Effect of two Pi deficiency syndrome models on the configuration and function of the skeletal muscle in mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the relation between Pi deficiency syndrome (PDS) and the configuration and functions of extensor digitorum longus (EDL)and soleus (SOL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 36 ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups according to weight matching principle, the control group, the exhausted group, and the rhubarb group, 12 in each group. Two PDS models were established by either purgation with rhubarb diarrhea (as Group A) or exhausted swimming plus sleep deprivation (as Group B).The cross sectional area (CSA) of type I and II fibers of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL), relative proportions of type I and II fibers were measured by m-ATPase histochemical method. The isotonic contraction and the maximum tetanus contraction of EDL and SOL were detected by PowerLab system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the body weight, body temperature, and the general health condition of PDS model rats obviously decreased; the spleen index and the thymus index were also lower; the maximal isotonic contraction and the maximum tetanus contraction obviously decreased; the cross section areas of EDL and SOL were reduced with loosely arranged cells. In EDL, the proportion of type I fibers was added and the proportion of type II fibers was lowered. In SOL, there was no change in the proportion of type I and type II fibers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EDL and SOL were obviously atrophied in the two PDS model mice. The type I fibers of SOL was more significantly atrophied in Group B.</p>

Effects of simulated weightlessness on emotional behaviour in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of 14- day simulated weightlessness on emotional behaviour in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen from twenty male SD rats were selected and assigned to a 2-group design: the control group and the tail suspension (TS) group (n = 8). The essay deployed typical methods for assessing emotional activity in the current, including food-intake and body weight variation, open field testing, sucrose preference testing and the evaluation of emotional arousal level to test emotional behavior.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. After 14- day simulated weightlessness for rats, their food-intake and body weight increase were less than those in the control group. 2. The ability of movement reduced in rats, the number of locomotion was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05) and the frequency of self-grooming was significantly higher than that in the control group(P <0.01. 3. A higher level of emotionality in TS group was recorded. 4. Sucrose preference was not observed in TS group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It demonstrated depression, anxiety and nervous symptom occurred in the TS rats with a certain degree of nervous reaction but no anhedonia.</p>

Effect of Ligusticum and its two main components on muscle atrophy in a hind limb unloaded rat model / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Ligusticum and its two components (Sodium Ferulate and Ligustrazine as main efficacy components in Ligusticum for invigorating blood circulation) on muscle atrophy in a hind limb unloaded rat model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The tail-suspended rats were subjected to a 14-days disuse, immunohistochemistry and hemorheology were used to study the effects of medicines on soleus muscle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with HLU+ W: (1) The CSA of soleus type I fibers in HLU + SfH and HLU+ TmpH increased by 37.3% and 39.4% respectively (P < 0.05). (2) Expression level of MHC II were inhibited in all treatment groups (P < 0.01). (3) Expression of MHC II in nuclear bag 2 fiber were altered from positive to negative. (4) The blood viscosity in low shear rates decreased obviously (P < 0.01), even near to control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ligusticum and its two main efficacy components (Sodium Ferulate and Ligustrazine) can prevent soleus atrophy induced by disuse, and Sodium Ferulate and Ligustrazine in high dose showed most efficacy.</p>

Comparative study on changes of digestive and absorptive functions in three different models of Pi-deficiency syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the changes of digestive and absorptive functions in three different models of Pi-deficiency syndrome (PDS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Experimental mice were divided into four groups, the control group(CG), the rhubarb group (RG), the exhaustion group (EG) and the over-exertion group(OG). Criteria including general physical signs, D-xylose excretion rate, serum amylase activity, velocity of stomach emptying and enterokinesia, serum gastrin content and indexes of organs were determined before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Decrease of D-xylose excretion rate and increase of stomach emptying and enterokinesia velocity appeared in all the three PDS models. As compared with CG, changes of all indices in OG were significant, while the decreasing of spleen index and serum amylase activity in EG, and the changes of serum gastrin content and thymus index in RG were insignificantly different.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All the changes in various criteria showed that PDS mice model established by over-exertion was superior to that established by frequently used methods as purging with rhubarb and exhausting by swimming.</p>