Salidroside induces neuronal differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells through Notch and BMP signaling pathways.

Salidroside (p-hydroxyphenethyl-ß-D-glucoside, SAL), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from a popular traditional Chinese medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea L., possesses multiple pharmacological actions. Previous study showed that SAL could induce rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and induce mouse MSCs D1 to differentiate into neuronal cells. However, the mechanisms of SAL-induced neuronal differentiation of MSCs still need investigation. In this study, we observed the effects of SAL on neuronal differentiation of D1 cells and the possible involvement of Notch and BMP signaling pathways. SAL inhibited the proliferation, induced neuronal phenotypes, and upregulated the expressions of neuronal-specific marker molecules, such as neuronal enolase 2 (Eno2/NSE), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), and beta 3 class III tubulin (Tubb3/ß-tubulin III) in D1 cells. SAL not only downregulated the expressions of Notch1 and hairy enhancer of split 1 (Drosophila) (Hes1) but also upregulated the expression of Smad1/5/8 and its phosphorylation (p-Smad 1/5/8). The neuronal differentiation effects of SAL on D1 cells were promoted by a Notch signaling antagonist, DAPT, but attenuated by a BMP signaling pathway antagonist, Noggin. Our findings suggest that SAL might be promising in inducing neuronal differentiation of mouse MSCs mediated by both Notch signaling pathway and BMP signaling pathway.

Salidroside induces rat mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the loss of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons that leads to a reduction in striatal dopamine (DA) levels. Replacing lost cells by transplanting dopaminergic neurons has potential value to repair the damaged brain. Salidroside (SD), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from plant Rhodiola rosea, is neuroprotective. We examined whether salidroside can induce mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into neuron-like cells, and convert MSCs into dopamine neurons that can be applied in clinical use. Salidroside induced rMSCs to adopt a neuronal morphology, upregulated the expression of neuronal marker molecules, such as gamma neuronal enolase 2 (Eno2/NSE), microtubule-associated protein 2 (Map2), and beta 3 class III tubulin (Tubb3/ß-tubulin III). It also increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNAs, and promoted the secretion of these growth factors. The expression of dopamine neurons markers, such as dopamine-beta-hydroxy (DBH), dopa decarboxylase (DDC) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), was significantly upregulated after treatment with salidroside for 1-12 days. DA steadily increased after treatment with salidroside for 1-6 days. Thus salidroside can induce rMSCs to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons.

[Effects of polychlorinated biphenyl on the expressions of c-fos, c-Myc and beta-catenin in the rat testis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) on the phenotype of the testis tissue and the testis tissue and the expression c-fos, c-Myc and beta-catenin in the rat testis. METHODS: Forty-five Wistar male rats were divided into a control and three perimental groups, the former fed normally, and the latter with PCB at 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg respectively for 90 days. Then the effects of PCB on the phenotype of the testis tissue and the expressions of c-fos, c-Myc and p-catenin were determined by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Histopathological examinations revealed testis edema, damage of the mesenchymal phenotype, morphological changes of the contorted seminiferous tubules, absence of stromal cells, spermiocytes and prespermatids, and decreased number of sperm. The expressions of c-fos and c-Myc were significantly higher in the 1 and 10 mg/kg PCB groups than in the control and 0.1 mg/kg PCB groups (P < 0.01). The expression of beta-catenin was downregulated in the 0.1 mg/kg PCB group, with significant differences from the other groups (P < 0.01), but it was higher in the 1 mg/kg PCB than in the control and 10 mg/kg PCB groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PCB causes changes in the phenotype of the testis tissue, and the abnormal expressions of c-fos, c-Myc and beta-catenin are closely related to the PCB-induced testis injury.

[Effects of polychlorinated biphenyl on bcl-2 and TGFbeta1 expression in rat testes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) on bcl-2 and TGFbeta1 expression in rat testes. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups at random: Group A (normal control), Group B (fed on 10(-8) mol/L PBC), Group C (feb on 10(-7) mol/L) and Group D (feb on 10(-6) mol/L). After three months, all the rats were killed, the animal model established, and observations made on the expression of bcl2 and TGFbeta1 in the rat testis using the optical microscope and immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: The damage to the structure of the testis was related to the dosage of PCB: the higher the dodage, the more serious the damage. PCB induced the expression of bcl-2 and TGFbeta1. The TGFbeta1 expression was significantly higher in the highest dosage group than in others (P < 0.01 ), and the bcl-2 expression was dramatically higher in Group C than in other groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PCB can cause injury in rat testes.

[Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of the genomes among 7 species of ticks].

OBJECTIVE: To study genomic polymorphic DNA and genetic distance of 7 species of ticks. METHODS: Ticks used in this study were Dermacentor nuttalli, D. silvarum, Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, H. formosensis, H. punctata, Amblyomma testudinarium, and Ixodes ovatus. DNA extracts of the 7 species of ticks were amplified by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PCR technique using 5 primers with different arbitrary single chain polynucleotide sequences. DNA fingerprint maps were analyzed and the genetic distance among 7 species of ticks were counted. RESULTS: The amplified products of the 7 species of ticks by RAPD all showed their specific DNA band. The average genetic distance among them was 0.71. CONCLUSION: RAPD can differentiate the 7 species of ticks.