ABSTRACT
AIM:To investigate the effect of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor rolipram on the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of alcoholism model mice.METHODS:The mice (n=60) were randomly divided into control group , con-trol+rolipram group, alcoholism model group, and alcohol +rolipram (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) groups.The mice were given alcohol preference test on days 6, 13, 20 and 27.After the test, the mice received withdrawal of alcohol for 1 d.On day 28, the mice were given behavior test of depression , and after the test, the mice were sacrificed.The cAMP levels in the hippocampus and PFC were detected by ELISA , and the protein levels of PKA , CREB, p-CREB and BDNF were detec-ted by Western blot.RESULTS:The mice showed an obvious drinking phenomenon (P<0.01), and the immobility time of forced swimming test and tail suspension test was significantly increased (P<0.01), with increasing drinking days and withdrawal times .However , chronic treatment with rolipram for 28 d reversed this phenomenon .Moreover , the cAMP lev-els in the hippocampus and PFC were significantly decreased after 28 d alcohol treatment ( P<0.01 ) , and pretreatment with rolipram (1 mg/kg) obviously reversed this decrease (P<0.01).Parallel to these changes of cAMP , the protein lev-els of PKA, p-CREB and BDNF were also decreased in the hippocampus and PFC (P<0.01), and 28 d rolipram adminis-tration inhibited the decreased cAMP , PKA, p-CREB and BDNF levels in the hippocampus .Moreover, 28 d rolipram ad-ministration also reversed decreased cAMP , PKA and p-CREB in the PFC.CONCLUSION:Rolipram treatment protects against alcohol-induced depression-like behaviors , and also reduces alcohol drinking .These effects may be related to PDE4-cAMP-PKA-CREB-BDNF pathway .
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of the gargled astragalus water decoction as the adjuvant therapy on serum CD14, TNF-αand IL-8 levels in patients with acute suppurative pulpitis.Methods 42 patients who were diagnosed with acute suppurative pulpitis in our hospital were collected. All patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, 21 cases in each group.Patients in the control group received conventional therapy, while patients in the experimental group were given the additional adjuvant therapy that gargled with astragalus water decoction.After the treatment, the serum levels of CD14,TNF-αand IL-8 were detected in all patients.Results After treatment, the serum levels of CD14, TNF-αand IL-8 in the experimental group were statistically lower than control group ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion The gargled with astragalus water decoction as the adjuvant therapy could significantly reduce the serum CD14,TNF-αand IL-8 levels in patients with acute suppurative pulpitis,and it could obviously relieve inflammation.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of ferulic acid(FA)on motor function of rats with a spinal cord injury model(SCI)and its possible effects on expression of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3),Beclin1,Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham group,SCI group,FA(100 mg·kg-1,po)group. Rats were subjected to moderate contusion inju?ries using a vascular clip for 2 min to establish an SCI animal model beforfe they were given BBB scores and inclined plate scoring function test on 6 h,1,3,7 and 14 d after SCI. After the test,rats were sacrificed. Spinal cords were observed by hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining. Furthermore,the expressions of LC3,Beclin1,Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS Compared with the sham group,BBB scores and inclined plate function scores significantly decreased in model group. The BBB scores decreased from 21 in sham group to(0.5±0.5)in SCI group,and inclined plate function scores decreased from 70° in sham group to(5.8±2.0)° in SCI group. However,this was reversed by FA treatment. BBB scores and inclined plate function scores increased from 3.0 ± 1.7 to 6.2 ± 3.6(P<0.05)and from (13.3 ± 4.1)° to(26.7 ± 8.7)°(P<0.05)after FA was po given for 7 d,respectively. HE staining showed the gradual emergence of internal spinal cord edema,while the structural changes associated with spinal cord injury could be significantly reversed by administration of FA. Moreover,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰand Beclin1 was significantly increased in SCI 1 d group(P<0.01),but was decreased in 14 d group when compared with SCI 1 d group(P<0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 was increased in SCI 14 d group,and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was increased on 14 d after SCI(P<0.05). Compared with the SCI group,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰand Beclin1 expression was increased in FA-treated 1 d group(P<0.05),Bcl-2 expression was increased in FA-treated 14 d group and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was significantly increased on 14 d after SCI(P<0.05). CONCLUSION FA has a therapeutic effect on SCI,which may be related to the impact of neuronal autophagy and apoptosis. Meanwhile,autophagy of SCI may be a process of gradual enhancement followed by weakening,and the anti-apoptosis effect may gradually increase with autophagy.