The interaction of leukocytes and adhesion molecules in mesenteric microvessel endothelial cells after internal capsule hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between hemorheological variations and the expression of cell adhesion molecules in mesenteric microvessel endothelial cells after internal capsule hemorrhage. METHODS: We established an internal capsule hemorrhage model. Then leukocyte-endothelium interaction was observed and hemorheological variations in mesenteric microvessels were evaluated in the following aspects: blood flow volume, diameter of microvessels, blood flow rate, and shear rate. We also measured the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-l and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in mesenteric microvessel endothelial cells with immunohistochemistry stain. RESULTS: Leukocyte-endothelium interaction intensified after internal capsule hemorrhage. Besides, blood flow volume and velocity decreased, diameter narrowed, and shear rate reduced. Immunohistochemical staining of vascular cell adhesion molecule-l and ICAM-1in mesenteric microvessel endothelial cells was stronger. CONCLUSIONS: VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in mesenteric microvessels increased as a result of decreased wall shear stress in stress state following internal capsule hemorrhage, and then further shear stress change from interaction of enhanced production of CAMs and leukocytes created a vicious cycle of leukocytes margination, adhesion, and transmigration that could ultimately result in stress gastrointestinal ulcer.

Saikokaryukotsuboreito, a herbal medicine, prevents chronic stress-induced anxiety in rats: comparison with diazepam.

Anxiety is frequently observed in several neuropsychiatric disorders, and stress is thought to precipitate or exacerbate anxiety. In this study, the anxiolytic action of a herbal medicine, saikokaryukotsuboreito, (SRBT) was examined in normal healthy rats using the elevated plus-maze test. Moreover, the improving effect of SRBT on chronic stress-induced anxiety was also examined. Single administration of SRBT did not have anxiolytic action in normal rats. Repeated administration of SRBT significantly improved chronic stress-induced anxiety. On the other hand, single administration of a typical anxiolytic, diazepam, had anxiolytic action in normal rats but repeated administration did not improve chronic stress-induced anxiety. These results suggest that SRBT does not have anxiolytic activity equivalent to that of diazepam but has potency for improving stress-related anxiety. This finding provides information important for the treatment of anxiety.

Role of amino acid residues at positions 322 and 329 of hemagglutinin in virulence of H5N1 avian influenza virus / 病毒学报

Two H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV), A/mallard/Huadong/S/2005 (S, IVPI = 2.65, in mallard) and A/mallard/Huadong/Y/2003 (Y, IVPI = 0, in mallard), were capable of distinct in pathogenicity to non-immunized mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). There were two amino acid residues difference in the HA cleavage site between two viruses, 322 (S, Leu; Y, Gln) and 329 (S, deletion; Y, Lys). Based on the variation, a series of recombinant viruses carrying HA gene either from S or Y virus with mutation at 322 and/or 329 were constructed via reverse genetics system to explore the influence of the two amino acid residues on viral pathogenicity in mallards. Recombinant viruses with S virus backbone were completely attenuated in terms of their virulence to ducks when position 322 (L322Q) and/or position 329 (-329K) of HA gene had been mutated. The critical role that L322 and -329 of HA protein from S virus play in the high virulence to ducks were influenced by the entire background of that protein because the recombinant virus with HA gene from Y and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated even if Q322L and K329- mutations of HA gene had been achieved. Recombinant viruses with Y virus backbone significantly increased their virulence to ducks when position 322 (Q322L) and/or position 329 (K329-) of HA gene had been mutated. All recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with Q322L and/or K329-mutations and other seven genes from S were completely attenuated in terms of virulence to ducks whereas all recombinant viruses carrying HA gene from Y with same mutations and other seven genes from Y gained significant virulence. It seems that the compatibility among eight genes might be an important factor for HA to exert its functions. Results indicated that the mutation at amino acid position 322 and deletion at 329 in HA cleavage site significantly influence the pathogenicity of S and Y viruses in mallard, the compatibility among eight genes also contribute to the pathogenicity of both viruses in mallard.

Saikokaryukotsuboreito, a herbal medicine, prevents chronic stress-induced dysfunction of glucocorticoid negative feedback system in rat brain.

Disruption of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis characterized by dysfunction of the glucocorticoid negative feedback system is frequently observed in human depressives and is thought to involve a reduction in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function in the feedback sites including the brain. Recently, we found that chronic stress in rats induces similar HPA disruption that is caused by abolishment of feedback ability in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus, which involves decreased cytosolic GRs or increased nuclear GRs, respectively. Also, we found that saikokaryukotsuboreito (SRBT), a herbal medicine, prevents the chronic stress-induced HPA disruption. We therefore examined here the effects of this drug on the chronic stress-induced changes in GRs in the PFC and hippocampus. Chronic stress was induced in rats by water immersion and restraint (2 h/day) for 4 weeks. SRBT significantly prevented decreased cytosolic GRs in the PFC and increased nuclear GRs in the hippocampus in the chronically stressed rats. Moreover, SRBT significantly prevented the abolishment of feedback ability in both regions. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of SRBT on the GR level are involved in its ameliorating actions on the HPA disruption. This finding provides information important for the prevention and treatment of depression.

Analysis of the mechanisms of rabbit's brainstem hemorrhage complicated with irritable changes in the alvine mucous membrane.

AIM: To explore the dynamic changes in the pressure of the lateral ventricle during acute brainstem hemorrhage and the changes of neural discharge of vagus nerve under the load of intracranial hypertension, so as to analyze their effects on the congestive degree of intestinal mucous membrane and the morphologic changes of intestinal mucous membrane. METHODS: An operation was made to open the skull to obtain an acute brainstem hemorrhage animal model. Microcirculatory microscope photography device and video recording system were used to determine the changes continuously in the caliber of jejunal mesenteric artery during brainstem hemorrhage and the changes with time in the congestion of jejunal mucosal villi. We used HE stain morphology to analyze the changes of duodenal mucosal villi. A recording electrode was used to calculate and measure the electric discharge activities of cervical vagus nerve. RESULTS: (1) We observed that the pressure of lateral cerebral ventricle increased transiently during acute brainstem hemorrhage; (2) The caliber of the jejunal mesenteric artery increased during brainstem hemorrhage. Analysis of red color coordinate values indicated transient increase in the congestion of jejunal mucous membrane during acute brainstem hemorrhage; (3) Through the analysis of the pathologic slice, we found enlarged blood vessels, stagnant blood, and transudatory red blood cells in the duodenal submucous layer; (4) Electric discharge of vagus nerve increased and sporadic hemorrhage spots occurred in duodenal mucous and submucous layer, when the lateral ventricle was under pressure. CONCLUSION: Brainstem hemorrhage could cause intracranial hypertension, which would increase the neural discharge of vagus nerve and cause the transient congestion of jejunal mucous membrane. It could cause hyperemia and diffused hemorrhage in the duodenal submucous layer 48 h after brainstem hemorrhage.

Deletion of Nucleotides of NS Gene from 263 to 277 Decreases the Viral Anti-IFN Ability of H5N1 / 微生物学通报

Since 2000,most of H5N1 subtype influenza A virus had a unique mutation of NS gene with 15base pair deletion from 263 to 277. In order to investigate the bio-characteristics of this mutation,two different NS recombinants,RWSN-248 and RWSN-m248,were generated via plasmid rescue from A/WSN/33(H1N1) and A/SD/04(H5N1). RWSN-248 had a higher viral titer than RWSN-m248 in MDCK and COS-1 cells that have an IFN response,but they had the similar growth ability in Vero cells that lack an IFN response. Both of two recombinants grew well in embryonated chicken eggs and had the similar viral titer and MDT. The results above revealed that the deletion from 263 to 277 sites of NS gene did not influence viral virulence to but decreased viral anti-IFN ability of H5N1.