and the experiments with different chrysanthemum varieties and planting dates, a quality prediction model of greenhouse standard cut chrysanthemum with the physiological product of thermal effectiveness and PAR (PTEP) as the measurement scale was developed and validated. The results showed that the predicted results, including the number of unfolding leaves, leaf area, plant height, stem diameter, internode length and flower diameter, accorded well with the observed ones, and the determination coefficient (R2) and relative prediction error (RSE) based on 1 : 1 line were 0.99, 0.98, 0.98, 0.92, 0.87 and 0.88, and 5.5%, 6.5%, 5.9%, 4.1%, 11.2%, 12.4%, respectively. This model was of high precision and practicable, which could be used in optimizing the light and temperature management for greenhouse standard cut chrysanthemum production.

[Effects of Zhikeping on aortic oxyradical and the expression of ICAM-1 in a rat model of experimental early atherosclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Zhikepingon the oxyradical andintercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) of experimental early atherosclerosis. METHOD: The model of SD rat early atherosclerosis was induced by cholesterol diet. The suspension of Zhikeping and simvastatin were administered intragastrically, respectively. After 10 weeks, the serum lipids, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) were detected by automatic biochemistry analyzer. ICAM-1 and its expression of mRNA in aortic wall were detected- by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Aortic histomorphology was cbserved by HE stainning. RESULT: The results showed that the serum lipids, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) of treated groups were obviously improved as compared with those of the control group. The tissue pathological damage was improved indifferent degree, and ICAM-1 and its expression of mRNA was decreased obviously. CONCLUSION: It is suggested the mechanism of anti-atherosclerosis of Zhikeping have close relationship with the function of its anti-oxidizing and anti-adhesiveness that can protect aortic endothelial cell.