Taurine reduced oxygen free radical production induced by homocysteine in electron transport chain and homocysteine inhibites taurine transporter in mitochondria membrane

AIM: To observe effects of homocysteine and antagonized effects of taurine on electronic leakage and free radical production in myocardial mitochondria. METHODS: Myocardial mitochondria of rat heart was isolated, and was broken by supersonic wave to prepare submitochondria. Recombinant of succinic acid cytochrome c reductase was prepared with mitochondria of porcine heart. They were co-incubated with homocysteine and/or taurine with various concentration. The H₂O₂ and O₂^- were determined by chemiluminescence methods. The taurine transporter of heart mitochondria and its propert, and effects of homocysteine on its function were studied with glass filter. RESULTS: Homocysteine stimulated oxygen free radical production in heart mitochondria, submitochondria, and succinic acid cytochrome c in a concentration-dependent manner. Although taurine itself did not affect oxygen free radical production, taurine did inhibit oxygen free radical production in mitochondria, submitochondria and succinic acid cytochrome c in a concentration-dependent manner. Taurine transporters of Na⁺-dependent were existed in mitochondria membrane. Homocysteine inhibited taurine transtport in mitochondria in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Taurine inhibited electronic leakage and oxygen free radical production induced by homocysteine in electron transport chain. There were taurine transporters in mitochondria membrane, and transport functions of taurine transporter were inhibited by homocysteine.     

Astrocyte proliferation in the rat hippocampus after middle cerebral artery occlusion

AIM: To study rat astrocyte proliferation in ipsilateral hippocampus following focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Ischemia was induced by temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In hippocampus of rats at 3, 7 and 30 days after MCAO, the numbers and anatomic distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of GFAP and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the ipsilateral hippocampus were analyzed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Astrocytes appeared hypertrophic, with increased process thickness and numbers at 7 days after MCAO, and the highest density of astrocytes were seen at 30 days in the CA1, CA2 regions of the ipsilateral hippocampus. Western blot analysis revealed that GFAP levels were normal at 3 days, but increased by 7 days and remained elevation at 30 days. Western blot analysis of PCNA protein also revealed identified upregulation PCNA at 3 days after MCAO and the expression peaked at 7 days. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that focal cerebral ischemia in the rat results in a rapid response, a process often referred to as reactive astrogliosis or glial scarring, from resident astrocytes of the ipsilateral hippocampus to the side of ischemia.     

Changes of Ca2＋ activated potassium channels and cellular-proliferation in autogenous vein grafts

AIM: To investigate changes of Ca^2＋ activated potassium channels (K_Ca) in autogenous vein grafts. METHODS: The contraction of venous ring was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The intimal proliferation and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells (vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs) were observed by the means of computerised image analysis and MTT method, respectively. Furthermore, whole cell mode of patch clamp was used to record K_Ca of VSMCs isolated from autogenous vein grafts. RESULTS: 1 week after transplantation there were no significant differences of contraction and intimal relative thickness between autogenous vein grafts and control. Contraction and intimal relative thickness of autogenous vein graft were significantly increased 2 weeks after transplantation (P＜0.05, n=8 vs control), and they were more enhanced 4 weeks after vein transplantation (P＜0.01, n=8 vs control). TEA (blocker of Ca^2＋ activated potassium channels) increased MTT A₄₉₀ value of VSMCs from femoral vein in a dose-dependent manner (P＜0.05, n=8). K_Ca current density was significantly attenuated in VSMCs from autogenous vein grafts 1-4 weeks after transplantation (P＜0.05, n=5). CONCLUSION: K_Ca was inhibited in autogenous vein graft, which accounted for vasospasm and intimal proliferation.     

Effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 of lung tissue in acute lung injury rats

AIM: To study the effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue of acute lung injury (ALI) rats. METHODS: 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control, model control, dectancyl group, water soluble derivative of propolis (WSP) group and ethanol extracted propolis (EEP) group. ALI animal model was performed by oleic acid and LPS twice attack. The pathologic slice was observed with light microscope and the NF-κB p65 activity and CD54 expression were tested by immunohistochemistry (SABC and SP). RESULTS: Both EEP and WSP antagonized the lung edema, decreased the inflammation and inhibited the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-κB p65. CONCLUSION: The increase in the expression of CD54 and the activation of NF-κB p65 in the lung tissues of ALI were involved in the formation of ALI. Propolis ameliorated the lung damage, which maybe related to the inhibition of CD54 expression and NF-κB p65 activation.     

Influence of irbesarten on renal hypertrophy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats LIU Bi-cheng,LUO Dong-dong,ZHANG Xiao-liang.

AIM: To investigate the influence of irbesartan (Irb), a new angiotensin II receptor 1 antagonist, on renal hypertrophy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group (Group N, n=7), diabetic group (Group DN, n=6) and irbesartan treated group (Group DNI, n=7). In the experimental group, after the rats subjected to uninephrectomy, STZ was given by peritoneally injection at bolus dose of 50 mg/kg to induce diabetes. Blood glucose (BG), body weight (BW), urinary albumin excretion (Ualb), 24 hour proteinuria (24 h Upro) were measured at week 4, 8, 12, respectively. By the end of experiment at week 12, creatinine clearance (Ccr), kidney weight (KW), indicator of renal hypertrophy (KW/BW), renal total protein content (RTP), glomerular area (AG) and glomerular volume (VG) as well as glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were determined by semi-quantitative pathology technique. RESULTS: It was showed that there was no significant difference in BG between group DN and DNI, while Irb significantly reduced the increasing of Ualb, 24 h Upro in diabetic rats compared to control group (P＜0.01, respectively). Furthermore, Irb markedly inhibited the increasing of KW, KW/BW, RTP, A_G, V_G in diabetic rats (P＜0.05, P＜0.01, respectively). Of interest, Irb significantly prevented the increasing of GBM in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Irb exerts its early renal protective action by reducing proteinuria and inhibiting renal hypertrophy as well as the thickening of GBM.     

披碱草和野大麦杂种F1与BC1F1代的生物学及农艺特性研究

对披碱草和野大麦及其杂种F1与BC1F1代的生物学及农艺特性进行了分析比较。结果表明,亲本野大麦生长发育节律较快,较早地开花结实,果后营养期较长,生育期74d,生长天数达206d,具有很强的分蘖能力;披碱草生长发育节律较慢,生育期124d,生长天数193d;杂种F1的生长天数介于双亲之间,生长动态偏向亲本披碱草,分蘖能力介于双亲之间;BC1F1代生长发育节律较F1代提早,不同株系生长天数不同,生长动态偏向轮回亲本野大麦,分蘖能力有较大的变异。杂种F1代表现出较强的杂种优势,BC1F1代产草量较F1代有所降低,不同株系间存在明显的差异。总体上,BC1F1代的生产性能倾向于轮回亲本野大麦。     

利用微卫星标记分析贵州5个地方鸡品种遗传多样性

通过选用30个多态性较好的微卫星标记,检测了贵州省5个地方鸡品种:竹乡鸡、威宁鸡、黔东南小香鸡、高脚鸡、乌蒙乌骨鸡的遗传多样性。计算了各群体的平均遗传杂合度(H)、多态信息含量(PIC)和群体间的DA遗传距离。结果表明:在5个品种中,杂合度最低的是高脚鸡,为0.501,杂合度最高的是竹乡鸡,为0.673,因此贵州各地方鸡品种的杂合度相差较大,据分析可能是由于交通闭塞,形成了家禽品种的多种多型,而且杂合度的高低与PIC值的大小体现了较高的一致性;用UPGMA法进行聚类分析,结果6个鸡品种被聚为3类:竹乡鸡、黔东南小香鸡和威宁鸡聚为一类,乌蒙乌骨鸡自聚为一类;高脚鸡独自聚为一类。这与几个鸡品种的来源、分化、选育历史及地理分布是一致的。     

香精油抗蜂螨作用的研究进展

香精油及其组分具有显著的抗螨效果。萜类化合物(主要是单萜)是香精油的主要成分。占总量的90％左右。研究者通过筛选试验测定了多种香精油及其一些组分的抗螨能力。大部分表现出良好的抗螨效果。但只有少部分在蜂群试验中表现出强抗螨能力。因此，有必要对此作进一步的研究。以达到最优化目标。同时联合其它防治手段，建立一套全面的害虫防治策略，实现蜂螨的最终控制。     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

草地螟和黄草地螟危害苜蓿产量损失及防治指标的研究

采用人工接虫的方法,研究了草地螟的虫口密度与苜蓿产量损失之间的关系和防治指标.结果表明,苜蓿干草产量损失率(y)与20枝条虫量(x)的关系为y=4.936 6x-0.850 9,相关系数r为0.994 3,二者相关性极显著.按照防治的直接收益与直接成本,确定了宁夏旱地苜蓿和水地苜蓿草地螟的防治指标,旱地苜蓿刈割2和3次的草地螟的防治指标分别是10和14头/100枝,水地苜蓿草地螟的防治指标是7头/100枝.依据同样的试验方法,制定了黄草地螟危害苜蓿的防治指标,旱地苜蓿刈割2和3次的黄草地螟的防治指标分别是45和60头/100枝,水地苜蓿黄草地螟的防治指标是36头/100枝.