Soil Cadmium Regulates Antioxidases in Sorghum

The regulatory mechanism of soil cadmium （Cd） on antioxidases in sorghum was studied using 3 sorghum species viz., sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor （L.）] Moench. cv. Hunnigreen, sorghum hybrid sudangrass （Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense, cv. Everlush） and sudangrass [Sorghum sudanense （Piper） Stapf cv. Xinjiang]. The results showed that low concentrations of Cd^2＋ （410 mg kg-0 induced the activities of 4 antioxidases in leaves of the 3 species of sorghum, but high Cd^2＋ concentrations （≥ 50 mg kg-0 significantly reduced the activities of all the four antioxidases. The glutathione （GSH） contents in leaves of the 3 species of sorghum correlated positively with the Cd^2＋ concentrations. The maximum antioxidase activities were observed at the elongation stage of sorghum during the whole growth period.

Variations in Antioxidase Activities and MDA Content in Potato Tubers Infected by Fusarium trichothecioides

[Objective] This study was conducted to determine the physiological and biochemical characteristics of potato tubers infected by Fusarium trichothecioides. [Method] The soluble protein content, SOD activity, POD activity and malondialdehyde （MDA） content of the tubers of two potato varieties Atlantic and Keshan 1 infected by F. trichothecioides were measured 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 h later. [Result] Com- pared with the control uninfected, the contents of soluble protein and MDA in the tu- bers of both potato varieties infected with F. trichothecioides decreased, while the SOD activity increased, indicating that SOD activity had a certain relationship with the resistance of potato to dry rot. The POD activity in Keshan 1 which is resistant to F. trichothecioides was higher than in Atlantic, which is susceptible to F. trichothe- cioides, indicating that POD activity was closely related with potato＇s resistance to Fusarium dry rot. [Conclusion] The physiological and biochemical characteristics of potato tubers infected by F. trichothecioides will provide some references for the early waming and prevention of Fusariurn dry rot.

Influences of 5-ALA Application on Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Growth before Winter

[Objective] The aim of this paper is to investigate the influences of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid （5-aLA） application on the growth and mechanism of winter oilseed rape （Brassica napus L.） before winter. [Method] For this purpose a split-plot experimental design with four treatments of seed soaking with 0,25,50 and 75 mg/L ALA solution （CK,A1,A2 and A3） was carried out from October 2009 to January 2010 in order to observe the influences upon the growth and relevant physiological indexes of Zhongshuang 9. [Result] Seed soaking with ALA solution significantly promotes the growth of double-9 before winter,which is probably due to the fact that ALA application enhances its photosynthesis,absorption of nutrients,and its anti-oxidation abilities. The research also finds that ALA treatment notably increases its photosynthetic pigment contents,root activities,leaf nitrate reductase activities,soluble sugar contents,antioxidase activities,and significantly decreases malondialdehyde（MDA） content. [Conclusion] These results indicate that seed soaking with 50 mg/L ALA solution might have a potential application in increasing the productivity of winter oilseed rape in agricultural management.

Oxidative Stress in Patients With Acute Coxsackie Virus Myocarditis

Objective To study the state of oxidative stress in patients with acute coxsackie virusmyocarditis (ACM), and to investigate the pathological chain reactions of a series of freeradicals and oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies. Methods Eighty ACMpatients and 80 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a case-control study, inwhich concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma andLPO in erythrocytes (RBC), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and b-carotene (b-CAR) inplasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathioneperoxidase (GSH-Px) in RBC were determined by using spectrophotometric assays. ResultsCompared with the average values (AV) of the above biochemical parameters (BP) in theHAV group, the AV of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and RBC in the ACM group weresignificantly increased (P=0.0001), while the AV of VC, VE, b-CAR, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in the ACM group were significantly decreased (P=0.0001). The values of the above BPwere used to estimate the relative risk ratio (RR) between the ACM group and the HAVgroup; the RR and its 95 % confidence interval were 12.467 (5.745~27.051), 4.333(2.126~8.834), 6.517 (3.225~13.618), 3.310 (1.598~6.858), 31.000 (12.611~76.201),4.663 (2.228~9.759), 11.769 (5.440~25.462), 3.043 (1.486~6.229) and 6.594 (3.045~14.281)respectively, and their P levels ranged from 0.002 to 0.0001. The results were asfollows: D = 22.143 - 0.017SOD + 0.008NO + 0.244LPO in RBC, Eigenvalue = 13.659,Canonical correlation = 0.965, Wilks’λ= 0.068, c2 = 420.212, P = 0.0001. The correct rateof discrimination to the ACM group and to the HAV group was 87.5% and 95.0 %, respectively,and 91.3 % of originally grouped cases was correctly classified. Conclusion The findingsin this study suggested that the oxidative stress in bodies of ACM patients was severelyaggravated, and marked high oxidative constituents and low antioxidants and antioxidasesin the human body might increase the relative risk of inducing acute coxsackie virusmyocarditis, and measuring the values of NO in plasma, SOD and LPO in RBC mightincrease the correct rates of discriminatory analysis of the ACM.

Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Eucommia ulmiodes Oliver Leaves on Liver Mitochondria

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Eucommia ulmiodes Oliver leaves （AEO） on liver mitochondrial injury induced by free radicals. [Method] MDA content was determined by thiobarbituric acid colorimetric method; mitochondrial swelling degree was determined by spectrophotometry; the superoxide anion radical scavenging ability was determined using reduced coenzyme I-tetrazolium-phenazine methosulfate as the superoxide anion generation system. Mice were hypodermically injected in the back and neck with D- galactose, after 50 d, the effects of AEO on the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） and anti-hydroxyl radicals in mouse liver were determined using kits. [Result] AEO can efficiently reduce the liver injury and inhibit mitochondrial swelling induced by Fe2＋-L-Cys, which can also scavenge superoxide anion and improve the activities of antioxidant enzymes. [Conclusion] This study provided scientific basis for the development and application of AEO resources.

Antioxidase Activities of Tetraploid Lines and Diploid Control Line of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium

Objective The SOD, POD and APX enzyme activities of tetraploid lines and diploid control line of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium in test-tube and field were determined in order to provide a reference for the selective breeding of high resistance good tetraploid varieties of C. cinerariifolium. Method The SOD, POD and APX activities of each sample were determined. Every material should have 3 replicates which been determined and calculated mean value to analyze. Result The various kinds of antioxidase activities in protective enzyme system of tetraploid lines were increased generally in comparison with that of diploid control line. And there is certain relativity between the samples in field and in test-tube of these lines. Conclusion The antioxidase activities of each line in test-tube could be considered as reference index to screen high resistance good tetraploid varieties of C. cinerariifolium.

Oxidative Stress and Oxidative Damage in Male Rat Erythrocytes Associated with Prolonged Exposure to Smoke Pollution

Exposure of animals to different duration of smoke can result in a wide range of adverse clinical conditions. Toxicological consequences arising from prolonged exposure may not be totally enumerated. The present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress-inducing potential of a short and long-time exposure of male rat erythrocytes to environmentally relevant to public health. Male Wistar rats were exposed to open municipal land-fill smoke for 30 and/or 60 days. The oxidative stress in erythrocytes was evaluated by assessing the magnitude of malondialdehyde production and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (C) and glutathione reductase (GR) after 30 and/or 60 days of exposure. After 30 days there was no change in SOD, catalase and GR activities and no alterations in GSH and lipid peroxidation (LPO). After 60 days, the levels and activities of SOD (23.62%), catalase (5.24%), GR (14.87%) decreased. Overall, the study demonstrates that the chronic exposure of male rats to smoke results in induction of oxidative stress and simultaneous reduction in antioxidative defense system in erythrocytes at 60 days of exposure.

Abnormal Reactions of Free Radicals and Oxidative Damages in the Bodies of Patients With Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Objective To study the abnormal reactions of a series of free radicals and the oxidative damages induced by free radical abnormal reactions in the bodies of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. Methods Eighty chronic glomerulonephritis patients (CGNP) and eighty healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (?CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric assays. Results Compared with the average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HAV group, the average values of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly increased (P = 0.0001), while those of VC, VE and -CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly decreased (P = 0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of the concentration of blood creatinine as well as prolongation of the course of disease in the CGNP, the concentrations of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP increased gradually, while the concentrations of VC, VE and ?CAR in plasma as well as the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP decreased gradually (P = 0.002454 0.000001). The relative risk ratio (RR) of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damages in the bodies of CGNP ranged from 6.061 to 72.429. The reliability coefficient (alpha) that the above biochemical parameters were used to reflect the oxidative damages of the CGNP was 0.8137, standardized item alpha = 0.9728, Hotelling抯 T-Squared = 1135680.191, F = 53274.6478, P = 0.000001. Conclusions The findings in this study show that in the bodies of CGNP a series of free radical chain reactions result in severe pathological aggravation and induce oxidative damages in their bodies. Therefore, suitable dose of antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate oxidative damages in their bodies.

Protective Roles of Brassinolide on Rice Seedlings under High Temperature Stress

Two indica rice （Oryza sativa L.） materials, Xieqingzao B （sensitive to heat stress） and 082 （tolerant to heat stress） were used to study the role of brassinolide （BR） in protection of rice seedlings from heat stress. Young seedlings were subjected to high temperature （38℃/30℃） and sprayed with 0.005 mg/L of BR. Analysis was conducted on the contents of chlorophyll, protein and malondialdehyde （MDA）, the leakage of electrolyte, the activities of peroxidase （POD） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） and their isozymes expression levels in leaves. Under the high temperature treatment, application of BR significantly increased the contents of chlorophyll and protein, and the activities of POD and SOD, and reduced the content of MDA and the leakage of electrolyte in the leaves of the heat-sensitive material Xieqingzao B, whereas BR had less effect on those of the heat-tolerant material 082 relatively. The BR treatment enhanced the expression of POD isozymes in the leaves of both materials. Under the high temperature stress and BR treatment, the expression of four SOD isozymes reduced in 082, but the expression of two SOD isozymes increased in Xieqingzao B. This suggests that BR plays an important role in protection of rice seedlings from heat stress by enhancing the activities or expression level of protective enzymes in the leaves. The materials with various heat-tolerance might differ in the mechanism of response to heat stress with BR application.

Ozone Emitted During Copying Process-A Potential Cause of Pathological Oxidative Stress and Potential Oxidative Damage in the Bodies of Operators

To estimate the impact of copying on the indoor air quality, and to investigate whether ozone emitted during such a process induces pathological oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of operators. Methods 67 copying operators (CO) and 67 healthy volunteers (HV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which levels of lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and erythrocytes, and levels of vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and b-carotene (b-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results Compared with the HV group, the average values of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CO group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of VC, VE and b-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CO group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of ozone level in copying sites and duration of exposure to ozone, the values of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the bodies of operators were gradually increased,while those of VC, VE, b-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were decreased in the same manner. Odds ratio (OR) of risk of biochemical parameters reflecting potential oxidative damage of the copying operators ranged from 4.440 to 13.516, and 95 % CI of OR was from 2.113 to 34.061. Reliability coefficient () of the biochemical parameters used to reflect the potential oxidative damage of the operators was 0.8156, standardized item =0.9929, P<0.0001. Conclusion Findings in the present study suggest that there exist a series of free radical chain reactions and pathological oxidative stress induced by high dose ozone in the operators, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA)Abuse Markedly Inhibits Acetylcholinesterase Activity and Induces Severe Oxidative Damage and Liperoxidative Damage

Objective To investigate whether 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) abuse produces another neurotoxicity which may significantly inhibit the acetylcholinesterase activity and result in severe oxidative damage and liperoxidative damage to MDMA abusers. Methods 120 MDMA abusers (MA) and 120 healthy volunteers (HV) were enrolled in an independent sample control design, in which the levels of lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and erythrocytes as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results Compared with the average values of biochemical parameters in the HV group, those of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the MA group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while those of SOD, CAT, GPX and AChE in erythrocytes in the MA group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). The Pearson product-moment correlation analysis between the values of AChE and biochemical parameters in 120 MDMA abusers showed that significant linear negative correlation was present between the activity of AChE and the levels of LPO in plasma and erythrocytes (P<0.0005-0.0001), while significant linear positive correlation was observed between the activity of AchE and the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX (P<0.0001). The reliability analysis for the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in MDMA abusers suggested that the reliability coefficient (alpha) was 0.8124, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9453. Conclusion The findings in the present study suggest that MDMA abuse can induce another neurotoxicity that significantly inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity and aggravates a series of free radical chain reactions and oxidative stress in the bodies of MDMA abusers, thereby resulting in severe neural, oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in MDMA abusers.

Increased Oxidative Stress in Women With Pregnancy-induced Hypertension

Objective To investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension （PIH） may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage. Methods Seventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy （UNP） whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide （NO）, vitamin C （VC）, vitamin E （VE）, and β-carotene （β-CAR） as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde （MDA）, and activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase （CAT） and glutathione peroxidase （GPX） were determined by spcctrophotometry. Results Compared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased （P〈0.0001）, while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and β-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased （P〈0.0005-0.0001）. The findings from partial correlation analysis （controlling for age） for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure （SBP） and diastolic blood pressure （DBP）, MDA value gradually increased （P〈0.001）, and NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased （P〈0.02-0.001）. The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients （alpha, 8 items） = 0.7062, P〈 0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P〈 0.0001. Conclusion The findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Effects of Rare Earth Elements on Vigor Enhancement of Aged Spinach Seeds

The effect and the mechanism of action of lanthanum, cerium and neodymium on aged seeds of spinach were studied. By LaCl_3, CeCl_3, and NdCl_3 treatment, the germination rate, germination index and vigor index of aged spinach seeds are increased and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase are enhanced. Moreover the ·O_2^- and malondialdehyde content are decreased and the cell membrane permeability of aged spinach seeds is reduced. Among these three rare earth elements, Ce treatment enhances vigor of aged seeds most significantly, that of Nd treatment secondly and La treatment is not as effective as the other two treatments. The reason may be from 4f electron characteristic and alternation valence of REEs.

Responses of antioxidant defense system of epilithic mosses to drought stress in karst rock desertified areas

Barbula fallax Hedw., Erythrodontium julaceum(Schwaegr.) Par., and Bryum argenteum Hedw. are typical rock mosses growing on rocks in different terrestrial habitats. In this study, B. fallax and E. julaceum, which are epilithic mosses growing in rock desertification in Guizhou, China, were used as ecophysiological mosses in a combination of field investigations and laboratory experiments. We also investigated the reference moss B. argenteum, which is a widely distributed moss in habitats with soil as substrate. Our research focused on the response of the antioxidant defense system of epilithic mosses to drought stress. Most antioxidant defense indicators increased initially, then declined at later stages of drought stress. In contrast, the carotenoid content increased constantly. In addition, there was an initial increase(albeit variable) in relative membrane permeability, with this parameter showing a parabolic trend in all of the epilithic mosses. Among the three species, E. julaceum demonstrated the strongest resistance followed by B. fallax and then by B. argenteum. The epilithic mosses displayed stronger resistance compared to the native mosses; the increase in O_2 content and other reactive oxygen species(ROS) at the early stage of drought stress induced the enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging systems tosequester ROS. Moreover, the radical scavenging ability and strong drought tolerance was maintained. The longterm growth of bryophyte under drought conditions in a karst environment can help eliminate the intense response of mosses to drought stress as they adapt.

Oxidative stress and damage induced by abnormal free radical reactions and IgA nephropathy

Objective: To estimate the oxidative stress and oxidative damage induced by abnormal free radical reactions in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients' bodies. Methods: Seventy-two IgA N patients (IgANP) and 72 healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study design, in which the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxide (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (β-CAR) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric mothods. Results: Compared with the HAV group, the averages of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes in the IgANP group were significantly increased (P＜0.0001), while those ofVC, VE and β-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the IgANP group were significantly decreased (P＜0.0001). Linear correlation analysis showed that with the increase of the values of NO, and LPO in plasma and in erythrocytes, and with the decrease of those ofVC, VE, β-CAR,SOD, CAT and GPX in the IgAN patients, the degree of histological damage of tubulointerstitial regions was increased gradually (P＜0.0001); and that with the prolongation of the duration of disease the values of NO, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes were increased gradually, while those of VC, VE, β-CAR, SOD, CAT and GPX were decreased gradually (P＜0.005). The discriminatory correct rates of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damage of the IgAN patients were 73.8%-92.5%, and the correct rates for the HAV were 70.0%-91.3% when independent discriminant analysis was used; and the correct rate for the IgAN patients was increased to 98.8%, the correct rate for the HAV was increased to 100% when stepwise discriminant analysis was used. The above biochemical parameters' reliability coefficient (alpha) were used to estimate the oxidative damage of the IgAN patients as 0.8145, the standardized item alpha=0.9730, F=53273.5681, P＜0.0001. Conclusions: A series of free radical chain reactions caused serious pathological aggravation in the IgANP' bodies, thus resulting in oxidative damage in their bodies. In treating IgANP, therefore, it is necessary that suitable dose antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate the oxidative damage in their bodies.

May Chronic Childhood Constipation Cause Oxidative Stress and Potential Free Radical Damage to Children?

Objective To investigate whether chronic childhood constipation (CCC) may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children, and to explore the mechanisms by which CCC may cause oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to chronic constipation patients (CCPs). Methods Sixty CCPs and sixty healthy child volunteers (HCVs) whose ages, gender and others were matched for the CCPs were enrolled in a randomized controlled study, in which levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometric analytical methods. Results Compared with average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HCVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the CCPs group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Linear regression and bivariate correlation analysis showed that with prolonged course of the CCPs, the levels of VC and VE in plasma as well as the activities of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes in the CCPs were decreased gradually (P<0.0001). Conclusion The findings in the present study suggest that chronic childhood constipation causes oxidative stress and potential free radical damage to children with chronic constipation.

Potential Oxidative Stress in the Bodies of Electric Arc Welding Operators: Effect of Photochemical Smog

Objective To investigate whether photochemical smog emitted during the process of electric arc welding might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of welding operators. Methods Seventy electric arc welding operators (WOs) and 70 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled in a randomized controlled study design, in which the levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry. Results Compared with the average values of the above experimental parameters in the HVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the WOs group were significantly decreased (P<0.005-0.0001), while the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the WOs group was significantly increased (P<0.0001). The findings from the partial correlation analysis on the controlling of age suggested that with a prolonged duration of exposure to photochemical smog the values of VC, VE, SOD, and GPX, except for CAT, in the WOs were decreased gradually (P<0.05-0.005), the value of LPO in the WOs was increased gradually (P<0.001), and that with the ozone dose increased in the air in each worksite VC, VE, SOD, CAT and GPX decreased (P<0.005-0.001), but LPO increased (P<0.001). The findings from the reliability analysis for the VC, VE, SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPO values which were used to reflect oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the WOs showed that the reliability coefficients?alpha (6 items) was 0.8021, P<0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9577, P<0.0001. Conclusion Findings in the present study suggest that there exists an oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure to photochemical smog in the bodies of WOs, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

The Physiological Response of Three <i>Narcissus pseudonarcissus</i>under NaCl Stress

In order to explore the salt-tolerance of Narcissus pseudonarcissus and enrich its cultivation and application forms. In this experiment, “Manly”, “Dutch” and “Wilden” daffodils were used as test materials. NaCl stress was applied at different concentrations, and the corresponding physiological indexes were measured at three time nodes: bolting stage, early flowering stage and blooming stage. The results showed that all three showed some resistance under low concentration salt stress, in which, SOD, POD enzyme activity, chlorophyll proline and soluble sugar content increased, while MDA content decreased. The physiological metabolism of the three was disturbed under high concentration of salt stress, in which, SOD, POD enzyme activity and chlorophyll content decreased, while MDA, proline and soluble sugar content increased. With the extension of stress time, the injury was gradually deepened and the salt tolerance of the three varieties is “Dutch”, “Wilden” and “Manly” in order.

The neuroprotective effect of Rhodiolae on dementia rat induced by ibotenic acid

OBJECTIVE To research the effect of Rhodiolae on cognitive function on dementia rats and to investigate its potential mechanism.METHODS Established dementia model via injecting ibotenic acid into basal nuclei,and randomly divided the model rats into model group,Aricept group(1.4 mg·kg-1)and Rhodiolae group(0.14 mg·kg-1),moreover the sham group was built byinjecting normal saline.All animals received homologous drugs after modeling 1 week,and the sham group and model group were gave isometric normal saline(10 mL·kg-1),1/d.Morris water maze was used to evaluate the change of cognitive function after the rats were treated 40 d,and pathomorphism in CA1 and cerebral cortex were observed by Nissl staining and the numbers of nerve cell in these areas were counted.The concentration of MDA,H2O2,CAT,SOD and GR in brain tissue were detected by spectrophotography.RESULTS Compared to model group,the escape latency of Rhodiolae groups〔(31.10±20.97)s compare to(51.07±13.04)s〕was shortened but it hadn′t statistical difference,and the total swimming distance〔(8469.88±4724.74)cm compare to(15862.17±1315.69)cm〕was shortened obviously,furthermore the times entered the target quadrant〔(9.50±1.87)times compare to(6.50±1.38)times〕and the percentage in target quadrant〔(33.87±4.47)%compare to(26.17±2.58)%〕were evidently increased.Moderate shrinkage of nucleus of neurons in cerebral cortex of model rats,mild hyperplasia of glial cells and loosely neuron was also observed in CA1 area,but those lesions were distinctly ameliorated in Rhodiolae groups.What′s more,the numbers of nerve cells in CA1〔(70.40±4.00)compare to(45.50±4.95)〕and cerebral cortex〔(63.00±5.29)compare to(42.40±11.87)〕of Rhodiolae groups were obviously increased.In addition,compared to model group,the content of MDA〔(14.72±4.42)compare to(19.99±4.70)g protein·L-1〕and H2O2〔(60.07±6.38)mmol·L-1compare to(76.37±6.06)mmol·L-1〕were evidently decreased,the activity of GSH〔(41.30±14.81)k U·g-1protein compare to(15.93±3.59)k U·g-1protein〕was visibly increased,and the activity of SOD〔(5.74±3.76)g protein·L-1compare to(2.72±1.09)g protein·L-1〕and CAT〔(210.45±60.11)k U·g-1protein compare to(171.48±56.50)k U·g-1protein〕were also increased but without statistical difference.CONCLUSION Rhodiolae improve learning and remembering function,ameliorate pathological changes and protect neuronal loss which respond to decrease the oxidative products and enhance the activity of antioxidase.