The mechanism of neuronal injury and repair after focal cerebral ischemia

AIM:To explore the mechanism of neuronal injury and repair by investigating the expression of caspase-3 and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE/Ref-1) after focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS:A model of middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats was performed. The expression of caspase-3P₂₀ and APE/Ref-1 was examined by immunohistochemistry staining, TUNEL was applied to detected DNA damage, and double labeling with TUNEL and APE/Ref-1 was used to determine the relationship between APE/Ref-1 and DNA damage. RESULTS:The active subunit P₂₀ of caspase-3 was predominantly expressed within ischemic penumbra. The peak time of caspase-3P₂₀ positive cells preceded the appearance of TUNEL. With aggravation of cerebral ischemia, APE/Ref-1 immunoreactive cells in penumbra were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION:The activation of caspase enzymatic cascade following cerebral ischemia leads to degradation in DNA, meanwhile, decrease in DNA repair molecules or the failure of DNA repair may deteriorate the course.     

Effects of matrix metalloproteinases on ventricular remodelingfollowing myocardial ischemia in the rat

AIM:To examine the relationship between the activity of matrix metallproteinases(MMPs) and ventricular remodeling following myocardial ischemia in the rat.METHODS:The model of myocardial ischemia(MI) in the rat was established by isoprenaline(ISP). The activity of MMPs was measured by zymography and collagen concentration was assessed by the method of chloramine T, so did I/III collagen ratio by immunohistochemical staining. The microstructure of myocardium was also observed by electron microscope.RESULTS:The activity of MMP-2 in myocardial ischemia group (group M) increased by 5.8 folds at 1 st week(P＜0.01), 2.3 folds at 2 nd week(P＜0.01) and 1.7 flods at 4 th week(P＜0.05) compared with control group (group C) and MMP-9's activity in group M increased by 4.9 folds (P＜0.01), 1.9 flods(P＜0.01) and 1.4 folds(P＜0.05), respectively. Collagen amount and I/III collagen ratio in group M increased compared with that in group C at 2 nd week and 4 th week. It showed that cardiac myocytes in group M were necrosed and collagen grew abundantly in interstitium under electron microscope.CONCLUSION:The activity of MMPs in the myocardial interstitium increased following myocardial ischemia, then collagen amount and I/III collagen ratio increased, which may be the major causes of ventricular remodeling.     

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.     

Influence of ischemia-reperfusion on apoptosis of sinoatrial node cells in rabbits in vivo

AIM:To study influence of ischemia-reperfusion(IR) on apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-related genes Fas-L, Bax and Bcl-2 of sinoatrial node(SAN) cells in rabbits in vivo. METHODS:Ninety healthy adult rabbits were divided randomly into control group, ischemia groups (I_{10 min}, I_{30 min}, I_{60 min} and I_{120 min}) and IR groups (I_{10 min}R_4h, I_{30 min}R_4h, I_{60 min}R_4hand I_{120 min}R_4h). IR injury model of SAN was established by occluding and loosening the start section of right coronary artery. The apoptosis of SAN cells was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression of Fas-L, Bax and Bcl-2 of SAN cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:①No obvious apoptosis of SAN cells was observed in control group, I_{10 min} and I_{30 min} groups. Apoptosis of different degrees in SAN cells were found in 68.3%(41/60) rabbits in I_{60 min}, I_{120 min} and 4 subgroups of IR. ②The highest expression of Fas-L and Bax was observed in I_{120 min} group and that of Bcl-2 was in I_{60 min} group. ③The highest expression of Fas-L and Bax was observed in I_{60 min}R_4h group. The peak level of Bcl-2 was observed in I_{30 min}R_4h group. ④The expression of Fas-L and Bax was significant higher in IR group than that in ischemic group at the same time point. CONCLUSION:Ischemia and IR induced apoptosis of SAN cells in rabbit in vivo. Fas-L、Bax、Bcl-2 may participate in the regulation of apoptosis and the injury during IR aggravates the apoptosis of SAN cells.     

Effects of TGF-β1 and TNF-α antisense PS-ODNS on ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPC)

AIM:To study the effect of TGF-β₁ and TNF-α antisense PS-ODNS on ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC). METHODS:CD₃₄⁺cells were purified from fresh umbilical cord blood by immunomagnetic beads, and mononuclear cells were purified from bone marrow by Ficoll-hypaque. The effects of TGF-β₁ and /or TNF-α antisense PS-ODNS on ex vivo expansion of CD₃₄⁺ cells、CFU-GEMM、CFU-GM、CFU-E and BFU-E were detected by using liquid and semi-solid culture systems.RESULTS:TGF-β₁ antisense PS-ODNS cooperated with cytokines increased the number of CD₃₄⁺ cells, CFU-GEMM, CFU-GM, CFU-E and BFU-E, which was as 4, 2.6, 2.7, 1.8, 2.1 times as that of the control (the cytokines combination), respectively. TNF-α antisense PS-ODNS cooperated with cytokines respectively increased the number of CD₃₄⁺ cells, CFU-GEMM, CFU-GM, CFU-E and BFU-E by 4, 2.9, 2.6, 1.7, 1.8 times as that of the control. The above two antisense PS-ODNS cooperated with cytokines could respectively increased the number of CD₃₄⁺ cells, CFU-GEMM, CFU-GM, CFU-E and BFU-E by 5.3, 2.1, 2.7, 1.9, 1.8 times as that of the control.CONCLUSION:Inhibition of endogenous TGF-β₁ and TNF-α by antisense PS-ODNS will be one of the effective methods to expand HSPC ex vivo.     

Effect of cilazapril on pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypoxic rats

AIM:To study the effect of cilazapril on pulmonary vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypoxic rats. METHODS:The structure and function of endothelium in hypoxic rats were studied by biochemical analysis, radioimmunoassay, transmission electron microscope and correlated with hemodynamic. RESULTS:1) The change and damage of ultrastructure in endothelial cell (EC) were obsevered in hypoxic rats. 2) The contents of plasma nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in blood as well as endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in the lung tissue were significantly lower in the hypoxic rat than those in contral animals. The concentrations of plasma endothelin-1(ET-1) and angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) as well as malondialdehyde(MDA) were significantly higher in the hypoxic rat than these in contral animals. The relaxing and contracting factors had a significant positive/negative correlation with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP). 3) Cilazapril significantly decreased the level of ET-1 and ACE and significantly increased the level of NO and activity of eNOS and SOD. At the same time, cilazapril extenuated hypoxia-induced injuries of EC. CONCLUSION:The results indicate that damaging structure and dysfunction of EC existes in hypoxic rats. The cilazapril effectively preventes and treates the chronic hypoxic PH by relieving the injury and improving secretion in EC.     

20%多效唑·甲哌 FEE7 微乳剂防止小麦倒伏和增产机理研究

冬小麦二棱期喷施植物生长调节剂20%多效唑·甲哌鎓微乳剂375 mL/hm2,可以显著抑制茎秆基部节间伸长,增加各节间充实度,其中赤霉素(Gas)和生长素(IAA)降低,可显著增强小麦抗倒伏能力和降低田间倒伏率.处理还协调了穗数、穗粒数和粒重的关系,增产幅度6.2%～28.6%.增产原因可能在于促进籽粒灌浆强,增加籽粒中内源Gas、IAA、细胞分裂素(CTKs)的水平,增强了籽粒库活性,同时促进茎叶中干物质向籽粒运转.     

菟丝子致死薇甘菊

薇甘菊Mikania micrantha是入侵的害草，已经由珠江三角洲扩散到粤东、粤西沿海地区，以及部分山区。在薇甘菊的天敌调查中看到菟丝子寄生于薇甘菊，严重时可以把薇甘菊致死。我们在本所的实验园中栽种薇甘菊，并让其被菟丝子Cusuta chinensis Lam.寄生，结果证实菟丝子在两个月左右，完全可以抑制薇甘菊的生长，最终把薇甘菊致死。这可能是以草治草的一种新途径，但是菟丝子也是我国农作物的一种重要昌，如何利用菟丝子控制薇甘菊的为害，而又不使菟丝子对薇甘菊的伴生植物和鞭它农作物造成为害，是下一步要解决的问题，菟丝子致死薇甘菊的机理更需要深入研究。     

Bt对小地考虑呼吸作用的影响

利用红外CO2分析仪测定小地老虎幼虫呼吸节律的变化结果显示：小地老虎幼虫呼吸节律属于不规则波动型，取食含Bt烟叶的幼虫呼出的CO2量显著低于对照组，且呼吸节律的波动性也明显增大，说明小地考虑幼虫取食Bt后，呼吸代谢受到一定干扰，出现呼吸水平降低及代谢紊乱现象。     

组氨醇脱氢酶抑制剂的研究动态

组氨醇脱氢酶(HDH)是组氨酸生物合成过程中最后两步反应的催化酶。对组氨醇脱氢酶的结构、催化机理、组氨醇脱氢酶抑制剂等方面的研究动态进行了较为详细的综述。