ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To assess the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of cytoskeletal proteins from Sertoli cells (SCs) and spermatogenesis in rats with oligozoospermia of insufficiency of Shen (Kidney) essence syndrome (OIKES).@*METHODS@#Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table: control, tripterygium glycosides (TG) treatment, sham and EA groups (n=5 in each group). A rat model of OIKES was established by oral gavage with TG. The EA group was treated with TG and received EA at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints for 20 min, once daily for 30 days, while the sham group received EA at identical acupoints with skin penetration without stimulation. After 30 days, the final body weight and coefficients for the testis and epididymis were calculated and sperm parameters were measured. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity in germ cells. Apoptosis in germ cells was quantified by the transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assay.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the final body weight and testis/epididymis coefficients of rats in the TG-treated group were not significantly different, but the sperm count and motility were lower (P<0.05). Expressions of vimentin and α-tubulin were also significantly weaker (P<0.01). The PCNA immunoreactivity of germ cells was decreased (P=0.059), whereas the apoptotic index of germ cells was increased significantly (P<0.01). In contrast, EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints significantly improved the final body weight as well as the sperm count, concentration and motility (P<0.01 or P<0.05). EA increased expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs markedly, and significantly enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity with decreased apoptosis in germ cells (P<0.01 or P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints has protective effects on spermatogenesis in rats with OIKES. This effect seems to be achieved by attenuating TG-induced disruption of cytoskeletal protein in SCs.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of brucine on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density (MVD) in a nude mouse model of bone metastasis due to breast cancer, and to assess the possible antitumor mechanism of brucine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A syringe needle was used to directly inject 0.2 mL monoplast suspension (with 2×10(5) human breast cancer cells contained) into the bony femoral cortex of the right hind leg for modeling. Twenty-five nude mice were randomized into five groups and administered with an intraperitoneal injection of saline or drug for 8 consecutive days: model group (0.2 mL normal saline), low-dose brucine group (1.73 mg·kg(-1)), medium-dose brucine group (3.45 mg·kg(-1)), high-dose brucine group (6.90 mg·kg(-1)), and thalidomide group (200 mg·kg(-1)). Diet and activity were recorded, and the tumors were harvested 5 weeks later. The percentage of VEGF-positive cells was determined with hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining, and MVD expression was determined by optical microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VEGF expressions in brucine- or thalidomide-treated mice were significantly reduced as compared with mice in the model group (P <0.01). There were no significant difference between the high-dose brucine group and the thalidomide group (P >0.05). Significant difference was between the high- and low-dose brucine group P<0.05). Further, VEGF expression was significantly increased in the low- and medium-dose brucine groups compared with the thalidomide group (P <0.05). The MVD values in the three brucine and thalidomide groups were significantly lower than that in the model group (P <0.01). The MVD values in the medium- and high-dose brucine groups were not significantly different from those in the thalidomide group (P >0.05), while the MVD value showed a significant increase in the low-dose group compared with the thalidomide group (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Brucine could inhibit the growth of breast cancer to bone metastases, possibly by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Bone Neoplasms , Metabolism , Breast Neoplasms , Metabolism , Pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Disease Models, Animal , Immunohistochemistry , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Nude , Microvessels , Pathology , Strychnine , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Metabolism , Xenograft Model Antitumor AssaysABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the use of a 7-day physical activity questionnaire in epidemiologic studies on 4-6th grades children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Focus group discussion, observation and expert consultation were used to develop 7-day physical activity questionnaire. The reliability and validity of questionnaire were determined in a sample of 92 children in 4-6th grades who were randomly selected from four schools in urban Beijing. A two-week test-retest reliability was determined. The questionnaire was validated against experts' evaluation and Caltrac motion sensor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For different measures of activity, the agreement was good between the test and retest. Kappa values ranged from 0.46 to 0.79, and the Spearman correlations ranged from 0.66 to 0.87 in boys and 0.57 to 0.82 in girls, with significant difference (P < 0.01). The face validity and content validity were good by experts' evaluation. There was no significant difference between questionnaire results and Caltrac motion sensor for both boys and girls, and the questionnaire correlated significantly (r = 0.46, 0.38 for different measures of activity) with Caltrac motion sensor for boys.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These data provided evidence that the 7-day physical activity questionnaire yield a reliable estimate of past week physical activity for 4 - 6-grade children and provided valid estimation of past week physical activity for boys.</p>