Enhanced neuroprotection and improved motor function in traumatized rat spinal cords by rAAV2-mediated glial-derived neurotrophic factor combined with early rehabilitation training / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological injury that often leads to permanent disabilities for the victims. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV2) alone or in combination with early rehabilitation training on SCI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SCI was induced on the T8-9 segments of the spinal cord by laminectomy in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then besides the sham operation group, the SCI rats were randomly divided into four groups: natural healing group, gene therapy group, rehabilitation training group, and combination therapy group (gene therapy in combination with rehabilitation training). Motor dysfunction, protein expression of GDNF, edema formation, and cell injury were examined 7, 14, and 21 days after trauma.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The topical application of rAAV-GDNF-GFP resulted in strong expression of GDNF, especially after the 14th day, and could protect the motor neuron cells. Early rehabilitative treatment resulted in significantly improved motor function, reduced edema formation, and protected the cells from injury, especially after the 7th and 14th days, and increased the GDNF expression in the damaged area, which was most evident after Day 14. The combined application of GDNF and early rehabilitative treatment after SCI resulted in a significant reduction in spinal cord pathology and motor dysfunction after the 7th and 14th days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These observations suggest that rAAV2 gene therapy in combination with rehabilitation therapy has potential clinical value for the treatment of SCI.</p>

Effects of ulinastatin on expression of NF-κB in lung tissues during limb ischemia-reperfusion in rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the expression of NF-κB in lung tissues during limb ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) in rats.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats weighing 230-260 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16 each):sham operation group (group S);I/R group; ulinastatin group (group U).A rat model of lung injury induced by I/R of hind limbs which was produced by occlusion of the bilateral femoral arteries for 2 h followed by reperfusion was established.The rats were sacrificed at 2 and 4 h of reperfusion(8 rats at each time point) and the lung tissues removed for determination of NF-κB expression (by immuno-histochemistry) and microscopic examination.W/D lung weight ratio was calculated.Results W/D lung weight ratio was significantly increased and NF-κB expression was up-regulated in group I/R compared with group S(P＜ 0.05). W/D lung weight ratio was significantly decreased and NF-κB expression was down-regulated in group U compared with group I/R (P＜0.05). The lung injury induced by I/R was reduced in group U compared with group I/R. Conclusion Ulinastatin can reduce the lung injury induced by limb I/R by down-regulating the expression of NF-κB in rat lung tissues.