Effect of Gardenia extract ZG on the adsorption quantity of herpes simplex virus type 1 （HSV-1）

To observe the effect of Gardenia extract ZG on the adsorption quantity of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) so as to explore the mechanism of its antiviral activity, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used as the fluorescent probe to label viruses and heparin sodium was used as control. Meanwhile , the effect of Gardenia extract ZG on the adsorption quantity on the surface of Hep-2 cells was determined by flow cytometry. It was demonstrated that adsorption of HSV-1 on the surface of Hep-2 cells exhibited the character of saturation and specificity and heparin sodium could prevent attachment of viruses on these cells. These results are in accord with those reported previously. It was also proved that the manner of drug-use prior to adsorption or simultaneous use of drug and adsorption was better than adsorption prior to drug-use, and the inhibition rates of the former and latter manner were 84. 76% and 82.92% respectively. Three manners of drug-use with Gardenia extract ZG were all effective to reduce the adsorption quantity of viruses, especially the manner of simultaneous use of drug and adsorption with an adsorption inhibition rate of 68.46% . From the above observation, it is apparent that the mechanism of anti-viral activity of Gardenia extract ZG may be via several steps involved in the HSV-1 adsorption.     

Isolation and immunochemical characterization of the major allergen of birch pollen (Betula verrucosa)

The classification of some of the extractable birch pollen antigens as allergens was established by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE). In CRIE the major allergen (antigen 23) exhibited the strongest “radiostaining” and only a few other components of birch pollen extract were visibly radiostained. The major allergen and a preparation containing mainly the minor allergens, antigens 25 and 19, were isolated from a crude aqueous birch pollen extract by a combination of anion-exchange, size-exclusion, and chelate chromatography. Antigen 23 was purified to near homogeneity. The molecular weights and the pIs of antigens 23, 25, and 19 were determined to be 17,000 daltons, pI 5.25 (5.5, 5.0); 25,000 daltons, pI 5.0 (4.9, 5.4); and 29,000 daltons, pI 6.2 (5.4), respectively. The classification of antigen 23 as the major allergen in birch pollen was supported by results of RAST inhibition experiments, RAST screening, and skin prick testing.     

Mucosal bromodomain-containing protein 4 mediates aeroallergen-induced inflammation and remodeling

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Antiangiogenic and antimetastatic properties of Neovastat (Æ-941), an orally active extract derived from cartilage tissue

A novel naturally occurring antiangiogenic agent isolated from cartilage, referred to as Neovastat (AE-941), was examined for its efficacy against tumor neovascularization and progression. Exposure to Neovastat results in ex ovo antiangiogenic properties in the chorioallantoid membrane of chicken embryo (71% decrease in the angiogenic index as compared to the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) treated control embryos, P < 0.0001). Oral administration of Neovastat inhibits bFGF-induced angiogenesis in the Matrigel mouse model (87.5% decrease in hemoglobin as compared to the bFGF-treated control implants, P < 0.0001). Neovastat also induces a dose response decrease of lung metastases in the Lewis lung carcinoma model (oral administration; 69.1% of inhibition obtained at the maximal dose of 0.5 ml/day, P < 0.0001). Combined with a sub-optimal dose of cisplatinum (2 mg/kg, i.p.), Neovastat (0.5 ml/day) improved the therapeutic index by increasing the antimetastatic efficacy and by exerting a protective activity against cisplatinum-induced body weight loss and myelosuppression. In summary, our experimental data provide evidence of antiangiogenic and antimetastatic properties of Neovastat, following oral administration.     

人参银杏复方制剂对缺氧复氧后大鼠海马CA1区GABA、Glu表达的影响

目的：探讨人参银杏复方制剂对缺氧复氧后海马CAI区神经元的保护作用机制。方法：应用低压氧舱仿海拔8000米高空缺氧模型，采用免疫组织化学及免疫荧光方法并结合图像分析等技术，观察预防性应用人参银杏复方制剂对缺氧24h复氧0h、24h时段海马CAI区GABA、Glu表达的影响。结果：缺氧24h复氧卟组海马CAI区GABA免疫反应阳性神经元数量、Glu免疫反应阳性神经元荧光强度分别较常氧对照组减少和减弱，复氧24h后上述变化更加明显。预防性应用人参银杏复方制剂后海马CAI区GABA免疫反应阳性神经元数量在复氧0h和24h时较常氧对照组多，以复氧0h时增加最明显；Glu免疫反应阳性神经元荧光强度在复氧0h、24h时段也较缺氧复氧实验组相应时段增加。结论：人参银杏复方制剂可增加缺氧复氧后海马CAI区GABA表达及防止Glu过度释放，对缺氧复氧性脑损伤具有保护作用。     

Can energy drinks reduce the depressor effect of ethanol? An experimental study in mice

Although the popularization of the combined use of alcoholic beverages and energy drinks (ED) containing caffeine, taurine and other substances has increased, there are no controlled experimental studies on the effects of ED alone or combined with ethanol. This work aimed at evaluating the effects of different doses of ED combined or not with ethanol, on the locomotor activity of Swiss mice. The administration of 3.57, 10.71 or 17.86 ml/kg of ED alone increased the locomotor activity of the animals in relation to a control group. Low doses of ethanol (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg) alone or in combination with 10.71 ml/kg of ED did not affect their locomotor activity. However, the reduction of activity observed after 2.5 g/kg of ethanol was antagonized by 10.71 ml/kg of ED. Further studies on the mechanisms of this interaction are still needed.     

Differential involvement of GABA system in mediating behavioral and neurochemical effect of acupuncture in ethanol-withdrawn rats

In our previous study we demonstrated that acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) points suppressed a decrease of accumbal dopamine (DA) release in ethanol-withdrawn rats. Furthermore, here we found that it inhibited behavioral withdrawal signs of ethanol. In an effort to better understand the mechanisms underlying this inhibition, the potential role of GABA receptor system in acupuncture was investigated. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with 3 g/kg/day of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by intraperitoneal injection for 21 days. Following 48 or 72 h of ethanol withdrawal, acupuncture was applied at bilateral HT7 for 1 min. The selective GABA_A antagonist bicuculline and the selective GABA_B antagonist SCH 50911 were injected intraperitoneally 20 min before acupuncture, respectively. Importantly, suppressive effects of acupuncture on DA deficiency were completely abolished by SCH 50911, but not by bicuculline, whereas ameliorating effects of acupuncture on ethanol withdrawal syndrome were completely blocked either by SCH 50911 or bicuculline. These results suggest that acupuncture at specific acupoint HT7 may normalize the DA release in the mesolimbic system and attenuate withdrawal syndrome through the GABA_B receptor system in ethanol-withdrawn rats.     

大黄防治实验性胃粘膜损伤机理分析

本工作通过观察测定胃酸分泌,胃排空运动和胃壁粘液分泌的变化,初步探讨了中药大黄水浸煎剂对乙醇和消炎痛造成胃粘膜损伤的防治机理。结果表明:中药大黄可抑制胃排空速度,促进胃壁粘液分泌,并能预防乙醇和消炎痛造成的胃粘膜损伤,治疗乙醇造成的胃粘膜损伤。提示:中药大黄防治胃粘膜损伤机理与抑制胃酸分泌、抑制胃排空和促进胃壁粘液分泌有关。     

Effects of aspirin on nasal responses in atopic subjects

Preliminary experiments indicated that solutions of aspirin (ASA) in buffered saline, pH 7.35, did not significantly change nasal airways resistance (NAR) when 0.1 ml of solution containing 22.5 mg (or less) per deciliter was sprayed into each nostril. Subsequently it was shown that this quantity of ASA administered intranasally did not significantly change NAR responses 15 min later to intranasal administration of increasing concentrations of histamine, methacholine, or an irritant (NH₃ gas). However, the same atopic subjects demonstrated significantly decreased responses to intranasal challenge with short ragweed extract (SRW) after intranasal ASA. In addition, prior oral administration of ASA, Na salicylate, and indomethacin significantly inhibited nasal challenge responses to SRW in sensitive subjects under controlled conditions.     

银杏叶提取物联合盐酸文拉法辛对抑郁大鼠海马nNOS蛋白表达及NO水平的影响

目的 :探讨抑郁症脑损伤的机制 ,研究银杏叶提取物 (EGb)及合成抗抑郁药盐酸文拉法辛(Venlafaxine)对抑郁大鼠的抗脑损伤及神经元保护作用。方法 :慢性应激建立大鼠抑郁模型。将 84只雄性大鼠分为正常对照组、抑郁模型组和不同治疗组。快速断头法处死 ,取海马后一侧进行免疫组化反应 ,观察海马CA3区nNOS蛋白的表达 ;另一侧检测NO含量 ;同时测定血清中NO含量。结果 :抑郁模型组海马nNOS表达增加 ,海马及血清中NO含量增加 ,P <0 0 1;联合用药组海马nNOS表达下降 ,海马及血清中NO含量减少 ,P <0 0 1。结论 :慢性应激增加海马nNOS表达 ;EGb有减轻神经元损伤 ,保护神经元的作用 ,其与Venlafaxine合用可能会达到对抑郁进行多靶点、多层次的治疗 ,弥补单一用药的不足。