泡桐(原变种)果实中抑菌性苯丙素苷成分的研究

研究了泡桐(原变种)果实的化学成分。采用Sephadex LH-20柱色谱及薄层色谱等方法进行分离,从其70%丙酮提取物水溶性部分分离得到4种苯丙素苷化合物,经波谱分析及理化性质分析,化合物分别鉴定为:毛蕊花苷(1)、异毛蕊花苷(2)、campneoside II(3)和isocampneoside II(4)。化合物1和2首次从该植物中得到。抑菌活性试验结果表明,泡桐(原变种)果实中分离得到的苯丙素苷化合物、丙酮提取物、乙酸乙酯溶及水溶性部分具有较高的抑菌活性,其中,对革兰氏阳性菌中表皮葡萄球菌的抑制能力最强。     

日本落叶松新鲜松针的化学成分及其抗氧化活性研究

研究了日本落叶松新鲜松针的化学成分及其抗氧化活性.采用Sephadex LH-20柱色谱及薄层色谱等方法进行分离,从其95%乙醇提取物乙酸乙酯溶性部分中分到7种化合物,经波谱分析及理化性质化合物分别鉴定为:儿茶素(1)、表儿茶素(2)、没食子儿茶素(3)、异鼠李素-3-O-葡萄糖苷(4)、紫云英苷(5)、2"-O-鼠李糖牡荆黄苷(6)和cedrusin (7).7种化合物均首次从该植物中分得.经DPPH试验,测定了核酸溶性部分、二氯甲烷溶性部分、乙酸乙酯溶性部分、水溶性部分、粗提物及分得化合物的抗氧化活性.其中乙酸乙酯溶性部分及化合物1～3具有很强的抗氧化活性.     

Aluminum tolerance associated with enhancement of plasma membrane H+-ATPase in the root apex of soybean

Seventeen soybean cultivars were screened to discern differences in aluminum (Al) sensitivity. The Sowon (Al-tolerant) and Poongsan (Al-sensitive) cultivars were selected for further study by simple growth measurement. Aluminum-induced root growth inhibition was significantly higher in the Poongsan cultivar than in the Sowon cultivar, although the differences depended on the Al concentration (0, 25, 50, 75 or 100 μmol L^–1) and the amount of exposure (0, 3, 6, 12 or 24 h). Damage occurred preferentially in the root apex. High-sensitivity growth measurements using India ink implicated the central elongation zone located 2–3 mm from the root apex. The Al content was lower 0–5 mm from the root apices in the Sowon cultivar than in the apices of the Poongsan cultivar when exposed to 50 μmol L^–1 Al for 12 h. Furthermore, the citric acid exudation rate was more than twofold higher in the Sowon cultivar. Protein production of plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase from the root apices (0–5 mm) was upregulated in the presence of Al for 24 h in both cultivars. This activity, however, decreased in both cultivars treated with Al and the Poongsan cultivar was more severely affected. We propose that Al-induced growth inhibition is correlated with changes in PM H⁺-ATPase activity, which is linked to the exudation of citric acid in the root apex.     

The expression and localization of inhibin isotypes in mouse testis during postnatal development

Inhibin, which is important for normal gonadal function, acts on the pituitary gonadotropins to suppress follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. The level and cellular localization of the inhibin isotypes, α, β_A and β_B, in the testis of mice were examined during postnatal development in order to determine if inhibin expression is related to testicular maturation. Mouse testes were sampled on postnatal days (PNDs) 1, 3, 6, 18, 48 and 120, and analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Western blot analysis showed very low levels of inhibin α, β_A and β_B expression in the testes at days 1 to 6 after birth. The levels then increased gradually from PND 18 to 48-120, and there were significant peaks at PND 48. Inhibin α, β_A and β_B were detected in testicular cells during postnatal development using immunohistochemistry. The immunoreactivity of inhibin α was rarely observed in testicular cells during PND 1 to 6, or in the cytoplasmic process of Sertoli cells surrounding the germ cells and interstitial cells during PND 18 to 120. Inhibin β_A and β_B immunoreactivity was rarely observed in the testis from PND 1 to 6. On the other hand, it was observed in some spermatogonial cells, as well as in the interstitial space between PND 48 and PND 120. We conclude that the expression of inhibin isotypes increases progressively in the testis of mice with increasing postnatal age, suggesting that inhibin is associated with a negative feedback signal for FSH in testicular maturation.     

核桃楸树皮的没食子酸、鞣花酸及水解单宁成分研究

研究了核桃楸树皮丙酮-水提取物的水溶性萃取部位的化学成分。采用Sephadex LH-20柱色谱及薄层色谱等方法进行分离，经波谱分析及理化性质测定，鉴定了6个化合物：没食子酸（1）、鞣花酸（2）、1，2，6-三没食子酰葡萄糖（3）、1，3，6-三没食子酰葡萄糖（4）、1，2，4，6-四没食子酰葡萄糖（5）及1，2，3，4，6-五没食子酰葡萄糖（6）。化合物2、4、6为首次从该植物中分得。     

CCL2 induces neural stem cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation in Niemann-Pick type C mice

Niemann-Pick type C disease (NP-C) is a rare and ultimately fatal lysosomal storage disorder with variable neurologic symptoms. Loss of neuronal function and neuronal cell death occur in the NP-C brain, similar to the findings for other neurodegenerative diseases. Targeting of neuronal cells in the brain therefore represents a potential clinical intervention strategy to reduce the rate of disease progression and improve the quality of life. We previously reported that bone marrow stem cells show a neurogenic effect through CCL2 (also known as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, MCP-1) secretion in the brains of NP-C mice. However, the direct effect of CCL2 on neurogenesis has not been ascertained. Here, to define neurogenic effects of CCL2 in NP-C, we applied human recombinant CCL2 to neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from NP-C mice. CCL2-treated NSCs showed significantly increased capacity for self-renewal, proliferation and neuronal differentiation. Similar results were observed in the subventricular zone of NP-C mice after CCL2 treatment. Furthermore, infusion of CCL2 into the NP-C mouse brain resulted in reduction of neuroinflammation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CCL2 is a potential new therapeutic agent for NP-C.     

The micronucleus frequency in cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of cattle in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant

Cytogenetic and hematological analyses were performed on the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) obtained from Korean native cattle bred in the vicinity of three nuclear power plants (Wolsong, Uljin and Yeonggwang) and in a control area. The micronucleus (MN) rates for the cattle from the Wolsong, Uljin and Yeonggwang nuclear power plants and for the control area were 9.87 ± 2.64, 8.90 ± 3.84, 9.20 ± 3.68 and 9.60 ± 3.91 per 1,000 cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes, respectively. The apparent difference is not statistically significant. The MN frequencies of PBLs from cattle bred in the four areas are within the background variation for this study. The MN frequencies and hematological values were similar regardless of whether the cattle were bred near a nuclear power plant or in the control area.     

Activation of Akt/protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in rats with acute experimental testicular torsion

The Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways are involved in cell survival. This study examined the temporal profiles and localization of Akt/PKB and ERK1/2 activation in rat testis after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Testicular tissue was collected from normal control rats and rats exposed to reperfusion for 6, 24, and 48 hr after ischemic injury; the tissues were analyzed via Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of phosphorylated Akt/PKB (pAkt/PKB) and ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) increased significantly during the first 6-24 hr of reperfusion after ischemia. However, both of these activated proteins were decreased slightly at 48 hr after reperfusion. Immunohistochemically, low levels of pAkt/PKB expression were observed in Sertoli cells from the normal control. After I/R, pAkt/PKB expression increased mainly in the adluminal portion of the Sertoli cells, as well as in spermatogenic cells. In addition, pERK1/2 expression was observed in Sertoli and Leydig cells in the normal control. After I/R, pERK1/2 expression increased in some surviving spermatogenic cells (mainly spermatocytes), as well as in the adluminal portion of Sertoli cells. These results suggest that both Akt/PKB and ERK1/2 are involved in the survival of testicular cells during the early phase of testicular I/R. These pathways may represent important targets for increasing cell survival in testicular injury, including testicular torsion.