A modified beagle model of inducible atrial fibrillation using a right atrium pacemaker

Abstract Objective: To modify the chronic atrial fibrillation of atrial tachycardia pacing in beagles with a homemade pacemaker placed outside the body and to evaluate connective tissue growth factor and fibrosis of atrial tissue in our modified atrial tachycardia pacing beagle model. Methods: Twelve adult beagles of either sex were randomly divided into an atrial tachycardia pacing group and a control group (n=6 in each group). We performed the temporary pacemaker implantation at the right atrial appendage and put the pacemaker into the pocket of dog clothing in the atrial tachycardia pacing group. After eight weeks of atrial tachycardia pacing, the electrocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and Masson's staining of the right atrial appendages were performed along with the immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis of connective tissue growth factor, collagen I, and collagen III. Results: In the atrial tachycardia pacing group, atrial fibrillation was induced in five beagles (83.3%); the left atrium enlarged significantly; more canines had mitral regurgitation; and the Masson's staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot results demonstrated more obvious fibrosis of the left atrium. Conclusion: The modified beagle model of atrial fibrillation using a right atrium pacemaker outside the body was effective, increased connective tissue growth factor and collagen I messenger ribonucleic acid overexpression, and induced atrial fibrosis.

Ferulic acid alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced depression-like behavior by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis

Objective: To identify the anti-depressive effect of ferulic acid (FA) in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore its molecular mechanisms. Methods: The mice were divided into 5 groups as follows: Control, LPS, LPS + SP, LPS + FA, and LPS + FA + anisomycin. The LPS + FA and LPS + FA + anisomycin groups were administered with FA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily continuously for 7 days, and the other groups received an equivalent volume of saline. On the 7th day, LPS (0.1 mg/mL, i.p.) was injected in all mice except the control group 30 min after FA or saline administration. The LPS + SP and LPS + FA + anisomycin groups were intravenously administered with SP600125 [c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor] (100 μL/ site, i.v.) and anisomycin (JNK activator) (100 μL/site, i.v.) 15 min before LPS, respectively. The depressive behaviors were assessed by open field test, sucrose preference test, and forced swimming test at 24 h post-LPS administration. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in plasma were measured by ELISA. The levels of phospho-JNK, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c and caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Results: FA alleviated depression symptoms caused by LPS in mice, including increasing sucrose water consumption in sucrose preference test and reducing the immobility time in forced swimming test. FA could inhibit upregulated levels of phospho-JNK, TNF-α, and IL-1β. FA also markedly decreased Bax, caspase-3, and cytochrome c, and increased Bcl-2 levels. Besides, SP600125 showed neuroprotective effect similar to FA which was attenuated by anisomycin. Conclusions: FA attenuates inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting LPS-induced activation of JNK to alleviate depressionlike behaviors.

Ferulic acid alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced depression-like behavior by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis

Objective: To identify the anti-depressive effect of ferulic acid (FA) in mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore its molecular mechanisms. Methods: The mice were divided into 5 groups as follows: Control, LPS, LPS + SP, LPS + FA, and LPS + FA + anisomycin. The LPS + FA and LPS + FA + anisomycin groups were administered with FA (100 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily continuously for 7 days, and the other groups received an equivalent volume of saline. On the 7th day, LPS (0.1 mg/mL, i.p.) was injected in all mice except the control group 30 min after FA or saline administration. The LPS + SP and LPS + FA + anisomycin groups were intravenously administered with SP600125 [c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor] (100 μL/site, i.v.) and anisomycin (JNK activator) (100 μL/site, i.v.) 15 min before LPS, respectively. The depressive behaviors were assessed by open field test, sucrose preference test, and forced swimming test at 24 h post-LPS administration. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels in plasma were measured by ELISA. The levels of phospho-JNK, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome c and caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Results: FA alleviated depression symptoms caused by LPS in mice, including increasing sucrose water consumption in sucrose preference test and reducing the immobility time in forced swimming test. FA could inhibit upregulated levels of phospho-JNK, TNF-α, and IL-1β. FA also markedly decreased Bax, caspase-3, and cytochrome c, and increased Bcl-2 levels. Besides, SP600125 showed neuroprotective effect similar to FA which was attenuated by anisomycin. Conclusions: FA attenuates inflammation and apoptosis by inhibiting LPS-induced activation of JNK to alleviate depression-like behaviors.

Study on distribution and correlation of fifteen inorganic elements in ten kinds of Chinese medicinal materials / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution and correlation of 15 inorganic elements, which are Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, Sn, Pb and Zn, in 10 kinds of Chinese medicinal materials(Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Carthami Flos, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, Crataegi Fructus,Moutan Cortex, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, Centellae Herba, Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, Bombyx Batryticatus, Pheretima). METHODS: The levels of 15 inorganic elements in 10 kinds of Chinese Medicinal Materials were determined by ICP-MS and ICP-OES with microwave digestion for sample preparation, and the results were analyzed with SPSS15.0. RESULTS: Some residues of heavy metals in the Chinese Medicinal Materials overstepped the limits. The levels of almost all kinds of inorganic elements in Pheretima and Centellae Herba were relatively higher than others. The levels of Al and Ba in several batches were evidently and singularly higher than others in the same kind of Chinese Medicinal Materials. Besides Ba, Hg and Pb, the levels of other 12 inorganic elemens showed extremely significant positive correlation. Cu/Zn radio in those Chinese Medicinal Materials with cardiovascular effects were higher than others. CONCLUSION: To ensure the quality and safety, it is necessary to strengthen the supervision and control of the levels of some inorganic elements in Chinese medicinal materials. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.