Oral immunization of BALB/ c mice with Helicobacter pylori lysate combined with dmLT adjuvant for the induction of mucosal and system immune responses / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To observe the protective effects of oral immunization with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) lysates in combination with mucosal adjuvant dmLT (double mutant heat-labile toxin) against Hp infection in a BALB/ c mouse model and to analyze the features of induced immune responses. Methods BALB/ c mice were orally immunized with Hp lysate (Sydney strain 1, SS1 strain) and dmLT adjuvant, and then innoculated with live Hp strains through oral gavage. A control group was set up by oral administration of normal saline (200 μl/ mouse). The colonization of Hp strains in the stomachs of mice was measured six weeks after bacterial inoculation. Samples of serum, spleen, mesenteric lymph node (MLN), small intes-tine, cecum and feces were collected from mice to analyze the features of induced immune responses. Re-sults The colonization of Hp strains in the stomachs of the immunized mice was significantly decreased as compared with that of the control group. Increased specific IgG antibody responses which were predominantly of IgG1 subtype were detected in the serum samples of the immunized mice and the IgG1 / IgG2a ratio was significantly higher than that of the control group. Elevated secretory IgA (sIgA) was detected in the samples of small intestine, cecum and feces in the immunization group, especially in the small intestine samples, while no significant change in sIgA secretion was observed in the control group. The percentages of IL-17+CD4+ T cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of the immunization group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Conclusions Oral immunization with Hp lysates in combination with adjuvant dmLT induced mucosal and systemic immune responses and enhanced the resistance to Hp colonization in BALB/ c mice, which was associated with the significantly increased Th17 immune responses and Th2 polari-zation. This study provided reference for further evaluation of dmLT as a mucosal adjuvant in the develop-ment of recombinant protein vaccines against Hp infection.

Immune Response of BALB/c Mice toward Putative Calcium Transporter Recombinant Protein of Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, which actually does not exist a vaccine for control or prevention. Thus, the identification of new and potent immunogens in T. vaginalis, which can contribute to the development of a vaccine against this parasite, is necessary. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of a recombinant Transient Receptor Potential-like channel of T. vaginalis (TvTRPV), as a promising immunogen in BALB/c mice. First, TvTRPV was cloned and expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli BL21 cells and purified by nickel affinity. Next, BALB/c mice were immunized and the antibody levels in mice serum and cytokines from the supernatant of macrophages and from co-culture systems were evaluated. Recombinant TvTRPV triggered high levels of specific total IgG in sera from the immunized mice. Also, a statistically significant increase of cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α after stimulation with the corresponding antigens in vitro, was identified. Moreover, co-cultures using CD4⁺ T cells from immunized mice were able to identify higher levels of IL-10 and IFN-γ. These results were useful to validate the immunogenicity of TvTRPV in BALB/c mice, where IL-10-IFN-γ-secreting cells could play a role in infection control, supporting the potential of TvTRPV as a promising target for vaccine against T. vaginalis.

Establishment of detection method for Chlamydophila abortus by using SYBR green real-time PCR and determination of bacterial load in mice / 中国人兽共患病学报

We established a fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR)method for the detection of Chlamydophila abortus (C. abortus),and replaced the method of smear staining which has subjective influence on the detection of C.abortus inactivated vaccine titer.According to the conserved sequence of the large cysteine-rich periplasmic protein(envB)of C.abortus,a specific primer was designed and the EnvB-PMD19T positive plasmid was used as the reference standard,optimization condition,sensi-tivity assay,specificity assay,repeatability assay and the bacteria loads of organs from mouse have been done.The results showed that the standard curve established with positive plasmid had a liner response from 1×102copies/μL to 1×106copies/μL with the correlation coefficient of 97%,sensitive for detecting C.abortus with the detection limit of 10 copies/μL,and re-peatable and stable with the coefficients of variation less than 2%.According to the result,the established method can detect the bacteria loads in organ of mouse,which provide a reliable method for evaluation of inactivated C.abortus vaccine.

Effect of low-temperature plasma on wound healing of mouse skin / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To compare the different doses of low-temperature plasma (LTP) on wound healing in BALB/c mice so as to discuss the effects of the optimal dose of low-temperature plasma dealing with wound in mice and the acting mechanism of wound healing.Methods Adoptatmospheric pressure plasma jet discharged by the dielectric barrier was used to treat mouse skin wound.According to the processing time, the wounds were divided into 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s experimental groups, while naturally healing wounds served as negative controls and the wounds dealt with recombinant human epidermal growth factor served as positive controls.We recorded the wound size every day, observed the histopathological changes, the expression level of type Ⅰ collagen by immunofluorescence, and analyzed the composition of low-temperature plasma jet.Results The wounds with plasma treatment time of 10s, 20s, 30s, and 40s showed significant daily improvement and almost complete closure at days 12, 10, 7, 13, respectively.However, the wounds with plasma treatment time of 50s remained unhealed atday 14.The wounds in positive control group all healed, and the wound healing effect in positive control group could be achieved in 30s group.HE staining and immunofluorescence staining assays showed the optimal result of epidermal cell regeneration, granulation tissue hyperplasia, and collagen deposition in histological aspect at day 7 in 30 s group.The low-temperature plasma jet contained highly reactive free radicals of nitrogen and oxygen, which play an important role in wound healing process.Conclusion Appropriate doses of cold plasma can accelerate wound healing whereas over-doses of plasma can suppress wound healing.The process of wound healing may be related to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in LTP.

Establishment of a lethal mouse model of influenza B virus / 军事医学

Objective To establish a mouse lethal model of influenza B virus , which will facilitate the study on the mechanism of pathogenesis , transmission of influenza B virus , development of new vaccines and drugs against influenza B virus.Methods We obtained a mouse adaptive B/Lee/1940 virus by continuously passaging it in mice for 5 cycles.The P5 virus was propagated in MDCK cells , which was used for infecting mice .The body mass and survival rate of mice were monitored during the following 14 days after infection.At the same time,the 8 gene segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NA/NB, NP, M, and NS) of P0 and P5 virus were sequenced and analyzed .Results and Conclusion Virus was detected in the lungs of mice in each generation in the process of virus passaging .The body mass of mice infected with the deadly mouse adaptive virus changed dramatically .The mortality of mice was 100%, and virus was detected in mouse lungs . Sequence analysis results indicated that the amino acid mutations occurred in PB 2 and NP.A series of experiments indicated that we had established a mouse lethal model of influenza B virus .

Effects and mechanism of Angelicae Sinensis Radix on Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in mice with asthma and Yin deficiency syndrome / 中国中药杂志

Angelicae Sinensis Radix, with nourishing Yin, promoting blood circulation, and moisturizing dryness functions, is commonly used in clinical medicine. In order to investigate the effects and mechanism of Angelica sinensis(AS) on Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in mice with asthma and Yin deficiency syndrome, asthmatic and Yin deficiency syndrome Balb/c mice models were established by injecting and inhaling ovalbumin(OVA) and thyroxin. The models were treated with dexamethasone(DXM), AS extract and AS extract+DXM, respectively. Pathological examination of lung tissues was conducted by HE staining, and ELISA was used to detect the levels of IL-4, IL-17, IFN-γ, TGF-β as well as retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (RORγt). Results showed that AS could significantly improve the situation of inflammation infiltration, increase ratios of IFN-γ/IL-4 and TGF-β/IL-17, decrease the levels of RORγt in lung tissues. The AS+DXM group showed a best treatment effect. The results indicated that AS played a therapeutic role for asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome and improved airway inflammation by inhibiting the expression of RORγt in lung tissues and regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg.

Effects of RASI on expression of airway MUC5 AC and related inflammatory factors in asthmatic mice with Yin deficiency syndrome / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis ( RASI) on expression of airway MUC5AC and related inflammatory factors in asthmatic mice with Yin deficiency syndrome.Methods:Injecting ovalbumin ( OVA) to sensitize,inhaling OVA to stimulate,using Thyroxin during late stimulation,the asthmatic mouse with Yin deficiency syndrome was established and evaluated through asthmatic behaviors, lung histopathology, active factors ( IL-13, TNF-αand MUC5AC ) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and MUC5AC expression in lung tissue.Results: 2,4,8 g/kg RASI could reduce asthmatic behaviors score, relieve pathological changes of lung tissue,reduce the contents of IL-13,TNF-αand MUC5AC in BALF,and depress MUC5AC expression in lung tissue ( P<0.05,0.01).In addition,there was a certain synergy between RASI and dexamethasone ( DXM) on depressing the ex-pression of IL-13 and MUC5AC (P<0.05).Conclusion:RASI has certain anti-asthma effect and one of mechanisms is to regulate the MUC5AC expression through inhibit IL-13 and TNF-α.On the expression of IL-13 and MUC5AC,the compatibility of RASI with glu-cocorticoid has some synergy effect.

Research of reversal effect of PESV to multi-drug resistance of leukemia stem cell / 中国中药杂志

Using the BALB/c mouse multidrug resistance model of leukemia, the effect of peptide extract from scorpion venom (PESV) to the upstream signal factors of P-gp of MDR leukemia stem cells on the mouse tumor block was observed, and the mechanism of PESV to reverse the MDR of LSC was studied. At the same time, the expression of P-gp, MDR1 mRNA and PI3-K, NF-κB were respectively detected through flow cytometry, RT-PCR, Western blot and Elisa, and the mouse liver, spleen were examined via histopathological methods. The results of the experiment were as follows: mice of the control group didn't show any obvious changes, while mice of the other six groups all showed arched back, emaciation, liver swell, and inflammation was found in all liver tissue. The expression level of P-gp and PI3K on the LSC membrane of mouse tumor block was down-regulated; the expression of MDR1 mRNA in the cytoplasm was obviously down in the PESV low dose group, and which was inordinately up in the middle dose group and the high dose group. The expression level of NF-κB in the leukemia stem cell nucleus remarkably decreased. PESV had a outstanding role of down-regulating PI3K, NF-κb, MDR1 which were all upstream factors of P-gp, and to a certain degree enhanced the sensitivity of LSC to ADM. Therefore, this experiment explained one of the mighty mechanism of PESV to reverse MDR of LSC, and provided a foundation to further study of combinational anti-cancer effects of PESV.

Impact of different mouse blastocyst donors on the efficiency of germline chimera production from C57BL/6 embryonic stem cells / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To improve the gene targeting efficiency with C57BL/6 embryonic stem ( ES) cells.Meth-ods Three different genetically modified C57BL/6 ES cell lines, named TLX3, Ai3K and SL, were microinjected into ICR, B6( Cg)-Tyrc-2J and BALB/c mouse blastocysts, respectively.The efficiency was statistically evaluated according to three aspects:blastocyst collection, chimera production and germline transmission.Results None of the three ES cell lines was germline transmitted with B6(Cg)-Tyrc-2J mice as blastocyst donors, while it was achieved with both BALB/c and ICR mouse blastocysts.Compared in the aspect of blastocysts collection, ICR mouse was much better than BALB/c mouse (P<0.05), and the chimera production efficiency of ICR mouse was comparable to that of BALB/c mouse (P =0.115). As to the germline transmission efficiency, that of BALB/c mice is significantly higher than that of the ICR mice ( P<0.01).Conclusions The germline transmission efficiency of BALB/c mouse is highest among these three mouse strains. However, it has the disadvantages of blastocyst collection, developmental delay and zona pellucida fragility, compared with ICR mouse.Therefore, ICR mouse is also a good candidate as blastocyst donor for embryonic stem cell microinjection.

Recipe of nourishing kidney and activating blood for treatment of cisplatin induced acute kidney injury in mouse model / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)recipe of nourishing kidney and activating blood for treatment of cisplatin induced acute kidney injury(AKI)in mouse model. Methods Twenty-one male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups:control group,AKI model group and treatment group with the above TCM recipe(each n=7). The AKI model was reproduced by a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 20 mg/kg;the TCM recipe with dosage of 10μL · g-1 · d-1 was given to the treatment group,while equal volume of normal saline was given to the model and control groups by gavage,lasting for 6 days in all groups. The changes of each mouse body weight were observed;mouse venous blood serum creatinine(SCr)level was detected,changes of renal tissue weight and its histopathology were observed under light microscope,and the score of acute tubular necrosis(ATN)was calculated. Results Compared to the control group,the body and renal weight in AKI model group were significantly lowered〔body weight(g):17.18±0.29 vs. 19.33±1.43,renal weight(g):0.28±0.01 vs. 0.32±0.11,both P<0.01〕,and SCr and ATN scores were significantly increased in AKI model group〔SCr(μmol/L):86.77±10.97 vs. 14.37±0.81,ATN score:3.33±0.52 vs. 0.17±0.41,both P<0.01〕. Compared to AKI model group,the body weight(g:18.70±0.28)and renal weight(g:0.31±0.01)in the treatment group were markedly increased,and SCr(μmol/L:21.98±5.52)and ATN scores(2.00±0.63)were significantly lower than those of the AKI model group(all P<0.01). Under optical microscope,there were mouse renal tubular epithelial cell edema and necrosis,renal interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration,the glomerular form roughly normal in the AKI model group;compared with the AKI model group,in the treatment group the degree of mouse renal tubular necrosis was significantly reduced and glomerular form was basically normal. Conclusion The TCM recipe of nourishing kidney and activating blood can reduce SCr and improve the pathological changes of renal tissue in cisplatin induced AKI mouse models,thus it has therapeutic effect for treatment of AKI in mice.

Detection and analysis of hematological indexes in BALB/c mutant curly mice / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To investigate if there are differences in hematological indexes between BALB/c mutant curly mice and normal BALB/c mice.Methods 6 week old BALB/c mutant curly and normal BALB/c mice of each 20 ( male and female) were selected, and 8 blood routine indexes and 15 serum electrolytes and biochemical indexes were detected using automatic blood cell analyzer and automatic biochemical detection, and the results of two groups were compared.Results The sex and group results of WBC,MCV,PLT and MCHC between BALB/c mutant curly mice and normal mice have significant differences ( P <0.05, P<0.01 );the sex and group results of Na+、K+and Cl-between BALB/c mutant curly mice and normal mice have significant differences( P<0.05,P<0.01);the sex and group results of ALT、GLU and TG between BALB/c mutant curly mice and normal mice have significant differences(P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusion Some hematological indexes between BALB/c mutant curly and normal BALB/c mice are different clearly, and these results will provide the theoretical references for researching and using mutant curly mice model.

Inhibitory effect of tight junction protein on experimental corneal neovascularization / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is one of the causes of corneal blindness.Studies showed that zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) can inhibit pathological angiogenesis through physical barrier formed by tight junction structure.However,whether ZO-1 plays a role in CNV is unclear.Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effect of ZO-1,a tight junction protein on experimental CNV.Methods The CNV models were established in the left eyes of 24 clear male BALB/c mice aged 7-8 weeks by putting NaOH filter paper in the center of corneas for 15 seconds (15 s group) or 40 seconds (40 s group).CNV was examined and evaluated under the slit lamp microscope,and the expression of ZO-1 mRNA in the corneas were detected and compared by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) between the two groups 2 weeks after modeling.In addition,54 models created by the same method were assigned to 3 groups according to randomized number table,0.2％ hyaluronic acid (HA),antiZO-1 neutralizing antibody (10 mg/L) +0.2％ HA and mouse hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) recombinant protein (5 mg/L)+0.2％ HA were topically administrated in the mice three times a day for 1 week after modeling respectively.The corneas were extracted 2 weeks after application of the drugs.Expression of CD31 in the CNV was assayed to calculate the number and the area of CNV by immunohistochemistry.The expression of VEGF mRNA in the corneas was detected by RT-PCR.The percentages of macrophage-specific F4/80 positive cells and neutrophilsspecific Ly-6G positive cells were calculated to evaluate the infiltrations of inflammatory cells in the corneas by flow cytometry.Results In 2 weeks after alkali burn of corneas,the number of severe CNV was more in the 40 s group than that in the 15 s group (x2 =6.032,P=0.049),and the expression level of ZO-1 mRNA was lower in the 40 s group than that in the 15 s group (1.15±0.08 versus 1.53±0.04) (t=4.157,P=0.014).CD31 positive cell number was more and the staining area was larger in the ZO-1 antibody group and HIF-1α positive control group than those in the 0.2％ HA group (cells:t=-129.590,-226.820,both at P=0.000;area:t =-5.310,-8.840,both at P=0.000).The relative expressions level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA was 1.33±0.10 and 1.46±0.11 in the ZO-1 antibody group and HIF-1 α positive control group respectively,which were significantly higher than 0.93±0.06 of the 0.2％ HA group (t =-5.820,-7.284,both at P =0.000).The percentages of positive cells in the ZO-1 antibody group and HIF-1α positive control group were significantly increased in comparison with the 0.2％ HA group for F4/80 (t =-16.750,-17.480,both at P =0.000) and for Ly-6G (t =-21.450,-27.680,both at P=0.000).Conclusions Alkali burn induced CNV downregulates the expression of ZO-1 mRNA.Administration of ZO-1 antibody causes the rise of VEGF mRNA in CNV and the infiltration inflammation cells,which suggests that the influence of ZO-1 on CNV is associated with the expression of VEGF.

Host immune responses to avian influenza A H5N1 virus in a BALB/c model / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To study the cell immunity and eytokines responses to avian influenza A H5N1 virus infections in a BALB/c model to better understand the pathogenesis of H5N1 avian influenza disease. Methods Two hundred and twenty BALB/c mice of the infected group were inoculated with 0.1 ml (10-4.875 TCID50) of A/Goose/Guangdong/NH/2003 ( H5N1 ) virus intra-nasally. Fifty control mice received noninfectious allantoic fluid and another fifty control mice received normal sodium. Blood and spleen samples were collected from the live mice every 24 h during the 14 d post-infection. The changes of CD3 + T cells , CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells for cell immunity in blood circulation and spleen were detected by flow cytometry. And the cytokines and antibody responses in blood circulation were detected by ELISA. Necropsy was performed on mice that died during the experiment and those euthanized at end of study. Results Avian influenza A( H5N1) virus infections can make damages to the cell immune system transiently. The CD3 + T cells, CD4 + T cells, CDS + T cells declined at 24 days post infection in blood circulation and declined at 5-8 days in spleen, then recovered to the normal level gradually. The eytokines responses to the infections can be detected: the level of IFN-γ,TNF-α declined, IL-4, IL-18, IL-10 increased, and IL-2 changed little. The antibody increased rapidly from day 7 post infection until the end of the study (day 14 post infection). Conclusion Collectively, avian influenza A(H5N1) virus can cause cell immunity deficiency and an imbalance in the level of eytokines, which may contribute to the unusual severity of disease caused by the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Antibody reactivity against potato apyrase, a protein that shares epitopes with Schistosoma mansoni ATP diphosphohydrolase isoforms, in acute and chronically infected mice, after chemotherapy and reinfection

Schistosoma mansoni ATP diphosphohydrolase isoforms and potato apyrase share conserved epitopes. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, elevated levels of IgM, IgG2a and IgG1 antibody reactivity against potato apyrase were observed in S. mansoni-infected BALB/c mice during the acute phase of infection, while only IgM and IgG1 antibody reactivity levels maintained elevated during the chronic phase of infection. Antibody reactivity against potato apyrase was monitored over an 11-month period in chronically-infected mice treated with oxamniquine. Eleven months later, the level of seropositive IgM decreased significantly (~30 percent) compared to the level found in untreated, infected mice. The level of seropositive IgG1 decreased significantly four months after treatment (MAT) (61 percent) and remained at this level even after 11 months. The IgG2a reactivity against potato apyrase, although unchanged during chronic phase to 11 MAT, appeared elevated again in re-infected mice suggesting a response similar to that found during the acute phase. BALB/c mouse polyclonal anti-potato apyrase IgG reacted with soluble egg antigens probably due to the recognition of parasite ATP diphosphohydrolase. This study, for the first time, showed that the IgG2a antibody from S. mansoni-infected BALB mice cross-reacts with potato apyrase and the level of IgG2a in infected mice differentiates disease phases. The results also suggest that different conserved-epitopes contribute to the immune response in schistosomiasis.

Establishment of Leukemia Mouse Model Using Mouse-Derived A20 Leukemic Cells, and Detection of Tumor Cells in Bone Marrow / 한국실험동물학회지

Objectives of this study were to establish a leukemia mouse model in the Balb/c mouse based upon the A20 cell line (murine B-lymphoma/leukemia cell line, H-2d). Here we demonstrate for the first time that A20 cells were infiltrated into tissue and bone marrow, thereby evaluate the feasibility of using A20 leukemic cells as a leukemia model. In the study, changes of behavior, survival rate and histological changes of major organs after intravenous injection of A20 cells (1x105, 1x106 or 1x107) into Balb/c mice were observed. After inoculation of 1x106 cells, animals survived up to 38.3 days, although there were no significant correlation between the number of injected cells and life-span. At 21 and 28 days post-injection, both hematoxylin-eosin and CD45R immunohistochemical stains showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the liver. FACS analysis was performed after injection of fluorescent nanomaterial (MNPs@SiO2 RITC)-labeled A20 cells. The labeled A20 cells were detected in bone marrow from 6 hours post-inoculation, indicative of the cellular infiltration. This is the first study that demonstrated the invasion of A20 cells into the bone marrow of Balb/c model using A20 cells. With the occurrence of systemic lesions following metastasis of the cells into lymph nodes and neighboring tissues via bone marrow infiltration, it is suggested that the A20 cell-inoculated Balb/c miouse could be an animal model of acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Investigating the effect of the homeopathic immunomodulator, MODUL8® on Blood count, bronchial lavage and fibrin ultrastructure on experimental asthmatic BALB/c mice / Investigación del efecto del inmunomodulador homeopatico Modul8® sobre sangre, lavado bronquial y ultraestructura de la fibrina en ratones experimentales asmáticos BALB/c

Modul8® is a composite mixture of natural products that are known to be an immunomodulator. In the current study the effect of this immunomodulator is tested on an experimental asthmatic BALB/c mouse model to investigate its properties on the white blood cell count in the blood and bronchial lavage of the animals since white blood cells play a fundamental role in the inflammatory process involved in asthma. As it is known that platelets also play an important role in the immune system, the ultrastructure of platelets and fibrin networks were also investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The animals were sensitised, nebulized and treated over a period of 43 days until termination. Results from the blood smears as well as the bronchial lavage smears revealed significantly higher eosinophil counts in the asthmatic group compared to the control and treated groups. Changes in the ultrastructure of the platelets and fibrin networks could also be observed, with the Modul8® -treated group appearing similar to that of the control group where thick major and thin minor fibres could clearly be distinguished and a tight mass of platelet aggregate could be observed. Whereas the fibrin networks from the asthmatic animals appeared flimsy with a tight mass of thin fibres covering the thick major fibres. The asthmatic platelet aggregates appeared granular without the tight round appearance of the control platelet aggregates. It is therefore concluded that Modul8® positively influences the white blood cell counts by altering the asthmatic profile to look similar to that of the control. Also, it seems as if Modul8® has a stabilizing effect on the platelets and fibrin networks. From these results it can be suggested that Modul8® might successfully be used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as asthma.

Modul8® es una mezcla compuesta de productos naturales que es conocida por ser un inmunomodulador. En el presente estudio, el efecto de este inmunomodulador se prueba de forma experimental en el modelo de ratón asmáticos BALB/c, para investigar sus propiedades sobre el conteo de glóbulos blancos en la sangre y lavado bronquial de los animales, ya que los glóbulos blancos desempeñan un papel fundamental en el proceso de respuesta inflamatoria implicado en el asma. Como es sabido, también las plaquetas desempeñan un papel importante en el sistema inmunológico, así, la ultraestructura de las plaquetas y las redes de fibrina también fueron investigadas por microscopía electrónica de barrido. Los animales fueron sensibilizados, nebulizados y tratados durante un período de 43 días hasta el término. Los resultados de los frotis de sangre, así como los de lavado bronquial revelaron un número significativamente mayor de eosinófilos en el grupo de asmáticos en comparación con el control y grupos tratados. Cambios en la ultraestructura de las plaquetas y redes de fibrina también pueden ser observados, donde el grupo tratado con la Modul8® aparece similar a el grupo control, donde los fibras de mayor grosor y menor grosor pueden ser claramente distinguidas y además, puede ser observada una apretada masa de plaquetas aglutinadas. Considerando las redes de la fibrina en animales asmáticos parecen endebles con una apretada masa de fibras de menor grosor que cubren las fibras de mayor grosor. Los agregados de plaquetas en asmáticos aparecen granulares sin el aspecto apretado del agregado plaquetario que rodea al grupo control. Por tanto, se concluye que Modul8® positivamente influye en el conteo de glóbulos blancos mediante la alteración del perfil de asmáticos a un aspecto similar al del control. Además, parece como si Modul8® tuviera un efecto estabilizador en las plaquetas y las redes de fibrina. De estos resultados se puede sugerir que Modul8® puede ser utilizado...

Anti-leishmanial Effects of Trinitroglycerin in BALB/C Mice Infected with Leishmania major via Nitric Oxide Pathway

This study investigated whether trinitroglycerine (TNG) as nitric oxide (NO) releasing agent had anti-leishmanial effects and mediated pathology in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a zoonotic infection caused by leishmania protozoa is still one of the health problems in the world and in Iran. NO is involved in host immune responses against intracellular L. major, and leishmania killing by macrophages is mediated by this substance. Moreover, application of CL treatment with NO-donors has been recently indicated. In our study, TNG was used for its ability to increase NO and to modify CL infection in mice, in order to evaluate NO effects on lesion size and formation, parasite proliferation inside macrophages, amastigote visceralization in target organs, and NO induction in plasma and organ suspensions. Data obtained in this study indicated that TNG increased plasma and liver-NO, reduced lesion sizes, removed amastigotes from lesions, livers, spleens, and lymph nodes, declined proliferation of amastigotes, hepatomegaly, and increased survival rate. However, TNG reduced spleen-NO and had no significant effects on spelenomegaly. The results show that TNG therapy reduced leishmaniasis and pathology in association with raised NO levels. TNG had some antiparasitic activity by reduction of positive smears from lesions, livers, spleens, and lymph nodes, which could emphasize the role of TNG to inhibit visceralization of L. major in target organs.

Establishment of a Single Dose Radiation Model of Oral Mucositis in Mice / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy to the head and neck area, is a common acute complication and is considered as the most severe symptom for cancer patients in the early stages of treatment. This study was proposed to establish the oral mucositis mouse model induced by a single dose of radiation for the facility of testing therapeutic candidates which can be used for the oral mucositis treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control, 16 Gy, 18 Gy, and 20 Gy. Oral mucositis was induced by a single dose of radiation to the head and neck using 6 MV x-Ray from linear accelerator. After irradiation, body weight and physical abnormalities were checked daily. Tongue tissues from all groups were taken on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14, respectively and H&E staining was conducted to examine morphological changes. RESULTS: Body weight dramatically decreased after day 5 in all irradiated mice. In the 16 Gy treatment group, body weight was recovered on day 14. The histology data showed that the thickness of the epithelial cell layer was decreased by the accumulated time after radiation treatment, up to day 9. Severe ulceration was revealed on day 9. CONCLUSION: A single dose of 16 Gy is sufficient dose to induce oral mucositis in Balb/C mice. Significant changes were observed in the Balb/C mice on days 7 and 9 after radiation. It is suggested that this mouse model might be a useful standard tool for studying oral mucositis induced by radiation.

Decrease in intestinal endocrine cells in Balb/c mice with CT-26 carcinoma cells

The density of intestinal endocrine cells, in Balb/c mice with colon 26 (CT-26) carcinoma cells, were examined immunohistochemically at 28 days after implantation. After CT-26 cell administration there was a significant decrease in most of the intestinal endocrine cells (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. The significant quantitative changes in the intestinal endocrine cell density might contribute to the development of the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly encountered in cancer patients.

Viscerotropic growth pattern of Leishmania tropica in BALB/c mice is suggestive of a murine model for human viscerotropic leishmaniasis

Leishmania (L.) tropica is a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and occasionally of visceral or viscerotropic leishmaniasis in humans. Murine models of Leishmania infection have been proven to be useful for elucidation of mechanisms for pathogenesis and immunity in leishmaniasis. The aim of this study was to establish a murine model for human viscerotropic leishmaniasis, and the growth pattern of L. tropica was studied in different tissues of BALB/c mice in order to find out whether the parasite visceralizes in this murine model. L. major was used as a control as this species is known to cause a progressive infection in BALB/c mice. L. tropica or L. major was injected into the footpad of mice, and thickness of footpad, parasite loads in different tissues, and the weight of the spleen and lymph node were determined at different intervals. Results showed that L. tropica visceralizes to the spleen and grows there while its growth is controlled in footpad tissues. Dissemination of L. tropica to visceral organs in BALB/c mice was similar to the growth patterns of this parasite in human viscerotropic leishmaniasis. The BALB/c model of L. tropica infection may be considered as a good experimental model for human diseases.