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Objective To evaluate the effect of insulin on apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of sevoflurane-anesthetized mice.Methods Forty-five pathogen-free healthy male BALB/c mice,aged 5-6 weeks,weighing 18-22 g,were divided into 3 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),sevoflurane group (group Sev) and insulin plus sevoflurane group (group IS).Insulin 2 U/20 μ1 was instilled via the nasal cavity for 7 consecutive days in group IS,and 0.9％ normal saline 20 μl was given instead in group C.After the end of insulin treatment,2.5％ sevoflurane was inhaled for 1 h in Sev and IS groups,and Morris water maze test was performed to assess the cognitive function 1 day later.The mice were then sacrificed and hippocampal tissues were obtained for determination of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax (by Western blot).Apoptosis index (AI)was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged at day 4 after operation,the percentage of time spent on the target quadrant was decreased at day 5 after operation,AI was increased,the expression of Bax was up-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated in group Sev (P＜0.05).Compared with group Sev,the escape latency was significantly shortened at day 4 after operation,the percentage of time spent on the target quadrant was increased at day 5 after operation,AI was decreased,the expression of Bax was down-regulated,and the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated in group IS (P＜ 0.05).Cornclusion Insulin improves the cognitive function of sevoflurane-anesthetized mice through inhibiting apoptosis in hippocampal neurons.
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Objective To investigate the curative effect of transpedicular screw fixation plus percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for treatment of severe thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).Methods Twenty-one patients with severe OVCF presenting to our hospital from July 2012 to May 2015 were analyzed retrospectively.There were nine male and twelve female patients,aged 50-78 years (mean,68.8 years).The level of injury was T1 1 in four patients,T12 in six,L1 in five,L2 in three,L3 in two and L4 in one.Time between injury and surgery was 2-16 d (mean,7.5 d).All patients underwent pedicle screw fixation at the injured level combined with PVP.Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for evaluation of lower back pain after operation,Oswestry disability index(ODI) for lower back function,lateral thoracolumbar film for Cobb angle and anterior vertebral height compression ratio,and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score for spinal cord nerve function.Postoperative complications were recorded.Results All patients were followed up for 12-21 months [(15.7 ± 2.9) months].Postoperative studies showed significant differences in VAS [(2.9 ± 1.1) scores],ODI [(30.8 ± 7.5) ％],Cobb angle [(21.5 ± 7.3) °] and anterior vertebral height compression ratio [(44.3 ± 13.9) ％] compared to the preoperative measures (P ＜ 0.05).Cobb angle and anterior vertebral height compression ratio at the final follow-up were (23.4 ± 7.7)° and (49.1 ± 13.7)％ respectively,and had no significant differences from the postoperative measures (P ＞ 0.05).According to the ASIA score,eight patients with neural function injury had one to two level recovery at the final follow-up.Asymptomatic cement leakage occurred in seven patients after operation.There was no internal fixation breakage at the final follow-up.Conclusions Transpedicular screw fixation plus PVP can not only restore the height and strength of the injured vertebrae and correct kyphotic deformity,but also relieve low back pain and improve function of the spine.Therefore,the technique is a safe,reliable and effective surgical treatment for severe thoracolumbar OVCF.
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Objective To investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) in the central amygdala on fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods Thirty-two male SpragueDawley rats, weighing 60-100 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia group (group H), U0124 group (group U1) , and U0126 group (group U2).A catheter was implanted in the central amygdale.In group C, normal saline was injected subcutaneously, and 6.5 h later dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was injected via the catheter.In group H, fentanyl was injected subcutaneously to induce hyperalgesia, and 6.5 h later DMSO was injected via the catheter.In group U1, hyperalgesia was induced, and 6.5 h later ERK1 inhibitor U0124 1.5 nmol was injected via the catheter.In group U2, hyperalgesia was induced, and 6.5 h later ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 1.5 nmol was injected via the catheter.Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal threshold (TWT) were measured before fentanyl injection, at 6.5 h after injection, and at 30 min after DMSO or U0124/U0126 administration via the catheter (T0-2).After the last measurement of pain threshold, the rats were sacrificed, and the amygdala tissues were sampled for detection of the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) by Western blot in groups C and H.Results Compared with group C, the MWT and TWT were significantly decreased at T1,2in H and U1 groups, and at T1in group U2 (P＜0.05) , the expression of p-ERK2 was up-regulated (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in the expression of p-ERK1 in group H (P＞0.05).Compared with group H,the MWT and TWT were significantly increased at T2 in group U2 (P＜0.05) , and no significant change was found in MWT, TWT in group U1 (P＞0.05).Conclusion ERK2 activation in the central amygdala is involved in the development of fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia in rats.
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Objective To evaluate the effect of alprostadil on acute lung injury in septic rats. Methods Thirty adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S), acute lung injury group ( group ALI) , and alprostadil group ( group Q) . The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 1% pentobarbital sodium 5 ml∕100 g. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. In group Q, al?prostadil ( 10 μg∕2 ml) 2 ml∕kg was injected via the tail vein at 30 min before cecal ligation and puncture. The equal volume of normal saline was given in S and ALI groups. At 24 h after operation, blood samples were taken for determination of serum tumor necrosis factor?alpha ( TNF?α) and interleukin?6 ( IL?6) con?centrations by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay. The animals were then sacrificed. The left lungs were immediately removed for microscopic examination, and the right lungs were immediately removed for deter?mination of wet∕dry lung weight ratio ( W∕D ratio ) , and expression of TNF?α mRNA and high mobility group box?1 ( HMGB1) using real?time reverse transcriptase?polymerase chain reaction. Results Com?pared with group S, the concentrations of serum TNF?α and IL?6 were significantly increased, and the ex?pression of TNF?α mRNA and HMGB1 mRNA was up?regulated, and W∕D ratio was increased in ALI and Q groups ( P<0?05) . Compared with group ALI, the concentrations of serum TNF?αand IL?6 were signifi? cantly decreased, and the expression of TNF?α mRNA and HMGB1 mRNA was down?regulated, and W∕D ratio was decreased in group Q ( P<0?05) . The pathological changes of left lungs were significantly attenua?ted in group Q as compared with group ALI. Conclusion Alprostadil can reduce acute lung injury in septic rats, and the mechanism may be related to down?regulation of HMGB1 expression and inhibition of inflam?matory responses.