Objective:Iron is an essential element in all living organisms and is required as a cofactor for oxygen-binding proteins. Iron metabolism, oxygen homeostasis and erythropoiesis are consequently strongly inter-connected. In mammalian cells, exposure to a low-oxygen environment triggers a hypoxic response pathway cen-tered on the regulated expression of the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor ( HIF) . Hypoxia has been shown to increase the expression of a variety of proteins involved in iron homeostasis. However, little is known about brain iron metabolism after intermittent hypobaric hypoxia ( IHH) treatment. In this study, adult Sprague dawley ( SD) rats were treated with IHH for 28 days, 8h per day and then we detected iron homeostasis in different brain areas of SD rats. Results:The protein level of hippocampus transferrin receptor 1 ( TfR1 ) , divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) with IRE, DMT1 (-IRE), ferritin-H, iron regulatory protein (IRP) 2 and ceruloplasmin (CP) is ele-vated significantly while ferritin-L decreased. We have also found the down regulation of IRP1. We observe the same results in the cerebral cortex in the brain. Conclusions:We first discover that IHH has an influence on the brain iron homeostasis and the decreased ferritin-L corresponds to the down regulation of IRP1 indicating hypoxia can affect the expression of ferritin-L through IRE/IRP system. Although there is a marked increase in TfR1 ex-pression that would lead to the raised level of LIP in cells. It can finally result in the higher ROS which can damage the cells. The concerned mechanisms involved in it remain to be deliberated.

AIM We have discovered that Limonene modulates interdigestive myoelectrical complexes (IMCs) ofgastrointestinal tract in rats. In this research we will elucidate weather limonene affects acetylcholine M-receptor in caudate nucleus.METHODS Changes of IMCs were studied after limonene and/or atropine were microinjected into caudatenucleus. IMCs were recorded by a RM-6200 four-channel recorder and then delivered to Maclab and PowerMacintosh.RESULTS The active phases of IMCs occupied about 40% of total cycle in average. After microinjection oflimonene into caudate nucleus, the active phases were significantly shortened, while the cycle time of IMCswere not changed significantly. The inhibitory effects of limonene were abolished by pretreatment withatropine, whilst the atropine has no effect on IMCs.CONCLUSION It is suggested that limonene inhabits the gastrointestinal IMCs by affecting M-receptor incaudate nucleus.

AIM To investigate the effect and regulation of electrical stimulation on the paraventricular nucleus (PVN)of hypothalamus using rat gastric ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-RI)induced ulcer model.METHODS Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150 g-250 g were used. The surgically prepared ratswere kept fasting for 24 h, but allowed free access to water. They were then anesthetized with urathane(1 g/kg), the celiac artery was clamped with a small clip (holding force 145 g) for 30min, reperfusion wasestablished by removal of the clamp, 60min after reperfusion, the rats were killed and their stomachs wereremoved and perfused intragastrically with 100 mL/L formalin for 30min, and the ulcer index was scoredaccording to Guth et al. The PVN was obtained according to atlas of Paxinos and Watson. The electrodesand cannula were inserted into the PVN for the electrical stimulation, electrical injury and PVN injection，RESULTS In control group (30min ischemia and 60ain reperfusion only), ulcer index was 184.70±60.80(n = 8); in electrical stimulations of PVN (0.2mA, 0.4mA and 0.6mA) + I-RI group, ulcer indexes were102.40±20.39, 85.37±39.76 and 45.00±19.04 (n =8) respectively. Compared with the control groupthere was significant difference ( P < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. In electrical lesion of bilateral PVN+ I-RI group, ulcer index was greatly increased (230.00±47.30, n = 8). Microinjection of 3% L-glutamate0.5μL into PVN could produce similar effect to that of PVN stimulation (ulcer index 75.14±37.18, n = 8).A further study indicated that the MDA, pepsin activity and gastric acidity were reduced by PVN stimulationbut no obvious changes of gastric juice volume, total acid output and gastric mucus barrier were observed.CONCLUSION The PVN is one of the specific CNS areas capable of protecting the gastric ischemic-reperfusion injury in rats, and related to decreased MPA, pepsin activity, gastric acidity, while gastric juicevolume, total acid output and gastric mucus do not likely play any important role in it.

AIM To establish a new improved vascular anastomotic technique to simplify the surgical technique and increase the survivsl rate of small intestinal transplantation in rats.METHODS The graft removed en bloc consisted of entire small intestine, portal vein and aortic segment with superior mesenteric artery. The graft was perfused in situ and the gut lumen was irrigated during the operation.Heterotopic small bowel transplantation was performed by microvascular end-to-side anastomosis between the donor aortic segment with superior mesenteric artery and the recipient abdominal aorta, and by the formation of a "Cuff" anastomosis between the donor portal vein and the recipient left renal vein. Both ends of the grafts were exteriorized as stomas. RESULTS A total of 189 intestinal transplantations were performed in rats, 33 of which were involved in the formal experimental group, with a survival rate of 84.8%. The average time for the donor surgery was 80min ±10min; for graft repair 10min ± 3min; and for recipient surgery 95min ± 15min. The average time for the arterial anastomosis and the vein anastomosis was 18min ± 5min and imin,respectively. The warm ischemic time and cold ischemic time were 22min ± 5min and less than 60min, respectively. The whole operation was completed by a single surgeon, the operative time being about 3 hours. CONCLUSION The vascular anastomosis used in this study could simplify surgical technique,reduce the operative time and elevate the survival rate of small intestinal transplantation in rats.

Wallerian degeneration is a subject of major interest in neuroscience. A large number of genes are differentially regulated during the distinct stages of Wallerian degeneration: transcription factor activation, immune response, myelin cell differentiation and dedifferentiation. Although gene expression responses in the distal segment of the sciatic nerve after peripheral nerve injury are known, differences in gene expression between the proximal and distal segments remain unclear. In the present study in rats, we used microarrays to analyze changes in gene expression, biological processes and signaling pathways in the proximal and distal segments of sciatic nerves under-going Wallerian degeneration. More than 6,000 genes were differentially expressed and 20 types of expression tendencies were identiifed, mainly between proximal and distal segments at 7-14 days after injury. The differentially expressed genes were those involved in cell differentiation, cytokinesis, neuron differentiation, nerve development and axon regeneration. Furthermore, 11 biological processes were represented, related to responses to stimuli, cell apoptosis, inlfammato-ry response, immune response, signal transduction, protein kinase activity, and cell proliferation. Using real-time quantitative PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, microarray data were veriifed for four genes: aquaporin-4, interleukin 1 receptor-like 1, matrix metallopro-teinase-12 and periaxin. Our study identiifes differential gene expression in the proximal and distal segments of a nerve during Wallerian degeneration, analyzes dynamic biological changes of these genes, and provides a useful platform for the detailed study of nerve injury and repair during Wallerian degeneration.

Claudin 14 has been shown to promote nerve repair and regeneration in the early stages of Wallerian degeneration (0–4 days) in rats with sciatic nerve injury, but the mechanism under-lying this process remains poorly understood. This study reported the effects of claudin 14 on nerve degeneration and regeneration during early Wallerian degeneration. Claudin 14 expression was up-regulated in sciatic nerve 4 days after Wallerian degeneration. The altered expression of claudin 14 in Schwann cells resulted in expression changes of cytokines in vitro. Expression of claudin 14 affected c-Jun, but not Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. Further studies revealed that enhanced expression of claudin 14 could promote Schwann cell proliferation and migration. Silencing of claudin 14 expression resulted in Schwann cell apoptosis and reduction in Schwann cell proliferation. Our data revealed the role of claudin 14 in early Wallerian degeneration, which may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of Wallerian degeneration.

Oenanthe javanica is an aquatic perennial herb that belongs to theOenanthe genus in Apiaceae family, and it displays well-known medicinal properties such as protective effects against glu-tamate-induced neurotoxicity. However, few studies regarding effects ofOenanthe javanica on neurogenesis in the brain have been reported. In this study, we examined the effects of a normal diet and a diet containing ethanol extract ofOenanthe javanica on cell proliferation and neu-roblast differentiation in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus of adolescent rats using Ki-67 (an endogenous marker for cell proliferation) and doublecortin (a marker for neuroblast). Our results showed thatOenanthe javanica extract signiifcantly increased the number of Ki-67-immunoreactive cells and doublecortin-immunoreactive neuroblasts in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the adolescent rats. In addition, the immunoreactivity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was signiifcantly increased in the dentate gyrus of theOe-nanthe javanica extract-treated group compared with the control group. However, we did not ifnd that vascular endothelial growth factor expression was increased in theOenanthe javanica extract-treated group compared with the control group. These results indicate thatOenanthe javanica extract improves cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation by increasing brain-de-rived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in the rat dentate gyrus.

It is known that aminoglycoside antibiotics can damage the vestibular and auditory sensory epithelia, and the loop diuretics can enhance the ototoxic effect of aminoglycosides. Previous studies on the synergistic effect of these two types of drugs have used mice, guinea pigs and cats, but not rats. The aim of this study was to determine this synergistic effects in rat cochleae. Rats received intravenous injections of different doses of furosemide and/or intramuscular injections of kanamycin sulfate. Au-ditory brainstem response (ABR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunocytochemistry were used to determine the effects of drug administration. In the group receiving combined administration of furosemide and kanamycin, the ABR thresh-old showed significant elevation 3 days after drug administration, greater than single drug administration. The hair cells showed various degrees of injury from the apical turn to the basal turn of the cochlea and from the outer hair cells to the inner hair cells. Neuron fibers of the hair cells showed significant loss 7 days after the drug administration, but the number of spiral ganglia did not decrease and supporting cells showed no signs of injury. Our study suggest that combined administration of fu-rosemide and kanamycin has an synergistic ototoxic effect, and can result in hair cell loss and hearing loss in rats.

Objective. To investigate the difference of rejection in single versus combined pancreas and kidney transplantation in rats.Methods. All ograft models including simultaneous pancreas and kidney(SPK)transplant and pancreas or kidney transplant alone were established in SD-Wistar rats, rejections of pancreas and kidney in different models were compared morphologically and functionally.Results. Mean survival time (MST)of pancreas was significantly prolonged in SPK than in pancreas transplant alone(PTA)( 11.5 days vs. 9.2 days, P ＜ 0.05). Incidence of interstitial pancreatic rejection at grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ was much obvious in PTA than in SPK(42.9% vs. 12.5% at grade Ⅱ and 28.6% vs 6.3% at grade Ⅲ , P ＜0.05). No significant difference was found in MST between SPK and kidney transplant alone(KTA). Administration of cyclosporine A prolonged the MS T of pancreas and kidney, without altering the tendency stated above.Conclusions. In SPK, the function of pancreas is protected by kidney hence the severity of rejection is reduced, whereas the function of kidney is not protected by pancreas. It suggests that different organs differ in immunoallergization and immunoregula tion, and immune response tend to attack organs with greater immunoactivity, those organs with minor one could be protected. Cyclosporine A is effective on prolonging the MST of pancreas and kidney.

Objective To investigate early changes in systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in normal and cirrhotic rats.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups:normal controls (NL,n=10),intrahepatic portal hypertension (IHPH, n=10) induced by injection of CCl4, normal rats with OLT (NL-OLT,n=9) and IHPH rats with OLT (IHPH-OLT,n=16). IHPH-OLT rots were divided into 2 subgroups: 3 days (Group A,n=9) and 7 days (Group B, n=7) after OLT. OLT was pedormed in rats using cuffs for the anastomosis of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava,infrahepatic vena cava and portal vein. Two weeks after production of IHPH rots, 7 days after NL-OLT rats, 3 days and 7 days after IHPH-OLT rats, radicective microspheres were used in a hemodynamic study.Results There were no significant differences in hemodynamic changes between NL-OLT and NL rets,except mean arterial blood pressure (MAP).The characteristies of systemic and splanchnic hyperdynamic circulatory slate,including increased cardiac output and splanchnic blood flow, decreased mean acterial blood pressure, total peripheral vascular resistance and splanchnic vascular resistance were ibserved in IHPH, IHPH-OLT A, and IHPH-OLT B rats,The magnitude of hyperhemodynamics was in the order of IHPH＞IHPH-OLT A＞IHPH-OLT B rats.Moreover, the derangement of splanchnic hyperhemodynamice was more significant than that of systemic hyperhemodynamics.Conclusioos The present study demonstrates that the persistence of early systemic and splanchnic hyperkinetic circulation after OLT may be the consequence of factors which maintain hyperhemodynamics in liver cirrhosis, where portal hypertension is not completely eliminated. Hyperhemodynamics is not induced by OLT per se.

高血糖大鼠海马CA1区一氧化氮合成酶阳性神经元变化的研究

Objective To observe the expression of nitric oxide syhthetase(NOS) in hippocampus CA1 neurons with hyperglycemia.Method NADPH-d histochemical method was used.Rcsults NOS positive neurons expressed in hippocampus CA1 and nomal neurons of 6 weeks old rats with hyperglycemia(DM) and normal rats(NC).There was significant difference in neurons between DM group and control group.Conclusion NOS positive neurons decrease in hippocampus CA1 of rats with hyperglycemia.

目的:研究不同剂量的"常乐"对大鼠肝脏结构和功能的影响.方法:采用健康Wistar大鼠180只,每组30只,实验组分别以0.1、0.2、2.0、10.0、20.0 mg*kg-1常乐连续灌胃6个月,每日1次.应用常规组织化学、透射电镜技术及血清生化测定技术,观察动物肝脏的结构和功能变化.结果:各实验组动物体重随染毒剂量的减少而呈线性增长.20.0 mg*kg-1组肝细胞内糖原颗粒减少,肝细胞核有不同程度的变形,门管区有炎细胞浸润,其余各组肝脏结构与对照组相比无明显改变.各实验组动物肝脏Kupffer细胞及肝细胞中均可见到高电子密度的致密体及含电子密度较高颗粒的溶酶体,其数量随染毒剂量的增大而增多.20.0 mg*kg-1组血清ALP及GPT增高.结论:20.0 mg*kg-1"常乐"长期作用对大鼠肝脏结构和功能均有损害.

大鼠重组蛋白β-防御素22是具有抗微生物活性的肝素结合蛋白

脑出血后血肿周围神经元Cyt-c与Caspase-3的表达及不同中医治法的干预

目的 观察大鼠脑出血后血肿周围神经元Cyt-c与活化Caspase-3的表达情况及不同中医治法的干预作用.方法 用Ⅶ胶原酶脑内立体定位注射诱导大鼠脑出血模型,免疫组化检测血肿周围神经元Cyt-c的释放情况与活化Caspase-3的表达,同时用直尺测量不同时间点血肿的大直径.结果 大鼠脑出血后血肿周围神经元于6 h即有Cyt-c释放;1 d后阳性细胞表达多;3 d后阳性细胞数减少;5 d后阳性细胞继续减少,与假手术组比较差异明显(P＜0.01);血肿周围于6 h出现Caspase-3阳性表达细胞,1 d阳性细胞计数达高峰,3 d出现轻度下降,5 d明显下降,与假手术组比较差异明显(P＜0.01);采取不同中医治法治疗后Cyt-c与Caspase-3均有所下降,与其他各组比较,平肝熄风汤组治疗后下降明显(P＜0.01).结论 脑出血后血肿周围神经元Cyt-c与活化Caspase-3表达明显上调,采取熄风、泻火、祛痰、化瘀以及风火痰瘀同治等治法均能抑制Cyt-c与Caspase-3的表达,阻止神经元的凋亡,以平肝熄风汤组为明显.

Purpose:.To establish an animal model of autologous oral mucosa grafting for limbal stem cell deficiency.
Methods:.The study was carried from August to October 2012. Fourteen SD rats were randomly and evenly allocated to study group A and control group B. Limbal stem cell defi-ciency was established by alkali burn in the right eye of each rat in both groups. Rats in group A received autologous oral mucosa strip transplantation following the chemical burn. Rats in group B did not receive surgery after the chemical burn. Topical antibiotics and dexamethasone were used in all rats. Corneal clarity,.corneal fluorescein staining,.oral mucosal graft survival, and complications at postoperative days 1,3,7, 14 were observed.
Results:.The oral mucosa strip graft was detached in one rat in group A. Reepithelialization was observed starting from the graft position and was completed within 14 days in the re-maining 6 eyes in group A. However, persistent corneal ep-ithelium defect was observed in all eyes in group B, among which corneal melting and perforation was observed in 2 eyes and corneal opacification with neovascularization was ob-served in the remaining 5 eyes.
Conclusion:.Autologous oral mucosa strip grafting for limbal stem cell deficiency can be achieved by a rat model following chemical burn. The fate of the transplanted oral mucosal ep-ithelial cells warrants further study. (Eye Science 2014; 29:1-5).

Effect of Largehead Atractylodes Rhizome on Serum Albumin Level and Intestinal Mucosa Morphology in Rats with Cerebral Hemorrhage

Objective To evaluate the effect and mechanism of largehead atractylodes rhizome on the serum albumin level and jejunal mucosa morphology in rats with cerebral hemorrhage. Methods The cerebral hemorrhage rat model was established by using a simple grouping experimental design method to detect the serum albumin level and the morphological parameter of the jejunal mucosa in the treatment and control groups on Day 1, 7 and 14 after cerebral hemorrhage. Results Compared with the control group, the serum albumin was increased in the treatment group on Day 1 and 7 after the operation (P<0.05), the small intestinal villus height and mucosal thickness were significantly decreased on Day 1, and the small intestinal villus height, villus area and mucosal thickness were all significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusion Largehead atractylodes rhizome can increase the serum albumin level of rats, and can aggravate the injury of the small intestinal mucosa in the early stage, but relieve in the late stage.

创造性研究的有效工具--远距离联想测验(RAT)

介绍了一个测量创造力的方法--远距离联想测验(remote associarestest,RAT),并将它与其他创造性测验方法进行比较.文章还介绍了应用RAT进行的一些创造性科学研究的成果.作者认为RAT是适合创造性科学研究,尤其是神经科学研究的重要工具.

Stat3诱骗寡核苷酸激活巨噬细胞抗乳腺癌免疫反应

目的:探讨肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(TAMs)的信号转导和激活子3(Stat3)信号途径在抗乳腺癌免疫应答中的作用.方法:用大鼠乳腺癌细胞的培养上清液诱导培养大鼠的腹腔巨噬细胞,再用Stat3诱骗寡核苷酸(decoy ODNs)抑制其Stat3的活性并用细菌的脂多糖将其激活,检测其对肿瘤细胞的杀伤活性和抗原呈递能力;将乳腺癌细胞移植到SD大鼠,然后接受诱导的巨噬细胞或转染ODNs的诱导巨噬细胞的处理,检测肿瘤的生长和大鼠的免疫反应强度.结果:伴随Stat3的过度激活,诱导的巨噬细胞对肿瘤细胞的细胞毒性和抗原呈递能力减弱.Stat3 decoy ODNs增强诱导的巨噬细胞的杀伤活性,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);增强诱导的巨噬细胞的抗原呈递能力,巨噬细胞呈递抗原剌激的淋巴细胞的增殖能力、IFN-γ产量及细胞毒性与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01).Stat3活性被抑制的巨噬细胞能增强大鼠对移植乳腺癌的免疫反应而抑制肿瘤的生长,在第24、28、32天,Stat3 decoy ODNs处理组的肿瘤体积与其他各组比较,差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01).结论:TAMs的免疫抑制作用可能与其Stat3信号过度激活有关,抑制其Stat3信号能增强机体对乳腺癌的免疫应答反应.

The effect of U50488, a selective k-opioid receptor agonist, on cardiac rhythm in the isolated perfused rat heart and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+] i) in the single ventricular myocyte were studied. The results showed that U50488 can induce arrhythmias dose-dependently in the isolated perfused rat heart and increase [Ca2+] i in the single ventricular myocyte. The effect of U50488 can be blocked by a selectivek-receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine.The arrhythmogenic effects and the increase of [ Ca2 + ] i induced by U50488 were blocked by U73122, neomycin and streptomycin, which are selective phospolipase C inhibitors, but not by U73433, the inactive structural analog of U73122. These results demonstrated that the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac k-receptor is due to activation of phosphoinositol/Ca2+ pathway.

Growth differentiation factor-5 stimulates the growth and anabolic metabolism of articular chondrocytes

Objective: To observe the effect of growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) on the growth and anabolic metabolism of articular chondrocytes. Methods: The articular chondrocytes isolated from rats were treated with various concentrations of rmGDF-5, and the growth of chondrocytes measured by MTT assay, the cellular cartilage matrices formation detected sulfated glycosaminoglycan by Alcian blue staining and type Ⅱ collagen by RT-PCR,the collagen phenotypic expression of chondrocytes detected by immunofluorescence. Results: After 7 days culture,MTT assay showed that GDF-5 enhanced the growth of chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner, RT-PCR showed that GDF-5 clearly induced the synthesis of type Ⅱ collagen because of the col2a1 mRNA band more and more strong in a dose-dependent. Chondrocytes were cultured with GDF-5 for 14 days, the intensity of Alcian blue staining was greatly enhanced, especially, at a high concentration of 1000ng/ml, and GDF-5 enhanced the accumulation of the Alcian blue-stainable material in a concentration-dependent manner and in a does-dependent manner. Chondrocytes were cultured with GDF-5 for 21 days, immunofluorescent staining of type Ⅱ collagen was clear, the type Ⅰ and X collagen were negative. Conclusion: GDF-5 enhanced the growth of mature articular chondrocytes, and stimulated the cellular cartilage matrices formation, but did not change the collagen phenotypic expression of chondrocytes in mono-layer culture.