RESUMO
Objective:To evaluate any effect of transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) on the motor functioning of rats modelling stroke using the Catwalk gait analysis system.Methods:A stroke model was induced in 24 rats using middle cerebral artery embolization. They were then randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group and a tPCS group, each of 8. Neurological deficit scores were assigned 1 day after the modeling. Beginning two days after the modeling the tPCS group was given 20 minutes of tPCS daily with an intensity of 0.2mA at 10Hz for 7 days. Gait data were collected using the Catwalk gait system 1 day before, as well as 1 and 9 days after the modeling.Results:Nine days after the modeling the average Bederson neuroethology score of the tPCS group was significantly lower than one day after the modelling and significantly lower than the model group′s average. One day after the modelling significant differences were observed in the model and tPCS groups in the average contact area of the affected limb′s paw prints, limb swing speed, stride length, limb speed, swing time, average running speed and standing time compared with before the operation. After nine days the average standing time on the affected fore and hind limbs, as well as the paw contact areas were significantly better in the tPCS group than in the model group.Conclusion:tPCS can promote improvements in gait after ischemia and reperfusion, at least in rats.
RESUMO
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide ( LBP) on the tumor growth and metastasis in MMTV?PyMT mouse model of breast cancer. Methods The population of MMTV?PyMT trans?genic mice was expanded and identified. 8?week old MMTV?PyMT?positive female mice were randomly divided into LBP group and control group, 8 mice in each group. The mice of LBP group were given LBP treatment (50 mg/kg, i. p. ), and the control group was given normal saline in the same volume, once every 2 days for 4 weeks. The tumor size was measured every two days. The mice were killed at 4 weeks after treatment, the lungs were removed and fixed in Bouin′s solution to observe the number of metastatic nodules, and tumor tissues were used for immunohistochemical examination of tumor cell proliferation and vascular density. Results The tumor formation rate was 100% in the MMTV?PyMT?positive mice. The tumor weight of LBP group was 4?208 ± 0?4463 g, significantly lower than the 6?477g ± 0?3724 g in the control group (P<0?005). The number of pulmonary nodules of the LBP group was 12 ± 1?155, significantly less than that of the control group (20 ± 2?745) (P<0?05). The immunohistochemical examination using Ki67 and CD31 staining showed that tumor cell proliferation and microvessel density of the LBP group were significantly less than the NS group. Conclusions LBP inhibits breast cancer growth and metastasis through the inhibitory effect on tumor growth and metastasis, inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis in MMTV?PyMT mice. These mice can be used as an ideal model for studies on antitu?mor drug development for the treatment of breast cancer lung metastasis.