Effect of methotrexate exposure at late gestation on development of telencephalon in rat fetal brain

Pregnant rats were treated with 30 mg/kg of methotrexate (MTX) on gestation day (GD) 16, and fetal brainswere examined time-dependently. On GD 20, the appearance of the telencephalon in the MTX group was differentfrom that in the control group, and the major axis of the telencephalon of the MTX group was shortened,compared to that of the control group. In the sagittal section of the telencephalon in the MTX group on GD 20,histopathological findings of deformation and narrowing of the cerebral ventricle, the disturbance of thearrangement of the marginal cell layer of subventricular zone (SVZ) and thickening of telencephalic wall,cortical plate and ventricular zone (VZ)/SVZ were possibly attributable to neuronal migration disorders byMTX. Through all the experimental period, few pyknotic cells or TUNEL-positive cells were observed in theVZ/SVZ of the telencephalic wall and striatum in the control group. On the other hand, in the VZ/SVZ of thetelencephalic wall and striatum in the MTX group, pyknotic cells or TUNEL-positive cells were observed on GD17, and they increased significantly on GD18 and then decreased to the control levels from GD 19 onward. Thephospho-Histone H3-positive rate decreased remarkedly in the VZ/SVZ of the telencephalic wall and striatum ofthe MTX group on GDs 17 and 18, compared to the control group, but they recovered on and after GD 19. Theseresults suggested that there was a high possibility that development of the telencephalon in this periodrequired strong folic acid.     

Effect of methotrexate on cerebellar development in infant rats

Six-day-old rats were treated intraperitoneal injections with methotrexate 1 mg/kg, and the cerebellum was examined. Both the length and width of the vermis decreased in the methotrexate-treated group instead of the control from 4 day after treatment (DAT) onward. A significant reduction in the width of the external granular layer was detected on 2 and 3 DAT in the methotrexate group. By 4 DAT, the width of the external granular layer of the methotrexate group was indistinguishable from the control, and by 8 DAT, it was greater than that of the control. The molecular layer of methotrexate group on 8 and 15 DAT was thinner than that of the control. On 1 DAT, in the methotrexate group, there were many TUNEL and cleaved caspase-3-positive granular cells throughout the external granular layer, and they decreased time-dependently. On 1 DAT, in the methotrexate group, phospho-histone H3-positive cells in the external granular layer were fewer than in the control and tended to increase on 2–4 DAT. The p21-positive-rate of the external granule cells in the MTX group was higher than in the control on 1–4 DAT. These results suggested that methotrexate exposure on postnatal day 6 induces a delay, slowing in the migration of external granular cells to the inner granular layer, attributed to decrease or inhibition in the production of external granular cells that had arisen from apoptosis and the decrease in cell proliferative activity, resulting in cerebellar hypoplasia.     

Histopathologic effect of in ovo exposure to methotrexate at early embryonic stage on optic tectum of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The optic tectum of Japanese quail embryos with in ovo exposure to methotrexate 100 ng/g egg on embryonic day 4 was examined from 3 to 24 hour after treatment. At 9 hour after methotrexate exposure, several apoptotic neuroepithelial cells appeared in the ventricular zone of the optic tectum; these increased in number and were diffusely distributed throughout all layers of the ventricular zone of the optic tectum at 12 hour. At 24 hour, neuroepithelial cells in the ventricular zone of the optic tectum were eliminated and showed sparse cell density. Throughout the experimental period, proliferation of neuroepithelial cells in the ventricular zone of the optic tectum of methotrexate-treated embryos was inhibited. These results suggest that neuroepithelial cells in the ventricular zone of the optic tectum in Japanese quail embryos can be affected by folic acid antimetabolites, methotrexate, at an early embryonic stage.     

Effect of cyclosporin on distribution of methotrexate into the brain of rats

The effect of the antitumor drug, methotrexate (MTX), which is applied to brain tumors, is restricted by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is composed of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP). We, therefore, studied if a potent P-gp and MRP modulator, cyclosporin A (CysA), can modulate the MTX concentration in the rat brain. If it can, which route is more effective, intravenous or intrathecal? We intravenously or intrathecally administered MTX to rats with or without CysA. After 6 hr, brains and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were sampled, and their MTX concentrations were compared. Each MTX concentration was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. CysA had no significant affect on the MTX concentration in the brain or CSF when MTX was intravenously injected. In contrast, when MTX was intrathecally administered, CysA had a larger effect on the MTX concentration in the brain than in the CSF. This indicates CysA potentiated the brain MTX concentration when MTX was intrathecally administered. It is suggested that CysA did not potentiate the distribution of MTX from blood into the brain, but instead potentiated the distribution of MTX from CSF into the brain. Since chemicals in CSF generally diffuse into the brain easily, CysA probably inhibited the excretion of MTX from the brain. This could be caused by inhibition of P-gp or MRP at the BBB. Therefore, CysA can be a useful tool to achieve an appropriate MTX concentration in brain.     

Effect of methotrexate on rostral migratory stream in newborn rats

Two-day-old rats were treated with subcutaneous injections of methotrexate (MTX) 5 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, and their rostral migratory streams (RMS) were examined time-dependently. MTX treatment increased pyknotic and TUNEL-positive cells and decreased mitotic and phospho-Histone H3-positive cells at almost all time points in the vertical arm, elbow and horizontal arm regions of the RMS. There were more TUNEL-positive cells ratio in the MTX 150 mg/kg group than in the MTX 5 mg/kg group. Treatment with MTX 150 mg/kg decreased the cellularity in the vertical arm region on Postnatal day (PD) 4, but that with the MTX 5 mg/kg did not. TUNEL-positive cells ratio was the highest in the vertical arm region, followed by elbow and horizontal regions in both MTX-treated groups. TUNEL-positive cells ratio in the vertical arm and elbow regions reached their peaks on PD 4 in both MTX-treated groups, and both MTX-treatments significantly decreased Phospho-Histone H3-positive cells ratio on PDs 2.5 and 3 in the vertical arm, elbow and horizontal arm regions. The phospho-Histone H3-positive cells ratio in the vertical arm region recovered on PD4 in the MTX 150 mg/kg group. These findings suggested that RMS required a great amount of folic acid on PD 2 and that the folic acid-requirement differed depending on the anatomical region of the RMS. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the effect of MTX on the RMS and the necessity of the folic acid metabolism on RMS development in newborn rats.     

氯丙嗪对大鼠离体培养卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的影响

本试验旨在通过氯丙嗪对颗粒细胞凋亡影响的研究,探讨氯丙嗪对雌性大鼠性腺毒性的作用机制。对未成熟的Wistar大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞进行原代培养,用不同浓度的氯丙嗪(0、0.1、1、10 μmol/L)染毒细胞,细胞培养24 h。染毒结束后采用MTT法检测细胞相对活力,荧光染料Hoechest 33258检测颗粒细胞的凋亡变化,RT-PCR检测凋亡调控基因Bax、Bcl-2和P53 mRNA的表达。在本试验所设置的剂量范围内,与对照组比较,氯丙嗪能极显著促进颗粒细胞凋亡(P＜0.01),呈浓度依赖关系;RT-PCR检测则显示氯丙嗪能引起Bcl-2、Bax、P53 mRNA表达水平和Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA值升高,除低剂量组的Bax mRNA表达水平和Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA值无明显改变外,其余各组与对照组相比均差异极显著(P＜0.01)。氯丙嗪可显著抑制大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞活力,诱导颗粒细胞凋亡。     

N,N'-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU)-induced Apoptosis of Neural Progenitor Cells in the Developing Fetal Rat Brain

N,N'-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (BCNU) is one of the major drugs used in chemotherapy against malignant gliomas due to its effects, such as induction of bifunctional alkylation of DNA and formation of interstrand DNA cross-linkages, and induces cortical malformations in the fetal and neonatal rat brain. In this study, pregnant rats were treated with 7.5 mg/kg of BCNU on gestational day 13 (GD 13), and their fetuses were collected from 12 to 72 hours after BCNU treatment in order to examine the timecourses of morphological and immunohistochemical changes in neural progenitor cells in the developing brain. The number of pyknotic cells in the telencephalon peaked at 24 h and then gradually decreased until 72 h. The majority of these pyknotic cells were positive for cleaved caspase-3, a key executioner of apoptosis. The pyknotic cells showed the ultrastructural characteristics of apoptosis. The number of p53-positive cells began to increase prior to the appearance of apoptotic cells and p21-positive cells. The number of phosphorylated-histone H3-positive cells (mitotic cells) decreased from 24 to 36 h. The number of Iba1-positive cells (microglial cells) in the telencephalon increased from 12 to 48 h. These results suggest that BCNU induces p53-dependent apoptosis and reduces proliferative activity, resulting in reduction of the weight of the telencephalon and the thickness of the telencephalic wall in the fetal brain. This study will help to clarify the mechanisms of BCNU-induced fetal brain toxicity.     

Cytotoxic Effects of Loperamide Hydrochloride on Canine Cancer Cells

Loperamide is a peripheral opiate agonist that can cause apoptosis and G2/M arrest in human cancer cell lines and may sensitize cells to chemotherapy. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of loperamide on viability, apoptosis and cell cycle kinetics in canine cancer cells and to establish whether the drug sensitizes cells to doxorubicin. Cell viability was assessed using Alamar Blue. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry with 7-Aminoactinomycin-D (7-AAD) and propidium iodide (PI), respectively. Loperamide decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent fashion and was most effective against canine osteosarcoma cells. In all cell lines, it induced a dose and time dependent apoptosis and resulted in accumulation in G0/G1. When co-incubated with doxorubicin, loperamide induced a synergistic cell kill in canine carcinoma cells. Investigation is warranted into the role of loperamide in the treatment of canine cancer.     

Comparative Histomorphological Review of Rat and Human Hepatocellular Proliferative Lesions

In this comparative review, histomorphological features of common nonneoplastic and neoplastic hepatocyte lesions of rats and humans are examined using H&E-stained slides. The morphological similarities and differences of both neoplastic (hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular adenoma) and presumptive preneoplastic lesions (large and small cell change in humans and foci of cellular alteration in rats) are presented and discussed. There are major similarities in the diagnostic features, growth patterns and behavior of both rat and human hepatocellular proliferative lesions and in the process of hepatocarcinogenesis. Further study of presumptive preneoplastic lesions in humans and rats should help to further define their role in progression to hepatocellular neoplasia in both species.     

橙皮素对铅致大鼠脑组织氧化损伤的保护效应

为研究铅暴露所致大鼠脑组织氧化损伤和橙皮素的保护作用机制,大鼠用醋酸铅(500mg Pb/L)和橙皮素(50mg/kg)处理。处理结束后测定大鼠脑组织中丙二醛(MDA)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)含量。结果表明,铅可显著提高大鼠脑组织中MDA含量(P<0.05),极显著降低GSH含量(P<0.01)和显著降低SOD和CAT活性(P<0.05);与铅处理组相比,橙皮素却能显著降低铅处理脑组织MDA含量(P<0.05),极显著提高GSH含量(P<0.01)和显著提高SOD和CAT活性(P<0.05)。说明铅可导致大鼠脑组织脂质过氧化损伤,橙皮素对铅致脑损伤具有一定保护作用。     

高铜对雏鸡脑组织抗氧化酶活性的影响

本研究旨在探讨高铜对雏鸡脑组织抗氧化酶活性的影响。将360羽1日龄艾维茵肉鸡健雏随机分为6组,分别喂以对照日粮(10.89 mg.kg-1)和高铜日粮(Cu 100 mg.kg-1,高铜I组;Cu 200 mg.kg-1,高铜Ⅱ组;Cu 400 mg.kg-1,高铜Ⅲ组;Cu 600 mg.kg-1,高铜Ⅳ组;Cu 800 mg.kg-1,高铜V组)6周。试验第14、28、42天每组随机抽取5羽鸡剖杀后,测定脑组织胆碱酯酶(CHE)、单胺氧化酶(MAO)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu-Zn-SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性。脑组织CHE和CAT活性随日粮铜含量的升高而降低,高铜Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和V组与对照组比较差异极显著(P0.01);脑组织MAO活性随日粮铜含量的升高而升高,高铜Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和V组与对照组比较差异显著或极显著(P0.05或P0.01);脑组织Cu-Zn-SOD和GSH-Px活性,高铜I、Ⅱ组显著或极显著高于对照组(P0.05或P0.01),高铜Ⅲ、Ⅳ和V组极显著降低(P0.01)。日粮铜水平在400~800 mg.kg-1时,脑组织的抗氧化酶活性降低,脑组织的抗氧化功能下降。     

Oxytocin Cells in the Supraoptic Nucleus Receive Excitatory Synaptic Inputs from the Contralateral Supraoptic and Paraventricular Nuclei in the Lactating Rat

The present experiments were undertaken to examine whether oxytocin cells in the supraoptic nucleus receive synaptic inputs from the contralateral supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus. Using urethane-anesthetized lactating rats, extracellular action potentials were recorded from single oxytocin or vasopressin cells in the supraoptic nucleus. Electrical stimulation was applied to the contralateral supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus, and responses of oxytocin or vasopressin cells were analyzed by peri-stimulus time histogram or by change in firing rate of oxytocin or vasopressin cells. Electrical stimulation of the contralateral supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus did not cause antidromic excitation in oxytocin or vasopressin cells but caused orthodromic responses. Although analysis by peri-stimulus time histogram showed that electrical stimulation of the contralateral supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus caused orthodromic excitation in both oxytocin and vasopressin cells, the proportion of excited oxytocin cells was greater than that of vasopressin cells. Train stimulation applied to the contralateral supraoptic nucleus or paraventricular nucleus at 10 Hz increased firing rates of oxytocin cells and decreased those of vasopressin cells. The results of the present experiments suggest that oxytocin cells in the supraoptic nucleus receive mainly excitatory synaptic inputs from the contralateral supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus. Receipt these synaptic inputs to oxytocin cells may contribute to the synchronized activation of oxytocin cells during the milk ejection reflex.     

VE缺乏对雏鸡脑组织的氧化状态及神经细胞凋亡的影响

采用低VE和添加不饱和脂肪酸的日粮饲喂1日龄雏鸡，建立了VE缺乏实验动物模型。检测其脑组织(大脑和小脑)中丙二醛和活性氧的含量及神经细胞凋亡的数量，并进行了相关性分析。结果表明，VE缺乏雏鸡脑组织中的丙二醛和活性氧含量及神经细胞凋亡的数量显著高于健康对照组(P＜0．05)，细胞凋亡的数量与大、小脑组织中丙二醛和活性氧含量呈显著的相关性(相关系数分别为0．7502、0．8155和0．8170、0．6931)，说明VE缺乏雏鸡脑组织处于氧化应激状态，并可诱导脑神经细胞凋亡。     

Enolase在鸭疫里默氏杆菌侵袭鸭脑微血管内皮细胞中的作用

旨在明确鸭疫里默氏杆菌烯醇化酶(Enolase)在其侵袭鸭脑微血管内皮细胞(DBMEC)以及血脑屏障(BBB)中的作用。本研究以鸭疫里默氏杆菌RA-LZ01株为亲本株,利用同源重组和结合转移的方法构建enolase基因缺失株ΔEnolase和回复株cΔEnolase,并测定RA-LZ01、ΔEnolase和cΔEnolase对DBMEC黏附和侵袭能力的差异;用上述菌株感染雏鸭,测定雏鸭血液和脑组织中的载菌量。结果表明,与亲本株RA-LZ01相比,缺失株ΔEnolase对DBMEC的黏附率和入侵率均极显著降低;回复株cΔEnolase恢复了对DBMEC的黏附和入侵能力。感染RA-LZ01、ΔEnolase和cΔEnolase菌株的雏鸭的血液载菌量无显著差异;与感染RA-LZ01和cΔEnolase菌株的雏鸭相比,感染ΔEnolase菌株的雏鸭脑组织中的载菌量极显著降低。以上结果说明,Enolase与鸭疫里默氏杆菌黏附和入侵DBMEC以及入侵雏鸭脑组织显著相关,可能为介导鸭疫里默氏杆菌突破鸭血脑屏障的毒力因子。     

Effect of lactoferrin on murine sperm apoptosis induced by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide

Genital bacterial infection is one of the most important causes of infertility, however, bacteria frequently exist in seminal fluid. Sperm express Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on their cell surfaces and bacterial recognition by TLRs induces sperm apoptosis. In this study, we examined the lactoferrin (LF) potentiality on sperm apoptosis induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay indicated that TUNEL-positive sperm cells were scarce in the group treated with LF and LPS (LF/LPS group) compared to the group treated with LPS only (LPS group). In addition, real-time RT-PCR detected lower mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes in the LF/LPS group compared to the LPS group. These results indicate that LF treatment of semen might decrease LPS-induced apoptosis of sperm.     

锌对鹅淋巴细胞凋亡和细胞增殖周期影响的研究

试验选用120只1日龄鹅随机分成4组，A组喂以玉米大豆为基础日粮未加锌的饲料，另3组在基础日粮中添加ZnSO₄·H₂O，使锌含量分别为40(B组)、110(C组) 和2000 mg/kg(D组)。应用流式细胞仪观测锌对鹅细胞周期和细胞凋亡的影响。结果显示锌添加量为110 mg/kg时，鹅血液淋巴细胞、胸腺、脾脏细胞的增殖指数和DNA含量最高。低锌和高锌饲料可以引起血液淋巴细胞的凋亡。     

单色光对肉鸡脑内促性腺激素释放激素分布和表达的影响

24只刚出壳的雄性AA肉鸡分别在白(400～760 nm)、红(660 nm)、绿(560 nm)和蓝色(480 nm) LED灯下饲养7周,光照强度15 lx,光照制度23h∶1 h(L:D).49日龄时取脑,利用免疫组化的方法显示GnRH神经元和神经纤维的分布及比较各光色下GnRH神经元的表达强度.结果显示,GnRH神经元和神经纤维在下丘脑、丘脑和中脑均有分布,且蓝光组下丘脑的视前室周核、视前内侧核、室周核、室旁大细胞核以及丘脑的圆核和卵圆核GnRH神经元表达强度显著高于红、绿光组.结果表明,光色可影响家禽下丘脑和丘脑GnRH的表达与分泌.     

钙稳态失衡在锰致体外培养鸡胚脑神经细胞凋亡中的作用

旨在探讨钙稳态失衡在锰致体外培养鸡胚脑神经细胞凋亡中的作用。以体外培养鸡胚脑神经元为研究对象,在含终浓度为0、1.5、22、.5 mmol.L-1MnCl2的DMEM培养液中培养24 h,应用流式细胞仪检测磷脂酰丝氨酸(PS)和线粒体膜电位(ΔΨm),琼脂糖凝胶电泳法(DNA Ladder)检测细胞染色质的断裂,以Fura-3/AM为探针检测细胞内游离钙离子浓度([Ca2+]i),用实时定量PCR法检测细胞内CaMmRNA的表达水平。结果表明,随着MnCl2浓度的升高,ΔΨm呈降低趋势,PS膜外翻增加,细胞染色质DNA发生损伤,产生明显的梯形条带,细胞内[Ca2+]i呈升高趋势,CaMmRNA的表达水平下降。结果提示,过量锰通过抑制CaM活性,引起神经元内[Ca2+]i升高,膜通透性发生改变,ΔΨm降低,从而导致鸡胚脑神经元发生凋亡。     

断喙应激对雏鸡胸腺细胞凋亡及相关凋亡蛋白表达的影响

为研究断喙应激对雏鸡胸腺细胞凋亡及相关凋亡蛋白表达的影响,采用电子显微镜技术、流式细胞术和免疫组织化学技术分析断喙对鸡胸腺淋巴细胞的细胞增殖、分化、凋亡及相关凋亡蛋白(Bcl-2和Bax)表达的影响.结果表明:采用电子显微镜技术观察到断喙对胸腺淋巴细胞产生明显的影响,断喙组胸腺细胞内可看到细胞核明显的应激反应,细胞核凝集,较致密,部分细胞核即将溶解,并出现一定数量的凋亡和坏死细胞;流式细胞仪检测表明对照组和断喙组的胸腺内淋巴细胞都是以G1期为主,但断喙组G1期淋巴细胞数量比试验组高;对照组和断喙组胸腺淋巴细胞凋亡率在断喙后5d时差异显著(P＜0.05);免疫组化结果表明断喙应激没有影响Bcl-2和Bax蛋白在免疫器官内的表达部位;但有降低Bcl 2在胸腺细胞内表达量的趋势;有提高Bax在胸腺细胞内表达量的趋势.结果表明断喙应激促进了雏鸡胸腺淋巴细胞凋亡.