超微七味白术散对肠道微生物及酶活性的影响

肠道微生物与人体多项生理功能密切相关,为探讨超微七味白术散疗效与肠道微生物及酶活性的关系,为中药复方超微饮片临床应用提供科学依据,运用抗生素建立菌群失调小鼠模型,分别灌胃给药七味白术散传统汤剂、超微全量汤剂、超微1/2量汤剂、超微1/4量汤剂、超微1/8量汤剂,分析肠道菌群数及酶活性。结果表明,模型组的肠道微生物(细菌、大肠杆菌、酵母菌、霉菌、乳酸菌及双歧杆菌)数量、木聚糖酶活、蛋白酶活及淀粉酶活均低于对照组(P＜0.05),纤维素酶活性高于对照组P＜0.01)。传统汤剂组的细菌及酵母菌数均高于对照组,但霉菌数明显下降(P＜0.05)。酵母菌数随超微药物浓度的升高而增多,细菌及霉菌数在超微1/2量时最多,与传统汤剂相比,超微1/2组的三类菌均显著增加(P＜0.01)。大肠杆菌在七味白术散传统汤剂和超微1/2量的作用下达到了正常水平(P＞0.05);经超微全量治疗后,大肠杆菌增长十分迅速,远高于其余各组(P＜0.01);七味白术散能促进肠道乳酸菌和双歧杆菌的增殖(P＜0.05),恢复肠道菌群平衡。肠道乳酸菌和双歧杆菌的变化趋势一致,传统药物组的数量比对照组明显增加(P＜0.01),超微药物组超过了传统汤剂组的数量(P＜0.05),超微1/2剂量组的数量最大,远高于其它各组(P＜0.01)。肠道内纤维素酶、木聚糖酶、蛋白酶及淀粉酶活性与超微饮片浓度有一定相关性,但肠道酶活性未达到对照组水平(P＜0.05)。超微七味白术散1/2量治疗肠道菌群失调小鼠的效果与传统汤剂相当。     

探究壮方柔肝化纤颗粒对肝纤维化大鼠肝组织病理影响机制

摘要 目的：探究壮方柔肝化纤颗粒对肝纤维化大鼠肝组织病理影响机制。方法：选取80只雄性Wistar大鼠随机将其平均分成正常对照组、病理模型组、柔肝化纤颗粒低、中、高剂量组,每组各16只。四氯化碳复合因素造模,观察记录大鼠肝脏形态,采用HE染色、Masson染色观察大鼠肝组织和胶原纤维变化,检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）指标数值,分析大鼠肝组织中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、羟脯氨酸（HYP）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）与丙二醛（MDA）的含量。结果：柔肝化纤颗粒低、中、高剂量组大鼠肝细胞变性、坏死及纤维化组织增生程度均较病理模型组明显减轻。柔肝化纤颗粒低、中、高剂量组血清ALT、AST指标数值与肝组织中HYP、MDA指标水平较病理模型组呈现剂量依赖性降低（P＜0.001）,而柔肝化纤颗粒高剂量组GSH-Px、SOD的指标含量显著高于病理模型组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.001）。结论：柔肝化纤颗粒可有效改善肝纤维化大鼠的肝细胞损害情况,减轻其肝组织炎症程度,对肝纤维化大鼠有一定的保肝护肝与抗肝纤维化作用,其机制可能与提高GSH-Px与SOD的水平、降低HYP与MDA的含量、降低氧化应激水平、调节脂质代谢、减少机体胶原蛋白合成等相关。     

Nesfatin-1 对营养性肥胖大鼠摄食量体重和胃排空率的影响

目的：通过颈静脉注射外源性nesfatin-1,观察营养性肥胖大鼠摄食、体重、胃排空率的变化情况。方法：营养性肥胖大鼠造模 成功后,各组大鼠行颈静脉插管手术,术后所有大鼠分为四组,正常对照组及肥胖对照组大鼠注射0.9%生理盐水,正常给药及肥 胖给药组大鼠注射外源性nesfatin-1（100 滋g·kg-1）,连续颈静脉给药7 d,期间记录各组大鼠摄食量以及体重,给药结束后采用灌 胃酚红法测定大鼠胃排空率。结果：用高脂饲料连续饲养大鼠7天,正常对照组和正常nesfatin-1组大鼠的Lee’s指数分别为314.22 和314.44,肥胖对照组和肥胖nesfatin-1 组大鼠的Lee’s指数分别为318.22 和319.03,肥胖差异显著(T-test, P<0.01),造模成功。连 续给药7 d 后,给药组摄食量和体重与对照组相比明显降低,但肥胖给药组摄食量及体重下降较正常给药组更加明显。胃排空率 与胃排出酚红量是成负相关的,实验中正常对照组和正常给药组的胃排空率分别是64.71± 4.51 和46.47± 3.20,而肥胖对照组和 肥胖给药组大鼠的胃排空率分别是75.67± 2.47 和50.88± 3.07,因此高剂量给予nesfatin-1 能显著降低大鼠的胃排空率。结论：综 上所述,长期持续外周静脉给予外源性的nesfatin-1 可以明显抑制正常及肥胖大鼠的摄食,动物体重减轻。     

高能量膳食对中老年食蟹猴糖尿病相关基因表达的影响

本研究选择空腹血糖值(FPG)在正常范围内(3.20 mmol/L≤FPG<5.50 mmol/L)的中老年食蟹猴(Macaca fascicularis)60只,高能量膳食诱导12个月后,将其分为正常血糖组和诱高血糖组(FPG≥5.50 mmol/L)。采用荧光定量PCR技术对2组中36个糖尿病相关基因在诱导前后外周血白细胞中的mRNA表达量进行分析。结果表明,高能量膳食诱导后,诱高血糖组FPG和甘油三酯(TG)显著高于正常血糖组(P<0.05),而胆固醇(TCHO)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)与分组无显著相关性(P>0.05)。基因表达水平上,诱高血糖组和正常血糖组均有血管紧张素转换酶基因(ACE)、肝糖原磷酸化酶基因(PYGL)、水通道蛋白基因(AQP2)等19个基因的mRNA表达量在高能量膳食诱导前后存在显著差异(P<0.05),且基因的表达模式变化一致,但诱高血糖组的mRNA表达量变化大,且三磷酸腺苷柠檬酸裂解酶(ACLY)、选择素L(SELL)、突触相关蛋白23(SNAP23)、突触融合蛋白(STX4)这4个基因的mRNA表达水平仅在诱高血糖组高能量膳食诱导前后呈差异表达(P<0.05)。     

毛菊苣醇提物对高脂血症性脂肪肝大鼠作用机制初探

目的:目前,国内外研究集中在毛菊苣降糖降脂方面的作用,并已有相关药物上市,但实验表明毛菊苣在保肝降脂作用方面也具有很好的效果,本文旨在探讨毛菊苣醇提物治疗高脂血症性脂肪肝的作用机制。方法:采用高脂饮食喂饲大鼠复制高脂血症性脂肪肝大鼠模型,实验分组为模型组、毛菊苣醇提物治疗高剂量组和低剂量组、苯扎贝特对照组和正常对照组;以高、低剂量毛菊苣醇提物进行干预,然后测定各组大鼠血清及肝组织中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、丙二醛(MDA)等指标的含量。结果:模型组大鼠血清及肝组织中LDH、TG、TC、LDL、MDA等活性均较正常组明显升高(P0.05),说明高脂饲料造模成功;与模型组比较,测得各治疗组大鼠血清、肝组织中相应指标均明显降低(P0.05;或P0.1);毛菊苣醇提物高剂量组与阳性对照组相比无显著差异。结论:实验结果表明:通过高脂饮食饲喂SD大鼠建立高脂血症动物模型的实验是成功的;同时,毛菊苣醇提物能够使脂肪肝大鼠的体重降低,降低肝脏脂肪性病变,降低脂肪肝大鼠血清ALT、AST含量,降低大鼠血清TC、TG、LDL-c,升高HDL-c;对模型SD大鼠肝脏中异常升高的MDA、LDH、LD均有明显的降低作用;形态学检查显示,醇提物高剂组肝脏脂变程度明显减轻,脂滴数量减少,提示该药物具有保肝降脂的药理作用。     

霍山石斛胶囊对高脂血症大鼠血脂和脂质过氧化水平的影响

目的：探讨霍山石斛胶囊（Dendrobium huoshenese capsule,DHC）对高脂血症大鼠的血脂影响及脂质过氧化水平作用。方法：采用高脂饲料建立实验性高脂血症大鼠模型,而后进行低、中、高三种剂量的DHC和阳性对照药血脂康实验性治疗,实验8周后,取大鼠血清、肝脏,检测模型大鼠血清总固醇（Total cholesterol,TC）、甘油三酯（Triglyceride,TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（Low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL—C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（High density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL—C）含量,并计算动脉粥样硬化指数（Atherosclerosis index,AI）;同时测定血清和肝脏超氧化物歧化酶（Superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性及丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）含量;并计算肝系数,制备大鼠肝脏石蜡切片观察其病理学变化。结果：与高脂血症模型组相比,DHC中、高剂量组和血脂康组能显著降低高脂血大鼠血清TC、TG、LDL-C,升高HDL—C,表现为AI降低;低剂量的DHC能升高HDL—C,但在降低血清TC、TG、LDL．C和AI上无统计学差异（P〉0．05）;除DHC低剂量组对血清SOD活性升高作用不显著外（P〉0．05）,其他各浓度给药组均能显著升高血清和肝脏SOD活性,降低血清和肝脏MDA含量及肝系数（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;同时,DHC各给药组还可不同程度降低高脂血症大鼠肝细胞的脂肪变性程度。结论：霍山石斛胶囊能调节血脂代谢异常,增强抗氧化能力,具有防治脂肪肝和抗动脉粥样硬化作用。     

基于HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB信号通路探讨忍冬苷对脓毒症肝损伤大鼠的影响

摘要 目的：基于高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）/Toll样受体4（TLR4）/核因子κB（NF-κB）信号通路探讨忍冬苷对脓毒症肝损伤大鼠的影响。方法：60只雄性SD大鼠随机分为模型组、对照组、阳性对照组（地塞米松10 mg/kg）、忍冬苷低剂量（7.5 mg/kg）、忍冬苷中剂量（15 mg/kg）、忍冬苷高剂量（30 mg/kg）组,每组10只。采用盲肠结扎穿刺法建立大鼠脓毒症模型。实验结束后麻醉大鼠取血制备血清,检测血清中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性和丙二醛（MDA）、白介素-6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-10（IL-10）含量;分离肝组织称重,计算肝脏指数,一部分用于HE染色观察肝组织病理变化,一部分用于制备组织匀浆检测组织中肝功能指标谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）活性及HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达。结果：与对照组比较,模型组大鼠血清中MDA、TNF-α、IL-6含量、肝脏指数以及肝组织中AST、ALT活性、HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达显著增加（P＜0.05）,SOD活性与IL-10含量显著下降（P＜0.05）;且肝组织出现明显病灶,肝细胞水肿变性,大量炎性细胞浸润。与模型组比较,阳性对照组与忍冬苷各剂量组大鼠血清中MDA、TNF-α、IL-6含量、肝脏指数以及肝组织中AST、ALT活性、HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达显著降低（P＜0.05）,SOD活性与IL-10含量显著升高（P＜0.05）;忍冬苷低、中剂量组仍可见病灶和水肿,但病变减轻;地塞米松组与忍冬苷高剂量组肝细胞结构趋于正常,未发现病灶。与阳性对照组比较,忍冬苷低、中剂量组大鼠血清中MDA、TNF-α、IL-6含量、肝脏指数以及肝组织中AST、ALT活性、HMGB1、TLR4、NF-κB蛋白表达显著升高（P＜0.05）,SOD活性与IL-10含量显著降低（P＜0.05）;忍冬苷高剂量组上述指标无显著差异（P＞0.05）。结论：忍冬苷通过下调HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB信号通路的表达,抑制氧化应激,减轻炎症反应,改善肝功能,发挥对脓毒症肝损伤的保护作用。     

普洱茶茶褐素对代谢综合征大鼠TGF-β/Smads通路、氧化应激反应及肝组织能量代谢变化的影响

摘要 目的：探讨普洱茶茶褐素对代谢综合征大鼠TGF-β/Smads通路、氧化应激反应及肝组织能量代谢变化的影响。方法：60只SPF级SD大鼠,随机分为模型组、对照组、普洱茶茶褐素高、中、低剂量,模型组、高、中、低剂量组大鼠给予高糖、高脂、高盐进行代谢综合征造模,对照组大鼠给予普通饲料喂养,造模同时,普洱茶茶褐素低剂量组给予0.281 g/kg?bw普洱茶茶褐素,中剂量组给予0.562 g/kg?bw,高剂量组给予1.124 g/kg?bw,对照组每日灌胃给予等量的蒸馏水。对比普洱茶茶褐素对大鼠的体重、生化指标的影响,对比5组大鼠心脏组织的TNF-β1蛋白水平、氧化应激反应指标、肝组织能量代谢指标。结果：与对照相比,低、中、高剂量组、模型组的收缩压、体重、低密度脂蛋白、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、胰岛素抵抗指数、TNF-β1、Smads、髓过氧化物酶、丙二醛明显较高,与低剂量组相比,中、高剂量组、模型组明显较高,与中剂量组相比,高剂量组、模型组明显较高,与高剂量组相比,模型组较高。与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量组、模型组的高密度脂蛋白、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、总抗氧化能力、超氧化物酶、ATP、ADP、AMP明显较低,与低剂量组相比,中、高剂量组、模型组较低;与低剂量组相比,高剂量组、模型组较低;与高剂量相比,模型组较低,P<0.05。结论：普洱茶茶褐素可通过代谢综合征大鼠TGF-β/Smads通路,改善氧化应激反应及肝组织能量代谢。     

不同剂量乳化异氟醚预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

摘要 目的：探究不同剂量乳化异氟醚预处理对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法：将48只成年雄性大鼠随机分为六组：假手术组、缺血对照组、脂肪乳组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组、中剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组,每组8只。检测血清中酶的含量,观察肝细胞损伤程度,直观的反应乳化异氟醚预处理对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的影响。结果：不同组别大鼠肝脏再灌注后ALT、AST、LDH和MDA含量,SOD活性和肝细胞坏死比例均具有显著差异,随着再灌注时间的延长,各组大鼠血清ALT、AST和LDH含量均明显增加（均P＜0.05）。再灌注后1 h、2 h和4 h中剂量乳化异氟醚组大鼠血清ALT、AST和LDH含量均显著低于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组（均P＜0.05）。中剂量乳化异氟醚组大鼠肝组织匀浆中MDA含量和肝细胞坏死比例均显著低于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组,SOD活性显著高于缺血对照组、低剂量乳化异氟醚组和高剂量乳化异氟醚组（均P＜0.05）。结论：中等剂量乳化异氟醚预处理组中血清中酶含量最低,肝组织匀浆中MDA含量最低,SOD活性水平最高,肝细胞损伤程度最轻,对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注的保护作用最好。     

黄连素对糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗的治疗作用*

目的:探讨黄连素对链脲佐菌素所致糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗的治疗作用。方法:采用链脲佐菌素腹腔注射的方式建立大鼠糖尿病模型,将实验大鼠分为5组:分别为模型组、黄连素低(100 mg/kg)、黄连素中(200 mg/kg)、黄连素高(300 mg/kg)剂量组和阳性对照组(二甲双胍:50 mg/kg),每组10只。另取10只正常大鼠作为正常组。黄连素低、中、高剂量组小鼠每天分别灌胃100、200和300 mg/kg黄连素;对照组每天灌胃二甲双胍50 mg/kg;正常组和模型组每天给予相同体积的生理盐水进行灌胃;1次/天,连续灌胃4周。通过测定大鼠血FBG、果糖胺水平,OGTT实验,胰岛素(FINS)水平,并计算大鼠胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)来评价黄连素对糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗作用。结果:与正常组相比,给药前模型组大鼠静脉血FBG含量显著升高(P＜0.05);与模型组比较,给药2周及以后给药4周后阳性对照组、黄连素中剂量组和高剂量组大鼠静脉血FBG含量均显著下降(P＜0.05);给药4周后,阳性对照组、黄连素低、中、高剂量组OGTT实验结果显示在不同时间节点的血糖值均显著低于模型组(P＜ 0.05),阳性对照组、黄连素低、中、高剂量组FBG、果糖胺水平和HOMA-IR指标均低于模型组(P＜0.05);而胰岛素水平水平较模型组显著升高(P＜0.05)。结论:黄连素可明显降低大鼠的空腹血糖、果糖胺含量,提高胰岛素含量,对链脲佐菌素所致糖尿病大鼠的胰岛素抵抗有明显治疗作用。且一定范围内,黄连素剂量越高,对糖尿病大鼠胰岛素抵抗作用越明显。     

Xanthohumol lowers body weight and fasting plasma glucose in obese male Zucker fa/fa rats

Obesity contributes to increased risk for several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Xanthohumol, a prenylated flavonoid from hops (Humulus lupulus), was tested for efficacy on biomarkers of metabolic syndrome in 4 week old Zucker fa/fa rats, a rodent model of obesity. Rats received daily oral doses of xanthohumol at 0, 1.86, 5.64, and 16.9 mg/kg BW for 6 weeks. All rats were maintained on a high fat (60% kcal) AIN-93G diet for 3 weeks to induce severe obesity followed by a normal AIN-93G (15% kcal fat) diet for the last 3 weeks of the study. Weekly food intake and body weight were recorded. Plasma cholesterol, glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were assessed using commercial assay kits. Plasma and liver tissue levels of XN and its metabolites were determined by liquid–chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma and liver tissue levels of xanthohumol were similar between low and medium dose groups and significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in the highest dose group. There was a dose-dependent effect on body weight and plasma glucose levels. The highest dose group (n = 6) had significantly lower plasma glucose levels compared to the control group (n = 6) in male but not female rats. There was also a significant decrease in body weight for male rats in the highest dose group (16.9 mg/kg BW) compared to rats that received no xanthohumol, which was also not seen for female rats. Plasma cholesterol, insulin, triglycerides, and MCP-1 as well as food intake were not affected by treatment. The findings suggest that xanthohumol has beneficial effects on markers of metabolic syndrome.     

Animal Models for Echinostoma malayanum Infection: Worm Recovery and Some Pathology

Echinostomes are intestinal trematodes that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans, in their adult stage and also parasitize numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts in their larval stages. The purpose of this study was to compare Echinostoma malayanum parasite growth, including worm recovery, body size of adult worms, eggs per worm, eggs per gram of feces, and pathological changes in the small intestine of experimental animals. In this study, 6-8-week-old male hamsters, rats, mice, and gerbils were infected with echinostome metacercariae and then sacrificed at day 60 post-infection. The small intestine and feces of each infected animal were collected and then processed for analysis. The results showed that worm recovery, eggs per worm, and eggs per gram of feces from all infected hamsters were higher compared with infected rats and mice. However, in infected gerbils, no parasites were observed in the small intestine, and there were no parasite eggs in the feces. The volume of eggs per gram of feces and eggs per worm were related to parasite size. The results of histopathological changes in the small intestine of infected groups showed abnormal villi and goblet cells, as evidenced by short villi and an increase in the number and size of goblet cells compared with the normal control group.     

Reproductive toxicologic evaluations of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem extract in albino rats

The effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis Baker stem at daily doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight on the reproductive function of Wistar rats were evaluated. The indices of mating and fertility success as well as quantal frequency increased after 7 days of treatment in all the dose groups except the 100 mg/kg body weight group. The number of litters was not statistically different (P > 0.05) from the control. Whereas the absolute weights of the epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate were not affected, that of the testes was significantly increased. The epididymal sperm count, motility, morphology, and viscosity were not different from the control after 7 days of treatment. The male rat serum testosterone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone significantly increased in the 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight groups, whereas the estradiol concentration decreased significantly at all the doses. The extract dose of 100 mg/kg body weight decreased the serum testosterone and progesterone levels in male rats. The prolactin concentration was not affected by all the doses. All the indices of reproduction, maternal, embryo/fetotoxic, teratogenic, and reproductive hormones in the female rats were not statistically different from that of their control except the resorption index, which increased at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Histologic examination of the cross section of rat testes that received the extract at all the doses investigated revealed well-preserved seminiferous tubules with normal amount of stroma, normal population of spermatogenic and supporting cells, as well as normal spermatocytes within the lumen. The results revealed that the aqueous extract of Bulbine natalensis stem at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight enhanced the success rate of mating and fertility due to increased libido as well as the levels of reproductive hormones in male rats. The absence of alterations in the reproductive parameters of female rats at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight of Bulbine natalensis stem extract suggest that the extract is “safe” for use at these doses by females during the organogenic period of pregnancy, whereas the extract dose of 100 mg/kg body weight portends a negative effect on some reproductive functions of male and female rats.     

Combined Effects of Phytoestrogen Genistein and Silicon on Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Rat

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of concomitant supplementation of genistein and silicon on bone mineral density and bone metabolism-related markers in ovariectomized rat. Three-month-old Sprague Dawley female rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) or sham surgery, and then the OVX rats were randomly divided into four groups: OVX-GEN, OVX-Si, OVX-GEN-Si, and OVX. Genistein and silicon supplementation was started immediately after OVX and continued for 10 weeks. In the OVX-GEN group, 5 mg genistein per gram body weight was injected subcutaneously. The OVX-Si group was given soluble silicon daily in demineralized water (Si 20 mg/kg body weight/day). The OVX-GEN-Si group was given subcutaneous injections of 5 mg genistein per gram body weight, at the same time, given soluble silicon daily (Si 20 mg/kg body weight/day). The results showed that the genistein supplementation in the OVX rats significantly prevented the loss of uterus weight; however, the silicon supplementation showed no effect on the uterus weight loss. The lumbar spine and femur bone mineral density was significantly decreased after OVX surgery; however, this decrease was inhibited by the genistein and/or silicon, and the BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was the highest in the OVX-GEN-Si-treated group. Histomorphometric analyses showed that the supplementation of genistein and/or silicon restored bone volume and trabecular thickness of femoral trabecular bone in the OVX group. Besides, the treatment with genistein and silicon for 10 weeks increased the serum levels of calcium and phosphorus in the OVX rats; serum calcium and serum phosphorus in the OVX-GEN-Si group were higher than those in the OVX-GEN and OVX-Si group (P < 0.05). At the same time, the treatment with genistein and/or silicon decreased serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin, which were increased by ovariectomy; serum ALP and osteocalcin in the OVX-GEN-Si group were lower than those in the OVX-GEN and OVX-Si groups (P < 0.05). The results above indicate that genistein and silicon have synergistic effects on bone formation in ovariectomized rats.     

The reproductive toxicity of yttrium nitrate in a two-generation study in Sprague-Dawley rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of yttrium nitrate on the development of the parent, offspring and third generation of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by using a two-generation reproductive toxicity test.MethodsThe SD rats were randomly divided into 0 mg/kg group, 10.0 mg/kg group, 30.0 mg/kg group and 90.0 mg/kg group according to the different doses of yttrium nitrate administration. The reproductive toxicity of parent, offspring and third generation SD rats were compared.ResultsThe weight gains of F1a female rats and F2a female rats in the low-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups (p < 0.05), the weight gains of F1a male rats in the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups (p < 0.05), and the weight gains of F2a male rats in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups (p < 0.05). In F0 male rats, the absolute weight and relative weight of the liver in the low-dose, middle-dose, and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In F1b male rats, the absolute and relative weights of the liver in the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In F2b male rats, the absolute and relative weights of the liver and spleen of the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In F2a female rats, the absolute weight and relative weight of oviduct in the high-dose group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The absolute and relative weights of lung, spleen, brain and uterus of F2b female rats in the high-dose group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). But the pathological test results showed no hepatotoxicity. There was no statistically significant difference in sperm count and sperm motility between male rats in the yttrium nitrate administration groups and the control group (p > 0.05). There was no significant correlation between F0, F1a, F1b, F2a, F2b SD rats' reproductive organ lesions and the dose of yttrium nitrate.ConclusionYttrium nitrate at a dose of 90 mg/kg has no reproductive toxicity to two generations of SD rats, but 30.0 mg/kg dose of yttrium nitrate is toxic to the liver weight of male two generations of SD rats, but no hepatotoxicity.     

富硒平菇干粉对小鼠的脏器指数与抗氧化能力的影响

目的探讨富硒平菇干粉对小鼠的脏器指数与抗氧化能力的影响。方法将60只20g左右的健康昆明种小鼠随机分为6组。1组为对照组;2组为亚硒酸钠组;3组为普通平菇干粉组;4～6组为富硒平菇干粉组,分别在基础日粮中添加低、中、高浓度的富硒平菇干粉。30d后测定小鼠脏器指数与肝脏和血浆中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果富硒平菇干粉可显著提高小鼠脾脏、胸腺和肝体指数;可显著提高小鼠肝脏与血浆中GSH-Px、SOD的酶活,降低小鼠肝脏和血浆中MDA含量。结论富硒平菇干粉可显著提高小鼠脏器指数与抗氧化能力。     

The hepatoprotective effects of Hypericum perforatum L. on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Little is known about the effective role of Hypericum perforatum on hepatic ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Hence, albino rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion period. Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight (HPE₅₀) was intraperitonally injected as a single dose, 15 min prior to ischemia. Rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion period and then, biochemical investigations were made in serum and liver tissue. Liver tissue homogenates were used for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. At the same time alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in serum samples and compared statistically. While the ALT, AST, LDH activities and MDA levels were significantly increased, CAT and GPx activities significantly decreased in only I/R-induced control rats compared to normal control rats (p < 0.05). Treatment with HPE₅₀ significantly decreased the ALT, AST, LDH activities and MDA levels, and markedly increased activities of CAT and GPx in tissue homogenates compared to I/R-induced rats without treatment–control group (p < 0.05). In oxidative stress generated by hepatic ischemia–reperfusion, H. perforatum L. as an antioxidant agent contributes an alteration in the delicate balance between the scavenging capacity of antioxidant defence systems and free radicals in favour of the antioxidant defence systems in the body.     

Hepatoprotective effect of Origanum vulgare in Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity

The effect of an aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare (OV) leaves extract on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in normal and hepatotoxic rats. To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of OV, rats were divided into six groups: control group, O. vulgare group, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄; 2 ml/kg body weight) group, and three treatment groups that received CCl₄ and OV at doses of 50, 100, 150 mg/kg body weight orally for 15 days. Alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate amino transferase (AST) in serum, lipid peroxide (LPO), GST, CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, and GSH in liver tissue were estimated to assess liver function. CCl₄ administration led to pathological and biochemical evidence of liver injury as compared to controls. OV administration led to significant protection against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in dose-dependent manner, maximum activity was found in CCl₄?+?OV3 (150 mg/kg body weight) groups and changes in the hepatocytes were confirmed through histopathological analysis of liver tissues. It was also associated with significantly lower serum ALT, ALP, and AST levels, higher GST, CAT, SOD, GPx, GR, and GSH level in liver tissue. The level of LPO also decreases significantly after the administration of OV leaves extract. The biochemical observations were supplemented with histopathological examination of rat liver sections. Thus, the study suggests O. vulgare showed protective activity against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats and might be beneficial for the liver toxicity.     

A Transformation-induced Alteration of Cellular Membranes in Crown Gall Tumor Cells

Phospholipids were utilized as a membrane marker to test for transformation-induced alteration of cellular membranes of cultured crown gall cells of Vinca rosea L. Fully transformed cells contained less than half the amount of phospholipids (7.8 micrograms lipid P per gram fresh weight) of normal V. rosea cells (21.4 micrograms lipid P per gram fresh weight). The normal V. rosea callus cells were not significantly different (P > 0.05) in phospholipid content from partially transformed crown gall cells (20.7 micrograms lipid P per gram fresh weight). Stimulation to rapid growth of the partially transformed cells by adding higher concentrations of inorganic salts and auxin did not significantly alter their phospholipid content (23.1 micrograms lipid P per gram fresh weight). These findings suggest that the transformation process is directly responsible for an alteration of the cellular membranes and that the membrane alteration cannot be attributed to secondary effects associated with the rapid growth of these neoplastic cells.     

Aluminum Chloride Causes the Dysfunction of Testes Through Inhibiting the ATPase Enzyme Activities and Gonadotropin Receptor Expression in Rats

Lead, one of the most harmful heavy metals, can cause various hazardous effects on living organisms. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antagonistic and protective effects of two economically important laver species, Pyropia yezoensis and P. haitanensis, against subchronic lead poisoning in rats by a 30-day feeding test. Sixty-four healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups with eight rats (4♂ + 4♀) per group, among which, one group was served as the control, the others were respectively treated with lead acetate (5 mg/kg b w), and a combination of lead acetate and P. yezoensis or P. haitanensis at different dosages. Weight gain of rats was observed and recorded. Changes in antioxidant indexes, and liver and renal function markers were determined to evaluate the antagonistic effect. Lead content in rats was determined to investigate lead excretion effect of laver. The results showed that exposure to lead caused lead accumulation in kidney and liver, thus leading to significant oxidative damage and impaired liver and renal function compared to the control group. The co-treatment of laver slightly increased body weight compared to the lead-treated group. The co-administration of laver restored liver and renal function of rats by preventing the increment in the activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate transaminase (AST), and the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). The increasing of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and lowering of the enhanced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of rats were observed in the laver co-treated groups, which indicated that laver enhanced the antioxidative capacity of rats. The laver also enhanced lead content in feces and reduced it in liver and kidney. The results indicated that P. yezoensis and P. haitanensis could maintain or promote the normal physiological and biochemical function of lead-induced subchronic poisoning of rats, probably owing to their enhancements of antioxidant capacity and lead excretion.