双黄连粉针剂血管刺激性试验研究

目的:了解静脉注射双黄连粉针剂后对大鼠及犬局部血管的刺激性,为该药的临床使用提供相关资料。方法:本试验采用静脉给药,在每次给药后观察大鼠及犬注射部位血管刺激反应,给药结束及恢复期结束后取注射部位组织,观察注射部位有无充血、水肿、坏死等刺激反应,并进行组织病理学检查。结果:每次给药、给药结束及恢复期结束观察,大鼠及犬给药局部未见充血、水肿、坏死等刺激反应。病理检查结果,大鼠在给药结束和恢复结束时高剂量组有部分大鼠出现血管病变(内膜增生、血栓形成),其发生率、病变程度与对照组没有差异。犬在给药结束后,溶剂对照组和给药组动物给药局部均可见血管局灶性内膜增生或小灶状变性坏死/血栓形成机化,管壁成纤维细胞增生,血管周围组织出血/成纤维细胞增生、炎细胞浸润。上述给药局部病变考虑为针头机械刺激引起,与药物本身无明显相关性。停药结束后,给药组动物给药局部血管均未见异常。结论:在本实验条件下,双黄连粉针剂对血管无刺激作用。     

一种Beagle犬腰椎穿刺置管术介绍

目的建立一种新的Beagle犬脑脊液连续留取的方法。方法通过氯胺酮麻醉进行腰椎穿刺后置管可连续留取脑脊液。结果腰椎穿刺置管后成功连续留取清亮脑脊液超过48h。结论腰椎穿刺置管连续留取脑脊液简单、有效。     

益母草注射液小鼠急性毒性和Beagle犬重复给药毒性试验研究

通过小鼠单次给药急性毒性试验和Beagle犬重复给药毒性试验,评价益母草注射液(YMC)的安全性。用半数致死剂量法对小鼠进行急性毒性试验,观察小鼠的死亡情况和急性毒性症状,用Bills法计算半致死剂量(LD50)。将32只Beagle犬根据体质量、性别随机分为YMC 240.99 mg·kg~(-1)、120.50 mg·kg~(-1)、60.25 mg·kg~(-1)组和0.9%氯化钠注射液对照组,每组8只。静脉滴注给药,每周给药6 d,连续180 d,停药恢复30 d。对Beagle犬进行临床症状、体质量、心电图、血液学、血液生化学、血清电解质、尿液及组织病理学等检查。YMC小鼠静脉给药LD50为845.64 mg·kg~(-1),急性毒性症状主要表现为跳跃、烦躁、嗜睡、活动减少、阵挛性抽搐、眼球突出、尿失禁。重复给药毒性试验,Beagle犬出现呈剂量反应趋势的流涎、呕吐症状,未见肝、肾毒性,其余各项检测指标也均未见与药物毒性相关的明显异常。YMC小鼠静脉给药LD50相当于临床拟用剂量的394.6倍,YMC重复给药毒性试验对Beagle犬的安全剂量为120.50 mg·kg~(-1),相当于临床拟用剂量的56.2倍。提示YMC具有较高的安全性。     

巴氯芬注射后大鼠皮层脑电变化与年龄的相关性

巴氯芬是伽马氨基丁酸B型受体的一种选择性激动剂,在镇痛、药物成瘾等治疗中具有重要的生物学功能.在动物的老化过程中,伽马氨基丁酸能所介导的神经传导可能了发生改变.本文旨在探讨巴氯芬所诱导的皮层脑电活动是否具有年龄上的差异.在巴氯芬注射（5mg/kg）前后,分别采集青年（3～4月龄）和老年（15～17月龄）大鼠的皮层脑电图,分析脑电绝对功率和相对功率在5个频段上（δ：2～4Hz;θ：4～8Hz;α：8～12Hz;β：12～20Hz;γ：20～100Hz）与年龄相关的差异.结果发现,在巴氯芬注射前,老年大鼠β频段脑电相对功率显著升高.在巴氯芬注射后,两个年龄段大鼠δ频段脑电相对功率增加,但老年大鼠增加较慢.此外,青年和老年大鼠所有频段脑电绝对功率未出现统计学差异.本研究揭示,巴氯芬诱导的大鼠皮层脑电活动具有年龄上的差异,提示老化可能影响伽马氨基丁酸B型受体介导的神经传导.     

FGF21对糖尿病Beagle犬降糖作用的研究

[目的]探讨成纤维细胞生长因子-21(FGF21)对糖尿病Beagle犬的降糖作用。[方法]通过注射四氧嘧啶(ALX)50 mg/kg和链脲霉素(STZ)30 mg/kg溶液,建立糖尿病Beagle犬动物模型。糖尿病模型复制成功后,考察25μg/kg、50μg/kg和100μg/kg的FGF21以及阳性对照50μg/kg的地特胰岛素注射液(Det),每72 h给药1次,连续给药10次后,对糖尿病Beagle犬血糖等生化指标和肝脏、胰腺组织切片的影响。[结果]与模型组相比,FGF21各剂量给药组Beagle犬体重呈现升高趋势(p0.05),各给药组血糖、糖化血红蛋白水平均显著降低,并呈剂量依赖性,即随着FGF21给药剂量的增加,治疗效果更明显,其中高剂量组治疗效果最佳,治疗后空腹血糖达到8.77±5.74 mmol/L,糖化血红蛋白浓度4.89±1.36%,C肽浓度为0.010±0.000 nmol/L,与模型组存在显著差异(p0.01、p0.05、p0.01)。FGF21各剂量组肝脏和胰腺组织病变程度明显减轻。[结论]FGF21对Beagle犬有明显的降低血糖作用,FGF21各剂量组肝脏和胰腺组织病变程度明显减轻,为糖尿病治疗提供了新思路。     

上肢精准测试系统在食蟹猴脑缺血研究中的应用

目的使用上肢精准测试系统对脊髓间充质干细胞治疗脑缺血的疗效进行行为学分析评价。方法成年食蟹猴18只,手术前2个月用上肢精准测试系统对动物进行训练并采集本底数据。采用光化学法制作局部脑缺血模型,造模后4周将动物随机分为对照组、干细胞治疗高剂量组和低剂量组,分别在缺血灶周围注射生理盐水、脊髓间充质干细胞5×106/只和1×106/只,造模后1 d、3 d、1、2、3、4周及干细胞注射后1d、3 d、1、2、3、4、5、6、8周采集行为学实验数据。比较造模前后和干细胞注射前后动物受损伤侧上肢抓取水果块的时间,结合神经功能评分评价造模和干细胞治疗效果。结果 18只动物手术后均出现与梗死部位对应的行为学症状。在术后采集数据的各个时间点损伤侧上肢行为学数据与手术前差异均存在极显著性（P〈0.01）。神经功能评分术后24 h最高,随后出现渐进性恢复。干细胞治疗后3 d到治疗后第8周,模型组动物与高、低剂量组动物间精准上肢运动测试结果差异均存在显著性（P〈0.05）。神经功能评分在治疗2周后出现显著性差异（P〈0.05）。高、低剂量组间差异未见显著性。结论上肢精准测试系统能客观准确的反应动物神经功能,在非人灵长类脑卒中动物模型建立和药效学评价方面有广泛应用前景。     

薄芝糖肽对D-GalN所致大鼠急性肝衰竭的影响

目的:探讨薄芝糖肽对组织损伤的保护作用.方法:Wister大鼠腹腔注射D-GalN(D-氨基半乳糖)诱发急性肝衰竭(ALF).48h后存活的大鼠随机分成4组,分别尾静脉注射不同剂量薄芝糖肽注射液或等量生理盐水,连续2w.观测动物存活率、血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)以及肝组织学检查.结果:薄芝糖肽注射液3个剂量治疗组大鼠的存活率分别为42.1%、57.9%和63.2%,生理盐水对照组的存活率为21.1%,实验组与对照组的存活率相差显著(p＜0.05).治疗组大鼠ALT水平在给药第2d即明显下降,第7d基本恢复正常;对照组直到实验结束才恢复正常.4组动物病理切片显示,注射D-GalN后肝细胞大量坏死,呈现ALF状态.第15d高剂量治疗组基本恢复正常,但对照组仍见散在肝细胞坏死灶及,汇管区炎性细胞浸润.结论: 薄芝糖肽注射液可明显提高ALF大鼠存活率,改善肝功能.提示薄芝糖肽注射液可用于临床救治急性肝功能衰竭或重症肝炎.     

三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后的保护作用及GFAP相关机制

目的:探讨三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后的保护作用以及对GFAP表达变化的影响.方法:健康成年雌性SD大鼠63只,随机分为正常组,溶媒对照组,三七总皂苷组,大鼠脊髓T10右侧半横断损伤后15min,腹腔注射三七总皂苷,剂量为20mg.kg-1,以后每天给药一次,溶媒对照组注射等量生理盐水.术后1d,3d,7d,14d,21d,28d进行BBB评分行为学检测;动物存活1d、3d、7d、14d、 28d,运用免疫组织化学方法检测脊髓损伤远侧端GFAP表达的变化.结果:BBB评分显示,三七总皂苷能明显促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复,其中损伤后7d和14d的评分明显高于溶媒对照组.免疫组化结果显示脊髓T10右侧半横断损伤后.脊髓远侧段 GFAP的表达损伤侧均强于对侧,损伤侧灰质GFAP的表达呈现出1d,3d逐渐增强,7d达高峰的趋势,14dGFAP的表达逐渐下降,至28d仍略高于正常组.三七总皂苷组和溶媒对照组相比,GFAP表达的时间趋势相同,但相同时间点GFAP的表达弱于对照组,尤其是3d、7d.结论:三七总皂苷能抑制脊髓半横断损伤后星形胶质细胞的活化,这可能是其促进脊髓损伤后运动功能恢复的机制之一.     

Nesfatin-1对营养性肥胖大鼠摄食量体重和胃排空率的影响（英文）

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(100μg·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,P0.01),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。     

醒脑注射液的安全性实验研究

醒脑注射液源于促醒中药"醒脑汤",是南麝香、冰片等具有清热解毒、疏通经络、镇惊开窍、醒脑醒神、活血散结等功能的数味中药经科学方法精制而成的注射液,可应用于临床各种急慢性昏迷患者的治疗.实验表明,该药对意识恢复有极其显著的效果,说明醒脑注射液有明显的促醒作用.为保证临床使用的安全性,我们将该药用于动物实验.对实验动物各组分别以临床拟用日剂最(0.04 ml/kg体重)的30倍、45倍、90倍给醒脑注射液每日药量均一次性腹腔注射,连续20 d给药,并于给药后的第10、20、30 d采取静脉血进行有关指标检测;其数据经t检验与对照组比较无显著性差异(P0.05).研究结果表明该药未对实验动物产生副作用,具有其安全性,为临床用药安全性提供了实验资料.     

三七总皂苷对脊髓损伤后BDNF 的表达及运动功能的影响

目的:探讨三七总皂苷(total panax notoginseng saponins,tPNS)对脊髓半横断损伤后对脑源性神经营养因子(Brain-derivedneurotrophic factor,BDNF)表达以及运动功能恢复的作用的影响。方法:大鼠随机分为正常组和实验组,实验组大鼠脊髓T10右侧半横断模型,损伤后15min,腹腔注射三七总皂苷,剂量为20mg.kg-1,以后每天给药一次,溶媒对照组注射等量生理盐水。术后进行BBB评分和斜板实验检测;动物分别存活1d、3d、7d、14d、28d后,采用免疫荧光化学方法检测脊髓损伤远侧端BDNF表达的变化。结果:BBB评分及斜板实验结果显示,三七总皂苷能明显促进脊髓损伤后运动功能的恢复,尤其是损伤后7d和14d,三七总皂苷组评分明显高于溶媒对照组。免疫组化结果显示:脊髓半横断损伤后,损伤远侧端损伤侧BDNF的表达强于对侧,损伤侧BDNF的表达呈现出1d,3d逐渐增强,7d达高峰的趋势,14dBDNF的表达逐渐下降,至28d仍略高于正常组。三七总皂苷组和溶媒对照组相比,BDNF表达的时间趋势相同,但相同时间点BDNF的表达强于对照组,尤其是3d、7d。结论:三七总皂苷能增强脊髓半横断损伤后BDNF的表达,这可能是其改善脊髓再生的微环境,促进脊髓损伤后运动功能恢复的机制之一。     

Effects of an Intraparenchymal Injection of Lidocaine in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord

Lidocaine effects in the spinal cord have been extensively investigated over the years. Although the intrathecal route is usually used to treat insults occurring in the spinal cord, the local delivery drug via intraparenchymal infusions has gained increasing favor for the treatment of some neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavioral and tissue effects of the intraparenchymal injection of different concentrations of lidocaine into the rat cervical spinal cord. Young male Sprague–Dawley rats were intraparenchymally injected with 0.5%, 1% or 2% lidocaine at the C5 segment of the spinal cord. Other rats were injected with saline solution (sham group). Hot plate test was determined at 0, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 post-injection (pi) days. Rats of each experimental group were euthanized either at 1, 2, 3, 7 or 14 pi days. Intact animals were used as controls. Sections of the C5 segment were used for histological, immunohistochemical or immunofluorescence analysis. Injection of 0.5% lidocaine did not affect neuronal counting, did not evoke an inflammatory reaction, nor induce astrocyte activation. Therefore, a concentration of 0.5% lidocaine is suggested to promote anti-inflammatory effects after injury.     

姜黄素下调脊髓Toll样受体4及下游细胞因子减弱大鼠神经病理性痛

观察鞘内注射姜黄素对坐骨神经慢性压迫性损伤(CCI)大鼠痛阈和脊髓组织Toll样受体4(TLR4)及TNF-α、IL-1β和IL-10表达的影响．鞘内置管的120只大鼠随机均分为4组：假手术组(Sham),CCI组,溶剂对照组(SC),姜黄素治疗组(Cur,100 μg/天),建立CCI大鼠疼痛模型,术后第1、3、7、10和14天鞘内给药并测定痛阈,第3、7天取腰段脊髓第4～6节段(L4～L6)以Real-time PCR与Western blotting方法检测TLR4、HMGB1 mRNA和蛋白质的表达,ELISA法观察脊髓组织中TNF-α、IL-1β及IL-10表达变化．与Sham组相比,CCI组大鼠机械性痛阈与热痛阈显著降低(均P<0.05),同时脊髓组织TLR4、HMGB1 mRNA和蛋白质的表达明显增加(均P<0.05),TNF-α、IL-1β与IL-10的含量也明显升高(均P<0.05);鞘内注射姜黄素明显降低脊髓TLR4、高迁移率族蛋白1(HMGB1),TNF-α和IL-1β的表达,显著升高脊髓IL-10的表达,同时明显改善CCI大鼠疼痛行为(P<0.05)．姜黄素减轻神经病理性疼痛可能与下调TLR4途径促炎症因子表达有关,抑制TLR4途径有望成为治疗神经病理性疼痛的新策略．     

Erythropoietin attenuates the sequels of ischaemic spinal cord injury with enhanced recruitment of CD34+ cells in mice

Erythropoietin has been shown to promote tissue regeneration after ischaemic injury in various organs. Here, we investigated whether Erythropoietin could ameliorate ischaemic spinal cord injury in the mouse and sought an underlying mechanism. Spinal cord ischaemia was developed by cross-clamping the descending thoracic aorta for 7 or 9 min. in mice. Erythropoietin (5000 IU/kg) or saline was administrated 30 min. before aortic cross-clamping. Neurological function was assessed using the paralysis score for 7 days after the operation. Spinal cords were histologically evaluated 2 and 7 days after the operation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD34(+) cells and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor. Each mouse exhibited either mildly impaired function or complete paralysis at day 2. Erythropoietin-treated mice with complete paralysis demonstrated significant improvement of neurological function between day 2 and 7, compared to saline-treated mice with complete paralysis. Motor neurons in erythropoietin-treated mice were more preserved at day 7 than those in saline-treated mice with complete paralysis. CD34(+) cells in the lumbar spinal cord of erythropoietin-treated mice were more abundant at day 2 than those of saline-treated mice. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were markedly expressed in lumbar spinal cords in erythropoietin-treated mice at day 7. Erythropoietin demonstrated neuroprotective effects in the ischaemic spinal cord, improving neurological function and attenuating motor neuron loss. These effects may have been mediated by recruited CD34(+) cells, and enhanced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor.     

Effect of GABA Receptor Agonists or Antagonists Injected Spinally on the Blood Glucose Level in Mice

The possible roles of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors located in the spinal cord for the regulation of the blood glucose level were studied in ICR mice. We found in the present study that intrathecal (i.t.) injection with baclofen (a GABA_B receptor agonist; 1–10 μg/5 μl) or bicuculline (a GABA_A receptor antagonist; 1–10 μg/5 μl) caused an elevation of the blood glucose level in a dose-dependent manner. The hyperglycemic effect induced by baclofen was more pronounced than that induced by bicuculline. However, muscimol (a GABA_A receptor agonist; 1–5 μg/5 μl) or phaclofen (a GABA_B receptor antagonist; 5–10 μg/5 μl) administered i.t. did not affect the blood glucose level. Baclofen–induced elevation of the blood glucose was dose-dependently attenuated by phaclofen. Furthermore, i.t. pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX; 0.05 or 0.1 μg/5 μl) for 6 days dose-dependently reduced the hyperglycemic effect induced by baclofen. Our results suggest that GABA_B receptors located in the spinal cord play important roles for the elevation of the blood glucose level. Spinally located PTX-sensitive G-proteins appear to be involved in hyperglycemic effect induced by baclofen. Furthermore, inactivation of GABA_A receptors located in the spinal cord appears to be responsible for tonic up-regulation of the blood glucose level.     

骨髓间充质干细胞经BDNF基因修饰后移植治疗大鼠半横断脊髓损伤的电生理研究

目的采用电生理的研究方法,观察脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)基因修饰的骨髓间充质干细胞对脊髓损伤的修复作用。方法随机将大鼠分成3组:空白组10只(只切除椎板,暴露脊髓硬脊膜);SCI组10只;SCI术后细胞移植组10只;从以上三组大鼠随机抽取8只于细胞移植后1 d、7 d、14 d、21 d、30 d、60 d进行SEP(皮层体感诱发电位)、MEP(运动诱发电位)等电生理检测技术,并观察大鼠的运动评分恢复程度。结果细胞移植4d后,大鼠饮食和活动开始增加;后肢变化过程如下:损伤后1~4 d损伤侧后肢迟缓性瘫痪,拖地行走,损伤对侧后肢由损伤初期的运动减弱逐渐恢复,损伤后5~9 d损伤侧后肢痉挛性瘫痪;10~14 d损伤侧下肢恢复少量活动,损伤对侧后肢恢复至较损伤前稍弱的状态;15~21 d损伤侧后肢活动能力较之前有明显改善,至30 d损伤侧后肢活动能力及肌张力恢复程度最明显,30 d以后无更明显改善。免疫组化发现损伤处诱导标记的骨髓间充质干细胞存活,行为学观察发现细胞移植改善了损伤大鼠运动能力。结论骨髓间充质干细胞经BDNF基因修饰后可以促进脊髓损伤大鼠的神经再生及部分传导功能恢复。     

Proteomic analysis of spinal protein expression in rats exposed to repeated intrathecal morphine injection

Repeated administration of morphine for treating severe chronic pain may lead to neuroadaptive changes in the spinal cord that are thought to underlie molecular mechanisms of the development of morphine tolerance and physical dependence. Here, we employed a 2-D gel-based proteomic technique to detect the global changes of the spinal cord protein expression in rats that had developed morphine tolerance. Morphine tolerance at the spinal cord level was induced by repeated intrathecal injections of morphine (20 microg/10 microL) twice daily for 5 days and evaluated by measurements of paw withdrawal latencies and maximal possible analgesic effect at day 5. After behavioral tests, the lumbar enlargement segments of spinal cord were harvested and proteins resolved by 2-DE. We found that eight proteins were significantly up-regulated or down-regulated in spinal cord after morphine tolerance development, including proteins involved in targeting and trafficking of the glutamate receptors and opioid receptors, proteins involved in oxidative stress, and cytoskeletal proteins, some of which were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Morphine-induced expressional changes of these proteins in the spinal cord might be involved in the central mechanisms that underlie the development of morphine tolerance. It is very likely that these identified proteins may serve as potential molecular targets for prevention of the development of morphine tolerance and physical dependence.     

Suppression of detrusor-sphincter dysynergia by GABA-receptor activation in the lumbosacral spinal cord in spinal cord-injured rats

We investigated the effects of intrathecal application of GABAA- or GABAB-receptor agonists on detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) in spinal cord transection (SCT) rats. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. At 4 wk after Th9-10 SCT, simultaneous recordings of intravesical pressure and urethral pressure were performed under an awake condition to examine the effect of intrathecal application of GABAA and GABAB agonists (muscimol and baclofen, respectively) or GABAA and GABAB antagonists (bicuculline and saclofen, respectively) at the level of L6-S1 spinal cord. In spinal-intact rats, the effects of bicuculline and saclofen on bladder and urethral activity were also examined. During urethral pressure measurements, DSD characterized by urethral pressure increases during isovolumetric bladder contractions were observed in 95% of SCT rats. However, after intrathecal application of muscimol or baclofen, urethral pressure showed urethral relaxation during isovolumetric bladder contractions. The effective dose to induce inhibition of urethral activity was lower compared with the dose that inhibited bladder contractions. The effect of muscimol and baclofen was antagonized by intrathecal bicuculline and saclofen, respectively. In spinal-intact rats, intrathecal application of bicuculline induced DSD-like changes. These results indicate that GABAA- and GABAB-receptor activation in the spinal cord exerts the inhibitory effects on DSD after SCT. Decreased activation of GABAA receptors due to hypofunction of GABAergic mechanisms in the spinal cord might be responsible, at least in part, for the development of DSD after SCT.     

Comparison of Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines in the Spinal Cord Between Young Adult and Aged Beagle Dogs

Aging is an inevitable process that occurs in the whole body system accompanying with many functional and morphological changes. Inflammation is known as one of age-related factors, and inflammatory changes could enhance mortality risk. In this study, we compared immunoreactivities of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-2 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), its receptor (IL-2R), IL-4 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine), and its receptor (IL-4R) in the cervical and lumbar spinal cord of young adult (2–3 years old) and aged (10–12 years old) beagle dogs using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. IL-2 and IL-2R-immunoreactive nerve cells were found throughout the gray matter of the cervical and lumbar spinal cord of young adult and aged dogs. In the spinal cord neurons of the aged dog, immunoreactivity and protein levels were apparently increased compared with those in the young adult dog. Change patterns of IL-4- and IL-4R-immunoreactive cells and their protein levels were also similar to those in IL-2 and IL-2R; however, IL-4 and IL-4R immunoreactivity in the periphery of the neuronal cytoplasm in the aged dog was much stronger than that in the young adult dog. These results indicate that the increase of inflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the aged spinal cord might be related to maintaining a balance of inflammatory reaction in the spinal cord during normal aging.     

C-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreases subcutaneous bee venom injection-induced nociceptive behavior and fos expression in the rat

Oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to c-fos mRNA was applied to characterize its effect on the spinal cord Fos expression and relevant nociceptive behaviors challenged by subcutaneous injection of bee venom to the rat hind paw. Nociceptive behavioral responses (spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia) following bee venom (0.2 mg/50 microl) injection were assessed in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving intrathecal administration of c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASO, 50 microg/10 microl), sense oligodeoxynucleotide (SO, 50 microg/10 microl) and saline (10 microl) 4 h prior to bee venom injection. The lumbar spinal cord expression of Fos protein 2 h after bee venom injection in the ASO-, SO- and saline-treated animals was observed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that pretreatment of c-fos ASO markedly reduced the flinching response and primary thermal hyperalgesia, but without significant effects on mechanical hyperalgesia and secondary thermal hyperalgesia. At the same time, ASO treatment also significantly decreased the expression of Fos protein within the lumbar region of the spinal cord ipsilateral to the injection. The results provide further evidence that Fos protein contributes to the activation of the spinal dorsal horn neurons and the generation and/or maintenance of spontaneous pain and primary thermal hyperalgesia induced by subcutaneous injection of bee venom.