Study on therapeutic effect and its related mechanism of anemoside B4 on ischemia reperfusion injury induced by renal artery and vein ligation in rats / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect and mechanism of anemoside B4 on renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. A total of 50 rats were randomly divided into the model group(NS) and anemoside B4 low-dose(1.25 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-dose(2.5 mg·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(5 mg·kg~(-1)) groups after the right kidney was removed and the left kidney was ligated to make the ischemia reperfusion model. Another 10 rats were selected as sham operation group only for normal control group(NS, received normal saline). Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure serum blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine(Cre), cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) and urinemicroalbumin(mALB) levels after 5 days of tail vein injection treament. Total urine protein and total urinary albu-min were calculated and kidney samples were collected. Histopathological changes of renal tissues were observed by PAS staining. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the protein expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in renal inflammatory factors related to NLRP3 pathway and TLR4/NF-κB pathway. The results showed that the levels of BUN, Cre, urinary total protein and urinary total albumin in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01), with severe renal tubule injury was serious, manifested by obvious expansion of renal tubules, more serious tubular proteins, and some tubular epithelial cells were exfoliated. At the same time, the expression of inflammatory factors related to NLRP3 pathway and TLR4/NF-κB pathway increased significantly(P<0.01 or P<0.05). The levels of BUN, Cre were reduced in different doses of anemoside B4(P<0.05). The levels of total urinary protein and total urinary albumin were decreased in the low and high dose groups of anemoside B4.The level of total urinary albumin in the high-dose group of anemoside B4 was significantly reduced(P<0.05).Renal tubular injury was alleviated, tubular epithelial cell exfoliation was reduced, and the expression of related inflammatory factors was reduced in different degrees(P<0.01 or P<0.05). This study showed that anemoside B4 could alleviate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. And its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory factors related to response mediated by NLRP3 pathway and TLR4/NF-κB pathway by anemoside B4.

Expression characteristics of inflammatory and apoptosis factors and regulatory effect of anemoside B4 in mice with acute kidney injury / 中国中药杂志

This paper was aimed to observe the effect of anemoside B4(hereinafter referred to as B4) on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in mice, and to investigate its possible mechanism in renal protection from inflammation and apoptosis aspects. Mice were divided into normal group, model group, dexamethasone positive group and B4 high, middle and low dose groups(5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg·kg~(-1 )doses). All the other mice groups except normal group were given with tail vein injection of cisplatin(15 mg·kg~(-1)) to induce acute kidney injury models. The drug administration was started on the day of modeling, and lasted for 4 days. After 1 hour of the last injection, orbital blood was collected. After the serum was separated, serum urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine(Cre), total protein(TP), and albumin(ALB) were tested by using an automatic biochemical analyzer; the changes of kidney pathological morphology were observed by PAS staining; the protein expression levels of inflammatory factors including nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor(NLRP3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(caspase-1), interleukin-18(IL-18), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) and apoptosis factors including p53, caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) were analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that B4 significantly reduced the serum BUN and Cre contents, and alleviated pathological changes in renal tissues, such as the shedding and degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells, tubulin tubule type. B4 significantly down-regulated the protein expressions of p53, Bax, cleaved-caspase-3 in the kidney and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2/Bax. In model group, however, no significant up-regulation was observed in the protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines(NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, IL-18, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6). The results suggested that B4 had a certain protective effect on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury, and could activate p53 signaling pathway related apoptotic factors. B4 renal protective effect was mainly related to the regulation of p53 signaling pathway, while NLRP3 inflammasome and related inflammatory factors had no obvious response in this model.

Plantar Pressure Changes and Correlating Risk Factors in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Preliminary 2-year Results of a Prospective Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Plantar pressure serves as a key factor for predicting ulceration in the feet of diabetes patients. We designed this study to analyze plantar pressure changes and correlating risk factors in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited 65 patients with type 2 diabetes. They were invited to participate in the second wave 2 years later. The patients completed identical examinations at the baseline point and 2 years later. We obtained maximum force, maximum pressure, impulse, pressure-time integral, and loading rate values from 10 foot regions. We collected data on six history-based variables, six anthropometric variables, and four metabolic variables of the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Over the course of the study, significant plantar pressure increases in some forefoot portions were identified (P < 0.05), especially in the second to forth metatarsal heads. Decreases in heel impulse and pressure-time integral levels were also found (P < 0.05). Plantar pressure parameters increased with body mass index (BMI) levels. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes were positively correlated with maximum force (β = 0.364, P = 0.001) and maximum pressure (β = 0.366, P = 0.002) changes in the first metatarsal head. Cholesterol changes were positively correlated with impulse changes in the lateral portion of the heel (β = 0.179, P = 0.072) and pressure-time integral changes in the second metatarsal head (β = 0.236, P = 0.020). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) changes were positively correlated with maximum force changes in the first metatarsal head (β = 0.137, P = 0.048). Neuropathy symptom score (NSS) and common peroneal nerve sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) changes were positively correlated with some plantar pressure changes. In addition, plantar pressure changes had a correlation with the appearance of infections, blisters (β = 0.244, P = 0.014), and calluses over the course of the study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>We should pay attention to the BMI, HbA1c, cholesterol, ABI, SCV, and NSS changes in the process of preventing high plantar pressure and ulceration. Some associated precautions may be taken with the appearance of infections, blisters, and calluses.</p>

Behavioral alterations and demyelization of the corpus callosum in the mouse model of MK-801 induced schizophrenia / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the role of white matter injuries in the schizophrenia induced by the NMDA re-ceptor antagonist. Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice (8 week old) were equally divided into four groups. One group was sub-chronically treated with saline solution, and the other three groups were intraperitoneally treated with MK-801 at dose of 0.025 mg/mL (M1), 0.050 mg/mL (M2) and 0.100 mg/mL (M3) in a volume 10 ml per kilogram body weight. All ani-mals were tested using Morris water maze at the 9th-15th day and using the Hole Board exploration as well as Rota Rod performance tests on the 16th day. The myelin basic protein (MBP) and the ultrastructure of the myelin sheaths in the cor-pus callosum were then examined using immunohistochemical methods, transmission electron microscope technique and stereological methods. Results The repeated sub-chronic MK-801 treatment did not induce impairment of spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze. The MK-801 treatment at 0.25 mg/kg and 1.00 mg/kg but not at 0.50 mg/kg resulted in less exploration to a new environment. The myelin staining with anti-MBP antibody was less intense in all three schizo-phrenic groups when compared to saline control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, MK-801 treatment caused pathological al-terations of the myelin sheaths including segmental demyelination of myelinated fibers and splitting of myelin sheath lamel- lae in schizophrenic groups. The ratio of the injured myelinated nerve fibers in the corpus callosum of MK-801 treated mice [M3 group, (22.42 ± 4.24)%] was significantly higher when compared to the control mice [(3.84 ± 1.35)%,P<0.01)]. Conclusions The present study demonstrated the white matter damages, mainly low MBP expression and segmental demye-lization in the corpus callosum in the mice sub-chronic treated with MK-801, indicating that the white matter changes might be involved in the schizophrenia induced by NMDA antagonist.

Effects of dexamethasone and latrunculin A on expression of protein in human trabecular meshwork cell / 眼科研究

Background Researches have demonstrated that dexamethasone (Dex) can induce the changes of the function and structure of trabecular meshwork cells,and latrunculin A (Lat A) can enhance the outflow of aqueous humour and therefore low the intraocular pressure.Objective The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Dex and Lat A on the expression of protein in human trabecular meshwork cells.Methods Human trabecular meshwork cells were primarily cultured in DMEM using expand culture method and the fifth generation of cells were used to this experiment.Dex and/or Lat A were added in medium as 10~(-6)mol/L Dex group(Dex treating for 24 hours),Dex+Lat A group(10~(-6)mol/L Dex+2mmol/L Lat A for 24 hours),Lat A group(2mmol/L Lat A for 24 hours) and DMEM culture group.Two dimensional gel electrophoresis(2 DE) was used to compare the protein expressions among these four groups.Subsequently protein spots with different intensity were selected for mass spectrometry analysis.Results Four gel patterns of two dimensional gel electrophoresis of human trabecular meshwork cells from Dex,Dex+Lat A,Lat A and control groups were obtained.A good isolated result for majority of proteins in human trabecular meshwork cells was found in all of the four groups.An obvious expression difference of proteins in human trabecular meshwork cells was seen among the different culture conditions.Twenty four kinds proteins were identified by GDPiMALDI TOF MS,including cytoskeleton related proteins,heat shock proteins,redox related proteins,and proteins participating in carbohydrate metabolism.The expressions of aldehyde dehydrogenase(ADLH)and Rab were increased in Lat A group and decreased in Dex group,but HSP27 and hCRMP2 showed the contrary outcome.Conclusion This study construct the pattern of protein expression in human trabecular meshwork cells by using 2 DE.Dex and Lat A impact the protein expressions in human trabecular meshwork cells.

Ultrasound-guided biopsy in superficial lymph nodes: A review of 325 patients / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To discuss the key technique of ultrasound-guided biopsy in superficial lymph nodes,and to explore the value of ultrasound in qualitative diagnosis for the lymph nodes.Methods Three hundred and twenty-five patients who underwent ultrasound-guided lymph node biopsy from Jan 2006 to Jan 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.Results The sizes of the lymph nodes were 0.8 cm×1.0 cm-5.0 cm×7.0 cm.Each patient was punctured 3 to 6 times.Pathological results showed lymph nodes in 230 patients (70.77%) were malignant,including metastatic carcinoma in 134 patients,malignant lymphoma in 96 patients,while lymph nodes in 87 patients (26.77%) were benign,including specific infection in 82 patients,non-specific infection in 5 patients,whereas uncertain in 8 patients (2.46%) .The tissue amount got from biopsies could be used for qualitative pathological diagnosis in 317 patients (97.54%) .Taking lymph node with the ratio of long diameter to short diameter less than 2,unclear medulla structure,multi-vessel and arterial resistance index≥0.65 as the standard,the diagnostic accuracy rate of malignant lesions was 76.41%.Conclusion Ultrasound-guided biopsy of superficial lymph nodes is convenient and effective for pathological diagnosis.

Effects of running exercise on the hippocapal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged rats / 解剖学报

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of exercise on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats. MethodsTen 14-month female SD rats were randomly divided into exercise group and sedentary group.Rats in the exercise group were forced to run on a treadmill for 4 months. After 4 months, spatial learning capacity of two group rats was tested using the Morris water maze.Then, the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation were quantitatively estimated using transmission electronic microscopy and stereological techniques. Results Treadmill running enhanced the spatial learning capacity of the rats. The volume of hippocampal formation and the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation were significantly increased after 4 months exercise.However,there was no significant difference in the total volume of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation between the two groups.The absolute distributions of the total length of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of two groups indicated that the exercise-induced increase of the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation was mainly due to the increase of the myelinated fibers with small diameter. Conclusions Four months running exercise remarkably influence the spatial learning capacity,hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of the middle-aged famale SD rats. The present results reveal a potential mechanism for the fact that exercise might improve brain function.

Short-term enriched environment increases the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged male rats / 解剖学报

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of short-term enriched environment on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged male rats. MethodsTwenty 14-month old male SD rats were randomly divided into enriched group and standard group. Enriched rats were reared in enriched environment and standard rats were reared in standard environment for 4 months. Then, the spatial learning capacity of enriched rats and standard rats was tested with the Morris water maze. After the Morris water maze test, the total volume of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation were quantitatively estimated with transmission electronic microscopy technique and stereological methods. Results There was not significant difference in the spatial learning capacity between enriched group and standard group. The total volume of the hippocampal formation of enriched rats was not significantly increased by 4.6% when compared with that of standard rats. The total volume, total length and mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of enriched rats were significantly increased when compared with those of standard rats. Conclusions Four-months enriched environment significantly affected the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged male SD rats. The present results might provide an important theoretical basis for searching the ethology strategy to delay the progress of brain aging in the future.

Effects of short-term enriched environment on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged female rats / 解剖学报

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of short-term enriched environment on the hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged female rats. Methods Twenty 14-month female SD rats were randomly divided into 10 enriched environment (EE) rats and 10 standard environment (SE) rats. EE rats were reared in enriched environment and SE rats were reared in standard environment for 4 months. Then, five rats were randomly selected from each group. The spatial learning capacity was assessed with Morris water maze. The hippocampal formation and the myelinated fibers in the rat hippocampal formation were quantitatively investigated with transmission electronic microscopy technique and stereological methods. Results Short-term enriched environment enhanced the spatial learning capacity of the mid-aged female rats. The total length and total volume of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of the EE rats was significantly increased by 43.3% and 47.4%, respectively, when compared to the SE rats. There was no significant difference in the hippocampal volume and the mean diameter of the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation between two groups. The increase of the total length of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation was mainly due to the increase of the myelinated fibers with small diameter. Conclusion Short-term enriched environment had significant effects on the spatial learning capacity and the myelinated fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged female rats.

Ultrasonic observation of correlation between coronary heart disease and common carotid artery and femoral artery atherosclerosis / 中国医学影像技术

Objective To assess the correlation between coronary heart disease and common carotid artery and femoral artery atherosclerosis with two-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound (2D-CDUS). Methods Ninety patients with coronary heart disease were divided into three subgroups according to the extent of coronary artery stenosis observed with coronary angiography, and 50 normal subjects were taken as normal group. Ultrasound examination with high-frequency linear array probe was performed to measure IMT of common carotid and femoral artery in order to observe the plaque and extent of stenosis, the formation of blood dynamics, physical characteristics and hemodynamic environmental parameters. Results Among the coronary disease groups, common carotid artery and the femoral artery IMT, atherosclerotic plaque in the number, rate and all points increased along with the degree of coronary artery stenosis increasing. Physical characteristics and its hemodynamic environmental parameters had some changes with the increase of atherosclerosis. Conclusion The atherosclerosis of common carotid artery and the femoral artery are closely related with coronary atherosclerosis.

Risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer' s disease-findings from a community-based cohort study in Stockholm, Sweden / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>It is known that dementia is a multi-factorial disorder, but the etiological factors other than aging remain to be explored, hence we sought to investigate the risk factors of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We followed a community-based dementia-free cohort (n = 1301) aged 75 years and over in Stockholm, Sweden. Baseline data were obtained through a structured interview and extensive clinical examination, or by reviewing the inpatient register database. We used the DSM-III-R criteria to define dementia and AD cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Over six years of a follow-up program,350 subjects were diagnosed as dementia, including 260 Alzheimer cases. Multiple Cox regression analysis suggested that older age,low education (< 8 years), cognitive impairment, functional disability (ADL > or = 1), low diastolic pressure (< 70 mm Hg), diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and APOEepsilon4 allele were significantly or marginally associated with subsequent development of dementia and AD. Dementia was related also to stroke and atrial fibrillation. Antihypertensive drug use was associated with a lower risk of AD and dementia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our study revealed that some sociodemographic features, cognitive and physical dysfunctions, vascular disorders, and genetic susceptibility were major risk factors for dementia and AD. Use of antihypertensive drugs might protect against the dementing disorders in a very old population.</p>

Sex differences of short-term enriched environment on myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged rats / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the sex differences of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged standard and enriched rats. Methods Twenty 14-month Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, 10 female and 10 male rats, were randomly divided into enriched group and standard group. Enriched rats were reared in enriched environment and standard rats were reared in standard environment for 4 months. Then, the total volume of the hippocampal formation and the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampus were quantitatively estimated by transmission electron microscopy and stereological methods. Results The total volume and mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of standard female rats were significantly bigger than those of standard male rats (P0.05). The mean diameter of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of enriched female rats was significantly smaller than that of enriched male rats (P0.05). Conclusion The sex differences of the myelinated nerve fibers in the hippocampal formation of mid-aged standard and enriched rats are significantly different, which indicates the response to the enriched environment in the mid-aged male and female rats is different.