Effects of Yikunning on the apoptotic rate and expression of caspase-3 in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Yikunning (compound of Chinese traditional Medicine, YKN) on the apoptotic rate and expression of caspase-3 in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty female Wistar rats during perimenopausal period were selected by unforced aging. Then the rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: YKN group, livial control group and aged control group. Ten young female rats were selected as young control group. Intragastric administrations were conducted for 4 weeks once daily continuously. The apoptotic rate in rat ovaries were detected by TUNEL. The expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in rat ovaries were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The apoptotic rate in rat ovaries in YKN group was lower than that in aged control group, which showed difference between them (P < 0.01). The levels of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in rat ovaries in YKN group were lower than those in aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YKN can decrease the apoptotic rate and down-regulate the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in rat ovaries of during perimenopausal period. It may be one of the molecular mechanisms of YKN postponed the ovarian failure and cured perimenopausal syndrome.</p>

SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cell line: in vitro cell model of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line as an in vitro model of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons for Parkinson's disease (PD) research and to determine the effect of differentiation on this cell model.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The data of this review were selected from the original reports and reviews related to SH-SY5Y cells published in Chinese and foreign journals (Pubmed 1973 to 2009).</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>After searching the literature, 60 articles were selected to address this review.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SH-SY5Y cell line has become a popular cell model for PD research because this cell line posses many characteristics of DAergic neurons. For example, these cells express tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, as well as the dopamine transporter. Moreover, this cell line can be differentiated into a functionally mature neuronal phenotype in the presence of various agents. Upon differentiation, SH-SY5Y cells stop proliferating and a constant cell number is subsequently maintained. However, different differentiating agents induce different neuronal phenotypes and biochemical changes. For example, retinoic acid induces differentiation toward a cholinergic neuronal phenotype and increases the susceptibility of SH-SY5Y cells to neurotoxins and neuroprotective agents, whereas treatment with retinoic acid followed by phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate results in a DAergic neuronal phenotype and decreases the susceptibility of cells to neurotoxins and neuroprotective agents. Some differentiating agents also alter kinetics of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP(+)) uptake, making SH-SY5Y cells more similar to primary mesencephalic neurons.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Differentiated and undifferentiated SH-SY5Y cells have been widely used as a cell model of DAergic neurons for PD research. Some differentiating agents afford SH-SY5Y cells with more potential for studying neurotoxicity and neuroprotection and are thus more relevant to experimental PD research.</p>

Over 55 years-old live-related donor kidney transplants: a report of 12 cases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the risk factors of the over 55-year-old donor and the safety and efficacy of the donor, and the recipient with the immediate and long-term of the kidney.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The living-related donor kidney transplantation in 15 cases was performed in our unit from October 1999 to April 2002. Of these, 12 donors were over 55 with age ranging from 55 to 73 years-old and mean age of 62, 75 years. 5 donors were male and 7 were female. Father in 5 cases and 6 and 1 were mother and grandmother, respectively. The donors were evaluated depending on general state of health, hypertension, diabate and important organa in condition; and renal function by creatinine (Cre), creatinine clearance (Ccr), Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), B ultrasound and renal arteriograph prior to operation. The all receipients with ages ranging from 14 to 46 years with end-stage renal diseases (ESRD) from and their mean age was 32.9 years. The donor' left nephrectomy was performed in 10 cases and right nephrectomy in 2. Warm-ischemia time was from 70 s to 170 s (mean time, 92 s). Cold-ischemia time was from 60 minutes to 120 minutes and mean 84 minutes. The follow-up is from 12 to 42 months and mean 20, 84 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 12 donors were perfectly recovered during operation and postoperation. During their 11-day stay in the hospital no complications was observed. The donor' creatinine was raised to about 12 to 34 micro mol/L (mean, 22 micro mol/L). One recipient died from lung infection at 28 days postoperative and 1 died due to liver failure with normal graft function after transplanted 6 months and yet one recipient with delayed graft function had recovered by 12 times dialysis. The remain recipient had a better recovered.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aged (>or= 55 years-old) donor renal transplantation can be carried out as the poor supply of can be used kidney but must to controled the indication and the prepare to be accomplished seriously.</p>