Inhibition of the Rho/ROCK pathway promotes the expression of developmental and migration-related genes in astrocytes exposed to alcohol.

Astrocytes are an important regulator of alcohol dependence. Furthermore, the downregulation of Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) attenuates alcohol-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in astrocytes. On the basis of these findings, we examined the effects of alcohol and a Rho/RACK kinases inhibitor on astrocyte function and investigated their effects on mRNA expression to further explore the protective mechanisms of a Rho/RACK kinases inhibitor in astrocytes after alcohol exposure. CTX TNA2 astrocytes were cultured with alcohol and Rho/RACK kinases inhibitor intervention before undergoing transcriptome sequencing, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and wound healing assays. Alcohol exposure modulated cell morphology and inhibited astrocyte migration, whereas Fasudil improved cell morphology and promoted astrocyte migration after alcohol exposure. Transcriptome sequencing results indicated that alcohol exposure modulates the expression of genes involved in astrocyte development. Fasudil reversed the effects of alcohol exposure on the astrocyte developmental process. Four genes related to the developmental process and migration - Ccl2, Postn, Itga8, and Serpine1 - with the highest protein-protein interaction correlations (node degree >7) were selected for verification by qRT-PCR, and the results were consistent with those of the sequencing and wound healing assays. Our results suggest that the Rho/ROCK pathway is essential for alcohol to be able to interfere with astrocyte development and migration gene expression. The Rho/ROCK pathway inhibitor Fasudil reversed the adverse effects of alcohol exposure on astrocytes and may have clinical applications.

Clinical Observation of Shuxuetong Injection in the Treatment of Acute Cerebral Infarction / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To observe the efficacy and safety of Shuxuetong injection in the treatment of acute cerebral infarc-tion (ACI). METHODS:110 patients with ACI were randomly divided into control group and observation group. Control group was given mannitol,aspirin,atorvastatin,antidiabetic drugs and other conventional treatment;observation group was additionally given Shuxuetong injection 6 ml adding into 0.9% Sodium chloride solution 250 ml by intravenous infusion,3 times a day. The ef-ficacy in 2 groups was evaluated after 15 d,and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score,neuron specific eno-lase(NSE),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels before and after treatment and the incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were recorded. RESULTS:After treatment,NIHSS score,NSE,hs-CRP and TNF-αin 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and observation group was lower than control group,the differences were statisti-cally significant(P<0.05);total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no obvious adverse reactions in 2 groups during treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Based on the conventional treatment,Shuxuetong injection has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of ACI.

The association between angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism and Alzheimer’s disease in Jiamusi region / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Angiotensin-converting enzyme as a key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system, through the degradation effects of substance P mechanism, is involved in the occurrence and development of Alzheimer’s disease. OBJECTIVE:To research the relationship between angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and Alzheimer’s disease in Jiamusi region, as wel as the effect of gender and hypertension on the relationship. METHODS:This case-control study included 96 Alzheimer’s disease patients. Another 102 subjects served as controls coming from the same area and in the same environmental condition. DNA segments were amplified using PCR in 20 g/L agarose gel electrophoresis and observed under ultraviolet lamp. II, ID, DD genotypes and genotype frequencies were calculated for statistical analysis. On this basis, according to clinical data col ected, we investigated association of Alzheimer’s disease with hypertension and gender. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was significant difference between Alzheimer’s disease patients and controls in angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes and al ele frequency. There was statistical y significant difference between Alzheimer’s patients with hypertension and controls in angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes and al ele frequency. There was no statistical difference between Alzheimer’s disease patients with different genders and controls in angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes and al ele frequency. These findings indicate that there are some relationships between angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism and Alzheimer’s disease. II genotype is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, angiotensin-converting enzyme II genotype is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease with hypertension.