Paper mulberry leaves as a potential sterilant: evidence from Microtus fortis-a laboratory study.

Introduction: The Yangtze vole (Microtus fortis) is a small herbivorous rodent that usually causes damage to crops and forests in China. Various measures were used to control their population including chemical rodenticides. However, rodenticides may cause secondary damage to the environment and the ecosystem. Therefore, the development of new rodent sterilants is urgent. Considering that some compounds of paper mulberry leaves have been verified that can inhibit the biosynthesis of sexual hormone, we aimed to explore the antifertility effect of paper mulberry leaves on M. fortis. Methods: In this study, voles were divided into three groups including a male group, a female group, and a breeding group, and paper mulberry leaves were added into basal fodder of voles maintained in laboratory, of which the proportion of leaf weight was 50%. In each group, voles were fed with mixed fodder as treatment (BP) and voles were fed with basal fodder as contrast (CK). Results and discussion: After feeding for more than 1 month, the results indicated that paper mulberry leaves attracted voles to feed, but inhibited their growth and reproduction. Since the second week, food intakes of BP have been significantly higher than CK (p< 0.05). However, weights of voles in male and female groups were 72.283 ± 7.394 g and 49.717 ± 2.278 g in the fifth week, and both were significantly reduced compared with their original weight (p< 0.05). Meanwhile, testicular volumes of male voles fed with BP were significantly smaller than CK (former: 318.000 ± 44.654 mm3, latter: 459.339 ± 108.755 mm3); the testosterone level, sperm number, and vitality of BP were obviously weaker than CK. Female uteruses and oophoron of BP grew slower, and the organ coefficients of uterus and oophoron fed BP were both significantly lower than CK (p< 0.05). The first reproduction of BP couple voles spent 45 days, while CK spent only 21 days. These results suggest that paper mulberry leaves could be the potential resource to produce sterilants to control rodent populations by delaying their sexual growth and reproduction. If it was practical, the apparent advantages of paper mulberry are that it is an abundant resource and the inhibitory effect could be effective in both male and female individuals. Our conclusion also supports the transformation of rodent management from lethal management to fertility control, which would be more ecologically friendly to agriculture and the ecosystem.

Effect of trimethyltin chloride on brain metabolism detected by PET-CT / 中国职业医学

{L-End}Objective To explore the feasibility of using positron emission tomography (PET) -computed tomography (CT) to detect brain metabolic abnormalities caused by trimethyltin chloride (TMT) poisoning. {L-End}Methods Specific pathogen free healthy SD rats were randomly divided into model group and control group with six rats in each group. Rats in the model group were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of 10 mg/kg body mass of TMT solution, and rats in the control group were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Rats were anaesthetized after three days of modeling and underwent PET-CT brain scanning to detect the standardized uptake value (SUV) of 18F-2-fluro-D-deoxy-glucose (18F-FDG). After scanning, rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were collected for brain organ coefficients calculation and brain histopathological analysis. {L-End}Results The rats in the model group showed symptoms of head tremor, limb twitching, irritability and others after TMT modeling. There was no significant difference in the body mass between the two groups of rats on the third day of modeling (P>0.05). The 18F-FDG uptake in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brainstem of the rats in the model group was significantly weakened compared with the control group, with deceased SUV values (all P<0.05). No obvious abnormalities were found in CT images and freshly collected brain tissues of rats of the control and model groups. The brain organ coefficients of rats in the two groups showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The results of hematoxylin-eosin staining of brain tissue showed that the cerebral cortex of rats in the model group had more tiny cavities than that of the control group, and some neuronal cells and a small number of hippocampal vertebral cells were tightly and deeply stained, with the cytoplasm and nucleus poorly demarcated, and pericellular space enlarged. The results of Nissen staining showed that the arrangement of neuronal cells in the model group was slightly disordered, and the interstitial space was slightly enlarged, but no other significant abnormal changes were observed. {L-End}Conclusion PET-CT can be used in detecting the metabolic abnormalities of brain in TMT poisoning rat model, making it a sensitive detection method for TMT poisoning.

Bisphenol AF Promoted the Growth of Uterus and Activated Estrogen Signaling Related Targets in Various Tissues of Nude Mice with SK-BR-3 Xenograft Tumor.

Environmental estrogens can promote the growth, migration, and invasion of breast cancer. However, few studies evaluate adverse health impacts of environmental estrogens on other organs of breast cancer patients. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of environmental estrogen bisphenol AF (BPAF) on the main organs of female Balb/cA nude mice with SK-BR-3 xenograft tumor by detecting the organ development and gene expression of targets associated with G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)-mediated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in hypothalamus, ovary, uterus, liver, and kidney. The results showed that BPAF at 20 mg/kg bw/day markedly increased the uterine weight and the uterine coefficient of nude mice compared to SK-BR-3 bearing tumor control, indicating that BPAF promoted the growth of uterus due to its estrogenic activity. Additionally, BPAF significantly up-regulated the mRNA relative expression of most targets related to nuclear estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and GPER1-mediated signaling pathways in the hypothalamus, followed by the ovary and uterus, and the least in the liver and kidney, indicating that BPAF activated different estrogen activity related targets in different tissues. In addition, BPAF markedly up-regulated the mRNA expression of GPER1 in all tested tissues, and the molecular docking showed that BPAF could dock into GPER1. Because gene change is an early event of toxicity response, these findings suggested that BPAF might aggravate the condition of breast cancer patients through exerting its estrogenic activity via the GPER1 pathway in various organs.

Toxicological safety evaluation of Qin-Zhi-Zhu-Dan formula in rats during the treatment and recovery periods.

Background: Qinzhi Zhudan Formula (QZZD), optimized from Angong Niuhuang Wan, consists of Radix Scutellariae, Fructus Gardeniae and Pulvis Fellis Suis. We had investigated the neuroprotective effects of QZZD and its active components, and demonstrated that it could treat cerebral ischemia and dementia through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Nevertheless, toxicological data on this formula still remains limited. In the study, we sought to examine the toxicological effects of QZZD during the treatment and recovery periods. Methods: We investigated potential toxicities of QZZD in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats via 28-day gavage administration. SD rats were randomly divided into control group and treatment groups of A (0.5 g/kg/d QZZD), B (1.5 g/kg/d QZZD), and C (5.0 g/kg/d QZZD). The 56-day course includes treatment period (administration with water or QZZD once a day for 28 consecutive days) and recovery period (28 days). The rats received daily monitoring of general signs of toxicity and mortality, as well as weekly determination of body weight and food consumption. Moreover, the complete blood cell count, biochemistry, coagulation, and urine indicators, organ weights, and histopathological report were analyzed respectively at the end of the treatment and recovery periods. Results: There was no death related to the active pharmaceutical ingredients of QZZD during the treatment period. The maximum no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 0.5 g/kg/d, which is approximately 16.7 times of the equivalent dose of clinical dose in rats. In group TB (1.5 g/kg/d QZZD) and TC (5.0 g/kg/d QZZD), there were adverse effects of blue coloring of tail skin, weight loss, a significant increase of total bilirubin (TBIL), blackening of liver and kidney in gross examination, hyperplasia of bile duct and karyomegaly of hepatocytes in histopathological examination. Besides, in females rats, the food consumption was reduced, while in male rats, there was decrease in triglycerides (TG) and slight increase in white blood cell (WBC) count and neutrophils. In group TC (5.0 g/kg/d QZZD), the indicators of red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) were decreased slightly, while the platelet count (PLT) was increased. However, these changes were not considered to be toxicologically significant because they resolved during the recovery period. Conclusion: Overall, QZZD exhibited a good safety profile. The maximum no observed adverse effect level was 0.5 g/kg/d, and no target organs toxicity were identified. The present findings might confirm the safety of QZZD in clinical practices.

Toxicological safety evaluation of Qiguiyin formula in rats at the treatment phase and recovery phase.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qiguiyin, a hospital preparation of traditional Chinese medicinal formula, is a combination of Astragalus hamosus L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Lonicera sempervirens L., Artemisia annua L., and Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. at a ratio of 12:3:3:2:2. It has been used to treat severe pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacteria in clinical practice, while studies on its toxicological safety are rare in the literature. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, we aimed to develop a new application of Qiguiyin according to the general research routine of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the toxicological effects of the Qiguiyin formula at the treatment phase and recovery phase were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were administered with the Qiguiyin formula at 10, 30, and 50 times of the corresponding dosage in humans for 13 consecutive weeks. During 13 weeks of the treatment phase and 4 weeks of the recovery phase, the general signs of toxicity and mortality were monitored daily, and the body weight and food consumption were determined every week. Moreover, the hematology, biochemistry, urine, organ weights, and histopathology were analyzed, and the reproductive system was examined at the end of the treatment phase or recovery phase, respectively. RESULTS: The toxicological results showed no deaths and no changes in general behavior. Moreover, there was no clinically significant effect of the Qiguiyin formula on body weight or food consumption in rats. Although the Qiguiyin formula resulted in some changes in hematological, biochemical, and urinary indexes, these alterations were not related to the treatment because they remained within normal ranges throughout the 17 weeks. Besides, the main organs were not affected basically. All the above-mentioned results showed no gender difference. Furthermore, a clinical dosage of 50 times of the Qiguiyin formula did not affect the reproductive system of female rats, while it could lead to atrophied seminiferous tubules in two out of 10 male rats. However, such abnormality could not be found at the end of the recovery phase. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the Qiguiyin formula could be used safely. The administration at doses of less than 1000 g/day for 13 weeks showed no distinct toxicity or side effects.

Study on the laboratory historical control values of biological indicators in SD rats with 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity tests / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To establish the laboratory historical control values for biological indicators in SD rats with 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity tests. METHODS: The body mass, blood routine indexes, serum biochemical indexes, organ mass and organ coefficient of 10 batches of specific pathogen free SD rats in the control group and the control additional group were collected for 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity tests, and the historical control values was established. RESULTS: The body mass of both male and female SD rats increased with the increasing age(all P<0.01). The body mass of male rats was higher than that of female rats each week(all P<0.01). The body mass, blood routine and serum biochemical indexes, organ mass and organ coefficient of SD rats were affected by the age and gender of rats to varying degrees. The effects of age and gender on organ mass and organ coefficient were not consistent. The laboratory historical control values of body mass, blood routine indexes, serum biochemical indexes, organ mass and organ coefficient of SD rats were established according to the age measured in weeks and the gender of rats. CONCLUSION: The laboratory control values of biological indicators of SD rats should be established according to different weekly age and the gender of rats. Organ coefficient is more suitable as an observation index for toxicological safety evaluation compared with organ mass.

Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid-rich yogurt on insulin sensitivity in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-rich yogurt fermented with Streptococcus thermophilus fmb-5 on insulin sensitivity in high-fat and low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus mice. To study the ability of the yogurt to enhance insulin sensitivity, diabetic mice were treated with 0.5, 1, or 2 g/L of GABA yogurt once a day from wk 1 to 12. Compared with results in untreated diabetic mice, treatment with different dosages of GABA yogurt was associated with increased serum insulin and fat coefficient (fat weight relative to body weight) levels, decreased blood urea nitrogen, kidney coefficient (kidney weight relative to body weight), glucose area under the curve levels, and insulin sensitivity index, but did not alter blood glucose level or body weight. The highest dosage of GABA yogurt had a greater beneficial effect with respect to insulin resistance than the lower dosages. In particular, dietary supplementation of the high dosage of GABA yogurt favorably regulated HOMA-ß (homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fat coefficient, and improved islet cells morphology. These results demonstrated that 2 g/L GABA yogurt could ameliorate insulin sensitivity. The GABA-rich yogurts appeared to be responsible for health-beneficial effects in this mouse model of diabetes.

Sub-chronic manganese exposure leads to persistent damage of learning and memory ability in rats / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the persistent damage of learning and memory ability after the cessation of sub-chronic manganese(Mn)-exposure in rats. METHODS: Specific pathogen free weaning male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and low-, medium-and high-dose groups based on body weight, with 6 rats in each group. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with Mn chloride(MnCl_2·4 H_2O) at the concentrations of 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg body weight, 5 days per week for 6 weeks and continued to be observed for 12 weeks after the cessation of Mn-exposure. During the experiment, the body mass of the rats was weighed. Learning and memory ability was evaluated by a Morris water-maze task at the 6 th weeks of Mn-exposure(cessation of Mn-exposure of week 0), the 6 th and 12 th week of the cessation of Mn-exposure. The organ coefficients of heart, liver, spleen, kidney and testicles were evaluated after the cessation of Mn-exposure on week 12. RESULTS: The body mass of the high-dose group was lower than that of the other 3 groups(P<0.05) at the 4 th and 6 th week of Mn-exposure and the 2 nd week of the cessation of Mn-exposure. There was no significant difference in body mass between the groups(P>0.05) on the 12 th week of the cessation of Mn-exposure. The escape latency of high-dose group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05), and the number of platform crossings in the low-, medium-and high-dose groups were fewer than that in the control group(P<0.05) after the cessation of Mn-exposure. The escape latency was shorter and the numbers of platform crossings were higher on the 6 th and 12 th week of the cessation of Mn-exposure(P<0.05) when compared with that of the 6 th week of Mn-exposure rats. There was no statistical significance in the organ coefficients of heart, liver, spleen, kidney and testicles among the 4 groups at the 12 th week of the cessation of Mn-exposure in rats(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Sub-chronic Mn exposure can impair learning and memory ability of rats, and the damage persists after the cessation of Mn-exposure.

Study on Long-term Toxicity of Liqi Sanjie Extractum in Rats with Intragastric Administration / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study the long-term toxicity of Liqi sanjie extractum in rats after intragastric administration， and to provide reference for safety evaluation before clinical practice. METHODS： A total of 160 rats were randomly divided into control group （normal saline） and Liqi sanjie extractum low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （7.828 0， 15.656 0， 31.312 0 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 40 rats in each group. They were given relevant medicine intragastrically once a day from Monday to Saturday. The experimental period was 120 days， and the recovery period was 30 days after the end of the experiment. General information of rats was observed， and body weight and feed consumption of rats were measured once a week. At the 61st day of administration， the end of administration and the end of recovery period， 10， 20 and 10 rats were collected from each group to observe their hematology， blood biochemistry， organ coefficient and histopathology changes. RESULTS： From 61st day to 120th day of administration， the rats of Liqi sanjie extractum high-dose group had hair loss and erection， and recovered after withdrawal of medicine. During medication， the body weight of mice in Liqi sanjie extractum low-dose and medium-dose groups increased faster than control group， while the body weight of rats in Liqi sanjie extractum high-dose group increased slower than control group. Compared with control group， the feed consumption of Liqi sanjie extractum low-dose group increased， while those of Liqi sanjie extractum medium-dose and high-dose groups decreased； the rats were recovered after drug withdrawal. On the 61st day of administration and after the end of administration， some hematological indexes， blood biochemical indexes and organ coefficients of rats in administration group were significantly different from those of control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The hematology， blood biochemistry and organ coefficients of rats were basically recovered after the end of the recovery period. The number of erythrocyte， hematocrit， standard deviation of erythrocyte width， albumin， globulin ratio and potassium K+ levels in Liqi sanjie extractum low-dose group were significantly lower than those in control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The absolute value of intermediate cells in blood of rats in Liqi sanjie extractum medium-dose group was significantly higher than that of control group （P＜0.05）， and the mean hemoglobin concentration， K+ and uterine coefficient in blood were significantly lower than those of control group （P＜0.05）. The number of white blood cells， absolute value of lymphocyte， absolute value of intermediate cells， the percentage of intermediate cells， prothrombin time and spleen coefficient in Liqi sanjie extractum high-dose group were significantly higher than those in the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Mean hemoglobin concentration， granulocyte percentage， albumin， alkaline phosphatase and K+ were significantly lower than those in the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No abnormalities in systemic autopsy and histopathology were noticed in rats. CONCLUSIONS： Long-term intragastric administration of Liqi sanjie extractum can cause certain toxic reactions in rats， and low dose of Liqi sanjie extractum causes less and lighter toxic reactions which can be automatically recovered after drug withdrawal. It can provide reference for the determination of clinical safe dose.

Toxicity test of T-2 toxin on parental mice and their offspring / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of T-2 toxin on the expression of cytokines cytokines and pathological changes in parental mice and their offspring. Methods One hundred female mice and 25 male mice (CD-1, SPF) were adapted for one week. After regular random mating, observation of vaginal suppository within the first 24 hours was as the 0th day of pregnancy. The pregnant rats were divided into high dose, medium dose, low dose and control groups according to body weight by a random number table(Feed: the doses of T-2 toxin were 1 200, 600, 300, and 0 μg/kg, respectively), with 16 - 18 rats in each group. The high, middle and low dose groups began to consume the poisoned feed on the 0th day of pregnancy, while the control group consumed the standard feed. After natural delivery, their offspring were continually treated the same way as their mother until the offspring reached adulthood. Serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), organ coefficient and pathological changes of articular cartilage were determined. Results The levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in the control, low, middle and high T-2 toxin groups during the pro-pregnancy of the middle-aged mice were [(219.56 ± 19.32), (136.89 ± 20.41), (210.49 ± 21.23), (207.41 ± 21.23); (192.73 ± 22.43), (136.25 ± 29.55), (187.43 ± 39.32), (232.48 ± 39.32); (1 303.02 ± 142.10), (1 072.60 ± 78.30), (1 065.03 ± 37.44), and (1 169.72 ± 104.18) ng/L], respectively. The differences between control and T-2 toxin treated groups were statistically significant (F = 17.124, 6.237, 7.670, P < 0.05). For further pairwise comparison,IL-1β and IL-6 in low dose group were significantly lower than those in control, middle and high dose groups (P < 0.05); TNF-α content in control group was significantly higher than those in low,middle and high dose groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α between the control group and the low,middle and high dose groups of offspring weanling mice[(142.36 ± 13.36),(113.01 ± 8.65), (102.13 ± 8.31), (123.42 ± 10.41); (109.92 ± 9.76), (100.26 ± 15.60), (85.25 ± 9.97), (100.21 ± 16.46);(1 308.45 ± 204.90), (1 248.60 ± 96.85), (1 081.09 ± 105.51), (1 204.87 ± 153.96) ng/L, F = 49.823, 10.530, 7.490, P < 0.05]. The levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the control group were significantly higher than those in the low, middle and high dose groups(P < 0.05).The levels of TNF-α in the control group were significantly higher than those in the medium and high dose groups(P < 0.05).The levels of the three cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in adult filial mice were significantly different [(69.71 ± 9.61), (61.31 ± 10.07), (63.07 ± 10.39), (58.56 ± 9.69); (172.55 ± 24.55),(146.91 ± 13.47),(151.02 ± 24.93), (157.21 ± 17.86); (1 136.87 ± 137.39), (1 002.22 ± 86.52), (987.12 ± 130.80),(1 047.21 ± 171.64)ng/L, F=4.670,5.636, 4.775, P < 0.05], the contents of the three cytokines in the poisoning groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The organ coefficients of thymus, spleen and liver in the second trimester were significantly different [(0.14 ± 0.03), (0.20 ± 0.06), (0.15 ± 0.02), (0.12 ± 0.03); (0.71 ± 0.16), (0.78 ± 0.14), (0.77 ± 0.15), (0.38 ± 0.10); (6.19 ± 0.43), (5.57 ± 0.57), (6.04 ± 0.32), (5.11 ± 0.29), F = 4.056, 11.064, 8.312, P < 0.05], and the thymus index was significantly increased in low dose group (P<0.05),spleen coefficient decreased significantly in high dose group (P < 0.05), and liver coefficients in low and high dose group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In the offspring, the midbrain coefficient of viscera showed significant changes [(3.45 ± 0.73), (3.11 ± 0.31), (2.98 ± 0.45), (3.04 ± 0.22), F = 7.529, P < 0.05], which was significantly decreased in the exposed rats(P<0.05).Both the mid-pregnant mice and filial mice showed varying degrees of changes in epiphyseal cartilage injury. The degree of epiphyseal cartilage injury became higher with increasing dosages of T-2 toxin in mid-pregnancy and post-weaning parental mice, and the injury was more serious in post-weaning mice. Conclusions Exposure to T-2 toxin can cause decrease of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the blood of CD-1 pregnant and filial mice, and also cause the cartilage damage in mice, which are aggravated following increased doses of T-2 toxin and extension of exposure time.

Chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of paclobutrazol in SD rats / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of paclobutrazol in SD rats. METHODS: Specific pathogen free SD rats at the age of weaning were randomly divided into control group and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups according the body weight,with 120 rats in each group,half male and half female. The study of combined chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity test in rats was carried out in 2 years by feeding the rats with paclobutrazol. The doses in the 4 groups were 0. 0,11. 7,48. 5 and 193. 9 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) for female rats and 0. 0,13. 5,54. 2 and 241. 9 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) for male rats. The body weight of rats was weighted during the experiment. The blood routine,blood biochemistry,organ coefficient and histopathology examinations were performed at the end of paclobutrazol exposure. The mortality and tumor incidence in rats were calculated. RESULTS: The decrease of body weights in female and male rats in dose groups was observed at 1-2 weeks after the experiment,compared with the same sex control group at the same time point( P < 0. 05).At the end of the exposure,the body weights of female and male rats in all three dose groups were lower than that in the same sex rats of control group( P < 0. 05). The mortality rates of female and male rats in the four groups were not significantly different( P > 0. 05). The brain organ coefficients of female rats in the three dose groups were higher than those female rats in the control group( P < 0. 05). The organ coefficients of liver,kidney and ovary of female rats in highdose group were higher than that of female rats in control group( P < 0. 05). The level of total bilirubin in male rats in the three dose groups was lower than that in control group( P < 0. 05). The organ coefficients of brain and lung in male rats in the medium-and high-dose groups were higher than that in the control group( P < 0. 05). The liver organ coefficient in male rats in the high-dose group was higher than that in the control group( P < 0. 05). A total of 244 rats had 402 spontaneous tumors with a tumor incidence rate of 50. 8%(244/480). The incidence of tumor in control,low-,mediumand high-dose groups were 61. 7%( 74/120), 42. 5%( 51/120), 50. 0%( 60/120) and 49. 2%( 59/120)respectively. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of tumors in three dose groups compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Under the dose conditions designed in this study,the lowest observed adverse effect level of paclobutrazol were 11. 7 and 13. 5 mg · kg~(-1)· d~(-1) in females and males respectively. Paclobutrazol was not found carcinogenic to SD rats.

Tissue distribution and toxicity effects of myclobutanil enantiomers in lizards (Eremias argus).

In recent years, serious environmental pollution has caused a decrease in the abundance of many species worldwide. Reptiles are the most diverse group of terrestrial vertebrates. There are large amounts of toxicological data available regarding myclobutanil, but the adverse effects of myclobutanil on lizards has not been widely reported. In this study, treatment groups were orally administered a single-dose of myclobutanil (20mg/kg body weight (bw)). Subsequently, it was found that there were differences in myclobutanil levels between the different tissues and concentrations also changed with degradation time. The tissue concentrations of myclobutanil decreased in the order of: stomach > liver > lung > blood > testis > kidney > heart > brain. Based on our results, the liver and testis were considered to be the main target organs in lizards, indicating that the myclobutanil could induce potential hepatic and reproductive toxicity on lizards. Meanwhile, it was also demonstrated that the toxic effects of myclobutanil was different in different species, and the distribution of different pesticides in lizards were different.

Antitumor activity and acute toxicity of total saponins from Paris forrestii / 药物评价研究

Objective To detect the antitumor activity of total saponins form Parisforrestii (PCT3) in vitro and in vivo and its acute toxicity by disposable ig administration.Methods The inhibitory effect of PCT3 on proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) was detected by modified MTT assay,and the half inhibition concentration (IC50) was calculated.Acute toxicity test of PCT3 at doses of 1 646,2 352,3 360 and 4 800 mg/kg was performed by ig administration in mice.Mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma (H22) was established with sc injection,and the mice were respectively ip given cisplatin 2 mg/kg (positive control),normal saline (negative control),ig given 0.5％ CMC-Na (solvent control),30,90 and 270 mg/kg PCT3 continuously for 9 d,and the inhibitory rate of tumor,body weight,liver,spleen,kidney and thymus coefficients were detected.Results PCT3 had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HCT-116 and SGC-7901 cells,with IC50 values of 7.6 and 5.9 μg/mL,respectively.PCT3 induced animal diarrhea and activity inhibition in mice,the half lethal dose (LD50) was 1985.5 mg/kg.Compared with solvent control group,PCT3 had no significant effect on body weight of mice;270 mg/kg PCT3 had a significant inhibitory effect on H22 tumor mass (P ＜ 0.05),the inhibitory rate was 26.8％;There was no significant effect on the organ coefficient;compared with negative control group,cisplatin significantly inhibited the tumor growth and body weight (P ＜ 0.01),the inhibitory rates were 81.4％ and 37.4％ respectively;The liver,spleen and thymus coefficients were also significantly inhibited (P ＜ 0.05,0.01).Conclusion The tumor inhibitory rate of cisplatin is significantly higher than that of PCT3,but it also significantly inhibits mice body weight and liver,spleen,thymus coefficients.PCT3 shows obvious antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo,and the toxicity is not remarkable.It could be a potential antitumor agent in the future.

Antitumor activity and acute toxicity of total saponins from Paris forrestii / 药物评价研究

Objective To detect the antitumor activity of total saponins form Parisforrestii (PCT3) in vitro and in vivo and its acute toxicity by disposable ig administration.Methods The inhibitory effect of PCT3 on proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) was detected by modified MTT assay,and the half inhibition concentration (IC50) was calculated.Acute toxicity test of PCT3 at doses of 1 646,2 352,3 360 and 4 800 mg/kg was performed by ig administration in mice.Mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma (H22) was established with sc injection,and the mice were respectively ip given cisplatin 2 mg/kg (positive control),normal saline (negative control),ig given 0.5％ CMC-Na (solvent control),30,90 and 270 mg/kg PCT3 continuously for 9 d,and the inhibitory rate of tumor,body weight,liver,spleen,kidney and thymus coefficients were detected.Results PCT3 had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HCT-116 and SGC-7901 cells,with IC50 values of 7.6 and 5.9 μg/mL,respectively.PCT3 induced animal diarrhea and activity inhibition in mice,the half lethal dose (LD50) was 1985.5 mg/kg.Compared with solvent control group,PCT3 had no significant effect on body weight of mice;270 mg/kg PCT3 had a significant inhibitory effect on H22 tumor mass (P ＜ 0.05),the inhibitory rate was 26.8％;There was no significant effect on the organ coefficient;compared with negative control group,cisplatin significantly inhibited the tumor growth and body weight (P ＜ 0.01),the inhibitory rates were 81.4％ and 37.4％ respectively;The liver,spleen and thymus coefficients were also significantly inhibited (P ＜ 0.05,0.01).Conclusion The tumor inhibitory rate of cisplatin is significantly higher than that of PCT3,but it also significantly inhibits mice body weight and liver,spleen,thymus coefficients.PCT3 shows obvious antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo,and the toxicity is not remarkable.It could be a potential antitumor agent in the future.

Analysis of spontaneous non-tumor lesions in the kidney of SD rats / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the spontaneous non-tumor lesion of kidney and its correlation with different age and sex in SD rats. METHODS: Eight hundred specific pathogen free SD rats were collected from the blank control groups used in subacute toxicity tests,subchronic toxicity tests and 1 or 2 years of chronic toxicity combined with carcinogenic tests. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10,19,56 or 108 weeks of experimental periods. Each group consisted of 100 female and 100 male rats. The renal tissues were collected at the end of each experiment,and the renal organ coefficients were calculated. The pathological non-tumor changes of the kidneys were analyzed. RESULTS: The renal organ coefficients in female rats at the age of 56 and 108 weeks were both lower than that of 10 and 19 weeks( P < 0. 008). The renal organ coefficient of male rats at the age of 56 weeks was lower than that of 10 and 19 weeks( P < 0. 008). The renal organ coefficient of male rats at the age of 108 weeks was higher than that of 56 weeks( P < 0. 008). The renal organ coefficient of male rats at the age of 108 weeks was higher than that of female rats of 108 weeks( P < 0. 008). The incidence of renal tubular calcium salt deposition,interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration and renal tubular dilatation in the female rats at the age of 108 weeks were higher than those in the male rats at the age of 108 weeks( P < 0. 05). The chronic progressive nephropathy incidence of female rats at the age of 108 weeks was lower than that of male rats aged 108 weeks( P < 0. 01).The renal tubular calcium salt deposition incidence of female rats aged 56 weeks was higher than that of male rats aged 56weeks( P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION: The spontaneous non-tumor lesions in the kidney of SD rats were common. The incidence of some lesions was different in the same age group with different sex.

Analysis of non-neoplastic hepatic lesions in SD rats at different age / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the non-neoplastic hepatic lesions in SD rats at different ages. METHODS: The specificpathogen free SD rats were collected from the blank control groups used in subacute toxicity tests,subchronic toxicity tests and chronic toxicity combined with carcinogenic tests for safety evaluation. At the end of each experiment,i. e. week 10,19,56 and 108(assigned into four groups: 10,19,56 and 108 weeks,each contained 100 rats with each sex),rats were executed. The liver organ coefficient was calculated,the pathological examination was performed,and the non-tumorous lesions in the liver were analyzed. RESULTS: The liver organ coefficients at the age of 19,56,108 weeks were lower than that of 10 weeks(P < 0. 05); those at the age of 56 and 108 weeks were lower than that of 19 weeks(P < 0. 05),and that of 108 weeks was greater than of 56 weeks(P < 0. 05). Among the 10-week-old,19-week-old,56-week-old and 108-week-old groups,the types of non-neoplastic hepatic lesions detected in the female rats were 6,6,13 and 15 respectively,meanwhile those in the male rats were 6,6,13 and 15 respectively. Both male and female rats,the incidences of hepatocyte fatty degeneration,edema and hepatic infiltration of inflammatory cells were significantly increased with the increase of age in each group(P < 0. 05). The incidences of intrahepatic bile duct proliferation and intrahepatic bile duct fibrosis in rats at the age of 56 and 108 weeks were higher than those at the age of 10 and 19 weeks(P < 0. 008).Moreover,the frequency of hepatic sinus expansion lesions in rats at the age of 108 weeks was higher than those of 19 weeks(P < 0. 008). CONCLUSION: Spontaneous non-neoplastic lesions in the liver of SD rats were common,primarily demonstrated as hepatocyte fatty degeneration,edema and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The incidences of lesions increased with the increase of age.

Intervening effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the intervening effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs) for pulmonary fibrosis of rats exposed to silica dust at different stages. METHODS: Specific pathogen free SD rats were randomly divided into model group,2-week group,4-week group and control group with 6 rats in each group(half males and half females). Rats of the first three groups were one-time endotracheally injected with 0. 5 mL aseptic silica suspension at 30 g/L mass concentration. Rats of control group were injected with 0. 5 mL 0. 90% sodium chloride solution. Rats of 2-week group and 4-week group were injected with 0. 5 mL BMMSCs suspension with cell density was 5 × 10~9/L at 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively after silica dust exposure,while model group and control group were injected with aseptic 0. 90% sodium chloride solution in the same volume. After that all rats were examined by lung computed tomography(CT) scan,pathological sections were observed,lung coefficient were measured,lung tissue hydroxyproline(HYP) content and serum transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) concentration were investigated at the 12 th week after silica dust exposure. RESULTS: Lung CT image showed clean lung field and clear pulmonary parenchyma in control group.Multiple and diffused high density granular shadows of different size and streak/reticular fiber shadows in model group;diffused distribution of very small granular shadows in 2-week group; granular shadows and local reticular fiber shadows in 4-week group,and either the size or the area of granular shadows was smaller than model group. The lung CT value,lung coefficient,lung tissue HYP content and serum TGF-β1 concentration of model group,2-week group and 4-week group were higher than those of control group(P < 0. 05). The lung CT value,lung tissue HYP content and serum TGF-β1 concentration of control group,2-week group,4-week group and model group were elevated in turn(P < 0. 05),while the lung coefficient of model group and 4-week group was higher than that of 2-week group respectively(P < 0. 05).CONCLUSION: BMMSCs could delay pulmonary fibrosis caused by silica dust,and the protective effect is better at early stage than later stage of fibrosis.

Comparison of organ coefficients and expression of hypoxia-related genes in the Bama and Juema minipigs / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To compare the organ coefficients and expressions of hypoxia-related genes in Bama and Juema pigs.Method Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the changes of hypoxia gene expressions in the heart,liver,spleen,lung,and kidney of Juema and Bama miniature pigs.Results The organ coefficients of kidney and spleen of Juema pigs were significantly lower than Bama miniature pigs (P<0.05 for both).The heart and lung coefficients of Juema pigs were significantly higher than that of Bama miniature pigs (P<0.05 for both).The VEGF and HIF-1α expressions in the lung and kidney in Juema pigs were significantly higher than Bama pigs (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Only the EPO expression in in the lung of Juema pigs was significantly higher than that of the Bama miniature pigs (P<0.05).Conclusions These results indicate that the variation in organ coefficients may be resulted from evolutionary factors such as adaptiveness to environmental physical and energy conditions,pathogens,and energy metabolism demands,etc.in combination.Juema miniature pigs showing a significantly higher expression of hypoxia-related genes than that in Bama minipigs indicate that it has a strong plateau adaptability by higher gene expressions.

Distribution, Metabolism and Toxic Effects of Beta-Cypermethrin in Lizards (Eremias argus) Following Oral Administration.

Beta-cypermethrin (BCYP), a synthetic pyrethriod (PYR) pesticide which is a mixture of the alpha- and theta- cypermethrin, have been reported various toxicological profiles to non-target organisms. But little is known about assimilation, accumulation and toxic effects of BCYP in reptiles. The present study firstly elucidated absorption, tissue distribution, excretion of BCYP in Eremias argus . Treated group were administered orally with BCYP 20mg/kg body weight (bw) dissolved in corn oil. Neurotoxicity was observed at 24h after gavage, and the poisoning symptom ameliorated at 72h. The changes of BCYP concentration depended on degradation time and tissues. Lizards had a strong capacity to eliminate BCYP with different tissue distribution. The tissues concentration of BCYP from high to low were intestine, stomach, heart, kidney, blood, lung, liver and brain. Bimodal phenomena were observed in lung, liver and kidney. These results may be due to the activities of enzymes, circadian rhythm, and enterohepatic circulation in lizards. Based on the results of organ coefficient and histopathology analysis in liver, the liver was confirmed as the main target organ.

Measurement of body weight, blood parameters and main organ coefficients of germ-free piglets / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To establish the background information of physiological parameters for germ?free ( GF ) Taihu piglets. Methods In this study we selected 25 days old GF Taihu piglets and 4 conventional ( CV) littermates, the male and female ratio was 1∶3, to measure the normal clinical values of hematology and serum biochemistry, immunoglobu?lin concentration and main organ coefficients. The analysis of relative growths of main organ weight to body weight was con?ducted in the Taihu GF and CV pigs by allometric scaling model. Results (1) Twelve hematological parameters and 8 blood biochemical parameters in the GF piglets were significantly lower than those in CV pigs (P<0?05). (2) The aver?age body weight, IgM concentration of GF pigs and CV pigs had significant difference ( P <0?05 ) , and no mesenteric lymph nodes were found in the GF pigs. (3) The gut weight had the largest allometric association with body weight in the GF pigs, while spleen weight has the largest allometric association with body weight in the CV pigs. Both the weight of heart and stomach in CV and GF pigs had a negative allometric association with body weight (allometric coefficient b<1), respectively. Conclusions Different microbe control grades affect the body weight, hematology and serum biochemistry, expression of immunoglobulin and development of main organs in laboratory pigs.