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    26 October 2014, Volume 4 Issue 5 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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    Study on the Effect and Mechanism of Early Intervention with Compound Danshen Tablet on Learning and Memory in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice
    Liu Min, Guo Hai-biao, Li Chu-yuan, Wang De-qin, Xu Jiang-ping, Qin Ren-an
    2014, 4 (5):  1-7. 
    Abstract ( 2876 )   PDF (5393KB) ( 1095 )  
    Objective: To investigate effect of compound danshan tablet (CDST) on learning and memory in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and the underlying mechanism. Methods: APP/PS1 transgenic mice at the age of 4 months were orally administered with vehicle or CDST or donepezil for 8 weeks, then the behavioral performance of mice was tested using novel object recognition and step-down passive avoidance. Aβ40 and Aβ42 level in the hippocampus of wild-type mice and APP/PS1 mice were determined by ELISA assay. Real time PCR and Western blot were used to examine mRNA and protein expression of insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) and neprilysin (NEP) respectively. Results: Result of novel object recognition test showed that CDST (720 mg·kg-1) significantly increased the recognition index for the novel object in APP/PS1 mice. Step-down passive avoidance suggested that CDST (720,360mg·kg-1)-treated APP/PS1 mice significantly decreased the latency to stay on the platform. In addition, APP/PS1 mice treated by CDST (720 mg·kg-1) significantly increased retention on the platform. ELISA analysis showed that CDST (720,360mg·kg-1) decreased the level of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. In Real time PCR, CDST (720mg·kg-1) statistically increased the mRNA expression of IDE and NEP in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Western blot analysis indicated that CDST (720mg·kg-1) significantly increased IDE expression in APP/PS1 mice. Conclusion: Improvement of learning and memory by CDST in APP/PS1 mice may be associated with the decreased of Aβ and increased of IDE expression.
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    Antidepressant Effects of Chaihu Shugan Powder Alcohol Extracts in Mice Depression Model
    YU Ya-qing, WANG Lin-lin, WEI Li, ZHANG Wan-ming
    2014, 4 (5):  8-14. 
    Abstract ( 2798 )   PDF (5210KB) ( 1123 )  
    Objective: To investigate the effects of Chaihu Shugan powder (CSGS) alcohol extracts on behaviors in a mouse model of depression. Methods: Mice model of depressiion was established by combination of CUMS and CRS to evaluate the antidepressant effects by performing the body weight growth rate, sucrose preference test, open field test, emotional behavior test, tail suspension test, and force swimming test. Results: Combation of CUMS and CRS induced significant depressive behaviors as compared with the control group. Namely, the body weight growth rate was slower (P<0.01); the sucrose preference rate reduced; the acrossing-movement times and rearing-movement times of model mice were lower in open field test (P<0.01, P<0.05); the emotional behavior score of model mice was lower in emotional behavior test (P<0.05); the non-movement time of model mice was longer in tail suspension test (P<0.01); the immobility time was increased in force swimming test  of model mice (P<0.01). Compared with the saline group, treatment of alcohol extract of Chaihu Shugan powder (4.1, 8.2, 16.4 g·kg-1) could improve the symptoms of depressive mice in a dose-related manner (P<0.01, P<0.05). Based on the equal amount of crude drug (8.2 g·kg-1), treatment of alcohol extract for 28 days showed higher body weight and acrossing-movement times, and lower immobility time in the open field test and force swimming test respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Depression model was successfully established by combining the CUMS and CRS. CSGS alcohol extract showed notable antidepressant effects.
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    Establishment of model about Ulcerative Colitis and the Mechanism of Colitis-related Inflammatory Responses
    WANG Qian TIAN Hui LIU Liang-jing ZHONG Ming MEI Yan-fei ZHANG Li
    2014, 4 (5):  15-23. 
    Abstract ( 3430 )   PDF (11957KB) ( 953 )  
    Objective: To establish 2,4,6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and oxazolone (OXZ) induced murine models of ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods:Totally 120 mice (♂) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 30). Ⅰ,Ⅱgroup referring to Morris and Walter TNBS model mice were prepared: Ⅰgroup (TNBS solvent control group), 50% ethanol 0.1ml enema; Ⅱgroup (TNBS model group), 0.6% TNBS solution 0.1ml enema; after the two groups enema administered once, on d 1, d 2, d 3, d 5, d 7, 6 mice in each group were sacrificed. Ⅲ, Ⅳ group referring to Heller OXZ model mice were prepared: Ⅲ group (OXZ solvent control group), skin smear 100% ethanol 0.1ml, once a day for 2d, d 7 with 50 percent ethanol 0.1ml enema; Ⅳ group (OXZ model group), skin applicator 1% OXZ solution (100% ethanol solution) 0.1ml once a day for 2d (sensitization), d 7 with 0.5% OXZ (50% ethanol solution) 0.1ml enema; after the two groups enema administered once, on d 1 to d5 6 mice in each group were sacrificed. Observed mice Disease Activity Index (DAI), Colon Macroscopic Damage Index (CMDI) and Histopathological Score (HPS) of group Ⅰ ~ Ⅳ, and detected mice colon tissue Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Interleukin -4 ( IL-4), Tumor Necrosis Factor -α (TNF-α) levels. Results: Both models mice DAI, CMDI and HPS, compared with control group, had significantly changed; TNBS-induced colitis and OXZ can lead to significantly increased MPO, TNBS colitis TNF-α significantly increased, OXZ colitis significantly decreased IL-4 . Conclusion:TNBS and OXZ could induce mouse model of ulcerative colitis, TNBS-induced mouse ulcerative colitis with Th1-type inflammation dominated, OXZ ulcerative colitis in mice induced Th2-type inflammatory response with the main , and so, ulcerative colitis is a result that Th1 and Th2 imbalance adjusted .
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    Application of Stereology in Neuroscience Research
    TANG Wen-jing, MA Deng-lei, LI lin
    2014, 4 (5):  24-29. 
    Abstract ( 3356 )   PDF (5798KB) ( 1103 )  
    Stereology is a science based on the principles of geometry and statistics. Recently, design-based stereology has been applied in the experimental research of neuroscience, which makes up the weakness of traditional histopathology in morphological quantitation. The questions of how to measure the volume of regions of interest (ROI), the number of cells (neurons and glial cells) within ROI, the average volume of these cells and their subcellular structure (nuclear, mitochondria), the length of linear biological structures (nerve ?bers and vessels), and the spatial distribution of positive cells within ROI have gradually become the research focus. This article reviewed the application of design-based stereology in neuroscience research, the requirements to the experimental equipments, the sampling techniques and the directions of sectioning in stereological approach, and the commonly used stereological parameters.
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    The Application of Morris Water Maze Experiment in Study of Spatial Learning and Memory
    WU Hai-xia,WU Zhi-gang,LIU Hong-bin,SHEN Li-xia
    2014, 4 (5):  30-35. 
    Abstract ( 2836 )   PDF (5335KB) ( 1085 )  
     Morris water maze experiment is the most widely used in behavioral experiments which can research and evaluate spatial learning and memory ability on animals. In this paper, the application of Morris water maze on learning and memory ability experiment in recent years at home and abroad is summarized.
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    Translesion DNA Synthesis and Its Potential Role in Cancer Therapy
    Huang Min, Tang Tie-shan, Guo Cai-xia
    2014, 4 (5):  36-43. 
    Abstract ( 3562 )   PDF (6866KB) ( 1144 )  
     Translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of DNA damage tolerance in response to DNA damage, which utilizes specialized DNA polymerases to replicate damaged DNA templates. As TLS can tolerate DNA damages, decrease the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs or ionizing radiation, it is a potential mechanism for cancers to develop drug resistance or radiation resistance. Therefore, it is plausible to target TLS pathway to enhance the therapeutic effect on patients with different tumors, including glioblastoma.
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    Research Progress of GSK3 in the Pathophysiology of Depression Disorder
    CHEN Jiao, CHU Shi-feng, WANG Zhen-zhen, CHEN Nai-hong
    2014, 4 (5):  44-54. 
    Abstract ( 4342 )   PDF (11469KB) ( 1010 )  
    Despite many decades of clinical useness, the therapeutic target of lithium remains uncertain.It is recognized that therapeutic concentrations of lithium is to inhibit the activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) to treat depression disorder. Specifically, it has been demonstrated that lithium administration regulates multiple GSK3 targets and multiple antidepressant drugs regulate GSK3 signaling. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of GSK3 results in mood stabilizer-like and antidepressant-like behavior in rodent models. These studies implicate that GSK3 is a possible target for treatment of mood disorders. Furthermore, numerous recent studies have provided more complete understanding of the role of GSK3 in diverse neurological processes, strengthening the hypothesis that GSK3 may represent a therapeutically relevant target of lithium. For example, GSK3 is a primary regulator of oxidative stress response. Inflammatory response, neurogenesis, serotonin transmission and circadian rhythms may be involved in GSK3-regulated pathways. In this regard, further study is needed to develop novel specific GSK3 inhibitors for the treatment of depressive disorders. In this article, we will discuss the role of GSK3 in five aspects including oxidative stress response, inflammatory response, neurogenesis, serotonin transmission and circadian rhythms to summary the research progress in pathological mechanisms of depression.
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    Pharmacological Actions and Therapeutic Applications of Tanshinone ⅡA
    MEI Yan-fei, ZHANG Dan-shen
    2014, 4 (5):  55-64. 
    Abstract ( 2329 )   PDF (9382KB) ( 876 )  
    Tanshinone ⅡA, one of the mainly active ingredients from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge, is the basis of its pharmacological activity. Tanshinone ⅡA can increase the coronary blood flow, improve the myocardial function, reduce platelet aggregation, etc, therefore it is widely used in clinical treatment of cardio-cerebral blood vessel diseases. Because tanshinone ⅡA has various biological activities, such as anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, these actions could enlarge its range of applications. In this review, the pharmacological actions and clinical applications of tanshinone ⅡA was summarized.
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