卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态（英文）

目的：建立卵巢激素撤除诱发雌性小鼠抑郁样状态模型,并且探讨其可能的神经化学机制。方法：将小鼠分为假手术组,卵巢摘除组,己烯雌酚治疗组和氟西汀治疗组。动物行卵巢摘除术后开始给药,术后两周进行强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验以考察其抑郁样状态,并利用高效液相结合电化学检测测定下丘脑及海马中去甲肾上腺素（NE）、多巴胺（DA）以及五羟色胺（5-HT）的含量。结果：在强迫游泳试验及悬尾试验中,卵巢摘除小鼠较假手术组小鼠不动时间显著延长。神经递质测定显示,卵巢摘除小鼠下丘脑中NE与DA的含量显著降低,海马中NE与5-HT的含量显著降低。给予己烯雌酚或氟西汀治疗对抗了卵巢摘除所诱导的抑郁样状态,并且缓解了神经递质水平的下降。结论：双侧卵巢摘除诱发的小鼠抑郁样状态可以模拟妇女更年期抑郁的某些症状。本研究对于探讨卵巢激素撤除诱发抑郁状态的神经生化机制可能具有重要的意义。     

金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用

为了探讨金钗石斛提取物对慢性不可预见应激模型小鼠的抗抑郁作用,将BALB/c小鼠分为6组,即正常组、模型组、阳性药组(帕罗西汀),金钗石斛低(50 mg/kg)、中(100 mg/kg)、高(200 mg/kg)剂量组,灌胃给药两周后,除正常组外,其他组给予慢性不可预见性应激造模35天。造模结束后,通过糖水偏爱、新奇抑制摄食、强迫游泳实验和悬尾实验检测其行为学改变,采用LC-MS/MS测定各组小鼠应激后海马及皮层单胺类神经递质包括多巴胺(dopamine,DA)和5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)的含量改变。结果显示,与正常组相比,模型组小鼠糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组可显著逆转模型小鼠出现的糖水偏爱指数下降(P0.01),其作用与阳性药帕罗西汀相当;与正常组相比,模型组小鼠新奇抑制摄食潜伏期延长(P0.01);与模型组比较,金钗石斛各剂量组均可显著缩短新奇抑制摄食潜伏期(P0.01);与正常组相比,模型组小鼠悬尾的不动时间明显延长(P0.01),与模型组比较,帕罗西汀及200 mg/kg金钗石斛均可缩短悬尾的不动时间(P0.05);与正常组相比,模型小鼠在强迫游泳实验中不动时间无明显延长,各给药组的不动时间也未见明显改变(P0.05)。与正常组相比,模型组小鼠皮层和海马中的DA和5-HT含量明显减少(P0.05);帕罗西汀能使模型小鼠海马和皮层DA、海马5-HT含量明显增加(P0.05);金钗石斛低、高剂量组皮层DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05),金钗石斛中、高剂量组海马DA含量与模型组相比显著性升高(P0.05);金钗石斛高剂量组皮层和海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.05),但金钗石斛中剂量组仅海马5-HT含量显著高于模型组(P0.01)。以上结果提示,慢性不可预见应激可导致小鼠的类抑郁样行为出现,而金钗石斛提取物能有效改善慢性不可预见应激模型动物的抑郁样行为学表现,并提高小鼠脑内的DA和5-HT水平。     

油莎草须根油树脂成分及抗抑郁作用分析CSCD

揭示油莎草须根油树脂抗抑郁作用及成分。采用超高效液相色谱与串联四级杆飞行时间质谱联用技术分析油莎草须根油树脂化学成分;建立慢性不可预见温和应激(chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS)抑郁小鼠模型,从动物行为学、神经递质含量变化、海马组织病理学考察油莎草须根油树脂抗抑郁作用。结果表明:油莎草须根油树脂含有酮类(68.891%)、酯类(8.787%)、醇类(4.258%)、烯类(0.374%)及其他物质(12.879%),主要成分为α-香附酮(59.536%)、吉马酮(5.875%)。CUMS抑郁模型小鼠给药后,油莎草须根油树脂显著缩短了小鼠强迫游泳静止时间,悬尾静止时间;显著提高了中央总路程、平均速度、中央持续时间,油莎草须根油树脂高剂量组明显提升了小鼠血清中5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量、去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量,油莎草须根油树脂高剂量组小鼠海马细胞排列整齐,神经元细胞膜基本完整。油莎草须根油树脂可能通过参与调节CUMS抑郁模型小鼠血清中5-HT和NE的表达,修复小鼠海马组织损伤来改善抑郁样行为。     

布洛芬辅助治疗下调氟西汀疗效不佳小鼠海马炎症因子表达改善抑郁样行为

目的:探讨布洛芬辅助治疗对氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠海马炎症因子表达及抑郁样行为的影响。方法:采用慢性不可预见性温和刺激制备抑郁模型,通过糖水偏爱试验、强迫游泳试验以及新奇环境抑制摄食试验等筛查氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠,将该小鼠随机分为2组,一组继续氟西汀治疗,另一组给予布洛芬辅助治疗,2周后评价2组小鼠抑郁样行为的变化及海马白细胞介素1β(Interleukin 1β,IL-1β)、前列腺素E2(Prostaglandin E2,PGE2)的表达情况。结果:大约20-30%的抑郁小鼠氟西汀治疗效果不佳,其海马IL-1β、PGE2水平明显高于对照组以及氟西汀治疗有效小鼠(P0.05)。布洛芬辅助治疗下调氟西汀疗效不佳抑郁小鼠海马IL-1β、PGE2水平,小鼠的糖水消耗及糖耗比值均较单纯氟西汀治疗组明显提高(P0.05);小鼠强迫游泳的不动时间明显缩短(P0.05)。并且在新奇环境中的摄食行为增强,摄食潜伏期缩短(P0.05)。结论:布洛芬对氟西汀治疗效果不佳(难治性)抑郁小鼠具有辅助抗抑郁治疗作用,能够下调炎症因子表达,改善其抑郁样行为。     

中药天年饮对衰老大鼠脑单胺类神经递质含量的影响

目的：观察中药天年饮（Tiannianyin,TNY-traditional chinese medicine）对D-半乳糖衰老大鼠脑单胺类神经递质去甲肾上腺素（NE）、多巴胺（DA）、5-羟色胺（5-HT）含量的影响。方法：选用成年雄性SD大鼠40只．随机分为4组．每组均为10只：正常组、衰老模型组、TNY用药组、阴性对照组。Ⅱ半乳糖连续腹腔注射制作亚急性衰老的大鼠模型．采用高效液相色谱-电化学法检测各组大鼠下丘脑、海马NE、DA、5-HT的含量。结果：D-半乳糖衰老大鼠下丘脑、海马NE、DA、5-HT的含量明显降低（与正常大鼠相比P〈0．01）：TNY可明显提高脑单胺类神经递质的含量（用药组与模型组相比P〈0．05）。结论：TNY可有效调整中枢神经递质的合成,具有良好延缓衰老的作用。     

雌性大鼠去卵巢模型中脑神经内分泌信号异常传导的机理

目的比较正常大鼠和去卵巢大鼠脑内主要神经信息分子的种类和含量,以观察生理和病理状态下,神经内分泌信号传导通路的异同,初步探讨卵巢(雌激素)对神经内分泌信号传导机制。方法观察大鼠脑组织神经元细胞病理形态,运用高效液相色谱-荧光检测器定量检测不同脑区及血清中肾上腺素(E)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)、多巴胺(DA)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、5-羟基吲哚乙酸(5-HIAA)及高香草酸(HVA)的含量变化。结果脑组织HE染色显示OVX组大鼠脑内神经元退化比假手术组明显。与假手术组相比,OVX组大鼠的NE、E含量降低,差异具有统计学意义的区域分别为海马和血清;HVA在丘脑中含量比假手术组升高;DA含量在皮质区比假手术组下降。与假手术组比较,OVX组在海马和小脑区5-HT含量上升,而5-HIAA含量下降;在皮质、丘脑和血清中,OVX组5-HT含量较假手术组下降,而5-HIAA含量升高。结论去卵巢大鼠的雌激素水平低下状态可能引起脑组织携带的主要信息分子(经典神经递质、氨基酸类递质)释放或合成发生异常,因此去卵巢模型大鼠可以作为一种神经内分泌信号异常的载体,为围绝经期综合征的信号传导的研究提供了一种新的思路和方法。     

莫扎特K448奏鸣曲高频段声波对小鼠抑郁模型干预治疗的分析

目的 建立C57BL/6小鼠抑郁模型,初步探究莫扎特K448奏鸣曲中的高频段声波改善C57BL/6小鼠抑郁症状的效果。方法 1)慢性应激模型的建立:小鼠依据自主活动实验结果剔除活动次数差异较大者,其余分为空白组(n=10)、模型组(n=36),模型组经历5周慢性温和不可预知刺激(chronic unpredictable and mildstress,CUMS),建立小鼠抑郁模型。(2)治疗干预:造模成功后,将模型组小鼠随机均衡分为模型对照组(n=12)、氟西汀组(n=12)和音乐组(n=12)。氟西汀组每天腹腔注射盐酸氟西汀溶液(10 mg/kg),其余两组注射等量的生理盐水。音乐组每天进行2 h高频音乐干预,其余两组不进行音乐干预。干预持续2周。(3)效果评价:实验前3 d及实验中每周称量体重并记录,实验第1周、第5周、第7周进行悬尾实验(tail suspension test,TST)和强迫游泳实验(forced swimming test,FST)。第7周行为学实验结束后,取小鼠脑组织制备匀浆,通过酶联免疫吸附法(enzymelinked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)测定脑源性神经营养因子(brain derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)含量。结果1)成功构建CUMS小鼠模型。第5周模型组小鼠悬尾不动时间明显增加,差异有显著性(P<0.01),强迫游泳不动时间增加,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。(2)氟西汀组与模型对照组相比,悬尾实验不动时间明显缩短,差异有显著性(P<0.01),强迫游泳实验不动时间缩短,差异无显著性(P>0.05);音乐组与模型对照组相比,悬尾不动时间缩短,差异有显著性(P<0.05),强迫游泳实验不动时间无明显改变,差异无显著性(P>0.05)。模型对照组与空白组小鼠相比,脑组织匀浆中的BDNF含量明显降低,差异有显著性(P<0.01);氟西汀组与模型对照组相比,脑组织匀浆中的BDNF含量明显回升,差异有显著性(P<0.01),但音乐组与模型对照组相比,其差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论 莫扎特K448奏鸣曲高频段声波可一定程度优化小鼠抑郁模型的治疗作用。     

色氨酸对应激小鼠行为学和脑内单胺类递质的影响

本文以小鼠为实验材料建模,依次进行了Morris水迷宫、跳台、强迫游泳实验。结果显示,应激可导致小鼠学习记忆能力下降,容易出现绝望情绪,下丘脑5-HT含量下降,NE含量上升,灌胃高低剂量色氨酸(100,200mg·kg-1 bw)均可显著提高小鼠学习记忆能力,缓和绝望情绪。低剂量色氨酸在增加下丘脑5-羟色胺(5-HT)含量和降低去甲肾上腺素(NE)含量方面效果更显著。结果表明,适量色氨酸可以有效改善应激小鼠相关行为学评分,其机制可能与下丘脑5-HT和NE的含量有关。     

焦虑性抑郁模型大鼠脑区单胺递质含量与神经因子表达的变化

目的研究焦虑性抑郁模型大鼠海马、杏仁核、前额叶皮质内单胺递质的含量变化及脑内神经营养因子的表达趋势,探讨其可能的发病机制。方法 60只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、溶媒对照组、焦虑模型组、抑郁模型组、焦虑性抑郁模型组,每组12只。采用慢性束缚应激联合皮质酮注射的方法建立焦虑性抑郁大鼠模型,造模时间为21 d,造模结束后采用高架十字迷宫测试,旷场实验,强迫游泳实验评价大鼠的焦虑和抑郁样行为,HPLC-ECD法检测大鼠海马、杏仁核、前额叶皮质的单胺递质5-HT、NE、DA含量,蛋白印迹法检测大鼠各脑区神经营养因子BDNF、NT-3的含量。结果焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠在进入开臂的时间、次数、旷场中自主活动次数均与焦虑组相当,与对照组及抑郁组比较差异有显著性(P0.01或P0.05),在强迫游泳中的不动时间显著增加,与对照组及焦虑组对比差异有显著性(P0.01);同时,与对照组比较,焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠海马5-HT、杏仁核及前额叶皮质区的5-HT和NE含量均显著下降(P0.01或P0.05);此外,与对照组比较,焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠各脑区BDNF、NT-3含量显著下降(P0.01或P0.05),同时与焦虑组比较,BDNF含量显著下降(P0.05)。结论焦虑性抑郁模型组大鼠具有显著的焦虑及抑郁样行为,其发病机制可能与脑内海马、杏仁核、前额叶皮质区域的单胺递质含量降低及神经营养因子BDNF、NT-3表达下调有关。     

大豆异黄酮改善母鼠抑郁样行为的作用及其雌激素受体β机制*

目的:观察大豆异黄酮改善母鼠抑郁样行为的作用及其与血清雌二醇(E₂)、多巴胺(DA)及脑区雌激素受体β(ERβ)关系。方法:将产后2 d的母鼠随机分为:对照组和长期分离模型组,对照组不给予任何刺激,长期分离模型组母鼠给予每天3 h分离建立产后抑郁母鼠模型,10 d后,将造模成功的母鼠再分为:模型组、低浓度组和高浓度组,每组10只,加上对照组,共4组。模型组、低浓度组和高浓度组分别灌胃蒸馏水、15 mg/kg·d^-1和30 mg/kg·d^-1大豆异黄酮10 d,之后观察强迫游泳和悬尾实验中挣扎的时间、频次和静止的时间、频次,取血检测血清E₂和DA浓度,取脑免疫组化检测杏仁内侧核(MeA)、终纹床核(BNST)和中视前区(mPOA)ERβ的表达。结果:与对照组比较,模型组和低浓度组小鼠在强迫游泳和悬尾实验中的运动时间和频次明显降低,血清中的DA、ERβ浓度明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),模型组、低浓度和高浓度的E₂均明显降低(P＜0.01);与模型组比较,低浓度组小鼠在强迫游泳和悬尾实验中运动时间、mPOA内ERβ表达显著升高(P＜0.05),高浓度组小鼠在强迫游泳和悬尾实验中运动时间和频次、血清DA浓度和ERβ表达均明显升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);与低浓度组比较,高浓度组在强迫游泳和悬尾实验中运动时间和频次、血清DA浓度和ERβ表达均明显升高(P＜0.05或 P＜0.01)。结论:大豆异黄酮可减少母鼠的抑郁样行为,尤其是较高浓度大豆异黄酮减少更为明显,而抑郁样行为的减少可能与大豆异黄酮使血清多巴胺和雌激素受体β水平升高有关。     

Insulinotropic effect of ovarian steroid hormones in streptozotocin diabetic female mice

To investigate the protective effect of ovarian sex steroids against streptozotocin diabetes, groups of ovariectomized streptozotocin diabetic female mice were treated orally with estradiol-17 beta (5 and 500 ug/kg/day) or progesterone (1 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks. Streptozotocin produced a more severe hyperglycaemia and a greater fall in plasma insulin concentrations in ovariectomized mice than intact female mice. The estradiol-17 beta and progesterone treatments reduced both the severity of the hyperglycaemia and the fall in plasma insulin. Loss of pancreatic insulin after streptozotocin administration was reduced in intact mice and in mice treated with estradiol-17 beta. These observations suggest that ovarian sex steroids reduce the severity of streptozotocin diabetes at least partly by countering the cytotoxic effect of the drug on the islet B-cells, thereby reducing the fall in pancreatic and plasma insulin.     

Age-, gender-, and species-dependent mutagenicity in T cells of mice and rats exposed by inhalation to 1,3-butadiene

Experiments were performed: (i) to investigate potential age- and gender-dependent differences in mutagenic responses in T cells following exposures of B6C3F1 mice and F344 rats by inhalation for 2 weeks to 0 or 1250 ppm butadiene (BD), and (ii) to determine if exposures for 2 weeks to 62.5 ppm BD produce a mutagenic effect in female rats. To evaluate the effect of age on mutagenic response, mutant manifestation curves for splenic T cells of female mice exposed at 8-9 weeks of age were defined by measuring Hprt mutant frequencies (MFs) at multiple time points after BD exposure using a T cell cloning assay and comparing the resulting mutagenic potency estimate (calculated as the difference of areas under the mutant manifestation curves of treated versus control animals) to that reported for female mice exposed to BD in the same fashion beginning at 4-5 weeks of age. The shapes of the mutant T cell manifestation curves for spleens were different [e.g., the maximum BD-induced MFs in older mice (8.0+/-1.0 [S.D.]x10(-6)) and younger mice (17.8+/-6.1 x 10(-6)) were observed at 8 and 5 weeks post-exposure, respectively], but the mutagenic burden was the same for both age groups. To assess the effect of gender on mutagenic response, female and male rodents were exposed to BD at 4-5 weeks of age and Hprt MFs were measured when maximum MFs are expected to occur post-exposure. The resulting data demonstrated that the pattern for mutagenic susceptibility from high-level BD exposure is female mice>male mice>female rats>male rats. Exposures of female rats to 62.5 ppm BD caused a minor but significant mutagenic response compared with controls (n=16/group; P=0.03). These results help explain part of the differing outcomes/interpretations of data in earlier Hprt mutation studies in BD-exposed rodents.     

不同周龄Balb/c小鼠脏器质量及其变化趋势分析

目的:测定不同周龄Balb/c小鼠主要脏器质量、脏器系数,并进行比较。方法:取120只3周龄、5周龄、7周龄的Balb/c小鼠,雌雄各半,精确测量小鼠体重和主要脏器质量,计算脏器系数。结果:①雌性与雄性Balb/c小鼠脏器质量相比较:3周龄时肝、脾有显著差异(P0.05);5周龄时肝有非常显著差异(P0.01),脾、肺有显著差异(P0.05);7周龄时肝、肺及双肾有非常显著差异(P0.01),心、脾有显著差异(P0.05)。②雌性与雄性Balb/c小鼠脏器系数相比较:3周龄时肝、脾有显著差异(P0.05);5周龄时肝、脾有非常显著差异(P0.01),膀胱有显著差异(P0.05);7周龄时肺、双肾有非常显著差异(P0.01),脾、膀胱有显著差异(P0.05)。结论:随着周龄的增长,Balb/c雌、雄性小鼠之间,存在差异的脏器也在增多。     

Effects of dietary genistein on mouse reproduction, postnatal development and weight-regulation

Genistein is a soy isoflavone with estrogenic activity present in plant-based food items and health foods and used as an alternative therapy for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary genistein (8 mg/kg body weight/day) on the reproduction, postnatal development and weight regulation of mice across two generations. Genistein treatment decreased the relative food consumption in females at 1 and 5 weeks and in males at 5 weeks. In female pups, the relative kidney weights were lower due to genistein exposure. Furthermore, the genistein-exposed male pups had greater relative prostate and seminal vesicles weights than the control pups. In adult males, genistein treatment decreased the plasma estradiol concentrations and increased levels of the plasma HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in adult females. Also the plasma ghrelin concentrations decreased in the adult genistein treated female mice. Genistein increased the plasma triglyceride levels of male pups and triiodothyronine levels of female pups. Reproduction of the mice was not endangered due to genistein exposure.     

Behavioral study on the gracile axonal dystrophy (GAD) mutant mouse.

We investigated motor function and pain sensation in the gracile axonal dystrophy (GAD) mutant mouse, using the tail-flick test and the rotarod test. GAD (gad/gad) and normal sib mice (gad/+ or +/+) were used between 5 and 11 weeks of age, during which time the behavioral signs of GAD mice shifted from sensory ataxia (about 4 to 8 weeks of age) to paresis (after about 9 weeks of age). In the tail-flick test, significant shortening of latency was observed at 6 and 8 weeks of age in female GAD mice, in comparison with normal female mice. This may be related to dysfunction or degeneration of axons in the fasiculus gracilis, whose collaterals are thought to control the transmission of nociceptive information. In the rotarod test, a cumulative chi 2 test showed significant reduction in the performance times of GAD mice beginning at 5 and 6 weeks of age in males and females, respectively, indicating that the rotarod test can detect the development of motor incoordination as early as these ages. The performance times of GAD mice dropped sharply from 9 weeks of age onwards, and this is believed to reflect the progression of paresis. The rotarod test therefore appears to be a good method of quantifying behavioral changes in GAD mice and to be applicable both to objective selection of GAD mice before 8 weeks of age and to evaluation of drugs to treat ataxia or paresis.     

Autism‐related behaviors in the cyclooxygenase‐2‐deficient mouse model

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an endogenous lipid molecule involved in normal brain development. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX2) is the main regulator of PGE2 synthesis. Emerging clinical and molecular research provides compelling evidence that abnormal COX2/PGE2 signaling is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously found that COX2 knockout mice had dysregulated expression of many ASD genes belonging to important biological pathways for neurodevelopment. The present study is the first to show the connection between irregular COX2/PGE2 signaling and autism‐related behaviors in male and female COX2‐deficient knockin, (COX)‐2^?, mice at young (4‐6 weeks) or adult (8‐11 weeks) ages. Autism‐related behaviors were prominent in male (COX)‐2^? mice for most behavioral tests. In the open field test, (COX)‐2^? mice traveled more than controls and adult male (COX)‐2^? mice spent less time in the center indicating elevated hyperactive and anxiety‐linked behaviors. (COX)‐2^? mice also buried more marbles, with males burying more than females, suggesting increased anxiety and repetitive behaviors. Young male (COX)‐2^? mice fell more frequently in the inverted screen test revealing motor deficits. The three‐chamber sociability test found that adult female (COX)‐2^? mice spent less time in the novel mouse chamber indicative of social abnormalities. In addition, male (COX)‐2^? mice showed altered expression of several autism‐linked genes: Wnt2, Glo1, Grm5 and Mmp9. Overall, our findings offer new insight into the involvement of disrupted COX2/PGE2 signaling in ASD pathology with age‐related differences and greater impact on males. We propose that (COX)‐2^? mice might serve as a novel model system to study specific types of autism.     

Effects of curcumin on the social behavior,blood composition,reproductive hormones in plasma and brain acetylcholinesterase in cadmium intoxicated mice

Cadmium (Cd) exposure can induce acute lethal health-related threats in humans since it has an exceptional ability to accumulate in living organism tissues and cause toxicological effects. Curcumin (Cur) on the other hand has a wide variety of biological activities and several studies have suggested its potential therapeutic or protective effects against several ailments and infections.To study the effect of Cur on the toxicity of Cd, Swiss–Webster strain male and female mice (sixty each) were divided into 6 groups of ten each at random. Group-1 served as the naïve control and received no treatment. Group-2, 3 and 4 were the experimental controls and were administered once a day with a single oral dose of 50% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Cur (300 mg/kg) or Cd (100 mg/kg) respectively, for 2 weeks. Group-5 and 6 received Cur and Cd in combination once a day orally for 2 weeks except that Cur in a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg to group 5 and 6 respectively, was administered one hour before Cd administration to both groups.After treatment period, the male animals were subjected to social standard opponent test and females were subjected to the tube restraint tests and thereafter, their blood was collected to measure the blood composition indices and level of reproductive hormones. The animals were sacrificed to collect their brain for the estimation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE).Results indicated that Cd significantly increased nonsocial activities in males and latency to first bite in females, whereas the social activities in males and the number of bites in females were significantly decreased. All measured indices of blood composition and levels of progesterone (female) and testosterone (male) in blood and AChE in their brain tissues were significantly decreased due to Cd treatment.However, administration of Cur along with Cd had an ameliorating effect on all the behavioral and biochemical parameters studied herein and reduced the toxicity of Cd significantly and dose-dependently. Thus, Cur may be beneficial for general health and for protection from Cd intoxication.     

The inhibitory effects of Endostar combined with chemotherapy on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma xenograft in mice

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Endostar combined with chemotherapy on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma Eca-109 in mice. The tumor xenograft models were established and randomly assigned to 4 groups: control group, Endostar group (1.5?mg/kg?day, once daily for 3?weeks), chemotherapy group (Paclitaxel 10?mg/kg?day, Cisplatin 5?mg/kg?day, for 1, 7, 14, 21?days), and chemotherapy?+?Endostar group (combination). The length and width of tumor were measured and the tumor volumes (cm³) were calculated every other day. Three weeks later, the mice were executed, and the tumor tissues were collected to weigh and analyse the histopathology and proliferation for tumor xenograft. The results demonstrated that the tumor volumes and weight in chemotherapy?+?Endostar group were significantly lower than that in other three groups. Meanwhile, the cell proliferation of tumor xenograft in combined treatment group was significantly lower than that in other three groups. It was concluded that Endostar combined with chemotherapy could obviously enhance the inhibitory effect on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma Eca-109 in mice.     

Photoperiod and melatonin influence seasonal gonadal cycles in the grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster)

Development of the reproductive apparatus was delayed in grasshopper mice maintained from birth in short photoperiods (10 h light/day). The inhibitory effects of short photoperiods on sexual maturation eventually waned and mice in 10L:14D became reproductively active. Adult mice transferred from long (14 h light/day) to short photoperiods underwent testicular regression after 10 weeks and complete gonadal redevelopment after 30 weeks. A similar phenomenon was observed in adult female mice; oestrous cycles ceased within 3 weeks and resumed after 13 weeks in the short photoperiod. The regressive effects of short photoperiods on the male reproductive system were mimicked by daily injections of melatonin administered to mice housed in 14L:10D. Responsiveness of the female reproductive system to melatonin was reduced among photorefractory as compared to photosensitive mice. We suggest that the initial rate of sexual maturation and the timing of seasonal breeding in adult mice are regulated by photoperiod; effects of short daylengths on the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis appear to be mediated by the pineal gland.