[Improvement effect of cinnamaldehyde on reserpine-induced Parkinson's disease rat model].

In order to study the neuroprotective mechanism of cinnamaldehyde on reserpine-induced Parkinson's disease(PD) rat models, 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, Madopar group, and cinnamaldehyde high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. Except for the blank group, the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with reserpine of 0.1 mg·kg~(-1) once every other morning, and cinnamaldehyde and Madopar solutions were gavaged every afternoon. Open field test, rotarod test, and oral chewing movement evaluation were carried out in the experiment. The brain was taken and fixed. The positive expression of dopamine receptor D1(DRD1) was detected by TSA, and the changes in neurotransmitters such as dopamine(DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid(DOPAC) in the brain were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The protein and mRNA expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and α-synuclein(α-Syn) in substantia nigra(SN) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The results showed that after the injection of reserpine, the hair color of the model group became yellow and dirty; the arrest behavior was weakened, and the body weight was reduced. The spontaneous movement and exploration behavior were reduced, and the coordination exercise ability was decreased. The number of oral chewing was increased, but the cognitive ability was decreased, and the proportion of DRD1 positive expression area in SN was decreased. The expression of TH protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and that of α-Syn protein and mRNA was up-regulated. After cinnamaldehyde intervention, it had an obvious curative effect on PD model animals. The spontaneous movement behavior, the time of staying in the rod, the time of movement, the distance of movement, and the number of standing times increased, and the number of oral chewing decreased. The proportion of DRD1 positive expression area in SN increased, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of α-Syn were down-regulated. The protein and mRNA expression levels of TH were up-regulated. In addition, the levels of DA, DOPAC, and homovanillic acid(HVA) neurotransmitters in the brain were up-regulated. This study can provide a new experimental basis for clinical treatment and prevention of PD.

Ginseng promotes the function of intestinal stem cells through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in D-galactose-induced aging mice.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are the reservoir source of various types of intestinal cells, and the decline of stem cell function in the gut may be a potential factor for aging-related disease. The present study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanisms of Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer (Araliaceae, Panax genus) that could restore gut aging by enhancing intestinal function and regulating ISCs in aging mice based on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS: A total of 60 ICR male mice were randomly divided into control, model, metformin, and ginseng water decoction (GWD) 3.6, 1.8, and 0.9 g/kg groups. The aging model was induced by 1 % D-galactose (s.c. 0.1 mL/10 g) for 28 days. Moreover, GWD was given to aging mice intragastrically (i.g.) once a day for 28 successive days. The learning memory ability, pathological status, and function in the ileum tissue, the activity of digestive enzymes, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in the colon were evaluated, and the related mechanism was investigated. RESULTS: Ginseng can decrease the escape latency time and increase the swimming speed and the number of crossing platforms in aging mice. Moreover, the pathology of ileum tissue improved, the length of the intestinal villi increased, and the width of the villi and the depth of the crypts decreased. The activities of trypsin, α-amylase, and lipase increased in duodenal content and intestinal mucosa. In the colon, the content of SCFA, such as acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, increased, indicating that ginseng significantly improves intestinal function impairment. The mRNA expressions and protein levels of ß-catenin, C-myc, GSK-3ß, Lgr5, and Olfm4 were upregulated in the ginseng group. CONCLUSIONS: Ginseng improves intestinal function and regulates the function of ISCs in order to protect intestinal health by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in aging mice.

Prophylactic Effects of Hemp Seed Oil on Perimenopausal Depression: A Role of HPA Axis.

Hemp seed, the dried fruit of Cannabis sativa L. (Moraceae), has been extensively documented as a folk source of food due to its nutritional and functional value. This study evaluated the antidepressant effect of hemp seed oil (HSO) during its estrogen-like effect in Perimenopausal depression (PMD) rats induced by ovariectomy combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (OVX-CUMS). Female SD rats (SPF, 10 weeks, sham operated group, ovariectomy (OVX) model group, ovariectomy - chronic unpredictable mild stress (OVX-CUMS) group, HSO + OVX-CUMS group, fluoxetine (FLU) + OVX-CUMS group, n=8) were subjected to treatment with HSO (4.32 g/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) for 28 days (20 mL/kg by ig). Sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), estrogen receptor α (ERα) and estrogen receptor ß (ERß) expression, estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) levels are measured to evaluate the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The results showed that OVX-CUMS significantly decrease sucrose preference rate in SPT, increase immobility time in FST and OFT, and decrease movement distance and stand-up times in OFT. HSO treatment significantly improves depression-like behaviors, upregulates the expression of ERα and ERß, improves HPO axis function by increasing E2 levels and decreasing FSH and LH levels, reverses HPA axis hyperactivation by decreasing CORT, ACTH, and CRH levels, and upregulates NE, 5-HT, and 5HIAA levels in model rats. The findings suggested that HSO could improve depression-like behavior in OVX-CUMS rats by regulating HPO/HPA axis function and neurotransmitter disturbance.

Neuroprotective effect of 20 (S) - Protopanaxadiol (PPD) attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated microglial pyroptosis in vascular dementia rats.

20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), one of the ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, has been reported to improve performance with dementia. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of PPD attenuating NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated microglial pyroptosis in vascular dementia (VD) rats induced by bilateral common carotid artery ligation (2-VO). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (SPF, 150-180 g, n = 10/group) were randomly divided into PPD (20, 10, 5 mg/kg, subcutaneous injection once per day for 3 weeks), model, and vehicle-sham group. It was found that PPD significantly reversed 2-VO-induced cognitive impairment by decreasing escape latency and spontaneous alternation and increasing the number of crossing platforms, showing memory-improving effects. PPD improved the pathological morphology of brain tissue in VD rats. PPD significantly reduced the cerebral infarction area and the activation of microglia in the cortex and hippocampal DG, CA1, and CA3 area. Moreover, PPD could attenuate NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated microglial pyroptosis, inhibit the positive expression of NLRP3, decrease IL-1ß, and IL-18 levels, and increase IL-10 levels in the brain cortex. PPD also significantly alleviated the neurotoxicity by decreasing the Aß and p-Tau in hippocampal DG, CA1, and CA3 areas. In addition, the levels of NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1ß in the cortex, APP, BACE1, and p-Tau in the hippocampus were significantly reduced by PPD. These results suggested that PPD hinders microglial activation to alleviate neuroinflammation of NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibits neurotoxicity of Aß deposition and Tau phosphorylation in 2-VO-induced VD rats.

[Neuroprotective effect of cinnamaldehyde in MPTP-induced mouse model of subacute Parkinson's disease].

This paper aims to explore the neuroprotective effect of cinnamaldehyde(CA) in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced subacute Parkinson's disease(PD) and the mechanism. To be specific, male C57 BL/6 mice(n=72, SPF) were randomized into control group, model group, positive control(madopar 0.1 mg·g~(-1)) group, and low-dose, me-dium-dose, and high-dose CA groups(0.15, 0.30, 0.60 mg·g~(-1)). MPTP(intraperitoneal injection, 0.03 mg·g~(-1), once a day for 5 days) was used to induce subacute PD in mice except for the control group. The administration began from the day of modeling and lasted 19 days. On the 0 th, 12 th, and 19 th day, the open field test, pole test, and rotarod test were carried out. After the tests, the mice were killed and brains were separated. In addition, the organ index was measured. The number of cells in substantia nigra(SN) in the midbrain of MPTP-induced PD model mice was detected based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. The levels of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-and α-synuclein(α-Syn)-positive cells in SN were determined by immunohistochemical staining, and the protein levels of TH and α-Syn in SN by Western blot. The results showed that the MPTP-stimulated mice had abnormal behaviors such as erect hair, arched back, rigidity of the tail, slow movement, and tremor, decreased number of crossings and rearing, increased frequency of urination and defecation, longer time of pole climbing, and shorter time of staying on the rotating rod. In addition, the mice showed obvious damage of neurons in the SN and reduced neuron cells in irregular arrangement with some shrinking. In addition, the average optical density of TH in SN decreased and that of α-Syn increased. All these suggested the successful modeling. CA displayed obvious therapeutic effect on the PD mice, as manifested by the increased number of crossings and rearing, decreased frequency of urination and defecation, shorter time of climbing pole, longer time of staying on the rotating rod, and more neuron cells in the SN with a few pykno-tic cells. Moreover, CA significantly alleviated the decrease of TH and the overexpression of α-Syn in SN. As a result, the MPTP-induced injury of dopaminergic neurons was alleviated. The performance of 0.3 mg·g~(-1) CA was the best. This study is expected to lay a scientific basis for the development of CA products.

14-Deoxygarcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone from Garcinia cambogia, ameliorates inflammatory responses in adipose tissue via suppressing NLRP 3 inflammasome / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Interleukin (IL)-1β, one of the principal inflammatory cytokines mainly secreted by mono?cytes and macrophages, is produced by cleavage of the inactive pro-IL-1βprecursor by caspase-1 via the NLRP3 inflam?masome complex. The fruits of Garcinia cambogia (Clusiaceae) are widely developed as health products for anti-obese purpose. 14-deoxygarcinol (DOG) is a polyisoprenylated benzophenone from the fruits of G. cambogia, which showed potent anti-inflammatory effect in our previous study. The objective of this study was to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DOG and its roles in alleviating adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. METHODS The anti-inflammatory effect of DOG was evaluated on LPS plus nigericin-induced THP-1 macrophages. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome complex proteins was analyzed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and co-immu?noprecipitation. The pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were determined by ELISA kits. RESULTS DOG increased the expression of Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) deacetylase and enhanced its deacetylating activity to suppress the NLRP3 inflamma?some activation and IL-1βsecretion in THP-1 macrophages. Moreover, DOG attenuated macrophage conditioned medium-induced inflammatory responses in adipocytes and blocked THP-1 macrophages migration towards 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION DOG attenuated the inflammatory crosstalk between macrophages and adipocytes through SIRT2-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition, which might be used for the treatment of adipose tissue inflammation-related metabolic disorders.

Honokiol: A naturally occurring lignan with pleiotropic bioactivities / 中国天然药物

Honokiol is the dominant biphenolic compound isolated from the Magnolia tree, and has long been considered as the active constituent of the traditional Chinese herb, 'Houpo', which is widely used to treat symptoms due to 'stagnation of qi'. Pharmacological studies have shown that honokiol possesses a wide range of bioactivities without obvious toxicity. Honokiol protects the liver, kidneys, nervous system, and cardiovascular system through reducing oxidative stress and relieving inflammation. Moreover, honokiol shows anti-diabetic property through enhancing insulin sensitivity, and anti-obese property through promoting browning of adipocytes. In vivo and in vitro studies indicated that honokiol functions as an anti-cancer agent through multiple mechanisms: inhibiting angiogenesis, promoting cell apoptosis, and regulating cell cycle. A variety of therapeutic effects of honokiol may be associated with its physiochemical properties, which make honokiol readily cross the blood brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, with high bioavailability. In the future, more clinical researches on honokiol are needed to fully authenticate its therapeutic values.

Panax ginseng root, not leaf, can enhance thermogenic capacity and mitochondrial function in mice.

Context: Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) root and leaf have always been considered in the traditional theory as hot and cold properties, respectively.Objective: To clarify the hot and cold properties of ginseng root and leaf from a thermodynamic viewpoint.Materials and methods: Thirty ICR male mice were randomly assigned to control (water), ginseng root group (GRP) and ginseng leaf group (GLP) with a concentration of 0.075 g/mL; the volume was 0.1 mL/10 g (body mass) per day by intragastric administration for 20 days. Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) was used to determine quality control through seven ginsenosides contained in ginseng root and leaf. Rest metabolic rate (RMR) and energy expenditure were monitored every 9 days by TSE System. At the 20th day, serum T3 or T4, liver or brown adipose tissue (BAT) mitochondrial respiration were investigated.Results: The quality control of GRP and GLP were within requirements of 2015 China Pharmacopoeia. The RMR (mLO2/h) in GLP (47.95 ± 4.20) was significantly lower than control (52.10 ± 4.79) and GRP (55.35 ± 4.48). Mitochondrial protein concentration and respiration were significantly increased in GRP (BAT, 79.12 ± 2 .08 mg/g, 239.89 ± 10.24 nmol O2/min/g tissue; Liver, 201.02 ± 10.89, 202.44 ± 3.24) and decreased in GLP (BAT, 53.42 ± 3.48, 153.49 ± 5.58; Liver, 138.69 ± 5.69, 104.50 ± 6.25) compared with control.Conclusions: The hot and cold properties of ginseng root and leaf are correlated with thermogenic capacity and mitochondrial function of BAT and liver, which deserve to further research.

Metabolite identification of gut microflora-cassia seed interactions using UPLC-QTOF/MS.

Cassia seed is the dried ripe seed of Cassia obtusifolia L. or Cassia tora L., which is widely used as a food or traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of the present study was to detect the components and metabolites in the culture of human or rat intestinal microflora suspension with the water decoction of cassia seed in vitro, using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry system equipped with a negative ion scan mode. Initially, ellagic acid was identified in the cassia seed decoction. Subsequently, six different metabolites, including urolithin (uro)-A, uro-B, uro-D, uro-M6, uro-M7 and uro-B-glucuronide (glur), were detected after co-culture of the cassia seed decoction with intestinal microflora, but not in the cassia seed decoction alone. Uro-M6, uro-M7, uro-A and uro-B were common metabolites in the culture of human or rat intestinal microflora suspension with the water decoction of cassia seed. However, uro-D was only detected in the culture of rat intestinal microflora suspension with the water decoction of cassia seed, and uro-B-glur was only detected in the culture of human intestinal microflora with the water decoction of cassia seed. The uro and intermediate metabolites were produced by ellagic acid in the cassia seed decoction under the action of the intestinal microflora. The production of metabolites might be related to the abundance and diversity of the intestinal microflora in humans and rats. The present study provided rationale for further pharmacological and clinical studies on the mechanisms of action of cassia seeds.

Simultaneous expression of two pathogenic genes in four Chinese patients affected with inherited retinal dystrophy.

AIM: To describe the complex, overlapping phenotype of four Chinese patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) who harbored two pathogenic genes simultaneously. METHODS: This retrospective study included 4 patients affected with IRDs. Medical and ophthalmic histories were obtained, and clinical examinations were performed. A specific Hereditary Eye Disease Enrichment Panel (HEDEP) based on exome capture technology was used for genetic screening. RESULTS: Four patients were identified to harbor disease-causing variants in two different genes. Patient retinitis pigmentosa (RP) 01-II:1 exhibited both classical ABCA4-induced Stargardt disease (STGD) 1 and USH2A-associated RP, patient RP02-III:2 exhibited both classical ABCA4-induced STGD1 and CDH23-associated RP, patient RP03-II:1 exhibited both USH2A-induced autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) syndrome and SNRNP200-induced autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP), and patient RP04-II:2 exhibited USH2A-induced arRP syndrome and EYS-induced arRP at the same time. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that genotype-phenotype correlations and comprehensive genetic screening is crucial for diagnosing IRDs and helping family planning for patients suffering from the disease.

Nagilactone E increases PD-L1 expression through activation of c-Jun in lung cancer cells / 中国天然药物

Nagilactone E (NLE), a natural product with anticancer activities, is isolated from Podocarpus nagi. In this study, we reported that NLE increased programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expressions at both protein and mRNA levels in human lung cancer cells, and enhanced its localization on the cell membrane. Mechanistically, NLE increased the phosphorylation and expression of c-Jun, and promoted the localization of c-Jun in the nucleus, while silencing of c-Jun by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced NLE-induced PD-L1. Further study showed that NLE activated the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), the upstream of c-Jun, and its inhibitor SP600125 reversed the NLE-increased PD-L1. Moreover, NLE-induced PD-L1 increased the binding intensity of PD-1 on the cell surface. In summary, NLE upregulates the expression of PD-L1 in lung cancer cells through the activation of JNK-c-Jun axis, which has the potential to combine with the PD-1/PD-L1 antibody therapies in lung cancer.

Anticancer carbazole alkaloids and coumarins from Clausena plants: A review / 中国天然药物

Pharmaceutical research has focused on the discovery and development of anticancer drugs. Clinical application of chemotherapy drugs is limited due to their severe side effects. In this regard, new naturally occurring anticancer drugs have gained increasing attention because of their potential effectiveness and safety. Fruits and vegetables are promising sources of anticancer remedy. Clausena (family Rutaceae) is a genus of flowering plants and includes several kinds of edible fruits and vegetables. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies show that carbazole alkaloids and coumarins from Clausena plants exhibit anticancer activity. This review summarizes research progresses made in the anticancer properties of plants belonging to Clausena; in particular, compounds with direct cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and immune potentiation effects are discussed. This review reveals the potential use of plants from Clausena in preventing and treating cancer and provides a basis for development of relevant therapeutic agents.

Construction of a plasmid for human brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell viability.

Several studies have investigated the protective functions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in retinitis pigmentosa. However, a BDNF-based therapy for retinitis pigmentosa is not yet available. To develop an efficient treatment for fundus disease, an eukaryotic expression plasmid was generated and used to transfect human 293T cells to assess the expression and bioactivity of BDNF on acute retinal pigment epithelial-19 (ARPE-19) cells, a human retinal epithelial cell line. After 96 hours of co-culture in a Transwell chamber, ARPE-19 cells exposed to BDNF secreted by 293T cells were more viable than ARPE-19 cells not exposed to secreted BDNF. Western blot assay showed that Bax levels were downregulated and that Bcl-2 levels were upregulated in human ARPE-19 cells exposed to BDNF. Furthermore, 293T cells transfected with the BDNF gene steadily secreted the protein. The powerful anti-apoptotic function of this BDNF may be useful for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal degenerative diseases.

[Recent advances in study of neuroglobin expression in retinal diseases].

Neuroglobin (NGB) is widely exists in the retina and predominantly expressed in the plexiform layers and the inner segments. The physiological roles of NGB may include transportation of oxygen, protection against ischemia/hypoxia injury and oxidative stress, function as a redox-coupled sensor regulating the G-protein coupled transduction pathway, protection against neuronal apoptosis, and working as a terminal oxidase. Based on the function and distribution of NGB and the etiology and pathogenesis of retinal degeneration; it is possible that NGB may play a role in the development of retinal degeneration.

[Progress in studies of effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in degenerative fundus disease].

Degenerative fundus diseases are a group of outer retinal disease caused by dysfunction of photoreceptors, some of which have the inner layer defection. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to play a key role in the neuronal survival, which accomplishes its protection via receptors, including a low affinity p75 and a high affinity tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB, retinal growth cone filopodia and cofactor of Zinc. It is proved that BDNF can induce differentiation of stem cells and retinal progenitor, in case for the effective retinal transplantation. The protection by BDNF has also been observed through the interaction with retinal neurons such as photoreceptors, bipolar cells, horizontal neurons, ganglion cells and dopaminergic cells, as well as other cells of eyes. Furthermore, BDNF has been used to attenuate the injuries of optic nerve and the application of BDNF combined with other neurotrophic factors and drugs also manifests a certain efficiency.

Chemical constituents from roots of Breynia fruticosa / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the roots of Breynia fruticosa. Methods: The compounds were isolated by comprehensive column chromatography, and the structures were elucidated by spectral methods. Results: Thirteen compounds were isolated and elucidated, including four triterpenoids, friedelin (1), friedelinol (2), lupenone (3), and glochidiol (4); three steroids, including β-sitosterol (5), stigmastane-3β, 6β-diol (6), and β-sitosterylglucoside-6'-octadecanoate (7); two cerebrosides, including 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3R, 4E, 8Z)-2-[(2-hydroxyoctadecanoyl) amido]-4, 8-octadecadiene-1, 3-diol (8) and 1-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S, 3S, 4R, 8Z)-2-[(2R)-2-hydroxypentacosanoylamino]-8-octadecene-1, 3, 4-triol (9); and four other compounds, including (-)-epicatchin (10), ε-caprolactone (11), aviculin (12), and vanillin (13). Conclusion: Compounds 3, 4, 6-9, and 11 are isolated from the plant of Breynia J. R. et G. Forst. nom. cons. for the first time, and compound 11 is isolated from the natural product for the first time.

[Effect of extract of Lycium barbarum L. on adult human retinal nerve cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study possible protective effects of extract of Lycium barbarum L. on the cultured human retinal nerve cells. METHODS: Retinal nerve cells were co-cultured with the extract of Lycium barbarum L. and 24 hours and 72 hours later, retinal nerve cells were respectively used to evaluate cell proliferation with MTT assays; to observe ultracellular structural alternation with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMP) of cells with confocal microscopy. The peaks of MMP between experiment group and control group were compared using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Co-cultured retinal nerve cells with the extract were shown survival well under the TEM including photoreceptor segments remaining well, abundant mitochondria in inner segments and well-distributed chromatin in photoreceptor nucleus (F = 124.110, P < 0.05). The addition of the extract promoted survival of adult retinal neurons significantly in concentration-dependent manner with the strongest effect in 20 g/L. Cell survival rate (24 h and 72 h); (223.23 ± 12.13)% and (252.35 ± 13.24)%. The peak of MMP increased 848% after the first adding of the extract (P = 0.000) and 1152% after the second adding of the extract (P = 0.000). It showed that the extract could enhance the MMP significantly with undulatory property. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of Lycium barbarum L. showed protective effects on cultured cells and could be used in treatment of some retinal diseases in future.

Effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on c-jun expression in the rd mouse retina.

AIM: To determine the location of c-jun protein, dynamic changes in c-jun mRNA and protein expression, and ultrastructure characteristics in the rd mouse retina, following a single dose of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a short period of time. METHODS: A single intravitreal injection of BDNF at two dosages (25µg/L or 50µg/L) was given to the right eye of the rd mouse at age 2 and 3 weeks respectively. Two weeks after injection, the location of c-jun protein in the retina was observed by immunofluorescence detection, c-jun mRNA and protein expression in retinas were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western immunoblotting analysis, ultrastructure characteristics of retinas were detected by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation. RESULTS: c-jun protein was expressed in the inner nuclear layer (INL) of retina. BDNF at two dosages (25µg/L and 50µg/L) increased c-jun mRNA expression at PN-4 weeks respectively (P(1)=0.019, P(2)=0.021). 50µg/L BDNF increased c-jun protein expression at PN-4 weeks (P =0.000). The retinal ultrastructure was improved. CONCLUSION: The effects of BDNF exerts on the c-jun expression in the retina are dose-dependent and time-dependent, which may mediate photoreceptor rescue indirectly in the pathological process of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at early stage.

[Current opinions about using of medication intervention as neuroprotective therapy for degenerative ocular fundus diseases].

Recently, many studies indicated that certain medications can delay the apoptosis of retinal nerve cells at different points during the process of apoptosis and have neuroprotective effect on preventing degenerative ocular fundus diseases. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, NMDAR-associated calcium channel blockers and acetylcholine receptor agonists have been shown to have neuroprotective effects for retinal damages by inhibiting NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. The inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) can prevent the cell apoptosis and reduce the retinal cell loss by suppressing the activity of NOS as well as the production of the nitric oxide. Antioxidants and some Chinese traditional medicine with antioxidant activities can also have protective effect on retinal damage caused by degenerative ocular fundus diseases through their functions in decreasing the peroxidation reaction and the production of the superoxide radicals in the cells. In addition, activation of neurotrophic factor receptors by their ligands plays a key role in neuroprotective and trophic effects for the retina. All of these studies not only provide the foundation, but also offer new theoretical supports for drug neuroprotective therapies in clinical practice.

[Neuroprotection of retinal degenerative disease by ciliary neurotrophic factor].

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been showing neuroprotective effects on photoreceptors in a variety of in vivo and in vitro experiments and clinical trials. CNTF causes morphological and functional alterations in various retinal nerve cells. The neuroprotection mechanism of CNTF involves STAT-dependent, ERK-dependent, and Akt-dependent signaling pathways, in which Müller cells play an important role. Encapsulated cell technology (ECT) device is an efficient administration approach to deliver CNTF into the eyes, which is effective in retarding photoreceptor degeneration in several animal models with retinal degenerative diseases. The safety and efficiency of the device in clinical trials are also being evaluated currently for further clinical use in human eyes as a potential treatment.