Effect of epigallocatechin gallate on expressions of synaptic plasticity and neural cell adhesion molecules in APP / PS1 double transgenic mice / 解剖学报

Objective To observe the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on the spatial learning memory deficit in amyloid procursor protein (APP) / presenilin-1 (PS1) double transgenic mice, synaptic ultrastructure and expression of neural cell adhesion molecule in hippocampal CA1 region. Methods Eight weeks old male APP / PS1 double transgenic mice were selected as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model and divided into the model group, the EGCG group and the donepezil hydrochloride group, 12 in each group.Besides,normal mice of the same brood (with no transgene) were recruited as a normal group (n = 12). Related indices were detected after 6 months continuous gastrogavage. The spatial learning-memory deficit of APP / PS1 double transgenic mice was detected by Morris water maze test. The synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 region was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and polysialyltranseferase α2,8-polysialic acid (ST8Sia Ⅱ) protein in hippocampal CA1 region of APP / PS1 transgenic mice were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results Compared with the normal group, the mean value of escape latency in the model group was extended, and compared with the model group, the mean value of escape latency in the EGCG group and donepezil hydrochloride group were increased (P < 0. 05) . The result of electron microscope showed that the changes of synaptic interface curvature of EGCG group and donepezil hydrochloride group were not obvious. Compared with the model group, the width of the synaptic gap becomes narrower and the thickness of the post-synaptic compact were increases (P < 0. 05) . Immunofluorescence showed that the expression of NCAM and ST8Sia Ⅱ proteins in the hippocampus CA1 region was expressed in the cytoplasm of neurons, the expressions of NCAM and ST8Sia Ⅱ in hippocampal CA1 region were significantly increased in EGCG group and donepezil hydrochloride group (P< 0. 05) . Their contents also showed higher levels of expression in Western blotting (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion EGCG shows improvement on the spatial learning-memory deficit in APP / PS1 double transgenic mice,which may be associated with affecting the synaptic structure of hippocampus and improving the expressions of neural cell adhesion molecule.

Study on effect and mechanism of cinnabaris and realgar in promoting awake of endotoxin-induced brain injury rat applied with Angong Niuhuang Wan / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect and mechanism of cinnabaris and realgar in promoting awake effect of endotoxin- induced brain injury rat applied with Angong Niuhuang Wan.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Normal rats implanted cortical electrode in advance were divided into 6 groups: control, model, the Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNH, 0.4, 0.2 g · kg(-1)), the Angong Niuhuang Wan without cinnabaris and realgar (QZX-AGNH, 0.32, 0.16 g · kg(-1)). Rats in the control and model groups were given distilled water. After three days of intragastric administration, the brain injury model was injected with endotoxin through tail vein. Then trace electro-corticogram (EcoG) 1-6 h after LPS injection, and compare the power and relative power of beta (β) and delta-waves (δ) at 6 h of these groups. The content of acetylcholine (Ach) and the affinity of M-receptor (M-R) in cortex and brainstem were detected by alkaline hydroxylamine colorimetric method and radioactive ligand binding assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>AGNH (0.4, 0.2 g · kg(-1)) could increase the power and relative power of β and AGNH (0.4 g · kg(-1)) showed better action on brain electrical activation. QZX-AGNH showed weak effect on it. AGNH (0.4 g · kg(-1)) could increase the affinity of M-R in cortex and the content of Ach in brainstem. The action of QZX-AGNH was not obvious.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In endotoxin-induced brain injury rats, AGNH can raise the cholinergic system function of cortex, and strengthen the uplink of cortex activation of brainstem cholinergic system, improve the level of cortical activity and enhance the activation of EcoG to promote the body's awakening. QZX-AGNH show weak effect. Cinnabaris and realgar play an important role in promoting awake effect in endotoxin-induced brain injury applied with Angong Niuhuang Wan. The mechanism may be related to cortical and brainstem cholinergic system function.</p>

Effect ofAangong Niuhuang pill and heavy metal constituents on EcoG of brain damage caused by LPS in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe the mechanism of EEG activation and Xingnao Kaiqiao, evaluate the actions of cinnabaris and realgar in Xingnao Kaiqiao of Angong Niuhuang pill, guess the significance of cinnabaris and realgar in specific indication treatment of Angong Niuhuang pill, and provide experimental bases for the rationality of Angong Niuhuang pill building-up.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Seventy SD rats were divided into seven groups: the control, the model, the Angong Niuhuang pill (0.4 g x kg(-1)), the Angong Niuhuang pill without cinnabaris and realgar (0.32 g x kg(-1)) , the cinnabaris and realgar (0.08 g x kg(-1)), the realgar (0.04 g x kg(-1)), and the cinnabaris (0.04 g x kg(-1)). Rats in the control and model groups were given distilled water. After three days of administration, the brain damage model was made by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) injection through caudal vein and the catecholamine (CA) and its metabolites levels in cerebral cortex, included noradrenaline (NE), adrenaline (E), 3-methocy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), dopamine (DA), Homovanlic acid (HVA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector (HPLC-ECD). Influences of Angong Niuhuang pill, Angong Niuhuang pill without cinnabaris and realgar, cinnabaris and realgar on monoamine transmitters were observed in brain damage rats caused by LPS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>LPS could raise NE, 5-HT, 5-HIAA levels and reduce E, DOPAC levels, but had no influence on HVA, DA, MHPG levels. Angong Niuhuang pill had the trend of raising E, DOPAC levels and reducing NE level, and could reduce 5-HIAA level obviously comparing with models. But Angong Niuhuang pill without cinnabaris and realgar was different, NE level was significantly higher compared to models and Angong Niuhuang pill, DA level was also significantly higher compared to all groups. Cinnabaris and realgar had the same action trends with Angong Niuhuang pill, and separate realgar could obviously reduce 5-HT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Influence on CA and its metabolites levels in cerebral cortex may be one of the mechanisms of Angong Niuhuang pill's EEG activation, and cinnabaris and realgar have the same action on CA levels in cerebral cortex. The results of the present work allow us to put forward the hypothesis that cinnabaris and realgar are most likely one of the important material basis in Xingnao Kaiqiao of Angong Niuhuang pill.</p>