Hepatoprotective effects of Xiaoyao San formula on hepatic steatosis and inflammation via regulating the sex hormones metabolism

BACKGROUND The modified Xiaoyao San(MXS)formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer,which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and prolonging patient survival.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain unclear.AIM To investigate the role and mechanisms of MXS in ameliorating hepatic injury,steatosis and inflammation.METHODS A choline-deficient/high-fat diet-induced rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)model was used to examine the effects of MXS on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes.Liver tissues were collected for western blotting and immunohisto chemistry(IHC)assays.Lipid accumulation and hepatic fibrosis were detected using oil red staining and Sirius red staining.The serum samples were collected for biochemical assays and NMR-based metabonomics analysis.The inflammation/lipid metabolism-related signaling and regulators in liver tissues were also detected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MXS against NASH.RESULTS MXS showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes under metabolic stress.The western blotting and IHC results indicated that MXS activated AMPK pathway but inhibited the expression of key regulators related to lipid accumulation,inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the pathogenesis of NASH.The metabonomics analysis systemically indicated that the arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis are the two main target metabolic pathways for MXS to ameliorate liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis.Mechanistically,we found that MXS protected against NASH by attenuating the sex hormone-related metabolism,especially the metabolism of male hormones.CONCLUSION MXS ameliorates inflammation and hepatic steatosis of NASH by inhibiting the metabolism of male hormones.Targeting male hormone related metabolic pathways may be the potential therapeutic approach for NASH.

Unraveling the gut-brain axis:the impact of steroid hormones and nutrition on Parkinson's disease

This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between nutrition,the gut microbiome,steroid hormones,and Parkinson's disease within the context of the gut-brain axis.The gut-brain axis plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease,encompassing diverse components such as the gut microbiota,immune system,metabolism,and neural pathways.The gut microbiome,profoundly influenced by dietary factors,emerges as a key player.Nutrition during the first 1000 days of life shapes the gut microbiota composition,influencing immune responses and impacting both child development and adult health.High-fat,high-sugar diets can disrupt this delicate balance,contributing to inflammation and immune dysfunction.Exploring nutritional strategies,the Mediterranean diet's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties show promise in reducing Parkinson's disease risk.Microbiome-targeted dietary approaches and the ketogenic diet hold the potential in improving brain disorders.Beyond nutrition,emerging research uncovers potential interactions between steroid hormones,nutrition,and Parkinson's disease.Progesterone,with its anti-inflammatory properties and presence in the nervous system,offers a novel option for Parkinson's disease therapy.Its ability to enhance neuroprotection within the enteric nervous system presents exciting prospects.The review addresses the hypothesis thatα-synuclein aggregates originate from the gut and may enter the brain via the vagus nerve.Gastrointestinal symptoms preceding motor symptoms support this hypothesis.Dysfunctional gut-brain signaling during gut dysbiosis contributes to inflammation and neurotransmitter imbalances,emphasizing the potential of microbiota-based interventions.In summary,this review uncovers the complex web of interactions between nutrition,the gut microbiome,steroid hormones,and Parkinson's disease within the gut-brain axis framework.Understanding these connections not only offers novel therapeutic insights but also illuminates the origins of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Simultaneous determination of five plant hormones in cotton leaves using QuEChERS combined with HPLC‒MS/MS

Background Plant hormones profoundly influence cotton growth,development,and responses to various stresses.Therefore,there is a pressing need for an efficient assay to quantify these hormones in cotton.In this groundbreaking study,we have established QuEChERS-HPLC‒MS/MS method,for the simultaneous detection of multiple plant hormones in cotton leaves,allowing the analysis and quantification of five key plant hormones.Results Sample extraction and purification employed 0.1%acetic acid in methanol and C18 for optimal recovery of plant hormones.The method applied to cotton demonstrated excellent linearity across a concentration range of 0.05–1 mg・L−1,with linear regression coefficients exceeding 0.99.The limits of quantification(LOQs)were 20μg・kg−1 for GA3 and 5μg・kg−1 for the other four plant hormones.Recovery rates for the five plant hormones matrix spiked at levels of 5,10,100,and 1000μg・kg−1 were in the range of 79.07%to 98.97%,with intraday relative standard deviations(RSDs)ranging from 2.11%to 8.47%.The method was successfully employed to analyze and quantify the five analytes in cotton leaves treated with plant growth regulators.Conclusion The study demonstrates that the method is well-suited for the determination of five plant hormones in cotton.It exhibits excellent selectivity and sensitivity in detecting field samples,thus serving as a robust tool for indepth research into cotton physiology.

Gut microbiota affects the estrus return of sows by regulating the metabolism of sex steroid hormones

Background Sex hormones play important roles in the estrus return of post-weaning sows.Previous studies have demonstrated a complex and bi-directional regulation between sex hormones and gut microbiota.However,the extent to which the gut microbiota affects estrus return of post-weaning sows is largely unknown.Results In this study,we first screened 207 fecal samples from well-phenotyped sows by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identified significant associations between microbes and estrus return of post-weaning sows.Using metagenomic sequencing data from 85 fecal samples,we identified 37 bacterial species that were significantly associated with estrus return.Normally returning sows were characterized by increased abundances of L.reuteri and P.copri and decreased abundances of B.fragilis,S.suis,and B.pseudolongum.The changes in gut microbial composition significantly altered the functional capacity of steroid hormone biosynthesis in the gut microbiome.The results were confirmed in a validation cohort.Significant changes in sex steroid hormones and related compounds were found between normal and non-return sows via metabolome analysis.An integrated analysis of differential bacterial species,metagenome,and fecal metabolome provided evidence that normal return-associated bacterial species L.reuteri and Prevotella spp.participated in the degradation of pregnenolone,progesterone,and testosterone,thereby promoting estrogen biosynthesis.Furthermore,the microbial metabolites related to sow energy and nutrient supply or metabolic disorders also showed relationships with sow estrus return.Conclusions An integrated analysis of differentially abundant bacterial species,metagenome,and fecal metabolome revealed the involvement of L.reuteri and Prevotella spp.in sow estrus return.These findings provide deep insight into the role of gut microbiota in the estrus return of post-weaning sows and the complex cross-talk between gut microbiota and sex hormones,suggesting that the manipulation of the gut microbiota could be an effective strategy to improve sow estrus return after weaning.

The Effects of Age and Ejaculatory Abstinence on Semen Quality and Reproductive Hormones in Africa and the Middle East

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effects of male age and ejaculatory abstinence on semen parameters and reproductive hormones among men residing in Africa and the Middle East. A total of 70,142 semen analysis results were analysed and grouped according to the age intervals (16 - 20, 21 - 30, 31 - 40, 41 - 50, 51 - 60, >60) and ejaculatory abstinence (<2 days, 2 - 5 days and >5 days). Semen parameters i.e. volume, concentration, progressive motility, total progressively motile count, morphology, total normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation, viability, sORP, normed sORP were specifically evaluated. Additionally, for each age interval, reproductive hormones i.e. estradiol, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and prolactin were evaluated. Semen volume, total progressively motile count, sperm morphology and total normal sperm count constantly decrease significantly after the age of 30 years. Sperm concentration started declining significantly after the age of 50 years. There was a constant age- related increase in number of spermatozoa with damaged DNA. sORP constantly increased up to 60 years. Furthermore, constantage-related decreases in FSH, serum testosterone and prolact in were observed from patients aged between 16 years and 60 years. Semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology were significantly higher in patients having > 5 days of abstinence. Patients having > 5 days of abstinence had the lowest normed sORP. Male age significantly affects sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in fertile and infertile men residing in Africa and the Middle East. Prolonged abstinence days provides better semen quality.

Transcriptome analysis reveals steroid hormones biosynthesis pathway involved in abdominal fat deposition in broilers

Excessive abdominal fat deposition reduces the feed efficiency and increase the cost of production in broilers.Therefore,it is an important task for poultry breeders to breed broilers with low abdominal fat.Abdominal fat deposition is a highly complex biological process,and its molecular basis remains elusive.In this study,we performed transcriptome analysis to compare gene expression profiles at different stages of abdominal fat deposition to identify the key genes and pathways involved in abdominal fat accumulation.We found that abdominal fat weight(AFW)increased gradually from day 35(D35)to 91(D91),and then decreased at day 119(D119).Accordingly,after detecting differentially expressed genes(DEGs)by comparing gene expression profiles at D35 vs.D63 and D35 vs.D91,and identifying gene modules associated with fat deposition by weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA),we performed intersection analysis of the detected DEGs and WGCNA gene modules and identified 394 and 435 intersecting genes,respectively.The results of the Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses showed that the steroid hormone biosynthesis and insulin signaling pathways were co-enriched in all intersecting genes,steroid hormones have been shown that regulated insulin signaling pathway,indicating the importance of the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway in the development of broiler abdominal fat.We then identified 6 hub genes(ACTB,SOX9,RHOBTB2,PDLIM3,NEDD9,and DOCK4)related to abdominal fat deposition.Further analysis also revealed that there were direct interactions between 6 hub genes.SOX9 has been shown to bind to proteins required for steroid hormone receptor binding,and RHOBTB2 indirectly regulates the steroid hormones biosynthesis through cyclin factor,and ultimately affect fat deposition.Our results suggest that the genes RHOBTB2 and SOX9 play an important role in fat deposition in broilers,by regulating steroid hormone synthesis.These findings provide new targets and directions for further studies on the mechanisms of fat deposition in chicken.

Differences between two wheat genotypes in the development of floret primordia and contents of pigments and hormones

Promoting more floret primordia within a spike to acquire fertile potential during the differentiation and pre-dimorphism phases is critical for increasing the number of fertile florets per spike(NFFs).However,it is yet unknown the physiological mechanism regulating the complex and dynamic process.This study aimed to clarify how intra-spike hormones,pigments,and assimilates coordinate with each other to regulate spike morphology and then floret primordia development.A two-year field experiment was conducted with two winter wheat genotypes:N50(big-spike with greater NFFs)and SM22(mediumspike with fewer NFFs).We monitored high temporal and spatial-resolution changes in the number and morphology of floret primordia within a spike,as well as in intra-spike hormones,pigments,and assimilates.Our results revealed that the big-spike genotype had more NFFs than the medium-spike genotype,not only because they had more spikelets,but also because they had greater NFFs mainly at central spikelets.More floret primordia at central spikelets had sufficient time to develop and acquire fertile potential during the differentiation phase(167-176 d after sowing,DAS)and the pre-dimorphism phase(179 DAS)for the big-spike genotype than the medium-spike genotype.Floret primordia with fertile morphology during the pre-dimorphism phase always developed into fertile florets during the dimorphism phase.Those early-developed floret primordia most proximal and intermediate to the rachis in the big-spike genotype developed faster than the medium-spike genotype.Correspondingly,the spike dry matter and pigments(chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b,carotene,and carotenoids)content during 170-182 DAS,auxin(IAA)and cytokinin(CTK)content on 167 DAS were significantly higher in the big-spike genotype than in the medium-spike genotype,while jasmonic acid(JA)content was significantly lower in the big-spike genotype compared to the medium-spike genotype during 167-182 DAS.Since the significant differences in intra-spike hormone content of the two genotypes appear earlier than those in dry matter and pigments,we propose a possible model that helped the N50 genotype(big-spike)to form more fertile florets,taking the intra-spike hormone content as a signaling molecule induced assimilates and pigments synthesis,which accelerated the development of more floret primordia during the differentiation phase and then acquired fertile potential during the pre-dimorphism phase,finally improved the NFFs.Our high temporal and spatial-resolution analysis provides an accurate time window for precision cultivation and effective physiological breeding to improve the number of fertile florets in wheat.

Metformin:A promising clinical therapeutical approach for BPH treatment via inhibiting dysregulated steroid hormones-induced prostatic epithelial cells proliferation

The occurrence of benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)was related to disrupted sex steroid hormones,and metformin(Met)had a clinical response to sex steroid hormone-related gynaecological disease.However,whether Met exerts an antiproliferative effect on BPH via sex steroid hormones remains unclear.Here,our clinical study showed that along with prostatic epithelial cell(PEC)proliferation,sex steroid hormones were dysregulated in the serum and prostate of BPH patients.As the major contributor to dysregulated sex steroid hormones,elevated dihydrotestosterone(DHT)had a significant positive relationship with the clinical characteristics of BPH patients.Activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)by Met restored dysregulated sex steroid hormone homeostasis and exerted antiproliferative effects against DHT-induced proliferation by inhibiting the formation of androgen receptor(AR)-mediated Yes-associated protein(YAP1)-TEA domain transcription factor(TEAD4)heterodimers.Met’s anti-proliferative effects were blocked by AMPK inhibitor or YAP1 overexpression in DHT-cultured BPH-1 cells.Our findings indicated that Met would be a promising clinical therapeutic approach for BPH by inhibiting dysregulated steroid hormone-induced PEC proliferation.

The biosynthesis of alarm pheromone in the wheat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi is regulated by hormones via fatty acid metabolism

Aphids are major insect pests in agriculture and forestry worldwide.Following attacks by natural enemies,many aphids release an alarm pheromone to protect their population.In most aphids,the main component of the aphid alarm pheromone(AAP)is the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon(E)-β-farnesene(EβF).However,the mechanisms behind its biosynthesis and regulation remain poorly understood.In this study,we used the bird cherry–oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi,which is an important wheat aphid,to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of EβF biosynthesis.Our results showed that EβF biosynthesis occurs during the mature embryo period and the molting period of the 1st-and 2nd-instar nymphs.Triglycerides provide the prerequisite material for EβF production and release.Based on transcriptome sequencing,RNAi analysis,hormone treatments,and quantitative measurements,we found that the biosynthesis of EβF utilizes acetyl coenzyme A produced from fatty acid degradation,which can be suppressed by juvenile hormone but it is promoted by 20-hydroxyecdysone through the modulation of fatty acid metabolism.This is the first systemic study on the modulation of EβF production in aphids.The results of our study provide insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of AAP biosynthesis,as well as valuable information for designing potential aphid control strategies.

Association between sensitivity to thyroid hormones and non-highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are chronic conditions with substantial public health implications.Effective management of lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM is critical.However,there has been insufficient attention given to the relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and dyslipidemia in the T2DM population,particularly concerning non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-C).AIM To clarify the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity and dyslipidemia in patients with T2DM.METHODS In this cross-sectional study,thyroid hormone sensitivity indices,the thyroid feedback quantile-based index(TFQI),the thyroid-stimulating hormone index(TSHI),the thyrotrophic T4 resistance index(TT4RI),and the free triiodothyronine(FT3)/free thyroxine(FT4)ratio were calculated.Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associations between those composite indices and non-HDL-C levels.Random forest variable importance and Shapley Additive Explanations(SHAP)summary plots were used to identify the strength and direction of the association between hyper-non-HDL-C and its major predictor.RESULTS Among the 994 participants,389(39.13%)had high non-HDL-C levels.Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of hyper-non-HDL-C was positively correlated with the TFQI(OR:1.584;95%CI:1.088-2.304;P=0.016),TSHI(OR:1.238;95%CI:1.034-1.482;P=0.02),and TT4RI(OR:1.075;95%CI:1.006-1.149;P=0.032)but was not significantly correlated with the FT3/FT4 ratio.The relationships between composite indices of the thyroid system and non-HDL-C levels differed according to sex.An increased risk of hyper-non-HDL-C was associated with elevated TSHI levels in men(OR:1.331;95%CI:1.003-1.766;P=0.048)but elevated TFQI levels in women(OR:2.337;95%CI:1.4-3.901;P=0.001).Among the analyzed variables,the average SHAP values were highest for TSHI,followed by TT4RI.CONCLUSION Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones was associated with high non-HDL-C levels in patients with T2DM.

Changes in Levels of Endogenous Plant Hormones During Floret Development in Wheat Genotypes of Different Spike Sizes

The levels of endogenous plant hormones regulate floret development and degeneration, and thus grain set in flower crops. This study was undertaken to characterize the changes of endogenous hormone levels during floret development in three wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes: “97J1' with the highest grain set and fertile florets per spike, “H8679' with the lowest grain set and fertile florets per spike, and a medium, “YM158'. The results showed that the peak level of ABA appeared between stamen and pistil differentiation and antherlobe formation of floret development, and the timing delayed with the size of spike (earliest in “H8679” and latest in “97J1”). From antherlobe formation to meiosis, the levels of ABA and GA 1+3 decreased sharply in the ears of “97J1”, while in the ears of “H8679” there was only a slight decrease in ABA, and even an increase in GA 1+3 . The ratio of isopentenyladenosine (iPA)/ABA and IAA/ABA in the ears of “97J1” increased sharply from antherlobe formation to meiosis, but changed only slightly in the ears of “H8679”. At antherlobe formation, IAA and GA 1+3 levels were higher in the ears of “97J1”, but lower in the ears of “H8679” than in the leaves. At meiosis, ABA, GA 1+3 and IAA levels in the “97J1” ears were much lower than in the leaves, but similar in “H8679”. These results indicated that the sharp decreases of ABA and GA 1+3 in ears from antherlobe formation to meiosis and the lowest maintenance at meiosis may be favorable for development of fertile florets and enhancement of grain set in wheat.

Responses of Membrane Lipid Peroxidation and Endogenous Hormones of Soybean Seedlings to UV-B Radiation and Rare Earth

[ Objective] The aim was to provide strategies for development of rare earth and control of environmental pollution. [ Method] Responses of membrane lipid peroxidation and endogenous hormones of soybean seedlings to UV-B radiation and rare earth were studied through hydroponics in laboratory. [ Result] The results showed that under irradiation of UV-B（ T1-0.15 W/m^2 and T2-0.45 W/m^2）, chlorophyll and indole-3-acetic acid（IAA） contents firstly decreased during the stress phase （1 -5 d） and then increased during the restoration phase （6 -9 d） while contents of malonadialdehyde（MDA） and abscisic acid（ABA） gradually increased during the imposition of UV-B radiation （1 -5 d） and subsequently decreased during recovery from UV-B stress （6 -9 d） . With adding of La （III） with the concentration of 20 mg · L^-1 , the decline/dse trend of chlorophyll, IAA, MDA and ABA contents was slowed down during the stress period while the rise/decline speed was accelerated during the recovery period. [ Conclusion] It suggests that the regulation of La （ III ） on membrane lipid peroxidation and endogenous hormones could increase chlorophyll and IAA contents, improve the metabolism of reactive oxygen species （ ROS）, inhibit membrane lipid peroxidation, decrease the accumulation amount of ABA and alleviate injury of UV-B radiation to soybean seedlings. Further, the protective potential of La （ III ） was better under low UV-B radiation than under high one.

Effect of Paclobutrazol plus Ethephon Treatment on Endogenous Hormones and Carbon and Nitrogen Nutrients in Litchi Variety ‘Feizixiao'

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of spraying the mixture of paclobutrazol and ethephon on the endogenous hormones and carbon and nitrogen nutrients in litchi variety ＇Feizixiao＇.[Method] [Result] The results showed that foliar spraying of the mixture of paclobutrazol and ethephon could effectively inhibit litchi variety ＇Feizixiao＇ to produce winter shoots,promote the flower bud differentiation and improve flower formation rate; meanwhile,this treatment could also increase the contents of ABA and ZR,and the ratios of ABA/IAA,ABA/GA3,ZR/IAA,ZR/GA3,and decrease the contents of IAA and GA3; additionally,it could increase the contents of soluble sugar,starch and total nitrogen,and raise C/N ratio,thus improving the flower formation rate.[Conclusion] Foliar spraying of the mixture of paclobutrazol and ethephon is an effective pathway for solving warmth damage to litchi.

Fluctuations of Endogenous Hormones in Isolated Rice Embryos During Embryogenesis and Early Stages of Germination

Fluctuations of levels of several endogenous plant hormones in isolated rice ( Oryza sativa ssp. japonica) embryos during early and mid-embryogenesis and early stages of germination were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Embryos were collected at different days after pollination (DAP) and different days after imbibition (DAI) of mature seeds. The contents of gibberellin(1) (GA(1)), abscisic acid (ABA), isopentenyladenine and isopentenyladenosine ( iPAs), zeatin and zeatin riboside ( ZRs) were immunochemically assayed. The GA(1) level was the highest among all hormones tested. The variations of GA(1) levels were opposite with the ABA levels, with some exceptions. During early and mid-embryogenesis, the levels of GA(1) and ABA were the highest at 4 DAP. From 8 to 18 DAP, GA(1) level declined, whereas the ABA level increased. During germination, GA(1) level increased at 2 DAI whereas simultaneously the ABA content decreased. The highest ratio of GA(1)/ABA was observed at 2 DAI The levels of iPAs and ZRs were maxima in the embryos at 4 DAP, decreased to a very low level and maintained constant thereafter. Our results provide further evidence that GA(1) plays an important role in the early stages of embryo development and germination. The balance between GA(1) and ABA, rather than their absolute contents, controls these processes throughout the development, whereas iPAs and ZRs may play important roles in early embryogenesis. The use of isolated embryos as starting material avoids the usual interferences with other tissues such as the endosperm. In addition, this is the first report dealing with the hormonal balance of early-embryos in rice.

Effects of Exogenous Hormones on Subculture Multiplication and Root Induction of Tissuecultured Seedlings of Mulberry

Objective The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of exogenous hormone factors on subculture multiplication and root induction of tis-suecultured seedlings in mulberry. [Method] The aseptic seedlings of Guisangyou 12 were used as the materials and the comparative experiment on subculture multi-plication and root induction used different kinds,concentrations and combinations of exogenous hormones. [Result] The hormone combination of 0.1 mg/L IBA＋1.5 mg/L 6-BA＋0.03 mg/L TDZ showed the best effects to bud multiplication, and the multiple of bud multiplication was 5.28. The effects of NAA was better than IBA and IAA on root induction. The hormone combination of 2.0 mg/L NAA＋1.0 mg/L PP333 was most suitable to the root induction, in which the rooting rate arrived to 100%, the root number was 7.01 and the root length was 1.38 cm on average. [Conclusion] The results wil provide some technical reference for large-scale propagation of mul-berry seedlings in vitro.

Relationship between Endogenous Hormones and Pod-length Development in Brassica napus L.

[Objective] The aim was to study the relationship between endogenous hormone levels and the pod lengths in Brassica napus L.[Method] Two specially-long pod lines H218 and H203,two normal pod length lines MSP334,Zhongyou 821 and two short pod lines ＂4101＂ and Zeng 11,were exploited as experimental materials,and the endogenous IAA,iPA,GA3 and ABA content in the pods of the materials were analyzed with the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）.[Result] IAA contents in the specially-long pod lines were lower than those in the short pod lines on the 1st and 5th day after blossom.IAA contents on the 5th and 20th day were negatively correlated to the final pod length respectively.iPA contents in the specially-long pod lines were lower than those in the short pod lines on the 5th and 20th day.iPA content on the first day was positively correlated to the final pod length,but iPA content on the fifth day,the tenth day and the fifteenth day were negatively correlated to the final pod length.GA3 content on the 1st day was positively correlated to the final pod length.ABA content on the 1st day was negatively correlated to the final pod length.[Conclusion] It was shown that iPA and IAA played important roles in the development of pod length in the B.napus lines.

Relationship Between Heterosis and Endogenous Plant Hormones in Liriodendron

To investigate the possible involvement of endogenous plant hormones in heterosis of Liriodendron interspecific hybrid, growth traits and contents of endogenous GA 1/3 (gibberellin A 1, A 3), IAA (indole_3_acetic acid) and iPA (isopentenyl adenine) of tulip tree ( L. chinense (Hemsl.) Sarg.), yellow poplar ( L. tulipifera L.) and their interspecific hybrid ( L. chinense × L. tulipifera ) were examined. Results showed that: (1) the heterosis in height growth trait of the interspecific hybrid was mainly caused by the reletively greater elongation of internodes. Although the uppermost three internodes had the potential of elongation, the first one, which had the greatest elongation amount, contributed to the heterosis of the height growth trait; (2) the contents of endogenous GA 1/3 , IAA and iPA were greatly different among tulip tree, yellow poplar and their interspecific hybrid. All of the three interspecific hybrid families studied significantly contained higher amount of endogenous GA 1/3 and iPA in the uppermost first internode than their parental species. And thus, a correlation between the contents of endogenous GA 1/3 and iPA, and hybrid vigor for height growth trait in Liriodendron was observed; (3) the rankings of endogenous GA 1/3 and iPA contents in the uppermost first internode of three hybrid families studied were not similar to the ranking for height of 3_year_old trees. Therefore, the contents of endogenous GA 1/3 and iPA in the uppermost first internode could not be used in predicting hybrid vigor among hybrid families.

Studies on Endogenous Hormones and Nutritional Physiology Related to the Premature Senescence of Super-hybrid Rice Liangyoupeijiu and Its Parents at Late Growth Stage

The amount of root bleeding sap, contents of chlorophyl , nutrients and hormones in flag leaves of a super-hybrid rice cultivar Liangyoupeijiu （LYPJ） and its parents 9311 and Pei’ai 64S after heading were measured in this study. The re-sults revealed that compared with 9311, the chlorophyl content of LYPJ reduced more quickly after heading, and then kept at a lower level, which was an obvious characteristic of premature senescence. The other physiological indices of LYPJ af-ter heading except abscisic acid （ABA） content in leaf and root also maintained at a lower level than 9311, while al the physiological indices of the sterile line Pei＇ai 64S were lower than LYPJ. So it was speculated that the early-aging characteristic of LYPJ may be inherited from Pei’ai 64S. Al the leaf and root early-aging traits reduced for LYPJ and its parent lines after heading, their leaf and root aged grad-ual y, which indicated that the above-ground （leaf） and under-ground （root） parts cor-related to each other closely, but there was not absolute correlations between them judged from the data.

Effects of Drought Stress on Contents of Endogenous Hormones in Leaves of Different Clones of Liriodendron chinense×L. tulipifera

[Objective] The aim was to study the effects of drought stress on contents of endogenous hormones in leaves of different clones of Liriodendron chinense×L. tulipifera. Drought-resistant Liriodendron chinense×L. tulipifera clones NE25,NE78 and drought-sensitive Liriodendron chinense×L. tulipifera clones NE04,NE23 were selected as experimental materials to study the content changes of four kinds of endogenous hormones such as abscisic acid （ABA）,indoleacetic acid （IAA）,ribosylzeatin （ZR） and jasmonic acid （JA） in leaves of different clones under drought stress. [Result] Under drought stress,ABA was accumulated I leaves of different clones,however,the content changes in drought-resistant clones were not obvious; IAA content showed a decreasing trend,and the content changes n drought-resistant clones during later period of drought stress was decreased; JA content showed an increasing trend in leaves of drought-sensitive clones,indicating that drought-sensitive clones had to maintain higher contents of JA to resist drought stress. [Conclusion] The result of this study had provided scientific basis for the screening,planting and application of drougt-resistant clones of Liriodendron chinense×L. tulipifera.

-ffects of Plant Hormones on Accumulation of 133Cs in Sunflower （Helianthus annuus L.）

[Objective] This study was conducted to discuss a high efficient phytore- mediation technology for 133Cs pollution.[Method] The effects of 3 exogenous phyto- hormones on the uptake and accumulation of 133Cs in the seedlings of Helianthus annuus L., which is a kind of hyperaccumulator plant, was further studied in the pot experiments. [Result] The results indicated that the absorption, accumulation and translocation capacities of 133Cs of the sunflower plants could be improved signifi- cantly after the application of phytohormones. 133Cs contents were higher in leaves and flowers as compared with stems and roots. The accumulation capacities of phytohormones were in order of SA〉GA〉IAA. [Conclusion] The absorption capacity, translocation factor and bioaccumulation factor of 133Cs were maximum after the