通心络胶囊对糖尿病小鼠视网膜 p38 MAPK信号通路的影响

目的：观察通心络胶囊对糖尿病小鼠视网膜p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（ p38 MAPK）信号通路的影响,探讨其视网膜保护作用的可能机制。方法 KK／Upj-Ay小鼠40只随机分为糖尿病模型组、通心络低、中、高剂量组,每组10只,另设C57BL／6（C57）小鼠10只作为对照组。按照分组给予不同剂量处理因素,疗程3个月,观察体质量,测定空腹血糖（FBG）,取眼球行HE 染色,Western-blot 检测视网膜p38MAPK、JNK、ERK 总蛋白及磷酸化p38MAPK、JNK、ERK（ p-p38MAPK、p-JNK、p-ERK）的表达。结果与对照组比较,模型组体质量、FBG及p-p38MAPK、p-JNK、p-ERK表达均显著增高,通心络胶囊能够减轻视网膜病理损伤,降低p-p38 MAPK表达（ P ＜0?．05）,而不影响体质量、FBG及p-JNK、p-ERK表达（ P ＞0．05）;且各组p38MAPK、JNK、ERK 总蛋白表达差异无统计学意义（ P ＞0．05）。结论 p38 MAPK信号通路可能参与了糖尿病视网膜损害的发生发展。通心络胶囊可减轻糖尿病小鼠视网膜病理损伤,其机制可能与降低p38MAPK蛋白磷酸化水平有关。     

钩藤碱固体脂质纳米粒对哮喘小鼠miR-155/p38 MAPK轴的影响

目的　观察钩藤碱固体脂质纳米粒（Rhy-SLN）对支气管哮喘模型小鼠微小RNA-155（miR-155）/p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（p38 MAPK）轴的影响。方法　15只BALB/c小鼠随机均分为正常对照组、模型组和Rhy-SLN组。Rhy-SLN组小鼠行鼻内氢氧化铝致敏操作前以Rhy-SLN（50 mg/kg）灌胃;正常对照组和模型组给予等量生理盐水。干预结束后,肺泡灌洗液涂片观察嗜酸粒细胞的数量;HE染色观察小鼠肺组织病理改变情况;酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）法检测小鼠免疫球蛋白E（IgE）、白细胞介素（IL）-13水平;羟脯氨酸测试盒检测小鼠肺组织中羟脯氨酸水平;Werstern blot检测小鼠肺组织（α-SMA）、胶原蛋白Ⅰ（collagen Ⅰ）、p38 MAPK、p-p38 MAPK蛋白表达水平;荧光定量聚合酶链反应（qPCR）检测小鼠肺组织miR-155 mRNA表达水平。结果　与模型组比较,Rhy-SLN组可以降低哮喘小鼠肺泡灌洗液中嗜酸粒细胞的数目、血清中IgE和肺泡灌洗液中IL-13的水平（P＜0.05）;减轻肺组织炎性细胞浸润;降低肺组织中α-SMA、collagenⅠ、羟脯氨酸和p-p38 MAPK的表达（P＜0.05）;上调小鼠肺组织中miR-155的表达水平（P＜0.05）。结论　Rhy-SLN可缓解小鼠哮喘,其机制可能与调节miR-155/p38 MAPK轴,降低气道的炎症反应有关。     

p38MAPK对慢性前列腺炎疼痛的影响及槲皮素的干预作用

目的 探讨槲皮素对前列腺炎疼痛抑制作用的可能机制。方法 利用同源大鼠前列腺蛋白提取液辅以弗氏完全佐剂诱导大鼠自身免疫性前列腺炎模型,槲皮素灌胃给药10周后,用HE染色法观察各组大鼠前列腺组织形态学差异;ELISA法测定各组血清中IL-8、TNF-α及内皮中性粒细胞激活肽78(endothelial neutrophil activating protein,ENA-78)的含量变化;免疫组化法测定神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)在前列腺组织内的表达;Western blotting法测定前列腺组织内基质金属蛋白酶9(matrix metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9)、磷酸化p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p-p38MAPK)及总p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)表达的变化。结果 与模型对照组比较,槲皮素能不同程度减轻各组前列腺组织的炎症状况;模型对照组血清IL-8、TNF-α及ENA-78含量明显增高,槲皮素200 mg·kg^-1能明显降低慢性前列腺炎大鼠血清IL-8、TNF-α及ENA-78的水平(P<0.05);200,100,50 mg·kg^-1槲皮素给药均能不同程度抑制NGF在前列腺组织的原位表达;槲皮素200 mg·kg^-1组与模型对照组比较,MMP-9、总p38MAPK及p-p38MAPK表达量不同程度降低。结论 在大鼠慢性前列腺炎模型,p38MAPK信号转导途径被激活,槲皮素可同步降低细胞因子IL-8、TNF-α、ENA-78的含量及p38MAPK、p-p38MAPK的表达,这为槲皮素治疗前列腺炎疼痛提供一条新思路。     

乐尔脉对脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠海马组织炎性反应的影响

目的研究乐尔脉对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤海马组织炎性反应的作用。方法采用大鼠大脑中动脉阻断（middle cerebral artery occlusion,MCAO）造成局灶性脑缺血2h再灌注3d模型,采用干燥法测定脑含水量和TTC染色法测定脑梗死面积,化学法与I-125放免法测定海马组织中MDA、LD、TNF-α、IL-6含量,RT-PCR测定海马组织中COX-2、MCP-1、MMP-2、9、13mRNA的表达,Western blot检测海马组织P38与NF-κB信号通路蛋白的表达。结果乐而脉与氟桂利嗪可明显减轻脑水肿和梗死面积,降低海马组织中IL-6、TNF-α、MDA和LD含量（P〈0.05）,海马组织中MCP-1、COX-2、MMP-2、13mRNA的表达下调（P〈0.05）。Western blot测定结果显示乐尔脉和氟桂利嗪组明显降低海马组织P38MAPK和P-P38MAPK表达（P〈0.05）,同时也降低NF-κB65、P-NF-κB65、C-fos表达,增加C-jun与IκB表达（P〈0.05）,氟桂利嗪降低NF-κB65但不降低p-NF-κB65表达。结论脑缺血再灌注诱导海马组织细胞释放的细胞因子和介质活化P38MAPK与NF—KB／IκB信号转导通路级联反应,MCP-1、COX-2mRNA和MMP-2、9、13mRNA转录增加,IL-6、TNF-α、MDA、LD生成增多,导致脑水肿和脑梗死面积扩大,乐尔脉抑制脑缺血再灌注诱导海马组织细胞释放炎症介质的作用可能与降低p38MAPK和NF-κB／IκB信号通路活化作用有关。     

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶38在糖尿病小鼠肾组织中的表达

目的研究丝裂原活化蛋白激酶38（p38MAPK）在链脲左菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病小鼠肾组织中的表达及活化情况,从分子信号角度探讨糖尿病肾病。肾纤维化的发病机制。方法采用STZ腹腔注射诱导小鼠糖尿病模型,并检测血糖、血肌酐、24h尿白蛋白排泄率、肾小球细胞外基质;用免疫组织化学方法检测糖尿病小鼠肾组织磷酸化p38MAPK和TGFβ的表达,用RT-PCR的方法检测肾组织p38MAPK和TGFβmRNA的表达。结果腹腔注射STZ后,模型组小鼠均出现明显的多食、多饮、多尿和体质量下降等糖尿病症状,血糖明显升高,血肌酐水平明显增高,24h尿白蛋白排泄率明显增加,肾小球细胞外基质明显增宽。正常。肾组织有基础的磷酸化p38MAPK和p38MAPKmRNA表达,糖尿病形成后4周,磷酸化p38MAPK和p38MAPKmRNA在肾组织中的表达明显增高,并持续增加到8周,第12周至16周磷酸化p38MAPK和p38MAPKmRNA的表达有所减少。正常肾组织有基础的TGFβ1蛋白和mRNA表达。糖尿病形成后4周,TGFβ1蛋白和mRNA在。肾组织中的表达均明显增高,并持续增加到12周,第16周肾组织TGFβ1的表达有所减少。肾组织磷酸化p38MAPK和TGFβ1的表达趋势一致,并呈明显正相关（r=0．64,P〈0．01）,且与肾小球细胞外基质的积聚密切相关。结论p38MAPK的表达和活化可能通过介导TGFβ1的表达参与了小鼠糖尿病肾病模型肾纤维化的发生。     

穴位注射黄芪对哮喘大鼠p38MAPK及Th1/Th2因子的影响

目的 观察哮喘大鼠肺组织p38蛋白激酶（p38 MAPK）和Th1/Th2类细胞因子（IFN-γ/IL-4）表达的变化,探讨穴位注射黄芪对其影响及可能机制.方法 SD大鼠随机分成4组（10只/组）,即正常对照组、哮喘模型组、地塞米松组和黄芪穴位注射组.应用卵蛋白（OVA）致敏激发法制备哮喘大鼠模型,分别采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELlSA）和蛋白质印迹检测血清中IL-4、IFN-γ含量和磷酸化p38 MAPK的变化,并观察肺组织病理学改变.结果 ①与正常对照组相比,哮喘模型组大鼠肺组织磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平升高,血清IL-4含量升高、IFN-γ含量降低（P＜0.05）;②与哮喘模型组相比,黄芪穴位注射组大鼠血清IL-4含量、磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平降低,血清IFN-γ含量升高（P＜0.05）;③黄芪穴位注射组与地塞米松组比较血清IL-4含量升高,IFN-γ含量降低,磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平降低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;④在肺组织病理学方面,穴位注射黄芪注射液能明显改变哮喘大鼠病理变化;⑤肺组织磷酸化p38 MAPK的表达与IL-4比较呈显著正相关（r=0.596,P＜0.05）,与IFN-y比较呈显著负相关（r=-0.634,P＜0.05）.结论 p38 MAPK可能调控支气管哮喘的发病机制;穴位注射黄芪与糖皮质激素比较,对哮喘大鼠具有保护作用,偏重不一,其治疗作用与抑制p38 MAPK磷酸化、下调IL-4、上升IFN-γ表达水平有关.     

黄芪注射液对哮喘大鼠p38蛋白激酶和白细胞介素-5表达的影响

目的：探讨黄芪注射液对哮喘大鼠p38蛋白激酶（p38 MAPK）和白细胞介素-5（IL-5）表达的影响。方法：应用鸡卵清蛋白（OVA）腹腔注射致敏和反复超声雾化吸入复制大鼠哮喘模型。40只大鼠随机分成5组：正常对照组,哮喘模型组和黄芪注射液低、中、高剂量组（2.5、5.0、10.0mL/kg）。分别采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）、原位分子杂交方法和蛋白质印迹检测支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）IL-5含量、肺组织IL-5 mRNA和磷酸化p38 MAPK表达的变化,并观察BALF中炎症细胞计数、分类以及肺组织病理学变化。结果：哮喘模型组大鼠BALF中炎症细胞计数、IL-5含量和肺组织中IL-5 mRNA及磷酸化p38 MAPK表达均较正常对照组显著增加（P〈0.01）;黄芪干预组的上述改变较哮喘模型组显著降低（P〈0.01）,肺组织病理学损伤程度明显减轻,黄芪注射液低、中、高剂量组之间差异无统计学意义。肺组织磷酸化p38 MAPK表达水平与BALF中嗜酸性粒细胞（EOS）计数和IL-5、IL-5 mRNA含量之间分别呈显著正相关（r=0.62、0.69、0.74,P〈0.01）。结论：p38 MAPK可能参与了支气管哮喘的发病过程。黄芪对哮喘的治疗作用可能部分与抑制p38 MAPK的磷酸化活化、降低炎症介质释放、减轻炎症细胞浸润有关。     

福辛普利联合非诺贝特对糖尿病小鼠视网膜病变干预作用的研究

目的 研究福辛普利（Fosinopril）联合非诺贝特（Fenofibrate）对糖尿病小鼠视网膜细胞凋亡的影响及相关基因的表达和视网膜组织中血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）、氧化相关物质的影响,以明确其抑制糖尿病视网膜病变（diabetic retinopathy,DR）的作用机制。方法 选取清洁级性成熟ICR小鼠150只,随机分为5组（每组30只）：A组（假造模组,普通饲料喂养并给予相同体积的生理盐水）、B组（模型组,高脂饲料喂养4 w后给予腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（streptozotocin,STZ）,给予相同体积生理盐水灌胃8 w）、C组（福辛普利对抗组,高脂饲料喂养4 w后给予腹腔注射链脲佐菌素,给予福辛普利干预8 w）、D组（非诺贝特对抗组,高脂饲料喂养4 w后给予腹腔注射链脲佐菌素,给予非诺贝特干预8 w）、E组（福辛普利+非诺贝特联合对抗组,高脂饲料喂养4 w后给予腹腔注射链脲佐菌素,给予福辛普利+非诺贝特干预8 w）,0w和8w时测血糖BG,处死小鼠取眼球制备视网膜组织匀浆取上清检测谷光甘肽过氧化物酶（Glutathione peroxidase,GSH-PX）、超氧化物歧化酶（Superioxide dismutase,SOD）、活性氧类物质（Reactive oxygen species,ROS）、丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）、VEGF浓度,用RT-PCR法检测视网膜Bax与Bcl-2基因mRNA水平的表达,并用Tunel染色法检测视网膜细胞凋亡情况。结果B、C、D、E组小鼠用药前后血糖无差别(p>0.05); 均较A组明显升高(p<0.05);A组小鼠视网膜组织GSH-PX、SOD活性值及Bcl-2基因mRNA水平表达均高于其他四组（P＜0.05）,而ROS、MDA、VEGF、Bax基因mRNA水平表达与Tunel指数均低于B、C、D组（P＜0.05）;B组小鼠GSH-PX、SOD活性值及Bcl-2基因mRNA水平表达均低于其他四组（P＜0.05）,而ROS、MDA、VEGF、Bax基因mRNA水平表达与Tunel指数均高于其他四组（P＜0.05）;E组小鼠GSH-PX、SOD活性值及Bcl-2基因mRNA水平表达均高于C、D组（P＜0.05）,而ROS、MDA、VEGF、Bax基因mRNA水平表达与Tunel指数均低于C、D组（P＜0.05）;D组小鼠GSH-PX、SOD活性及Bcl-2基因mRNA水平表达均高于C组（P＜0.05）,而ROS、MDA、Bax基因mRNA水平表达与Tunel指数均低于C组（P＜0.05）;C组小鼠VEGF浓度值低于D组（P＜0.05）。结论 福辛普利及非诺贝特均能改善DR,通过抑制凋亡与抗氧化对视网膜起到一定的保护作用,但两药联合应用效果更佳。     

通心络胶囊对糖尿病心肌病小鼠的心脏保护作用

目的 观察通心络胶囊调控p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,p38 MAPK)炎症信号通路对糖尿病心肌病小鼠防治作用。方法 KK/Upj-Ay小鼠40只随机分为模型组和通心络低、中、高剂量组,每组10只,另设C57BL/6小鼠10只作为对照组。各组给予相应药物,疗程为12周,观察体质量,测定空腹血糖(fasting blood glucose,FBG)、糖化血红蛋白(hemoglobin A1c,HbA1c)、甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、左心室指数;放射免疫法测定各组血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)含量;HE染色观察心肌组织病理变化;Western blot法检测心肌组织p38 MAPK、c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK)、细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular-signa1 regulated kinase,ERK)总蛋白及磷酸化p38 MAPK、JNK、ERK(p-p38 MAPK、p-JNK、p-ERK)的表达。结果 与对照组比较,模型组FBG、HbA1c、TG、TC、左心室指数、TNF-α、IL-6及p-p38MAPK、p-JNK、p-ERK表达均显著增高,通心络胶囊能够减轻心肌组织病理损伤,降低TG、TC、TNF-α、IL-6含量及p-p38MAPK、表达,而不影响体质量、FBG、HbA1c及p-JNK、p-ERK表达;且各组p38 MAPK、JNK、ERK总蛋白表达无统计学意义。结论 通心络胶囊可减轻糖尿病心肌病理损伤,改善心功能,其机制可能与降低p38 MAPK蛋白磷酸化水平,抑制炎症反应有关。     

硒酵母联合维生素D对实验性自身免疫甲状腺炎大鼠甲状腺相关激素及抗体的影响 #br#

目的观察硒酵母联合维生素D对实验性自身免疫性甲状腺炎（EAT）大鼠甲状腺相关激素及抗体的作 用。 方法55只雌性SD大鼠,其中45只采用猪甲状腺球蛋白（pTG）致敏+饮用高碘水建立EAT大鼠模型,建模成功 大鼠（40只）采用随机数字表法分为模型组、硒酵母组、维生素D组、联合组,每组10只;其余10只为对照组。加强免 疫4周后,硒酵母组予硒酵母溶液灌胃+腹腔注射生理盐水,维生素D组予生理盐水灌胃+腹腔注射维生素D3注射液, 联合组予硒酵母溶液灌胃+腹腔注射维生素D3注射液,对照组和模型组予生理盐水灌胃+腹腔注射生理盐水。6周 后,比较各组血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）、游离甲状腺素（FT4）、促甲状腺激素（TSH）、甲状腺球蛋白抗体 （TGAb）、甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体（TPOAb）、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、白介素（IL）-4、IFN-γ/IL-4;HE染色比较各组甲状腺 组织病理学形态;比较各组甲状腺组织 p38MAPK、环氧合酶-2（COX-2）mRNA 相对表达量及 p38MAPK、pp38MAPK、COX-2蛋白相对表达量。 结果HE染色结果显示,对照组甲状腺滤泡形态正常;模型组甲状腺滤泡结构 破坏,淋巴细胞浸润,间质纤维化;硒酵母组、维生素D组及联合组较模型组均有一定改善,其中联合组改善最为明 显。与模型组比较,硒酵母组、维生素D组、联合组血清FT3、FT4、TSH、TGAb、TPOAb、IFN-γ、IFN-γ/IL-4水平,甲状 腺组织COX-2 mRNA 相对表达量及p-p38MAPK、COX-2蛋白相对表达量均降低（P＜0.05）,血清IL-4水平均升高 （P＜0.05）;与硒酵母组和维生素D组比较,联合组血清FT3、FT4、TSH、TGAb、TPOAb、IFN-γ、IFN-γ/IL-4水平降低 （P＜0.05）,甲状腺组织COX-2 mRNA相对表达量及p-p38MAPK、COX-2蛋白相对表达量均降低,血清IL-4水平升 高（P＜0.05）。 结论硒酵母联合维生素D可有效抑制EAT大鼠甲状腺组织损伤,保护甲状腺组织,其机制可能是通 过抑制MAPK信号通路发挥调控作用。     

Efficacy of gut lavage,hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the therapy of paraquat or diquat intoxication

Clinical and in vitro investigations were carried out to test the efficacy of gut lavage, hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the treatment of poisoning with paraquat or diquat. In a patient suffering from diquat intoxication 130 times more diquat was removed by gut lavage 30 h after ingestion than was removed by complete aspiration of the gastric contents.Determination of in vitro clearances for paraquat and diquat by hemodialysis showed that, at serum concentrations of 1–2 ppm, such as are frequently encountered in poisoning in man, toxicologically relevant quantities of herbicide cannot be removed from the body. At a concentration of 20 ppm, on the other hand, hemodialysis proved to be effective, the clearance being 70 ml/min at a blood flow rate of 100 ml/min. The efficacy of hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal was on the whole better. Especially at concentrations around 1–2 ppm, the clearance values for hemoperfusion were some 5–7 times higher than those for hemodialysis.In a patient suffering from paraquat poisoning, both hemodialysis as well as hemoperfusion were carried out. The in vitro results could be confirmed: At serum concentrations of paraquat less than 1 ppm no clearance could be obtained by hemodialysis while by hemoperfusion with activated charcoal quite high clearance values were measured and the serum level dropped down to zero.

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Zusammenfassung Klinische Untersuchungen und Laboratoriumsversuche wurden durchgeführt, um die Wirksamkeit von Darmspülung, Hämodialyse und Hämoperfusion bei Paraquat- und Deiquat-Vergiftungen zu prüfen.Bei einem Patienten wurde 30 Std nach Deiquat-Aufnahme durch Darmspülung 130mal mehr Deiquat entfernt als durch vollständige Aspiration des Mageninhaltes. In vitro-Versuche ergaben, daß bei Blutserumkonzentrationen von 1–2 ppm, die bei Vergiftungen oft gemessen werden, durch Hämodialyse keine toxikologisch relevanten Paraquat- oder Deiquat-Mengen entfernt werden können. Dagegen erwies sich die Hämodialyse bei 20 ppm und einer Blutumlaufgeschwindigkeit von 100 ml/min mit einer Clearance von 70 ml/min als wirksam. Die Hämoperfusion mit beschicheter Aktivkohle war in diesen Versuchen aber eindeutig überlegen, denn insbesondere bei Konzentrationen um 1–2 ppm waren die Clearance-Werte 5–7mal höher als bei der Hämodialyse.Die in vitro-Ergebnisse wurden bei einem Patienten mit einer Paraquat-Vergiftung bestätigt: Bei Konzentrationen unter 1 ppm war die Hämodialyse wirkungslos, während durch Hämoperfusion relativ hohe Clearance-Werte erreicht wurden, so daß der Serumspiegel rasch unter die Nachweisgrenze abfiel.

     

In vitro studies on sterically stabilized liposomes (SL) as enzyme carriers in organophosphorus (OP) antagonism

This study describes a new approach for organophosphorous (OP) antidotal treatment by encapsulating an OP hydrolyzing enzyme, OPA anhydrolase (OPAA), within sterically stabilized liposomes. The recombinant OPAA enzyme was derived from Alteromonas strain JD6. It has broad substrate specificity to a wide range of OP compounds: DFP and the nerve agents, soman and sarin. Liposomes encapsulating OPAA (SL)* were made by mechanical dispersion method. Hydrolysis of DFP by (SL)* was measured by following an increase of fluoride ion concentration using a fluoride ion selective electrode. OPAA entrapped in the carrier liposomes rapidly hydrolyze DFP, with the rate of DFP hydrolysis directly proportional to the amount of (SL)* added to the solution. Liposomal carriers containing no enzyme did not hydrolyze DFP. The reaction was linear and the rate of hydrolysis was first order in the substrate. This enzyme carrier system serves as a biodegradable protective environment for the recombinant OP-metabolizing enzyme, OPAA, resulting in prolongation of enzymatic concentration in the body. These studies suggest that the protection of OP intoxication can be strikingly enhanced by adding OPAA encapsulated within (SL)* to pralidoxime and atropine.     

Aquatic Insects and Trace Metals: Bioavailability,Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity

Abstract

The uptake of metals from food and water sources by insects is thought to be additive. For a given metal, the proportions taken up from water and food will depend both on the bioavailable concentration of the metal associated with each source and the mechanism and rate by which the metal enters the insect. Attempts to correlate insect trace metal concentrations with the trophic level of insects should be made with a knowledge of the feeding relationships of the individual taxa concerned. Pathways for the uptake of essential metals, such as copper and zinc, exist at the cellular level, and other nonessential metals, such as cadmium, also appear to enter via these routes. Within cells, trace metals can be bound to proteins or stored in granules. The internal distribution of metals among body tissues is very heterogeneous, and distribution patterns tend to be both metal and taxon specific. Trace metals associated with insects can be both bound on the surface of their chitinous exoskeleton and incorporated into body tissues. The quantities of trace meals accumulated by an individual reflect the net balance between the rate of metal influx from both dissolved and particulate sources and the rate of metal efflux from the organism. The toxicity of metals has been demonstrated at all levels of biological organization: cell, tissue, individual, population, and community. Much of the literature pertaining to the toxic effects of metals on aquatic insects is based on laboratory observations and, as such, it is difficult to extrapolate the data to insects in nature. The few experimental studies in nature suggest that trace metal contaminants can affect both the distribution and the abundance of aquatic insects. Insects have a largely unexploited potential as biomonitors of metal contamination in nature. A better understanding of the physico-chemical and biological mechanisms mediating trace metal bioavailability and exchange will facilitate the development of general predictive models relating trace metal concentrations in insects to those in their environment. Such models will facilitate the use of insects as contaminant biomonitors.     

Alzheimer’s disease – current trends in basic and clinical research. Highlights from the 16th ECNP

Advances in the molecular biological knowledge of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have led to a growing interest by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel compounds that selectively modulate nAChR function. The ability of (-)-nicotine, an activator of nAChRs, to enhance attentional aspects of cognition in animals and humans, to exert neuroprotective and anxiolytic-like effects, and presumably to mediate the negative correlation between smoking and Alzheimer's (and Parkinson's) Disease, has focused interest on the potential therapeutic utility of modulators of nAChR function for treatment of some of the deficits associated with these progressive, neurodegenerative conditions. Numerous compounds are known which activate nAChRs and which might serve as lead compounds toward the development of such agents. The pharmacologic diversity of neuronal nAChR subtypes suggests the possibility of developing selective compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents. This broader class of agents, collectively called cholinergic channel modulators (ChCMs), is anticipated to encompass compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents, which generally exhibit low selectivity. This selectivity may be achieved by preferentially activating some subtypes of nAChRs (i.e., Cholinergic Channel Activators, ChCAs) or inhibiting the function of other subtypes (Cholinergic Channel Inhibitors, ChCIs). An overview of the biology of nAChRs and the rationale for the use of ChCMs for the treatment of dementia related to neurodegenerative diseases are presented, followed by a discussion of lead compounds and compounds under consideration for clinical evaluation.     

Steroidal sapogenin contents in some domestic plants

In order to find out the values of the steroid resources for the future use. the compositions and contents of steroidal sapogenins from 13 domestic plants have been investigated. As a result,Dioscorea nipponica, D. quinqueloba andSmilax china were found to have large amount of diosgenin. And pennogenin inTrillium kamtschaticum andParis verticillata, yuccagenin inAllium fistulosum, hecogenin inAgave americana and neochlorogenin inSolanum nigum were appeared to be major steroidal sapogenins.