Cycasin derivative: a potential embryotoxic component of Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome for limb malformation.

Objective: The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (Asteraceae), called Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome (AMR) and known by its traditional name Bai Zhu, is a prominent Chinese herbal medicine employed for preventing miscarriage. However, our previous study revealed that high dosages of AMR administered during pregnancy could cause embryotoxicity but the specific embryotoxic components and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify the potential embryotoxic components of AMR. Methods: The AMR extracts and sub-fractions were analyzed by thin layer chromatography and subsequently screened by in vitro mouse limb bud micromass and mouse whole embryo culture bioassays. The embryotoxic fractions from AMR were further evaluated in vivo using a pregnant mouse model. The structures of the potential embryotoxic components were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). Results: In vitro and in vivo bioassays revealed that AMR glycoside-enriched sub-fractions (AMR-A-IIa and AMR-A-IIb) exhibited potential embryotoxicity. These sub-fractions, when administered to pregnant animals, increased the incidence of stillbirth and congenital limb malformations. MS spectrometry analysis identified cycasin derivatives in both sub-fractions, suggesting their possible role in the observed limb malformations. However, further experiments are necessary to validate this hypothesis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Conclusions: Our study provides significant scientific evidence on the pharmacotoxicity of AMR, which is important for the safe clinical application of commonly used Chinese herbal medicines during pregnancy.

Chinese herbal medicine for threatened miscarriage: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for threatened miscarriage. Data Sources: Electronic databases were searched from inception to 30 June 2022. Study Eligibility Criteria: Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy and safety of CHM or combined CHM and Western medicine (CHM-WM) and compared with other treatments for threatened miscarriage were included for analysis. Methods: Three review authors independently evaluated included studies, assessed the risk of bias and extracted data for meta-analysis (continuation of pregnancy after 28 gestational weeks, continuation of pregnancy after treatment, preterm birth, adverse maternal outcomes, neonatal death, TCM syndrome severity, ß-hCG levels after treatment), sensitivity analysis (ß-hCG level) and subgroup analysis (TCM syndrome severity, ß-hCG level). The risk ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated by RevMan. Certainty of the evidence was assessed according to GRADE. Results: Overall, 57 RCTs involving 5,881 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with WM alone, CHM alone showed significant higher incidence of continuation of pregnancy after 28 gestational weeks (Risk Ratio (RR) 1.11; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.21; n = 1; moderate quality of evidence), continuation of pregnancy after treatment (RR 1.30; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.38; n = 10; moderate quality of evidence), higher ß-hCG level (Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) 6.88; 95% CI 1.74 to 12.03; n = 4) and lower Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome severity (SMD -2.94; 95% CI -4.27 to -1.61; n = 2). Compared with WM alone, combined CHM-WM showed significant higher incidence of continuation of pregnancy after 28 gestational weeks (RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.27; n = 15; moderate quality of evidence), continuation of pregnancy after treatment (RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.23; n = 41; moderate quality of evidence), higher ß-hCG level (SMD 2.27; 95% CI 1.72 to 2.83; n = 37) and lower TCM syndrome severity (SMD -1.74; 95% CI -2.21 to -1.27; n = 15). No significant differences in reducing the adverse maternal outcomes and neonatal death were found in combined CHM-WM compared with WM alone (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.52; n = 8; RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.12 to 1.21; n = 2). Conclusion: Current evidence supported CHM could be a potential treatment for threatened miscarriage. However, results should be interpreted with caution considering the low to moderate quality of the available evidence. Systematic Review Registration: [https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-6-0107/], identifier [INPLASY20220107].

In vitro tests to evaluate embryotoxicity and irritation of Chinese herbal medicine (Pentaherbs formulation) for atopic dermatitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder and its prevalence is increasing in the last few decades. No treatment can cure the condition. Pregnancy often worsens the clinical manifestation. There are considerable interests in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) as an alternative treatment for AD. A well tolerated CHM formula (Pentaherbs formulation, PHF) has been proven efficacious in improving life quality and reducing topical corticosteroid use in children with moderate-to-severe AD. However, safety data of PHF are not available. AIM OF THE STUDY: Our study aimed to evaluate the safety of PHF and its 5 individual herbal extracts, including embryotoxicity by Embryonic Stem Cell Test (EST) and irritation by Skin Irritation Test (SIT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quality of 5 herbal extracts of PHF was confirmed by chromatography. In EST, mouse embryonic stem cell line (D3) and mouse fibroblast cell line (3T3) were used to study potential embryotoxicity. Three endpoints were assessed by concentration-response curves after 10 days' culture: 50% inhibition of D3 differentiation into beating cardiomyocytes (ID50D3), 50% cytotoxic effects on D3 (IC50D3) and on fibroblasts (IC503T3). A biostatistically based prediction model (PM) was applied to predict the embryotoxic potentials of each CHM. In SIT, epidermis equivalent commercially available kits (EpiDerm™) were used, and concentration-viability curves were obtained by MTT assay to detect skin irritations of each CHM. RESULTS: Chemical authentication confirmed that 5 test herbal extracts contained their main active compounds. EST results indicated that the formula PHF and its individual CHMs were non-embryotoxic, except one CHM, Amur Corktree Bark (Huang Bai, Phellodendron chinense C.K.Schneid), was weakly embryotoxic. SIT results showed that cell viability was above 50% after treatment with different concentrations of all tested CHMs. CONCLUSIONS: Our in vitro tests provided preliminary evidence for safety of the formula PHF in embryonic stem cell test and skin irritation model, but PHF shall be cautiously used in pregnant women with AD. Further studies are needed to support its clinical application as an alternative treatment for AD, especially to the patients who plan for pregnancy or at lactation stages.

The efficacy and safety of combined chinese herbal medicine and western medicine therapy for COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the clinical efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) with and without Western medicine (WM) for different severity of COVID-19. METHODS: CNKI, PubMed, Wanfang Database, ClinicalTrails.gov, Embase, ChiCTR and ICTRP were searched from 01 Jan, 2020 to 30 Jun, 2021. Two authors independently assessed all the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for trial inclusion, data extraction and quality assessment. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4.1). Evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). Primary outcomes included total effectiveness rate. Secondary outcomes included improvements in symptom improvement and total adverse event rate. Different severity of COVID-19 patients was assessed in subgroup analysis. This study was registered with INPLASY, INPLASY202210072. RESULTS: 22 high quality RCTs involving 1789 participants were included. There were no trial used CHM alone nor compare placebo or no treatment. Compared with WM, combined CHM and WM (CHM-WM) treatment showed higher total effectiveness rate, lower symptom scores of fever, cough, fatigue, dry throat and pharyngalgia, shorter mean time to viral conversion, better Computerized Tomography (CT) image and blood results, fewer total adverse events and worse conditions (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that the total effectiveness rate of combined CHM-WM group was significantly higher than WM group, especially for mild and moderate patients. No significant differences in mortality and adverse events were found between combined CHM-WM and WM treatment. No serious adverse events and long-term outcomes were reported. CONCLUSION: Current evidence supported the therapeutic effects and safety of combined CHM-WM treatment on COVID-19, especially for patients with mild and moderate symptoms. Long-term effects of therapy are worthy in further study.

Therapeutic DNA vaccination as a repair strategy following spinal cord injury.

Myelin-derived proteins, such as tenascin-R (TN-R), myelin associate glycoprotein (MAG), oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp), and Nogo-A, inhibit the central nervous system regeneration. In this study, the DNA vaccine encoding for oligodendrocyte and myelin-related antigens was employed to attenuate the axonal growth inhibitory properties of myelin in the setting of spinal cord injury. Using a rat spinal cord dorsal hemisection model, the vaccine directed against the inhibitory epitopes of Nogo-A, MAG, OMgp, and TN-R was administered intramuscularly once a week following spinal cord injury, supplemented with local application of specific anti-sera against the four antigens. Anterograde labeling of dorsal column fibers showed active axonal regeneration through the lesion site at the eighth week following the treatment in experimental group but not in control groups. Light microscopic and ultrastructural analysis revealed that vaccination with these myelin-related antigens did not lead to demyelinating disease. OMgp and TN-R levels were down-regulated at the lesion site together with a parallel increase in growth-associated protein 43 levels in the treatment groups. This study reveals the effective approach of a DNA vaccine strategy by attaining the special antibody to direct neutralization of the myelin inhibitors during spinal cord injury.

Passive immunization with LINGO-1 polyclonal antiserum afforded neuroprotection and promoted functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

LINGO-1 (leucine-rich repeat and Ig domain-containing, Nogo receptor-interacting protein) is an important component of the NgR receptor complex involved in RhoA activation and axon regeneration. The authors report on passive immunization with LINGO-1 polyclonal antiserum, a therapeutic approach to overcome NgR-mediated growth inhibition after spinal cord injury (SCI). The intrathecally administered high-titer rabbit-derived antiserum can be detected around the injury site within a wide time window; it blocks LINGO-1 in vivo with high molecular specificity. In this animal model, passive immunization with LINGO-1 antiserum significantly decreased RhoA activation and increased neuronal survival. Adult rats immunized in this manner show recovery of certain hindlimb motor functions after dorsal hemisection of the spinal cord. Thus, passive immunotherapy with LINGO-1 polyclonal antiserum may represent a promising repair strategy following acute SCI.

Functional and ultrastructural analysis of endothelial-like cells derived from bone marrow stromal cells.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) have the potential to differentiate into endothelial cells. However, the physiologic functions of the endothelial-like cells derived from BMSC have not been well studied. METHODS: Human BMSC were induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells with a combination of cytokines. Morphologic, phenotypic, ultrastructural and functional characterizations of the endothelial-like cells were made. RESULTS: Human BMSC were successfully differentiated into cells with endothelial-like morphology and phenotype in vitro. These cells expressed various endothelial cell functions in vitro, such as release of von Willebrand factor (vWF) mediated by histamine, acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) uptake, binding of Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1) and in vitro capillary formation. The cells also acquired important ultrastructural and physiologic properties of endothelial cells as they contained Weibel-Palade bodies, abundant mitochondria with a homogeneous mitochondrial matrix, diluted rough endoplasmic reticula, enlarged Golgi complexes, a regular arrangement of microfilaments and many surface cytoplasmic processes and plasmalemmal vesicles, as well as intercellular tight junctions and desmosome-like structures. Subcutaneous implantation of the endothelial-like cells in Matrigel plugs in immunodeficient mice resulted in the formation of functional blood vessels that contained erythrocytes. Moreover, these cells contributed to in vivo neovascularization during wound healing in rabbit ischemic hindlimb models. DISCUSSION: Physiologic features of the endothelial-like cells derived from BMSC suggest the potential use of these cells as a functional cell source for therapeutic applications.

Beneficial effect of autologous transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells and endothelial progenitor cells on cerebral ischemia in rabbits.

We tested the therapeutic effect of autologous transplanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on cerebral ischemia in rabbits. Rabbit permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models were intravenously injected with ex vivo expanded autologous BMSCs (n = 8), EPCs (n = 8), or phosphate-buffered saline (n = 6). 14 days after the transplantation, both infusion groups witnessed a functional improvement, a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells and an increase in the microvessel density in the ischemic boundary area, as compared to vehicle-treated control group. The EPCs treated group also exhibited a diminished infarct area in comparison with the control group. Moreover, immunohistochemistry revealed that few transplanted BMSCs expressed markers for astrocytes (GFAP+) and neurons (NeuN+), and most of EPCs were capable of binding to UEA-1 lectin and were incorporated into capillaries. Our data suggest that both BMSCs and EPCs, despite differences in their action mechanism, can be functional cytoreagents for treatment of cerebral ischemia in rabbits.

Effect of kainate on the synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 region.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of activated kainate receptor on both the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in the neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region. METHOD: Blind whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings were performed on the CA1 pyramidal cells in adult rat hippocampal slices to examine and analyze the effect of bath-applied kainate (10 micromol/L) on CA1 afferent fiber-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), respectively. RESULTS: Activation of kainate receptor significantly depressed both IPSCs (P <0.01) and EPSCs (P <0.01) in neurons in the hippocampus CA1 region. CONCLUSION: Activation of kainate receptors directly inhibit excitatory and inhibitory input in those neurons, which contributes to the development of epilepsy in the hippocampus by affecting the dynamic balance of the hippocampal neurons.

[Responses of neurons and astrocytes in rat hippocampus to kainic acid-induced seizures].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the time course of the responses of neurons and astrocytes in rat hippocampus (HI) to kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in various regions. METHODS: By means immunohistochemical staining for anti-Fos protein and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the regional distribution of reactive neurons and astrocytes in the HI was observed at different time points after a unilateral stereotaxic microinjection of KA into the lateral ventricle of rats to cause limbic and generalized convulsive seizures. RESULTS: The injection of KA triggered limbic motor seizures including immobilization, staring, facial and jaw clonus ect. followed by recurrent generalized convulsive seizures. After KA-induced seizures, the GFAP-positive astrocytes and Fos-positive neurons were markedly increased in the HI. The increase of GFAP immunoreactivity was observed 30 min after the seizure onset, reaching the maximum at 1 h; the increase of Fos immunoreactivity was detected at 1 h after the onset, peaking at 2 h. CONCLUSION: The neurons and astrocytes in rat HI are highly active during seizures and the reactive astrocytes might play an important role in epileptogenesis.

Ultrastructrural observation of the membrane surface of kainic acid-treated hippocampal neurons by atomic force microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the three-dimensional morphological changes on the membrane surface of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons in response to kainic acid (KA) exposure. METHODS: After isolation and primary culture, Wistar rat hippocampal neurons were treated with KA at the concentrations of 0, 25, and 250 micromol/L for different durations (10 and 100 min) to observe the subsequent changes in the membrane surface structure of the neurons by nano-scale scanning with an atomic force microscope (AFM). RESULTS: Normal neurons displayed smooth membrane surface with even and regular undulation, while the neurons treated with KA, in contrast, presented degenerative changes characterized by cell swelling and coarse membrane surface with processes and holes. As the treatment was prolonged and KA concentration increased, the changes became more evident. CONCLUSION: As a result of the toxic effect of KA, the membrane surface ultrastructure of rat hippocampal neurons undergo obvious changes, which can be clearly observed and quantitatively analyzed by means of AFM.

[Rapid construction and identification of full-length cDNA library of human glioma tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a method for rapid construction of a full-length cDNA library of human glioma tissues using switching mechanism at 5' end of RNA transcript (SMART). METHODS: The total RNA was extracted from several samples of human glioma tissues and the mRNA was subsequently separated. Multiple mRNA samples were mixed to be used as the template for the first-strand cDNA synthesis. The CDS /3' PCR primer (containing Sfi IB site) was used in the first-strand reaction, and the SMART IV Oligo(dT) (containing Sfi A site) served as the short, extended template at the 5' end of the mRNA. With the above two primers, the primer-extension step generated full-length double-strand cDNA, which was digested by Sfi I restriction enzyme and ligated to the Sfi I A & B -digested lambdaTriplEx2 vector. The ligated vector was then packaged by lambda packaging extract for the final construction of the cDNA library. RESULTS: The unamplified human glioma cDNA library consisted of 2.4x10(6) independent clones with a recombination rate of 100%. The titer of the amplified cDNA library was 4.5x10(9) pfu/ml, and the average exogenous inserts of the recombinants was 1.2 kb in length. CONCLUSION: A high-quality full-length cDNA library of human gliomas was constructed successfully, which may facilitate further study of the screening and cloning of new tumor suppressor genes and tissue-specific genes of human glioma.

[Research about the gray-level correction in DSA].

How to eliminate the background of other tissue and to protrude the blood vessel information is the basic requirements in DSA. Because of the complexity and non-linearity of the X-ray imaging process, the common DSA technique cannot completely remove other tissue's image which lapped over the vessels. By experiments, this paper analyses and corrects the imaging process of the actual DSA system based on the "equivalent single energy" model, and the results indicate the validity of this method.

[The multi-resolution image registration algorithm for digital subtraction angiography].

The proposed registration algorithm based on wavelet transform is a multi-resolution block matching one, which exploits the hierarchical self-similarity of Digital Subtraction Angiography images. This method befittingly trades off between the estimation precision and computational complexity, because the registration precision is from coarse to fine, which reduces the searching complexity of motion vector. This technique has been proved that the convergence speed is exponential. The proposed method takes full advantage of the precise location both temporally and frequently which characterizes the wavelet transform. Both the matching speed and consistency are boosted without the loss of matching performance.

[Prokaryotic expression, purification of human LINGO-1(aa76-319) and preparation of its polyclonal antibody].

OBJECTIVE: To express and purify the fusion protein of extracellular domain of human Ig domain-containing, neurite outgrowth inhibitor (Nogo) receptor-interacting protein-1 (LINGO-1(aa76-319)) in prokaryotic cells and prepare the rabbit anti-LINGO-1 polyclonal antibody (pAb). METHODS: The 732 bp DNA sequence of hLINGO-1(aa76-319) was obtained from pCMV-SPORT6 by PCR and inserted into pET30a(+) plasmid to construct the prokaryotic expression plasmid pET30a(+)-hLINGO-1(aa76-319), which was subsequently transformed into E.coli. The target fusion protein was expressed with IPTG induction and purified by Ni(2+)-NTA affinity chromatography column. The antiserum against hLINGO-1(aa76-319) was obtained from the rabbits immunized with hLINGO-1(aa76-319), and the titer of the pAb was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and its specificity identified using Western blotting. RESULTS: The prokaryotic expression plasmid pET30a(+)-hLINGO-1(aa76-319) was constructed successfully. Efficient expression of the target fusion protein was achieved with IPTG induction at the optimal concentration of 0.4 mmol/L and culture temperature at 37 degrees celsius; for 2.5 h. The hLINGO-1(aa76-319) fusion protein was effectively expressed in E.coli as inclusion bodies, and the soluble protein was obtained through denaturation and refolding procedures, and the purified fusion protein showed a purity above 90%. The titer of the anti-hLINGO-1(aa76-319) pAb obtained by immunizing the rabbits with the purified protein reached 1:1.6x10(6), and Western blotting confirmed its good specificity. CONCLUSION: The fusion protein hLINGO-1(aa76-319) with high purity has been obtained and the anti-hLINGO-1(aa76-319) pAb obtained shows a high titer and good specificity, which provide important experimental basis for further functional investigation of LINGO-1.

[Effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide labeling on neural stem cell survival and proliferation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of superparamgnetic iron oxides (ferumoxides) on the survival and proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) and determine the optimal ferumoxides concentration for labeling. METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were obtained from rat femoral marrow and cultured in vitro to induce their differentiation into NSCs. Ferumoxides labeling of the NSCs was performed with different final concentrations of ferumoxides, and the labeling efficiency and viability of the labeled NSCs were evaluated by Prussian blue staining, MTT assay, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The NSCs could be effectively labeled with ferumoxides with a labeling efficiency of around 90%. Prussian blue staining showed numerous fine granules with blue staining in the cytoplasm of the labeled NSCs, and the intensity of the blue staining was in positive correlation with the ferumoxide concentration for labeling. Transmission electron microscopy of the labeled NSCs revealed the presence of numerous vesicles spreading in the cytoplasm and filled with electron-dense magnetic iron particles. The ferumoxides vesicles increased with the labeling concentration of ferumoxides, and at the final concentration exceeding 25 microg/ml, ferumoxides vesicles in the NSCs gave rise to conglomeration which hampered observation of the cellular ultrastructure by transmission electron microscope. The results of flow cytometry and MTT assay demonstrated that the cell viability, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of the labeled cells were affected by ferumoxides at the concentration above 25 microg/ml, but such effects could be minimal at lower concentrations. CONCLUSION: Ferumoxides might be feasible for in vitro labeling of the NSCs with the optimal concentration of 25 microg/ml.

Proliferation characteristics of adipose-derived stem cells from neonatal suckling rats and adult ones / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the proliferative differences of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from neonatal suckling SD rats (5-d-old) and adult ones under the same culture condition.Methods ADSCs were isolated from the subcutaneous adipose tissues of neonatal suckling SD rats and adult ones,and then,type Ⅰ collagenase digestion was employed to obtain the ADSCs; the morphology of these cells was detected.The expressions of such cell surface markers as CD45,CD29 and CD90 were observed. The number of ADSCs on the 4th d of culture under the same condition and with the same planted density was compared between the neonate and adult rats. In vitro culture of the second generation of ADSCs was performed in the 96-well plates, and CCK-8 and alamar blue kit were employed to compare and quantitate the proliferative differences; optical density was observed by microplate reader. Results The ADSCs from neonatal SD rats and adult ones expressed the stem cell biomarkers: the expression of CD45 was negative, and that of CD29 was 98.04％ and 93.17％,respectively,and that of CD90 was 94.92％ and 93.3％,respectively,for neonate SD rat and adult ones.The cell counting results indicated that the number of ADSCs from neonatal rats ([8.87±0.13]×105 cells) was larger than that of adult ones ([4.51±0.36]×105 cells) after being cultured under the same condition and at the same planted density. The optical density value of ADSCs in neonatal rats was significantly higher than that in adult ones on the 6th and 7th d of culturing detected by CCK-8 kit and on the 2nd-7th d of culturing by alamar blue assay. Conclusion The proliferative ability of ADSCs from neonatal rats is greater than that of adult ones.

Affection of embolism on rat aneurysm model with new platinum coils modified by VEGF / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To explore the embolization effect of new platinum coils coated with [4COOH-P (DLLA-co-TMC)] biodegradable polymer and released vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) into intracranial aneurysms on rat intracranial aneurysms. Methods A total of 54 adult healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into Group Ⅰ with general platinum coils, Group Ⅱ with polymer-coated platinum coils and Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF (n=18).The right common carotid arteries (CCA) of rats in each group were exposed; and the 8 mm lengths of platinum coil segments were inserted into the ligated right CCA of rats. The distal right CCA was performed ligation and restored the blood flow; 6 rats each time at 15,30 and 90 d after the surgery were chosen;and the distal right CCA was used as aneurysm models,and the left CCA without the coil placement or surgical disruption in Group I with general platinum coil was chosen as normal control.The proliferation and fibrosis of endothelial cells were observed by HE staining; von Willebrand Factor (vWF) expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining; and VEGF expression was examined by Western blotting. Results Cellular proliferation and fibrosis in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF enjoyed significantly higher grade than those in Group Ⅰ with general platinum coils 10,60 and 90d after the surgery (P＜0.05); Cellular proliferation and fibrosis in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF enjoyed significantly higher grades than those in Group Ⅱ with polymer-coated platinum coils 30 d after the surgery (P＜0.05).Pathological observations showed that the massive intimal hyperplasia and substantial clot completely occluded the aneurysm lumen in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF; New small blood vessels having vwf-positive expression were noted in the fiberized tissues;the thrombosis in Group Ⅰ with general platinum coils and Group Ⅱ with polymer-coat platinum coils were not fully organized and showed loose hyperplasia structure with a large number of internal spaces.Western blotting indicated that the VEGF level in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF were significantly higher than that in other groups 15 and 30 d after the operation,however,the VEGF level in Group Ⅲ with platinum coils modified with VEGF 90 d after the surgery was decreased because the lumen completed fibration and degradation of 4COOH-P (DLLA-co-TMC). Conclusion The VEGF-eontaining biodegradable polymer,by slowly releasing VEGF to modify the surface of platinum coils, could enhance the cellular proliferation, thrombosis and formation of dense fibrous tissue in aneurysm lumen; as compared with general platinum coils,these new platinum coils could occlude the rat aneurysm faster and more completely.

Distribution and expression changes of tight junctional protein JAM-1 in rat models after intracerebral hemorrhage / 中华神经医学杂志

[Objective]To explore the distribution and expression changes of tight junctional protein JAM-1 in rat models after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and their significance.[Methods]One hundred and twenty-eighty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=16) and ICH group (n=112),and the ICH models were induced by stereotactically injecting 75 uL autologous blood into the right caudate nucleus.Seven time points after ICH (6,12,24 and 48 h,and 3,7 and 14 d after ICH,16 rats for each time point) were chosen.BBB permeability was evaluated by Evans blue dye extravasation.The distribution and expression of JAM-1 were detected by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative PCR.[Results] As compared with that in the normal control group,BBB permeability in the ICH group significantly increased at 24 and 48 h,and 3 and 7 d after ICH (P＜0.05).JAM-1 expression decreased at blood vessels at 12,24 and 48 h after ICH,and JAM-1 expressed at the circulatingleukocytes3 dafterlCH,and abundant JAM-1 positive cells around hematoma were noted in the ED-l-positve macrophages 7 d after ICH.JAM-I mRNA significantly decreased at 12,24 and 48 h after ICH,and significantly increased 7 d after ICH as compared with that in the normal control group (P＜0.05).[Conclusion] JAM-1 experssion changes not only participate in regulation of BBB permeability but also play roles in inflammatory insult after ICH.

Effect of chondroitin sulfate enzyme ABC on glial scar in brain injury models / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of chondroitin sulfate enzyme ABC (chABC) on glial scar in rat models of brain traumatic injury (TBI). Methods Thirty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including normal control group (n=2), model group (rat models of TBI,n=9), 1.0 U/mL chABC treatment group (n=9), 2.5 U/ml chABC treatment group (n=9) and 5.0 U/ml chABC treatment group (n=9). After performing TBI by free falling in the later 4 groups, rats of the model group were given no treatment, while those of the other 3 groups were administrated with different concentrations of chABC by local injection respectively. One, 2 and 4 w after TBI, HE staining was performed on the brain tissues of these rat models;and immunohistochemical assay and Western blotting were employed to evaluate the secreting of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and the therapeutic effect of chABC on glial scar. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test. Results Pathological test revealed the scars in the treatment groups were significantly fewer than those in the model group 2 w after TBI, with 5.0 U/mL chABC treatment group enjoying the fewest level (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical assay showed that the secreting of CSPGs in the treatment groups and model group was significantly increased than that in normal control group 2 w after TBI (P<0.05);the 5.0 U/ml chABC treatment group showed an obvious reduction of CSPGs secreting as compared with the model group (P<0.05). Western blotting indicated that the treatment groups showed an obvious reduction of CSPGs secreting as compared with the model group 1, 2 and 4 w after TBI (P<0.05);an obvious gradual reduction of CSPGs secreting in the model group, 2.5 and 5.0 U/ml chABC treatment groups was noted 1, 2 and 4 w after TBI (P<0.05). Conclusion ChABC could degrade the glial scar by degrading the CSPGs molecules and improve the microenvironment of local axonal regeneration after TBI;In this experiment, the highest concentration of chABC (5U/ml) shows the best effect on removing the glial scar.