ABSTRACT
Nerve growth factor (NGF) can promote the development, differentiation and regeneration of neurons. Recently, in order to efficiently produce human NGF (hNGF) drugs with better efficacy, we created transgenic mice expressing hNGF specifically in their salivary glands, and purified highly active hNGF protein from their saliva. Some studies reported that the NGF secretion in mouse saliva is affected by gender and age. Here, in order to select hNGF transgenic mice with high NGF secretion for saliva collection and hNGF purification, we divided transgenic mice into 4 groups, including 28-day-old young males and females, 63-day-old adult males and females. We compared their saliva volume, total salivary protein amount, salivary mNGF protein amount and salivary hNGF protein amount. The results showed that the saliva volume as well as amounts of total salivary protein, salivary mNGF protein and salivary hNGF protein secreted by 63-day-old transgenic mice were significantly higher than those secreted by sex-match 28-day-old transgenic mice, and the salivary hNGF protein amount secreted by male transgenic mice at the age of 63 days was significantly higher than that of female transgenic mice at the same age; Among 4 groups of mice, 63-day-old male transgenic mice secreted the highest salivary hNGF content, which was about 46 times higher than that secreted by the 28-day-old female transgenic mice. Therefore, 63-day-old male transgenic mice should be selected for saliva collection and hNGF purification.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Cell Differentiation , Mice, Transgenic , Nerve Growth Factor , SalivaABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on the expressions of autophagy related protein Beclin-1 and apoptosis related protein p53 of hippocampus in rats;To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture on Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods The rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the sham-operation group, the model group, and the electroacupuncture treatment group. “Baihui” and “Yongquan” points were taken for electroacupuncture treatment and the treatment course was 7 days. The rats were treated once a day for 4 courses. Changes in morphology and number of Nissl positive cells were examined by Nissl staining in hippocampal CA1 regions. Expressions of Beclin-1 and p53 protein were determined by Western blot analysis.Results Number of Nissl positive cells in CA1 region of the model group was significantly less than that of normal group (P<0.01). After electroacupuncture treatment, number of pyramidal cells and expression of Nissl body significantly increased (P<0.05). Expression of Beclin-1 decreased, while expression of p53 increased in the hippocampus of the model group, compared with that in the normal group (P<0.05). However, electroacupuncture treatment could significantly upregulate the expression of Beclin-1 protein (P<0.01), but downregulate the level of p53 (P<0.05).Conclusion Electro-acupuncture treatment could fight against Aβ-induced neuronal apoptosis, and improve the morphological changes of AD’s hippocampus.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate whether there is correlation exists in the effection of chronic unpredictable stress on active avoidance behavior and electroencephalogram ( EEG) of rat. Methods Twenty male SD rats (weight～200 g) were randomly divided into control group( n= 10) and model group( n- 10). Rats in model group were subjected to chronic unpredictable stress . Active avoidance response were observed with GeminiTM avoid system and EEG power spectrum was evaluated with Powerlab system. Results The failure rate in active avoidance test was correlation with delta wave power in EEG. Compared with control group, rats in model group had reduced failure rate in active avoidance task(42 ±36)% vs (82 ±30)% , P＜0.05). The EEG power spectrum of model group rats increased in delta band((47.09 ±22.86)μV2 vs (22. 55 ± 11. 57) μV2, P＜0. 05), which had the significant difference between the two group rats. The failure rate of active avoidance task in model group rats was positive correlation with EEG power spectrum of delta wave (r = 0. 717, P ＜ 0. 05) . Conclusion Chronic unpredictable stress facilitated active avoid behavior and changed spontaneous EEG, which suggested chronic unpredictable stress actived the neurotransmitter network system involved with active avoidance task in central nervous system. Brain cognitive function correlated positively with brain electrophysiology activity measured in chronic unpredictable stress induced rat model.