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26 June 2013, Volume 3 Issue 3 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Effects of Tamoxifen on Learning and Memory in Female Rats LI Zeng-fang,HE Xiao-li,BI Ming-gang 2013, 3 (3):  1-7.  Abstract ( 3743 )   PDF (1344KB) ( 1560 )   Objective: To investigate the effects of tamoxifen on learning and memory abilities in female rats after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen. Methods: Adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=60) were randomly assigned into 5 groups (control group, vehicle group, TC 2.5 mg•kg-1 group, TC 5 mg•kg-1 group and TC 10 mg•kg-1 group). Morris water maze test, step-down test and 8-arm maze task were used to test the effects of tamoxifen on spatial learning and memory ability, passive avoidance conditioned reflex ability and active learning and memory ability in female SD rats, respectively. Results: Compared with vehicle group, passive avoidance conditioned reflex ability of the rats after i.p. injection of TC for three weeks was significantly decreased (P<0.05). After six weeks of drug treatment, the discriminability on spatial learning and memory ability, passive avoidance conditioned reflex ability and active learning and memory ability were all significantly reduced in these female SD rats (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggested that after tamoxifen treatment for six weeks, the learning and memory abilities in female SD rats were dose-dependently decreased, and that tamoxifen could cause substantial learning and memory deficits in female SD rats. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Screening the Optimal Combination Ratio of Active Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae Ingredients for Their Antioxidant and Hippocampal Neurons Protection Effects Using Uniform Design-High Throughput Screening Technology JIN Can, ZHANG Dan-shen 2013, 3 (3):  8-14.  Abstract ( 2009 )   PDF (1633KB) ( 1716 )   Objective: To implement uniform design-high throughput screening (UD-HTS) technology for screening the antioxidant and hippocampal neurons protection activities of radix salviae miltiorrhizae (RSM) ingredients using multifactor and multilevel combination design. Methods: Bioactive ingredients of RSM (7 liposoluble and 7 water-soluble) were combined with different ratios through uniform design. The bioactivity of the combination samples were assessed by anti-DPPH oxidation activity method (screening) and cytological experiment (rescreening). Results: Two optimal combination samples of the antioxidant and hippocampal neurons protection, A13 and PA, were identified. Conclusion: UD-HTS technology is suitable for multifactor and multilevel screening, which can provide rapid screening of optimal combinations. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Protective Effect of 3'-daidzein Suffocates Sodium on Serum Deprivation-induced Hippocampal Neuronal Cell Damage ZENG Jing, XUE Jin-hua, LI Xiao, HUANG Zhi-hua 2013, 3 (3):  15-18.  Abstract ( 2109 )   PDF (1345KB) ( 1509 )   Objective: To study the protective effect of 3'-daidzein sulfonate sodium (3'-DSS) on hippocampal neuronal cell damage induced by serum deprivation. Methods: Monolayer cell suspension of newborn SD rats (0~24 h) hippocampus was cultured in vitro. As the cells matured, hippocampal neuronal cell injury model was made by using serum-free medium. After treated with 3'-DSS (3.0, 10.0, 30.0 µmol•L-1 of 3'-daidzein sulfonate sodium) and cultivate for 24 hours, the cell viability was detected by MTT assay, the cell shape changes were observed, the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of serum-removed hippocampal neurons was detected. Results: In the 3'-DSS treating groups, comparing with the control group, the boundary of hippocampal neuron cell membrane is clearer, cell bodies are normal, the retraction of synapses is relieved and the cell adherence to the wall was normal. The cell viability is increased in treated groups, while the LDH activity of serum-removed hippocampal neurons is decreased. The result of MTT revealed cell viability of serum-removed hippocampal neurons was increased in 3'-DSS treating group as compared to the control group. Conclusion: 3'-DSS shows significant protective effect on hippocampal neuronal cell damage induced by removing serum. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Progress on the Involvement of GRP78 and ATF4 – CHOP – Puma Signaling Pathway in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Parkinson's Disease WANG Qi, DUAN Leng-xin 2013, 3 (3):  19-26.  Abstract ( 3525 )   PDF (1108KB) ( 1803 )   Endoplasmic reticulum is one of the important organelles in eukaryotic cells, and it is closely related to the cellular homeostasis state. Glucose shortage, hypoxia, calcium imbalance and oxidative stress all can lead to the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the cells，which will lead to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease, with the typical pathological changes being the lack of the neurotransmitter dopamine resulting from the degeneration and loss of the dopaminergic nerve cells in the substantia nigra striatum. Current treatments of Parkinson's disease is to relieve the symptoms rather than prevent the progression of the disease. Recent research suggests that the selective death of dopaminergic neurons is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress in the process of the Parkinson's disease. The central modulating factors of endoplasmic reticulum stress, i.e. glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and the downstream ATF4 - CHOP - Puma signaling pathway, are closely linked to the progress of the Parkinson's disease. This review summarized recent developments of the GRP78 and its downstream ATF4 - CHOP - Puma signaling pathways, in the hope of providing information for the potential new targets in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Research Advances on Mechanism of Cognitive Impairment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus   CHENG Fang, HU Meng, DU Guan-tao, LIU Guang-jun, HONG Hao 2013, 3 (3):  27-33.  Abstract ( 2837 )   PDF (1136KB) ( 1868 )   Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the independent risk factors that can induce cognitive impairment. Except for chronic hyperglycemia-induced glucotoxicity and disorder of cholesterol metabolism, impaired insulin signaling, hyperfunction of HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and other factors are also attributed to the pathogenesis of diabetic cognitive dysfunction. Furthermore, many biochemical indicators and abnormal cell signaling pathways not only increase the neurotoxicity of amyloid-β peptide and induce nerve cells apoptosis, but also aggravate cerebral microvessels disease and damage both the structure and function of blood-brain barrier and then promote the occurrence and development of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This paper reviewed the key mechanisms in the process of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus and presented the strategies for its prevention and treatment, and subsequently laid the foundation for development of drugs which can effectively treat diabetic cognitive dysfunction. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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A Review on the Relationship between Estrogen, Estrogen Receptor and Hypertension Disease MA Xin-zhe, LV Yang, WANG Hai-ping 2013, 3 (3):  34-38.  Abstract ( 3485 )   PDF (1059KB) ( 1499 )   Estrogen is a steroid hormone, which is produced by the placenta and ovaries. Estrogen receptor (ER) belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily, which is widely expressed in tissues. Studies have shown that estrogen and estrogen receptors’ biological effects are closely related to the function of cardiovascular system, especially for hypertension. The article will summarize the research progress and the mechanism of action of estrogen and its receptors in their involvement in hypertension . References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Neurotoxic Effects of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials WANG1 Jie-ting, ZHANG Fang, DING Wen-jun 2013, 3 (3):  39-47.  Abstract ( 2862 )   PDF (1149KB) ( 1731 )   Manufactured metal oxide nanomaterials are utilized in a wide variety of applications including in diagnostic devices, cell tracking, drug targeting and regenerative medicine, and their potential adverse effects on both the environment and human health have been concerned. It has been reported that metal oxide nanomaterials-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cytokine release play important roles in the blood-brain barrier damage and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. However, the mechanism underlying metal oxide nanomaterials-related neurotoxicity has not been fully elucidated. Here, the neurotoxic effects of metal oxide nanoparticles on central nervous system are reviewed. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Research Progress of Chemotherapeutics used in the Treatment of Gliomas HAO Jun-rong，TIAN Yu-qin，SHEN Li-xia 2013, 3 (3):  48-56.  Abstract ( 2515 )   PDF (1081KB) ( 2743 )   Glioma is a malignant tumor with high morbidity endangering human health. The comprehensive treatment of glioma is based on operation，although radiotherapy and drugs are also used in combination. In the comprehensive treatment, chemotherapeutic drugs play an important role. This article reviews the new developments of antitumer drugs used to treat glioma, including drugs used in clinical settings already and those that are still under development but have demonstrated antitumor activity. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Their Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury: Current Status ZHANG Si, GU Bing, LI Hua-nan, ZHANG Guo-fu, ZHANG Shui-yin, MIN You-jiang 2013, 3 (3):  57-64.  Abstract ( 3094 )   PDF (1188KB) ( 1621 )   Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually refers to the acute trauma of spinal cord (including nerve root). The event will result in the loss of motor and sensory functions in different degrees. It is believed that currently traditional stem cell transplantation is not able to completely repair SCI. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with many advantages of stem cells have huge potential value in the study of cell replacement therapy and its mechanism and new drug screening. By introducing the biological characteristics of iPSCs and current status of the technology, and detailed summarizing the research status of iPSCs transplantation in SCI and its facing predicaments, this paper points out the problems need to be solved before the clinical application. References | Related Articles | Metrics