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26 April 2013, Volume 3 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Changes of CGRP8-37-induced Antinociception and CGRP-immunoreactivity at Spinal Levels in Morphine Tolerant Rats YANG Ying, YU Long-Chuan 2013, 3 (2):  1-12.  Abstract ( 2204 )   PDF (11377KB) ( 748 )   Objective: It is known that intrathecal administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide 8-37 (CGRP8-37), an antagonist to CGRP1 receptor, induced antinociception. The present study was performed to investigate the changes in nociceptive modulation of CGRP8-37 and CGRP-immunoreactivity at spinal levels after morphine tolerance. Methods: The hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) to both thermal and mechanical stimulation were assessed by hot plate and Randall Selitto Test. The CGRP-like immunoreactivity at spinal levels was tested by immunohistochemistry. Results: The hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) to both thermal and mechanical stimulation increased significantly after intrathecal injection of 10 nmol of CGRP8-37. There were also significant increases in HWLs to both thermal and mechanical stimulation after intrathecal administration of CGRP8-37 in morphine tolerant rats and rats recovered from morphine tolerance. It is interesting that the CGRP8-37-induced antinociceptive effects were lower in morphine tolerant rats than those in morphine naive rats and rats recovered from morphine tolerance. Furthermore, there were increases in CGRP-like immunoreactivity in dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of L3 – L5 in morphine tolerant rats. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated the down-regulations in CGRP8-37-induced antinociception after morphine tolerance, which is possibly resulted from the changes in both the opioid and the CGRP systems. The latter was implicated partly in the present study, in that there were plastic changes in CGRP-like immunoreactivity in dorsal horn and DRG after morphine tolerance. All results above suggested that CGRP might play an important role in morphine tolerance at the spinal levels. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Secoisolariciresinol Reduces Behavioral Despair and Regulates Hippocampal BDNF Expression in Ovariectomized Mice YAO Guang-Yin, JI Dan-Yang, ZHOU Wei-Dong, YAO Hai-Yan, KU Bao-Shan, YANG Dong-Hui 2013, 3 (2):  13-25.  Abstract ( 2459 )   PDF (15284KB) ( 863 )   Objective: To investigate the antidepressant-like effect and the possible mechanism of Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Methods: OVX mice were used as a menopausal animal model and tail suspension and forced swimming tests were conducted to measure the effects of SECO on behavioral despair. The expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein were measured by real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. In addition, Akt and pAkt were tested by Western blot analysis and BrdU-labeled cells were observed by immunofluorescence. Results: SECO (10 and 20 mg/kg, p.o. ) significantly reduced the immobility duration of OVX mice in both forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Administration of SECO significantly increased BDNF levels in hippocampus. Moreover, this study demonstrated that SECO increased BDNF immunoreactivity in hippocampal CA1, CA3 and DG pyramidal neurons, and BrdU-labeled cell number in the DG subfield. SECO also significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt. Conclusion: SECO has the potential to treat depression in menopausal women which may be attributed to BDNF-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Studies on Synthesis and Structure Characterization and Biological Activity of Orientin-Zinc Complexes from Trollius Chinensis Bunge JIANG Wei, CAO Xin-xin, WANG Shu-lin, WANG Shu-hua 2013, 3 (2):  26-34.  Abstract ( 2349 )   PDF (6969KB) ( 793 )   Objective: To optimize the synthetic process conditions of and study the antioxidation activity of orientin and orientin zinc complexes in vitro. Methods: Using elemental analyzer, plasma emission spectrometer, ultraviolet spectrometer, infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analyzer and nuclear magnetic resonance instrument, the structural characterization of orientin zinc complexes was observed, taking superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical 2,2-Diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl (DPPH)radical generation system as experimental system, to examine the antioxidant activity of orientin and orientin-zinc complexes. Results: The best coordination reaction optimum process of complexes formed by orientin and zinc acetate was shown as follows. Taking anhydrous ethanol as solvent, reaction pH was 8, reaction temperature was 65℃, and reaction time was 8 h. The orientin-zinc complexes maybe the chemical formula [Zn3(C21H15O11)2]?4H2O and chemical structural formula. Orientin and orientin-zinc complexes have clear ability of removing ·OH and ·DPPH, and the effect of orientin-zinc complexes in each dose group was more obvious than equivalent dose orientin at 1.0~8.0μg·mL-1. Conclusion: Orientin-zinc complexes is more superior than orientin on the activity of antioxidation. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Advances in the Molecular Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease ZHANG Na，DOU De-qiang 2013, 3 (2):  35-42.  Abstract ( 2123 )   PDF (7215KB) ( 636 )   Parkinson's disease is a common degenerative disease of the nervous system in elderly people. The main pathological features of Parkinson's substantia nigra is the disappearance of dopamine neurons, which reduces the dopamine level in the striatum. This paper summarized the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease in recent years in several aspects, including genetic factors, environmental factors, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, nitrogen stress, abnormal immune inflammatory response, apoptosis doctrine and neurotransmitter imbalances. This review provides a theoretical basis for further study of Parkinson's disease. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Evaluation of Methods and Models on Lower Urinary Tract Nerve Function WU Zhi-gang， SHEN Li-xia 2013, 3 (2):  43-48.  Abstract ( 2126 )   PDF (6296KB) ( 831 )   Control of the lower urinary tract requires complex neuronal circuits that involve elements located at the peripheral nervous system and at different levels of the central nervous system. The lower urinary tract dysfunction is a clinical common disease. Through animal experiments and clinical research, we have accumulated much information of related lower urinary tract nerve function for years. In this paper，we take the bladder, urethra tract nerve function experiment method and model research as the breakthrough point, and try to provide comprehensive technical information for the the basic research and clinical prevention and treatment research of the urinary tract dysfunction，through reviewing related research reports. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: a Link between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder Luo Yi, Chen Jian-guo, Wang Fang 2013, 3 (2):  49-57.  Abstract ( 3099 )   PDF (11095KB) ( 832 )   Posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder are usually comorbid in individuals who experience traumatic events. The molecular and cellular mechanisms of high morbidity of major depressive disorder after post-traumatic stress disorder have not been elucidated. In this review, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, cortisol, inflammation and neurotrophic factors have been compared between posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder in the view of neuronal plasticity. Neurotrophic factors, especially brain- derived neurotrophic factor, are potential candidates of the link between posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder. Moreover, future researches need to focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of brain derived neurotrophic factor affecting on major depressive disorder after posttraumatic stress disorder. Traditional Chinese medicine monomers that initiate brain derived neurotrophic factor signaling or drugs modulating the release of brain derived neurotrophic factor could be used to prevent major depressive disorder after posttraumatic stress disorder. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Research Advance in Relationship between Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Mechanisms of Depression Jin Can, ZHANG Dan-shen, CHEN Nai-hong 2013, 3 (2):  58-64.  Abstract ( 2735 )   PDF (7319KB) ( 590 )   Adult hippocampal has continuous neurogenesis, early studies have found that adult neurogenesis is impaired in models of depression. In this review, we will analyze the current studies on the relationship between depression and adult hippocampal neurogenesis as follows: image changes in depression patients, relationship between hippocampal neurogenesis and depression, and antidepressant effects on neurogenesis. References | Related Articles | Metrics