To assess the potential effect of total flavonoids of epimedium （TFE） on cytochrome P450 and activity of its main isoforms in rat liver microsomes. TFE （300 mg/kg） was administered once daily to male Sprague-Dowle...To assess the potential effect of total flavonoids of epimedium （TFE） on cytochrome P450 and activity of its main isoforms in rat liver microsomes. TFE （300 mg/kg） was administered once daily to male Sprague-Dowley rats by gavage for fifteen days. The total cytochrome P450 content and its main isoforms CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 activities in rat liver microsomes were detected. The activity of CYP1A2 was measured by fluorometry and the activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 were determined by measuring the amount of methanal and p-aminophenol formed using UV/Vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Administration of TFE significantly increased the total CYP450 content and activities ofCYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 in rat liver microsomes, compared with the control group. Particularly, the activities of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 were enhanced significantly （P〈0.01）. TFE induced the increase in total CYP450 content and its main isoforms CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 activities in rat liver microsomes.展开更多
The effects of zinc deficiency on the serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration,and the cerebrum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rats were studied.Growing rats were allotted to three...The effects of zinc deficiency on the serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration,and the cerebrum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rats were studied.Growing rats were allotted to three groups,which were zinc deficiency (ZD),paired fed (PF) and zinc supplementation after feeding zinc deficient food for 21 days (ZS).The duration of feed test was 35 days.Compared with PF rats,serum cortisol concentration in ZD ones was significantly increased,whereas serum ACTH concentration and cerebrum NOS activity were significantly decreased.The results suggested that zinc might influence the metabolism of hypothalamic hypophysial adrenocortical axis and NOS.展开更多
Comparisons of activation rates and fertilization rates were made among oocytes at different ages. Results showed that oocytes at different ages had different activation and fertilization rates when stimulated by sper...Comparisons of activation rates and fertilization rates were made among oocytes at different ages. Results showed that oocytes at different ages had different activation and fertilization rates when stimulated by sperm or ethanol. Oocytes at 15～24 h after the injection of hCG were readily activated by 8% ethanol. The activation rate of oocytes increased with the age of oocytes, up to the highest average of 81.6%, but decreased after 20 h posthCG. Oocytes at 20 h posthCG exhibited the highest immediate cleavage rate(48.0%) after being stimulated by ethanol. On the other hand, 13～15 h oocytes exhibited higher fertilization rates, and the older oocytes were more difficult to be fertilized by sperm in vitro. These suggest that oocytes can be activated in different ways; the mechanism of fertilization might be different from that of activation; and in vitro fertilization is more dependent on oocyte age.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of synbiotics, i.e. probiotics and prebiotics mixture, on the gut microbial ecology and digestive enzyme activities in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats weighing about 280 g were used i...AIM: To investigate the effect of synbiotics, i.e. probiotics and prebiotics mixture, on the gut microbial ecology and digestive enzyme activities in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats weighing about 280 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into three groups according to the contents of probiotics and prebiotics mixture in the feed as control, low and high dose groups. The duration of the experiment was 8 wk. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, thefecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts were significantly increased and the fecal Coliform organism counts were markedly reduced in the low and high dose groups. Concerning the digestive enzyme activity of jejunum, only lactase activity increased in low dose group. However, significant increase of lipase, lactase, sucrase, and isomaltase activities were observed in high dose group.CONCLUSION: Intake of low and high dosages of probiotics and prebiotics mixture significantly improved the ecosystem of the intestinal tract by increasing the probiotics population and digestive enzyme activities in rats.展开更多
To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) on platelet activating factor (PAF) content in arterial blood pre- and post-arterial thrombosis in rats, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the...To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) on platelet activating factor (PAF) content in arterial blood pre- and post-arterial thrombosis in rats, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the medicine group treated with BHD, the control group with dexamethasone liquid, and the blank group with distilled water. Oral administration was given for 14 consecutive days, once daily. Model of arterial thrombosis was established in the animals 2 hours after final medication, the blood content of PAF, dry weight (DW) and occlusion time (OT) of thrombus, and dry weight of thrombus/body weight (TW/BW) ratio were observed. Results indicated that BHD could markedly lower the arterial blood content of PAF after thrombosis, increase the OT of thrombus, reduce the dry weight of thrombus and the TW/BW ratio (P展开更多
AIM： To explore the mechanism of the exciting effects of electro-acupuncture （EA） at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities. METHODS： A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups. Through intrape...AIM： To explore the mechanism of the exciting effects of electro-acupuncture （EA） at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities. METHODS： A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups. Through intraperitoneal injection with atropine （the anti-cholinergic agent by blockade of muscarinic receptors）, hexarnethonium （automatic nerve ganglion-blocking agent） and reserpine （anti-adrenergic agent by depleting the adrenergic nerve terminal of its norepinephrine store）, effects of EA at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities of the denervated rats were observed. RESULTS： After intraperitoneal injection of atropine and hexamethonium, the average amplitude and ratio of period to time in the phase of high activity of gastric myoelectric slow wave, and the average numbers of the peaks of gastric myoelectric fast wave were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）, while after intraperitoneal injection of reserpine, the aforementioned three parameters were increased （P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. EA at Sibai point partially relieved the inhibitory effect of atropine and hexamethonium on the gastric myoelectric activities in the rats （P 〈 0.05 or P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Cholinergic and adrenergic nervous systems and autonomic nerve ganglion participate in the peripheral passage of the controlling effects of EA at Foot Yangming Channel on gastrointestinal tract.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of various concentrations of tetrandrine on activation of quiescent rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in vitro.METHODS: HSCs were iso...AIM: To investigate the effect of various concentrations of tetrandrine on activation of quiescent rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in vitro.METHODS: HSCs were isolated from rats by in situperfusion of liver and 18% Nycodenz gradient centrifugation, and primarily cultured on uncoated plastic plates for 24 hwith DMEM containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS/DMEM) before the culture medium was substituted with 2% FBS/DMEM for another 24 h. Then, the HSCs were cultured in 2% FBS/DMEM with tetrandrine (0.25, 0.5, 1,2 mg/L, respectively). Cell morphological features were observed under an inverted microscope, smooth muscleα-actin (α-SMA) was detected by immunocytochemistry and image analysis system, laminin (LN) and type Ⅲprocollagen (PCⅢ) in supernatants were determined byradioimmunoassay. TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad 7 mRNA and Smad 7 protein were analyzed with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.RESULTS: Tetrandrine at the concentrations of 0.25-2 mg/L prevented morphological transformation of HSC from the quiescent state to the activated one, while α-SMA, LN and PCⅢ expressions were inhibited. As estimated by gray values, the expression of α-SMA in tetrandrine groups (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/L) was reduced from 21.3% to 42.2%(control: 0.67, tetrandrine groups: 0.82, 0.85, 0.96, or 0.96, respectively, which were statistically different from the control, P＜0.01), and the difference was more significant in tetrandrine at 1 and 2 mg/L. The content of LN in supernatants was significantly decreased in tetrandrine groups to 58.5%, 69.1%, 65.8% or 60.0% that of the control respectively, and that of PCⅢ to 84.6%, 81.5%,75.7% or 80.7% respectively (P＜0.05 vs control), with no significant difference among tetrandrine groups. RTPCR showed that TGF-β1 mRNA expression was reduced by tetrandrine treatments from 56.56% to 87.90% in comparison with the control, while Smad 7 mRNA was increased 1.4-4.8 times. The TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad 7 mRNA expression was in a significant negative correlation (r= -0.755, P＜0.01), and both were significantly correlated with α-SMA protein expression (r = -0.938, P＜0.01;r = 0.938, P＜0.01, respectively). The up-regulation of Smad 7 protein by tetrandrine (1 mg/L)was confirmed by Western blotting as well.CONCLUSION: Tetrandrine has a direct inhibiting effect on the activation of rat HSCs in culture. It up-regulates the expression of Smad 7 which in turn blocks TGF-β1 expression and signaling.展开更多
Background/aim： Currently, the liver is cold-preserved at 0-4 ℃ for experimental and clinical purposes. Here, we investigated whether milder hypothermia during the initial phase of the preservation period was benefi...Background/aim： Currently, the liver is cold-preserved at 0-4 ℃ for experimental and clinical purposes. Here, we investigated whether milder hypothermia during the initial phase of the preservation period was beneficial for liver viability upon reperfusion. Methods： In the first set of experiments, rat livers were preserved either conventionally in clinically used histidine-trypthopan-ketoglutarate （HTK） solution （Group A： 45 min and Group B： 24 h） or by slow cooling HTK solution （from 13 ℃ to 3 ℃） during the initial 45 min of preservation （Group C： 24 h）. In the second set of experiments, additional groups of livers were evaluated： Group BB-preservation according to Group B and Group CC-preservation according to Group C. Further, some livers were preserved at 13 ℃ for 24 h. Livers were then reperfused using a blood-free perfusion model. Results： Bile production was approximately 2-fold greater in Group C compared to Group B. Alanine transaminase （ALT） and aspartate transaminase （AST） release into perfusate were 2-3-fold higher in Group B compared to Group C. No significant differences were found in ALT and AST release between Group C and Group A. Livers in Group CC compared to Group BB exhibited significantly lower portal resistance, greater oxygen consumption and bromosulfophthalein excretion into bile and lower lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release into perfusate. Histological evaluation of tissue sections in Group BB showed parenchymal dystrophy of hepatocytes, while dystrophy ofhepatocytes was absent in Group CC. Livers preserved at 13 ℃ for 24 h exhibited severe ischemic injury Conclusion： These results suggest that the conventional way of liver preservation is not suitable at least for rat livers and that slow cooling of HTK solution during the initial phase of cold storage can improve liver viability during reperfusion.展开更多
基金Scientific Research Foundation of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine in China(Grant No.2004J009C).
文摘To assess the potential effect of total flavonoids of epimedium （TFE） on cytochrome P450 and activity of its main isoforms in rat liver microsomes. TFE （300 mg/kg） was administered once daily to male Sprague-Dowley rats by gavage for fifteen days. The total cytochrome P450 content and its main isoforms CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 activities in rat liver microsomes were detected. The activity of CYP1A2 was measured by fluorometry and the activities of CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 were determined by measuring the amount of methanal and p-aminophenol formed using UV/Vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Administration of TFE significantly increased the total CYP450 content and activities ofCYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 in rat liver microsomes, compared with the control group. Particularly, the activities of CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 were enhanced significantly （P〈0.01）. TFE induced the increase in total CYP450 content and its main isoforms CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 activities in rat liver microsomes.
基金SupportedbyNationalNaturalScienceFoundationofChina (No 3970 0 12 0 )andbyNationalEducationMinistrygrants (No A9410 7)
文摘The effects of zinc deficiency on the serum cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) concentration,and the cerebrum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in rats were studied.Growing rats were allotted to three groups,which were zinc deficiency (ZD),paired fed (PF) and zinc supplementation after feeding zinc deficient food for 21 days (ZS).The duration of feed test was 35 days.Compared with PF rats,serum cortisol concentration in ZD ones was significantly increased,whereas serum ACTH concentration and cerebrum NOS activity were significantly decreased.The results suggested that zinc might influence the metabolism of hypothalamic hypophysial adrenocortical axis and NOS.
文摘Comparisons of activation rates and fertilization rates were made among oocytes at different ages. Results showed that oocytes at different ages had different activation and fertilization rates when stimulated by sperm or ethanol. Oocytes at 15～24 h after the injection of hCG were readily activated by 8% ethanol. The activation rate of oocytes increased with the age of oocytes, up to the highest average of 81.6%, but decreased after 20 h posthCG. Oocytes at 20 h posthCG exhibited the highest immediate cleavage rate(48.0%) after being stimulated by ethanol. On the other hand, 13～15 h oocytes exhibited higher fertilization rates, and the older oocytes were more difficult to be fertilized by sperm in vitro. These suggest that oocytes can be activated in different ways; the mechanism of fertilization might be different from that of activation; and in vitro fertilization is more dependent on oocyte age.
基金Supported by Viva Life Science/Westar Nutrition, Costa Mesa,CA, United States
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of synbiotics, i.e. probiotics and prebiotics mixture, on the gut microbial ecology and digestive enzyme activities in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats weighing about 280 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into three groups according to the contents of probiotics and prebiotics mixture in the feed as control, low and high dose groups. The duration of the experiment was 8 wk. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, thefecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts were significantly increased and the fecal Coliform organism counts were markedly reduced in the low and high dose groups. Concerning the digestive enzyme activity of jejunum, only lactase activity increased in low dose group. However, significant increase of lipase, lactase, sucrase, and isomaltase activities were observed in high dose group.CONCLUSION: Intake of low and high dosages of probiotics and prebiotics mixture significantly improved the ecosystem of the intestinal tract by increasing the probiotics population and digestive enzyme activities in rats.
文摘To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) on platelet activating factor (PAF) content in arterial blood pre- and post-arterial thrombosis in rats, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the medicine group treated with BHD, the control group with dexamethasone liquid, and the blank group with distilled water. Oral administration was given for 14 consecutive days, once daily. Model of arterial thrombosis was established in the animals 2 hours after final medication, the blood content of PAF, dry weight (DW) and occlusion time (OT) of thrombus, and dry weight of thrombus/body weight (TW/BW) ratio were observed. Results indicated that BHD could markedly lower the arterial blood content of PAF after thrombosis, increase the OT of thrombus, reduce the dry weight of thrombus and the TW/BW ratio (P
基金Supported by the National Key Program (973) of China Project on Basis and Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine No. 2005-CB523305
文摘AIM： To explore the mechanism of the exciting effects of electro-acupuncture （EA） at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities. METHODS： A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups. Through intraperitoneal injection with atropine （the anti-cholinergic agent by blockade of muscarinic receptors）, hexarnethonium （automatic nerve ganglion-blocking agent） and reserpine （anti-adrenergic agent by depleting the adrenergic nerve terminal of its norepinephrine store）, effects of EA at Sibai on the gastric myoelectric activities of the denervated rats were observed. RESULTS： After intraperitoneal injection of atropine and hexamethonium, the average amplitude and ratio of period to time in the phase of high activity of gastric myoelectric slow wave, and the average numbers of the peaks of gastric myoelectric fast wave were significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）, while after intraperitoneal injection of reserpine, the aforementioned three parameters were increased （P 〈 0.01, P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. EA at Sibai point partially relieved the inhibitory effect of atropine and hexamethonium on the gastric myoelectric activities in the rats （P 〈 0.05 or P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Cholinergic and adrenergic nervous systems and autonomic nerve ganglion participate in the peripheral passage of the controlling effects of EA at Foot Yangming Channel on gastrointestinal tract.
基金Supported by the College Science and Technology Developing Foundation of Shanghai, No. 02BK14
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of various concentrations of tetrandrine on activation of quiescent rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling in vitro.METHODS: HSCs were isolated from rats by in situperfusion of liver and 18% Nycodenz gradient centrifugation, and primarily cultured on uncoated plastic plates for 24 hwith DMEM containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS/DMEM) before the culture medium was substituted with 2% FBS/DMEM for another 24 h. Then, the HSCs were cultured in 2% FBS/DMEM with tetrandrine (0.25, 0.5, 1,2 mg/L, respectively). Cell morphological features were observed under an inverted microscope, smooth muscleα-actin (α-SMA) was detected by immunocytochemistry and image analysis system, laminin (LN) and type Ⅲprocollagen (PCⅢ) in supernatants were determined byradioimmunoassay. TGF-β1 mRNA, Smad 7 mRNA and Smad 7 protein were analyzed with RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.RESULTS: Tetrandrine at the concentrations of 0.25-2 mg/L prevented morphological transformation of HSC from the quiescent state to the activated one, while α-SMA, LN and PCⅢ expressions were inhibited. As estimated by gray values, the expression of α-SMA in tetrandrine groups (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/L) was reduced from 21.3% to 42.2%(control: 0.67, tetrandrine groups: 0.82, 0.85, 0.96, or 0.96, respectively, which were statistically different from the control, P＜0.01), and the difference was more significant in tetrandrine at 1 and 2 mg/L. The content of LN in supernatants was significantly decreased in tetrandrine groups to 58.5%, 69.1%, 65.8% or 60.0% that of the control respectively, and that of PCⅢ to 84.6%, 81.5%,75.7% or 80.7% respectively (P＜0.05 vs control), with no significant difference among tetrandrine groups. RTPCR showed that TGF-β1 mRNA expression was reduced by tetrandrine treatments from 56.56% to 87.90% in comparison with the control, while Smad 7 mRNA was increased 1.4-4.8 times. The TGF-β1 mRNA and Smad 7 mRNA expression was in a significant negative correlation (r= -0.755, P＜0.01), and both were significantly correlated with α-SMA protein expression (r = -0.938, P＜0.01;r = 0.938, P＜0.01, respectively). The up-regulation of Smad 7 protein by tetrandrine (1 mg/L)was confirmed by Western blotting as well.CONCLUSION: Tetrandrine has a direct inhibiting effect on the activation of rat HSCs in culture. It up-regulates the expression of Smad 7 which in turn blocks TGF-β1 expression and signaling.
基金Project supported by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republicunder the project of Modulation of Heat Transfer in Isolated Liver (No.2005/32-SZU-10)the VEGA Grant (No.1/1158/04),Slo-vakia
文摘Background/aim： Currently, the liver is cold-preserved at 0-4 ℃ for experimental and clinical purposes. Here, we investigated whether milder hypothermia during the initial phase of the preservation period was beneficial for liver viability upon reperfusion. Methods： In the first set of experiments, rat livers were preserved either conventionally in clinically used histidine-trypthopan-ketoglutarate （HTK） solution （Group A： 45 min and Group B： 24 h） or by slow cooling HTK solution （from 13 ℃ to 3 ℃） during the initial 45 min of preservation （Group C： 24 h）. In the second set of experiments, additional groups of livers were evaluated： Group BB-preservation according to Group B and Group CC-preservation according to Group C. Further, some livers were preserved at 13 ℃ for 24 h. Livers were then reperfused using a blood-free perfusion model. Results： Bile production was approximately 2-fold greater in Group C compared to Group B. Alanine transaminase （ALT） and aspartate transaminase （AST） release into perfusate were 2-3-fold higher in Group B compared to Group C. No significant differences were found in ALT and AST release between Group C and Group A. Livers in Group CC compared to Group BB exhibited significantly lower portal resistance, greater oxygen consumption and bromosulfophthalein excretion into bile and lower lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） release into perfusate. Histological evaluation of tissue sections in Group BB showed parenchymal dystrophy of hepatocytes, while dystrophy ofhepatocytes was absent in Group CC. Livers preserved at 13 ℃ for 24 h exhibited severe ischemic injury Conclusion： These results suggest that the conventional way of liver preservation is not suitable at least for rat livers and that slow cooling of HTK solution during the initial phase of cold storage can improve liver viability during reperfusion.
