苯磷硫胺对衰老鼠学习记忆能力的影响

目的:探讨苯磷硫胺对老年小鼠学习和记忆能力的影响。方法:用Y型迷宫测试衰老鼠后将实验小鼠分成实验组和对照组,分别予添加苯磷硫胺饲料和普通饲料喂养6个月,通过Y迷宫对其学习和记忆能力进行评价,用免疫组化方法观察其海马齿状回颗粒下层细胞的发生情况。结果:实验组小鼠学习记忆能力较对照组明显改善,免疫组化显示BRDU标记的新生细胞数量明显增加。结论:苯磷硫胺能改善正常衰老小鼠学习记忆能力,而海马新生细胞的增加是其作用的可能机理之一。

加味地黄饮子方干预自然衰老鼠与正常成年鼠免疫功能的对比性研究

目的:比较加味地黄饮子方对自然衰老鼠与正常成年鼠免疫功能的影响。方法:选取SD雄性大鼠,24月龄20只作为自然衰老实验组,选取12月龄20只作为正常成年对照组。2组大鼠给予加味地黄饮子灌胃,8周后检测免疫指标。比较2组间白细胞计数、中性粒细胞比例、淋巴细胞比例,比较T细胞CD4^+、CD8^+、CD3^+比例,比较NK细胞、巨噬细胞、B细胞比例,比较IgA、IgG、IgM含量的差异。结果:自然衰老组大鼠的淋巴细胞比例升高;T细胞CD4^+和CD3^+比例升高、CD8^+比例降低;NK细胞、巨噬细胞、B细胞比例升高;IgA、IgG、IgM含量升高。结论:加味地黄饮子方可以提高自然衰老大鼠的免疫功能,可通过影响免疫功能发挥延缓衰老的作用。

Characterization of Natural Killer Cells in the Liver of Young Mice

OBJECTIVE To determine the quantity and quality of liver NK cells from young and adult mice and compare their characteristics. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were used at 2 weeks （young） and 8 weeks （adult） of age. The percentage and absolute number of NK cells in the liver and spleen were analyzed. The cytotoxicity of NK cells in the liver and spleen against various targets were detected by a 4 h ^51Cr-release method. FACScan was used to analyze the expression of CD69, Mac-l1 Ly49C/I and CD94 on the NK cells. Perforin mRNA levels were analyzed by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. RESUTLS The percentages of NK cells in the liver of young and adult mice were similar （11.9%＋1.7% vs. 9.9%＋1.6%, P〉0.05）, but the absolute number per liver weight was higher in the young animals （11.6＋2.5×10^5/g vs. 3.4＋0.8×10^5/g, P〈0.05）. The level of NK cytotoxicity was extremely high in the liver of young compared to adult mice （71.0%＋5.5% vs. 23.8%＋4.4%, P〈0.05）, but this difference was not observed in the spleen. Phenotypes of the liver NK cells from young and adult mice were completely different from each other. The liver NK cells from young mice were CD69^high Mac-1^low Ly49C/ I^low, whereas NK cells from older mice displayed inverse antigen levels （CD- 69^low Mac-1^high Ly49C/I^high）. The expression levels of other NK cell-related markers were similar in both groups.The perforin mRNA level in the liver lymphocytes from young mice was consistently greater compared to adult mice. CONCLUSION From 2 to 8 weeks C57BU6 mice liver NK cells undergo age-associated changes. At 2 weeks of age the liver NK cells showed a high level of NK cytotoxicity and a unique phenotype which was not apparent at 8 weeks of age.

Effects of Acupuncture on Expressions of the Transcription Factors NF-E2,YB-1,LRG47 in the SAMP10 Mice

Objective: To explore the mechanism of acupuncture for delaying aging. Methods: Using the senescence accelerated mouse pattern SAMP10 and the normal aging mice SAMR1 as models and applying RT-PCR and digoxin (DIG)-labeled Northern blot technique to observe expressions of NF-E2, YB-1, LRG47 genes in the forebrain, cortex and hippocampus in a 8-month old SAMR1 control group, a 8-month old SAMP10 control group, a 8-month old SAMP10 acupuncture group and a 8-month old SAMP10 non-point stimulation group. Results: In the SAMP10 control group, the expressions of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 were down-regulated in the forebrain, cortex and hippocampus, and after acupuncture they were up-regulated and tended to normal. Conclusion: The brain aging of the SAMP10 mice is related with abnormal expressions of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 genes; and acupuncture can regulate the expressions of NF-E2, YB-1 and LRG47 genes, strengthening the functions of erythrocyte series, increasing the proliferation of cells and enhancing the cellular immune function in anti-bacteria, hence delaying aging.

Features of intervertebral disc degeneration in rat's aging process

Objective:The age-related change is important part of degenerative disc disease. However,no appropriate animal model or objective evaluation index is available. This study aimed to investigate the features of intervertebral disc degeneration in aging process of rats. Methods:22-month-old Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were used as spontaneously occurring intervertebral disc degeneration models and 6-month-old rats as young controls. Expression of collagen types II and X was measured by immunohistochemistry. Degenerations of intervertebral discs were scored according to Miyamoto's method. Numbers and areas of afferent vascular buds were measured. The thicknesses of non-calcified and calcified layers were measured and statistically analyzed. Results:There were less collagen type II expression and more collagen type X expression in the calcified layer of the cartilage endplates and nucleus pulposus in the rats of the aged group than in the young control. There were fewer and smaller afferent vascular buds in the rats of the aged group than in the young control group. The ratio of the non-calcified to the calcified layers in the rats of the aged group significantly decreased,compared with that of the young control group(P<0.01) . Conclusion:Rats can spontaneously establish intervertebral disc age-related degeneration. The expression of collagen types II and X,numbers and areas of afferent vascular buds,the ratio of the non-calcified to the calcified layers,and water and glycosaminoglycan contents in the nucleus pulposus are sensitive indexes of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Effect of Moxibustion on the Contorted Seminiferous Tubules Diameter of the Senile Mice

The age-related changes in reproductive system were very significant. For humans, the testis atrophied gradually along with the aging after the presenium. Some reports supported that the testicular size （long diameter, short diameter） of elderly males were quite different from the young. The testes of old men become small and hard to induce the less androgen secretion, sex hormone disturbance and reproductive dysfunction or defuctionalization, suggesting the aging. The contorted seminiferous tubules （CST） diameter of senile mice was adopted as histological indices to study the impact of moxibustion on gonad testes.

Experimental Research of Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) for Anti-aging

Objective： To explore the mechanism of anti-aging effect of acupuncture at Zusanli （ST 36）. Methods： Thirty mice of 28 weeks old were randomly divided into 3 groups： control group, model group and acupuncture group. Sub-acute aging model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose. The activity of Superoxide Dismutase（SOD） and content of serum Malondialdehyde（MDA） were measured. Morphological changes of jejunal mucosa were observed with light microscope. Result： SOD activity in the acupuncture group was highest among the three groups, whereas, MDA content was the lowest. In the model group, the ratio of normal intestinal villus was decreased, the intestinal villus was shrunk, and there were more epithelial cells desquamated. In acupuncture group, there were less abnormal intestinal villus and epithelial cell. Conclusion： Acupuncture at Zusanli （ST 36） has an effect in resisting aging by increasing the activity of serum SOD, decreasing the MDA contents, and improving the intestinal villus.