UTILITY OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DISTINGUISHING NEOPLASTIC FROM NON-NEOPLASTIC BRAIN LESIONS IN DOGS AND CATS

The aim of this study was to identify magnetic resonance (MR) signs that aid differentiation of neoplastic vs. non-neoplastic brain diseases in dogs and cats. MR images of 36 dogs and 13 cats with histologic diagnosis of intracranial disease were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnoses included 30 primary and three metastatic brain tumors, 11 infectious/inflammatory lesions, three vascular, one degenerative disease, and one developmental malformation. Upon univariate analysis of 21 MR signs, there were seven that had a significant association with neoplasia: single lesion (P = 0.004), shape (P = 0.015), mass effect (P = 0.002), dural contact (P = 0.04), dural tail (P = 0.005), lesions affecting adjacent bone (P = 0.008), and contrast enhancement (P = 0.025). Increasing age was also found to be associated with neoplasia (P = 0.0001). MR signs of non-neoplastic brain diseases in dogs and cats were more variable than those of brain neoplasia.     

Astrocyte activity and autophagy after radiation-induced brain injury in rats

AIM: To investigate the activity of astrocytes and autophagy-related changes after radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) in rats.METHODS: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180~200 g, were trained for 4 d in the Morris water maze. They were randomly divided into sham group, model group and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group. The rats in model group and 3-MA group were given single whole-brain X-ray irradiation at a dose of 20 Gy after intraperitoneal anesthesia. After the irradiation was completed, the rats in model group was given 5 μL of NaCl into the lateral ventricle, and the rats in 3-MA group was injected with 3-MA at 600 nmol into the lateral ventricle. After 8 weeks of feeding, Morris water maze was used for measuring the learning and memory abilities. The brain tissues were taken and HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the hippocampus. The protein level of GFAP was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot for evaluating astrocyte activity. Dual fluorescence staining of GFAP and LC3 was performed for evaluating the changes of autophagy in the astrocytes. The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 detected by Western blot and TUNEL staining in the ipsilateral hippocampus were used to evaluate the apoptosis. The contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were examined by ELISA to assess the inflammatory response in the hippocampus.RESULTS: Radiation inhibited astrocyte activity, activated autophagy in astrocytes, and aggravated brain damage. 3-MA promoted the activation of astrocytes and promoted the repair of brain tissue damage.CONCLUSION: The injury of rat hippocampus after radiation is obvious, and the number of astrocytes is significantly reduced. 3-MA significantly attenuates the damage. This finding may provide a new approach for the treatment of radiation-induced brain injury.     

Action of deltamethrin on N-type (Cav2.2) voltage-sensitive calcium channels in rat brain

Isolated presynaptic nerve terminals prepared from whole rat brain were used to evaluate the action of deltamethrin on voltage-sensitive calcium channels by measuring calcium influx and endogenous glutamate release. Deltamethrin-enhanced K⁺-stimulated calcium influx and subsequent Ca²⁺-dependent glutamate release. The effect of deltamethrin was concentration-dependent, stereospecific, blocked by ω-conotoxin MVIIC but unaltered in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels are a site of action at the presynaptic nerve terminal. Electrophysiological studies were carried out using rat brain Ca_v2.2 and β₃ subunits coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes to validate such action. Deltamethrin reduced barium peak current in a concentraion-dependent and stereospecific manner, increased the rate of activation, and prolonged the inactivation rate of this channel. These experiments support the conclusion that N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel operation is altered by deltamethrin.     

Metabolism mediated interaction of α-asarone and Acorus calamus with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6

The present study was aimed to investigate the possible interaction of the standardized extract of Acorus calamus (AC) with Cytochrome P450 enzyme, quantitative determination of the α-asarone in the AC rhizome was performed by RP-HPLC method. In vitro interaction of the plant extract was evaluated by CYP450-carbon monoxide complex (CYP450-CO) assay. Effect on individual isoforms such as CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 isozymes were analyzed through fluorescence product formation and respective IC₅₀ values were determined. CYP450-CO assay showed moderate interaction potential. Extract showed higher IC₅₀ values (46.84 ± 1.83-32.99 ± 2.21 μg/ml) comparing to the standard inhibitors and lower IC₅₀ value than α-asarone (65.16 ± 2.37-42.15 ± 2.45 μg/ml).     

实验性脾虚证与自由基代谢的相关性及四君子汤对其的调整作用

分别用小承气汤和利血平复制大鼠脾虚证模型，通过检测血清和心、肝、脾、肾等组织中抗氧化酶SOD和GSHP－Px的活性及脂质过氧化反应终产物MDA含量，研究脾虚证与自由基代谢的相关性及四君子汤对其影响。结果表明：两种方法复制脾虚证模型与对照组比较均表现为SOD活性显著升高（P＜0．05），GSH－Px活性显著降低（P＜0．05）；四君子汤反证治疗组与脾虚证组比较表现为SOD活性显著下降（P＜0．05），GSH－Px活性显著升高（P＜0．05），MDA含量显著降低（P＜0．05），与正常对照组接近。表明大鼠虚证动物模型与体内自由基代谢紊乱，脂质过氧化作用增强存在一定关系，健脾益气方药四君子汤能够提高体内抗氧化酶活性，拮抗自由基对生物膜的过氧化损伤，具有抗脂质过氧化损伤的作用。     

超声波辅助提取鱼脑磷脂的研究

以鲣鱼脑为原料,对鱼脑磷脂超声提取方法进行了研究.以磷脂提取率为评价指标,通过单因素和正交试验优化了鱼脑磷脂提取的条件.结果表明：以正己烷-乙醇（体积比2∶1）为提取溶剂,超声提取时间为40 min,超声温度为35℃,固液比为1∶9 （g∶ mL）,超声提取2次,在此条件下鱼脑磷脂的提取率达到氯仿-甲醇法的87.1％;通过薄层色谱分析,确定鲣鱼脑磷脂中含有磷脂酰乙醇胺、磷脂酰胆碱和神经鞘磷脂3种磷脂;用气相色谱法测定鲣鱼脑磷脂的脂肪酸组成,高不饱和脂肪酸中DHA和EPA的含量分别为21.1％和2.4％.研究表明,用超声法提取鱼脑磷脂具有可行性,鱼脑磷脂中含丰富的不饱和脂肪酸,在食品加工中具有一定的应用前景.     

酸枣仁散对运输应激大鼠脑内5-HT表达的影响

为研究运输应激对脑内五羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)表达的影响及酸枣仁散对运输应激的调控作用,试验采用摇床模拟公路运输途中的摇晃、高温和拥挤等因素,建立大鼠运输应激模型(35℃,60r/min,每天应激2h,连续7d)。将40只大鼠随机分为对照组、酸枣仁组、应激组和应激+酸枣仁组,分别处理7d后,断头取脑,利用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)和免疫组化法检测各组大鼠脑区5-HT含量变化及分布。酶联免疫吸附法检测结果显示,与对照组相比,应激组大鼠中缝核、海马和纹状体等脑区5-HT表达量均明显减少(P0.05),应激+酸枣仁组较应激组5-HT表达量显著增加(P0.05)。免疫组化结果显示,在中缝背核及其亚核DRDsh、DRv和DRc亚核,应激组大鼠5-HT灰度值与对照组相比显著下降(P0.05),应激+酸枣仁组与应激组相比显著上升(P0.05)。以上结果表明,运输应激可以导致中枢神经系统部分脑区5-HT含量下降,而酸枣仁散可能通过上调脑内5-HT的含量来调控运输应激。     

妊娠后期营养限制对蒙古绵羊胎儿生物原胺类神经递质的影响

本试验旨在研究妊娠后期营养限制对蒙古绵羊胎儿生物原胺类神经递质的影响。选择健康、体况相近的蒙古绵羊18只,对其进行同期发情、配种后,从妊娠第90天开始,随机分为3个组:营养限制1组[NG1组,n=6,代谢能(ME)=0.175 MJ/(kg BW 0.75·d)]、营养限制2组[NG2组,n=6,ME=0.330 MJ/(kg BW 0.75·d)]和对照组[CG组,n=6,ME=0.670 MJ/(kg BW 0.75·d)],在妊娠第140天时屠宰,取各组胎儿及其脑组织和血液。结果显示:NG1组胎儿的脑重较CG组显著增高(P<0.05),并且NG1组胎儿脑中5-羟色胺(5-HT)(P<0.01)、肾上腺素(EPI)(P<0.05)含量显著或极显著高于CG组,去甲肾上腺素(NA)的含量极显著低于CG组(P<0.01)。NG2组胎儿脑中5-HT含量极显著高于CG组(P<0.01),而NA(P<0.01)、多巴胺(DA)(P<0.05)含量显著或极显著低于CG组。另外,NG1组胎儿血浆中5-HT(P<0.01)、EPI(P<0.01)、NA(P<0.05)、DA(P<0.01)含量显著或极显著低于CG组;NG2组胎儿血浆中5-HT(P<0.01)、NA(P<0.01)、DA(P<0.05)含量显著或极显著低于CG组。由此得出,妊娠后期营养限制使得蒙古绵羊胎儿脑中5-HT、EPI含量升高和NA含量降低,血浆中5-HT、EPI、NA、DA含量降低。     

国医大师张学文辨治脑萎缩经验

国医大师张学文认为脑萎缩的中医病机主要是肾虚血瘀、气虚血瘀、颅脑水瘀导致脑髓失于精血濡养,脑髓不健。髓海不足和脑髓不健是本,脑络痹阻、清阳不升、浊气不降是标,本病往往虚实夹杂,纯虚者少,虚中夹实者多。宜滋肾荣脑,治当补气和血、祛瘀利水、解郁化痰、益肾活血。