Ginkgo biloba extract enhances c-jun expression and attenuates motoneuron death induced by root avulsion / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM: To investigate the influence of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb761) on c-jun expressions and motoneurons survival following root avulsion. METHODS: One hundred and eighty adult Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into control and EGb761 groups. Immediately after avulsion of C5-T1 nerve roots, the rats were injected ip with either 1 mL of EGb761 25 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) or the same volume of normal saline, and the treatment repeated everyday. At 4 h to 6 weeks following avulsion, the C7 spinal segments of all rats were collected and prepared for c-jun immunocytochemistry and neutral red stain. The numbers of (c-jun) positive and survival motoneurons were counted and compared between two groups at each time point. RESULTS: In control rats following avulsion, c-jun positive motoneurons appeared at 4 h, reached its maximum at 1 d and declined to 2 weeks. Avulsion-induced motoneurons death started at 2 weeks, climbed to its maximum at 4 weeks-6 weeks. In EGb761 treated rats, both numbers of c-jun positive and survival motoneurons were more than that in control group at each time point. CONCLUSION: EGb761 attenuates avulsion-induced motoneurons death, and this effect may be related to up-regulation of c-jun gene in avulsed motoneurons. [

Induction of c-Jun mRNA without changes of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in myometrium during human labor

To elucidate the endocrine mechanism of human parturition, the expression of c-Jun and c-Fos mRNA were examined in relation to estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in human myometrium. c-Jun mRNA was detected in all myometrial tissues (n=5) during labor but not before labor (n=5) and in oxytocin-resistant postterm pregnancy (n=3). c-Fos mRNA was detected in only one myometrial tissue from a woman in labor. The distribution and intensity of immunostaining for ER and PR were semiquantitatively scored. During the late pregnancies, no significant difference was seen in the receptor scores for myometrial ER and PR between the patients who experienced labor and those who did not. Receptor scores for ER and PR were significantly lower in postterm pregnancy than in late pregnancy, regardless of the labor status. These data suggest that there are no changes in ER and PR in human myometrium during parturition. On the other hand, postterm pregnancy is associated with low ER and PR. c-Jun, induced during labor without changes in ER and PR, may play a role as a signaling mechanism in human myometrium.

EXPRESSION OF c-jun mRNA AND PROLIFERATION OF INTESTINAL MUCOSA EPITHELIAL CELLS / 解放军医学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of total parenteral nutrition(TPN), infection, or growth hormone on changes in proliferation of intestinal mucosa epithelial cells and expression of mucosa c jun . Cecal ligation and puncture was used to replicate intra abdominal infection model, and transjugular intracaval catheterization was chosen to give TPN. Experimental rats were divided into four groups: normal control, TPN control, TPN plus sepsis group, and TPN plus growth hormone group. Changes in mucosa thickness, villus height, crypt depth , mucosa c jun mRNA expression and epithelial cell proliferation index were observed. The results showed that all of mucosa thickness, villus height, crypt depth of intestinal mucosa decreased, proliferation of epithelial cells were markedly inhibited in TPN group. Sepsis states aggravated the above changes in intestinal mucosa. Corresponding to mucosa atrophy, expression of c jun reduced obviously. Growth hormone could promote growth of intestinal mucosal cell, improve proliferation of epithelial cells and expression of mucosa c jun. It suggested that changes in c jun expression appeared to be associated with different proliferation states of intestinal mucosa epithelial cells. c jun mRNA could be used as an important marker to reflect mucosa epithelial cell proliferation .