Catgut implantation at acupoints increases the expression of glutamate aspartate transporter and glial glutamate transporter-1 in the brain of rats with spasticity after stroke

Catgut implantation at acupoints has been shown to alleviate spasticity after stroke in rats.However,the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.In this study,we used the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.Three days after surgery,absorbable surgical catgut sutures were implanted at Dazhui（GV14）,Jizhong（GV6）,Houhui,Guanyuan（CV4）and Zhongwan（CV12）.The Zea Longa score was used to assess neurological function.The Modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate muscle tension.The 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride assay was used to measure infarct volume.Immunohistochemical staining was performed for glutamate aspartate transporter（GLAST）and glial glutamate transporter-1（GLT-1）expression.Western blot assay was used to analyze the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were carried out to assess the expression of GLAST and GLT-1m RNAs.After catgut implantation at the acupoints,neurological function was substantially improved,muscle tension was decreased,and infarct volume was reduced in rats with spasticity after stroke.Furthermore,the expression of GLAST and GLT-1 m RNAs was increased on the injured（left）side.Our findings demonstrate that catgut implantation at acupoints alleviates spasticity after stroke,likely by increasing the expression of GLAST and GLT-1.

Characterization of lipid compositions, minor components and antioxidant capacities in macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) oil from four major areas in China

Macadamia is rich in lipids and considered as a source of high-quality oil. In this study, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, minor components and antioxidant activities of macadamia oils (MOs) from four cultivated regions (YN: Yunnan Province;GZ: Guizhou Province;GX: Guangxi Province;GD: Guangdong Province) in China were systematically analyzed by modern chromatography (Gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and ultraviolet spectroscopy). The analysis indicated macadamia oil enriched in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), including 62.4%–65.6% oleic acid and 11.4%–17.3% palmitoleic acid. Among the four cultivated regions, the MO from YN exhibited the highest contents of UFA (85.0%) and palmitoleic acid. In addition, the minor components and antioxidant activities of MO from four cultivation areas showed a significant difference, which GX-MO had the highest contents of α-tocotrienols (58.9 mg/kg) and phytosterols (2310.4 mg/kg), while GZ-MO was rich in squalene (626.7 mg/kg) and YN-MO had the highest levels of polyphenols (71.0 mg GAE/kg) and antioxidant capacity. Based on the correlation analysis, the polyphenols and α-tocotrienols had a remarkable contribution on the antioxidant activities of MO. Furthermore, the cultivation areas of MO can be distinguished according to the analysis of hierachical cluster analysis and principal components. Our studies offer a potential guidance for the identification of MO and its application in food industry.