The Interactions of Nitric Oxide and Acetylcholine on Penicillin-Induced Epilepsy in Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and acetylcholine (ACh) in penicillin-induced experimental epilepsy. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 220 ± 35 g were used in the experiments. The epileptiform activity was induced by microinjection of penicillin (200 IU/1 μl) into the left sensorymotor cortex. Electrocorticogram was recorded by using Ag/AgCl ball electrodes. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, given intracortically 30 min after penicillin significantly reduced the spike frequency whereas ACh increased the epileptiform activity for 5 min. Atropine, an antagonist for muscarinic receptors, was given intracortically 30 min after penicillin and did not significantly affect epileptiform activity for 30 min. SNP given after atropine significantly suppressed the epileptiform activity. ACh given 10 min after Nω-nitro-L: -arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nonspecific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, did not have a significant effect on spike frequency. When ACh and SNP were administered together, penicillin induced epileptiform activity and spike frequency were significantly suppressed from the 10th minute onwards. It can be concluded that ACh increases the penicillin-induced epileptiform activity while co-administration of ACh and SNP produces a potent anticonvulsant effect as compared to SNP alone.     

丹参和甘遂在重症急性胰腺炎治疗中的联合应用

目的:探讨丹参和甘遂联合应用对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)的治疗价值。方法:我院收治的SAP患者62例随机分为常规治疗组和联合治疗组(常规治疗加丹参和甘遂联合治疗)两组。比较两组间腹痛缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间、体温恢复时间、血淀粉酶恢复正常时间;局部并发症;ARDS、休克、肾功能衰竭、胰性脑病等全身并发症;平均住院时间、ICU住院时间、中转手术数和死亡例数。结果:与常规治疗组比较,联合治疗组中腹痛缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间、局部和全身并发症发生率、平均住院时间、ICU住院时间、死亡率显著减少(P<0.05),但体温恢复时间、血淀粉酶恢复正常时间和中转手术数无明显变化(P>0.05)。结论:在常规治疗基础上,联合应用丹参和甘遂对SAP具有缓解病情,降低平均住院时间和死亡率的作用。     

The Beneficial Effect of Probiotics Supplementation on Penicillin-Induced Focal Seizure in Rats

The focal epilepsy is a chronic neurological brain disorder which affects millions of people in the world. There is emerging evidence that changes in the gut microbiota may have effects on epileptic seizures. In the present study, we examined the effect of probiotics on penicillin-induced focal seizure model in rats. Male Wistar Albino rats (n: 21) were randomly divided into three groups: control (no medication), penicillin and penicillin?+?probiotic. Probiotic VSL#3 (12.86 bn living bacteria/kg/day) was given by gavage for 30 days. The seizures were induced by intracortical injection of penicillin G (500 IU) into the cortex. An ECoG recordings were made for 180 min after penicillin G application. The spike frequency and the amplitude were used to assess the severity of seizures. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL-6) levels in the brain were studied biochemically. Our results indicated that probiotic supplementation improved focal seizures through increasing the latency (p?<?0.001) and decreasing the spike frequency (p?<?0.01) compared to the penicillin group. Penicillin-induced seizure in rats significantly enhanced TNF-α (p?<?0.01), NO (p?<?0.01) and IL-6 (p?<?0.05) compared to the control. Probiotic supplementation significantly decreased IL-6 (p?<?0.05), TNF-α (p?<?0.01) and NO (p?<?0.001) compared to the penicillin group. When the body weights were compared before and after the experiment, there was no difference between the control and penicillin groups, but it was observed that the body weight decreased after probiotic supplementation in the penicillin?+?probiotic group. Probiotic supplementation may have anti-seizure effect by reducing proinflammatory cytokine and NO levels in epileptic rat brain.

     

丹参抗肝纤维化有效部位化学成分研究

从丹参抗肝纤维化有效部位提取物中分离得到7个化合物,经物理常数测定、波谱分析等鉴定为,4、5、4’、5’-四羟基1、2双苯醚(1),原二茶醛(2),原二茶酸(3),异阿魏酸(4),咖啡酸(5),丹参甲素(6),丹酚酸D(7),其中化合物1为首次从丹参中分得的化合物。     

Effects of a Daisaikoto Extract on the Biliary Constituents in Mice and Rats

The effects of an extract of Daisaikoto (a traditional Chinese medicine) on biliary constituents was studied in mice fed with a lithogenic diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and 0.25% sodium cholate (the control diet) and in rats fed with a cholesterol-free diet. The Daisaikoto extract was added to the control diet at a level of 0.5%. A high incidence of cholesterol gallstones were found in the control mice, but not in the mice given the Daisaikoto extract. This difference was concluded to have been due to the absolute concentration of bile acid in the bile being significantly higher in the mice given the Daisaikoto extract than in the control mice. The result from rats fed with the cholesterol-free diet also demonstrated that the Daisaikoto extract caused an increase in the absolute concentration of bile acid in the bile.     

He-Ne激光结合丹参对类风湿性关节炎大鼠血液流变学指标的影响

目的:研究He-Ne激光结合丹参对类风湿性关节炎大鼠的治疗效果,以便为临床提供治疗风湿病的参考依据。方法:通过对健康大鼠注射鸡Ⅱ型胶原诱导后,成功建立了大鼠类风湿性关节炎的模型,随机分组后给予治疗,分析大鼠体重、血液流变学指标的变化。结果:1.与空白对照组相比,不同处理组大鼠类风湿关节炎体重增长幅度不同(P<0.05),其中模型组最小,丹参结合激光治疗组最高。2.与空白对照组相比,不同处理组的全血还原粘度低切、全血粘度(低、中、高切)、红细胞聚集指数均降低(P<0.05),其中模型组大鼠最高;而激光结合丹参治疗组最低。但全血还原粘度中、高切和红细胞压积没有统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:丹参结合激光对Ⅱ型胶原诱导类风湿性关节炎大鼠体重、血液流变学指标均有一定程度的改善。     

丹参注射液对同种异体肌腱移植后粘连防治的实验研究

目的:探讨局部应用丹参注射液(Salvia Miltiorrhiza,SM)对异体肌腱移植后粘连的影响.方法:使用深低温冷冻处理的同种异体肌腱修复缺损的大鼠屈趾肌腱,72只大鼠随机分为2组,A组为试验组,腱周局部注射丹参注射液,B组为对照组,注射生理盐水(Saline).术后2、4、8周处死动物,标本进行大体观察、组织学观察及生物力学测定.结果:A组粘连范围小,粘连等级评分与B组相比有统计学意义,力学测定结果显示A组与B组无统计学意义.结论:丹参注射液能有效减轻肌腱移植后粘连.     

油橄榄叶提取物对大鼠酒精性脂肪肝的保护作用

目的观察油橄榄叶提取物(OLE)对酒精性肝损伤的保护作用及机制。方法用递增法灌胃乙醇24周建立大鼠肝损伤模型,造模同时用OLE(250 mg·kg~(-1)、500 mg·kg~(-1)、1 000 mg·kg~(-1))进行灌胃治疗。利用生物显微技术观察肝脏组织结构的变化,检测血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、甘油三酯(TG)和总胆固醇(TC)水平,用放射免疫法检测肝脏肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素1(IL-1β)的含量,用比色法检测肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量,用免疫组织化学法检测固醇调节元件结合蛋白-1c(SREBP-1c)的表达情况。结果与模型组比较,OLE治疗后,血清ALT、AST、TG、TC水平降低;肝脏TNF-α、IL-1β、MDA含量及SREBP-1c表达呈降低趋势;SOD、CAT、GR水平均显著升高;肝脏损伤程度明显减轻。结论 OLE对酒精性肝损伤有一定的保护作用,可能与其减少自由基损伤、减轻炎症反应、抑制SREBP-1c表达有关。     

Effects of Artichoke Extract Supplementation on Gonads of Cadmium-Treated Rats

The present study was designed to determine whether artichoke (Cynara scolymus) exerts a protective effect on gonads of cadmium-treated rats and if there is a relationship between artichoke supplementation and nitric oxide (NO) formation in cells. Forty Wistar albino male rats, weighing an average of 90 g each, were equally divided into four groups receiving 1 mg/100 g cadmium chloride by injection (group 1), the same dose CdCl₂ plus 3 mg/100 g artichoke extract (group 2), the same dose of artichoke extract (group 3), and male controls (group 4). Four additional groups, labeled 5–8, consisted of identically treated and control female rats. After 4 weeks of treatment, the animals were killed and their gonads were removed for histological examination. As expected, the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells were damaged by cadmium. Ovarian tissue was not damaged to the same extent as testicular cells. Artichoke extract exerted a clear protective effect against Cd-induced testicular damage and lowered NO production to the same level of that in the control groups.     

冰片"引经" 丹参对脑缺血/再灌注损伤的保护作用研究

目的:探讨丹参单用与丹参冰片合用对大鼠脑缺血/再灌注(Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,CI/R)损伤的影响。方法:结扎颈总动脉缺血2 h再灌注48 h复制CI/R模型,将实验大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、丹参组以及丹参-冰片组,每组8只。采用2,3,5-氯化三苯基四氮唑蓝(TTC)染法测定脑梗死面积,苏木精-伊红(HE)染色法观察心肌病理学形态变化,并检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)水平以及细胞核Nrf2蛋白表达水平。结果:与模型组比较,丹参单用与丹参-冰片组神经功能学评分均明显降低,脑梗死面积缩小,脑组织的病理损伤改善,MDA的含量显著降低,SOD的含量以及细胞核Nrf2蛋白表达水平增加(P0.05),且丹参-冰片组效果优于丹参组(P0.05)。结论:丹参单用与丹参冰片合用均能发挥脑保护作用,且丹参冰片配伍发挥脑保护作用明显优于丹参单用,其机制可能与抗氧化作用相关。     

Salvia officinalis L. Methanolic Extract Reduces Lead and Nicotine-Induced Sperm Quality Degeneration in Male Rats

Most heavy metals and industrial chemicals such as nicotine and lead cause harm to the reproduction process through a decrease in sperm motility, fertilization process, and sperm binding to the oocyte. Salvia officinalis L. (sage) has been reported to enhance serum testosterone levels and other certain biochemical enzymes. Thus, the current study is aimed at evaluating the potential health benefits of S. officinalis L. methanol extract on lead and nicotine hydrogen tartrate-induced sperm quality degeneration in male rats and also identifying some of the non-polar volatile bioactive compounds that might be attributed to the bioactivity of S. officinalis extract using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In the study, fifty-four mature male albino rats of about 220–250 g [were divided randomly and equally into 9 groups (n=6)]. Sperm quality degeneration was induced through the oral administration of 1.5 g/L of lead acetate in drinking water or peritoneal injection of 0.50 mg/kg (animal weight) nicotine hydrogen tartrate for sixty days. Two doses (200 & 400 mg/kg b.w.) of S. officinalis L. were used. The rats were anesthetized after the experimental period and then sacrificed. Blood samples were collected while the epididymis, testicle, and accessory sex organs (prostates and seminal vesical) were taken for histopathological studies. Twelve major compounds were identified through the GC/MS analysis of S. officinalis L. methanol extract. Lead and nicotine toxicity had a great effect on the rats’ sperm quality causing a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the quantity of sperm and sperm motility as well as an upsurge in the abnormalities of the sperm and a reduction in the length & diameter of seminiferous tubules and size & weight of sexual organs (accessory sex glands, epididymis, and testis). The administration of S. officinalis L. methanol extract, however, had a positive impact on the sexual organ weights, semen quality & quantity, and rats’ fertility, thus, ameliorating the adversative effects of both lead and nicotine. Further evaluation and isolation of the bioactive components are recommended as potential drug leads.     

Anti-Asthmatic Effects of an Amomum compactum Extract on an Ovalbumin (OVA)-Induced Murine Asthma Model

Despite ongoing intensive asthma research, the incidence of asthma is increasing worldwide. We investigated in this study the effects of Amomum compactum on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in a mouse model, and studied the possible mechanism for its anti-asthmatic action. Our data show that an A. compactum treatment markedly decreased the number of infiltrating eosinophils and the hypersecretion of mucus when compared with the effects on mice treated with OVA alone. The A. compactum treatment dose-dependently decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and T helper (Th)2 cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and a high dose of A. compactum effectively reduced the level of total immunoglobulin (Ig)E in the serum. Taken together, these data indicate that the administration of A. compactum may have potential therapeutic value when used as an adjuvant for the immunomodulatory treatment of allergic asthma.     

低分子肝素联合丹参注射液治疗急性心肌梗死的临床研究

目的:观察低分子肝素联合丹参注射液治疗急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死的临床疗效及安全性。方法:按照随机原则将78例急性心肌梗死患者分成两组,在常规溶栓治疗的基础上,其中对照组39人采用低分子肝素治疗,治疗组患者在对照组治疗的基础上给予丹参注射液治疗,对两组临床费用、住院时间和冠脉再通进行评价。结果:治疗组的临床费用、住院时间和冠脉再通与对照组相比,有统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:低分子肝素联合丹参注射液治疗急性心肌梗死的临床疗效确切,值得临床推广。     

丹参对毛细支气管炎患儿体液免疫调节作用的观察

目的:探讨丹参佐治毛细支气管炎的疗效及其可能的机理。方法:73例毛细支气管患儿随机分为常规组和丹参组,均用常规方法治疗,但后者加用复方丹参静脉滴注。在治疗前、后用全自动散射比浊法测定并比较两组患儿血清IgE、IgG、IgA、补体C3和C4水平。结果:丹参组和常规组总有效率依次为94.44%和78.38%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,丹参组患者血清IgE、C3和C4水平下降,IgG、IgA水平上升,与治疗前相比均有一定程度差异(P<0.01-0.05)。治疗后,常规组患者仅IgE水平下降(P<0.01),但其余指标与治疗前差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:丹参佐治毛细支气管炎,临床效果较好,且可调节机体的体液免疫应答,增强机体的抗感染能力。     

Hepatoprotective Effects of Purple Potato Extract against D-Galactosamine-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

We investigated the hepatoprotective effect of purple potato extract (PPE) against D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced liver injury in rats. PPE (400 mg) was administered once daily for 8 d, and then GalN (250 mg/kg of body weight) was injected at 22 h before the rats were killed. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and asparate aminotranferase (AST) levels increased significantly after injection of GalN, but PPE inhibited GalN-induced alterations in serum TNF-α, LDH, ALT, and AST levels. Hepatic lipid peroxide and glutathione levels in the control + GalN group were higher and lower respectively than those in the control group, and those in the PPE + GalN group did not differ from that in the control group. The lipid peroxide level in hepatic microsomes treated with 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride in the PPE group was significantly lower than that in the control group. This suggests that PPE has hepatoprotective effects against GalN-induced hepatotoxicity via inhibition lipid peroxidation and/or inflammation in rats.     

Unilateral and Bilateral Cortical Resection: Effects on Spike-Wave Discharges in a Genetic Absence Epilepsy Model

Research Question

Recent discoveries have challenged the traditional view that the thalamus is the primary source driving spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs). At odds, SWDs in genetic absence models have a cortical focal origin in the deep layers of the perioral region of the somatosensory cortex. The present study examines the effect of unilateral and bilateral surgical resection of the assumed focal cortical region on the occurrence of SWDs in anesthetized WAG/Rij rats, a well described and validated genetic absence model.

Methods

Male WAG/Rij rats were used: 9 in the resected and 6 in the control group. EEG recordings were made before and after craniectomy, after unilateral and after bilateral removal of the focal region.

Results

SWDs decreased after unilateral cortical resection, while SWDs were no longer noticed after bilateral resection. This was also the case when the resected areas were restricted to layers I-IV with layers V and VI intact.

Conclusions

These results suggest that SWDs are completely abolished after bilateral removal of the focal region, most likely by interference with an intracortical columnar circuit. The evidence suggests that absence epilepsy is a network type of epilepsy since interference with only the local cortical network abolishes all seizures.     

连续摄入小球藻提取物缓解大鼠运动性心肌损伤研究

为探讨小球藻保护大鼠运动因运动造成的心肌损伤,为小球藻科学合理的应用和推广提供理论依据,本研究将60只SD大鼠随机分为5组:对照组(C组)、运动对照组(S组)、运动+低剂量小球藻组(SCL组)、运动+高剂量小球藻组(SCH组),每组12只大鼠。所有参与实验的大鼠每天自由饮水择食,小球藻的摄入采用灌胃器每日灌胃一次。小球藻各组灌胃体积为5 m L/kg,其他组灌入等量生理盐水。安静对照组(C组)笼内自由活动,不进行额外运动,运动对照组(S组)、运动+低剂量小球藻组(SCL组)、运动+高剂量小球藻组(SCH组)进行8周的跑台跑步训练,每周6次。1~4周进行中等强度训练,5~8周进行高强度训练。本研究发现,在大鼠血清谷丙转氨酶、乳酸脱氢酶、肌酸激酶、α-羟丁酸脱氢酶含量水平,S组较C组均显著升高(p<0.05)。血清谷丙转氨酶、乳酸脱氢酶、肌酸激酶含量,SCL组和SCH组显著低于S组(p<0.05),SCL组和SCH组组间无显著性差异(p>0.05),且随剂量增加而递减。鼠心肌SOD活性方面,S组显著低于C组(p<0.05);SCL组和SCH组显著高于S组(p<0.05),组间随剂量增加而递增;SCH组显著高于SCL组(p<0.05)。血清、心肌CGRP水平,S组显著低于C组(p<0.05);SCL组和SCH组显著低于S组均显著降低(p<0.05)。本研究认为摄入小球藻能够有效消除机体由于长期高强度大负荷运动下产生的过量的自由基;提高机体免疫力,增强血管原生性一氧化氮合酶活性。     

Effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Extract on Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats

Background:Hyperglycemia and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a significant role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Andrographis paniculata (AP) is a plant with high flavonoid content with the potential to suppress oxidative stress activity in cells and tissue. This study was aimed to investigate the role of Andrographis paniculata extract (APE) in protecting kidney damage due to the formation of AGEs in the renal glomerulus in diabetic rats.Methods:A total of 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups as follows: normal control group, streptozocin (STZ) induced diabetic group, STZ-induced diabetic group with AP extract (100 mg/kg BW), STZ-induced diabetic rats with AP extract (200 mg/kg BW), and STZ-induced diabetic rats with APE (400 mg/ kg BW). Blood glucose levels were measured before treatment and after treatment. Serum and urine parameters were determined. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxide levels were determined in the kidney along with histopathological examination.Results:The finding of this study showed that treatment APE at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg ameliorated kidney hypertrophy index. SOD, catalase, and GSH activities significantly decreased in the kidney of STZ-diabetic rats compared to the normal control rats. Treatment with APE significantly decreased malondialdehyde level at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg BW.Conclusion:This study revealed evidence for improving diabetic retinopathy in male rats treated with Andrographis paniculata extract. APE significantly decreased oxidative stress activities in kidney of diabetic rats.Key Words: Andrographis, Diabetic Nephropathies, Streptozocin, Rats, Oxidative Stress