ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Angelica Sinensis polysacchairides (ASP) on the testis of aging mice induced by D-galactose(D-Gal) and its mechanism. Methods: Forty male C57BL/6 J mice were randomly divided into the normal,ASP normal,aging model and ASP aging model groups,with 10 mice in each group.The aging model group mice were subeutaneously injected with D-Gal(120 mg/kg, qd Ã- 42); the normal group mice were subcutaneously injected with saline of the same dose at the same time; the ASP normal group mice were subeutaneously injected with the same amount of saline,qdx 15,and following intraperitoneally injected with ASP(140 mg/kg,qdÃ-27);the ASP aging model group were the same as the aging model group, from the 16th day of establishment of the aging model group on, the mice were subcutaneously injected with the same dose and the same time of ASP.The 2nd day after model establishment, peripheral blood was collected from the inner canthus vein and the content of serum testosterone was measured;the testes were sampled and testicular index determined; paraffin sections and HE staining of the testes were prepared, the testis histopathology was observed; frozen sections of the testes were prepared, the aging of testicular cells was detected by senescence associated-|3-galactosidase (SA-p-Gal) staining; the tissue homogenate of testes was prepared, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was evaluated by enzymatic method, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was detected by 2,2' -amino-di(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline sulphonic acid-6) ammonium salt(ABTS),the content of malondialdehyde (M DA) was measured by thiobarbituric acid method; the expression of aging-related proteins P53 and P21 was detected by Western blotting. Results There is no significant difference in the wet weight of testis and the index of testicular organs in the groups,but the testicular tissue structure of the aging model group was obviously damaged.The layers of the spermatogenic cells in seminiferous epithelium, the testicular interstitial cells and the serum testosterone level significantly decreased; the positive cells detected by SA-Î2-Gal stain markedly increased; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) obviously decreased,while the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) increased significantly;and the expression of P53 and P21 was evidently up-regulated.Compared the ASP aging model group with the aging model group, the testicular tissue structure was not obviously damaged.The number of the spermatogenic cells,the testicular interstitial cells and the serum testosterone level decreased less evidently, the SA-Î2-Gal stain positive cells decreased significantly; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased significantly, while the content of malondialdehyde(MDA) decreased significantly; and the expression of P53 and P21 was remarkably down-regulated. Conclusion: ASP can antagonize testis aging induced by D-galactose in mice. Inhibition of oxidative stress damage and the expression of senescence-associated genes may be the underlying mechanism.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the changes in the vascular endothelial function indexes in subjects who enter plateau areas expeditiously, and investigate the relationship between their changes and acute mountain sickness (AMS). Methods Thirty two healthy young male lowlands residents were recruited as subjects, and they were sent by bus to an area of altitude of 3900m. According to the score of Lake Louise questionnaire, the subjects were divided into AMS+ and AMS- group at the 5th day after the entrance into plateau. The changes in the vascular endothelial function indexes (NO, ET-1, VEGF, VE-cadherin, MDA and SOD) in serum of the subjects were detected by ELISA. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify the relationship of AMS to the changes of the indexes mentioned above. Results On the 5th day after being exposed to high altitude, the incidence of AMS was 43.8% (14/32). The serum levels of NO and SOD in subjects were significantly lowered (P+ group as compared with those in AMS- group (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that the serum levels of NO, VEGF, VE-cadherin and SOD were negatively correlated with AMS after a 5-day high altitude exposure, while serum level of ET-1 was positively correlated with AMS. Conclusions Rapid entrance into plateau area may induce damage to vascular endothelial function of the subjects, and it affects the serum levels of NO, ET-1, VEGF, VE-cadherin and SOD. The changes in these indexes may provide the potential basis for prewarning and diagnosis of AMS.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the possible role of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICE)in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis and the protective effect of"Xiaopi prescription (消痞方)".Methods Fifty healthy male Spregue-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (each n=10):normal, model,and 3 Xiaopi prescription groups:low,middle and high dosages.Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of alloxan,and equal amount of normal saline was intravenously injected in the normal group.Gastric lavage method was used to administer the traditional Chinese medicine decoction of Xiaopi prescription in corresponding amount (5,10 and 20 g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)) in respective low,middle and high dosage groups.In the normal control group and diabetic model group,only equal amount of normal saline was administered into the stomach.Gastric emptying rate was measured by method of nutritious semisolid paste;c-kit positive cells of ICC were quantitatively measured with immunohistochemistry assay and computer image analysis system;c-kit mRNA positive cells were quantitatively measured with in situ hybridization and computer image analysis system.Results①Gastric emptying rate:The rate was significantly lower in the model group than that in the normal control group (P0.05),but higher than those in the model group and the low dosage group (all P0.05).②c-kit immmunohistochemistry:c-kit positive cell presented yellow in color,and its membrane was stained yellow,this kind of cells primarily were distributed around the neural plexus in the inter-space between the circular and longitudinal muscular fibers, and around the ganglionic cells forming"sheath-like"structure.The results of numbers of c-kit positive cells in the various groups:the number of the cells in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group (P0.05),but the numbers in the former two dosage groups were obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal group,middle and high dosage groups (all P0.05),but obviously higher than those in the model group (all P0.05),being significantly lower than that in the normal,middle and high dosage groups (all P