Relationship between the intracellular calcium concentration changes and left ventricular hypertrophy and function in the spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM:To elucidate the relationship between the intracellular calcium concentration changes and left ventricular hypertrophy and function in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).METHODS:Intracellular free calcium concentrations were measured by Fura 2 methodology and left ventricular function quantitated by cardiac catheterization in 20 SHR aged 10, 22, and 34 weeks and 20 age-matched Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats.RESULTS:(1) The systolic blood pressure(SBP), intracellular calcium concentrations and left ventricular mass / body weight index (LVM/BW) were significantly higher in all three age groups of SHR than the corresponding groups of WKY; (2) Compared with age-matched WKY groups, the peak left ventricular pressure descending rate(-dp／dt_max) decreased while left ventricular relaxation time constant (τ)increased significantly in SHR aged 22 and 34 weeks. The peak left ventricular pressure ascending rate(dp／dt_max) and the left ventricular contractility index were significantly increased only in the 34 weeks SHR; (3) Intracellular calcium concentrations showed a positive correlation with LVM/BW,SBP,-dp／dt_max and τ(r=0.47-0.83,P<0.01)and a negative correlation with dp／dt_max and the left ventricular contractility index (r=-0.46,P<0.05 and r=-0.81, P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Intracellular calcium overload is one of the potential mechanisms in the induction of left ventricular hypertrophy as well as of systolic and diastolic dysfunction.     

Protective effect of onychin on the human umbilical vein endothelial cells injured by menadione

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of onychin on the endothelial cells injured by oxidative stress. METHODS: The injured model was established by endothelial cells treated with menadione. The growth inhibitory rate of endothelial cell was determined by MTT assay; NO₂^-／NO₃^- concentration in the medium was determined by nitrate reductase assay; eNOS and caveolin-1 protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Onychin significantly decreased the growth inhibitory rate of endothelial cells injured by menadione, increased NO₂^-／NO₃^- concentration in the medium and eNOS activity and up-regulated caveolin-1 expression. CONCLUSION: Onychin possesses a protective effect against endothelial cell injury induced by menadione via caveolin-1/eNOS pathway.     

Detection,cloning and expression of bone morphogenetic protein-1 from human osteosarcoma cell lines

AIM:To manufacture recombinant protein of the highly conserved domain in human bone morphogenetic protein-1(BMP-1) using gene engineering methods as antigen for making wide spectrum antibody to BMP-1.METHODS:We analyzed the gene sequences and protein structures of BMP-1 and its related proteins, and chose a highly conserved fragment as target gene. Total RNA was prepared from human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2, then the target gene was amplified with RT-PCR. The PCR product was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pMAL c2 to get recombinant vector BMP-1(322-588aa)-pMAL c2. After transforming the recombinant plasmid into DH5-alpha and screening, several prositive clones were got for sequencing. Finally the transformed cells was induced with IPTG to get fusion protein.RESULTS:The BMP-1 gene fragment was successfully cloned into vector pMAL c2, and was able to express efficiently with IPTG inducement. The amount of expressed fusion protein is about 66%-72% in total volume of bacterial proteins.CONCLUSIONS:The recombinant protein contains several key domains(2 CUB domains and 1 EGF domain), which are shared by BMP-1 and its related proteins. Specific wide spectrum antibody to human BMP-1 and its related proteins may be generated with this recombinant protein antigen.     

Biological characteristics of long passaging rat mesenchymal stem cells

AIM:To investigate multi-potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMMSC) and mutation inclination, the rBMMSC were long passaged in vitro. METHODS:Cellular cycles of different passages were assayed by FACSan flow cytometry and karyotypes of passage 6, passage 25 and passage 45 were compared by G-binding analysis. RESULTS:The early passages and long-term passages all showed strong proliferation; passage 6, passage 25 and passage 45 all showed normal karyotype. CONCLUSION:Long-term culture and passage of rBMMSC still remains strong proliferation. With this capability, the mutation inclination is not enhanced.     

Effect of Yigu capsule drug-containing serum on apoptosis and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase secretion in rat osteoclasts

AIM:The effects of Yigu capsule on tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) secretion and apoptosis in rat osteoclasts were investigated in order to further explore its mechanism of preventing and treating osteoporosis.METHODS:(1) Twenty-month-old Sprague-daweley rats were randomly divided into two groups(Yigu capsule group and saline group), and the drug-containing serum and control serum were prepared. (2) The newborn Sprague-daweley rat osteoclasts were cultured with different concentrations of Yigu capsule drug-containing serum. At different time point, TRAP activity was measured and the survival osteoclast was counted under reverse microscope.The percentage of osteoclast apoptosis was observed under fluorescence microscope after acridine orange staining.RESULTS:TRAP activity was lower and the percentage of osteoclast apoptosis was higher in drug-containing serum group than in control group at 24, 48 and 72 h(P<0.01), respectively, and the survival osteoclasts were less in drug-containing serum group than in control groups at 24, 48 and 72 h(P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest that Yigu capsule drug-containing serum induces apoptosis and inhibits TRAP activity in osteoclasts, which may be one of the mechanisms of Yigu capsule preventing and treating osteoporosis.     

玉米疯顶病种子传播研究

连续3a对不同来源的玉米种子,利用显微镜镜检和试种观察植株发病显症的方法,检测其携带玉米疯顶病病菌状况。结果表明,病株病穗籽粒、病株健穗籽粒、病田健株籽粒都有较高的带菌率。因此,病菌随种子调运远距离传播是造成各地病害突发的主要原因。     

转Bt基因棉在安庆市大面积种植后害虫发生特点调查

根据调查,转Bt基因棉大面积种植后,棉铃虫、红铃虫发生减轻;棉叶螨发生加重,为害时间延长;甜菜夜蛾、斜纹夜蛾发生面积扩大,为害程度加重。据此初步提出了当地转Bt基因棉害虫防治中应注意的问题和管理对策。     

High efficient expression of human endostatin in E.coli and its antiangiogensis activity

AIM: To examine the expression of human endostatin in E.coli, produce its fusion protein antibody and observe its biological activity. METHODS: Endostatin gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction,recombined with plasmid vector pGEX-2T and induced expression with IPTG.The protein activity was tested by endothelial cell proliferation inhibitory assay.Inclusion body crudely purified was used to generate polyclonal antibody to detect its expression at mouse's liver and kidney etc. RESULTS: The protein expressed was 20kD after digestion by thrombin,it appeared the anti-angiogenesis activity and Western blotting indicated the expression of endostatin in liver and kidney of mouse. CONCLUSION: The successful expression of human endostatin and the preparation of polycolonal antibody indicated its potential application in anti-angiogenesis therapy and diagnosis tumors.     

Study on the electrophysiological characteristics of ion channels of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes of mouse

AIM: To study the electrophysiological characteristics of ion channels of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes(SCDC) of mouse. METHODS: Embryonic stem cells of D₃ line(ES-D₃) were cultured on the MEF feeder layer with BRL conditioned medium, and fetal mouse heart cells(FMHC)were cultured in vitro. Then ES-D₃ cells were induced to differentiate into many kinds of cells. SCDC were harvested on day 12 after differentiation initiating and identified by electro-microscope and immunocytochemistry. SCDC and FMHC were prepared for the patch-clamp research. Sodium and calcium currents together were elicited and compared between SCDC and FMHC. RESULTS: The current characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC were very similar to FMHC. CONCLUSION: The functional expression of ion channels occurred during ES-D₃ cells differentiation and the electrophysiological characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC are very similar to FMHC.     

Changes of myocardial glycogen content and right ventricular function in hypoxia swimming rats

AIM: To investigate the changes of myocardium glycogen content and the relation ship between changes of the myocardial glycogen content and the myocardial function. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were placed in (hypoxia rats) and made to swim in (hypoxia swimming rats) a hypobaxic chamber simulating an altitude of 5 000 m above sea level. The content of myocardium glycogens was determined by colorimetry. RESULTS: The myocardium
glycogen content of rats significantly reduced along with the prolongation of hypoxic exposure and approached to control level in hypoxia swimming rats. The myocardial function of right ventricule was improved significantly compared with control group.CONCLUSION: Moderate exercise (swimming) is beneficial to hypoxic adaptation of rats under the condition of chronic hypoxia.