Enantioselectivity of chiral pollutants is receiving growing concern due to the difference in toxicology and environment fate between enantiomers.In this study,enantiomers of insecticide beta-cypermethrin （beta-CP） ...Enantioselectivity of chiral pollutants is receiving growing concern due to the difference in toxicology and environment fate between enantiomers.In this study,enantiomers of insecticide beta-cypermethrin （beta-CP） were separated on selected chiral column by HPLC,and the toxicity of enantiomers was evaluated using the zebrafish embryo-larval assays.The enantiomers of beta-CP were baseline separated on Chiralcel OD and Chiralpak AD columns and detected by circular dichroism （CD） at 236 nm.Better separation could be achieved at lower temperature （e.g.,20°C） and with lower levels of polar modifiers.Pure enantiomers were obtained on Chiralcel OD.The CD spectra of enantiomers were recorded.By comparing the elution order with a previous similar study,the absolute configuration of beta-CP enantiomers was determined.The individual enantiomers were used in zebrafish embryo test,and the results showed that beta-CP enantioselectively induced yolk sac edema,pericardial edema and crooked body.The 1R-cis-αS and 1R-trans-αS enantiomers showed strong developmental toxicities at concentration of 0.1 mg/L,while the 1S-cis-αR and 1S-trans-αR induced no malformations at higher concentration （e.g.,0.3 mg/L）.The results suggest that the enantioselective toxicological effects of beta-CP should be considered when evaluating its ecotoxicological effects.展开更多
The effects of three types of adjuvant (mineral oil, higher aliphatic acid and nonionic surfactant) on the penetration of beta-cypermethrin through the cabbage leaf surface were studied. The results showed that the pe...The effects of three types of adjuvant (mineral oil, higher aliphatic acid and nonionic surfactant) on the penetration of beta-cypermethrin through the cabbage leaf surface were studied. The results showed that the penetration was positively correlated with both the concentration of adjuvant and the time after application, in a given range of treatment. A synergistic effect of two types of adjuvant on the penetration was found. Some physical properties of emulsions were determined. The change of the structures of the cabbage leaf surface by these adjuvants was observed from photomicrographs. The mechanism concerned with the effect of these adjuvants on the penetration of beta- cypermethrin through the cabbage leaf surface was tentatively discussed.展开更多
Beta-cypermethrin is one of the synthetic pyrethroid, which is widely used to control insect pests and is found to be more effective than organphosphates and carbamates. However, it is also reported to be more toxic t...Beta-cypermethrin is one of the synthetic pyrethroid, which is widely used to control insect pests and is found to be more effective than organphosphates and carbamates. However, it is also reported to be more toxic than organphosphates and carbamates. It has been suggested that synthetic pyrethroids are readily absorbed by the gills of fish even at very low concentrations. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) exist in the cells of every tissue, particularly in the liver. If the liver is damaged, the enzymes are discharged from the cells into the serum. It increases the GPT and GOT metabolic activities quickly. It is, therefore, proposed that the effects of toxicants on serum GPT and GOT could be used as indexes in toxicological assessments. In this experiment, the effectiveness of beta-cypermethrin on the acute toxicity and on serum GPT and GOT concentration of crucian carp was studied. The LC 50 of beta-cypermethrin for crucian carp was 11.4μg/L. The crucian carp serum was treated against beta-cypermethrin levels of 0.114μg/L, 0.57μg/L and 1.14μg/L for exposure times of 0d, 5d, 10d, 15d and 20d, at all concentrations. The results show that when the beta-cypermethrin concentration increases and the exposure time is prolonged, the GPT and GOT activities of serum increased also. The results proved that beta-cypermethrin could cause great damage to crucian carp and its biochemical functions.展开更多
利用高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱仪建立水体中残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯含量检测方法。采用高效液相色谱串联质谱法,以乙腈-5 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液(90%+10%)为流动相,使用以Eclipse Plus C18填充的色谱柱和质谱检测器,对水体中的残杀威和高...利用高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱仪建立水体中残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯含量检测方法。采用高效液相色谱串联质谱法,以乙腈-5 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液(90%+10%)为流动相,使用以Eclipse Plus C18填充的色谱柱和质谱检测器,对水体中的残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯进行测定,外标法定量。结果表明:残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯分别在0.94~47.10、0.63~31.29μg/L质量浓度范围内线性关系良好,相关系数分别为0.9991和0.9994,变异系数分别为0.52%和2.05%,高质量浓度水平的平均回收率分别为102.26%和102.44%,低质量浓度水平的平均回收率分别为90.74%和98.24%。该方法具有操作简便、分离效果好、快速等优点,线性关系、准确度、精密度和灵敏度均满足要求,可用于水体中残留检测和水生生态环境毒理研究。展开更多
许多实证研究表明,单个股票的Beta和其收益之间并没有显著的相关关系,由此否认传统GAPM模型所揭示的风险-收益关系。但在所用模型中的预期收益和实证检验中运用的已实现收益是两个不同的概念,本文运用Pettengill et al提出的条件CAPM模...许多实证研究表明,单个股票的Beta和其收益之间并没有显著的相关关系,由此否认传统GAPM模型所揭示的风险-收益关系。但在所用模型中的预期收益和实证检验中运用的已实现收益是两个不同的概念,本文运用Pettengill et al提出的条件CAPM模型对上海股市重新作检验,研究发现在牛市中Beta和收益呈现出显著的正相关关系,在熊市中Beta和收益呈现出显著的负相关关系,且两者显示出一定的对称性。研究结果表明,在上海股市中条件CAPM模型具有相当的应用空间。展开更多
Mounting evidence indicates that amyloid β protein（Aβ） exerts neurotoxicity by disrupting the blood-brain barrier（BBB） in Alzheimer＇s disease. Hyperoside has neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo ag...Mounting evidence indicates that amyloid β protein（Aβ） exerts neurotoxicity by disrupting the blood-brain barrier（BBB） in Alzheimer＇s disease. Hyperoside has neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo against Aβ. Our previous study found that hyperoside suppressed Aβ1-42-induced leakage of the BBB, however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, bEnd.3 cells were pretreated with 50, 200, or 500 μM hyperoside for 2 hours, and then exposed to Aβ1-42 for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined using 3-（4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl）-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP nick-end labeling assay were used to analyze cell apoptosis. Western blot assay was carried out to analyze expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspse-8, caspase-9, caspase-12, occludin, claudin-5, zonula occludens-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2（MMP-2）, and MMP-9. Exposure to Aβ1-42 alone remarkably induced bEnd.3 cell apoptosis; increased ratios of cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9, Bax/Bcl-2, cleav ed caspase-8/caspase-8, and cleaved caspase-12/caspase-12; increased expression of cytochrome c and activity of caspase-3; diminished levels of zonula occludens-1, claudin-5, and occludin; and increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. However, hyperoside pretreatment reversed these changes in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings confirm that hyperoside alleviates fibrillar Aβ1-42-induced BBB disruption, thus offering a feasible therapeutic application in Alzheimer＇s disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Neuronal loss, synapse mutilation, and increasing malnourished axons are pathologically related to Alzheimer＇s disease. Microtubule-associated protein 2 （MAP2） is of importance for neuronal, axonal, an...BACKGROUND： Neuronal loss, synapse mutilation, and increasing malnourished axons are pathologically related to Alzheimer＇s disease. Microtubule-associated protein 2 （MAP2） is of importance for neuronal, axonal, and dendritic generation, extension, and stabilization, as well as for the regulation of synaptic plasticity. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the antagonistic effects of natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum on beta amyloid protein 1-40 （Aβ1-40）-induced neurotoxicity from the standpoints of cell proliferation, synaptogenesis, and cytoskeleton formation （MAP2 expression）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A paralleled, controlled, neural cell, and molecular biology experiment was performed at the Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University between February 2006 and April 2008. MATERIALS： PC12 cells, derived from the rat central nervous system, were purchased from Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. A β1-40 was provided by Sigma, USA. Natural-cerebrolysin was provided by Shenzhen Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, China. The natural-cerebrolysin was predominantly composed of Renshen （Radix Ginseng）, Tianma （Rhizoma Gastrodiae）, and Yixingye （Ginkgo Leaf） in a proportion of 1：2：2. Following conventional water extraction technology, an extract （1：20） was prepared. Each gram of extract equaled 20 grams of crude drug. In a total of 12 adult male New Zealand rabbits, six underwent intragastric administration of natural-cerebrolysin extract for 1 month to prepare natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum, and the remaining six rabbits received intragastric administration of physiological saline to prepare normal blank serum. METHODS： An AIzheimer＇s disease in vitro model was induced in PC12 cells using Aβ1-40. The cells were incubated with varying doses of natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum （2.5%, 5%, and 10%）. Normal blank serum-treated PC12 cells served as a blank control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Through the use of inverted phase contrast microscope, cell morphology and neurite growth were observed, neurite length was measured, and the percentage of neurite-positive cells was calculated. Cell proliferation rate was determined by MTT assay, and MAP 2 expression was detected by fluorescent immunocytochemistry. RESULTS： Following Aβ1-40 treatments, some PC12 cells were apoptotic/dying, and only a few short neurites were observed. Following interventions with natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum, the PC12 cells proliferated, there was an increased number of neurites, and neurite length was enhanced. After middle- and high-dose natural-cerebrolysin treatments, the percentage of neurite-positive cells, as well as the average length of neurites, was significantly greater than the normal blank serum-treated PC12 cells （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. Compared with the blank control group, MAP2 expression in the Aβ1-40-treated PC12 cells was significantly inhibited, and the cell proliferation rate was significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01）. Following incubations with natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum, MAP2 expression and cell proliferation rate in the PC12 cells were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner, compared with treatments with blank control serum （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Natural-cerebrolysin exhibited antagonistic effects on neurotoxicity in Aβ1-40 induced Alzheimer＇s disease in vitro models. These effects were likely related to cell proliferation and the upregulation of intracellular MAP2 expression.展开更多
BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that β-amyloid peptide （Aβ）, a characteristic pathological product of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, results in neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）. However, the mech...BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that β-amyloid peptide （Aβ）, a characteristic pathological product of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, results in neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）. However, the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine against ERS in AD are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To measure expression levels of protective proteins （GRP78 and GRP94） of ER molecular partners and pro-apoptotic Caspase-12 ER membrane expression following application of traditional Chinese medicine natural cerebrolysin （NC） to treat Aβ1-40-induced ERS. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A parallel-controlled study was performed at the Institute of Integrated Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University between September 2006 and November 2008. MATERIALS： Sprague Dawley male rats, 6-8 weeks old, were used to harvest tibial and femoral bone marrow. Isolation and purification of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） were established from the whole bone marrow by removing non-adherent cells in primary and passage cultures. Aβ1-40 was provided by Sigma, USA. NC was provided by Shenzhen Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, China. NC was predominantly composed of Renshen （Radix Ginseng）, Tianma （Rhizoma Gastrodiae）, and Yinxingye （Ginkgo Leaf） in a proportion of 1 ： 2： 2. Following conventional water extraction technology, an extract （1 ： 20） was prepared. Six adult, male, New Zealand rabbits underwent intragastric administration of NC extract （0.976 g/kg per day） for 1 month to prepare NC-positive serum, and the remaining 6 rabbits received intragastric administration of physiological saline to prepare normal blank serum. METHODS： A total of 500 nmol/L Aβ1-40 was used to establish ERS models of primary cultured MSCs. AD cell models were incubated with different doses of NC-positive serum （2.5%, 5%, and 10%）. MSCs treated with normal blank serum served as normal blank controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent immunocytochemistry were respectively used to measure mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78, GRP94, and Caspase-12 in MSCs. RESULTS： Following Aβ1-40 exposure, mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 and GRP94, as well as Caspase-12, significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）, suggesting successful establishment of ERS models. Following NC-positive serum application, mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 and GRP94 in MSCs significantly increased （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. However, mRNA and protein expression levels of Caspase-12 significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05, or P 〈 0.01） compared with the ERS model group. These effects were dose-dependent. CONCLUSION： NC downregulated Caspase-12 expression and upregulated GRP78 and GRP94 expression in MSCs in a dose-dependent manner under the state of Aβ1-40-induced ERS.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20907042,20877071)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation ofChina (No. Y5090252)
文摘Enantioselectivity of chiral pollutants is receiving growing concern due to the difference in toxicology and environment fate between enantiomers.In this study,enantiomers of insecticide beta-cypermethrin （beta-CP） were separated on selected chiral column by HPLC,and the toxicity of enantiomers was evaluated using the zebrafish embryo-larval assays.The enantiomers of beta-CP were baseline separated on Chiralcel OD and Chiralpak AD columns and detected by circular dichroism （CD） at 236 nm.Better separation could be achieved at lower temperature （e.g.,20°C） and with lower levels of polar modifiers.Pure enantiomers were obtained on Chiralcel OD.The CD spectra of enantiomers were recorded.By comparing the elution order with a previous similar study,the absolute configuration of beta-CP enantiomers was determined.The individual enantiomers were used in zebrafish embryo test,and the results showed that beta-CP enantioselectively induced yolk sac edema,pericardial edema and crooked body.The 1R-cis-αS and 1R-trans-αS enantiomers showed strong developmental toxicities at concentration of 0.1 mg/L,while the 1S-cis-αR and 1S-trans-αR induced no malformations at higher concentration （e.g.,0.3 mg/L）.The results suggest that the enantioselective toxicological effects of beta-CP should be considered when evaluating its ecotoxicological effects.
基金spported by National Science Foundation of China(No.29873055)..
文摘The effects of three types of adjuvant (mineral oil, higher aliphatic acid and nonionic surfactant) on the penetration of beta-cypermethrin through the cabbage leaf surface were studied. The results showed that the penetration was positively correlated with both the concentration of adjuvant and the time after application, in a given range of treatment. A synergistic effect of two types of adjuvant on the penetration was found. Some physical properties of emulsions were determined. The change of the structures of the cabbage leaf surface by these adjuvants was observed from photomicrographs. The mechanism concerned with the effect of these adjuvants on the penetration of beta- cypermethrin through the cabbage leaf surface was tentatively discussed.
基金the National Basic Research Program(973 Program) (No.2001CCB00700) Wuhan Chenguang Scientific Program(No.2002500103)
文摘Beta-cypermethrin is one of the synthetic pyrethroid, which is widely used to control insect pests and is found to be more effective than organphosphates and carbamates. However, it is also reported to be more toxic than organphosphates and carbamates. It has been suggested that synthetic pyrethroids are readily absorbed by the gills of fish even at very low concentrations. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) exist in the cells of every tissue, particularly in the liver. If the liver is damaged, the enzymes are discharged from the cells into the serum. It increases the GPT and GOT metabolic activities quickly. It is, therefore, proposed that the effects of toxicants on serum GPT and GOT could be used as indexes in toxicological assessments. In this experiment, the effectiveness of beta-cypermethrin on the acute toxicity and on serum GPT and GOT concentration of crucian carp was studied. The LC 50 of beta-cypermethrin for crucian carp was 11.4μg/L. The crucian carp serum was treated against beta-cypermethrin levels of 0.114μg/L, 0.57μg/L and 1.14μg/L for exposure times of 0d, 5d, 10d, 15d and 20d, at all concentrations. The results show that when the beta-cypermethrin concentration increases and the exposure time is prolonged, the GPT and GOT activities of serum increased also. The results proved that beta-cypermethrin could cause great damage to crucian carp and its biochemical functions.
文摘利用高效液相色谱-三重四极杆质谱仪建立水体中残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯含量检测方法。采用高效液相色谱串联质谱法,以乙腈-5 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液(90%+10%)为流动相,使用以Eclipse Plus C18填充的色谱柱和质谱检测器,对水体中的残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯进行测定,外标法定量。结果表明:残杀威和高效氯氰菊酯分别在0.94~47.10、0.63~31.29μg/L质量浓度范围内线性关系良好,相关系数分别为0.9991和0.9994,变异系数分别为0.52%和2.05%,高质量浓度水平的平均回收率分别为102.26%和102.44%,低质量浓度水平的平均回收率分别为90.74%和98.24%。该方法具有操作简便、分离效果好、快速等优点,线性关系、准确度、精密度和灵敏度均满足要求,可用于水体中残留检测和水生生态环境毒理研究。
文摘许多实证研究表明,单个股票的Beta和其收益之间并没有显著的相关关系,由此否认传统GAPM模型所揭示的风险-收益关系。但在所用模型中的预期收益和实证检验中运用的已实现收益是两个不同的概念,本文运用Pettengill et al提出的条件CAPM模型对上海股市重新作检验,研究发现在牛市中Beta和收益呈现出显著的正相关关系,在熊市中Beta和收益呈现出显著的负相关关系,且两者显示出一定的对称性。研究结果表明,在上海股市中条件CAPM模型具有相当的应用空间。
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81573771the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province of China,No.BK20151599
文摘Mounting evidence indicates that amyloid β protein（Aβ） exerts neurotoxicity by disrupting the blood-brain barrier（BBB） in Alzheimer＇s disease. Hyperoside has neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo against Aβ. Our previous study found that hyperoside suppressed Aβ1-42-induced leakage of the BBB, however, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, bEnd.3 cells were pretreated with 50, 200, or 500 μM hyperoside for 2 hours, and then exposed to Aβ1-42 for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined using 3-（4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl）-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated d UTP nick-end labeling assay were used to analyze cell apoptosis. Western blot assay was carried out to analyze expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, caspase-3, caspse-8, caspase-9, caspase-12, occludin, claudin-5, zonula occludens-1, matrix metalloproteinase-2（MMP-2）, and MMP-9. Exposure to Aβ1-42 alone remarkably induced bEnd.3 cell apoptosis; increased ratios of cleaved caspase-9/caspase-9, Bax/Bcl-2, cleav ed caspase-8/caspase-8, and cleaved caspase-12/caspase-12; increased expression of cytochrome c and activity of caspase-3; diminished levels of zonula occludens-1, claudin-5, and occludin; and increased levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. However, hyperoside pretreatment reversed these changes in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings confirm that hyperoside alleviates fibrillar Aβ1-42-induced BBB disruption, thus offering a feasible therapeutic application in Alzheimer＇s disease.
基金Supported by:Scientific and Technological Foundation of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China,No.02-03LP41the Scientific and Technological Key Project of Guangdong Province,No. 2006B35630007
文摘BACKGROUND： Neuronal loss, synapse mutilation, and increasing malnourished axons are pathologically related to Alzheimer＇s disease. Microtubule-associated protein 2 （MAP2） is of importance for neuronal, axonal, and dendritic generation, extension, and stabilization, as well as for the regulation of synaptic plasticity. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the antagonistic effects of natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum on beta amyloid protein 1-40 （Aβ1-40）-induced neurotoxicity from the standpoints of cell proliferation, synaptogenesis, and cytoskeleton formation （MAP2 expression）. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A paralleled, controlled, neural cell, and molecular biology experiment was performed at the Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University between February 2006 and April 2008. MATERIALS： PC12 cells, derived from the rat central nervous system, were purchased from Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. A β1-40 was provided by Sigma, USA. Natural-cerebrolysin was provided by Shenzhen Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, China. The natural-cerebrolysin was predominantly composed of Renshen （Radix Ginseng）, Tianma （Rhizoma Gastrodiae）, and Yixingye （Ginkgo Leaf） in a proportion of 1：2：2. Following conventional water extraction technology, an extract （1：20） was prepared. Each gram of extract equaled 20 grams of crude drug. In a total of 12 adult male New Zealand rabbits, six underwent intragastric administration of natural-cerebrolysin extract for 1 month to prepare natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum, and the remaining six rabbits received intragastric administration of physiological saline to prepare normal blank serum. METHODS： An AIzheimer＇s disease in vitro model was induced in PC12 cells using Aβ1-40. The cells were incubated with varying doses of natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum （2.5%, 5%, and 10%）. Normal blank serum-treated PC12 cells served as a blank control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Through the use of inverted phase contrast microscope, cell morphology and neurite growth were observed, neurite length was measured, and the percentage of neurite-positive cells was calculated. Cell proliferation rate was determined by MTT assay, and MAP 2 expression was detected by fluorescent immunocytochemistry. RESULTS： Following Aβ1-40 treatments, some PC12 cells were apoptotic/dying, and only a few short neurites were observed. Following interventions with natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum, the PC12 cells proliferated, there was an increased number of neurites, and neurite length was enhanced. After middle- and high-dose natural-cerebrolysin treatments, the percentage of neurite-positive cells, as well as the average length of neurites, was significantly greater than the normal blank serum-treated PC12 cells （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. Compared with the blank control group, MAP2 expression in the Aβ1-40-treated PC12 cells was significantly inhibited, and the cell proliferation rate was significantly decreased （P 〈 0.01）. Following incubations with natural-cerebrolysin-containing serum, MAP2 expression and cell proliferation rate in the PC12 cells were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner, compared with treatments with blank control serum （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01 ）. CONCLUSION： Natural-cerebrolysin exhibited antagonistic effects on neurotoxicity in Aβ1-40 induced Alzheimer＇s disease in vitro models. These effects were likely related to cell proliferation and the upregulation of intracellular MAP2 expression.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30973779the National Special Planning Project for Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, No.02-03LP41the Key Program of Scientific Planning of Guangdong Province, No. 2006B35630007
文摘BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that β-amyloid peptide （Aβ）, a characteristic pathological product of Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, results in neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）. However, the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine against ERS in AD are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE： To measure expression levels of protective proteins （GRP78 and GRP94） of ER molecular partners and pro-apoptotic Caspase-12 ER membrane expression following application of traditional Chinese medicine natural cerebrolysin （NC） to treat Aβ1-40-induced ERS. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A parallel-controlled study was performed at the Institute of Integrated Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University between September 2006 and November 2008. MATERIALS： Sprague Dawley male rats, 6-8 weeks old, were used to harvest tibial and femoral bone marrow. Isolation and purification of mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） were established from the whole bone marrow by removing non-adherent cells in primary and passage cultures. Aβ1-40 was provided by Sigma, USA. NC was provided by Shenzhen Institute of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, China. NC was predominantly composed of Renshen （Radix Ginseng）, Tianma （Rhizoma Gastrodiae）, and Yinxingye （Ginkgo Leaf） in a proportion of 1 ： 2： 2. Following conventional water extraction technology, an extract （1 ： 20） was prepared. Six adult, male, New Zealand rabbits underwent intragastric administration of NC extract （0.976 g/kg per day） for 1 month to prepare NC-positive serum, and the remaining 6 rabbits received intragastric administration of physiological saline to prepare normal blank serum. METHODS： A total of 500 nmol/L Aβ1-40 was used to establish ERS models of primary cultured MSCs. AD cell models were incubated with different doses of NC-positive serum （2.5%, 5%, and 10%）. MSCs treated with normal blank serum served as normal blank controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent immunocytochemistry were respectively used to measure mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78, GRP94, and Caspase-12 in MSCs. RESULTS： Following Aβ1-40 exposure, mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 and GRP94, as well as Caspase-12, significantly increased （P 〈 0.05）, suggesting successful establishment of ERS models. Following NC-positive serum application, mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 and GRP94 in MSCs significantly increased （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01）. However, mRNA and protein expression levels of Caspase-12 significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05, or P 〈 0.01） compared with the ERS model group. These effects were dose-dependent. CONCLUSION： NC downregulated Caspase-12 expression and upregulated GRP78 and GRP94 expression in MSCs in a dose-dependent manner under the state of Aβ1-40-induced ERS.
