Modulation of infection-induced inflammation and locomotive deficit and longevity in senescence-accelerated mice-prone (SAMP8) model by the oligomerized polyphenol Oligonol.

Oligonol is produced from the oligomerization of polyphenols (typically proanthocyanidin from a variety of fruits such as lychees, grapes, apples, persimmons, etc.) and contains catechin-type monomers and oligomers of proanthocyanidins. The ability of Oligonol to affect infection-dependent eye inflammation, locomotion and longevity in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP8) (a model of senescence acceleration and geriatric disorders with increased oxidative stress and neuronal deficit) was investigated. Oligonol (60mg/kg) significantly modulated the extent of inflammation scores in the eye of SAMP8 mice. Examination of the mice indicated infection with mouse hepatitis virus and pinworm (Syphacia obvelata) in both males and females and with the intestinal protozoa (trichomonad) in males. A comparison of the two groups (using log-rank test) and the difference in the mean life span between groups (using Student's t-test) indicated significant differences in survival (p=0.043) and the mean life span (p=0.033) in male SAMP8 mice. Oligonol increased the mean life span and this was statistically significant. In the open-field locomotive test, the 7-week-old SAMP8 mice crossed more than 40 partitioned lines in 1min. At 48-week-old control untreated male SAMP8 crossed 2 lines. The Oligonol-treated 48-week-old male SAMP8 mice crossed 17 lines however. The improved locomotive activity was statistically significant even after 36weeks in the Oligonol-treated male SAMP8 but this was not the case throughout the time course of the study in the Oligonol-treated female SAMP8. Thus Oligonol treatment to SAMP8 mice modulated the severity of infection-dependent inflammation, prolonged life-span and significantly improved locomotive activity indicating potential benefit to aging-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. This presents potential for further research to define infection-dependent inflammation associated with degenerative conditions and the molecular mechanism of dietary antioxidant protection.     

小鼠肾脏肾小体发育中的细胞凋亡

目的 研究小鼠肾脏肾小体发育中的细胞凋亡，方法 不同胚龄和出生后小鼠肾脏做常规光镜标本，然后进行TUNE染色，结果 在胚龄14天肾小体发生时就出现细胞凋亡，以后细胞凋亡指数迅速增高，在胚断18天左右达到高峰，随后缓慢下降。结论 小鼠肾脏肾小体发育的整个发育过程均存在细胞凋亡现象。细胞凋亡高峰在胚龄18天左右。     

Immunotherapy and whole-body hyperthermia as combined modality treatment of a subcutaneous murine sarcoma

Interleukin–2 and hyperthermia have been used individually to treat a variety of tumors in both experimental and human trials. Combined adoptive immunotherapy and hyperthermia is an exciting new line of investigation. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that combined local hyperthermia and rIL-2 therapy can significantly decrease the rate of tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the effect of combined whole-body hyperthermia (WBHT) and rIL-2 on the growth of subcutaneous MCA-105 murine tumors in C57BL/6 mice. Treatment of both microscopic (day 3) and macroscopic (day 10) tumors was evaluated. In the treatment of microscopic tumors, animals received either no treatment; rIL-2 (3 × 10⁵ IU ip tid) on days 3–7; plus WBHT(41°C for 30 min) on days 3, 5, and 7; or WBHT only on days 3, 5, and 7. In treating macroscopic tumors, animals received either no treatment; rIL-2 on days 10–14; plus WBHT on days 10, 12, and 14; or WBHT only on days 10, 12, and 14. While combined treatment and WBHT alone had no significant effect on the growth of microscopic tumors, combined IL-2 and WBHT significantly reduced the rate of tumor growth of macroscopic tumors. These results suggest that the tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in combined WBHT and rIL-2 therapy, and may be due to effects of WBHT on the tumor vasculature. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

阿昔洛韦对单纯疱疹病毒脑炎小鼠脑细胞的保护作用

目的 了解单纯疱疹病毒脑炎(HSE)脑细胞结构的改变及药物的影响。方法 采用光学显微镜及透射电子显微镜观察HSE小鼠脑细胞结构的变化，并给予阿昔洛韦(ACV)及地塞米松(DEX)治疗，观察治疗后脑细胞结构的变化。结果 HSE小鼠脑神经细胞明显肿胀，核仁固缩，核内结构破坏，线粒体及高尔基体可见空泡样变性，核仁内可见病毒颗粒。用药物干预的小鼠脑神经细胞改变较轻微，未找到病毒颗粒；与单用ACV干预的小鼠相比，用ACV DEX干预的小鼠脑神经细胞及毛细血管周围水肿明显减轻。结论 HSE早期给予ACV DEX治疗，对HSE脑细胞结构有明显保护作用。     

Role of Natural Killer Cell Subsets in Cardiac Allograft Rejection

To achieve donor-specific immune tolerance to allogeneic organ transplants, it is imperative to understand the cell types involved in acute allograft rejection. In wild-type mice, CD4(+) T cells are necessary and sufficient for acute rejection of cardiac allografts. However, when T-cell responses are suboptimal, such as in mice treated with costimulation-targeting agents or in CD28-deficient mice, and perhaps in transplanted patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, the participation of other lymphocytes such as CD8(+) T cells and NK1.1(+) cells becomes apparent. We found that host NK but not NKT cells were required for cardiac rejection. Ly49G2(+) NK cells suppressed rejection, whereas a subset of NK cells lacking inhibitory Ly49 receptors for donor MHC class I molecules was sufficient to promote rejection. Notably, rejection was independent of the activating receptors Ly49D and NKG2D. Finally, our experiments supported a mechanism by which NK cells promote expansion and effector function of alloreactive T cells. Thus, therapies aimed at specific subsets of NK cells may facilitate transplantation tolerance in settings of impaired T-cell function.     

Altered tachykinergic influence on gastric mechanical activity in mdx mice

This study investigated whether alterations in gastric activity in dystrophic mdx mouse can be attributed to dysfunctions of tachykinins. Endoluminal pressure was recorded and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), NK1 and NK2 neurokinin receptors was investigated by immunohistochemistry. SR48968, NK2 receptor antagonist, but not SR140333, NK1 receptor antagonist, decreased the tone only in mdx gastric preparations. In the presence of N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), inhibitor of NOS, SR48968 reduced the tone also in normal stomach. [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]-SP, agonist of NK1 receptors, caused tetrodotoxin-sensitive relaxations, antagonized by SR140333 or l-NAME, with no difference in the potency or efficacy between normal and mdx preparations. [beta-Ala(8)]-NKA(4-10), an NK2 receptor agonist, induced SR48968-sensitive contractions in both types of preparations, although the maximal response of mdx tissues was significantly lower than normal preparations. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a consistent reduction of nNOS and NK2 receptor expression in mdx stomach smooth muscle cells and no change in nNOS and NK1 receptor expression in neurones. In conclusion, in mdx stomach the activation of NK2 receptors plays a role in the development of the tone, associated with a reduced NO production by muscular nNOS. The hypo-responsiveness to NK2 receptors could depend on the reduced expression of these receptors.     

抗端粒酶核酶抑制肝癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长的研究

设计针对端粒酶RNA组分的特异性核酶，研究该核酶对肝癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响。构建含针对端粒酶RNA组分锤头状核酶基因的重组真核表达质粒pBBS212-RZ，以及建立人肝癌细胞株HepG2裸鼠移植瘤模型。将不同剂量的pBBS212-RZ用脂质体包裹后进行瘤体内多点注射，对照组注射生理盐水或空质粒载体pBBS212。连续注射2l天后，测量移植瘤体积和重量，检测瘤组织端粒酶活性。抗端粒酶特异性核酶使瘤组织端粒酶活性下降(抑制率为72％)，明显地抑制了肝癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长(抑制率为68％)，且存在剂量依赖性。抗端粒酶特异性核酶作为一种有效的端粒酶抑制剂，可抑制肝癌细胞的生长，有望在肝癌基因治疗中发挥作用。     

Isolation and differentiation of embryonic stem cells from BALB/c mouse

Objective To invest the efficient method which can culture and induce embryonic stem cells to neurocyte in vitro. Methods Isolate the blastula of 3.5 d from BALB/c species mouse. Culture the cells from inner cell mass (inner cell mass, ICM) which were isolated by mechanical method on the mouse embryonic fibroblaste cell (MEF) feeder layer or 0.1% gelatin coated dishes. The stem cells were identified by characterized morphology, alkaline phosphatase stain, differential potency in vivo and immunochemistry stain. The isolated cells were differentiated by serial induction method that mimicking the intrinsic developmental process of the neural system. Results The isolated cells were positive for alkaline phosphatatse and SSEA-1 (stage specific embryonic antigen 1). Moreover they were identified pluripotent by differentiation in vivo. Therefore the isolated cells presented the characters of ESCs. Then the isolated cells were able to differentiate into neurocytes in vitro. Conclusion Mouse embryonic stem cells isolation, culture and differentiation system has been established.     

Pollen extracts reduce the hepatotoxicity of paracetamol in mice

Cernitins are preparations obtained from plant pollen which contain numerous compounds of potential biological significance. This work deals with the influence of cernitins upon acute paracetamol toxicity in mice. The survival rate and indices of hepatic injury: aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, bilirubin level in serum, glutathione and cytochrome P-450 content in liver, liver weight, histopathologic picture of the liver and presence of glycogen and lipids in stained liver sections, under different experimental protocols, were determined. It was found that cernitins are able to increase the survival rate of mice and reduce liver injury in acute paracetamol poisoning. Cernitins are more effective when administered after, rather than before, a dose of paracetamol. The possible mechanism through which cernitins may act is discussed.