Extract of buckwheat sprouts scavenges oxidation and inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages (RAW264.7)

OBJECTIVE： Buckwheat has been considered as a potential source of nutraceutical components on the world market of probiotic foodstuffs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of tartary buckwheat （Fagopyrum tataricum） sprouts on oxidation and pro-inflammatory mediators. METHODS： The anti-oxidant effects of buckwheat extract （BWE） and rutin were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH）-and nitric oxide （NO）-scavenging activities, serum peroxidation and chelating assays. Lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activities of buckwheat and rutin. NO production in LPS- stimulated RAW264.7 cells was determined by using Griess reagent. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）, cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）, nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） p65 subunit in cytosolic and nuclear portions were determined by Western blot analysis. Also, the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS： Inhibitory concentration 50 values for DPPH- and NO-scavenging activities of BWE were 24.97 and 72.54 μg/mL respectively. BWE inhibited serum oxidation and possessed chelating activity. Furthermore, BWE inhibited IL-6 and TNF-a production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Also, BWE inhibited iNOS and COX-2 expression and NF-KB p65 translocation. CONCLUSION： Buckwheat sprouts possessed strong antioxidant activity and inhibited production of pro-inflammatory mediators in the applied model systems. Thus, buckwheat can be suggested to be beneficial in inflammatory diseases by inhibiting the free radicals and inflammatory mediators.

Effects of Concentration of La^(3+) Vacancies in LaMnO_(3+λ) on the Catalytic Activity of Oxidation of CO

A series of LaMnO 3+ λ catalysts have been synthesized under various partial pressures of oxygen. The structures of these catalysts were determined by XRD. The percentage of Mn 4+ ion in the catalysts was measured by chemical analysis. The activity of oxidation of CO over that series of catalysts was tested by pulsing process in differential reactor. The results of various measurements are discussed in this paper as well.

Preparation of La _(0.9)RE_(0.1) MnO_3 Ultra fine Particles Used for CH_4 Oxidation

A technique for preparing perovskite type oxides was developed. By this technique, ultra fine particles of La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 (RE: Y, Ce, Pr, Sm, Gd,or Dy) with high surface area and single perovskite structure were prepared, and the series of La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 catalysts were studied experimentally. The so prepared ultra fine particles exhibites high catalytic activity for CH 4 total oxidation. The ultra fine particles of La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 (except for La 0.9 Pr 0.1 MnO 3) prepared by this method are thermally much more stable than LaMnO 3. Of the La 0.9 RE 0.1 MnO 3 series, La 0.9 Y 0.1 MnO 3 is most thermally stable, and La 0.9 Y 0.1 MnO 3 or La 0.9 Gd 0.1 MnO 3 (varies with calcination temperature) exhibits the highest catalytic activity for total oxidation of methane. The specific surface area of La 0.9 Y 0.1 MnO 3 calcined at 1000 ℃ reaches 14.9 m 2·g -1 , while the specific surface area of LaMnO 3 calcined at the same temperature is only 1.8 m 2·g -1 .

Distribution of constitutive nitric oxide synthase in the jejunum of adult rat

AIM: To study the distribution of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the jejunum of adult rat. METHODS: The distribution of endothelial NOS (eNOS) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence histochemical dual staining technique were used for studying the distribution of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and eNOS. The dual stained slides were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. RESULTS: Positive neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) cells were found to be distributed in lamina propria of villi, and the epithelial cell was not stained. eNOS was mainly located in submucosal vascular endothelia, while nNOS was mainly situated in myenteric plexus. Some cells in the villi had both nNOS and eNOS. More than 80% of the cells were positive for both nNOS and eNOS, the rest cells were positive either for nNOS or for eNOS. CONCLUSION: The two constitutive nitric oxide synthases are distributed differently in the jejunum of rat. nNOS distributed in myenteric plexus is a neurotransmitter in the non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nerves. eNOS distributed in endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels plays vasodilator role. eNOS and nNOS are coexpressed in some cells of lamina propria of villi. NO generated by those NOS is very important in the physiological and pathological process of small intestine.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma:Correlation with microvessel density

AIM:Cydooxygenases (COX) are key enzymes for conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins.Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the enzyme responsible for formation of nitric oxide. Both have constitutive and inducible isoforms.The inducible isoforms (iNOS and COX-2) are of great interest as regulators of tumor angiogenesis,tumorigenesis and inflammatory processes.This study was to clarify their role in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. METHODS:We investigated the immunohistochemical iNOS and COX-2 expression in 40 pancreatic ductal adenocardnomas of different grade and stage.The results were compared with microvessel density and dinicopathological data. RESULTS:Twenty-one (52.5%) of the cases showed iNOS expression,15 (37.5%) of the cases were positive for COX-2. The immunoreaction was heterogeneously distributed within the tumors.Staining intensity was different between the tumors.No correlation between iNOS and COX-2 expression was seen.There was no relationship with microvessel density. However,iNOS positive tumors developed more often distant metastases and the more malignant tumors showed a higher COX-2 expression.There was no correlation with other clinicopathological data. CONCLUSION:Approximately half of the cases expressed iNOS and COX-2.These two enzymes do not seem to be the key step in angiogenesis or carcinogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinomas.Due to a low prevalence of COX-2 expression,chemoprevention of pancreatic carcinomas by COX-2 inhibitors can only achieve a limited success.

Intestinal expressions of eNOSmRNA and iNOSmRNA in rats with acute liver failure

AIM: To observe the gene expression change of eNOSmRNA and iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines with acute liver failure (ALF), and to reveal the biological function of NO on the pathogenesis of ALF and multiple organs dysfunction at the molecular level. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were selected, weighing from 250g to 350g, and divided into 5 groups randomly: SO, ALF (6h, 12h), L-Arg, L-NAME, L-Arg and L-NAME, each group with 10 rats. The dose of L-Arg was 300mg.kg(-1), and L-NAME was 30mg.kg(-1), the reagents diluted by normal saline were injected through tail vein 30 minutes pre and post operation. The rats in the ALF group were respectively sacrificed postoperatively at 6h, 12h, and the rats in the other groups were sacrificed postoperatively at 6h. The tissues of small and large intestines were harvested in 4% paraforaldehyde containing the reagent of DEPC and fixed at 6h, embedded in paraffin, and 4 microm section was cut. The expression of eNOSmRNA and iNOSmRNA in these tissues was determined with in situ hybridization, and analyzed with the imaging analysis system of CMM-3 and SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: The expression of eNOSmRNA in the large intestine and iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines increased significantly at 6h after ALF, but the expression of iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines reduced notably at 12h after ALF (P【0.05); the expression of eNOSmRNA in the large intestine and iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines decreased significantly with the reagents of L-Arg at 6h ALF, but the expression of eNOSmRNA and iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines decreased totally with the reagents of L-NAME or association with L-Arg 6h ALF. CONCLUSION: The expression of eNOSmRNA in the large intestine increased notably at the early stage of ALF, NO induced by the enzyme of eNOS from the transplantation of eNOSmRNA can protect the function of the large intestine, the high expression of iNOSmRNA is involved in the damaged function of the small and large intestines. NO precursor can reduce the expression of iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines and the damage to intestines; NOS inhibitor or association with NO pre-cursor can totally lower the expression of eNOSmRNA and iNOSmRNA in the small and large intestines, it cannot notably influence the NOS inhibitor in the gene expression of eNOSmRNA and iNOSmRNA to supply the additional NO precursor.

Effects of melatonin on the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in rat models of colitis

AIM: To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in rat models of colitis.METHODS: Healthy adult Sprague-Dawlay (SD) rats of both sexes, weighing 280±30 g, were employed in the present study. The rat models of colitis were induced by either acetic acid or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) enemas. The experimental animals were randomly divided into melatonin treatment and model control group that were intracolicly treated daily with melatonin at doses of 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg.kg-1 and equal amount of saline respectively from 24 h following induction of colitis in rats inflicted with acetic acid enema and the seventh day in rats with TNBS to the end of study. A normal control group of rats treated with neither acetic acid nor TNBS but saline enema was also included in the study. On the 28th day of the experiment, the rat colon mucosal damage index (CDMI) was calculated, and the colonic prostaglandin E2(PGE2), nitric oxide (NO), as well as the iNOS and COX-2expression were also determined biochemically or immunohistochemically.RESULTS: CDMI increased to 2.87±0.64 and 3.12±1.12respectively in rats treated with acetic acid and TNBS enema,which was in accordance with the significantly elevated colonic NO and PGE2 contents, as well as the up-regulated colonic iNOS and COX-2 expression in both of the two rat models of colitis. With treatment by melatonin at the doses of 5.0 and 10.0 mg@kg-1, CDMI in both models of rat colitis was significantly decreased (P＜0.05-0.01), which accorded synchronously and unanimously with the reduced colonic NO and PGE2 content, as well as the down-regulated expression of colonic iNOS and COX-2.CONCLUSION: Melatonin has a protective effect on colonic injury induced by both acetic acid and TNBS enemas, which is probably via a mechanism of local inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression in colonic mucosa.

Actions of NO and INOS on Endotoxin Induced rat Acute Lung Injury and Effect of Rhubarb on Them

This study is to explore the actions of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) on endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) induced rat acute lung injury (ALI) and effect of Rhubarb on them. LPS was injected into the sublingual vein of male Wistar rats to prepare ALI animal models. The rats were divided into 4 groups: LPS, control, Rhubarb, and dexamethasone. Macroscopic and histopathological examinations of the lung specimens were performed and the biological indexes of lung, including wet weight/dry weight, the rate of neutrophils and protein content in the pulmonary alveolar lavage fluid, pulmonary vascular permeability and pulmonary alveolar permeability were observed. In the mean time, the contents of serum NO and the activities of lung tissue homogenate iNOS were measured. The results showed that in the LPS group, the injury and celluar infiltration in the pulmonary stroma and alveoli were more prominent than that in the control group. Lung wet weight/dry weight, the rate of neutrophils, protein content, pulmonary alveolar permeability, pulmonary vascular permeability were significantly increased (P<0.01); NO and iNOS were also markedly elevated (P<0.01). In the groups of dexamethasone and Rhubarb, the histopathological changes were significantly milder, and all the above biological indexes of lung injury and the contents of NO and the activities of iNOS were correspondingly decreased (P<0.05). The above data demonstrate that NO and the activities of iNOS play an important role in the onset of ALI; dexamethasone and Rhubarb interfering treatment can ameliorate lung injury and decrease the concentrations of NO and iNOS, showing that through inhibiting the levels of NO and the activities of iNOS, these 2 agents exert protective effect on ALI induced LPS.

Effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling on pulmonary endothelial dysfunction in rats with decompression sickness

Background: To investigate the effects of unsafe decompression on rat pulmonary endothelial function and its relevant mechanisms.Methods: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group(n=30) and a decompression sickness(DCS) group(n=30). The DCS model was established by placing the rats in the DCS group in a pressurized cabin where they were exposed to a 600 k Pa compressed air environment for 60 min, and the pressure was then reduced by 100 k Pa/min until it reached atmospheric pressure. After the surviving rats in the DCS group and the rats in the control group were anesthetized, their pulmonary arteries were stripped to test the in vitro pulmonary artery endothelium-dependent vasodilation capacity. Western blotting was used to measure the expression and dissociation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(e NOS) in pulmonary artery tissues and all protein nitration levels in pulmonary artery tissues; reactive oxygen species(ROS) formation was measured via in vitro pulmonary artery superoxide anion probe dihydroethidium(DHE) staining.Results: After experiencing unsafe decompression, 10 of the 30 rats in the DCS group died. The pulmonary artery endothelium-dependent vasodilation capacity in the surviving rats decreased significantly(P<0.05). The difference in e NOS expression between the DCS group and the control group was statistically insignificant(P>0.05), but the ratio of e NOS monomer/dimer in the DCS group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). All protein tyrosine nitration levels in the pulmonary artery tissues of the DCS group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05). The results of DHE staining showed that the amount of ROS formation in the pulmonary arteries of the DCS group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion: Unsafe decompression during a simulated submarine escape process can lead to e NOS dimer uncoupling in the pulmonary artery endothelium. The dissociated e NOS monomer cannot synthesize nitric oxide(NO) and thus affect the endothelium-dependent vasodilation capacity. The e NOS monomer can promote peroxynitrite(ONOO–) synthesis, leading to an increase in protein tyrosine nitration levels in pulmonary artery tissues and causing disorder in cell cycle regulation. The e NOS monomer can also cause an increase in the formation of ROS and thus mediate peroxidation damage.

EFFECT OF RADIX SALVIAE MILTIORRHIZAE ON THE GENE EXPRESSION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE IN ISCHEMIC RAT BRAINS

The effect of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on the gene expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat brains during ischemia was studied with in situ hybridization and the results were analyzed with IBAS 2000 Image Analysis System. It was found that NOS gene expression of cerebral cortex and caudate-putamen was markedly increased in 24 hours in ischemia group (P

Pathological morphology alteration of the splanchnic vascular wall in portal hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathological morphology alteration of the splanchnic vascular wall in portal hypertensive patients. METHODS: Splenic arteries, veins and gastric coronary veins from portal hypertensive patients (n = 50) were removed during esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy and were observed under optic and electron microscopes. The expression of iNOS in the splenic artery wall was analysed with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The internal elastic membrane and medial elastic fibers of the splenic artery wall were broken and degenerated. Atrophy, apoptosis and phenotypic changes were seen in smooth muscle cells of splenic arteries. Positive staining for iNOS was seen in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells and iNOS activity was elevated compared with the non-cirrhotic patients (P

Nitric oxide synthase gene expression in injured spinal cord tissue

OBJECTIVE: To investigate gene expression of three nitric oxide synthase isozymes in injured spinal cord tissue. METHODS: Thirty-six adult SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: a normal group and five injury groups, with six per each group. Animals in the injury groups were sacrificed at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after injury. A compression injury model on the spinal cord was made according to Nystrom B et al and gene expression of the three NOS isozymes were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Gene expression of nNOS and eNOS were detectable in the normal group and were up-regulated quickly after injury, reaching a maximum at 6 h: (0.633 +/- 0.012) and (1.236 +/- 0.207). Gene expression of iNOS was detectable only in the injury groups and it was gradually up-regulated after injury, reaching a maximum at 24 h: (1.043 +/- 0.049). CONCLUSION: Injury to the spinal cord leads to early up-regulation of cNOS and late up-regulation of iNOS. Different NOS isozymes may play different roles in secondary spinal cord injury.

Chinese herbal medicine enhances sexual function and c-Fos/nNOS expression in the nucleus accumbens of orchidectomized rats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the central nervous system is involved in the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on sexual function recovery in orchidectomized rats.METHODS: Orchidectomized rats were administered intragastrically with a decoction of "kidneynourishing" Chinese herbal medicine once per day for 28 days. Accessory genital organ weight, plasma testosterone, and mating behavior were investigated. The expression of c-Fos and neuronal nitric oxide synthase(n NOS) in neuronal cells in the nucleus accumbens(NAc) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: There was a decrease in accessory genital organ weight, plasma testosterone, and sexual behavior, as well as a low number of c-Fos-positive cells and a large n NOS-positive cell area in orchidectomized rats. Administration of the herbal medicine increased accessory genital organ weight, testosterone level, mating behavior, and c-Fos-positive cell number, while it decreased the n NOS-positive cell area in orchidectomized rats.CONCLUSION: An increase of plasma testosterone after administration of "kidney-nourishing" herbal medicine might contribute to the elevated sexual function and activity in orchidectomized rats. In addition, a central nervous system mechanism, such as the functional alteration of NAc, might be involved.

Anti-hypertensive and endothelia protective effects of Fufang Qima capsule(复方芪麻胶囊) on primary hypertension via adiponectin/adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase pathway

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the potential mechanism of the vascular remodeling effect and provide additional information about anti-hypertension activity of Fufang Qima capsule(复方芪麻胶囊,QM).METHODS:Spontaneous hypertensive rats(SHRs)were used to study the underlying mechanism of the anti-hypertension activity of QM.In this study,SHRs were randomly divided into 5 groups:model group,Telmisartan group(7.2 mg/kg,p.o.),and three QM groups(0.9298,1.8596,and 3.7192 g/kg,p.o.).Wistar Kyoto rats(WKY)were used as normal control group.Blood pressure(BP),aorta,perivascular adipose tissue(PVAT)histology were investigated to evaluate the effect of QM.Nitric oxide(NO)and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)phosphorylation were measured.Adiponectin(APN)secretion,as well as APN signal pathway proteins including APN,adiponectin receptors(R1 and R2)and adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)were all analyzed.RESULTS:QM significantly reduced BP and ameliorated the vascular pathological change,i.e.intima media thicken and collagen fiber hyperplasia.Meanwhile,QM increased concentration of NO and the phosphorylation of eNOS in the aorta.The anti-hypertensive and endothelia-protective effect of QM could be attributed to activating APN/AMPK pathway by up-regulating the expression of APN in PVAT and APN Receptor 2,AMPKαand phosphorylated AMPKαin the aorta.CONCLUSION:The QM alleviation effect mechanism for primary hypertension was via modulating the APN/AMPK signal pathway.

Role of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase in human abdominal aortic aneurysms: a preliminary study

Background Nitric oxide （NO） is an important mediator in the pathophysiology of many vascular diseases. However, the definite role of NO in human abdominal aortic aneurysm （AAA） formation is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）, and their possible role in AAA. Methods A total of 28 patients with AAA, 10 healthy controls, and 8 patients with arterial occlusive disease were enrolled into this study. Standard colorimetric assay was used to examine NO concentration in plasma from patients with AAA and normal controls, and in cultured smooth muscle cells （SMCs）. Expression of iNOS in aortas and cultured SMCs were detected by immunochemistry. The correlation of iNOS expression with age of the patient, size of aneurysm, and degree of inflammation was also investigated by Cochran-Mantel-HaenszelX^2 test and Kendall＇ Tau correlation. Results Expression of iNOS increased significantly in the wall of aneurism in the patients with AAA compared to the healthy controls （P〈0.05） and the patients with occlusive arteries （P〈0.05）. iNOS protein and media NOx （nitrite＋nitrate） also increased in cultured SMCs from human AAA （n=4, P〈0.05）, while plasma NOx decreased in patients with AAA （n=25） compared to the healthy controls （n=20）. There was a positive correlation between iNOS protein and degree of inflammation in aneurismal wall （Kendall coefficient=0.5032, P=0.0029） Conclusions SMCs and inflammatory cells were main cellular sources of increased iNOS in AAA, and NO may play a part in pathogenesis in AAA through inflammation.

Antioxidant and ntiinflammatory efficacy of curcumin on lung tissue in rats with sepsis

OBJECTIVE:To detect antioxidant and antiinflammatory efficacy of Curcumin(Cur)on lung tissue in rats with sepsis.METHODS:Totally 32 rats were divided into 4 groups;the rats in Group 1(control group)had abdominal incision under sterile conditions following anesthesia and the abdomen was sutured.Abdominal incision was performed in the rats in Group 2(Cur group)under sterile conditions following anesthesia and the abdomen was closed.Cur was given to this group after dissolving within dimethylsulphoxide as 100 mg/kg through oral gavage and started for 3 d before surgical procedure.Group 3(CLP group)had caecal ligation and punction(CLP)under sterile conditions to create sepsis following anesthesia and the abdomen was sutured.CLP was performed in the rats in Group 4(CLP+Cur group)under sterile conditions following anesthesia to create a sepsis model and the abdomen was closed.Cur was also given to this group after dissolving within dimethylsulphoxide as 100 mg/kg through oralgavageandstartedfor3 d before surgical proce-dure.All the rats were sacrificed through blood aspiration from the heart under sterile conditions following anesthesia and lung tissues were removed after 24 h following the surgical procedures.The tissue samples were homogenizated for biochemical analyses;and malondialdehyde(MDA),nitric okxide(NO),myeloperoxidase(MPO),superoxidedysmutase(SOD)nd catalase(CAT)were analyzed through spectrophotometric method,immunhistochemical i NOS staining was performed to assess the inflammation;and histopathological differences between the groups were evaluated.RESULTS:A statistically significant decrease was detected in the CLP+Cur group when compared with the CLP group of which Cur was not given in terms of MDA,MPO and NO levels(P<0.05)whereas a statistically significant elevation was fpund in the CLP+Cur group when compared with the CLP group in terms of SOD and CAT levels(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The study outcomes revealed that supplementation of Cur presents an antioxidant effect by reducing the free radical level and increasing the antioxidant enzyme levels;and an antiinflammatory effect by reducing i NOS level.

Relationship between iNOS expression and apoptosis in cerebral tissue, and the effect of Sini injection in endotoxin shock rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dynamic changes and relationship of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and apoptosis in endotoxin shock rats, as well as the effects of Sini injection. METHODS: In total, 102 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=6, NG), sham operation group (n=24, OG), model group (n=24, MG), dexamethasone group (n=24, DG), and Sini group (n=24, SG). The endotoxin shock model was induced by an intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (8 mg/kg). Rats in the OG, MG, DG, and SG groups were further divided into 4 groups: 1, 2, 3 and 6 h after shock groups (n=6 per group). iNOS expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated Deoxyuridine Triphosphate-biotin Nick End Labeling was employed to measure apoptosis. RESULTS: No iNOS expression was found in the OG group. Compared with the OG group, iNOS expres-sion in the MG group was markedly elevated, reached a peak at 1 h (P<0.01), decreased at 2 and 3 h, and rebounded at 6 h. Compared with the MG group, iNOS expression decreased significantly in both the DG (P<0.05) and SG (P<0.01) groups at 6 h. Thenumberofapoptoticcellsin the MG group was markedly increased than that in the NG and OG (P<0.01) groups, and reached a peak at 6 h. The number of apoptotic cells in the DG group at 1 and 2 h (P<0.01) and SG group at 2, 3 and 6 h (P<0.01) decreased when compared with the MG group. CONCLUSION: Sini injection can significantly inhibit NO generation, which decreases apoptosis and subsequently protects the brain from endotoxic shock.

Relationship of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism with blood pressure,lipid profile and blood glucose level

To study the relationship of the polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)gene and blood pressure,lipid profiles and blood glucose level.By using PCR-RFLP,the eNOS Glu298Asp gene polymorphism was detected in 184 patients with essential hypertension and 196 matched healthy individuals with normal blood pressure.Taking into account eNOS Glu298Asp poly-morphisms,the relationship of blood pressure with trigly-cerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high density lipoprotein(HDL),low density lipoprotein(LDL)and blood glucose level was analyzed.The distribution of eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism had no significant differ-ence between different blood pressure groups and gender groups,but there was a significant difference between dif-ferent age groups,diastolic blood pressure groups or BMI groups(P<0.05).Asp/Asp genotype significantly increased the risk of hypertension in individuals with serum TC above 5.4 mmol/L(P=0.03,OR=52.65).eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism and serum lipid could synergis-tically modulate the blood pressure.eNOS Asp/Asp geno-type could significantly increase the risk of hypertension in individuals with serum TC over 5.4 mmol/L.eNOS Glu298Asp in combination with serum TC could be used to predict the risk of hypertension.