ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has abstracted many scientists' interests with the aging of people in the world, but its mechanisms are still remaining unclear. This review will focus on some of the mediators of oxidative stress occurring in AD pathology and their possible role in the AD pathogenesis. Meanwhile, antioxidant approaches for the prevention and treatment of AD are discussed.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alzheimer Disease , Metabolism , Therapeutics , Amyloid beta-Peptides , Metabolism , Oxidative StressABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Earthworms are one of the most important constituents in the ecosystem and become an environmental information carrier between terrestrial organisms and soil ecosystem. They were known as important non-target terrestrial soil organisms for assessing the general impact of pollution on the soil community. Protein content and growth rate in response to organic and heavy metal contaminants in soil are often used to assess the soil ecotoxicity.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone,one representative of hydroxyanthraquinones, on the earthworm eisenia foetide under laboratory conditions of the growth rate and protein content.DESIGN: Experimental study based on the experimental animals.SETTING: Eco-toxicological laboratory and genetic laboratory in a university.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Eco-toxicological Laboratory and the Genetic Laboratory, Dalian University of Technology from February to July 2004. Eisenia foetide, a kind of international standard earthworm, were maintained in a soil mixture before experiments. Earthworms used in this study were healthy adults with 1 -2 month old and 200 - 300 mg mass and the number of the earthworms in each analytical experiment was 10.METHODS: The earthworms were removed from the soil 12 hours before use and stored in Petri dishes on damp filter paper to void gut contents.Then, these earthworms were exposed for various durations to soils contaminated. The earthworm weight and protein content were determined respectively at every 7 days interval.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effects of 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone on growth rate and protein content of earthworms.RESULTS: No lethal effect of 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone was observed even at the highest concentration(1.0 g/kg soil) of exposure. The sub-lethal effect, however, was evident at all the concentration scale. 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone caused a significant reduction in the growth rate (maximum -22. 5% ) at the dosage of 1.0 g/kg and 28 days contact time.Additionally a reduction in total soluble protein was observed in all treated worms(maximum- 39.6% ) at the dosage of 0. 8 g/kg and 7 days contact time.CONCLUSION: 1, 8-dihydroxyanthraquinone was potentially dangerous to the soil ecosystem and more ecological risk assessment of this chemical material should be thoroughly carried out.
ABSTRACT
The pathogenesis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have developed into the frontier with the aging of people in the world. Meanwhile, they are the most difficult steps in the research on this degenerative disease of the nervous system. The over-deposition of beta-amyloid protein in nervous system is the most important feature. The formation and influencing factors of beta-amyloid protein are summarized in this paper. Furthermore, the methods and advance in treatment of AD are reviewed especially.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Alzheimer Disease , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Amyloid beta-Peptides , Metabolism , Brain , MetabolismABSTRACT
AIM: To establish an apoptotic model induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion(MPP~+) in PC12 cell and assess the effect of Semen Cuscuta extracts on protecting PC12 cell from apoptosis induced by MPP~+. METHODS: The cell viability was analyzed by MTT method,the morphological changes were observed by Hoechst 33258 staining assay,and the apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry analysis(FCM).(RESULTS:) Treatment of 0.15 mM MPP~+ for 48 h induced apoptosis in PC12 cells;concentration of 50 mg/L Semen Cuscuta extracts could protect cells from apoptosis induced by MPP~+. CONCLUSION: MPP~+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cell is greatly inhibited by Semen Cuscuta extracts.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the effect of Juglans Mandshuria on tumor cells. Methods : The apoptotic effect on the Hela、PC-3 of tumor cells was observed by agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments. Results : It has directly cytotoxicity on tumor cells, LC 50 is about 9～15?g?mL -1 . Based on this, the inoculating trial on entity tumor in vivo administrated by hypodermic injection on mouse had the same effect as in vitro, the high-dose group (12mg?kg -1 ) can decrease the weight of tumor to 42.21%. Conclusion : Juglans Mandsshurica has the inhibition of tumor.