Role of angiotensin II and angiotensin II receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells migration

AIM:To determine the effects of Angiotensin II(AngII) on migration of rat smooth muscle cells and to investigate the mechanisms underlying Ang II action in the development of injured vascular disease. METHODS:VSMCs isolated from aortic media of Wistar rats and cultured by the modified explant method were adopted. In prersence and absence of AngII, the expression of AngII receptor and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton of VSMCs were studied by immunocytochemistry technique, fluorocytochemistry technique. The migration assays were performed by a modified Boyden's chamber. And the effects of AT₁R antagonist (CV-11974), AT₂R antagonist (PD123319) on aforementioned target were studied.RESULTS:VSMCs migration was stimulated by addition of AngII. The dynamic reorganization of actin cytoskeleton may be an important mechanism by which AngII facilitates VSMC motility. The expression of AT₁R in VSMCs can be upregulated after treatment with AngII initially, then decreased gradually. The expression of AT₁R was downregulated by AT₁R antagonist. The effect of AngII on VSMCs migration was mediated by AT₁R, while AT₂R had no significant effect.CONCLUSION:The dynamic reorganization of actin cytoskeleton is required for AngII-induced VSMC migration, and this effect is mediated by AT₁R .     

Se-containing spirulina phycocyanin attenuated liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice

AIM:To investigate the effect of Se-containing spirulina phycocyanin (Se-SPC) on liver injury of mice induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). METHODS:The mouse model was conducted by intragastric feeding with 2% CCl₄ oil for three times, meanwhile Se-SPC, spirulina phycocyanin (SPC) and Na₂SeO₃ were injected (ip) to various groups for 7 days. Then selenium (Se), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondiaoldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in blood and liver were measured. RESULTS:The level of Se,GPx and SOD activities were obviously higher(P<0.05)but ALT activity,MDA and NO₂^-/NO₃^- levels were remarkably lower(P<0.05)in Se-SPC treated groups than those in CCl₄ groups,and effects of high dose Se-SPC on Se,GPx,MDA and NO₂^-/NO₃^- were even more significant(P<0.01).Under the same dose of Se or protein,effects of all selected targets in Se-SPC groups were more efficient than those in SPC groups and inorganic-Se groups.Furthermore,Se levels had a positive correlation with GPx activity(r=01705),which had negative correlation with levels of MDA,NO₂^-/NO₃^- and ALT(r=-0.629,r=-0.336,r=-0.457,respectively), and positive correlations between ALT activity and MDA or NO₂^-/NO₃^- level were found (r=0.519,r=0.641). CONCLUSION:These results indicated that Se-SPC may attenuate liver injury of mice induced by CCl₄ through its anti-inflammatory action and enhancing selenoenzyme expression.     

Expression of IL-6 mRNA in endometrium with endometriosis

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to explore the relationship between interleukin-6 mRNA expression and endometriosis. METHODS: Using the rat model, IL-6 mRNA expression in the endometrium was examined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The expression of IL-6 mRNA in control rats did not change at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after sham operation (P>0.05), but in model rats it gradually increased at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after endometriosis (P<0.01). The expression of IL-6 mRNA in uterine endometrium with endometriosis was lower than in endometriotic tissue, but higher than in endometrium from healthy controls. CONCLUSION: The IL-6 mRNA expression may contribute to the development of endometriosis . The increase in IL-6 mRNA expression may promote the implantation and growth of endometriotic tissue.     

Inhibitory effect of berberine on the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes

AIM: To investigate the effect of berberine (Ber) on the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes and its mechanism of action. METHODS: Whole peripheral blood from normal subjects was stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or phorbol ester (PDB) plus ionomycin (Ion) and the expression levels of CD69 and CD25 were evaluated with flow cytometry after the staining with appropriate fluorescent monoclonal antibody. The distribution of cell cycles was analyzed by propidium iodide staining and dead cells by 7-aminoactinomycin live staining. RESULTS: 100 μmol/L and 50 μmol/L of Ber had significant inhibition of the expression of CD69 on T cells stimulated with PDB plus Ion or PHA, while effect of 25 μmol/L Ber was not significant. And as time of action extended, the extent of inhibition decreased. For the expression of CD25, Ber at the concentrations as above all exerted significant inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Ber could block lymphocytes cell cycle progression from G₀/G₁ phase to S and G₂/M phase without phase specificity. Besides, live staining analysis revealed that Ber did not have significant cytotoxicity on lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Ber significantly inhibits the expression of early and mid activation antigens of T cells and also blocks the progression of lymphocytes cell cycles. These results suggest that Ber exerts immunosuppression effect through inhibiting the activation and proliferation of T cells.     

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts

AIM: To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts. METHODS: In the present experiment, the human vascular fibroblasts were cultured and effects of platelet-derived growth factor-BB on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts were observed by using [³H]-TdR incorporation and [³H]-proline incorporation in vitro. RESULTS: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB significantly promoted NDA synthesis and collagen protein synthesis of quiescent human vascular fibroblasts, with a maximal response at a concentration of 30μg·L^-1at 24 h and 36 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB promotes DNA and collagen protein synthesis in cultured human vascular fibroblasts.     

Change of central noradrenergic system in Alzheimer's disease

The abnormality of the central noradrenergic system in Alzheimer's disease has two cases: decrease or increase. The former is easy to be understood, because it is resulted from the outstanding forfeit of the noradrenergic neurons in the nucleus locus ceruleus (nLC); but the noradrenalin concentration does not change and enen increase, it seems to disagree with the loss of the noradrenergic neurons in the nLC. This article put emphasis on it, enumerated the related evidence and analyzed the possible causes. At present time, the drugs to increase noradrenalin is used mostly in clinic. This paper summarized it and put forth our own opinions.     

典型光活化毒素α-三噻吩对棉铃虫和亚洲玉米螟Na~+-K~+-ATPase的抑制作用

以棉铃虫 H elicoverpa armigera和亚洲玉米螟 Ostrinia furnacalis为试虫 ,建立 Na+- K+-ATPase最佳反应系统 ,研究典型光活化毒素 α-三噻吩 (简称 α- T)对 Na+- K+- ATPase的影响。棉铃虫 Na+- K+- ATPase活力最佳测试条件为酶源蛋白浓度 6μg/ m L ,反应温度 35～ 4 0℃ ,反应时间6min;亚洲玉米螟则为酶源蛋白浓度 8μg/ m L,反应温度 35℃ ,反应时间 6min。近紫外光照 (30 0～4 0 0 nm )对棉铃虫和亚洲玉米螟离体 Na+- K+- ATPase活力基本没有影响 ,但对活体活力有很强的抑制作用。光照和无光照条件下 ,α- T对两种昆虫离体和活体 Na+- K+- ATPase活力均有不同程度的抑制作用。光照组 α- T对亚洲玉米螟 Na+- K+- ATPase的抑制率高于无光照组 ,且处理浓度或剂量越高 ,其抑制率越大 ;对棉铃虫 Na+- K+- ATPase抑制作用不显著     

HPLC法检测果实组织中内源IAA、ABA方法的改进

以柑橘、猕猴桃、桃和葡萄果实为材料,在前人研究的基础上,结合近10年的研究积累,针对果实组织材料富含多酚类和色素等杂质的特点,对以往的HPLC分析植物内源激素的植物材料前处理方法进行了改进,并配合适宜的HPLC色谱条件,用于果实组织内源IAA和ABA的分析测定。结果显示该改进方法适合果实组织内源IAA和ABA的分析测定。     

利用RAPD标记评价桃种间杂交一代群体的分离方式

以毛桃2-7(Prunus persica)、山桃白山碧桃(Prunus davidiana)以及两者的F_1代为试材,对RAPD标记的分离方式进行分析。结果表明,RAPD标记在F_1代呈3种分离方式:孟德尔分离、偏离孟德尔分离规律、异常分离。3种分离位点出现的频率和数量分别为:80%、240,14%、42,6%、18。呈孟德尔分离的情况有:不分离、1:1分离和3:1分离,其中不分离的频率为64％。并对偏离孟德尔分离比例和异常分离的RAPD标记进行分析。其研究结果可为该群体是否适合构建遗传连锁图谱进行评价及进一步利用该群体奠定良好基础。     

桃品种需冷量评价模式的探讨

 通过1986～2001年对450余份桃品种需冷量的7．2℃模式、0～7．2℃模式(不包括0℃)和犹它模式比较分析，归纳出桃品种需冷量的评价模式为：以秋季日平均温度稳定低于7．2~C的日期为需冷量测定的起点，以0～7．2℃累积低温值作为需冷量的评价标准比较适宜；犹它模式在中需冷量和长需冷量范围内能有效预测休眠的结束，而不适宜低需冷量品种的测定；7．2℃模式不适宜作为需冷量的评价模式。品种的需冷量与叶芽开放和始花期的相关系数分别为0．52和0．58，均达到极显著水平。提出了桃品种需冷量评价的系列标准参照品种。