Topical application of the plant extract SDTL-E in ovariectomized rats: A potential new approach for treating osteoporosis.

Current osteoporosis medications have drawbacks of causing side effects and having slow onset, therefore developing osteoporosis drugs with faster onset and less side effects is essential. This study investigated the effects of the natural plant extract, SDTL-E, in ovariectomized (OVX)-induced osteoporosis rats. Rats were randomly assigned to sham operation control group (Control Group); OVX rat model group (Model Group) or OVX rat SDTL-E treatment group (SDTL-E Group). All groups underwent ovariectomy, but the Control Group did not have the ovaries removed. SDTL-E Group was treated with SDTL-E, Model and Control Groups were treated with vegetable oil, treatments were topically applied twice daily for 20 days. Results showed when compared with Model Group, SDTL-E Group significantly restored serum estradiol back to near Control Group level, serum ALP activity, serum and urinary calcium were significantly decreased, bone mechanics indicators increased and trabecular bone numbers slightly increased. These results demonstrated 20 days of SDTL-E topical treatment improved bone strength and trabecular bone structure in OVX-induced osteoporosis rats. The underlying mechanisms include restoring estradiol level, reducing bone turnover, net bone resorption, bone calcium loss, and calcium excretion through kidney. These findings suggest topical application of plant extract is a potential new approach with quick efficacy for treating osteoporosis.

[Effect of Semen Litchi containing serum on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Semen Litchi containing serum on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. METHODS: The Semen litchi or CTX containing serum and control serum were prepared by serologic pharmacology method. MTT assay was used to observe the proliferation inhibition rate of HepG2 cells after incubated with different kinds of drug's containing serum. Nuclear morphological features of HepG2 cells were detected by fluorescencemicroscopy after staining with Hochest33258. The apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells in each group was detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The cell viability and the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells in Semen Litchi containing serum groups were higher than that of control group, and the results of fluorescencemicroscopy observation showed the nuclear morphological change of apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Semen Litchi can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, the acting mechanism may be concerned with cell apoptosis.

[Effect of ventricle injection of Nogo-A antibody on neuronal regeneration following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the neonatal rat].

OBJECTIVE: Nogo-A antibody IN-1 can neutralize Nogo-A, a neurite growth inhibitory protein, promoting axonal regeneration following lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) in adult rats. This study aimed to examine the effect of ventricle injection of Nogo-A antibody on neuronal regeneration in neonatal rats following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). METHODS: A model of neonatal HIBD was prepared by the ligation of the left common carotid artery, followed by 8% hypoxia exposure. Forty HIBD rats were randomly given a ventricle injection of 10 microL Nogo-A antibody IN-1 (IN-1 group) or 10 microL artificial cerebrospinal fluid (artificial CSF group) (n=20 each). Another 20 neonatal rats were sham-operated, without hypoxia-ischemia, and were used as the controls. The levels of Nogo-A and GAP-43 protein in the brain were measured by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The number of immunohistory positive cells of Nogo-A in the brain in the IN-1 group (28.61+/-1.70) was obviously less than that in the artificial CSF (39.52 +/-1.40) and the sham-operated groups (32.78 +/- 1.87) (both P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the Nogo-A protein expression between the artificial CSF and the sham-operated groups (P < 0.01). The GAP-43 protein expression in the IN-1 group (31.14 +/- 1.88) was noticeably higher than that in the artificial CSF group (27.73 +/- 1.43 ) (P < 0.01). Both the IN-1 and the artificial CSF groups showed lower GAP-43 protein levels than the sham-operated groups (33.64 +/- 1.24) (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Nogo-A antibody can reduce the expression of Nogo-A protein in the brain and thus promote neuronal regeneration in neonatal rats following HIBD. An increased GAP-43 protein expression in the brain after Nogo-A antibody administration shows an enhanced neuronal regeneration in the neonatal rats following HIBD.

[Significance of plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha level in acute myocardial ischemia and intervention effect of N-acetylcysteine: a study in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha (8-iso-PGF2alpha) levels in the plasma and myocardial tissue of rats with myocardial ischemia and observe the intervention effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), for the purpose of assessing the value of 8-iso-PGF2alpha in estimating the extent of free radical damage and implementing possible interventions. METHODS: Forty-five Wistar rats were divided into ischemia, ischemia+NAC and control groups, and in the former 2 groups, acute myocardial ischemia models were produced by pituitrin. Elevated ST segment in ECG served as the indicator for myocardial ischemia. Rats in ischemia+NAC group were pre-treated with NAC (0.1 g/kg x d) for three weeks before the ischemia 8-iso-PGF2alpha levels in the plasma and myocardial tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In ischemia group, the 8-iso-PGF2alpha levels in the plasma and myocardial tissue were 187.4+/-45.8 pg/ml and 259.3+/-47.5 pg/g, respectively, higher than those in the control group (60.4+/-13.7 pg/ml and 88.6+/-16.9 pg/g, respectively, P<0.01) and those in ischemia+NAC group (88.2+/-16.4 pg/ml and 109.4+/-24.7 pg/g, respectively, P<0.01). A positive correlation was noted between the 8-iso-PGF2alpha levels in the plasma and myocardial tissue (r=0.865, P<0.01). In comparison with the control group, elevation of the ST segment of ECG in rats with myocardial ischemia was obvious, and the peak elevation occurred 45 min after ischemia (0.34+/-0.05 mV, P<0.01). Pre-treatment with NAC proved to help alleviate the subsequent ischemia, with ST segment elevation of only 0.18+/-0.05 mV. CONCLUSION: In condition of acute myocardial ischemia in rats, 8-iso-PGF2alpha levels tend to increase, which can be indicative of the degree of myocardial ischemia. NAC pre-treatment can alleviate the ischemic condition by offsetting the damage caused by the free radicals.

Effects of different extracts of kanggushu on osteoporosis in model rats and the underlying mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preventive effects and possible underlying mechanism of different extracts of Kanggushu () on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: One hundred and sixtyfive female SD rats were divided into 11 groups: control, sham, model, Xianling Gubao Capsule (), nilestriol, Kanggushu aqueous extract high-, medium-, and low-dose and suet extract high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. The osteoporosis model was made by ovariectomizing the rats. The latter 8 groups were administered intragastricly with Xianling Gubao Capsule, nilestriol, Kanggushu aqueous extract and suet extract for 12 weeks, respectively, while the other 3 groups were administered orally saline. The whole body bone mineral density, bone mineral content, organ coefficient of uterus, serum estradiol and alkaline phosphatase contents, blood calcium, phosphorus, interleukin 6 and bone Gla-protein levels after treatment were monitored. Additionally, three-point bending test of femur, HE staining, and scanning electron microscope were performed to explore the pharmacodynamics and underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: In comparison with ovariectomized rats of model group, Kanggushu aqueous extract high-dose resulted in an increased bone mineral density, bone mineral content and organ coefficient of uterus, improved estradiol level, and improved maximum load and structural stiffness (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Two-dimensional and three-dimensional trabecular structure was also observed under HE staining and scanning electron microscopy, and the number and thickness of trabecular bone in Kanggushu aqueous extract high-dose group was significantly increased compared to the model group, while the lipid droplets in bone marrow cavity were significantly less. However, there were no significant differences in blood calcium, total serum alkaline phosphatase and bone Gla protein among different treatment groups. Overall, the osteoprotective effects of Kanggushu aqueous extract were comparable to those of nilestriol and were significantly more effective than those of Xianling Gubao Capsule. CONCLUSION: The preventive effects of Kanggushu aqueous extract might be partly due to the increased estradiol level, accelerated restoration of bone trabecular reticulate structure, and accordingly increased bone mineral density in osteoporosis rats.

Relationship between HPLC fingerprints and in vivo pharmacological effects of a traditional Chinese medicine: Radix Angelicae Dahuricae.

We report the fingerprint development of a traditional Chinese medicine Radix Angelicae Dahuricae root and the correlation of the fingerprint peaks with its in vivo pharmacological effects. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods with the computer aided similarity evaluation were validated and used in serial pharmacological studies in mice. The major constituents of R. Angelicae Dahuricae were successfully separated by the HPLC methods, and the effects of sedation and analgesia were mainly related to the chromatographic peaks of group II. The anti-inflammatory, anti-heat stroke and anti-endotoxemic effects were mainly related to the peaks in group III. These results indicated a correlation between the HPLC fingerprints in groups and the pharmacological effects of R. Angelicae Dahuricae. This simple and accurate method can be used for the identification of the active components of R. Angelicae Dahuricae and for the quality control of its pharmaceutical preparations.

[Effect and mechanism of L-arginine therapy for fetal growth retardation due to pregnancy-induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of L-arginine (L-Arg) administration on fetus growth retardation (FGR) due to pregnancy-induced hypertension and explore its mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-eight pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and FGR were enrolled in this study, and 25 of them were given L-Arg in addition to routine therapy. Umbilical artery flow parameters and serum NO concentrations in maternal and umbilical blood were measured, and the therapeutic effects were evaluated according to neonatal birth weight. RESULTS: L-Arg therapy markedly decreased the systolic/diastolic value, pulse index and resistant index (P=0.000,0), while increased the fast blood velocity rate(P=0.000,0). NO contents in maternal and umbilical blood were 60.45-/+22.68 and 28.45-/+11.35 micromol/L in L-Arg group, respectively, significantly higher than those in routine treatment group (P=0.000,0 and 0.001,7, respectively) but lower than those in the control group (P=0.000,8 and 0.000,0, respectively). The neonatal birth weights were 2.9-/+0.3 kg in L-Arg group, significantly higher than that in routine treatment group (2.7-/+0.3 kg, P=0.006,8) and similar with that of the control group (3012.9-/+295.9 g, P=0.176,2). CONCLUSION: L-Arg promote intrauterine growth of the fetus by increasing NO production and improving the umbilical artery flow in pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and FGR.

[Rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes in human neonates].

OBJECTIVE: To study the rearrangement of immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain variable region (V(H)) genes in human neonates with different gestational ages (GA). METHODS: Peripheral blood from the neonates with GA of 27 weeks (4 cases), 28-32 weeks (9 cases), 33-36 weeks (12 cases), and 37-42 weeks (13 cases) was collected. RT-PCR was used to amplify the Ig V(H) gene, and the PCR products were separated by electrophoresis and analyzed using 6% denaturing PAGE gel. RESULTS: All Ig V(H) family genes had several rearranged genes in each GA group, and the neonates with different GA showed no significant difference in the median molecular weight for each rearranged Ig V(H) family gene. CONCLUSION: The neonates with GA of 27-42 weeks exhibit diversity in Ig V(H) gene rearrangement, and for the same Ig V(H) family, the median length of the arranged Ig V(H) genes is independent of the gestational age.