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ObjectiveTo study the effect of Bazi Bushen capsules on delaying the aging process of naturally aging mice and its mechanism. MethodThe mice were randomly divided into four groups according to their body weight， namely， aging group， low-dose Bazi Bushen capsules group （1 g·kg-1）， high-dose Bazi Bushen capsules group （2 g·kg-1）， and rapamycin group （0.002 g·kg-1）. The debilitating signs were detected by behavioral tests and the weakness index was measured. The percentages of spleen T and B lymphocytes， effector T cells （TE）， memory T cells （TM）， naive T cells （TN）， helper T cells （Th）， cytotoxic T cells （Tc） ，Th1 cells， Th2 cells， and regulatory T cells （Treg） were determined by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation and the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the proliferation of lymphocytes in mice. The hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the mouse spleen. The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A （p16） and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A （p21） was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The mRNA expression of senescence-related proteins p16 and p21 was determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the inflammatory cytokines， including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-2， IL-4， IL-10， and IL-12 p70， in peripheral blood of mice were detected by Luminex. ResultAs compared with the aging group， mice in the Bazi Bushen capsules and rapamycin groups showed significantly improved debilitating signs and reduced weakness index scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased proportions of T cells， TN cells， Tc cells， Th2 cells， and Treg cells in the spleen， decreased proportions of TE cells， TM cells， Th cells， Th1 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased proliferation of splenic lymphocytes （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Bazi Bushen capsules and rapamycin groups， clear structure of the red and white marrow marginal zone was observed in the spleen of mice， the area of the white marrow was increased， and the area of the red marrow was correspondingly decreased. The protein and mRNA expression of aging-related proteins p16 and p21 in the spleen was decreased （P<0.01）， the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β， IL-2， IL-12 p70， IFN-γ， and TNF-α levels were decreased， and the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the Bazi Bushen capsules and rapamycin groups as compared with the aging group. ConclusionBazi Bushen capsules have the effect of regulating the debilitating signs of natural aging mice， regulating the immune homeostasis and inflammation level of the body， and reducing cell aging.
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Objective To investigate the effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(ω-3PUFAs)and ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids(ω-6PUFAs)on Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway,and the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6 in neonatal rats with brain injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods Ninety-six neonatal rats were divided into control group,ω-3PUFAs group,ω-6PUFAs group,and LPS group by using random number table method. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS was performed in LPS group,ω-6PUFAs group and ω-3PUFAs group to establish models of rat brain injury. The rats in control group received 9 g/L saline. Twelve newborn rats were killed at 1 d or 5 d after intraperito-neal injection in each group for hippocampus selection. Real -time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6. Results One day after mode-ling,TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expressions in ω-3PUFAs group (10. 63 ± 0. 07,5. 86 ± 1. 05,7. 65 ± 2. 29,5. 23 ± 1. 31,3. 36 ± 0. 72)were lower than those in ω-6PUFAs group (18. 83 ± 2. 10,8. 79 ± 2. 08,11. 95 ± 3. 23,10. 97 ± 2. 24,6. 37 ± 1. 17)and LPS group (15. 76 ± 1. 59,7. 13 ± 1. 10,9. 71 ± 2. 14,7. 83 ± 0. 85,4. 78 ± 0. 51),and the differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0. 05);which in ω-6PUFAs group were higher than those in LPS group,and the differences were all significant (all P＜0. 05). TLR4,NF-κB,TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 protein levels in ω-3PUFAs group (1. 57 ± 0. 11,1. 58 ± 0. 09,1. 55 ± 0. 09,1. 63 ± 0. 31,1. 36 ± 0. 12)were lower than those in ω-6PUFAs group (1. 96 ± 0. 17,2. 21 ± 0. 12,1. 95 ± 0. 23,1. 97 ± 0. 24,1. 77 ± 0. 17)and LPS group (1. 73 ± 0. 15,1. 87 ± 0. 10,1. 79 ± 0. 14,1. 83 ± 0. 15,1. 58 ± 0. 11)in 1 d,and the diffe-rences were all significant (all P＜0. 05),and those in ω-6PUFAs group were higher than those in LPS group (all P＜0. 05). Similarly,TLR,NF-κB,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA and protein expression levels in ω-3PUFAs group (3. 78 ± 0. 88,3. 86 ± 0. 62,6. 26 ± 1. 94,3. 65 ± 1. 44,2. 11 ± 0. 87;1. 15 ± 0. 08,1. 32 ± 0. 10,1. 46 ± 0. 04, 1. 38 ± 0. 14,1. 21 ± 0. 09)were lower than those in ω-6PUFAs group (7. 76 ± 1. 65,5. 51 ± 0. 88,7. 96 ± 2. 13,5. 35 ± 1. 75,4. 88 ± 1. 35;1. 42 ± 0. 15,1. 51 ± 0. 36,1. 65 ± 0. 13,1. 72 ± 0. 23,1. 48 ± 0. 10)and LPS group (6. 21 ± 1. 87, 4. 98 ± 0. 73,7. 11 ± 2. 10,4. 84 ± 1. 75,4. 25 ± 0. 64;1. 35 ± 0. 13,1. 44 ± 0. 22,1. 59 ± 0. 10,1. 61 ± 0. 18,1. 35 ± 0. 07) in 5 d (all P＜0. 05),and which in ω-6PUFAs group were higher than those in LPS group,and the differences were sig-nificant (all P＜0. 05). Conclusion ω-6PUFAs can up-regulate the activity of TLR4,NF-κB,and reduce the re-lease of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6;and ω-3PUFAs can down-regulate the activity of TLR4,NF-κB,and reduce the release of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6,so it has a neural protective effect in brain injury induced by LPS.
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Objective To discuss whether Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion has the potential protective mechanism for 7-day-old rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods One hundred and sixty-eight 7-day-old SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:group A (sham group),group B (Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion group),group C (normal fat emulsion group),group D (model group),and there were 42 cases in each group.Neonatal HIBD was induced by the method of Rice.Rats were sacrificed at 1 d,3 d and 7 d after the surgery.Hippocampus was removed for Real-time PCR and Western blot test to detect Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA and protein expression.TUNEL staining comparison was done among different groups to observe the number of cellular apoptosis.Results HE staining of hippocampus CA1 area in 3 d showed that brain tissues in group A maintained normal structures;those in group D had much more brain cells with severe edema than other groups;TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression levels in group D were higher than those in group A in 1 d (all P ＜0.05);TLR4 and NF-κB expression levels of mRNA and protein in group B (4.89 ± 0.51,9.30 ± 1.53;1.15 ±0.10,1.44 ± 0.14) were lower than those in group C (17.58 ± 2.50,20.13 ± 1.00;2.56 ± 0.10,2.82 ± 0.09) and group D (15.94-± 2.52,26.21 ± 3.00;2.34 ± 0.11,4.51 ± 0.36) in 3 d (all P ＜ 0.05),and compared with group A (6.30 ± 1.52,5.32 ± 1.06;1.32 ± 0.10,2.42 ± 0.14),there was significant difference (all P ＞ 0.05);TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA and protein expression levels in group B were lower than those in group C and group D in 7 d(all P ＜0.05),and compared with group A there was no significant difference (all P ＞ 0.05).The apoptotic cell number of brain tissues in 3 d:group B (13.67 ±2.52) were lower than those in group C (27.67 ±2.52) and group D (41.00 ±3.61) (all P ＜0.05),and compared with the group A (6.00 ±2.00),the difference was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Omega-3 fish oil fat emulsion plays an important role in protecting neonatal rats with HIBD.The mechanisms were likely to reduce TLR4,NF-κB and cell apoptosis levels.
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Objective To assess the relationship of ankle brachial index (ABI) with the other traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods A total of 2005 participants with a full data were selected from the survey of risk factors for CVD, carried out in Wuming, Guangxi province, 2004. The relationship of ABI with the other risk factors of CVD was analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression (backward stepwise; probability for stepwise, entry:0.05, removal:0.10). T test used in participants having risk factors vs the normal participants. The risk factors of CVD include age, sex, hypertension, high total cholesterol (HTC), high fasting plasma glucose (high FPG), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (low HDL-C), overweight or obesity, cigarette smoking, etc. Results The mean ABI values were significant in the groups having risk factors of overweight or obesity (P=0.02), low HDL-C (P= 0.04) and cigarette smoking (P
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BACKGROUND: Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (EDD) has been assessed by intracoronary acetylcholine infusion and digital subtraction angiography. However, its applications in continuous observing on early onset, progression and outcomes of clinical interventions of the disease are limited due to the potential trauma of the method. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the changes in brachial EDD in patients with hyperlipidemia using high-resolution ultrasound and to compare the outcomes of the patients to those of the healthy individuals. DESIGN: Case-control study SETTING: This study was carried out at the Cardiology Department and the Ultrasound Department of Xinyang CentralHospital PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients with hyperlipidemia, 37 males and 23females, with an age ranging from 36 to 75 years old, were selected at the Cardiology Department of Xinyang Central Hospital from May 2001 to March 2002. They were divided into 3 groups according to abnormalities in blood lipid, as hypercholesterolemia group (HC, 20 cases),hypertriacylglycerolemia group (HTG, 20 cases) and mixed hyperlipidemia group (HLP,20 cases). Twenty voluntary individuals with normal physical examination findings were allocated into control group, 12 males and 8 females. Informed consents were obtained from all the eligible. METHODS: The brachial artery inner diameter and the changes in blood flow of the brachial artery were assessed using high-resolution ultrasound.After the patients having a rest for more than 10 minutes, the inner diameter (D0) and the baseline blood flow of their brachial artery were measured. The blood pressure cuff was placed under the elbow with a pressure at 300 mm Hg, lasting for 4 to 5 minutes and followed with a sudden deflation. 15 s after deflation, the reactive brachial artery inner diameter (D1) and the blood flow of the brachial artery were detected. The patients took another rest for more than 15 minutes and after the artery restored to a normal condition,the patients took nitroglycerol sublingually at a dose of 400 μg. Three to four minutes later, the brachial artery inner diameter (D2) and the blood flow of the brachial artery were detected. The increasing rate of the inner diameter of brachial artery were calculated, the increasing rate of reactive brachial artery inner diameter (%)= (D1-D0)/D0×100% and the increasing rate of post-treatment brachial artery inner diameter (%)=(D2-D0)/D0 ×100%.Meanwhile, the increasing rate of reactive blood flow (%)=(reactive blood flow-baseline blood flow)/ baseline blood flow (100% and the increasing rate of post-treatment blood flow (%)=(the post-treatment blood flow-baseline blood flow)/baseline blood flow×100%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:In three hyperlipidemia groups and the control group, the inner diameter of the brachial artery were measured under resting conditions, in reactive congestion status and after sublingual nitroglycerol treatment respectively using high-resolution ultrasound. RESULTS: All the 60 patients with hyperlipidemia and 20 healthy controls entered the analysis procedure. In HC group, HTG group and HLP group, the increasing rate of reactive brachial-artery inner diameter were significantly lower than that in control group [(5.7±3.2)%, (5.4±3.0)%,(3.8±2.4)%, (11.3±3.1)%,P ＜ 0.05], which was most significant in HLP group. The increasing rate of both the reactive and the post-treatment blood flow in three experimental groups and the increasing rate of the post-treatment brachial-artery inner diameter were not significant (P ＞ 0.05). CONCLUSION:EDD were impaired significantly in patients with hyperlipidemia. High-resolution ultrasound is capable of assessing EDD accurately and reliably.
