Comparison of the analgesic effects between electro-acupuncture and moxibustion with visceral hypersensitivity rats in irritable bowel syndrome

AIM To observe whether there are differences in the effects of electro-acupuncture(EA) and moxibustion(Mox) in rats with visceral hypersensitivity. METHODS EA at 1 m A and 3 m A and Mox at 43?℃ and 46?℃ were applied to the Shangjuxu(ST37, bilateral) acupoints in model rats with visceral hypersensitivity. Responses of wide dynamic range neurons in dorsal horns of the spinal cord were observed through the extracellular recordings. Mast cells(MC) activity in the colons of rats were assessed, and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor(5-HT3R) and 5-HT4Rexpressions in the colons were measured.RESULTS Compared with normal control group, responses of wide dynamic range neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord were increased in the EA at 1 m A and 3 m A groups(1 m A: 0.84 ± 0.74 vs 2.73 ± 0.65, P < 0.001; 3 m A: 1.91 ± 1.48 vs 6.44 ± 1.26, P < 0.001) and Mox at 43?℃ and 46?℃ groups(43?℃: 1.76 ± 0.81 vs 4.14 ± 1.83, P = 0.001; 46?℃: 5.19 ± 2.03 vs 7.91 ± 2.27, P = 0.01). MC degranulation rates and the expression of 5-HT, 5-HT3 R and 5-HT4 R in the colon of Mox 46?℃ group were decreased compared with model group(MC degranulation rates: 0.47 ± 0.56 vs 0.28 ± 0.78, P < 0.001; 5-HT: 1.42 ± 0.65 vs 7.38 ± 1.12, P < 0.001; 5-HT3R: 6.62 ± 0.77 vs 2.86 ± 0.88, P < 0.001; 5-HT4R: 4.62 ± 0.65 vs 2.22 ± 0.97, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The analgesic effects of Mox at 46?℃ are greater than those of Mox at 43?℃, EA 1 m A and EA 3 m A.

Antidiabetic and haematological effect of aqueous extract of stem bark of Afzelia africana(Smith) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Objective:To investigate the antidiabetic properties of aqueous extract of stem bark of Afzelia africana(A.africana)and its beneficial effect on haematological parameters in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods:A total of 30 rats including 24 diabetic and 6 normal rats were used for this study.Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.After being confirmed diabetic,animals were orally treated with distilled water or extracts at 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 10 days.The haematological parameters including red blood and white blood cells and their functional indices were evaluated in diabetic treated groups compared with the controls.Results:The extract significantly reduced the blood glucose levels while the best result was obtained at 200 mg/kg body weight The feed and water intake in diabetic rats were significantly reduced while weight loss was minimized at both dosages.Similarly,the levels of red blood,white blood cells and their functional indices were significantly improved after extract administration at both doses.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of bark of A.africana possesses antihyperglycemic properties.In addition,the extract can prevent various complications of diabetes and improve some haematological parameters.Further experimental investigation is needed to exploit its relevant therapeutic effect to substantiate its ethnomedicinal usage.

Effects of Dangshen on isolated gastric muscle strips in rats

AIM To study the effects of Dangshen [dried root of Codonopsis Pilosula (Franch) Nannf] on contractile activity of isolated gastric muscle strips in rats and its possible mechanism involved.METHODS Each isolated gastric muscle strip was put in a tissue chamber containing 5ml Krebs solution, constantly warmed by water jacket at 37℃ and supplied with a mixed gas of 95% O2 and 5% CO2. After incubating for 1h with 1g tension, Dangshen of varied concentration was added cumulatively in the tissue chamber at intervals of 2 minutes. The isometrical response was measured on ink-writing recorders.RESULTS Dangshen dose dependence increased the resting tension of longitudinal muscle (LM) of fundus (r=0.96, P＜0.01), the mean contractile amplitude of circular muscle (CM) of the stomach body (r=0.87, P＜0.05) and CM of antrum (r=0.98, P＜0.01), and the motility index CM of pylorus (r=0.87, P＜0.05). Atropine (5×10-8mol/L) or Hexamethonium (10-5mol/L) or Indomethacin (5×10-7mol/L) was given 2 minutes before the administration of Dangshen, it did not abolish its dose related manner. Atropine apparently reduced the increasing action of 10% and 30% Dangshen on the resting tesion of LM of fundus (P＜0.05), 30%, 100% and 200% Dangshen on bodied strips (P＜0.05), 100% and 200% Dangshen on antral strips (P＜0.05). Hexamethonium reduced the increasing action of 10% and 30% Dangshen on the resting tesion of LM of fundus (P＜0.05 and P＜0.05), 30%, 100% and 200% Dangshen on bodied strips (P＜0.05), and 100% and 200% Dangshen on pyloric strips (P＜0.05). Indomethacin inhibited the effect of 10% Dangshen on the resting tesion of LM of fundus (P＜0.05), but did not affect the exciting action of Dangshen on strips of body, antrum and pylorus.CONCLUSION The results showed that Dangshen possessed exciting action on the isolated gastric smooth muscle strips of the rat. The exciting action of Dangshen was partially mediated via cholinergic M and N receptors.

Protective effects of panax notoginseng saponin on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats through phosphoinositide-3-kinase protein kinase B signaling pathway inhibition

BACKGROUND Intestinal inflammation is a common digestive tract disease, which is usually treated with hormone medicines. Hormone medicines are effective to some extent, but long-term use of them may bring about many complications.AIM To explore the protective effects of panax notoginseng saponin(PNS) against dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced intestinal inflammatory injury through phosphoinositide-3-kinase protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway inhibition in rats.METHODS Colitis rat models were generated via DSS induction, and rats were divided into control(no modeling), DSS, DSS + PNS 50 mg/k, and DSS + PNS 100 mg/kg groups. Then, the intestinal injury, oxidative stress parameters, inflammatory indices, tight junction proteins, apoptosis, macrophage polarization, and TLR4/AKT signaling pathway in colon tissues from rats in each of the groups were detected. The PI3 K/AKT signaling pathway in the colon tissue of rats was blocked using the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor, LY294002.RESULTS Compared with rats in the control group, rats in the DSS group showed significantly shortened colon lengths, and significantly increased disease activity indices, oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory indices, as well as significantly decreased expression of tight junction-associated proteins. In addition, the DSS group showed significantly increased apoptotic cell numbers,and showed significantly increased M1 macrophages in spleen and colon tissues.They also showed significantly decreased M2 macrophages in colon tissues, as well as activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway(all P < 0.05). Compared with rats in the DSS group, rats in the DSS + PNS group showed significantly lengthened colon lengths, decreased disease activity indices, and significantly alleviated oxidative stress reactions and inflammatory responses. In addition, this group showed significantly increased expression of tight junction-associated proteins, significantly decreased apoptotic cell numbers, and significantly decreased M1 macrophages in spleen and colon tissues. This group further showed significantly increased M2 macrophages in colon tissues, and significantly suppressed activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, as well as a dose dependency(all P < 0.05). When the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was inhibited, the apoptosis rate of colon tissue cells in the DSS + LY294002 group was significantly lower than that of the DSS group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION PNS can protect rats against DSS-induced intestinal inflammatory injury by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and therefore may be potentially used in the future as a drug for colitis.

Protective Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 on Septic Rats and Its Mechanism

This study aims to observe the protective effects of ginsenoside Rbl on liver and lung in rats with septic shock and reveal its mechanism. Rats were randomly divided into three groups： sham, cecal ligation and puncture （CLP）, and CLP with ginsenoside Rb1. Then, the survival rate, arterial blood pressure, TLR4 mRNA, and TNF-α levels were determined. The liver and lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE）. The overall survival rate of the Rb1 group was significantly higher than that of the CLP group. Mean arterial blood pressure went down in both the CLP and Rb1 groups after CLP, and there was a significant difference both in the sham and Rb1 groups when compared with the CLP group. The Rb1 treatment group had markedly lower TLR4 mRNA expression and TNF-a levels than the CLP group. In the CLP group, pathology showed swelling, degeneration, necrosis, and neutrophii infiltration in the liver and alveolar epithelial cells. However, in the Rb1 group, there was mild degeneration and slight neutrophil infiltration, but no obvious necrosis. Rb1 may improve the survival rate, ameliorate arterial blood pressure, and protect the liver and lung in septic shock rats by downregulating the expression of TLR4 mRNA and inhibiting the production of TNF-α.

Subacute Effect of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane on Hepatotoxicity and Hepatic Enzyme Activity in Rats

Information regarding decabromodiphenyl ethane （DBDPE） effects on hepatotoxicity and metabolism is limited. In the present study, Wistar rats were given oral DBDPE at different doses. DBDPE induced oxidative stress, elevated blood glucose levels, increased CYP2B2 mRNA, CYP2B1/2 protein, 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase （PROD） activity, and induced CYP3A2 mRNA, CYP3A2 protein, and luciferin benzylether debenzylase （LBD） activity. UDPGT activity increased with its increasing exposure levels, suggesting that oral DBDPE exposure induces drug-metabolizing enzymes in rats via the CAR/PXR signaling pathway. The induction of CYPs and co-regulated enzymes of phase II biotransformation may affect the homeostasis of endogenous substrates, including thyroid hormones, which may, in turn, alter glucose metabolism.

Hazardous effects of fried potato chips on the development of retina in albino rats

Objective:To evaluate the hazardous effects of fried potato chips upon the retina of two developmental stages of the albino rats aged 7 and 14 days from parturition.Methods:Pregnant rats were arranged into two groups:control pregnant rats and consequently their delivered newborns until reaching 7 and 14 days old from parturition and fried potato chips group in which pregnant rats at the 6th day of gestation maintained on diet formed of fried potato chips supplied from the market mixed with standard diet at a concentration of 50%per each till 7 and 14 postpartum.Three fold integrated approaches were adopted,namely,histological,ultrastructural and proteomic analysis.Results:Histological examination of the retina of the experimental offsprings revealed many histopathological changes,including massive degeneration,vacuolization and cell loss in the ganglion cell layer,as well as general reduction in retinal size.At the ultrastructural level,the retina of experimental offsprings exhibited number of deformities,including ill differentiated and degenerated nuclear layer,malformed and vacuolated pigment epithelium with vesiculated and fragmented rough endoplasmic reticulum,degenerated outer segment of photoreceptors,as well as swollen choriocapillaris and loss of neuronal cells.Proteomic analysis of retina of the two experimental developmental stages showed variations in the expressed proteins as a result of intoxication which illustrated the adverse toxic effects of fried potato chips upon the retina.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the effect of fried potato chips on the development of retina in rats may be due to the presence of acrylamide or its metabolite.

Sedative effects of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) leaf aqueous extracts on brain ATP, AMP, Adenosine and Glutamate/GABA of rats

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) leaf aqueous extracts (PLAE) has been reputed to be a type of sleep-aid in China. To investigate the sedative effects and effect pathways of PLAE, rats (n = 31) were employed in two experiments and intragastrically administrated of (1) distilled water, PLAE (500 mg/kg body weight (BW)) and peanut stem aqueous extracts (PSAE, 500 mg/kg BW);(2) 0, 100 or 500 mg/kg BW of PLAE, respectively for at least 14 days. Six relevant neurotransmitters were measured finally. Experiment-1 (n = 16) results showed that the brain Lactate were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in rat cerebrums after PLAE administrations, compared with Control and PSAE groups. In respect of brain energy system, significant degradations of the brain adenosine triphos- phate (ATP) (p < 0.05) were observed in the brainstems and even the whole brains of rats though PLAE treatments. Moreover, we found that the brain Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were clearly decreased (p < 0.05) in rat cerebrum and brainstem regions, while the brain Adenosine revealed an increasing propensity (p = 0.076) in the cerebrums of freely behaving rats. After experiment-2 (n = 15), the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were statistically (p < 0.05) enhanced and the ratios of Glutamate/GABA were simultaneously reduced (p < 0.05) in rat brainstems, no matter which one dose (100 or 500 mg/kg BW) of PLAE were used. Results indicated that PLAE could influence the target neurotransmitters that related to rat circadian rhythms in the specific brain regions, possessing the potentialities as a sedative or sleep-aid for hypnic therapy purposes.

DNADam ageEffectsofHydroxyapatiteUltrofinePowderonW-256 Sarcom a Cells and Lym phocytes in Rats

To explore the anticancer mechanism and DNA damages of hydroxyapatite ultrofine powder (HAUFP) on lymphocytes of rats, DNA damages in W 256 sarcoma cells and lymphocytes of rats were measured by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). The results showed that HAUFP damaged DNA of W 256 sarcoma cells obviously but only cause slight damage of DNA of lymphocytes in rats. It is suggested that HAUFP selectively damaged DNA of tumor cells with only mild damage of lymphocyte DNA. HAUFP has powerful anticancer effect and little genetic toxicity.

Toxicity Evaluation of in vitro Cultures of Freshwater Cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa:Ⅰ.Hepatotoxic and Histopathological Effects in Rats

Laboratory cultures of freshwater cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 was cvaluated for its hepatotoxic effects in rats. The lyophilized cell extract injected intraperitoneally at 1 and 2 LD50 (15.8 and 31.6 mg/kg, respectively) produced significant increase in liver-specific enzymes viz. plasma alkaline phosphatase,γ-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase with a concomitant decrease in hepatic glutamic pyruvic transaminase. A corresponding increase in liver body weight index and histopathological changes in liver (degeneration of hepatocytes, congestion and hemorrhage etc.) are indicative of a dose and time dependent hepatotoxic nature of the algal extract

THE LOCALIZATION OF ADRENOMEDULLIN IN RAT KIDNEY TISSUE AND ITS INHIBITORY EFFECT ON THE GROWTH OF CULTURED RAT MESANGIAL CELLS

OBJECTIVE: To observe the localization of adrenomedullin (AM) in rat kidney tissue and its inhibitory effect on the growth of cultured rat mesangial cells (MsC). METHODS: A monoclonal antibody against AM developed by our laboratory was used to detect the localization of AM protein in rat kidney tissue by avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry. The expressions of AM and its receptor CRLR mRNA on cultured glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) and MsC were investigated by Northern blot assay, and the possible effect of AM secreted by GEC on MsC proliferation was observed using [3H]thymidine incorporation as an index. RESULTS: A specific monoclonal antibody against AM was succesfully developed. AM was immunohistochemically localized mainly in glomeruli (GEC and endothelial cells), some cortical proximal tubules, medullary collecting duct cells, interstitial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Northern blot assay showed that AM mRNA was expressed only on cultured GEC, but not on MsC, however, AM receptor CRLR mRNA was only expressed on MsC. GEC conditioned medium containing AM can inhibit MsC growth and AM receptor blocker CGRP8-37 may partially decreased this inhibitory effect. CONCLUSION: AM produced by GEC inhibits the proliferation of MsC, which suggests that AM as an important regulator is involved in glomerular normal physiological functions and pathologic processes.

Protective Effect of Dimethyl-4,4'-Dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-Dimethylene Dioxybiphenyl-2,2'-Dicarboxylate (DDB) against Carcinogen-Induced Rat Liver Nuclear DNA Damage

The protective effect of DDB against carcinogen-induced DNA damage was examined in the present investigation. Preincubation of rat liver nuclei with DDB (1 mmol.L-1) resulted in 60% inhibition of binding of 3H-benzo (a) pyrene to nuclear DNA. Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) induced by aflatoxin BI (10^(-7) mol.L-1) in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes was also inhibited by DDB (10^(-6)-10^(-3)mol.L-1). Oral administration of DDB at 200 mg.kg-1 once daily for 3 d induced a significant increase of liver cytosol glutathione-S-transferase and microsomal UDPG-transferase activity in mice. These results indicate that DDB is able to directly or indirectly antagonize certain carcinogen-induced DNA damages.

Effect of Soy Isoflavone Crude Extract Supplementation on High Fat Diet-induced Insulin Resistance in Ovariectomized Rats

Female Wister rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into sham operation group, ovariectomized （OVX） control group, and 20VX groups fed with soy isoflavone crude extract supplementation. The rats had free access to high fat diet and water for 9 weeks. No significant difference was found in body weight （BW）, total abdominal fat, food intake and food utilization rate between OVX control group and 20VX groups. However, the fasting blood glucose and blood lipid levels were significantly higher in 20VX groups than in OVX control group （P〈0.05）. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test （IGTI＂） showed that the area under AUC was smaller in 20VX groups than in OVX control group （P〈0.05）. These findings showed that soy isoflavone crude extract supplementation can improve glucose tolerance and prevent high fat diet-induced insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats.

Effect of Different Calcium Supplements on Bone Metabolism in Rats

Osteoporosis, characterized by loss of bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, results in enhanced bone fragility and increases risk of fractureIll. In China, the incidence of primary osteoporosis is as high as 50%-70% in 60-69 years old females and approximately 30% in 60-69 years old males[21, which is closely related with the low intake of calcium. According to the nationwide nutrition and health survey in 2002 in China, the average daily calcium intake of Chinese residents is 391 mg, accounting for 41% of the recommended calcium intake.

Protective Effects of Calcium Antagonists on Cadmium-induced Toxicity in Rats

Protective effects of calcium antagonists, chlorpromazine (CPZ) and nimodepine (NI-MO), on cadmium-induced toxicity were investigated. After giving CdCl2 (0. 44mg Cd/kg,ip), CPZ (5mg/kg, ip) or NIMO (8mg/kg, po) were administered every day to Sprague-Dawley (S. D. ) rats for a week. Then, urinary N- acetyl-β-D- glucosaminidase (NAG ), uri -nary cadmium and bloocl cadmium were measured. The accumulation of cadmium in the kid-ney cortex, content of renal calmodulin, hemoglobin and the ultrastructural damage of proxi-mal convoluted tubules of rats were examined three weeks after the last administration. Re-sults indicated that the calcium antagonists partly protected against toxic effects induced bycadmium in different manners. These data provide further evidence for the new hypothesisthat the cross effect of cadmium and calcium in calmodulin regulated systems may be responsi-ble for the mechanism of cadmium intoxication. 'The results suggested that the calcium antag-onists could be a new and promising approach in the therapy of heavy metaLinduced diseases

Effect of Cadmium on Rat Leydig Cell Testosterone Production and DNA Integrity in vitro

Cadmium （Cd） is an elemental heavy metal with widely recognized toxicity. Its long-term use in industrial processes and daily activities has caused alarming levels of Cd contamination in the natural environment. According to the estimates by the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in the US, 25 000 to 30 000 metric tons of Cd is annually released to the environment . Results of previous studies have demonstrated that several organs are targets of Cd, but the most important of these targeted organs may be the testes.

Toxic Effects of Tetrabromobisphenol A on Thyroid Hormones in SD Rats and the Derived-reference Dose

The present study determined the thyroid hormone interference of tetrabromobisphenol A （TBBPA） in Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats, and the derived-reference dose （RfD） of different endpoint effects on mammals based on experimental results and data collection. Based on repeated exposure toxicity tests on mammals and extensive research, the present study used BMDS240 Software to derive a benchmark dose, and analyzed the accuracy and uncertainty, and similarity with other studies. Test results on triiodothyronine （T3）, thyroxine （T4）, and thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH） demonstrated that all the indicators presented a non-monotonous dose-effect relationship clearly, except TSH in male rats exposed to 0-1000 mg/kg BW per day. Therefore, RfDs were derived from different critical effects. In summary, RfD for mammals in the present study was found to be 0.6 mg/kg per day.

The Effect of Chinese Tea on Occurrence of Esophageal Tumor Induced by N-Nitrosomethylbenzylamine in Rats

Five groups of rats (40 rats per group) were given five different varieties of Chinese tea (1 g/50 ml) and another two groups of rats (a positive control and a negative control) were given tap water as drinking water. Except for the negative control group, all the animals were intubated with A'-nitrosomethyibenzylamine (NMBzA, 5 mg/kg body wt/week). Half of the animals in each group were sacrificed after 6 weeks and the remaining animals at the end of 12 weeks. The incidences of esophageal mucosa lesions (16-59%) at the end of6 weeks were significantly lower in the tea-treated rats than in the positive control group (100%). The incidences of esophageal tumor at the end of 12 weeks (42-67%) were also significantly lower in the tea-treated groups than in the positive control group (90%). The same phenomenon was found with respect to the size and number of tumors in each tumor-bearing animal. The relative anticarcinogenic effects of the five varieties of Chinese tea were different. The Fujian oolong tea and jasmine tea exhibited the strongest effects. The results suggest that Chinese tea can effectively inhibit the carcinogenesis Caused by an N-nitroso compound. 1990 Academic Press.Inc.

Effect of Hypertonic Versus Isotonic Saline Resuscitation on Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Visceral Organs Following Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats

To compare the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline resuscitation on heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） expression in organs of rats with hemorrhagic shock. Rats were randomly divided into hypertonic saline resuscitation （HTS）, normal saline resuscitation （NS） and sham groups. HO-1 mRNA, protein expression and apoptosis were evaluated in organs. In the HTS group, significant difference was noted in HO-1 protein in small intestinal mucosa and liver compared with the NS and sham groups, and in HO-1 mRNA in liver and kidney compared with the sham group. The apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa, liver, heart, and lung was significantly lower in the HTS group than that in the NS group. In this study, small volume resuscitation with HTS can efficiently up-regulate the expression level of HO-1 in small intestinal mucosa and liver, which may be one of the mechanisms alleviating organ damage.

Effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats: What we know so far?

To the editor:We read with great interest the article entitled "Comparative study of the effects of terlipressin versus splenectomy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats" by Ulmer et al.[1].The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of terlipressin ver-