Comparison of Improvement Effects and Its Mechanism of Different Doses of Total Alkaloids from Aconitum racemulosum on CIA Model Rats Based on Information Entropy Theory / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of different doses of total alkaloids from Aconitum racemulosum （ARTA） on serum inflammation factors and FOS protein expression in synovial tissue of joint in collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） model rats， and to investigate its potential mechanism of anti-rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. METHODS： Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， positive group （Compound dexamethasone acetate ointment， 0.2 g/kg）， ARTA low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （56.26， 112.50， 225.00 mg/kg， by the weight of ARTA in the extract）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank group， other groups were given subcutaneous injection of Bovine collagen Ⅱ emulsified with incomplete Freund’s adjuvant into the left foot to establish CIA model； the left foot were smeared with relevant medicine from the day of modeling. Blank group and model group were smeared with constant volume of 65％ ethanol， 3 times a day， for consecutive 28 days. On the 7th， 14th， 21st and 28th day of administration， the thickness of left hind toe was measured with vernier caliper， and the degree of foot swelling was calculated. The serum contents of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α in rats were measured by ELISA after last administration. The expression of FOS protein in synovial tissue was determined by immunohistochemical method [expressed by HIS]. The comprehensive score was conculated by entropy weight method. Effects of each dosage on above indexes of CIA model rats were evaluated with the comprehensive score. RESULTS： Compared with blank group， the degree of foot swelling， serum content of inflammatory factors and HIS value were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the degree of foot swelling in each administration group， serum contents of IL-1β， IL-6 and TNF-α， HIS in positive group and ARTA high-dose group， serum contents of IL-6 and TNF-α in ARTA medium-dose group as well as serum content of TNF-α in ARTA low-dose group were decreased significantly（P＜0.05）. Comprehensive score of above indicators were 0.37（positive group）， 0.31（ARTA high-dose group）， 0.23（ARTA medium-dose group） and 0.09（ARTA low-dose group）. CONCLUSIONS： ARTA can improve CIA model rats， and the effect tends to increase with the increase of dose. Above effect may be associated with reducing serum content of inflammatory factors and inhibiting the expression of FOS protein in synovial tissue.

Tryptophan overloading activates brain regions involved with cognition, mood and anxiety

ABSTRACT Tryptophan is the only precursor of serotonin and mediates serotonergic activity in the brain. Previous studies have shown that the administration of tryptophan or tryptophan depletion significantly alters cognition, mood and anxiety. Nevertheless, the neurobiological alterations that follow these changes have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a tryptophan-enriched diet on immunoreactivity to Fos-protein in the rat brain. Sixteen male Wistar rats were distributed into two groups that either received standard chow diet or a tryptophan-enriched diet for a period of thirty days. On the morning of the 31st day, animals were euthanized and subsequently analyzed for Fos-immunoreactivity (Fos-ir) in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei and in regions that receive serotonin innervation from these two brain areas. Treatment with a tryptophan-enriched diet increased Fos-ir in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, paraventricular hypothalamus, arcuate and ventromedial hypothalamus, dorsolateral and dorsomedial periaqueductal grey and dorsal and median raphe nucleus. These observations suggest that the physiological and behavioral alterations that follow the administration of tryptophan are associated with the activation of brain regions that regulate cognition and mood/anxiety-related responses.

The effects of Bucinnazine Hydrochloride on the pain behavior and expression of caveolin-1 in anterior cingulate cortex of neuropathic pain mice / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of Bucinnazine Hydrochloride on the pain behavior and the expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in the anterior cingulate cortex of neuropathic pain mice.Methods 64 adult male Kunming mice (20-25g) were divided randomly into 4 groups with 16 in each group:Sham+BH(Bucinnazine Hydrochloride) group,Sham+NS (Normal Saline) group,CCI+ BH group and CCI+ NS group.The corresponding drugs were administered by intraperitoneal injectionfrom the forth day after CCI once a day for three days.Paw thermal withdrawal latency was measured by Hargreaves methods.Mechanicalwithdrawal threshold was assayed by electronic dolorimeter.c-Fos protein in anterior cingulate cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and the expression of t-Cav-1,p-Cav-1was detected by Western blot.Results Bucinnazine Hydrochloride administered by intraperitoneal injection(0.1 mg/10 g,mice) alleviated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia of CCI mice.Compared with the forth day (4.92±0.41) s of CCI+BH group,paw withdrawal latency on the fifth day(5.92±0.61) s was increased(P＜0.05),and on the sixth day(7.93±0.91) s and seventh day (9.12±0.69)s were increased more(P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The paw withdrawal mechanical threshold on the sixth and seventh day of CCI+BH group mice((2.54 ±0.41)g,(3.68±0.61)g) were increased significantly (P＜0.01,P＜0.01)compared with the forth day(1.55± 0.31)g.Immunohistochenistry results showed that the expression of c-Fos decreased after treated with Bucinnazine Hydrochloride in the anterior cingulate cortex of CCI mice(P＜0.001).Western Blotting showed that the expression of t-Cav-1 (1.97±0.31) and p-Cav-1 (0.11 ±0.09) in the anterior cingulate cortex of CCI +BH group mice decreased compared with that of in CCI+NS group mice(t-Cav-1:2.87±0.15,p-Cav-1:0.48± 0.09) (P＜0.01,P＜0.01).Conclusion Bucinnazine Hydrochloride can alleviate both thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia of neuropathic pain of mice,and reduce the expression of c-Fos,t-Cav-1,p-Cav-1 in the anterior cingulate cortex of neuropathic pain mice.

Effect of electroacupuncture at tsusanli on regulation of stress response under etomidate anesthesia in rats / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at tusanli (ST36) on regulation of stress response under different doses of etomidate anesthesia in rats.Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 280-310 g, were randomly divided into control group (group C), model group (group M), etomidate 60 mg/kg group (group E1), etomidate 30 mg/kg group (group E2), etomidate 60 mg/kg combined with EA group (group EA1) and etomidate 30 mg/kg combined with EA group (group EA2), n=10 in each group.All groups received inferior caudal trunk transection at the level between sacral spinal nerve 3 and 4 (S3, S4) to prepare acute stress response model except group C.Group M received no others treatment.The rats in group E1, group EA1, group E2 and group EA2 were intraperitoneally injected with 60, 60, 30 and 30 mg/kg etomidate, respectively.Group EA1 and group EA2 received EA ST36.The points were stimulated at a frequency of 2/100 Hz with 1 mA output and a dilatational wave, which lasted for 30 min.ACTH and Cor levels were measured by ELISA.The c-fos protein expression in hypothalamic tissue was examined by Western blot.Results Compared with group C, ACTH and Cor levels, and hypothalamic expression of c-fos protein in group M were significantly increased (P<0.05).Compared with group M, serum ACTH and Cor levels, and hypothalamic expression of c-fos protein in groups E1, E2, EA1 and EA2 were significantly decreased (P<0.05).Compared with group E1, serum ACTH and Cor levels, and hypothalamic expression of c-fos protein were significantly higher in groups E2 and EA1 (P<0.05).Compared with group E2, serum ACTH level and hypothalamic expression of c-fos protein were significantly lower in group EA2 (P<0.05).Conclusion EA at ST36 regulating stress response under etomidate anesthesia in rats is effective and two-way, and the mechanism may be due to the release of neurotransmitters induced c-fos protein in hypothalamus.

Pain behavior and the expression of Fos in the related brain regions of rats with chronic construction injury / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To observe pain behavior and the expression of Fos in the related brain re? gions,including Anterior Cingulate Cortex ( ACC) ,Periaqueductal Gray ( PAG) ,Rostral ventromedial nucle?us ( RVM) in chronic constrictive injury ( CCI) rats and to explore whether ACC modulate spinal nociceptive transmission through endogenous descending facilitatory system. Methods A total of 48 male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups:Naive group,Sham group ( just separated the left sciatic nerves without liga?tion) ,CCI group ( the left sciatic nerve was ligated) ,CCI+P group ( on the 14 th day after surgery,intraper?itoneal injection of 10 mg/kg paroxetine 45 min before behavior test) ,ACC?Sham group ( bilateral microin?jection of 0.9% NaCl in ACC,1μl/each side) and ACC?AP5 group ( bilateral microinjection of AP5 25 mM in ACC,1μl/each side on the 13th day after surgery) . On the 14th day after light?dark transition test,forced swimming test,paw?withdrawal mechanical threshold( PWMT) and paw?withdrawal thermal patency( PWTL) were performed,the rats were terminally anesthetized and ACC,PAG,RVM and the spinal cord was rapidly removed,and then the expression of c?fos was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results ( 1) Rats in CCI group demonstrated nociceptive hypersensitivity and depressive?like behaviors compared with Naive rats, while rats in CCI+P group and in ACC?AP5 group showed less nociceptive hypersensitivity and less depres?sive?like behaviors compared with CCI group. (2)Compared with Naive group,the number of c?fos positive neurons in the bilateral ACC (left,surgery side,4920.6±1053.7;right,2059.3±409.1),VIPAG (9074.8± 2320.3),RVM (6195.4±895.0) and bilateral spinal cord (left,15148.8±3080.2;right,6400.2±1558.4) was significantly enhanced in CCI group, especially in the left side. In contrast, the amount of fos labeled neurons declined in the bilateral ACC (left,2776.4±820.1;right,1120.5±141.4),VIPAG (4002.2± 1171.8),RVM (2938.9±910.3) and bilateral spinal cord (left,8742.0±1131.0;right,3933.1±858.9) in CCI+P group and also declined in the bilateral ACC (left,3623.1±667.4;right,696.5±164.8),VIPAG (5668.8±1403.3),RVM (3972.3±851.7) and bilateral spinal cord (left,10675.4±1725.3;right,3818.3± 1085.1) in ACC?AP5 group. Conclusion Endogenous descending facilitatory system may contribute to ACC modulating spinal nociceptive transmission.

Role of NK-1 Receptor in Fos Protein Expression of Anterior Cingulate Cortex Neurons of Mice Induced by Amputation of the Tail Extremity / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To study whether amputation of the tail extremity could induce change of Fos protein expression in mice ACC neurons , and explore the role of NK?1 receptor in the change. Methods Immunohistochemistry technique was adopted to study Fos protein expression change in mice ACC neurons at 0.25 h,0.5 h,1 h,2 h after amputation of the tail extremity 2.5 cm,and also the effect of NK?1 receptor antagonist GR82334(iv)or GR82334(ith)in the change. Results Fos protein expression in mice ACC neurons was significantly increased at 0.25 h,0.5 h after the amputation,and reached its peak at 1 h after the amputation,then started to decrease at 2 h after the amputation. GR82334(iv)com?pletely antagonized the significant augment in Fos protein expression in mice ACC neurons after the amputation ,but the antagonism of GR82334 (ith)was incomplete. Conclusion Amputation of the tail extremity could significantly increase the Fos protein expression of mice ACC neurons in a time?dependent manner. Both peripheral and central NK?1 receptors were involved in the process. However ,there are also central conduction pathways of other receptors and neurotransmitters involved in the significant augment in Fos protein expression in mice ACC neurons after amputa?tion.

Functional Connections of the Vestibulo-spino-adrenal Axis in the Control of Blood Pressure Via the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex in Conscious Rats

Significant evidence supports the role of the vestibular system in the regulation of blood pressure during postural movements. In the present study, the role of the vestibulo-spino-adrenal (VSA) axis in the modulation of blood pressure via the vestibulosympathetic reflex was clarified by immunohistochemical and enzyme immunoassay methods in conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation. Expression of c-Fos protein in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and blood epinephrine levels were investigated, following microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists or antagonists into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension. Both microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA and AMPA) into the MVN or rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM) and SNP-induced hypotension led to increased number of c-Fos positive neurons in the intermediolateral cell column of the middle thoracic spinal regions and increased blood epinephrine levels. Pretreatment with microinjection of glutamate receptor antagonists (MK-801 and CNQX) into the MVN or RVLM prevented the increased number of c-Fos positive neurons resulting from SNP-induced hypotension, and reversed the increased blood epinephrine levels. These results indicate that the VSA axis may be a key component of the pathway used by the vestibulosympathetic reflex to maintain blood pressure during postural movements.

Pathways of Neurogenic and Humoral Control in the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex of Conscious Rats / 대한평형의학회지

OBJECTIVE: The vestibular system contributes control of blood pressure during postural changes through the vestibulosympathetic reflex. In the vestibulosympathetic reflex, afferent signals from the peripheral vestibular receptors are transmitted to the vestibular nuclei, rostral ventrolateral medullary nuclei, and then to the intermediolateral cell column of the thoracolumbar spinal cord. Physiological characteristics of the vestibulosympathetic reflex in terms of neurogenic and humoral control of blood pressure were investigated in this study. METHODS: Conscious rats with sinoaortic denervation were used for removal of baroreceptors in reflex control of blood pressure, and hypotension was induced by intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Expression of c-Fos protein was measured in the medial vestibular nuclei (MVN), rostral vestrolateral medullary nuclei(RVLM), and intermediolateral cell column (IMC) in T4-7, and levels of blood epinephrine were measured following SNP-induced hypotension. RESULTS: SNP-induced hypotension significantly increased expression of c-Fos protein in the MVN, RVLM, and IMC, also significantly increased level of blood epinephrine compared to normotensive control animals. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the vestibulosympathetic reflex regulates blood pressure through neurogenic control including MVN, RVLM, and IMC, also through humoral control including epinephrine secretion by the adrenal medulla following SNP-induced hypotension. The physiological characteristics of the reflex may contribute to basic treatment of impairment of blood pressure control during postural changes.

Role of the Cerebral Cortex on Vestibular Compensation Following Unilateral Labyrinthectomy in Rats / 대한평형의학회지

OBJECTIVE: The cerebral cortex can modulate vestibular functions through direct control of neuronal activities in the vestibular nuclei. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of unilateral cortical lesion or cortical stimulation on static vestibular symptoms and vestibular nuclear activities at the acute stage of vestibular compensation following unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) in rats. METHODS: The photothrombic ischemic injury using rose bengal was induced in the primary motor cortex or primary sensory cortex, and electrical stimulation was applied to the primary motor cortex, primary sensory cortex, or sencondary sensory cortex, respectively, in unilateral labyrinthectomized rats. Static vestibular symptoms including ocular movement and postural deficits, and expression of c-Fos protein in the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) were measured. RESULTS: Lesion of the motor cortex produced a marked postural deficit with paralytic weakness in the hindlimb contralateral to UL. Number of spontaneous nystagmus in animals receiving cortical lesion was significantly increased 2, 6, and 12 hours after UL compared with animals being UL only. Lesion of the primary motor cortex or stimulation of the S2 sensory cortex decreased expression of c-Fos protein in MVN following UL compared with UL only group. Electrical stimulation of S2 sensory areas caused significant reduction of static vestibular symptoms and decreased expression of c-Fos protein in MVN 24 hours following UL. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that cerebral cortex involves in recovery of static vestibular symptoms during vestibular compensation following UL.

Effect of Glutamate on the Vestibulo-Solitary Projection after Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Hypotension in Conscious Rats

Orthostatic hypotension is most common in elderly people, and its prevalence increases with age. Attenuation of the vestibulo-sympathetic reflex (VSR) is commonly associated with orthostatic hypotension. In this study, we investigated the role of glutamate on the vestibulo-solitary projection of the VSR pathway to clarify the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure and expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein were evaluated in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) after microinjection of glutamate into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) in conscious rats with sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension that received baroreceptor unloading via sinoaortic denervation (SAD). SNP-induced hypotension increased the expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein in the NTS, which was abolished by pretreatment with glutamate receptor antagonists (MK801 or CNQX) in the MVN. Microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA or AMPA) into the MVN increased the expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein in the NTS without causing changes in blood pressure. These results indicate that both NMDA and AMPA receptors play a significant role in the vestibulo-solitary projection of the VSR pathway for maintaining blood pressure, and that glutamatergic transmission in this projection might play a key role in the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension.

Additive Role of the Vestibular End Organ and Baroreceptors on the Regulation of Blood Pressure in Rats

Contribution of the vestibular end organ to regulation of arterial pressure was quantitatively compared with the role of baroreceptors in terms of baroreflex sensitivity and c-Fos protein expression in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Baroreflex sensitivity and c-Fos protein expression in the RVLM were measured in conscious rats that had undergone bilateral labyrinthectomy (BL) and/or baroreceptor unloading. BL attenuated baroreflex sensitivity during intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), but did not significantly affect the sensitivity following infusion of phenylephrine (PE). Baroreflex sensitivity became positive following sinoaortic denervation (SAD) during infusion of PE and attenuated sensitivity during infusion of SNP. Baroreflex sensitivity also became positive following double ablation (BL+SAD) during infusion of PE, and attenuated sensitivity during infusion of SNP. c-Fos protein expression increased significantly in the RVLM in the sham group after SNP administration. However, the BL, SAD, and SAD+BL groups showed significant decreases in c-Fos protein expression compared with that in the sham group. The SAD group showed more reduced c-Fos protein expression than that in the BL group, and the SAD+BL group showed less expression than that in the SAD group. These results suggest that the vestibular system cooperates with baroreceptors to maintain arterial pressure during hypotension but that baroreceptors regulate arterial pressure during both hypotension and hypertension. Additionally, afferent signals for maintaining blood pressure from the vestibular end organs and the baroreceptors may be integrated in the RVLM.

Role of the Peripheral Vestibular End Organ in the Expression of c-Fos Protein in the Medial Vestibular Nucleus Following Occlusion of the Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery / 대한평형의학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the role of the peripheral vestibular end organ in vestibular symptoms and temporal changes in expression of c-Fos protein in the vestibular nuclei following anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) occlusion using rats with unilateral or bilateral labyrinthectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of c-Fos protein in the vestibular nuclei was measured 2, 12, 24, and 48 hours after AICA occlusion. RESULTS: Unilateral AICA occlusion significantly induced expression of c-Fos protein bilaterally in the medial, inferior, superior, and lateral vestibular nuclei. Following AICA occlusion, the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) showed the highest expression of c-Fos protein among the 4 vestibular nuclei. The expression of c-Fos protein was asymmetric between the bilateral MVN, showing higher expression in the MVN contralateral to the side of AICA occlusion compared to the ipsilateral MVN. The degree of asymmetry in c-Fos protein expression between the bilateral MVN peaked 12 hours after AICA occlusion. The expression of c-Fos protein gradually decreased 24 hours after AICA occlusion and returned to control levels 48 hours after AICA occlusion. Unilateral labyrinthectomy significantly decreased expression of c-Fos protein in the MVN ipsilateral to the side of labyrinthectomy following AICA occlusion. Moreover, bilateral labyrinthectomy significantly decreased expression of c-Fos protein in the bilateral MVN flowing AICA occlusion. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that afferent signals from the peripheral vestibular end organ are crucial to the expression of c-Fos protein in the MVN following AICA occlusion and that expression of c-Fos protein is sustained for 24 hours after AICA occlusion.

Changes in the Gastrointestinal Motility following Unilateral Labyrinthectomy / 대한평형의학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The temporal changes and the role of glutamate receptors in the recovery of vestibulogastrointestinal symptoms following unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) were investigated in this study. Vestibulogastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated in terms of gastric emptying and intestinal transit. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression of the c-Fos protein was observed in the solitary tract nucleus (STN) and rostral ventrolateral medullary nucleus (RVLM). These were measured at 0.5, 2, 6 and 24 h following UL in rats. RESULTS Gastric emptying and intestinal transit were significantly decreased for 6 h post UL and recovered to control levels within 24 h. Pretreatment of UL animals with MK-801 significantly increased the gastric emptying and intestinal transit. Bilateral labyrinthectomy significantly decreased the gastric emptying and intestinal transit compared to the intact labyrinthine animals but significantly increased when compared to UL animals. The expression of c-Fos protein was significantly increased in STN and RVLM compared to the control animals for 6 h post UL and recovered to control levels within 24 h. The expression was significantly decreased in animals that were pretreated with MK-801. CONCLUSION These results suggest that UL decreases the gastrointestinal motility, which recovers to control levels within 24 h post UL. Glutamate plays an important role in the recovery of vestibulogastrointestinal symptoms following UL.

Effect of Acupuncture Combined with Herb Decoction on Nerve Cell of Focal Brain Ischemia Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the mechanism of acupuncture combined with herb decoction for brain occlusion. Methods one-side middle cerebral artery occlusion (McAo) rat by ehermoregulation was used as focal cerebral ischemia experimental animal. All animals were divided into four groups as model group, acupuncture group, herb decoction group, acupuncture combined with herb decoction group. And the dynamic changes of c-fos protein in ischemia region of brain tissue after treatment were observed. Results All of acupuncture group, herb decoction group and combining group could enhance the expression of c-fos protein in all stages of ischemia, and combining group was enhanced significantly. Conclusion Compared with herb decoction or acupuncture, the method of acupuncture combined with herb decoction could improved the stress ability of nerve cells of acute brain ischemia by enhance the content of c-fos protein significantly.

c-fos Expression in Bladder-Specific Spinal Neurons after Spinal Cord Injury Using Pseudorabies Virus

PURPOSE: c-fos expression in spinal neurons that are activated by lower urinary tract stimulation are not organ specific. In this experiment, we demonstrated changes of c-fos expression in bladder-specific preganglionic neurons (PGNs) and interneurons using pseudorabies virus (PRV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were used. We identified the neuronal pathway associated with the bladder by injecting PRV into the detrusor. An immunohistochemical method was used to stain Fos-protein encoded by the c-fos gene. Immunofluorescent staining for PRV was performed to evaluate changes in bladder-specific spinal neurons. RESULTS: Immunofluorescent staining with choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) revealed that the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) regions contained 9.8 PGNs/ section. In rats with chronic spinal cord injury by intravesical saline instillation, 82.4+/-10.3% of PGNs in SPN exhibited Fos-immunoreactive (IR). Two and a half days after PRV infection, PRV-IR PGNs were observed at 5.4 PGNs/ section, and 2.7+/-1.6% of them exhibited Fos-IR. Unlike ChAT-IR PGNs, PRV-IR PGNs are bladder-specific neurons and PRV-IR and Fos-IR cells found in the back of PRV-IR PGNs are bladder- specific interneurons. Three days after PRV infection, we observed many PRV-IR and Fos-IR cells in the dorsal commissure. These neurons are interneurons distributed in the bladder. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that in chronic spinal cord injury, the patterns of c-fos expression in bladder-specific spinal neurons were similar to those in voiding-reflex related spinal neurons, which had already been demonstrated earlier. We believe that our methodology can be applied to study interactions between voiding and other organs as well, such as the urethra and prostate.

Oxytocin inhibits peripheral stimulation-induced LTP and FOS protein expression in hippocampus of rats / 基础医学与临床

Objective To investigate the effects of Oxytocin(OT) on hippocampal long-term potentiation(LTP) and FOS protein expression induced by peripheral stimulation.Methods Single stimulation pulses were delivered to the left sciatic nerves to evoke the field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the right hippocampal CA1. Tetanic stimulation was used to induce hippocampal LTP. Different groups of rat were given NS,OT,Oxytocin antagonist-Atosiban + OT before tetanic stimulation,into lateral ventricle(LV) respectively. Expression of FOS protein was compared among the groups by histopathological and immunohistochemistry. Results Single stimulation evoked fEPSPs in hippocampal CA1,which average latency was (171.9?33.1)ms and average amplitude was (25.7?8.4)?V. Tetanic stimulation induced hippocampal LTP and increased the expression of FOS protein. Intracerebroventricular injection of OT inhibited hippocampal LTP and decreased the expression of FOS protein. This effect of OT was blocked by the pretreatment with Atosiban. Conclusion The results suggested that OT may play an inhibitory role in leaning and memory of rats and the effect is mediated by OT receptor.

Expression of c-fos Protein in Hippocampus of Newborn Rats with Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage and Its Significance / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the relationship of c-fos protein and cell apoptosis by observing the expression of c-fos protein in hippocampus of newborn rat with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD).Methods Forty-eight 7-day SD neonatal rats were randomly divided into control group(n=6) and experiment group(n=42).The models of HIBD were established in neonatal rats by inhaling the mixed gases of 920 mL/L N2 and 80 mL/L O2,and the animals were sacrificed by dislocation their heads at different time points(0.5,1,3,6,12,24,48,72 h),then the hippocampus were dissected by morphological analysis.Results The apoptotic cells appeared at the time point of 3 h,and reached the peak at 48 h,then decreased.The positive cell of c-fos protein increased from the time point of 30 min and reached the peak at 2 h and then decreased gradually,and there was a contrary tendency between the expression of c-fos protein and the number of damaged brain cells by HIBD(r=-0.57 P

The Role of the Vestibular System in Modulating Blood Pressure of Sinoaortic Denervated Rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The vestibuloautonomic reflex controls respiration and blood pressure during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the peripheral vestibular receptor in the control of blood pressure in sinoaortic denervated (SAD) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The baroreceptor reflex was removed by SAD in labyrinthectomized rats. The expression of c-Fos protein in the vestibular nuclear complex, and other nuclei related to control of blood pressure, was measured following the induction of acute hypotension using sodium nitroprusside (SNP). RESULTS: The SNP induced acute hypotension, in intact labyrinthine rats, increased the expression of c-Fos protein in the supraoptic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, rostral ventrolateral medulla, solitary nucleus, and vestibular nuclear complex. The expression of c-Fos protein, following the SNP induced acute hypotension in the SAD rats, increased the expression of c-Fos protein in the paraventricular nucleus, rostral ventrolateral medulla, and medial and inferior vestibular nuclei. The acute hypotension induced by SNP in a unilateral labyrinthectomy, with SAD, increased the expression of c-Fos protein in the contralesional vestibular nuclear complex, but decreased its expression in the ipsilesional vestibular nuclear complex. The acute hypotension induced by SNP in a bilateral labyrinthectomy, with SAD, showed only slight expression of c-Fos protein in the bilateral vestibular nuclear complex. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the acute hypotension induced by SNP activates the vestibular nuclear neurons by decreasing the blood flow in the peripheral vestibular receptors, and that these in turn modulate blood pressure through activation of the catecholaminergic nervous system and neuroendocrine reflex.

INTRATHECAL ADMINISTRATION OF PRODYNORPHIN ANTISENSE OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDE SUPPRESSES BOTH PRODUCTION OF DYNORPHIN A IN DORSAL HORN AND BEHAVIORAL NOCICEPTIVE RESPONSES INDUCED BY FORMALIN TEST / 神经解剖学杂志

By using intrathecal administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) against preprodynorphin mRNA in rats, we observed that this treatment could block both the formalin-induced behavioral nociceptive responses and the increased expression of dynorphin A (1-8) in the dorsal horn, with the increased expression of c-Fos protein being unchanged. For we have reported that intrathecal administration of AS-ODN against c-fos mRNA blocks the nociceptive responses and both the increased Fos protein and dynorphin A (1-8), the results of the present study suggest that: (1) Nociceptively induced spinal expression of dyorphin and Fos protein is involved in the transmission of nociceptive information at the spinal level and the expression of Fos protein is the up-stream event. (2) dynorphin may act as a pronociceptive, not an antinociceptive, factor in the modulation of the spinal hyperalgesic state.

C-fos Expression in Brain Stem of Rats after Salicylic Acid Treatment / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Subjective tinnitus, a distracting internal noise, is experienced by humans. Tinnitus is evoked by salicylic acid treatment in rats as confirmed by Jastreboff in 1994 in an animal behavior model of tinnitus with salicylic acid. The objective of this study is to evaluate c-fos expression in the brain stem of rats after salicylic acid treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: After salicylic acid (450 mg/kg) and saline treatment (450 mg/kg), c-fos immunohistochemical staining expression in the auditory and nonauditory brain stem nuclei were observed. RESULTS: Many immunoreactive cells were observed in the Locus Ceruleus of the salicylic acid treated animals, but not in the saline treated animals. No immunoreactive cells were found in the auditory brain stem nuclei. CONCLUSION: The Locus Ceruleus is the nucleus of the brain stem and produce norepinephrine which results in arousal of the neuronal activity for stress. These results suggest that salicylic acid may evoke tinnitus through a combined effect on the auditory and nonauditory brain nuclei. It seems possible that the interaction of these effects at particular locations of the brain causes tinnitus.