Comparative study on anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation of different Isatidis Radix strains growing in Gansu Province / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation effects of different ecotype from Isatidis Radix growing in Gansu province.@*METHODS@#Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (=11)and used the auricular swelling and paw edema to observe the anti-inflammatory effects of Isatidis Radix; Mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (=11) and through the gasbag synovitis model to observe the anti-inflammatory effects of Isatidis Radix; Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (=11), the immunosuppressed model were established by injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) to study the effects of Isatidis Radix on index of thymus, blood routine and cytokines.@*RESULTS@#Gansu different ecotype from Isatidis Radix could reduce the swelling of the mice auricle, paw edema and total protein, leukotriene B(LTB)and malonaldehyde(MDA) in airbag synovitis exudates, and upgrade serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD); Degrade the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and upgrade the index of thymus, the number of red and white corpuscles, the level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (<0.05, 0.01) of mice immunosuppressed model; Above the research of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation, there were no significant differences between Isatidis Radix of Gansu different ecotype and tetraploid.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Different ecotype of Isatidis Radix has obvious functions in anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation, but there are no significant differences between Gansu different ecotype and tetraploid.

Effect of Yuyin Ruangan Granule on TGF-β1 expression in hepatic fibrosis rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To observe the preventive and therapeutic action of Yuyin Ruangan Granule (YRG, Traditional Chinese Medicine) in hepatic fibrosis rats model and its effect on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression.@*METHODS@#The Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 group (=10), and the model of hepatic fibrosis rats was established by subcutaneous injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), fed on high-fat diet and 20% ethanol for 6 weeks, to survey the effect and mechanism of YRG preventing hypatic fibrosis by detecting liver function (the activity of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), etc.) of liver fibrosis rats, liver fibrosis indicators (hyaluronic acid, Ⅲ procollagen, type IV collagen, laminin and hepatic pathology, etc.), and TGF-β1 expression in liver tissue after 6 weeks treated with YRG through intragastric administration (q. d.).@*RESULTS@#At the 7 week, fibrotic lesions appears distinctly in liver tissue of model group compared with control group (<0.01), YRG of 6.2~28.8 g/kg could significantly decrease hepatic index, ALT and AST activities, content of hyaluronic acid(HA), Ⅲ procollagen (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen(C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN) in serum, relieve liver fibrosis pathological changes and inhibit TGF-β1 expression in fibrotic liver tissue (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#YRG has significantly preventive effects on liver fibrosis rats model, and it may be one of its mechanisms to inhibit expression of TGF-β1.

Effect of Angelica sinensis radix on colonic morphology and mucus secretion of experimental XuexuBianmi model mice / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of Angelicaesinensis radix (Danggui) decoction on the therapeutic action and the colonic morphology and mucus secretion in XuexuBianmi model mice.@*METHODS@#Sixty Kunming mice, maleandfemaleinhalf, were randomly divided into six groups according to gender and weight (=10):normal control group, XuexuBianmi model group, positive control group, and high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose Danggui groups. Except the normal control group, the mice in the rest groups were orally administrated with diphenoxylate (DPN) and subcutaneously injected with acetylphenyhydrazine (APH) and intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (CPA) to copy XuexuBianmi model. Fromthe 14th day, the mice in Danggui groups were orally administered with different doses of Danggui decoction (16.67、8.33、4.17 g/kg), the mice in positive control group were orally administered with Changtongshu granule (5 g/kg), the mice in XuexuBianmi model group were administered with normal saline (NS) at the same volume (10 ml/kg), once a day for consecutive 28 days. The general status were observed, the first black defecation time (FBDT), the water content in stool and in colon in mice of all groups were tested. And the colon tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and AB-PAS to observe the changes of colonic morphology and the mucus secretion.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal control group, there appeared the XuexuBianmi syndromes in model group as follows, the defecation time (FBDT) was significantly prolonged, the water contentinstool and in colon were decreased (<0.01), the colonic mucosa and gland were atrophied, mucous membrane layer was thinned (<0.01), mucus secretion was decreased. Compared with the XuexuBianmimodel group, the Xuexu and Bianmi syndromes were improved, the FBDT was significantly shortened (<0.05, <0.01), the water content of colon was increased in the three groups of Danggui decoction (<0.05, <0.01). The water content of the stool was obviouslyincreased in groups of 16.67and 8.33kg.dDanggui decoction (<0.05). The atrophy of colon mucosa and gland was improved, the mucus secretion was increased, and the colon lubrication function was improved in the three groups in different doses of Danggui decoction.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Dangguican improve the mucosal atrophy, and increase the secretion of colonic mucus, then the stool is softened and promoted to discharge.

Effects of combined administration of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and hydrocortisone on the therapeutic action in the murine asthma model / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RASI) and hydrocortisone combination on the murine asthma model and the mechanism.@*METHODS@#BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, blood stasis model group, asthma model group, HSS group, RASI group and RASI+HSS group (=12). Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to replicate mice asthma model and hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HSS) to copy blood stasis model. Effects of RASI, HSS and their combination on hemorheology, anti-asthma (asthmatic behaviors, lung function, lung index and water content in lung tissue) were observed. and anti-asthma mechanisms The expression of relative cytokines, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry respectively.@*RESULTS@#Eight g/kg RASI, 0.05 g/kg HSS and their combination could significantly relieve asthma behavioral indicators, improve lung function, reduce lung index and water content in lung tissue, decrease the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inhibit the high expression of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB in lung tissue. The improvement of lung function and the decrease in level of relative cytokines (TNF-α、IL-1βIL-6) were better in RASI+HSS group than those in RASI group and HSS group, and the inhibition of protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB was also too. Combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone could decrease serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) content and blood viscosity, which were increased induced by hydrocortisone.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone have obvious anti-asthma effects and one of the mechanisms is to inhibit protein synthetization of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB.The combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone has stronger improvement of lung function than that of RASI and hydrocortisone alone, and it may be related to the inhibition of TLR4 and NF-κB synthetization. The combined administration of RASI can alleviate abnormal changes of hemorheology induced by hydrocortisone in treatment of asthma.

Endoscopic clipping with histoacryl in management of type 2 gastroesophageal varices (30 cases) / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To summarize clinical experience and explore application value of endoscopic clipping with histoacryl using in management of type 2 gastroesophageal varices. Methods Clinical data of 30 patients with type 2 gastroesophageal varices patients (including acute hemorrhage and primary prevention) from May 2015 to December 2016 were collected. Then evaluate therapeutic effect and safety of endoscopic clipping adjuvant therapy. Results Average glue dosage was (1.46 ± 0.70) ml, average using of clips were (5 ~ 6), and intraoperative needle pulling hemorrhage occurred in 2 cases. 14 patients (46.7%) underwent endoscopic re-examination, 3 patients (10.0%) achieved varicose vein elimination, 11 cases (36.7%) remained residual. Rebleeding occurred in 4 cases (13.3%), and 2 cases died (6.7%), one because of postoperative hematemesis and hemorrhagic shock, the other one died of spontaneous peritonitis and septic shock. For general curative effect, 2 cases (6.7%) were healed, 22 cases (73.3%) were improved, and 6 cases were unhealed (20.0%, 4 cases occurred rebleeding, 2 cases died); 17 cases underwent CT portal venograpy, abnormal embolization was not found in any patients, glue extrusion bleeding occurred in 1 case (3.3%), no patients had severe postoperative complications. Conclusion Endoscopic clipping with histoacryl can be used in the prevention and treatment of type 2 gastroesophageal varices to improve the treatment effect and reduce postoperative bleeding risk, may have good clinical practice value.

Effects of RASI on expression of airway MUC5 AC and related inflammatory factors in asthmatic mice with Yin deficiency syndrome / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis ( RASI) on expression of airway MUC5AC and related inflammatory factors in asthmatic mice with Yin deficiency syndrome.Methods:Injecting ovalbumin ( OVA) to sensitize,inhaling OVA to stimulate,using Thyroxin during late stimulation,the asthmatic mouse with Yin deficiency syndrome was established and evaluated through asthmatic behaviors, lung histopathology, active factors ( IL-13, TNF-αand MUC5AC ) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and MUC5AC expression in lung tissue.Results: 2,4,8 g/kg RASI could reduce asthmatic behaviors score, relieve pathological changes of lung tissue,reduce the contents of IL-13,TNF-αand MUC5AC in BALF,and depress MUC5AC expression in lung tissue ( P<0.05,0.01).In addition,there was a certain synergy between RASI and dexamethasone ( DXM) on depressing the ex-pression of IL-13 and MUC5AC (P<0.05).Conclusion:RASI has certain anti-asthma effect and one of mechanisms is to regulate the MUC5AC expression through inhibit IL-13 and TNF-α.On the expression of IL-13 and MUC5AC,the compatibility of RASI with glu-cocorticoid has some synergy effect.

Establishment and Evaluation of BALB/c Mouse Model of Anaphylactic Asthma with ;Yin-deficiency Syndrome / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To establish and evaluate a BALB/c mouse model of anaphylactic asthma with yin-deficiency syndrome. Methods Ovalbumin (OVA) was injected to sensitize and was inhaled to stimulate to replicate the BALB/c mouse model of anaphylactic asthma. Thyroxin was used for gavage during late stimulation to replicate the BALB/c mouse model of asthma with yin-deficiency syndrome. On the basis of monitoring food and water intake and body weight, asthma related indexes, such as asthmatic behaviors, respiratory function, lung histopathology, were detected, and yin-deficiency syndrome related indexes, such as cAMP and cGMP, and pulmonary fluid clearance were examined. Results The BALB/c mouse model of asthma with yin-deficiency syndrome showed obvious asthma symptoms; comprehensive scores of asthmatic behaviors increased significantly;inhaling peak flow, exsufflation peak flow, and tidal volume decreased significantly; lung tissue histopathology showed obvious inflammatory response. Meanwhile, food and water intake of BALB/c mouse model of asthma with yin-deficiency syndrome increased significantly;body weight increased slowly;wet/dry ratio of lung tissue decreased;cAMP and cAMP/cGMP increased, while cGMP decreased, which showed that the mice were in the condition of yin-deficiency and yang-excess. Conclusion Combining thyroxin at the basis of sensitivity induced by OVA is a good pattern to successfully replicate the BALB/c mouse model of anaphylactic asthma with yin-deficiency syndrome.

Effects of Rhubarbs from different regions on blood lipid and antioxidation of hyperlipidemia rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To comparatively study the effects of Rhubarbs from different regions on blood lipid and antioxi dation of hyperlipidemia rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male rats were randomly divided into 9 groups ( n = 8) and fed with high-fat diet to replicate the hyperlipidemia model. Meanwhile, Rheum tanguticum was administrated intragastrically at two doses (3.0 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg), once a day for continuous 28 days. The effects of Rheum tanguticum planted in Gannan (RT-GN), Rheum tanguticum planted in Xinin (RT-XN) and Rheum plmatum planted in Lixian (RP-LX) were evaluated through detecting the parameters of blood lipids, blood viscosity and antioxidant system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>T-GN, RT-XN and RP-LX in the range of 1.0-3.0 g/kg could decrease the blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and malonaldehyde (MDA) in blood. Besides, they could reduce blood viscosity, increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) level and upregulate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Interestingly, their effects on blood viscosity was obviously in a dose dependent manner. In addition, the effects of RT-GN on LDL, MDA and blood viscosity were not significantly different from those of RT-XN and better than those of RP-LX.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The RT has better hypolipidemic effects than the RP, but RT-GN and RT-XN are not different from the above effects.</p>

The antalgic and antiphiogistic function and mechanism of RGDT plaster / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the antalgic and antiphlogistic functions and mechanism of ronggudingtong (RGDT) plaster (traditional Chinese medicine).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The painful models were established with hot plate test or acetic acid writhing and the inflammatory models were established with daubing dimethylbenzene on auricle or injecting formaldehyde in toe or synovial envelope to study the antalgic and antiphlogistic functions of RGDT Plaster. The total protein and leukotriene B4(LTB4) in inflammatory exudate were detected to investigate the antalgic and antiphlogistic mechanism of RGDT plaster. The mice were randomly divided into different groups (n = 11), on the basis of drug using, the indexes of pain threshold, swelling degree were observed. Sixty-six mice were used to establish gasbag synovitis model and randomly divided into normal control group,model control group, positive control group (Voltaren gel 0.8 mg/d)and low/medium/high dosage RGDT plaster treating groups(30 mg/d, 60 mg/d, 120 mg/d).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>30 mg/d, 60 mg/d,120 mg/d RGDT plaster could upgrade the pain thresholds, remit auricular and foot swelling (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and degrade total protein and LTB4 in inflammatory exudates (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RGDT plaster has some antalgic and antiphlogistic functions, and one of the mechanisms is depressing synthesis of LTB4.</p>

Establishment and evaluation of a mouse model of bronchial asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish and evaluate a mouse model of bronchial asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mouse model of bronchial asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome was established by the treatment with injecting ovalbumin (OVA) two times to sensitize, inhaling OVA 14 times to stimulate, and using thyroxin through lavage during late stimulation. This model was evaluated through body weight, asthmatic behaviors, respiratory function, autonomous activity, lung pathology, and pulmonary fluid clearance.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OVA combined with thyroxin was an appropriate method to induce the mouse model with increased food and water intake, autonomous activity, asthmatic behaviors score, and respiratory rate, decreased body weight, tidal volume, and wet/dry ratio of lung, and changed with pathology of lung tissue. The changes of the above mentioned parameters indicated that the model was the bronchial asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The OVA combined with thyroxin is a good pattern to establish a mouse model of bronchial asthma with Yin deficiency syndrome successfully, which can highly simulate the clinical symptoms of this disease.</p>

The protective effect of Yuyin Ruangan Decoction on experimental hepatic injury / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of Yuyin Ruangan Decoction(YRD, traditional Chinese medicine) on experimental hepatic injury in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and YRD low, middle and high dose group(n = 11). By ip injection of D-GalN, CCk or thioacetamide (TAA), three models of hepatic injury mice were established to investigate the effects of YRD through detecting the indexes of liver function in serum and, the content of antioxidant system in the hepatic tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>YRD could decrease the content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and that of malonaldehyde (MDA) in the hepatic tissue, upregulate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hepatic tissue. Furthermore, the above effects were dosedependent in a certain degree. CoNCLUSION: YRD has some protection effects on the model of experimental hepatic injury in mouse.</p>

Effect of Volatile Oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis on experimental asthma in rats / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Volatile Oil of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (VOA) on experimental asthma in rat model based on abnormal immune functions of Treg cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After grouping, the asthmatic rats were developed through injecting OVA and AI(OH)3 for sensitization and then administering OVA aerosol for challenge, and the respiratory functions, asthmatic behaviors, IL-10 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (ELISA) and Foxp3 expression (immunohistochemistry) in lung of asthmatic rats were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VOA at the doses of 40-160 mg/kg could improve the respiratory functions and the asthmatic behaviors, and upgrade IL-10 levels in BALF and Foxp3 expression in lung of asthmatic rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VOA has some effects of anti-asthma and one of the mechanisms is to improving the lower immune functions of Treg cells.</p>

The influences of ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation on protective effects of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri against rat's cerebral ischemia / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influences of ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation on protective effects of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri against rat's cerebral ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using dexamethasone (im.) and ligating common carotid artery, the rat stasis model combined transient cerebral ischemia was established to evaluate the effects of the ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation through detecting antioxidant system and other indexes in brain tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed that the 6 g/kg water extract(crude drug), ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri could upgrade adenosine-triphosphate (ATP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and degrade malondialdehyde(MDA) and water content of brain tissue in rat stasis model combined transient cerebral ischemia, the water extract and ultrafiltration of them could degrade lactic acid (LD) of brain tissue, and the effects of alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri become weaker than water extract of them.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The water extract, ultrafiltration and alcohol sedimentation of Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri have some protective effects on cerebral ischemia in rats, the effective differences of the extract through the same extraction method are not remarkable, and alcohol precipitation method has obvious influences effect on Radix Astragali and Radix Hedyseri.</p>

Determination of droplet size of propofol fat emulsion injection / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method to determine the droplet size of propofol fat emulison injection for quality control. METHODS: Coulter counting and light diffraction were employed respectively to determine the droplet size of Diprivan® and Lipuro®, and the two methods were compared for their advantages and disadvantages. The optimal determining condition was built through investigating the influence of concentration. Demulsification was carried out by adding electrolyte, then several parameters were measured. According to the results, the optimal condition and the key parameter for determination of the droplet size were established. RESULTS: The optimal concentrations for droplet size determination by coulter counting were 15 μg · mL-1 for Diprivan® and 6 μg · mL-1 for Lipuro®, respectively. Coulter counting method could not provide the whole size distritbution of the emulsion, but could monitor the large droplets in the injection. Additionally, the change of the quality of the emulsion could be monitored by measuring the portion of the droplets larger than 0.6 μm. Light diffraction could offer the whole size distribution and the mean size of the emulsion. But it was not sensitive to measure large droplets in trace amount. And the detection results could not reflect the change when the emulsion was destructed. CONCLUSION: The quality of propofol fat emulsion can be effectively controlled by determining the key parameters with coulter counting under reasonable conditions.

Effect of JTS caps. treating cerebral ischemia on metabolism and antioxidant system in cerebral ischemia rat / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of JTS, Traditional Chinese Medicine caps. treating cerebral ischemia on metabolism and antioxidant system in cerebral ischemia rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>I.m. dexamethasone and ligating common carotid artery, the model of cerebral ischemia rats was established to investigate the effects of JTS caps. and its mechanisms through detecting substance metabolism, energy metabolism and antioxidant system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>JTS caps. (1.78 - 3.56 g/kg) could upgrade glucose (Glu), total amino acids (T-AA), ATP, Na(+)-K(+) -ATPase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) of brain tissue and degrade lactic acid (LD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and water content of brain tissue in cerebral ischemia rat (P < 0.05, 0.01). JTS caps. (3.56 g/kg) could also depress extenuation of rat's body weight.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JTS caps. has some protections against the cerebral ischemia in rats, and one of the mechanisms may be improving the metabolism and antioxidant system.</p>

Methods for grain size analysis of nanomedicines / 药学学报

As nanomedicines are developing fast in both academic and market areas, building up suitable methods for nanomedicine analysis with proper techniques is an important subject, requiring further research. The techniques, which could be employed for grain size analysis of nanomedicines, were reviewed. Several key techniques were discussed with their principles, scope of applications, advantages and defects. Their applications to nanomedine analysis were discussed according to the properties of different nanomedicines, with the purpose of providing some suggestions for the control and administration of nanomedicines.

Histomorphology of angiogenesis patterns in different areas of human astrocytomas / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study angiogenesis patterns in the edematous area and the center of human astrocytomas by histological observation, and to reveal histological basis of vasculogenic mimicry.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Tissue samples were drawn from the tumor center and the edematous area in 51 patients with human astrocytomas during operation MR and were examined by CD34 endothelial marker periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) dual staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Vessels or capillaries stained by both PAS and CD34 were found in edematous areas of human astrocytomas. Besides vessels or capillaries stained by both PAS and CD34, vasculogenic mimicries (PAS-positive and CD34-negative tubes containing red blood cells and lined by neoplastic cells), PAS-positive and CD34-negative tubes containing red blood cells and without cells around, PAS-positive and partial CD34-positive vessels or capillaries, and PAS-positive and CD34-negtive vessels or capillaries were detected in the center of tumor of 4 human glioblastomas.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Vasculogenic mimicries in the center of some high-grade astrocytomas may be caused by blood capillary dysplasia, while angiogenesis patterns are vessels or capillaries in the edematus area and the center of most human astrocytomas.</p>

Electrophysiological characteristic of ATP-activated currents of trigeminal ganglion neurons with different diameter in rat / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore the characteristic of ATP-activated current in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons of rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Whole-cell patch-clamp was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The majority (92.1%) of TG neurons responded to ATP applied externally with inward currents. We recorded three distinct ATP-activated currents: fast, slow and intermediate, which were concentration-dependent. (2) In general, the fast ATP-activated currents were distributed mainly in small-diameter TG neurons, the slow ATP-activated currents were distributed mainly in large-diameter TG neurons, and the intermediate ATP-activated currents were distributed mainly in intermediate-diameter TG neurons. (3) The time course of rising phase from 10% to 90% of the three distinct ATP-activated currents were as follows: fast: (33.6 +/- 4.5) ms; intermediate: (62.2 +/- 9.9) ms; slow: (302.1 +/- 62.0) ms, and that of desensitizing phase were (399.4 +/- 58.2) ms (fast), and > 500 ms (slow) respectively. (4) From the current-voltage relationship curves, it can be seen that the reversal potential values of the three distinct ATP-activated currents were the same, all being 0-5mV. And they all were characterized by inward rectification. (5) The dose-response curve for fast ATP-activated current shifted downwards as compared with the intermediate ATP-activated current, and that for the slow ATP-activated current shifted upwards.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The EC50s of the three curves tended to be identical. The results suggested that three kinds of distinct ATP-activated currents could be mediated by various subtypes of P2X receptors assembled by different subunits, and the subtypes existed in TG neurons of different diameters and transmit different information.</p>

Cation ions modulate the ACh-sensitive current in type II vestibular hair cells of guinea pigs / 生理学报

Molecular biological studies and electrophysiological data have demonstrated that acetylcholine (ACh) is the principal cochlear and vestibular efferent neurotransmitter among mammalians. However, the functional roles of ACh in type II vestibular hair cells among mammalians are still unclear, with the exception of the well-known alpha9-containing nicotinic ACh receptor (alpha9-nAChR) in cochlear hair cells and frog saccular hair cells. In this study, the properties of the ACh-sensitive current were investigated by whole-cell patch clamp technique in isolated type II vestibular hair cells of guinea pigs. The direct effect of extracellular ACh was to induce a hyperpolarization effect in type II vestibular hair cells. Type II vestibular hair cells displayed a sustained outward current in response to the perfusion of ACh. It took about 60 s for the ACh-sensitive current to get a complete re-activation. The reversal potential of the ACh-sensitive current was (-66 +/- 8) mV, which indicated that potassium ion was the main carrier of this current. The blocking effect by the submillimolar concentration of tetraethylammonium (TEA) further indicated that extracellular ACh stimulated the calcium-dependent potassium current. Following replacement of the compartment of NaCl in the normal external solution with TrisCl, LiCl or saccharose respectively, the amplitude of the ACh-sensitive current was not affected. Blocking of the release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores by intracellular application of heparin failed to inhibit the ACh-sensitive current. Therefore, extracellular Na(+)and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-dependent intracellular Ca(2+)release were not involved in the activation of the ACh-sensitive current. However, the ACh-sensitive current was strongly affected by the concentration of the extracellular K(+), extracellular Ca(2+) and intracellular Mg(2+). The amplitude of the ACh- sensitive current was strongly inhibited by high concentration of extracellular K(+). In the Ca(2+)-free external solution, ACh only activated a very small current; however, the ACh-sensitive current demonstrated a Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition effect in high concentration of Ca(2+)solution. In addition, the ACh-sensitive current was inhibited by increasing of the concentration of intracellular Mg(2+). In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that ACh plays an important role in the vestibular efferent system. The fact that Na(+) is not involved in the ACh-sensitive current will not favor the well-known profile of alpha9-nAChR, which is reported to display a small but important permeability to Na(+). It is also suggested that, in vivo, the amplitude of the ACh-induced hyperpolarization may strongly depend on the concentration of extracellular Ca(2+)and intracellular Mg(2+).

Characteristics of P2X purinoceptors in the membrane of rat trigeminal ganglion neurons / 生理学报

The characteristics of purinoceptors in the membrane of rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons were studied by using whole- cell patch clamp technique. The results showed that most of neurons examined (78.9%, 142/180) were responsive to ATP in a concentration-dependent manner; the others (21.1%, 38/180) were ATP insensitive. Of the ATP-sensitive cells, the majority (95.1%, 135/142) responded to ATP with an inward current, a few (2.1%, 3/142) with an outward current, and the rest (2.8%, 4/142) with biphasic current. Small sized cells (<30 mum) responded to ATP with a rapid desensitizing inward current and were highly sensitive to vanilloid; the medium sized cells (30~40 mum) responded to ATP with slow desensitizing inward current and were not sensitive to vanilloid; while the majority of large sized cells (>40 mum) did not respond to ATP and vanilloid. The waveform of ATP-activated inward currents was related to the cell diameter. The I-V curves for both small and medium sized cells manifested obvious inward rectification. Furthermore, we studied the kinetic features of ATP-activated currents and the effects of P2 purinoceptor agonists and antagonists on I(ATP). The findings suggest that ATP receptor-ion channels are expressed differently among different types of rat TG neurons.