Lactulose enhances neuroplasticity to improve cognitive function in early hepatic encephalopathy

Lactulose is known to improve cognitive function in patients with early hepatic encephalopathy; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral and neurochemical effects of lactulose in a rat model of early hepatic encephalopathy induced by carbon tetrachloride. Immunohistochemistry showed that lactulose treatment promoted neurogenesis and increased the number of neurons and astrocytes in the hippocampus. Moreover, lactulose-treated rats showed shorter escape latencies than model rats in the Morris water maze, indicating that lactulose improved the cognitive impairments caused by hepatic encephalopathy. The present findings suggest that lactulose effectively improves cognitive function by enhancing neuroplasticity in a rat model of early hepatic encephalopathy.     

Measurement of coronary artery calcification with multi-slice spiral computed tomography and the associated factors in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To investigate the factors correlated to coronary artery calcification (CAC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods This study included 132 patients(54 females, 78 males), aged 26-94 years, who were on hemodialysis for 10-204 months(median dialysis duration 51.00 months). The parameters including calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, C - reactive protein (CRP), klotho, and so on were assessed. Quantification of CAC was determined by multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT), known as the coronary artery calcification score (CACs). Results Ninety-two patients (69.70%) had CAC, with CACs ranging from 0 to 13 450.20. More than 30% patients experienced one even a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of CAC and the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Whereas a positive correlation existed between CACs and age (r=0.347, P=0.000), duration of hemodialysis (r=0.245, P= 0.005), systolic blood pressure (r=0.184, P=0.034), diabetes history (r=0.211, P=0.015), phosphorus (r= 0.262, P=0.002), calcium-phosphorus product (r=0.247, P=0.004); and a negative correlation between CACs and klotho level (r=-0.294, P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the main factor influencing the degree of CAC in MHD patients was age. Conclusions CAC is common and widespread in hemodialysis patients, who are often accompanied by cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The prevalence rate of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases increases with the aggravation of CAC degree. Age, duration of hemodialysis, systolic blood pressure, diabetes history, disturbance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and klotho are correlated with the severity of CAC. Age is an independent risk factor of CAC degree.     

血脂与冠状动脉病变关系的探讨

目的　探讨血脂水平与冠状动脉病变的关系。方法　 2 2 8例进行过选择性冠状动脉造影的住院冠心病病人按冠状动脉狭窄程度积分为正常组、单支组、双支组、三支组四组。测定和比较血脂各项指标 TC、TG、HDL、L DL、apo A1 、apo B1 0 0 、L p(a)。结果　 L p(a)、HDL、apo A1 / apo B1 0 0 在各组之间存在着差异。L p(a)随着冠状动脉病变程度加重而增高 ,apo A1 / apo B1 0 0 随着冠状动脉病变程度加重而减少。 HDL与冠状动脉积分呈负相关 ,L p(a)与冠状动脉积分呈正相关。结论　 HDL和 L p(a)对预测冠状动脉病变有重要意义     

水杨酸钠可逆性抑制耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元GABAa受体电流

目的探讨水杨酸钠对大鼠耳蜗螺旋神经节神经元(SGN)GABAa受体的作用。方法采用全细胞膜片钳记录技术,观察离体培养大鼠SGN的GABAa受体激活电流的特性及水杨酸钠对其作用特点。结果在SGN上可记录到GABAa受体激动剂GABA诱发的内向电流,该电流呈浓度依赖性且可被荷包牡丹碱所阻断;水杨酸钠作用在SGN上未诱出电流,100μM、500μM的GABA与不同浓度的水杨酸钠(500μM、1000μM、5000μM)分别联合作用时,GABA诱发的电流可被不同程度地抑制,且该抑制作用呈可逆性。结论大鼠SGN上可记录到GABAa受体电流,且水杨酸钠以浓度依赖的方式可逆性抑制GABAa受体电流,抑制作用与GABA浓度有关。