The effect of aqueous extract of gross and commercial yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on intra-abdominal and epididymal fat and glucose levels in male Wistar rats

This study analyzed the plasma lipid profile, glucose levels and fat deposits in male rats treated with aqueous extract of gross yerba mate, commercial yerba mate or water. Yerba mate treatment did not change body weight gain and lipid profile. The consumption of gross yerba mate significantly increased blood glucose (6.6 mmol/L) as compared to the water (4.8 mmol/L) and commercial group (5.2 mmol/L) and decreased epididymal and intra-abdominal deposits (10.1 mg/g and 23.7 mg/g of weight) as compared to the water (15.4 mg/g and 36.9 mg/g of weight) and commercial group (12.5 mg/g and 28 mg/g of weight). The results suggest that gross yerba mate reduces fat more efficiently but produces a greater increase in blood glucose when compared to commercial yerba mate and water groups.     

环腺苷酸(cAMP)及其抗病生物学作用

cAMP是机体代谢的重要调节因子,其广泛参与酶活性调节、基因表达以及细胞增殖与分化等,因而备受关注。文中主要针对cAMP的结构、合成、信号传导及其抗病生物学作用进行综述。     

The effects of hydrostatic pressure on signal transduction in brain membranes of deep-sea fishes of the genus Coryphaenoides

To investigate the effects of increased hydrostatic pressure on transmembrane signaling in deep-living marine species, the A₁ adenosine receptor – inhibitory G protein (G_i) – adenylyl cyclase signaling complex was examined in brain membrane preparations from four teleost fish species of the deep-sea family Macrouridae. The combined depth ranges of the adults of these species, Coryphaenoides armatus, C. cinereus, C. filifer, C. pectoralis, span several hundred meters to 5400 m. Basal adenylyl cyclase activity, determined at 5 °C, was inhibited by increased hydrostatic pressure in all four species. At the highest pressure tested, 476 atm, adenylyl cyclase activity was inhibited 60 to 70% relative to the atmospheric pressure values. Pressure inhibition did not result from denaturation or loss of protein components from the membrane due to pressure-induced shedding. Despite the pressure-inhibition of basal adenylyl cyclase activity, the responsiveness of adenylyl cyclase activity to modulation by N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine, an A₁ adenosine receptor agonist, was retained at elevated pressures. Because the accumulation of the second messenger cAMP depends on the summation of modulatory inputs, these results indicate that the transmembrane signaling in these deep-living species is insensitive to hydrostatic pressure changes.     

Effect of concentrated decoction of Chinese herbal compound Buyanghuanwutang on cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway in hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia

AIM: To evaluate the role of concentrated decoction of Chinese herbal compound Buyanghuanwutang (BYHWT) in cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)-protein kinase A(PKA)-cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) signaling pathway in hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia (VD). METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (sham-operated rats treated with normal saline), VD model group (VD rats treated with normal saline), BYHWT treatment group (VD rats treated with BYHWT) and nimodipment treating group (VD rats treated with nimodipine). The rat model of VD was build by the method of four-vessel occlusion. The rats in all 4 groups were administered with the corresponding reagents for successive 30 days. The content of cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay. The expression of PKA catalytic subunit (PKAc) was observed by Western blotting. The changes of DNA-binding activity of CREB in rat hippocampus were detected by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: The content of cAMP, the expression of PKAc and the DNA-bingding activity of CREB in the hippocampus of VD rats were lower than those in the hippocampus of sham-operated rats (P<0.01). The above indexes in both nimodipine treatment group and BYHWT treatment group were definitely higher than those in VD model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: BYHWT increases the content of cAMP, the expression of PKAc and the DNA-binding activity of CREB in VD rat hippocampus, thus strengthening the cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling pathway.     

Erythropoietin attenuates cerebral ischemia-induced cognitive dysfunction through stimulation of hippocampal CREB phosphorylation in C57BL/6 mice

AIM: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on cognitive dysfunction and neuronal injury in hippocampal CA1 region induced by cerebral ischemia in mice. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 green fluorescent protein-transgenic mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group (sham), ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R) and EPO-treated group. Transient cerebral global ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO). The step-down test was used to measure the capacity of learning and memory of the animals in each group. Nissl staining was applied to examine the neuronal number in hippocampal CA1 region. The expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) was determined by Western blotting. Alterations of dendritic morphology in hippocampal CA1 region were evaluated using laser scanning confocal microscopy and Neurolucida software. RESULTS: Transient cerebral ischemia caused deficits of spatial learning and memory, and delayed neuronal death and loss of dendritic spines in hippocampal CA1 region were also obvious. The EPO treatment significantly improved the cognitive function in cerebral ischemic mice, and the protein expression of pCREB was obviously increased. At the same time, neuronal death and loss of dendritic spines were reduced in hippocampal CA1 region. CONCLUSION: Erythropoietin increases the protein expression of pCREB, and reduces neuronal death and loss of dendritic spines. These processes may be responsible for erythropoietin-mediated neuroprotective effects and the improvement of cognitive function in cerebral ischemic mice.     

Antigen-nonspecific macrophage factors modulating the antibody response in vitro

Antibody response to an antigen involves the co-operation between three types of cells: macrophages, T cells and B cells. The cognate interactions between these cells play a fundamental role in the expression of a specific antibody response, but the last is modulated by antigen-nonspecific soluble factors produced either by macrophages or by T cells. Macrophages elaborate a spectrum of molecules modulating the function of lymphoid cells; among them are IL1 and prostaglandins of the E series, which are respectively enhancer and inhibitor of the antibody response in vitro. These molecules alter T cell and B cell activities through different mechanisms involving activation or inhibition of IL2 production, or alteration of cells surface antigens. However, the cellular events following the fixation of soluble factor on its receptors are not known.     

枣和酸枣等14种园艺植物cAMP含量的研究

本试验借助蛋白结合法对14种园艺植物、44个枣品种、59个酸枣品种和类型的cAMP含量进行了测定。结果表明,不同植物种、品种或类型、同一植物不同组织及同一组织不同时期的cAMP含量存在很大差异;同一植物不同组织cAMP的相对含量因物候期而异;在所测植物材料中,枣和酸枣成熟果肉的cAMP含量最高(平均值分别为38.05和23.87nmol/g·fw),其中山西木枣成熟果肉cAMP含量(302.50nmol/g·fw)是迄今己测高等植物中最高的。     

Vision and development in Trichoderma atroviride

Phototropism, the induction of carotenogenesis and reproductive structures, and resetting of the circadian rhythm are controlled by blue light. Trichoderma is used as a photomorphogenetic model due to its ability to conidiate upon exposure to light. In total darkness, T. atroviride grows indefinitely as a mycelium provided that nutrients are not limiting. However, nutrient deprivation and light trigger the conidiation process. A pulse of blue light given to a radially growing colony induc…