Effect of Calcium Dobesilate on Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

In order to investigate the effects and mechanisms of calcium dobesilate on renal lesions in experimental type 2 diabetic rats, dibetic rats were randomly divided into control group (group C) and experimental group (group D) treated with calcium dobesitate. The serum creatinine (Scr),protein kinase C (PKC), creatinine clearance (Ccr), transforming growth factor-beta, (TGF-β1),type Ⅳ collagen were compared among the groups after 24 weeks. The renal tissues were observed under light microscopy and electron microscopy. The results showed that after 24 weeks, Scr,PKC, TGF-β1 in group D were significantly lower than in group C, meanwhile, renal pathologic changes in group D were improved. Ccr had no difference between group C and group D. It was concluded that calcium dobesilate could ameliorate renal lesions in diabetic rats through inhibiting PKC and TGF-β1.     

Effect of Coiquhoumia Root on the Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Mesangiai Proliferation Giomerulonephritis Model

Summary： To study the efficacy and the mechanism of Colquhoumia root （ Tripterygium hypoglaucure （Le,vL） Hutch） in the treatment of mesangial proliferation glomerulonephritis （MsPGN）, SD rats were injected with anti-thymoeyte serum （ATS） to make MsPGN model （anti-Thyl model）. The rats were then divided into 3 groups： normal control group, anti-Thyl model group and treatment group. Histopathologieal （HE, PAS）, immunohistoehemieal, RT-PCR technique and computer imaging analysis system were used to evaluate mesangial matrix production, the expression of TGF-β protein and mRNA in the tissues of kidney. Our result showed that proteinuria and the ratio of extraeellular matrix/glomerular capillaries area （ECM/CA） were increased significantly in model group. The expression of both TGF-β protein and mRNA in glomeruli was much higher in model group than in control group （P〈0.01）. After the treatment with Colquhoumia root, proteinuria, ECM/CA and the expression of both TGF-β1 protein and mRNA in glomeruli were significantly decreased in treatment group as compared with those in model group. It is concluded that Colquhoumia root is effective in reducing proteinuria and mesangial matrix proliferation in MsPGN and it may achieve these effects by inhibiting the expressions of TGF-β1 protein and mRNA of mesangial cells.     

Effects of salvia miltiorrhiza bge on myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive rats

Objective: To study the effects of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Bge (SMB) on myocardial fibrosis in hypertension in rats. Methods: Normal Wistar kyoto rats served as negative control (group A). The rats with hypertension were divided into 2 groups: the hypertension group (group B) which served as the positive control and the SMB-treated hypertension group (groupC). The effects of SMB on the systolic pressure, the myocardial content of aldosterone (ALl)) and nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the myocardium were detected. Results: The systolic pressure of the rats of group C showed no marked change after the administration of SMB and showed no difference from that of the rats of group B. The content of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ of the left ventricle, the collagen Ⅰ/collagen Ⅲ ratio and the content.of ALD were lower in group C than in group B and higher in group C than in group A. The content of NO and the activity of SOD in the myocardium were higher in group C than in group B and lower in group C than in group A. Conclusion: It was concluded that SMB was able to prevent or reverse the progress of myocardial fibrosis resulting from hypertension. The mechanism of this effect of SMB might be due to the fact that SMB can decrease the colleen synthesis and ALl) content and increase collagen decomposition, NO content and SOD activity in the myocarditum.     

Increased Expression of PI-3K in Asthmatic Rat T Lymphocytes

In order to explore the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats and the relationship between PI-3K and activation of T lymphocytes, 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, asthmatic one-week group, asthmatic two-week group and asth-matic four-week group. T cells were purified from blood of each rat and the expression of PI-3K was observed by immunocytochemical fluorescence staining, the semiquantitative fluorescence intensity was measured by HPIAS-2000 analytic software, and the expression of IL-4 in supernatants was de-tected by ELISA. The results showed that the fluorescence intensity of T lymphocytes in asthmatic groups was significantly higher than that in normal control (P<0.001), indicating that the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes of asthmatic rats was significantly higher than that in those of normal controls, and the difference between acute and chronic stage asthmatic groups was significant (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 protein in supernatants of asthmatic T lymphocytes were sig-nificantly higher than those in the normal controls (P<0.05). There was a significant positive correla-tion between the expression of PI-3K in T lymphocytes and the IL-4 protein expression in super-natants (r=0.583, P<0.01). It was suggested that PI-3K signal pathway may participate in the proc-esses of activation and other cytological effects of asthmatic T lymphocytes, thus may play an impor-tant roles in the pathogenesis of asthma.     

Expression of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor in Airway Epithelial Tissue of Asthmatic Rats

In order to investigate the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) in airway epithelial tissues of normal and asthmatic rats,the influence of dexamethasone and the role of LIF in pathogenesis of asthma,30 Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(10 for each group):normal group,asthma model group,and dexamethasone-interfered group.In asthma model group and dexamethasone-interfered group,asthma rat models were established by intraperi-toneal(i.p.) injection of 10% ovalbumin(OVA) and challenge with 1% OVA via inhalation.Rats in dexamethasone-interfered group were pretreated with dexamethasone(2 mg/kg,i.p) 30 min before each challenge.The expression of LIF protein in lung was detected by immunohistochemistry.The results showed that LIF protein was mainly expressed in cytoplasm of bronchial epithelial cells.The expression of LIF protein in the airway epithelial tissue of asthma model group was significantly higher than that in normal group and dexamethasone-interfered group(P<0.01),but there was no sig-nificant difference between normal group and dexamethasone-interfered group(P>0.05).It was con-cluded that the expression of LIF was increased significantly in the airway epithelial tissue of the asthma rats,and dexamethasone could down-regulate the expression of LIF.It was suggested that LIF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma as an inflammation regulator.     

Effect of Batroxobin on Expression of C-Jun in Left Temporal Ischemic Rats with Spatial Learning and Memory Disorder

The effect of Batroxobin on expression of c-Jun in left temporal ischemic rats with spatial memorydisorder was investigated by means of Morri's water maze and immunohistochemistry methods.Theresults showed that the mean reaction time and distance of temporal ischemic rats for searching a goalwere significantly longer than those of sham-operated rats,and at the same time c-Jun expression ofleft temporal ischemic region was significantly increased.However,the mean reaction time anddistance of Batroxobin-treated rats were shorter and they used normal strategies more often andearlier than those of ischemic rats.The number of c-Jun immune reactive cells of Batroxobin-treatedrats was also less than that of ischemic group.In conclusion,Batroxobin can improve spatial memorydisorder in temporal ischemic rats,and the down-regulation of the expression of c-Jun is probablyrelated to the neuroprotective mechanism.     

Screening for glutamate-induced and dexamethasone-downregulated epilepsy-related genes in rats by mRNA differential display

Background It is known that excessive release of glutamate can induce excitotoxicity in neurons and lead to seizure. Dexamethasone has anti-seizure function. The aim of this study was to investigate glutamatedexamethasone interaction in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, identify differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus of glutamate-induced epileptic rats by mRNA differential display, and observe the effects of dexamethasone on these genes expression. Methods Seizure models were established by injecting 5μl （250 μg/μl） monosodium glutamate （MSG） into the lateral cerebral ventricle in rats. Dexamethasone （5 mg/kg） was injected intraperitoneally at 30 minutes after MSG inducing convulsion. The rats＇ behavior and electroencephalogram （EEG） were then recorded for 1 hour. The effects of dexamethasone on gene expression were observed in MSG-induced epileptic rats at 1 hour and 6 hours after the onset of seizure by mRNA differential display. The differentially expressed genes were confirmed by Dot blot. Results EEG and behaviors showed that MSG did induce seizure, and dexamethasone could clearly alleviate the symptom, mRNA differential display showed that MSG increased the expression of some genes in epileptic rats and dexamethasone could downregulate their expression. From more than 10 differentially expressed eDNA fragments, we identified a 226 bp eDNA fragment that was expressed higher in the hippocampus of epileptic rats than that in the control group. Its expression was reduced after the administration of dexamethasone. Sequence analysis and protein alignment showed that the predicted amino acid sequence of this cDNA fragment kept 43% identity to agmatinase, a member of the ureohydrolase superfamily. Conclusions The results of the current study suggest that the product of the 226 bp eDNA has a function similar to agmatinase. Dexamethasone might relax alleviate seizure by inhibiting expression of the gene.     

Role of connective tissue growth factor in experimental radiation nephropathy in rats

Background Connective tissue growth factor （CTGF） is a potent fibrogenic cytokine which has been associated with progressive glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We investigated the role of CTGF on the progression of a rat model of radiation nephropathy. Methods The model of radiation nephropathy in rats was established as follows： control group （n=12）, underwent only laparotomy; irradiated group （n=-20）, underwent a laparotomy, then the rats were subjected to a single dose 25 Gy X-ray to the kidneys. The rats were followed up one, three, six and nine months after renal exposure to radiation. Results Renal dysfunction was noted early in irradiated rats. Histological analysis showed focal glomerular sclerotic lesions at an early stage after irradiation. Radiation-induced glomerular and tubulointerstitial injuries were particularly severe the sixth month after irradiation as compared to the control group （P 〈0.01）. By immunohistochemistry, increased expression of CTGF was noted in the irradiated kidneys, which began to increase from the first month after irradiation, and remained significantly higher at the sixth and ninth month after irradiation （P 〈0.01）. Upon Western blot analysis CTGF protein expression showed an increase in the radiation treated kidneys compared with the control rats. The expression of CTGF closely correlated with the progression of radiation nephropathy. The expression of α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, type Ⅲ collagen and type Ⅳ collagen was also high in the irradiated kidney as compared to control rat kidneys （P 〈0.05）, and was most severe at the sixth and ninth month after irradiation （P 〈0.01）. By double immunostaining, CTGF expressing cells were found to be α-SMA-positive myofibroblasts and vimentin-positive tubular epithelial cells. Glomerular expression of CTGF closely correlated with the glomerular expression of a-SMA （r=0.628, P 〈0.01）, vimentin （r=0.462, P 〈0.05） and accumulation of type IV collagen （r=0.584,     

Effects of Chloroquine on GFAP, PCNA and Cyclin D1 in Hippocampus and Cerebral Cortex of Rats with Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole

The effects of chloroquine on glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）, proliferation cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats with seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole （PTZ） were observed in the present study. Forty-eight male adult Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into control group, chloroquine intervening group, and PTZ group. The behavior and electroencephalogram （EEG） were observed and recorded. GFAP and PCNA were examined with immunohistochemistry. The content of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was inspected with Western blot. The results showed no seizure activity in the control group, severe seizure activity in the PTZ group （Ⅳ - Ⅴ degree）, and slight seizure activity （ Ⅰ -- Ⅲ degree） in the chloroquine intervening group （P〈0.05）. EEG recordings showed no epileptic spikes in the control group, high amplitude with fast frequency in the PTZ group, low amplitude and slow frequency in the chloroquine intervening group. The expression of GFAP and the positive index of PCNA in the PTZ group were higher than those of control group （P 〈0.05 and P〈0.01, respectively）. No differences in GFAP expression and PCNA index were observed between chloroquine intervening and control groups （P〉0.05）. The content of Cyclin D1 in hippocampus and cerebral cortex was significantly higher in the PTZ group than in control and chloroquine intervening groups （P〈 0.05）. Therefore, it is considered that chloroquine, by inhibiting the functions and proliferation of glial cells in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, can alleviate the seizure activities. These results suggest that chloroquine may be an ideal anticonvulsant in preventing and treating epilepsy.     

A Comparative Study on Several Models of Experimental Renal Calcium Oxalate Stones Formation in Rats

In order to compare the effects of several experimental renal calcium oxalate stones formation models in rats and to find a simple and convenient model with significant effect of calcium oxalate crystals deposition in the kidney, several rat models of renal calcium oxalate stones formation were induced by some crystal-inducing drugs (CID) including ethylene glycol (EG), ammonium chloride (AC), vitamin D3 [1α(OH)VitD3, alfacalcidol], calcium gluconate, ammonium oxalate, gen-tamicin sulfate, L-hydroxyproline. The rats were fed with drugs given singly or unitedly. At the end of experiment, 24-h urines were collected and the serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), the extents of calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the renal tissue, urinary calcium and oxalate ex-cretion were measured. The serum Cr levels in the stone-forming groups were significantly higher than those in the control group except for the group EG L-hydroxyproline, group calcium gluconate and group oxalate. Blood BUN concentration was significantly higher in rats fed with CID than that in control group except for group EG L-hydroxyproline and group ammonium oxalate plus calcium gluconate. In the group of rats administered with EG plus Vitamin D3, the deposition of calcium ox-alate crystal in the renal tissue and urinary calcium excretion were significantly greater than other model groups. The effect of the model induced by EG plus AC was similar to that in the group in-duced by EG plus Vitamin D3. EG plus Vitamin D3 or EG plus AC could stably and significantly in-duced the rat model of renal calcium oxalate stones formation.     

The effect of hyperglycemia on blood brain barrier of rats with focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Objective： To determine whether hyperglycemia could aggravate the microvascular damage in ischemic stroke. Methods： Hyperglycemia model was made by injection of streptozocin through subcutaneous injection in wistar rats. Using the suture model, the rats were subjected to 3h of focal ischemia and different times of reperfusion, including 6,12,24,48,96h and 7d. TIC dyeing was used to Show the infarction area of rats. The infarctive volume of rats were calculated by computer imaging analysis system;Matrix metalloproteinase （MMP-2） and （MMP-9）were detected by immunohistochemistly and in situ hybridization histochemistly in Wistar rats. Results： The infarctive volume was siginificantly larger in hyperglycemic rats than that of nonhyperglycemic rats. The level of MMP-2, MMP-9 expression in the group of hyperglycemic rats was higher than that of nonhyperglycemic rats. Conclusion： Hyperglycemia aggravated the injury of focal ischmia-repeffusion in wistar rats and the higher expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 might be one of the mechanism in aggravation of focal ischemia/repeffusion injury.     

Effects of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist on expression of collagen Ⅲ, collagen Ⅴ, and transforming growth factor β1 in the airway walls of sensitized rats

Background Repeated attacks of bronchial asthma lead to different degrees of airway remodeling, the mechanism of which is not yet clear. Some evidences indicate that it is related to the excessive expression of some growth promotion factors. Angiotensin Ⅱ is a polypeptide that may be involved in airway remodeling. To evaluate its role in airway remodeling in asthma, we observed the effects of an angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor antagonist (valsartan) on the expression of collagen Ⅲ, collagen Ⅴ, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA and protein in the airway walls of sensitized rats.Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group, sensitized group, and valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3. The rats in the sensitized group and in valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3 were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Rats in control group were sensitized and challenged with 0.9% NaCl. Rats from valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3 were drenched with valsartan (10 μg, 20 μg, or 30 μg, respectively) at the time of the ovalbumin challenges. The expression of collagen Ⅲ, collagen Ⅴ, and TGF-β1 protein were detected using immunohistochemical method in combination with image analysis methods. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization. Results The expression in the airways of collagen Ⅲ and collagen Ⅴ was significantly higher in rats from the sensitized group (7.73±0.81, 1.34±0.28) and from valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3 (5.73±0.64, 1.13±0.15; 4.96±0.51, 0.98±0.08; 4.43±0.35, 0.93±0.06, respectively) than those in the control group (2.65±0.38, 0.67±0.08, P&lt;0.05). In addition, collagen levels were significantly lower in valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3 than those from the sensitized group (P&lt;0.05). The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA and protein in the airways was significantly higher in rats from the sensitized group (20.49%±3.46%, 29.73%±3.25%) and from valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3 (16.47%±1.94%, 19.41%±1.87%; 14.38%±1.58%, 18.29%±1.43%; 12.96%±1.73%, 18.63%±1.11%, respectively) than that from the control group (7.84%±1.61%, 5.63%±1.07%, P&lt;0.05). TGF-β1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in valsartan groups 1, 2, and 3 than that in the sensitized group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions Angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist valsartan can suppress synthesis of collagen Ⅲ and collagen Ⅴ by downregulating TGF-β1 mRNA and protein expression. Valsartan can decrease airway remodeling and could play a role in asthma therapy.     

Upregulation of TNF-α mRNA in hepatic fibrosis rats induced by dimethylnitrosamine

Objective：To observe the expression level of TNF-α mRNA in rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine （DMN） and to explore its relationship with collagen metabolism and its diagnostic value for hepatic fibrosis.Methods： Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group （n=10） and model group （n=15）. Model rats were induced by DMN for 4 weeks and at final stage were executed. TNF-α mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and the inflammatory necrosis and collagen deposition in hepatic tissue were observed by HE stain and Sirius red stain. The liver functions were determined by automatic biochemical analytic device. The serum marks of liver fibrosis, such as HA, LN and Ⅳ-C were measured with ELISA and RIA. Results： In this study, the rat model of liver fibrosis induced by DMN was successfully constructed. RT-PCR reveals that TNF-α mRNA expression in control group is lower than that of model group. The liver functions of model group were impaired compared with those of the control group （P〈0.01）. Semi-quantitive analysis revealed that TNF-α/β-actin of normal rats was 0.39±0.12, while 0.93±0.05 of model rats. The concentration of HA （434.44±98.81 vs 252.9±26.59 ng/ml, P〈0.01）, LN （70.67±6.32 vs 37.90±5.97 ng/ml, P〈0.01） and Ⅳ-C （79.39±10.52 vs 21.40±4.17 ng/ml, P〈0.01） were significantly increased in the model group as well. Changes of the indexes were similar to the pathological damage of the liver. Conclusion： The results suggested that activation of TNF-α in liver tissues may be the common pathogenic mechanism of liver fibrosis. TNF-α may be a useful index for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis which worthies further investigation.     

Effect of All-trans Retinoic Acid on Airway Inflammation in Asthmatic Rats and Its Mechanism

The inhibitive effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ARTA) on airway inflammation in asthmatic rats and its mechanism on the basis of the regulation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB) were explored. Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, asthma group,dexamethasone treatment group and retinotic acid treatment group. The total and differential cell counts in the collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. The pathological changes in lung tissues were estimated by scoring. The expression of NF-kB inhibitor (IkBa), NF-kB,intercellular adhering molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that in the two treatment groups, the total cell counts and proportion of inflammatory cells in BALF were significantly reduced, but there was no significant difference in differential cell counts in BALF between them. The pathological changes in lung tissues in the treatment groups were significantly attenuated as compared with asthma group. Except the epithelial injury in retinotic acid treatment group was milder than in dexamethasone treatment group, the remaining lesions showed no significant difference between them. In the two treatment groups, the expression of IkBa was increased, while the expression of NF-kB and ICAM-1 decreased with the difference between the two groups being not significant. It was concluded that the similar anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of ATRA on airway in asthmatic rats to those of dexamethasone were contributed to the increase of cytoplasmic IkBa content and suppression of NF-kB activationand expression.     

Effects of Atorvastatin on Warfarin-induced Aortic Medial Calcification and Systolic Blood Pressure in Rats

The effect of atorvastatin on warfarin-induced aortic medial calcification and systolic blood pressure （SBP） of rats induced by warfarin was studied. Thirty healthy and adult rats were randomly divided into Warfarin group （n=10）, Atorvastatin group （n=10） and normal control group （n=10）. Caudal arterial pressure of rats was measured once a week, and 4 weeks later, aorta was obtained. Elastic fiber, collagen fiber and calcium accumulation in tunica media of cells were measured by Von Kossa staining. The results showed that warfarin treatment led to elevation of systolic blood pressure and aortic medial calcification. The chronic treatment also increased collagen, but decreased elastin in the aorta. However, the atorvastatin treatment had adverse effects. It was concluded that treatment with atorvastatin presented evidence of blood pressure lowing and calcification reducing. These data demonstrate that atorvastatin protected aortic media from warfarin-induced calcification and elevation of systolic blood pressure.     

Angiogenic Potency of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Improved by ex Vivo Hypoxia Prestimulation

Summary: To study the angiogenic potency of hypoxia-prestimulated bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs) when transplanted into acute myocardial infarction models of rats. BMSCs were cultured under hypoxia condition for 24 h. Their expression of VEGF was investigated. The rat acute myocardial infarction models were made by coronary artery ligation and divided into 3 groups at random.In normoxia group, twice-passaged BMSCs were labeled with Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and then implanted into the infarction regions and ischemic border of the recipients in 4 weeks. The rats in hypoxia group were implanted with hypoxia-prestimulated BMSCs. In control group, the model rats received only DMEM medium injection. Six-weeks after AMI, the infarction regions were examined to identify the angiogenesis and the expression of the VEGF. Our results showed that viable cells labeled with BrdU could be identified in the host hearts. The infarction regions in normoxia and hypoxia groups had a greater capillary density and increased VEGF expression than the regions in control group. The capillary density and VEGF expression in hypoxia group were higher than in normoxia group. It is concluded that the enhanced expression of VEGF in BMSCs could be induced by ex vivo hypoxia stimulation. BMSCs implantation promoted the angiogenesis in myocardial infarction tissue via supplying exogenic VEGF. Angiogenic potency of bone marrow stromal cells was improved by ex vivo hypoxia prestimulation though the enhanced VEGF expression.     

Effects of Houttuynia Cordata Thumb on Expression of BMP-7 and TGF-β1 in the Renal Tissues of Diabetic Rats

Objective： To explore the effects of Houttuynia Cordata Thumb （HCT 鱼腥草 Yu Xing Cao） on expression of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） and bone morphogenetic protein-7 （BMP-7） in the renal tissues of diabetic rats. Methods： The diabetic rats induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin（STZ） were randomly divided into a model group, a HCT group and a lotensin group, with normal rats designated as the controls. 8 weeks later, the ratio of kidney weight to body weight, the glomerular area, the excretion of β 2-microglobin （β2-MG） in 24-hr urine, the albumin excretion in 24-hr urine, and creatinine clearance rate （CCR） were investigated. The expression of TGF- β 1, BMP-7 and collagen I in the renal tissues was observed with the immunohistochemical method and by the semi-quantitative assay. Results： The overgrowth of glomerulus, the excretion of β 2-MG in 24-hr urine, the albumin excretion rate in 24-hr urine and CCR in the HCT group significantly reduced （P〈0.05）, and the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I significantly decreased （P〈0.05）, but BMP-7 significantly increased （P〈0.05） in the HCT group as compared with those in the model group, with no significant difference as compared with the lotensin group （P〉0.05）. Conclusion： HCT has a protective effect on the renal tissues in diabetic rats, which is probably correlated with the decrease of the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen I and with the increase of the expression of BMP-7 in the renal tissues.     

Effect of Batroxobin on Expression of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule in Temporal Infarction Rats and Spatial Learning and Memory Disorder

The effect of Batroxobin expression of neural cell adhesion molecule(NCAM)in left temporal ischemicrats with spatial memory disorder was investigated by means of Morri's water maze andimmunohistochemical methods.The results showed that the mean reaction time and distance oftemporal ischemic rats for searching a goal were significantly longer than those of sham-operated ratsand at the same time NCAM expression of left temporal ischemic region was significantly increased.However,the mean reaction time and distance of Batroxobin-treated rats were shorter and they usednormal strategies more often and earlier than those of ischemic rats.The number of NCAM immunereactive cells of Batroxobin-treated rats was more than that of ischemic group.In conclusion,Batroxobin can improve spatial memory disorder of temporal ischemic rats and the regulation of theexpression of NCAM is probably related to the neuroprotective mechanism.     

Chinese Herbal Formula Ermiao Powder (二妙散) Regulates Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway in Rats with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To investigate the effect of Chinese herbal formula Ermiao Powder (二妙散, EMP) on the expression of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Seventy two rats were randomly ivided into 6 groups according to body weight, including normal control group, collagen induced arthritis (CIA) group, three doses EMP groups, and methotrexate (MTX) group (n=12 per group). All of the rats except for those in the normal control group were given multipoint subcutaneous injection of bovine type Ⅱ collagen to establish a CIA model. Three EMP groups received a high- (4.5 g/kg), medium- (3.0 g/kg), and low- (1.5 g/kg) doses of EMP by intragavage, respectively. MTX group was injected intraperitoneally MTX at 0.9 mg/kg once a week as the positive control. The administration was 3 consecutive weeks. Joint swelling, arthritis index, and body weight changes in different experimental groups of rats were tested. The joint damage was evaluated by masson staining. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed to evaluate the expression of CHRNA7, encoding α 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, in different tissues and their localization in the spleen and joints. Results: CHRNA7 expression levels were significantly higher in the joints and spleens of CIA group than those in normal control group (both P<0.05). Moreover, the CHRNA7 mRNA and protein levels in the spleen and joints of MTX and three doses of EMP groups were significantly lower than CIA group (all P<0.05). Compared with the MTX group, treatment with low-dose EMP resulted in significant reduction of CHRNA7 mRNA and protein expression levels (P<0.05 or P<0.01). IHC showed positive signals of CHRNA7 in the white pulp and red pulp of the spleens of rats; CHRNA7 was expressed on fibroblast-like synoviocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells in the joints of rats, and the expression in the joints of low-dose EMP group was significantly lower than that in the CIA group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway was involved in the generation of the inflammatory reaction in CIA rats, and EMP exerted therapeutic effect on RA through cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.     

Depressant effect and mechanism of atorvastatin on the chronic rejection of aortic allograft in rats

Objective To investigate the depressant effect and mechanism of atorvastatin on the chronic rejection of aortic allograft in rats. Methods： The models of abdominal aorta transplantation were made with micro-surgery in rats. The recipients were divided into three groups： allograft control group, atorvastatin-treated group and isograft control group. Vascular intimal thickness in all of the groups were observed by histological examination. The expression of PCNA and α-SMA were determined by immunohistochemistry. The content of nitric oxide was determined by nitrate reductase chromatometry. Results： The vascular intimal thickness in rats of atorvastatin-treated group （11.60% ± 2.40% ） were lower than those in allograft control group （34.60 % ± 6.40 % ; P 〈 0.05） and higher than those in isograft control group （1.15 % ± 0.65 %; P〈 0.05 ）. The expression level of PCNA was decreased in atorvastatin-treated group （4.80% ± 0.80% ） than allograft control group （18.40% ± 1.80% ; P〈0.05） and higher than isograft group （1.20% ± 0.40% ; P〈0.05）. Conclusion： The expression of PCNA in the transplant aorta could be suppressed by atorvastatin, which resalted in relief of chronic rejection of aortic allograft.