Effects of sodium fluoride on hepatic toxicity in adult mice and their suckling pups

In this investigation, we have evaluated the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) on hepatic function in pregnant and lactating mice and their suckling pups. Experiments were carried out on female Wistar mice given 500 ppm sodium fluoride (226 ppm fluoride ion) in their drinking water from the 15th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. All mice were sacrificed on day 14 after parturition. Our results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of total protein and albumin, a marked hypoglycaemia and a significant decline in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in fluoride-treated mice and their pups. Whereas globulin and biluribin levels in serum were not significantly changed by NaF treatment. On the other hand, serum transaminase activities (aspartate transaminase; alanine transaminase), which well known as markers of liver function, were elevated indicating hepatic cells’ damage after treatment with fluoride. Lipid peroxidation increased in NaF-treated mice and pups, as revealed by high liver malondialdehyde levels, while serum total antioxidant status showed a significant decline. These biochemical modifications in NaF-treated mice also correspond histologically with extensive ballooning, hepatocellular necrosis and infiltration of mononuclear cells. These effects were not observed in controls.     

Effect of uric acid on the maturation and the biological function of BMDCs

AIM: To investigate the effect of uric acid on the maturation and the biological function of murine bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro.METHODS: BMDCs were cultured with GM-CSF, IL-4, LPS and uric acid. Cell phenotypes were analyzed by flow cytometry. MTT was used to detect the effect of uric acid on the function of BMDCs in stimulating the proliferation of T cells. IL-12 released by BMDCs was also detected. RESULTS: BMDCs were cultured and identified. Uric acid at concentrations of 200 mg/L and 400 mg/L increased the expression of the molecules (CD11c, CD83, CD86, IA/IE) on BMDCs surface and the IL-12 level in the culture supernatants (P<0.05), promoted the proliferation of T cells at the T: DC rate 5∶1, 10∶1, 20∶1 (P<0.05). However, uric acid at concentration of 70 mg/L had no effect on above molecule expression (P>0.05), no effect on T cell proliferation with BMDCs (P>0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION: Uric acid promotes the differentiation, maturation, the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, the IL-12 production in BMDCs and enhances the ability of BMDCs to stimulate the proliferation of T cell in a specical dose range.     

The anticancer activity of genistein on implanted tumor of human primary gastric carcinoma cells in nude mice

AIM: To investigate the apoptosis of implanted tumor of primary human gastric cancer cells in nude mice induced by genistein and the relation between this apoptosis and expression of bcl-2 and bax.METHODS: Establishing a transplanted tumor model by injecting human primary gastric cancer cells into subcutaneous tissue of nude mice.The different doses of genistein (0.5mg/kg,1mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg ) were directly injected beside tumor body respectively,for six times at an interval of two days.Then changes of tumor volume were measured continuously and tumor inhibition rate of each group was calculated.We observed the morphologic alteration by electron microscope,measured the apoptotic rate by TUNEL staining method,detected the expression of apoptosis-regulated gene bcl-2 and bax by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR.RESULTS: Genistein could significantly inhibit carcinoma growth when it was injected near the carcinoma.Genistein induced implanted tumors cells to undergo apoptosis with apoptotic characteristics by transmission electron microscope.The apoptosis index of above three groups was increased progressively.Positive rate of Bcl-2 protein of above three groups was decreased progressively and positive rate of Bax protein of above three groups was increased progressively by immunohistochemical staining.The density of bcl-2 mRNA decreased progressively and the density of bax mRNA increased progressively with elongation of time by RT-PCR.CONCLUSION: Genistein is able to induce the apoptosis of transplanted tumor cells.This apoptosis may be mediated by down-regulating bcl-2 and up-regulating bax mRNA and its protein.     

Mechanisms for protection of berberine against LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice

AIM:To investigate the mechanisms by which berberine attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury, and provide a new strategy for the treatment of the lung injury due to LPS. METHODS:BALB/c mice were randomly assigned into three groups (control, LPS group, and berberine treatment group). Mice were administered intragastrically with distilled water (0.1 mL/10 g) or neutral sulfate berberine (50 mg/kg) once a day for 3 days, 1 h after intragastrical treatment on day 3, LPS (20 mg/kg) or normal saline was injected intraperitoneally (ip). All animals were sacrificed 12 h after LPS injection, the left lung tissue sections were prepared for histology analysis and the right lung were used to determine the ratio of wet to dry lung tissue weight (W/D). In another experiment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and then the total protein content, and the amounts of white blood cells (WBC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in BALF were determined. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (cPLA₂) was detected with immunohistochemical analysis by using phospho-cPLA2(Ser505) antibody, and the contents of thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) in BALF, malondialdehyde (MDA) in the lungs, and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in lung tissues were also determined.RESULTS:LPS induced acute lung injury, activated cPLA₂, and increased TXB₂ content in the BALF and MDA level in the lung tissue. The pretreatment with berberine significantly attenuated lung injury, lung edema and protein leakage induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The expression of phospho-cPLA₂ in the lung tissues and TXB₂ content in the BALF in the berberine treatment group were lower than those in LPS group (P<0.05). In addition, the content of MDA in the lung tissue was lower in the berberine treatment group than LPS group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in activity of lung SOD between the berberine treatment and LPS group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:Pretreatment with berberine remarkably reduces the LPS-induced lung injury, which is, at least in part, through inhibiting phosphorylation of cPLA₂ and decreasing lipid peroxidation. These findings provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of LPS-induced acute lung injury.     

Purification and differentiation potentiality of fetal liver mesenchymal stem cells from mouse

AIM: To purify and investigate the differentiation potentials of fetal liver mesenchymal stem cells (flMSCs) from murine in vitro.METHODS: flMSCs from mouse fetuses at embryonic and fetal day (ED)13.5 or ED14.5 were isolated by adhering to plastic and passaged by modified method.Cell cycle and phenotype were analyzed by flow cytometry.The cell differentiation was induced by special induction media.The cells differentiated to adipose,cartilaginous and osteoid tissues were identified with oil red O,Toluid blue,alkaline phosphatease (ALP) and von Kossa’s staining.The cells differentiated to neural-like cells were detected by RT-PCR and immuno-staining.RESULTS: Fibroblast-like cells predominated in culture.(83.76±2.88)% of flMSCs stayed in the G₀/G₁ phases.Homogenous cells were positive for mesenchymal lineage markers CD44,CD29,but not for markers of hematopoietic cells CD45,CD11b.flMSCs were able to differentiate into adipogenic,chondrogenic,osteogenic and neurogenic cells.CONCLUSION: flMSCs can be purified by modified plastic-attachment method and have multiple differentiation,which is available to stem cell therapy for various diseases.     

Splenectomy enhances sensitivity of islets to STZ in mice

AIM: To explore the protective role of spleen in damage of islet beta cells induced by streptozotocin (STZ).METHODS: Splenectomy in mice was performed by surgery. Sixty splenectomy mice were divided into 3 groups as the mice were intraperitoneally injected with STZ at doses of 80 mg/kg or 160 mg/kg, and saline, respectively. Sixty normal mice (without splenectomy) were also grouped and treated as above for controls. One week later, fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were monitored,and beta cell mass and the apoptosis of islet cells were analyzed by the methods of immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. The content of reactive oxygen species was determined by the method of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence.RESULTS: Compared to the normal control mice, the concentrations of fasting blood glucose significantly increased, and serum insulin reduced in splenectomy mice treated with STZ at the dose of 80 mg/kg. Moreover, beta cell mass decreased, enrichment factor of nucleosomes of islet apoptotic cells and reactive oxygen species produced in pancreas tissues significantly increased in splenectomy mice treated with STZ at the dose of 80 mg/kg.CONCLUSION: Splenectomy increases the sensitivity of islets to STZ in mice by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species in pancreas.     

小鼠弓形虫病对卵巢功能的影响

为探索弓形虫病导致不孕的机理,选用性成熟SPF级雌性昆明小鼠60只,随机分为实验组与对照组,每组30只。实验组人工感染弓形虫,观察临床症状,并于45d和90d采血,用雌二醇放射免疫分析试剂盒测定实验组与对照组小鼠血中雌二醇的变化;在90d采血后处死小鼠,采集卵巢、脑等材料进行病理学检查。结果表明：在弓形虫感染90d后可明显引起脑和卵巢组织炎症反应与功能障碍,致小鼠血中雌二醇显著降低（（P〈0．05）,可能是导致小鼠不孕的主要原因。     

乌贼墨多糖对环磷酰胺介导小鼠睾丸氧化应激损伤的干预效应

[目的]探讨乌贼墨多糖对环磷酰胺致小鼠睾丸氧化应激损伤的保护作用.[方法]随机将70只成年雄性昆明小鼠分成7组：正常组、模型组、治疗组1、治疗组2、治疗组3、治疗组4和治疗组5,通过对小鼠腹腔注射环磷酰胺进行造模,灌胃乌贼墨多糖作为化疗保护剂,检测小鼠的体重、睾丸和附睾重量、睾丸指数和附睾指数、精子畸形率、睾丸中抗氧化指标,同时观察睾丸组织结构.[结果]乌贼墨多糖能提高小鼠体重和睾丸重量,降低精子畸形率,提高睾丸组织中抗氧化酶SOD和CAT活性,降低MDA含量,修复睾丸病理学损伤.乌贼墨多糖明显缓解环磷酰胺对睾丸的氧化损伤,其最佳灌胃剂量为80 mg/kg.[结论]乌贼墨多糖有可能作为临床上的化疗辅助药物.     

汪清麦饭石的毒理学研究

为开发新的饲料添加剂，阐明其限量和安全性，本试验首次对汪清麦饭石做了较系统的毒理学研究．急性毒性试验结果ＬＤ５０＞２０ｇ／ｋｇ，说明汪清麦饭石属实际无毒类物质．微核试验、精子畸形试验和致畸试验结果表明，在小鼠口粮中添加３．０％以下麦饭石时，致突变阴性（Ｐ＞０．５），无胚胎毒性和致畸作用；添加量达５．０％时，可使小鼠精子畸变率增高（Ｐ＜０．０１），外现畸形率达２．０％．以上结论提示我们，在大剂量使用麦饭石时应引起注意．