Acute toxic effect of the algal yessotoxin on Purkinje cells from the cerebellum of Swiss CD1 mice.

Swiss CD1 mice died less than 2 h after intraperitoneal injection of 420 microg/kg of algal yessotoxin (YTX). The morphological, histochemical and immunocytochemical studies performed on the cerebellar cortex revealed damage to the Purkinje cells. The main cytological alterations were observed in the cytoplasm, while less sufferance was detected in the nucleus. The immunocytochemical experiments showed an increased positivity to S100 protein while there was a decreased response to calbindin D-28K, beta-tubulin and neurofilaments. These changes in intracellular Ca(2+)-binding proteins and the modifications in the cytoskeletal components of Purkinje cells suggest that YTX may be involved in neurological disorders.     

CD34+细胞在哮喘小鼠中的表达及布地奈德干预的实验研究

目的研究CD34 细胞在卵白蛋白(OVA)致敏小鼠、哮喘小鼠中的表达及布地奈德(BUD)吸入对哮喘小鼠CD34 细胞表达的影响。方法将雄性昆明小鼠随机分成致敏组、哮喘组、BUD干预组、正常对照组。用OVA进行致敏和激发,建立哮喘模型。常规检测骨髓、外周血中有核细胞总数,流式细胞仪检测CD34 细胞。结果致敏小鼠骨髓中CD34 细胞比例为(3.99±1.37)%,较正常小鼠[(2.33±1.27)%]明显增加;外周血中CD34 细胞比例为(1.58±0.63)%,与正常小鼠[(1.50±1.04)%]相比,未见明显变化。哮喘小鼠骨髓中CD34 细胞比例为(5.64±1.87)%,与致敏小鼠相比进一步升高;外周血中CD34 细胞比例为(2.91±1.27)%,与正常小鼠相比亦有明显增加;布地奈德吸入后,骨髓、外周血中CD34 细胞表达分别为(3.77±1.81)%和(1.76±1.06)%,均有明显下降。结论小鼠在OVA致敏状态下骨髓中CD34 细胞表达明显增强,OVA激发后哮喘状态下其表达进一步增强,同时,外周血中CD34 细胞比例也明显增高。布地奈德可以抑制哮喘小鼠骨髓、外周血中CD34 细胞的增殖表达。     

小鼠体内泻心汤中黄芩苷药代动力学

目的:研究泻心汤(大黄、黄连、黄芩)中黄酮类成分在小鼠体内药代动力学规律。方法:小鼠灌胃给予泻心汤4.5、9、18g/kg后,用HPLC方法分析血浆中黄酮类成分、测定血浆中黄芩苷浓度经时变化,浓度-时间数据用DAS药代动力学软件进行分析,计算药动学参数。结果:小鼠灌服泻心汤后血浆中检测到黄芩苷、汉黄芩苷和另一黄酮类成分,其中黄芩苷含量最高。泻心汤灌胃给予4.5、9、18g/kg后,黄芩苷主要药代学参数分别为:T1/2=2.77、5.69、6.20h,AUC0-∞=9.09、23.49、39.57μg·h/mL,CL=12.52、6.962、11.50L·h/kg,Vd=50.11、79.56、102.95L/kg,Cmax1=1.89、3.32、4.79μg/mL(Tp1=0.08h),Cmax2=1.46、2.57、4.16μg/mL(Tp2=3h)。结论:泻心汤中黄酮类成分可以吸收进入体内,其中以黄芩苷为主。     

Inhibitory effect of magnolol on tumour metastasis in mice

It has previously been reported that magnolol, a phenolic compound isolated from Magnolia obovata, inhibited tumour cell invasion in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimetastatic effect of magnolol on tumour metastasis in vivo with experimental and spontaneous metastasis models and to clarify the mechanism. The antimetastatic effects of magnolol were evaluated by an experimental liver and spleen metastasis model using L5178Y-ML25 lymphoma, or an experimental and spontaneous lung metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 2 or 10 mg/kg of magnolol significantly suppressed liver and spleen metastasis or lung metastasis. As for the spontaneous lung metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, multiple i.p. administrations of 10 mg/kg of magnolol after and before tumour inoculation significantly suppressed lung metastasis and primary tumour growth. In addition, magnolol significantly inhibited B16-BL6 cell invasion of the reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel, MG) without affecting cell growth. These data from the in vivo experiments suggest that magnolol possesses strong antimetastatic ability and that it may be a lead compound for drug development. The antimetastatic action of magnolol is considered to be due to its ability to inhibit tumour cell invasion.     

Pinhole imaging of <Superscript>131</Superscript>I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (<Superscript>131</Superscript>I-MIBG) in an animal model of neuroblastoma

Purpose To evaluate ¹³¹I-MIBG scintigraphic localization of xenotransplanted and spontaneously arising neuroblastomas in murine models of high-risk neuroblastoma.Methods Neuroblastoma xenografts were created by inoculation of human neuroblastoma cell suspensions into the subcutaneous flanks of athymic nude mice. In addition, spontaneous paraspinal neuroblastomas were detected by direct palpation in MYCN transgenic mice. After measured tumor volumes exceeded 200 mm³, each mouse received an intraperitoneal injection of 18 Ci/g ¹³¹I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (¹³¹I-MIBG). Pinhole scintigraphy was performed to evaluate the MIBG biodistribution and to attempt to visualize the tumors. Each mouse was imaged on a gamma camera equipped with a 3-mm pinhole on one head and an HEGP collimator on the other.Results Images demonstrated absorption of radiolabeled MIBG and visualization of tumors. Analysis of the images allowed for quantification of relative MIBG uptake and for determination of linear and area measurements of the tumors.Conclusion High-energy pinhole imaging effectively demonstrates uptake of radiolabeled MIBG by human neuroblastoma tumors in murine laboratory models. This technique allows for in vivo assessment of tumor burden. In the future, we plan to use this method to evaluate sensitivity for detecting metastatic spread as well as investigating the therapeutic efficacy of high-dose ¹³¹I-MIBG in combination with radiosensitizing agents.     

Analgesic and anticonvulsant activity of new derivatives of 2-substituted 4-hydroxybutanamides in mice

Earlier in vitro studies of the compounds marked as GT27, GT28, GT29 and BM128 revealed their inhibitory action towards murine γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters (mGAT1-mGAT4). In the present paper, the pharmacological activity of four γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) amide derivatives was investigated. The following procedures were involved: locomotor activity, hot plate and electroconvulsive threshold tests. The compounds' influence on motor coordination was evaluated in the chimney test, as well. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of the GHB derivatives decreased animals' locomotor activity (ED(50) values ranged between 23.79 and 26.37 mg/kg). At a dose of 25 mg/kg (i.p.) the compounds prolonged the nociceptive reaction time latency in the hot plate assay to various degree and GT28 and GT29 were the most potent ones in this respect. Their analgesic efficacy was particularly pronounced 30 min after their administration [percent of maximal possible effect (%MPE) = 16.93 and 22.72, respectively]. The investigated GHB derivatives, except for GT29 at 100 mg/kg, increased the electroconvulsive threshold by approximately 4-11 mA as compared to the vehicle-treated mice. In the chimney test they impaired the animals' motor coordination to various degree. We suggest further investigations of the compounds to estimate their biological activity.     

三氧化二砷对小鼠过敏性哮喘的治疗作用及机制

目的 :研究三氧化二砷对小鼠过敏性哮喘的治疗作用及对脾T细胞周期和Bcl 2基因表达的影响。方法 :用卵蛋白建立小鼠过敏性哮喘模型 ,收集肺泡灌洗液 (BALF) ,直接计算白细胞总数和分类 ,双缩脲法检测总蛋白含量 ,应用Medlab生物信号采集系统软件检测小鼠肺功能 ,流式细胞术和免疫荧光法检测脾及BALF中T细胞数、T细胞周期和Bcl 2基因表达的变化。结果 :三氧化二砷可使BALF中总蛋白含量下降 ,白细胞总数减少 ,嗜酸细胞和淋巴细胞减少 ,改善哮喘小鼠肺功能 ;使脾及BALF中T细胞数降低 ;在 1.15mg·kg-1的剂量时可诱导脾T细胞凋亡 ,在 4 .6 0mg·kg-1的剂量时抑制其活化增殖 ;可下调脾T细胞Bcl 2基因表达。结论 :三氧化二砷有平喘作用 ,其作用机制可能与其调节T细胞的激活与凋亡 ,下调Bcl 2基因表达有关。     

同病异证H22肝癌小鼠肿瘤组织细胞凋亡通路基因差异表达的特征

目的:观察昆明种H22肝癌小鼠邪毒壅盛证与气虚证肿瘤组织细胞凋亡通路基因表达特征,探讨中医同病异证发生的物质基础。方法:采用小鼠计量化辨证方法,筛选出瘤早期邪毒壅盛证与气虚证同病异证H22肝癌小鼠,采用Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Exon 1.0 ST Array检测肿瘤组织细胞凋亡通路相关基因表达的特征。结果:依据KEGG数据库细胞凋亡通路,筛选出芯片数据中匹配的33个基因,发现(1)TNF-α和IL-1依赖的细胞凋亡信号通路总体上不利于邪毒壅盛证小鼠肿瘤细胞的凋亡;(2)IL-3依赖的细胞凋亡信号通路总体上反似有利于邪毒壅盛证小鼠肿瘤细胞凋亡;而(3)线粒体介导的细胞凋亡信号通路,邪毒壅盛证小鼠一致表达下调,提示不利于其细胞凋亡。结论:邪毒壅盛肝癌小鼠肿瘤细胞恶性增殖程度高,可能与线粒体介导的细胞凋亡信号通路系列相关基因表达轻度抑制有关。     

Functional Fiber Reduces Mice Obesity by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota

Obesity may cause metabolic syndrome and has become a global public health problem, and dietary fibers (DF) could alleviate obesity and metabolic syndrome by regulating intestinal microbiota. We developed a functional fiber (FF) with a synthetic mixture of polysaccharides, high viscosity, water-binding capacity, swelling capacity, and fermentability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FF on obesity and to determine its prevention of obesity by modulating the gut microbiota. Physiological, histological, and biochemical parameters, and gut microbiota composition were investigated in the following six groups: control group (Con), high-fat diet group (HFD), low-fat diet group (LFD, conversion of HFD to LFD), high-fat +8% FF group (8% FF), high-fat +12% FF group (12% FF), and high-fat +12% FF + antibiotic group (12% FF + AB). The results demonstrated that 12% FF could promote a reduction in body weight and epididymal adipocyte area, augment insulin sensitivity, and stimulate heat production from brown adipose tissue (BAT) (p < 0.05). Compared with the HFD, 12% FF could also significantly improve the intestinal morphological integrity, attenuate systemic inflammation, promote intestinal microbiota homeostasis, and stabilize the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (p < 0.05). Consistent with the results of 12% FF, the LFD could significantly reduce the body weight and epididymal adipocyte area relative to the HFD (p < 0.05), but the LFD and HFD showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the level of inflammation and SCFAs. Meanwhile, 12% FF supplementation showed an increase (p < 0.05) in the abundance of the Bifidobacterium, Lactococcus, and Coprococcus genus in the intestine, which had a negative correlation with obesity and insulin resistance. Additionally, the treatment with antibiotics (12% FF + AB) could inhibit the effect of FF in the HFD. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) function prediction revealed that 12% FF could significantly inhibit the cyanogenic amino acid metabolic pathway and decrease the serum succinate concentration relative to the HFD group. The overall results indicate that 12% FF has the potential to reduce obesity through the beneficial regulation of the gut microbiota and metabolites.