Flavonoids from the stems and leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi attenuate H_2O_2-induced oxidative damage to rat cortical neurons

Primary cultures of rat cortical neurons were treated with H2O2 in an in vitro model of free radical neurotoxicity. Flavonoids extracted from the stems and leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, known as SSF, at concentrations of 18.98, 37.36 and 75.92 μg/mL, protected neurons against H2O2 injury in a dose-dependent manner. SSF increased cell survival, reduced lactate dehydrogenase release and inhibited malondialdehyde production. SSF also inhibited reductions in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and Na＋-K＋-ATPase activities. These results in-dicate that SSF can protect rat cortical neurons against H2O2-induced oxidative injury.

EFFECTS OF CYPROHEPTADINE ON PLASMA SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE ACTIVITY AND MALONDIALDEHYDE CONTENT IN RABBITS WITH HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK

Profound hemorrhagic shock was produced in thirty rabbits by exsanguination via the carotid artery until blood pressure (BP) reached 5.3 kPa (40 mmHg) and was sustained for a period of 90 minutes. The rabbits were equally divided into cyproheptadine (Cyp) treated group and control group. Blood samples 30 minutes after liquid and blood infusion and administration of Cyp (10 mg / kg) were collected from the carotid artery, and the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content measured. The results showed that Cyp remarkebly enhanced the plasma SOD activity (2462 338 vs 1955- 596, P<0.01) and reduced MDA content (2.68- 0.24 vs 3.20-0.49, P<0.01). We believe that the in crease of O2 production plays an important role in the develop-ment of shock, the single blood and liquid infusion can not significantly improve the shock conditions. Scavenging oxygen free radicals and alleviating cellular damage and multiple or gan failure are the possible mechanisms of cyproheptadine anti-shock effect.

3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium improves mitochondrial functions after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium is a new synthetic water-soluble compound derived from daidzein（an active ingredient of the kudzu vine root）. It has been shown to have a protective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. We plan to study the mechanism of its protective effect. 3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium was injected in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Results showed that 3′-daidzein sulfonate sodium significantly reduced mitochondrial swelling, significantly elevated the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and decreased mitochondrial malondialdehyde levels. 3′-Daidzein sulfonate sodium improved the structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier and reduced blood-brain barrier permeability. These findings confirmed that 3′-daidzein sulfonate sodium has a protective effect on mitochondrial functions after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, improves brain energy metabolism, and provides protection against blood-brain barrier damage.

Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids ameliorates neuronal damage and reduces lesion extent in a mouse model of transient ischemic attack

Flavonoids are a major component in the traditional Chinese medicine Radix Ilicis Pubescentis.Previous studies have shown that the administration of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids is protective in cerebral ischemia.However,to our knowledge,no studies have examined whether the total flavonoids extracted from Radix Ilicis Pubescentis prevent or ameliorate neuronal damage following transient ischemic attacks.Therefore,Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids question and the potential underlying mechanisms.Thus,beginning 3 days before the induction of a mouse model of transient ischemic attack using tert-butyl hydroperoxide injections,mice were intragastrically administered 0.3,0.15,or 0.075 g/kg of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids daily for 10 days.The results of spectrophotometric analyses demonstrated that Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids enhanced oxygen free radical scavenging and reduced pathological alterations in the brain.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids reduced hippocampal neuronal damage and cerebral vascular injury in this mouse model of transient ischemic attack.These results suggest that the antioxidant effects of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids alleviate the damage to brain tissue caused by transient ischemic attack.

Sex Hormones Affect Aging Process by Influencing Lipid Profiles, Cellular Immunological Function and Lipid Peroxides and Oxidation System

Objectives To investigate the correlation between sex hormones(SH) and aging. Methods Through epidemiological investigation in our country, the levels of SH were measured by radioimmunoassy; lipid profile, glucose and apolipoprotein by automatic biochemic analytical instrument; T cell subsets by flow cytometer; and MDA, SOD were evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test and the nitrite method modified by Oyanagui respectively using spectrophotometry. Results In men, the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH)、luteinizing hormone(LH) increased significantly with aging, but serum prolactin(PRL) and progesterone(P) levels remained unchanged in all life; Both testosterone (T) and free testosterone (FT) all decreased greatly with aging, but 17β - estradiol( 17β - E_2) was reverse ; E_2 was negatively correlated with T and E_2/T increased with aging. The level of serum total cholesterol (TC) increased with aging, but triglycerides (TG) remain unchanged; compared with young group, high - density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL - C) ; HDL - C/TC of other groups decreased significantly, but low - density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL - C ) changed inversely; HDL- C/LDL- C reduced slightly with aging and showed no difference between groups. Apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) and apoB all enhanced greatly with aging; meanwhile the ratio of apoA1/apoB decreased. The concentration of serum glucose (GLU) was unchanged in all life. To compare with those in the young group, CD3 + , CD4 + in other groups reduced greatly, CD4 + remained unchanged. Meanwhile, CD8 + increased significantly with aging. Compared with the young group, serum malondialdehyde(MDA) value of the old ones increased obviously, but the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) was reverse. By partial correlation analysis (controlling BMI, FSH, LH and PRL), TC、 LDL-C、apoA1、apoB、CD8 + 、MDA of men all presented a positive correlation with E_2/T respectively, their correlation coefficients (γ) were 0. 262、0. 136、 0. 532、0. 379、0. 394、0. 234 (P < 0. 001 ) ; HDL - C、 HDL- C/TC、HDL- C/LDL- C、CD3 + 、CD4 +/CD8 + 、SOD showed a negatively correlation with E_2/T respectively, γequaled - 0.563、- 0.332、- 0.654、- 0.1530、-0.4140、-0.236(P<0.001). In women, the serum concentrations of FSH、LH increased significantly after menopause; PRL increased little with aging; compared with young group, E_2 and P in postmenopausal groups reduced obviously, E_2/P revealed significant reduce with aging. T enhanced significantly after menopause, but nor did FT. E_2, P and the ratio of E_2/P were negatively correlated with age respectively by bivariate correlation analysis, and a positive relation between T and age. After 70 years old, the level of TC increased obviously, and so did that of TG after menopause; HDL decreased with aging, but LDL increased after 70, with the result that the ratios of HDL- C/TC and HDL- C/LDL- C all reduced with aging; apoA1 decreased gently after 70, but apoB increased signifi- cantly after menopause; correspondingly, the ratio of apoA1/apoB declined obviously. The concentration of GLU increased with aging. CD3 + and CD4 + didn't change until 60, but reduced after 60. Compared with the young groups, CD8 + remained unchanged, CD4 +/CD8 + reduced greatly with aging, CD4 + and CD8 + presented a negatively correlation with age respectively. The value of MDA in serum of women increased notably after 70 years old, but SOD activity already decreased significantly from 60. By partial correlation analysis (controlling BMI, FSH, LH and PRL), HDL-C、CD4 +、CD4 +/CD8 + showed a certain correlation with E_2/P respectively; γ were 0. 245、 0.157、0. 154 ( P <0.05 ) ; TG、 LDL、 apoB、 apoA1/ apoB、SOD presented a negatively correlation with E_2/P respectively, γ were 0. 452、 0. 236、 0.321、 0. 135、 0.156、0.154、0.426 ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusions The Disequilibrium of SH had correlations with lipid profile, cellular immunological function and lipid peroxides and oxidation system; these suggested SH took an important role in the process of aging.