Effects of piperphentonamine hydrochloride on cognitive deficits in rats induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of piperphentonamine hydrochloride (PPTA) on cognitive deficits induced by ischemia-reperfusion and explore the possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group (with saline injection), PPTA-treated groups (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) and edaravone-treated group (6 mg/kg). Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, and the agents were administrated 1 h after ischemia. At 24 h after ischemia, step-through passive avoidance test was carried out, and 24 h later IL-1β, TNF-α, caspase-3 and HSP-70 mRNA expressions in the ischemic brain tissues were measured with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the step-through passive avoidance test, the rats in the ischemia-reperfusion group showed significantly shorter latency and more error times than those in the sham group, and these behavioral changes were improved significantly by treatments with PPTA and edaravone. Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion caused significantly increased expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, caspase-3 and HSP-70 mRNA, and these changes were obviously reversed by PPTA, but not by edaravone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PPTA can reverse cognitive deficits induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion probably by decreasing the inflammatory responses and cell apoptosis in the brain, suggesting its potential as a new therapeutic agent for improving the cognitive function following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.</p>

Protective effect of polydatin on a PC12 cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the protective effect of polydatin on a PC12 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A pheochromocytoma cell injury model was induced by OGD to simulate the cerebral ischemic changes. The protective effects of polydatin were investigated in this model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Polydatin treatment significantly enhanced the cell viability and reduced the levels of lactate dehydrogenase, nitric oxide and the malondialdehyde of the pheochromocytoma cells as compared with the OGD group. Polydatin also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in the cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Polydatin offers protective effect against OGD-induced injury in pheochromocytoma cells.</p>

Effect of nattokinase on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the abdominal artery in rabbits / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of nattokinase on intimal hyperplasia in rabbit abdominal artery after balloon injury and explore a novel strategy for the preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 7 groups, namely the solvent control group, model group, natto extract lavage group, refined nattokinse lavage group, intravenous refined nattokinse injection group, clopidogrel group and clopidogrel-aspirin group. Balloon injury was induced by inserting the catheter through the femoral artery into the thoracic aorta of the rabbits. The platelet counts were notad and platelet aggregation was observed, and the abdominal artery was taken for pathological analysis. The expressions of MMP-2 and -9 in the abdominal artery were detected immunohistochemically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in the platelet counts, platelet aggregation rate or MMP-2 and -9 expression between the model group and the nattokinse-treated groups (P>0.05). The stenosis index in each nattokinse-treated group was significantly greater and the neointimal proliferation index smaller than that of the model group (P<0.01 or 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Nattokinse can inhibit restenosis of rabbit abdominal artery after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which is independent of its actions on the platelet or MMP-2 and -9 expressions.</p>