Effect of Usuhiratake (Pleurotus pulmonarius) on sneezing and nasal rubbing in BALB/c mice

The anti-rhinitis properties of Pleurotus pulmonarius were investigated in BALB/c mice. A single administration of Pleurotus Pulmonarius caused no significant effect on antigen-induced nasal rubbing and sneezing at a dose of 500 mg/kg, but a significant inhibition was observed after 2 weeks of repeated treatment at this dose, and at a dose of 200 mg/kg, it also caused a significant inhibition after repeated administration for 4 weeks. Pleurotus pulmonarius showed no significant inhibitory effect on the production of IgE. In addition, Pleurotus pulmonarius caused no inhibition of histamine-induced nasal rubbing and sneezing at a dose of 500 mg/kg, but in vitro study, it inhibited histamine release from rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 at the soluble supernatant solution of 30 and 100 microg/ml of Pleurotus pulmonarius suspended in PBS. These results demonstrated that Pleurotus pulmonarius may be effective in the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis through inhibition of histamine release.     

Immunosuppressive activity of hexane and ethanolic extracts of Pterospermum acerifolium seeds in BALB/c mice

The hexane and ethanolic extracts prepared from the seeds of plant Pterospermum acerifolium were evaluated for their immunomodulatory activities by exploiting their effects on the humoral and cellular immune arms of BALB/c mice after oral administration for 14 consecutive days at different log doses. Various immune parameters viz. lymphoproliferative index, oxidative burst in peritoneal macrophages, modulation in T/B cell population and regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines in mice were monitored to assess the immunomodulatory characteristics of the plant at 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg doses. Both the extracts exerted remarkable dose-dependent immunosuppressive effect with down-regulation of all the immune markers studied. Administration of extracts in immune-stimulated mice (by treatment with levamisole) further validated the immunosuppressive action. The findings are exceedingly encouraging and warrant bioactivity guided fractionation/purification to locate the activity in a single molecule for its future use in autoimmune disorders and organ transplant patients.     

Effect of total secondary carotenoids extracts from Chlorococcum sp on Helicobacter pylori-infected BALB/c mice

Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen associated with type B gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. A high intake of carotenoids has been suggested to prevent development of gastric malignancies. Microalgae Chlorococcum sp. could accumulate secondary carotenoids under stress conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether dietary cell extract of Chlorococcum sp. could affect the bacterial load of H. pylori infected BALB/c mice and whether it could induce modulation of cytokine production. BALB/c mice were infected with H. pylori three times at 2-day intervals. Two weeks later, they were orally fed with cell extract of Chlorococcum sp. for the following 2 weeks. Animals were killed at the end of the experiments. Stomachs were removed and paraffin sections were stained for histology examination. Splenocytes were obtained and cultured in vitro with H. pylori sonicate to evaluate induction of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) secretion. Mice treated with carotenoids-rich algal meal showed significantly reduced bacterial load and gastric inflammation. These changes were associated with a shift of the T-lymphocytes response from a predominant T helper type 1 (Th1) response dominated by IFN-gamma to a Th1/Th2 response with IFN-gamma and IL-4.     

Intranasal administration of semaphorin-3A alleviates sneezing and nasal rubbing in a murine model of allergic rhinitis

Sneezing and persistent itching of the nasal mucosa are distressing symptoms of allergic rhinitis (AR). Recent studies have revealed that hyperinnervation of sensory neurons in the nasal turbinate is one of the underlying causes of sneezing and itching. Since Semaphorin-3A (Sema3A) has been previously shown to restrict innervation of sensory neurons, it is presumed that reduced Sema3A expression in the nasal mucosa might contribute to the hypersensitivity. Analysis of the mouse model of ovalbumin-sensitized AR demonstrated a decreased expression of Sema3A in the nasal epithelium, which was accompanied by an increased nerve fiber density in the lamina propria of the turbinate. In rescue experiments, intranasal administration of recombinant Sema3A in the AR model mice alleviated sneezing and nasal rubbing symptoms. In addition, histological examinations also revealed that nerve fiber density was decreased in the lamina propria of the Sema3A-treated nasal turbinate. These results suggest that the nasal hypersensitivity of AR may be attributed to reduction of Sema3A expression and intranasal administration of Sema3A may provide a novel approach to alleviate the allergic symptoms for AR treatment.     

氧化苦参碱对BALB/c小鼠免疫性肝损伤保护作用的机理研究

目的观察氧化苦参碱对BCG+LPS诱导的BALB/c小鼠免疫性肝损伤后肝、脾脏指数的影响以及对肝组织匀浆谷胱甘肽过氧化氢酶(GSH-Px)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)及丙二醛(MDA)活性的影响。方法取♂BALB/c小鼠60只,随机均分为正常对照组、模型组、联苯双酯治疗组及氧化苦参碱高、中、低剂量组。除正常对照组外,其余各组BCG+LPS诱导建立免疫性肝损伤小鼠模型,氧化苦参碱高、中、低剂量ig 10 d后,称取肝、脾脏重量,取肝组织匀浆测各组GSH-Px、T-AOC及MDA的含量。结果氧化苦参碱可明显降低肝、脾脏指数,增加肝匀浆中降低的GSH-Px、T-AOC的含量(P<0.05),并降低MDA的含量。结论氧化苦参碱对BALB/c小鼠免疫性肝损伤有明显的保护作用,可能与其增强抗氧化活性等有关。     

Effects of oxymatrine in immune liver injury model of BALB/c mice

目的 观察氧化苦参碱对BCG+ LPS诱导的BALB/c小鼠免疫性肝损伤后肝、脾脏指数的影响以及对肝组织匀浆谷胱甘肽过氧化氢酶( GSH - Px)、总机氧化能力(T-AOC)及丙二醛(MDA)活性的影响.方法 取♂ BALB/c小鼠60只,随机均分为正常对照组、模型组、联苯双酯治疗组及氧化苦参碱高、中、低剂量组.除正常对照组外,其余各组BCG+ LPS诱导建立免疫性肝损伤小鼠模型,氧化苦参碱高、中、低剂量ig 10 d后,称取肝、脾脏重量,取肝组织匀浆测各组GSH - Px、T-AOC及MDA的含量.结果 氧化苦参碱可明显降低肝、脾脏指数,增加肝匀浆中降低的GSH - Px、T-AOC的含量(P＜0.05),并降低MDA的含量.结论 氧化苦参碱对BALB/c小鼠免疫性肝损伤有明显的保护作用,可能与其增强抗氧化活性等有关.     

单次灌胃杂色曲霉素对小鼠大脑细胞的影响

目的　探讨单次ig杂色曲霉素 (ST)对小鼠大脑细胞的影响。方法　采用形态学观察和流式细胞术定量检测方法 ,研究ST对BALB/c小鼠大脑神经细胞的影响。结果　病理形态学观察可见 ,ig小剂量ST(3μg·kg-1 )后 1 2h或大剂量ST(3mg·kg-1 )后6h即可见小鼠大脑皮质、丘脑、海马CA2区神经元出现胞核固缩深染、胞浆嗜酸性变、空泡变性等病理变化 ,且随剂量增大和作用时间延长 ,病变神经元逐渐增多 ;光镜下对海马CA2区病变神经元进行计数分析 ,结果表明ST处理组发生病理变化的神经元比例均高于相应对照组 ,且呈剂量和时间依赖性增高 ;流式细胞术定量检测结果表明 ,igST 3,30 ,30 0和30 0 0 μg·kg-1 1 2h后 ,小鼠脑细胞的凋亡率呈剂量依赖性增高 ;ig3mg·kg-1 的ST后 6～48h,随ST作用时间的延长 ,脑细胞凋亡率也明显增高。结论经口给予ST可导致小鼠大脑皮质、丘脑、海马CA2区神经元发生退行性病变 ,诱导并促进小鼠大脑细胞凋亡     

Effects of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate on the respiratory tract in BALB/c mice

Airborne mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) was studied for acute airway effects using a bioassay with BALB/c mice. Concentration- and time-dependent effects were obtained by continuous monitoring of the breathing pattern during exposure to 0.3-43.6 mg/m3 MEHP for 60 min. Additionally, inflammatory effects of MEHP were studied from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. MEHP showed no upper airway irritating effect. Lower airway irritation was apparent from a concentration-dependent decrease in tidal volume (shallow respiration) with a no-observed effect level (NOEL) of 0.3 mg/m3. The respiratory rate reached a maximum at about 8 mg/m3, demonstrating a rapid shallow breathing pattern. At concentrations above 4.9 mg/m3, the time of pause, another marker of lung irritation, increased concentration-dependently, resulting in a decrease in respiratory rate at high exposure levels. BAL fluid obtained from 0 to 72 hours after a 60 min exposure to 30 mg/m3 MEHP showed that the number of macrophage reached maximum about 16 hours after exposure. The NOEL was 1.7 mg/m3. BAL content of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and epithelial cells was normal after exposure to 30 or 1.7 mg/m3 MEHP. Based on worst case inhalation scenario in the general population, no airway irritation is expected from non-occupational levels of MEHP originating from DEHP.     

Efficacy of orally administered Lobelia chinensis extracts on herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in BALB/c mice

By a plaque reduction assay, methanolic extracts from Lobelia chinensis (LC) significantly blocked herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication in HeLa cells without apparent cytotoxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of LC on HSV-1 replication is 139.2 microg/ml. To elucidate LC anti-HSV-1 activity in vivo, BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously with HSV-1 (2.5 x 10(6)PFU/50 microl), treated orally thrice a day with acyclovir (60 mg/kg/dose) or LC (20 and 50 mg/kg/dose) for 7 days, and inspected daily for signs of disease. Data from the scoring system indicated that animals infected with HSV-1, developed progressive zoster lesions starting 2 days postinfection (p.i.) and appeared the most serious syndromes at 4-5 days p.i. In marked contrast to the results with control mice, treatment with acyclovir or 50 mg/kg/dose LC resulted in a sustained protective effect. The HSV-1 titers and DNA levels in ground skin samples were significantly reduced by LC. No toxic effect of LC on liver and kidney functions was apparent. These results indicated that LC was a potent inhibitor of the in vitro and in vivo replication of HSV-1.     

Effect of traxanox on antibody formation in BALB/c mice

The production of spleen- and thymus-rosette forming cells (RFC) in BALB/c mice 4 days after immunization with 5 X 10(8) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) was inhibited by traxanox at doses of 10-30 mg/kg, p.o. This agent (100 mg/kg, p.o.) suppressed the 19S hemagglutinin titer and elevated the 7S hemagglutinin titer. The transfer of spleen-RFC of thymus-RFC into syngeneic recipient mice 4 days after immunization with SRBC increased the production of spleen hemolytic plaque forming cells (HPFC). This increase was abolished by the transfer of spleen-RFC obtained from mice treated with traxanox (30 mg/kg, p.o.), but not by the transfer of spleen-RFC treated with anti-Lyt 2.2 antiserum and complement. The viability of the spleen-RFC in mice treated with traxanox was decreased by treatment with anti-Lyt 2.2 antiserum and complement. Traxanox (3-30 mg/kg, p.o) significantly increased the inhibition of HPFC, spleen-RFC and thymus-RFC production by Concanavalin A at a dose of 50 micrograms/mouse. This agent (3-30 mg/kg, p.o) inhibited the production of HPFC, spleen-RFC and thymus-RFC in mice 4 days after the secondary immunization. These results suggest that traxanox may inhibit antibody production via the induction of Lyt 2.2 positive cells (suppressor T cells).     

Ultraviolet radiation downregulates allergy in BALB/c mice

The immunosuppressive effects of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) are well known and the underlying mechanisms extensively studied. The suppression of Th1 appears to account for UVR suppression of contact hypersensitivity and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and increased susceptibility to certain infections and tumor development. The underlying mechanisms suggest Th2-mediated responses associated with immediate-type hypersensitivity and allergic lung disease should be unchanged or possibly enhanced by UVR. The hypothesis that UVR exposure enhances allergic lung disease in BALB/c mice was tested. Effects of UVR on sensitization and elicitation of respiratory hypersensitivity were assessed using a fungal extract, Metarhizium anisopliae (MACA), as the allergen. BALB/c mice were sham or UVR (8 KJ/m(2)) exposed 3d before involuntary aspiration (IA) of MACA or vehicle. The mice received UVR exposures before the first and second of three IAs in the sensitization protocol and 3 d before the fourth IA in the elicitation protocol. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested before (d 21, sensitization/d 24, elicitation) and at 1 (d 22/d 28), 3 (d 24/d 29), and 7 (d 28/d 35) d following the last IA. UVR exposure prior to sensitization suppressed two hallmarks of allergic disease, immune-mediated inflammation (eosinophil influx) and total immunoglobulin (Ig)E compared to the sham-UVR controls. There were no differences attributable to UVR exposure in previously sensitized mice. These data suggest that UVR exposure prior to sensitization suppresses allergic responses but has no effect on the elicitation of allergic responses in previously sensitized individuals. Consequently, there is no evidence that exposure to UVR enhances the induction or expression of allergic lung disease.     

浅谈国内BALB／c小鼠及KM小鼠的基本生物学特性

小鼠是在生物医学研究中广泛使用的实验动物。BALB／c小鼠是我国常用的近交系小鼠,KM小鼠是我国常用的封闭群小鼠。本文对我国BALB／c小鼠及KM小鼠的生物学特性作一综述,以利于研究者在生物医学研究中选择适宜的小鼠。     

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-55 on experimental allergic rhinitis in BALB/c mice

We investigated the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain L-55 isolated from infant feces on experimental allergic rhinitis in BALB/c mice. The heat-treated cells of strain L-55 were orally administrated for 4 consecutive weeks to mice sensitized by ovalbumin (OVA), and nasal symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing) induced by OVA challenge were evaluated. Strain L-55 at doses of 1 and 10 mg cells/mouse significantly inhibited nasal symptoms by repeated administration over a period of 2 weeks. Furthermore, we measured the level of OVA-specific IgE titers in the serum by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. PCA titers in the sera from mice administrated strain L-55 were significantly lowered compared with the control. These results suggest that oral administration of strain L-55 may be useful for alleviating the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.     

Immunosuppressive effects of rutaecarpine in female BALB/c mice

Rutaecarpine is a major quinazolinocarboline alkaloid isolated from Evodia rutaecarpa. It was reported to possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as vasodilation, antithrombosis, and anti-inflammation. In the present study, adverse effects of rutaecarpine on immune functions were determined in female BALB/c mice. Rutaecarpine had no effects on hepatotoxicity parameters in mice, as measured by serum activities of aminotransferases. Meanwhile, rutaecarpine significantly decreased the number of antibody-forming cells and caused weight decrease in spleen in a dose-dependent manner, when mice were administered with rutaecarpine at 10mg/kg, 20mg/kg, 40 mg/kg or 80 cmg/kg once intravenously. In addition, rutaecarpine administered mice exhibited reduced splenic cellularity, decreased numbers of total T cells, CD4(+) cells, CD8(+) cells, and B cells in spleen. IL-2, interferon-gamma and IL-10 mRNA expressions were suppressed significantly by rutaecarpine treatment. The number of CD4(+)IL-2(+) cells was reduced significantly following administration of mice with rutaecarpine. Furthermore, rutaecarpine caused the cell cycle arrest in G(0)+G(1) phase in a dose-dependent manner. Rutaecarpine caused significant inductions of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A, 2B, and 2E1 activities dose-dependently. In the splenic lymphocyte proliferation assay, rutaecarpine inhibited proliferation by LPS and Con A ex vivo, whereas it had no effects on in vitro proliferation. These results suggested that a single bolus intravenous injection of rutaecarpine from 20mg/kg might cause immunosuppressive effects, and that rutaecarpine-induced immunosuppression might be mediated, at least in part, through the inhibition of cytokine production and cell cycle arrest in G(0)+G(1) phase, and caused possibly by mechanisms associated with metabolic activation.     

pX gene causes hypercholesterolemia in hypercholesterolemia-resistant BALB/c mice

To investigate the high incidence of atherosclerosis in the patients affected with rheumatoid arthritis, we examined the effect of feeding a cholesterol-enriched diet on the development of hypercholesterolemia in pX transgenic mice, which spontaneously develop chronic inflammatory arthritis. Cholesterol feeding to pX transgenic mice induced a striking elevation in serum total cholesterol (ca. 500 mg/dl) compared with their littermates, BALB/c mice used as controls. The pX transgenic mice exhibited elevated mRNA levels of ACAT1, and ABCG5 in the small intestine compared with their littermates, and furthermore, apoA1, ABCA1, ABCG5, ACAT1, and ACAT2 mRNAs were induced more easily by a cholesterol-enriched diet in pX transgenic mice than their littermates. As ACAT1 mRNA in the small intestine is known not to be induced by feeding a cholesterol-enriched diet, a possibility was inferred that interferon-gamma induced by Tax, a pX gene product, might play an important role in the induction of ACAT1 mRNA and the following hypercholesterolemia. These findings suggest that pX gene plays an important role in inducing hypercholesterolemia in BALB/c mice, which are genetically less susceptible to hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis and that RA patients carrying HTLV-1 virus have a predilection for hypercholesterolemia, a main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.     

Efficacy of miltefosine treatment in Leishmania amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice

Leishmaniasis is one of the most serious worldwide diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus, affecting millions of people around the world. All currently available treatments present severe toxic side effects, require long-term compliance, cause serious side effects and are uncomfortable for patients. Leishmania amazonensis, a species endemic to Brazil, causes severe localised or diffuse skin lesions in humans. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the currently available chemotherapies, new approaches have been assessed for improved therapeutic intervention strategies against leishmaniasis. Miltefosine is an alkylphospholipid analogue that exhibits potent activity against the different clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the long-term efficacy of miltefosine in BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis owing to the lack of a profound study demonstrating its dose-dependent and long-term effects. It was observed that animals treated with 20-50 mg/kg/day of miltefosine exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction in lesion size; furthermore, in mice receiving higher doses, lesions disappeared after the end of treatment. To confirm a possible parasitological cure, mice up to 250 days after the end of treatment were analysed. No lesions or presence of parasite DNA were found in mice treated with 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg/day of miltefosine. In summary, these results show that miltefosine may be used to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. amazonensis, alone or as combination therapy.     

Modification of acquired immunity in BALB/c mice by aztreonam

Recent studies have suggested that antibiotics may act as biological response modifiers. In this study we investigated the effect of aztreonam, a monobactam antibiotic, on different parameters of acquired immunity in BALB/c mice. Different dosages of aztreonam injected into mice induced an increase in the lymphoproliferative response to specific mitogens and in the production of interleukin-2 by splenic cells, as well as a decreased response of this immune population to sheep erythrocytes lower total blood cell counts and a lower percentage of monocytes than in untreated mice. These results show a modulatory action of aztreonam on different immune parameters, which is independent of its antimicrobial activity and that could be of interest in human therapy.     

两种饲料饲喂BALB/c小鼠的效果观察

目的 观察两种饲料饲喂BALB/c小鼠的效果.方法 将10 对BALB/c小鼠随机分为两组:A组5对小鼠,饲喂~(60)Co辐照灭菌的颗粒饲料;B组5对小鼠,饲喂121 ℃、7 min抽真空高压消毒的颗粒饲料.比较两组小鼠的生长、发育和繁殖情况.结果 虽然~(60)Co辐照灭菌的颗粒饲料的价格高于121℃、7 min抽真空高压消毒的颗粒饲料,但采用~(60)Co辐照灭菌饲料饲喂,不论是母鼠的生殖能力和仔鼠的生长速度,还是提供1只离乳小鼠的耗料成本,均优于采用121℃、7 min抽真空高压消毒饲料饲喂.结论 ~(60)Co辐照灭菌饲料用于饲养BALB/c小鼠较为经济合算.     

Effect of D-limonene on immune response in BALB/c mice with lymphoma

The monoterpene D-limonene and its metabolites have been shown to exert chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities against different tumors in animal models and clinical trials. However, it is unknown whether these compounds modulate the immune response in tumor-bearing mice. We evaluated the survival of lymphoma-bearing mice fed with a diet with D-limonene. To assess the cell immune response, we sensitized and challenged BALB/c mice with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) and evaluated the T-cell subpopulations by flow cytometry. We also examined phagocytosis, microbicidal activity and chemotactic function in peritoneal macrophages. In order to know the role of D-limonene and its metabolites, macrophage NO production and lymphocyte proliferation studies were performed in vitro with D-limonene, perillic acid and perillyl alcohol. The results showed that D-limonene increased the survival of lymphoma-bearing mice, delayed hypersensitivity reaction to DNFB, phagocytosis and microbicidal activity. In vitro studies indicate that D-limonene increased NO production in peritoneal macrophages obtained from tumor-bearing mice. Our data suggest that in addition to reported properties, D-limonene modulates the immune response with significant potential for clinical application.     

Sulforaphane prevents microcystin-LR-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in BALB/c mice

Microcystins (MCs), the products of blooming algae Microcystis, are waterborne environmental toxins that have been implicated in the development of liver cancer, necrosis, and even fatal intrahepatic bleeding. Alternative protective approaches in addition to complete removal of MCs in drinking water are urgently needed. In our previous work, we found that sulforaphane (SFN) protects against microcystin-LR (MC-LR)-induced cytotoxicity by activating the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated defensive response in human hepatoma (HepG2) and NIH 3T3 cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate and confirm efficacy the SFN-induced multi-mechanistic defense system against MC-induced hepatotoxicity in an animal model. We report that SFN protected against MC-LR-induced liver damage and animal death at a nontoxic and physiologically relevant dose in BALB/c mice. The protection by SFN included activities of anti-cytochrome P450 induction, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis. Our results suggest that SFN may protect mice against MC-induced hepatotoxicity. This raises the possibility of a similar protective effect in human populations, particularly in developing countries where freshwaters are polluted by blooming algae.