A biomimetic spore nanoplatform for boosting chemodynamic therapy and bacteria-mediated antitumor immunity for synergistic cancer treatment

Bacterial-based antitumor immunity has become a promising strategy to activate the immune system for fighting cancer.However,the potential application of bacterial therapy is hindered by the presence of instability and susceptibility to infections within bacterial populations.Furthermore,monotherapy is ineffective in completely eliminating complex cancer with multiple contributing factors.In this study,based on our discovery that spore shell(SS)of Bacillus coagulans exhibits excellent tumor-targeting ability and adjuvant activity,we develop a biomimetic spore nanoplatform to boost bacteria-mediated antitumor therapy,chemodynamic therapy and antitumor immunity for synergistic cancer treatment.In detail,SS is separated from probiotic spores and then attached to the surface of liposome(Lipo)that was loaded with hemoglobin(Hb),glucose oxidase(GOx)and JQ1to construct SS@Lipo/Hb/GOx/JQ1.In tumor tissue,highly toxic hydroxyl radicals(·OH)are generated via sequential catalytic reactions:GOx catalyzing glucose into H_(2)O_(2)and Fe^(2+)in Hb decomposing H_(2)O_(2)into·OH.The combination of·OH and SS adjuvant can improve tumor immunogenicity and activate immune system.Meanwhile,JQ1-mediated down-regulation of PD-L1 and Hb-induced hypoxia alleviation synergistically reshape immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and potentiate immune response.In this manner,SS@Lipo/Hb/GOx/JQ1 significantly suppresses tumor growth and metastasis.To summarize,the nanoplatform represents an optimum strategy to potentiate bacteria-based cancer immunotherapy.

Ganoderma lucidum spore oil enhances the effect of paclitaxel,improves the tolerance to paclitaxel and prolongs the survival in Lewis tumor-bearing mice

Purpose:This study aims to investigate whether Ganoderma lucidum spore oil(GLSO)could enhance the effect of paclitaxel(PTX),improve the tolerance to PTX and prolong the overall survival of Lewis tumor-bearing mice,which has never been reported before.Methods:The tumor,spleen,and thymus were weighed at the end of the experiment.Whole blood was collected for hematological index analysis,and the intact femur was removed to determine the bone marrow nucleated cell count(BMN).The percentage of lymphocytes in the spleen of mice was detected by flow cytometry,the activity of NK cells was detected by LDH assay,and the proliferation index of lymphocytes was determined by CCK-8 assay.The overall and mean survival time and life extension rate were calculated using SPSS software.Results:Our data showed that GLSO could enhance the anti-tumor effect of PTX and prolong the survival of mice.The underlying mechanisms of the above effects might be related to the toxic reduction effect of GLSO by relieving hematotoxicity,myelosuppression and immunosuppression.Specifically,GLSO could increase the number of blood cells and bone marrow cells,alleviate the thymic index,and elevate the number and activity of NK cells in mice treated with PTX.Conclusion:GLSO may enhance the efficacy of PTX by boosting the activity of immune NK cells and prolong survival by counteracting PTX-induced bone marrow alterations and improving hematopoiesis.These findings suggested the promising role of GLSO in combination with PTX to extend the survival and increase the tolerance of patients in clinical chemotherapy of lung cancer.

Effects of polyamines on the early development of cystocarps,spore release,survival,and germination rate of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis

Three polyamines(PAs)(spermidine(Spd),spermine(Spm),and putrescine(Put))were used as growth regulators to the marine macroalgae Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and to female gametophyte and reproductive tissues(cystocarps were constructed),which led to early maturation of cystocarps and spore release.Laboratory cultivation revealed that exogenous PA application accelerated the development of cystocarps,and the mean sporeling growth rate was 20%–50%/d during the initial week of cultivation.The spore count(SC),survival rate(SR),and germination rate(GR)of G.lemaneiformis showed different responses to PA(10-6 mol/L and 10-3 mol/L)treatments under different temperatures(18,26,and 34℃),light intensities(30,60,and 90μmol photons/(m^(2)·s)),salinities(25,30,and 35),and nutrient levels(25꞉2.5,50꞉5.0,and 75꞉7.5μmol/L NH4Cl꞉K2HPO4),and the optimal conditions were 26℃,light intensity of 60μmol/(m^(2)·s),salinity of 35,and nutrient level of 50꞉5.0μmol/L NH4Cl꞉K2HPO4.Under the optimum conditions,the SC per cystocarp increased by 82.38%,and the spore SR and GR increased by 33.07%and 46.44%,respectively.Each experiment lasted for 7 days,with the highest SC on Day 4 and plateauing on Day 7.The results indicate that PAs could promote the early maturation,spore release,survival,and germination of G.lemaneiformis under laboratory conditions.

Energy status regulated umami compound metabolism in harvested shiitake mushrooms(Lentinus edodes)with spores triggered to release

The molecular mechanisms of energy status related to the umami taste of postharvest shiitake mushrooms during spore release remain poorly understood.In this study,the variations of energy status and umami taste of mushrooms were measured at 25℃.At 24 h storage,slight spore prints of mushrooms were first pictured,respiration peaked.Significant ATP decrease and ADP increase were also observed as the initiation of postharvest senescence(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the activities of phosphohexose isomerase,succinate dehydrogenase,glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase and the contents of umami nucleotides and amino acids were maintained at higher levels in mushrooms with spore release.Notably,the equivalent umami concentration(EUC)was strongly correlated with energy levels(R=0.80).Fifteen related gene expression levels in the energy metabolism pathway were downregulated.LecpdP1 and LeAK were significantly expressed in the conversion of ATP into AMP and played key roles in connecting the energy state and umami level.These results provided valuable insights on the umami taste associated with energy metabolism mechanism during postharvest mushroom spore release.

The Overwintering Capability of Ulva prolifera Spores and Gametes in the Yellow Sea,China

Green tides caused by the bloom of Ulva prolifera have affected the Yellow Sea annually since 2007.To explore the intrinsic causes of successive blooms,field investigations and indoor simulation experiments were conducted using micro-propagules of U.prolifera.From January to February 2014,micro-propagules of various green algae,including U.prolifera,Ulva flexuosa,and Ulva linza,were prevalent in the coastal waters of Rudong,Lianyungang,and Qingdao.However,in March 2014,micro-propagules of U.prolifera were not detected in the coastal waters of Lianyungang and Qingdao.Neither the spores nor gametes of U.prolifera can germinate at temperatures below 5℃.At 2℃and 5℃,U.prolifera spores and gametes could survive for 1-3 months at a light intensity range of 0-30μmol m^(-2)s^(-1)and for less than 1 month if the light intensity exceeded 30μmol m^(-2)s^(-1).By integrating indoor experiments and field investigations,this study found that U.prolifera spores and gametes could overwinter in the Rudong coastal area,which is an important factor for the annual emergence of recurring green tides in the Yellow Sea.

Aqueous-soluble components of sporoderm-removed Ganoderma lucidum spore powder promote ferroptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: Ferroptosis is a novel cell death process which displays a promising role in cancer treatment.However, clinically available drugs targeting ferroptosis are rarely used, and yet there are no studies reporting on inducing ferroptosis via Chinese herbal extracts. Here we explored the tumor inhibition effects of Ganoderma lucidum(G. lucidum) on oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC). Specifically, we aimed to clarify the biological mechanism of components in the dietary, aqueous-soluble sporoderm-removed G. lucidum spore powder(A-GSP).Methods: Preliminary transcriptome analysis revealed the significant enrichment of the ferroptosis pathway.Cellular Fe2+, glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS) and lipid peroxide levels were measured to identify ferroptosis occurrence. Western blotting was used to measure ferroptosis-related proteins. Changes in mitochondria morphology and function were observed with transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and ATP detection assays. Ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 was then used to verify the anti-tumor effects of A-GSP. Finally, nude mice xenograft models of oral cancer confirmed that A-GSP inhibited tumor growth.Results: A-GSP promoted ferroptosis in oral cancer cells by inducing Fe2+influx, GSH depletion, as well as lipid peroxide and ROS accumulation. Ferroptosis-related proteins exhibited corresponding changes, particularly Acylco A synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) increase and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) decrease. A-GSP considerably lowered mitochondrial volume and ridge number, while significantly decreasing ATP production. Ferrostatin-1 reversed all of these A-GSP-induced changes. In vivo, A-GSP exerted a ferroptosismediated tumor-suppressing effect without observable adverse reactions.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of A-GSP for treating patients with OSCC by targeting ferroptosis.

Single-cell analysis reveals microbial spore responses to microwave radiation

To determine the effects of microwave radiation at the molecular level as well as on the germination,growth and morphology of dry spores at the single-cell level.Dry Bacillus aryabhattai MCCC 1K02966 spores were microwave-treated at different powers and characterized using single-cell optical technology.As determined by laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy,the Ca^(2+)-dipicolinic acid content increased and nucleic acid denaturation occurred in response to microwave treatment.Livecell microscopy revealed that the germination and growth rates decreased as the microwave power increased.With respect to morphology,atomic force microscopy(AFM)demonstrated that spores became wrinkled and rough after microwave treatment.Furthermore,spores became smaller as the microwave power increased.Microwave treatment can damage DNA,and high-power microwaves can inhibit the germination of spores and reduce spore volumes.These results provide a new perspective on the responses of living single cells to microwave radiation and demonstrate the application of various new techniques for analyses of microorganisms at the single-cell level.

Sexual spores in edible mushroom: bioactive components, discharge mechanisms and effects on fruiting bodies quality

Edible mushroom sexual spores have been gaining more interest due to their bioactive components and functions.Spore discharge(SD)is an important factor affecting the quality of edible mushrooms.In this review,the bioactive nutrients of sexual spores of edible mushrooms were summarized,the SD mechanism was described,and the relationship between postharvest SD and the quality of edible mushrooms was analyzed.Spores contain various bioactive nutrients that are benefi cial to the human body.Mature mushrooms can actively discharge spores in a process affected by light,relative humidity,and temperature.During storage,the physiological metabolism of spore-bearing gill tissue is vigorous,promoting the release of postharvest spores and changing the nutritional value of fruiting bodies.The flavor of the fruiting bodies also varied signifi cantly during SD.Edible mushroom sexual spores have the potential to become new raw materials for functional food and medical resources.Research on the effect of the mechanism of SD on the quality of edible mushrooms and the development of SD regulation technology may be a new trend in the quality control of edible mushrooms,which will promote the development of the edible mushroom industry.

Volatile Components and Antitumor Activity of Ganoderma lucidum Spore Oil and Its Molecular Distillation Components

[Objectives]To compare the effects of molecular distillation on the flavor and antitumor activity of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil.[Methods]G.lucidum spore oil was separated and purified by molecular distillation technology,and the volatile components of different components of molecular distillation were analyzed by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry(GC-IMS)technology.Human liver carcinoma cells(HepG2),human breast cancer cells(MCF-7),and human cervical cancer cells(Hela)were selected as the tumor cell lines to be tested,and the cell viability was detected by the MTT assay.[Results]Molecular distillation effectively reduced small molecular substances produced by oil oxidation in G.lucidum spore oil,such as heptanal,octanal,linalool,hexanal,E-2-octanal,3-ethylpyridine,etc.Among the heavy components,the content of esters was relatively high,mainly including ethyl levulinate,ethyl crotonate,and amyl butyrate.The MTT cytotoxicity test indicated that G.lucidum spore oil and its molecular distillation components had certain inhibitory effects on the growth of three tumor cells,and G.lucidum spore oil crude oil had the most significant antitumor activity.G.lucidum spore oil crude oil,heavy component,and light component had the most significant antitumor activity on HepG2 cells,followed by MCF-7 cells,and the weakest antitumor activity on Hela cells.The quality of G.lucidum spore oil became higher after molecular distillation,and the rancid smell was reduced,and molecular distillation had little effect on the antitumor activity of G.lucidum spores.[Conclusions]Molecular distillation technology can be applied to the refining of G.lucidum spore oil to improve product quality.

Mycorrhizal Fungi Spore Abundance in Old-Growth Forest Soil

Soil samples were collected from the base of Aplectrum hymale individuals to assess mycorrhizal spores abundance. The hypothesis that mycorrhizal spore abundance would increase with proximity to the plant was not supported;however, spores increased significantly with distance from the Aplectrum hymale plants up to one meter.

Studies on the Triterpenoid Constituents of the Spores from Ganoderma lucidum Karst

Five compounds were isolated from the ether-soluble fraction of the spores of Gano- derma lucidum.On the basis of their chemical properties and spectral data(MS,UV,IR,~1H and ^(13)CNMR),they were identified as 3,7,11,12,15,23-hexaoxo-5α-lanosta-8-en-26-oic acid(Ⅰ),gano- deric acid B(Ⅱ),C(Ⅲ),D(Ⅳ)and ganodermanontriol(Ⅴ).Compound Ⅰ is a new natural product, named ganosporeric acid A.Compounds Ⅱ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ and Ⅴ are known compounds and were obtained for the first time from the spores of Ganoderma lucidum.Pharmacological experiments showed that ganosporeric acid A has an activity for lowering the levels GPT in mice with liver injury by CCl_4 and GaNI and exhibits heptoprotective effects.

Antitumor Activity of the Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Alcohol Extract in Vitro

Several cancer cell lines(epithelioma cells or leukemia cells)from human being or mouse were first used to study the antitumor activity of the Ganoderma lucidum spore alcohol extract(GLSAE)in vitro by the MTT test A comparision was made between the sporodermbroken(SB)and sporoderm nonbroken(SN)GLSAE It was showed that both GLSAE SB and GLSAE SN could inhibit the proliferation of these cancer cells,but the activity of GLSAE SB was much higher than that of GLSAE SN These results suggested that Ganoderma lucidum spore could probably be used for tumor treatment

Control Efficacy of Validamycin A·(0.2 Billion Spores/ml) Paenibacillus polymyxa DN-1 3% AS for Rice Sheath Blight

With validamycin A.（0.2 billion spores/ml） Paenibacillus polymyxa DN-1 3% AS as the test agent, the effects of different dosage and different application time on the control efficacy for＇ rich sheath blight were investigated. The results of two- year test showed that when the application amount was in the range of 45-90 g.a.i/ hm^2, the field efficacy of validamycin A-（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS in the initial infection stage of rich sheath blight （Le., the diseased plant rate was below 5%） reached 80.38%-89.06%, and that in the peak infection stage （i.e., the diseased plant rate was higher than 10%） reached only 41.12%-53.26%. The field efficacy of validamycin A.（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS at the early onset of rich sheath blight was significantly better than that at the onset, so that the application time of validamycin A .（0.2 billion spores/ml） P. polymyxa DN-1 3% AS should be appropriately brought forward in the prevention and control of rice sheath blight.

Isolation and Structural Determination of a Glucan from the Spores of Ganoderma lucidum

A water soluble, (1 -->6)-branched, (1 -->4) linked D-glucan (LB-B1), [alpha](D)(21) = +174.2 degrees (c 0.87, H2O), was obtained from a hot-water extract of the sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidun (Fr.) Karst by HPSEC, with 0.001 mol/L sodium hydroxide as the eluant, the molecular weight (Mw) of LB-B1 was estimated to be 9.3 x 10(3). From the results of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, acetolysis and 1D, 2D-NMR experimentation, it was concluded that LB-B1 was composed of repeating units with the following structure: alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->6)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->6)-alpha -D-Glc(p) 1 down arrow 6 (-->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->4-)-alpha -D-Glc(p)-(1 -->)(n)

Infection of the Anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum in Populations of Silene dioica: Variation in Floral Morphology, Patterns of Spore Deposition and Pathogen-Pollinator Mediated Selection

The anther-smut Microbotryum violaceum ( Brandenburger and Schvinn) G. Deml. and Oberw.) causes a systematic infection of its host Silene dioica ( L.) Clairv., resulting in sterility and production of teliospores (dispersal propagules) in flowers. These spores are transmitted to healthy plants mainly by flower visitors. The behavioral responses of flower visitors to a variation in floral characters are not only likely to affect rates of pollen export/import, but also the rate of spore deposition and probability of disease. In a transplantation experiment, using plants from four different populations, we tested for correlation between variation in female floral morphology and patterns of spore and pollen deposition, and a resulting risk of disease. The source populations in this experiment were located on four islands in Skeppsvik archipelago in northern Sweden, and represented a gradient of disease incidence from completely healthy ( Island 1), low incidence ( Island 2) to high incidences ( Islands 3 and 4) of disease. Fifty plants from each population were transplanted to the center, of the population on Island 4. There were significant differences among the transplants in floral characters, i.e. corolla size, style length and ovule number. Plants from the non-diseased population had larger flowers and longer styles than plants from the highly diseased populations. Numbers of pollen grains and spores deposited on flowers were strongly and positively correlated. We found that plants originating from the non-diseased population captured approximately 4 times more pollen and 9 times more spores, per flower than die individuals from the resident population (Island 4, population 4). The incidences of disease among plants, from the four populations differed significantly, and was 37%, 20%, 18% and 0 for populations 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. In a survey of ten populations we found a significant negative correlation between the mean style length ( positively correlated with corolla size and ovule number) among healthy plants and incidence of disease in these populations. The potentiality for pathogen-pollinator mediated selection oil floral characters; and consequences for gone flow between populations of Silene dioica are discussed.

Role of the Putative Polysaccharide Deacetylase BA1836 from <i>B. anthracis</i>in Spore Development and Germination

Putative and known polysaccharide deacetylases (PDAs) from B. anthracis have key roles in resistance to host lysozyme, stabilization of the cell wall, biogenesis of peptidoglycan (PG) and for neutral polysaccharide modification and attachment to PG. Here we elucidated the physiological role of the putative PDA BA1836 from B. anthracis. The ba1836 gene was expressed upon entrance into the stationary phase of growth and enhanced during the early stages of sporulation. The Δba1836 knockout strain had normal growth rate, did not exhibit any significant alterations in PG pattern of stationary phase cells and was not sensitive to lysozyme, but showed a defect in cell separation. Strikingly, the Δba1836 mutant strain exhibited a severe delay in spore development although mature spores were ultimately developed and had normal morphology. Additionally, digestion of Δba1836 mutant spore PG with mutanolysin produced an almost identical muropeptide pattern compared to peptidoglycan from wild type spores, although the amount of all muropeptides was significantly reduced. Finally, knockout spores exhibited a lower germination rate. To our knowledge, BA1836 has a unique role, among the presently characterized PDAs from B. anthracis, in spore development and germination.

PEF Assisted Thermal Sterilization （PEF-ATS） Process-Inactivation of Geobacillus sterothermophilus Spores

An improvement to existed methods of microbial spore inactivation is presented in this paper. A treatment chamber was designed to hold elevated temperatures （above 100℃） and pressure in the range of （3 atm）. The innovative thermal assisted pulsed electric fields （PEF-ATS） processing was applied to inactivate Geobacillus sterothermophilus ATCC 10149 spores suspended in simulated milk ultrafiltrate （SMUF） of 50% （wt/wt） concentration. G. stearothermophilus spores are extremely resistant to high temperature and are also proven to be resistant to PEF processing in the range of 35 kv/cm. However, the combination of PEF and high temperature treatment conducted in this work shows significant inactivation of the G. stearothermophilus spores. A processing temperature/time of 115 ℃/3.7 sec with an electric field intensity of 45 kv/cm showed 4.1 Iogmicrobial reductions, which are significantly less than usually obtained in thermal treatment alone.

Cuticles and Spores in Situ of Coniopteris hymenophylloides from the Middle Jurassic in Gansu, Northwestern China

Coniopteris was a ubiquitous plant of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and played an important role in the flora of the time. However, its anatomical structure is relatively poorly known. The specimens of Coniopteris hymenophylloides(Brongniart) Seward described here were collected from the Yaojie Formation in Gansu Province, northwestern China. The sterile fronds are characterized as being at least bipinnate with alternate arranged linear pinnae covered by thin cuticles. Fertile fronds are linear-lanceolate, with single sorus at the margin of each fertile pinnule. In situ spores are typically trilete, triangle to subcircular in polar view, cap-shaped in equatorial view, and 37 μm in average diameter. The trilete marking is straight and narrow, generally extends to 4/5 of the spore radius. The spore surface is smooth, and parts of the exine are granulated. The epidermal cells of cuticles are irregular in shape, approximately 40-60μm long and 10-20 μm wide. The elliptical stomatal complexes are paracytic,approximately 30 μm long and 19 μm wide,and irregularly distributed. On the basis of its epidermal structures and comparisons with extant ferns, we consider that Coniopteris displays combined features of the related extant genera.

Effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore on expression of insulin-like growth factor-1, nuclear factor-kappa B, and neuronal apoptosis in the epileptic rat brain

BACKGROUND：It has been reported that Ganoderma lucidum spore powder, a very well known Chinese traditional medicine, can affect immunoregulation, free radical scavenging, and anti-hypoxia responses. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1）, nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and neuronal apoptosis in rats with pentylenetetrazol （PTZ）-induced epilepsy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A cellular and molecular biology experiment with randomized controlled study design was performed at the Central Laboratory of Basic Medical College of Jiamusi University from June to August 2005. MATERIALS： Thirty healthy, adult, male, Wistar rats were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups （10 rats per group）： control, epilepsy model, and Ganoderma lucidum spore powder. A sub-eclampsia PTZ dose （35 mg/kg） was intraperitoneally injected to induce epilepsy in the latter two groups. Wild Ganoderma lucidum spore powder （30 g/L） was provided by the wild Ganoderma lucidum plant nursery at Jiamusi, China. Immunohistochemical detection and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediate dUTP nick end-labeling （TUNEL） kits were purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Technology Co., Ltd., China. METHODS： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder was intragastrically administered at a dose of 10.0 mL/kg, once a day for 28 days. In the epilepsy and control groups, an equivalent volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunoreactivity for IGF-1 and NF-κB/P65 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Neuronal apoptosis was detected using TUNEL methods. RESULTS： The hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats with PTZ-induced epilepsy exhibited a higher number of apoptotic cells at high magnification （×400）, compared with the control group. Expression of IGF-1 and NF-κB were higher in the epilepsy group, compared with the control group （P 〈 0.01）. In Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated rats, fewer apoptotic cells were observed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, expression of NF-κB/P65 was lower, and immunoreactivity to IGF-1 increased more distinctly, compared with the epilepsy group. In addition, seizure latency was longer on 17, 21, and 25 days post-PTZ treatment in the Ganoderma lucidum spore powder group, compared with the epilepsy group （P 〈 0.05-0.01）. CONCLUSION： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder down-regulated expression of NF-κB in brain tissues of rats with PTZ-induced epilepsy, increased immunoreactivity to IGF-1, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis. These results indicated that Ganoderma lucidum spore powder has a neuroprotective effect.

Influence of Ganoderma lucidum spores on the levels of neuropeptide Y and somatostatin in brains of seizure rats

BACKGROUND： Previous research has revealed that somatostatin can induce epilepsy, and that the levels of neuropeptide Y may increase and become more active in brain areas with epileptic seizures. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Ganoderma luciclum spore powder on the neuropeptide Y and somatostatin content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal regions of seizure rats induced by pentylenetetrazol （PTZ）. Furthermore, to verify any effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on inhibition of epileptic seizures. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized group animal study was performed in August 2007 in the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiamusi University （Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China）. MATERIALS： Thirty healthy, male, Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing 180-220 g, were taken as the experimental animals. PTZ （Sigma Company, United States） was used to induce epilepsy. Ganoderma lucidum spores （Leyss, ex Fr variety） were purchased from Jiamusi City Wild Growing Case of the Ganoderma Lucidum （China）. Rabbit anti-somatostatin antibodies and secondary antibodies were purchased from Wuhan Boster Company （China）. Neuropeptide Y radioimmunoassay kit was purchased from Beijing Furui Biotechnology Company （China）. METHODS： Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups： a control group, an epilepsy model group and a Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group. Each group contained 10 animals. Rats in the epilepsy model group were treated with intraperitoneal injections of PTZ and gastric perfusion of physiologic saline. In the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group, intraperitoneal injection of PTZ and gastric perfusion of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder were administered. The blank control group was only administered with the physiological saline by intraperitoneal injection and gastric perfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunohistochemical staining and radioimmunoassay methods were used to observe the changes of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y content in brain tissue of epileptic rats, as well as the morphology of neurons. RESULTS： All 30 rats were involved in the result analysis, without any loss. The number of somatostatin immunoreacted positive cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly increased in the epilepsy model group compared to the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of somatostatin immunoreacted positive cells in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group compared to the epilepsy model group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of neuropeptide Y in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased in the epilepsy model group compared to the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of neuropeptide Y in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly decreased in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group compared to the epilepsy model group （P 〈 0.05）. The epilepsy seizures in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group were obviously reduced compared to the epilepsy model group. CONCLUSION： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder was able to reduce the somatostatin and neuropeptide Y content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus effectively, so as to achieve an anti-epileptic function and protect neurons from being damaged.