心钠素表达细胞移植降低高血压大鼠的血压和增加其尿量

为探讨心钠素基因转移治疗高血压和慢性心肾功能衰竭等慢性疾病的潜力,首先利用逆转录病毒载体获得可表达和分泌人心钠素的遗传工程细胞,然后将这种细胞植于自发性高血压大鼠SHR的皮下。结果发现,人心钠素遗传工程细胞的移植可使动物血浆中的心钠素浓度在移植后第7天时明显升高。在整个实验期间,虽然实验组动物的血压会随个体发育而逐渐升高,但在实验开始后的42 d内却始终明显低于空载体组,其中第14天血压的差异高达33 mm Hg。在实验开始后的第14天和第21天,实验组动物的尿量也明显增加。以上结果说明,人心钠素遗传工程细胞的皮下移植可明显抑制SHR大鼠血压的上升趋势和改善其泌尿功能,提示该方法具有治疗高血压和慢性心肾功能衰竭等慢性疾病的潜力。     

顺铂联合VEGF抗体对食管癌移植瘤小鼠免疫调节以及癌细胞增殖和肺转移的影响

摘要 目的：研究顺铂联合血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF）治疗对食管癌移植瘤小鼠免疫功能、癌细胞增殖以及肺转移的影响。方法：30只BALB/c小鼠通过皮下注射食管癌移植瘤模型。一周后,30只食管癌移植瘤模型小鼠被随机均分为3组,即模型组、顺铂组和联合组。模型组不进行治疗,顺铂组腹腔注顺铂治疗,联合组腹腔注射顺铂联合尾静脉注射VEGF抗体进行治疗,共治疗7周。比较各组小鼠体重,食管癌移植瘤体积和重量,卵巢癌细胞肺组织转移结节数、癌细胞转移面积和转移病灶总数,以及食管癌移植瘤外周血CD4⁺、CD8⁺以及CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T淋巴细胞比例。结果：（1）顺博组和联合组小鼠体重均显著高于对照组,而联合组小鼠体重显著高于顺铂组（P<0.05）;（2）顺铂组和联合组小鼠CD4+和CD8+细胞比例均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺/CD8⁺却显著高于对照组（P<0.05）;（3）联合组小鼠CD4⁺和CD8⁺细胞比例均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺/CD8⁺却显著低于顺铂组（P<0.05）;（4）顺铂组和联合组小鼠食管癌肿瘤组织体积和重量,肺转移结节数、转移面积和转移病灶数均显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,而联合组小鼠显著低于顺铂组（P<0.05）。结论：VEGF抗体可以显著增强顺铂在体内对食管癌的抗癌特性,并有助于增强食管癌移植瘤小鼠免疫功能、抑制癌细胞体内增殖和肺部转移。     

外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群与早期宫颈癌的关系及对淋巴结转移的预测价值研究

摘要 目的：分析外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群与早期宫颈癌的关系及对淋巴结转移的预测价值。方法：选择我院自2017年1月至2020年12月接诊的60例接受子宫颈癌根治术及盆腔淋巴清扫术的早期宫颈癌患者作为观察组,另选同期的60例健康体检者作为对照组。比较两组外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群水平,使用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）下面积（AUC）评价外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群对淋巴结转移的预测效能。结果：观察组外周血Treg细胞、CD8⁺T细胞水平高于对照组,CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均低于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组术后外周血Treg细胞、CD8⁺T细胞水平较术前降低,CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均较术前升高（P＜0.05）;在60例早期宫颈癌患者中,发生淋巴结转移12例;淋巴结转移组术前外周血Treg细胞水平、CD8⁺T细胞高于非淋巴结转移组,CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均低于非淋巴结转移组（P＜0.05）;经多因素Logistic回归分析,外周血Treg细胞、CD3⁺T细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值均是早期宫颈癌患者发生淋巴结转移的独立预测因素（P＜0.05）;经ROC曲线分析,外周血Treg细胞、CD3⁺T细胞联合CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测早期宫颈癌患者发生淋巴结转移的AUC为0.910。结论：外周血Treg细胞、T淋巴细胞及其亚群水平与早期宫颈癌的病情演变有关,其中外周血Treg细胞、CD3⁺T细胞联合CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值预测淋巴结转移的效能较好,值得进一步研究应用。     

表达猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒修饰型GP5m蛋白的重组伪狂犬病毒的构建及其在小鼠的免疫反应

猪伪狂犬病毒（PRV）是一种良好的兽用活病毒疫苗载体。但以PRV基因缺失疫苗株TK^-/gE^-/LacZ⁺为载体表达PRRSV GP5的重组病毒TK^-/gE^-/GP5⁺免疫实验动物后难以激发抗PRRSV的中和抗体。为了进一步增强这种重组病毒的免疫效力,用具有更好免疫原性的修饰的ORF5基因（ORF5m）代替天然ORF5基因,构建了表达PRRSV的修饰型GP5m蛋白的重组伪狂犬病毒TK^-/gE^-/GP5m⁺。经PCR、Southern blot、Western blot 证实构建正确,并能表达具有活性的GP5m蛋白。将TK^-/gE^-/GP5m⁺与TK^-/gE^-/GP5⁺分别免疫Balb/c小鼠,结果TK^-/gE^-/GP5m⁺免疫小鼠不仅产生了较高水平的抗PRRSV的中和抗体(3/6只达到了1∶16),而且在诱导PRRSV特异性细胞免疫方面也显著优于TK^-/gE^-/GP5⁺,表明TK^-/gE^-/GP5m⁺是一种极有希望的PRRSV和PRV二价基因工程候选疫苗。     

Ⅰ-Ak基因克隆转导及对肿瘤细胞成瘤的影响

采用RT-PCR方法合成小鼠MHCⅡ类分子Ⅰ-A^k基因α和β链cDNA,插入逆转录病毒载体pLSXN,构建Ⅰ-A^k α和Ⅰ-A^k β表达载体,采用脂质体介导的重组质粒转移方法将Ⅰ-A^k α和Ⅰ-A^k β基因导入EL4小鼠淋巴瘤细胞和P815小鼠肥大细胞瘤细胞,经流式细胞仪检测在细胞表面有Ⅰ-A^k表达.将以上两种细胞注射到同源小鼠C57BL/6(H-2^d)皮下,观察到肿瘤产生后又消退,证明在肿瘤细胞中单独导入同种异型MHCⅡ类分子基因也能激活肿瘤的细胞免疫,为进一步开展肿瘤的基因治疗奠定了基础.     

HIV/AIDS患者抗病毒治疗前HIV-1耐药情况调查及外周血CD8+T细胞CD38表达水平研究

摘要 目的：分析人免疫缺陷病毒/艾滋病（HIV/AIDS）患者抗病毒治疗前HIV-1耐药以及影响因素,探讨HIV/AIDS患者外周血CD₈⁺T细胞CD₃₈表达（CD₈⁺CD₃₈⁺T淋巴细胞百分比）与CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数的相关性。方法：选择2016年3月至2019年12月我院接诊的442例HIV/AIDS患者（HIV/AIDS组）和163例同期于我院进行体检的健康志愿者（对照组）,HIV/AIDS组扩增pol基因,进行HIV-1基因耐药分析,检测CD₈⁺CD₃₈⁺T淋巴细胞百分比、CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数、CD₈⁺T淋巴细胞计数。分析HIV/AIDS患者HIV-1耐药的影响因素,分析CD₈⁺CD₃₈⁺T淋巴细胞百分比与CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数、CD₈⁺T淋巴细胞计数相关性。结果：HIV/AIDS组442例HIV/AIDS患者中376例获得HIV-1 pol基因序列,HIV-1耐药35例,耐药率9.31%（35/376）。单因素分析结果显示耐药组和非耐药组在年龄、文化程度、感染途径、HIV病毒载量方面差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示同性性传播、注射吸毒、高HIV病毒载量是HIV/AIDS患者抗病毒治疗前HIV-1耐药的危险因素（P＜0.05）。HIV/AIDS组外周血CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数、CD₈⁺T淋巴细胞计数低于对照组（P＜0.05）,CD₈⁺CD₃₈⁺T淋巴细胞百分比高于对照组（P＜0.05）。CD₈⁺CD₃₈⁺T淋巴细胞百分比与CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数、CD₈⁺T淋巴细胞计数呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：抗病毒治疗前HIV/AIDS患者存在一定HIV-1耐药率,传播途径、HIV-1病毒载量与HIV-1耐药有关。CD₈⁺T细胞表面CD₃₈过表达与HIV/AIDS 患者CD₄⁺T T细胞的过度消耗有关。     

立体定向放疗联合内分泌治疗对转移性激素敏感性前列腺癌患者免疫功能和生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：探讨立体定向放疗（SBRT）联合内分泌治疗对转移性激素敏感性前列腺癌患者生活质量、免疫功能的影响。方法：选取我院2015年2月~2017年2月期间收治的转移性激素敏感性前列腺癌患者100例,根据信封抽签法将患者分为对照组（50例）和放疗组（50例）,对照组给予内分泌治疗,放疗组在对照组的基础上联合SBRT治疗。对比两组前列腺特异性抗原（PSA）进展时间、PSA缓解率、治疗期间不良反应状况、3年生存率、免疫功能（CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺）和扩展性前列腺癌复合指数量表（EPIC）各项评分。结果：随访3年,对照组有2例失访、放疗组有3例失访,放疗组的PSA进展时间长于对照组（P<0.05）,放疗组的3年生存率高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组CD3⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺、CD4⁺均下降,但放疗组较对照组升高（P<0.05）,两组治疗后CD8⁺均升高,但放疗组较对照组降低（P<0.05）。治疗后6个月,放疗组性功能、激素功能、泌尿功能、肠道功能领域评分均高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应总发生率、PSA缓解率组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：SBRT联合内分泌治疗转移性激素敏感性前列腺癌患者,可延长患者PSA进展时间,减轻免疫抑制,提高患者生活质量,同时还可改善患者的预后,患者耐受性良好。     

猪2型圆环病毒ORF1与ORF2基因和伪狂犬病毒基因的重组与表达的研究

根据GenBank发布的猪2型圆环病毒(PCV2 )序列(AY0 35 82 0 ) ,设计两对特异性引物,采用PCR方法,分别扩增了猪2型圆环病毒ORF1和ORF2基因。将ORF1和ORF2基因的PCR产物回收并酶切后,依次插入到伪狂犬病毒gE gI双缺失通用转移载体pIECMV中,构建了猪2型圆环病毒_伪狂犬病毒重组中间转移质粒pIEORF1-ORF2。采用脂质体介导法,将重组中间转移质粒pIEORF1_ORF2与伪狂犬病毒TK^- gE^- LacZ⁺ 基因组共转染IBRS_2细胞,待发生细胞病变后收集病毒液进行空斑纯化,利用检测PCV2ORF1基因和ORF2基因的PCR方法筛选重组病毒TK^- gE^- gI^- ORF1-ORF2⁺ ,用Southernblotting鉴定重组病毒,并用Westernblotting检测ORF1_ORF2融合蛋白的表达情况,在此基础上也测定了重组病毒在不同细胞上的增殖滴度。结果表明,外源基因ORF1和ORF2已成功插入到TK^- gE^- LacZ⁺ 亲本株的基因组中,并获得了表达,表达的蛋白可与PCV2阳性血清发生反应。同时发现ORF1和ORF2基因的插入不影响重组病毒的增殖特性,其毒力与亲本株相当。     

谷氨酸棒杆菌H+-ATPase基因失活提高谷氨酸产生量

为了证实在谷氨酸棒杆菌中,利用H⁺-ATPase基因失活构建高产谷氨酸基因工程菌的应用可行性,通过重组PCR技术部分缺失H⁺-ATPaseγ亚基基因序列,采用插入失活方法构建H⁺-ATPase失活的谷氨酸棒杆菌。考察了其谷氨酸产生能力及对生长速率的影响。实验结果表明,H⁺-ATPase失活的谷氨酸棒杆菌在含有100g/L的葡萄糖培养基中摇瓶发酵,其谷氨酸最大累积量为51.6g/L, 比野生菌株提高了42.9%。生长速率研究结果表明,H⁺-ATPase失活的谷氨酸棒杆菌生长速率略低于野生谷氨酸棒杆菌。证实了H⁺-ATPase基因失活对提高谷氨酸产量的作用,为利用H⁺-ATPase基因构建高产谷氨酸基因工程菌株提供了科学依据。     

关键酶基因转录水平对重组大肠杆菌合成NAD+的影响

[目的] 烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核苷酸（nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide）是生物体内一种重要的辅因子,其细胞内含量对于NAD⁺依赖型氧化还原反应和有关生化合成代谢具有重要意义。为强化辅因子合成,本文通过不同诱导条件下关键酶基因转录水平与产物合成水平的相关性分析,利用增加正向关键酶基因拷贝数策略提高胞内氧化型辅酶NAD⁺的浓度。[方法] 以实验室前期构建的大肠杆菌NA016为出发菌株,分别从诱导温度、诱导剂浓度、诱导时机三个方面进行了诱导条件的优化,并利用实时荧光定量PCR（RT-qPCR）技术对代谢改造中的有关过表达基因进行了转录水平分析,确定了NAD⁺含量与这些过表达基因转录水平之间的相关性,增加对NAD⁺合成代谢具有正向作用的基因拷贝数以进一步提高胞内NAD⁺水平。[结果] 通过诱导条件优化实验确定菌株NA016的最适诱导温度,在诱导时机为OD₆₀₀达到0.6时加入0.8 mmol/L的IPTG可使胞内NAD⁺含量提高35.37%;转录水平方面分析发现基因nadE和pncB的表达对NAD⁺的合成具有正向调节作用。进一步增加菌株NA016中关键酶基因nadE和pncB的拷贝数可使辅酶含量再次提高22.46%,最高可达41.66μmol/g DCW。[结论] 优化诱导条件和增加关键酶基因拷贝数可以提高氧化型辅酶NAD⁺的含量,这为促进大肠杆菌胞内NAD⁺合成的研究提供借鉴意义。     

Age differences in renal response to atrial natriuretic peptide in rabbits

Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the effect of exogenous ANP on renal function have been studied in newborn and adult rabbits. In order to investigate an age difference in responsiveness to ANP, we studied the renal effects of alpha-human ANP (1-28) administered at the same dose per kg body weight in adult and neonatal rabbits. Plasma basal ANP levels were similar in 18 newborn (4- to 11-day-old) compared to 7 adult rabbits (150 +/- 16 and 151 +/- 28 pg/ml, resp.). Eleven newborn and 11 adult rabbits were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. After a control period, each animal received an hANP loading dose (3 micrograms/kg i.v.), followed by an infusion of 0.3 micrograms/kg/min. Blood gases remained stable throughout the experiment in both groups. Mean blood pressure decreased in newborn (28.5 +/- 0.8 to 26.2 +/- 1.0 mmHg) and adult (92 +/- 3 to 84 +/- 3 mmHg) animals. Percent hANP-induced changes in renal functions in newborn and adult rabbits were, respectively: urine flow rate: -21 +/- 4% and +57 +/- 8%; urinary sodium excretion: +4 +/- 7% and +81 +/- 11%; glomerular filtration rate (GFR): -19 +/- 4% and -4 +/- 6%; renal blood flow (RBF): -22 +/- 4% and -11 +/- 5%. As expected, diuresis and natriuresis increased in adult rabbits. Failure of hANP to increase natriuresis and diuresis in newborn rabbits could be related to the marked decrease in GFR, receptor immaturity and/or interactions with other hormonal systems.     

Attenuated renal responses to atrial natriuretic factor in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

To determine whether the renal responses to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) are altered in the diabetic state, the diuretic and natriuretic responses to ANF (0.25 microgram.kg-1.min-1, i.v.) were measured in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic (DIA) rats. Urine flow and sodium excretion were measured before and after ANF from innervated and denervated kidneys in anesthetized (Inactin 0.1 g/kg, i.p.) control and DIA rats (Sprague-Dawley rats injected with vehicle or STZ 65 mg/kg, i.p., respectively, 2 weeks prior to the experiment). Blood glucose levels were significantly elevated in the DIA group compared with the control group. ANF produced a significantly blunted diuresis and natriuresis in DIA rats compared with control rats. In addition, reducing the hyperglycemia in DIA rats by treatment with insulin (third group) reversed the blunted urine flow and sodium excretion responses to ANF. This study demonstrates that (i) there is a blunted natriuresis and diuresis to ANF in the STZ-induced DIA rats, and (ii) restoring the glucose levels to normal by insulin treatment in the DIA rats normalized the renal responses to ANF.     

Encapsulated transgene cells attenuate hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and enhance renal function in Goldblatt hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND: The success of any gene-therapy approach depends on the survival of the genetically engineered cells that are implanted in the patient to deliver the therapeutic product. Immunoisolation of nonautologous cells within a microcapsule is a unique approach for gene therapy. METHODS: We employed an immunoisolation device that protects nonautologous cells from destruction, to implant human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP)-producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. CHO cells transfected with the plasmid CMV-cANP were encapsulated in biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) capsules, and then the PCL capsules were implanted into 2K1C hypertensive rats intraperitoneally. RESULTS: The implantation of encapsulated hANP-producing cells caused a significant delay of blood pressure (BP) increase 2 weeks post-implantation and the effect lasted for more than 5 months. The implantation of encapsulated hANP-producing cells also caused significant increases in renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), sodium output, urine excretion, and urinary cGMP levels. These beneficial effects were reflected morphologically by an attenuation of the glomerular sclerotic lesions, reduction in cardiomyocyte size, tubular injury and renal arterial thickening. Immunoreactive hANP can be detected in the blood of 2K1C rats after implantation of the PCL capsules containing hANP-producing cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the usefulness of encapsulated ANP gene transfected cells as a new tool for ANP gene delivery in studying renovascular hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, our results may have important implications for clinical use of transgene cells as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

The diuretic effect of metipamide and its relationship to body weights in rats

Metipamide [M], a new Czechosclovak diuretic with a hypotensive effect, was administered in a dose of 20 mg/kg (about 500-fold the therapeutic dose) I. for three weeks to rats of both sexes kept under normal conditions in groups of five, and II, for eight days to single male rats in metabolic cages. The animals' body weight and food and water consumption were studied and in the second series their daily faeces, urine and urinary sodium and potassium excretion were measured. Rats kept in individual cages were also given indapamide (I), the first diuretic with a separate hypotensive effect used in other countries, in a dose of 20 mg/kg. The experimental animals' body weight was significantly lower than that of controls with the same food consumption and their water intake and urine flow were much higher, especially after M. Sodium (and to a lesser extent potassium) excretion was raised at the outset of administration of both the test substances and again after the 5th to 8th dose, but only after M. After three weeks' administration of M. SNa, SK and S(osm) values were within normal limits. but after eight days the serum electrolytes and the osmolality of the serum were markedly reduced. After I. these values were normal. We conclude that the strong diuretic effect of M is not the only cause of lower body weight in rats.     

单次尾静脉注射法阿霉素大鼠肾病模型的建立

目的建立阿霉素大鼠肾病模型,并观察模型的动态变化。方法 26只Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为模型组(13只)和空白组(13只),模型组单次尾静脉注射阿霉素6.2 mg/kg,空白组注射等容积生理盐水。检测连续10周12 h尿蛋白定量、终末血生化指标,光镜、电镜下观察各组大鼠肾脏病理改变。结果模型组12 h尿蛋白定量造模后1周与空白组差异有显著性(P0.01),第5周达到高峰;血总蛋白、白蛋白均低于空白组,甘油三酯、胆固醇、血尿素氮均高于空白组(均P0.05),血肌酐差异无显著性(P=0.64)。肾脏病理改变:第5周为微小病变型,第10周为局灶性节段性肾小球硬化。结论单次尾静脉注射6.2 mg/kg阿霉素,可以成功建立渐进性的大鼠肾病综合征模型。     

Adrenomedullin improves cardiac function and prevents renal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent vasodilating peptide and is involved in cardiovascular and renal disease. In the present study, we investigated the role of AM in cardiac and renal function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. A single tail-vein injection of adenoviral vectors harboring the human AM gene (Ad.CMV-AM) was administered to the rats 1-wk post-STZ treatment (65 mg/kg iv). Immunoreactive human AM was detected in the plasma and urine of STZ-diabetic rats treated with Ad.CMV-AM. Morphological and chemical examination showed that AM gene delivery significantly reduced glycogen accumulation within the hearts of STZ-diabetic rats. AM gene delivery improved cardiac function compared with STZ-diabetic rats injected with control virus, as observed by decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, increased cardiac output, cardiac index, and heart rate. AM gene transfer significantly increased left ventricular long axis (11.69 +/- 0.46 vs. 10.31 +/- 0.70 mm, n = 10, P < 0.05) and rate of pressure rise and fall (+6,090.1 +/- 597.3 vs. +4,648.5 +/- 807.1 mmHg/s), (-4,902.6 +/- 644.2 vs. -3,915.5 +/- 805.8 mmHg/s, n = 11, P < 0.05). AM also significantly attenuated renal glycogen accumulation and tubular damage in STZ-diabetic rats as well as increased urinary cAMP and cGMP levels, along with increased cardiac cAMP and Akt phosphorylation. We also observed that delivery of the AM gene caused an increase in body weight along with phospho-Akt and membrane-bound GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that AM plays a protective role in hyperglycemia-induced glycogen accumulation and cardiac and renal dysfunction via Akt signal transduction pathways.     

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats.

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnos potatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.     

Inhibition of pituitary bioactive prolactin secretion in the male rat by the glucocorticoid agonist decadron phosphate.

In the present studies, the soluble glucocorticoid agonist, decadron phosphate (DEC), was administered i.v. to intact adult male rats in order to evaluate the effects of glucocorticoid receptor stimulation on circulating levels of immunoreactive (ir-) and bioactive (bio-) prolactin (PRL). In light of reports that glucocorticoid-specific receptors exist within the rat brain, additional experiments investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of graded doses of the same drug on pituitary ir- and bioPRL secretion. Concentrations of ir- and bioPRL in samples obtained before and after drug treatments were determined by standard PRL radioimmunoassay and the Nb2 rat node lymphoma bioassay, respectively. Rats injected i.v. with 0.5 mg DEC/kg body weight, but not those treated with a tenfold lesser dose, exhibited decreased plasma irPRL concentrations. However, both doses promoted a decline in circulating levels of bioPRL compared to vehicle-treated controls, along with an overall reduction in the plasma bio/irPRL ratio. The magnitude and duration of this drug-induced decline in biopotency of secreted hormone was dose-dependent. While the plasma bio/irPRL ratio was diminished only transiently in rats injected with 0.05 mg DEC/kg, treatment with the higher dose led to a sustained decrease in the plasma bio/irPRL ratio for the duration of the experiment. The current studies also show that intracerebral administration of DEC resulted in dose-dependent alterations in pituitary PRL release. Circulating levels of ir- and bioPRL were not altered in rats injected i.c.v. with 10 ng of DEC, the lowest dose tested.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Study on the diuretic activity of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seed extract in albino rats

Methanol extract of Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds (SPSE) was evaluated for its diuretic activity in Wistar albino rats. The SPSE was administered at the graded doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight. The parameters which were taken into account during the experimental on each rat were: total urine volume (corrected for water intake during the test period), body weight before and after the experiment, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions in urine. The total urine volumes of the SPSE (600 mg/kg)-treated rats were evaluated nearly two and half fold then compared with the control (saline treated) group. Excretion of cations (sodium and potassium ions) and anions (chloride ions) also increased significantly with respect to the control group. The diuretic effect was comparable with that of the standard drug Furosemide. The increase of cations in the urine on treatment with Strychnos potatorum seed extract (SPSE) was dose-dependent. This effect supports the use of the Strychnos potatorum seeds as a diuretic in folk remedies.     

Replacement therapy of acquired antithrombin III deficiency in experimental nephrotic syndrome

The influence of antithrombin III on hemostasis and renal function was studied in experiments on rats with nephrotic syndrome. The development of nephrotic syndrome was accompanied by the activation of blood coagulation and appearance of acquired antithrombin III deficiency due to its loss with the urine. The replacement therapy by bovine antithrombin III at a dose of 25 U/kg a day for 10 days decreased the signs of excessive thrombinogenesis in experimental animals and increased the amount of thrombin-antithrombin III complexes in the blood flow. The activation of coagulation in rats with nephrotic syndrome predominantly induced the disturbances of the excretory renal function which could be efficiently corrected by antithrombin III.