Abstract:Objective To observe the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and its mediated inflammatory factors in the aorta of Zuker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats with early atherosclerosis(AS), and observe the intervention effect of atorvastatin. Methods ZDF rats models of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) and AS were established by feeding high-fat diet accompanied with multiple injections of vitamin D₃(VD₃). Meanwhile, half of these rats were also given atorvastatin(ATV). Changes of serum glucose, lipids, insulin, ox-LDL and hsCRP were tested. Morphological changes of aorta tissues were examined by histopathology. The gene expressions of NLRP3 and some other inflammatory mediators were also quantified. Results After feeding high-fat diet, the glucose, lipids, insulin and ox-LDL levels of ZDF rats in the model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).After VD₃ injecting, pathological changes also occurred in the early stage AS. Moreover, the hsCRP level was increased along with elevated gene expressions of NLRP3, caspase 1, IL-1β and TNF-α in the aorta tissues (P<0.05). Nevertheless, the serum glucose, lipids, insulin, ox-LDL and hsCRP levels in ZDF rats of the ATV group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The pathological changes were attenuated and gene expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and TNF-α in the aorta tissues also significantly reduced (P<0.05). Conclusions NLPR3 inflammasome and its mediated inflammatory mediators participate in the inflammatory responses during the early AS development. ATV can inhibit the gene expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, and alleviate the inflammatory responses during atherosclerosis.

Abstract:Objective To study the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the growth of human cervical carcinoma CaSki xenografts in nude mice. Methods Human cervical cancer cell line CaSki cells were inoculated subcutaneously into nude mice. Thirty-five tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: curcumin high dose (200 mg/kg), moderate dose (100 mg/kg), low dose (50 mg/kg), solvent control group and cisplatin group (3 mg/kg), 7 mice in each group. Curcumin was orally administered once per day for consecutive 15 days. Intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin was given every three days, for a total of five times. The mice were sacrificed 24 h after the end of treatment and the body weight, tumor volume, tumor weight were measured and the inhibition rate was calculated. The histological changes of tumor tissue was examined. Results The tumor volumes of the treated group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). The tumor inhibition rate of the curcumin high, medium and low dose groups were 44.3%, 40.1% and 33.3%, respectively. Apparent necrosis was observed in the tumors of the curcumin-treated groups. Conclusion Curcumin possesses apparent inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted tumors of human cervical cancer CaSki cells in nude mice.

Abstract:Objective To provide experimental data for clinical prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver disease in mice by a Chinese medicine, Siwu decoction, and study the intervention effect of Siwu decoction on alcoholic liver injury. Methods Sixty C57 mice were selected and randomly divided into the control group,model group and Siwu decoction low, medium and high dose (0.91, 1.82, 3.64 g/kg/d) groups, 12 mice in each group. The mouse models of alcoholic fatty liver were generated with gastric gavage of 50% ethanol, and Siwu decoction intervention was applied to these mouse models. Six weeks later,the mice body weight,liver index,serum biochemical indexes and liver pathological changes were determined and analyzed. Results Compared with the model group, Body weight gains of mice in all dose Siwu Decoction groups were significantly increased (P<0.05),and liver indexes significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum levels of ALT, AST and TG content significantly decreased(P< 0.05).The liver gross appearance was gradually changed from rough to smooth and the color gradually deepened in the mice of Siwu decoction groups, increasingly from low to high dose group.Pathological examination showed a decrease of hepatic steatosis in the mice treated with Siwu decoction from low dose to high dose, and mice in the high dose group showed the best improvement of hepatic steatosis. Conclusion The Chinese medicine Siwu decoction has a protective effect on alcoholic liver injury in mice.

Abstract:Objective To analyze and understand the epidemic situation of intestinal helminthe infection in wild tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri Chinensis), and to provide useful reference and support for prevention and treatment of parasitic infection in tree shrews. Methods 203 wild tree shrews were used in this study. Stool ova in the smear from fresh feces and after incubation were observed and identified by routine microscopic examination. Cestodes were observed in press slide after fixation and staining, and nematodes were observed under a stereoscope after clearing. The ova were identified with corresponding adult parasites. Results In this survey, we found the total prevalence rate of intestinal helminthes in this wild tree shrew population was 75.86%, mainly including three kinds of important parasites, namely, Hymenolepis diminuta 27.67%, Rictularia sp. 30.06%, and Strongyloides stercoralis 51.52%, respectively. Mixed infection rate of the three species was 4.55%. For Rictularia sp. and Strongyloides stercoralis, embryonated eggs were often observed in their fresh feces. Conclusions Intestinal helminth infection rate is rather high in the wild tree shrews. Quarantine inspection is necessary for new intake. Different control measures and surveillance should be taken to control the dissemination of intestinal helminth infection in tree shrews.

Abstract:Objective To find a more appropriate method of adipogenic induction for adipose stem cells derived from humans and rats by comparing their adipogenic differentiation ability using two kinds of adipogenic culture media. Methods The human adipose stem cells (hADSCs) were extracted from lipoaspirates of 3 donors in the clinic, and the rat adipose stem cells (rADSCs) were obtained from adipose tissues of 6-week old rats. The cells were plated into two 6-well plates, and were divided into 3 groups: the negative control group, adipogenic induction group I and group II, respectively, two wells in each group. The control medium, adipogenic induction medium I and medium II were added into the cells of different groups, respectively. After induction for 10 days, the adipogenic differentiation ability of cells was assessed under microscope with oil red O staining and detecting the optical density value of 490 nm (A 490 nm) to compare the lipid droplet formation in the cells. Results The hADSCs and rADSCs showed a fibroblast-like growth. Positive oil red O staining cells showed orange lipid in the cells of adipogenic induction group from the third day of culture. The amount of lipid in cells induced by adipogenic induction medium II was higher than that in cells induced by adipogenic induction medium I, the A490 nm optical density of hADSCs induced by adipogenic induction medium II was significantly higher than that induced by adipogenic induction medium I (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the rADSCs induced by adipogenic induction medium I and II (P>0.05). Conclusions Both hADSCs and rADSCs can be induced to adipogenic differentiation using the two kinds of induction media, however, the induction of adipogenic differentiation ability of the adipogenic induction medium II is stronger than that of the adipogenic induction medium I.

Abstract:Objective This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of acupuncture, moxibustion and electro-acupuncture on guinea pig models of cochlear endolymphatic hydrops. Methods Fifty healthy male guinea pigs (body weight 200-250 g) were randomly divided into five groups: the normal group, model group, acupuncture group, moxibustion group, and electro-acupuncture group (n=10 in each group). Forty guinea pigs received a once-daily intraperitoneal injection of aldosterone in a dose of 100 μg/100 g/d for 5 days to induce endolymphatic hydrops. After a 2-month interval, the animals of the acupuncture, moxibustion and electro-acupuncture groups were treated with corresponding acupoints stimulation at points Baihui (GV 20) and Tinggong (SI 19) once a day for 10 days, respectively. We measured the hearing threshold of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and evaluated pathologically the degree of hydrops using hematoxylin-eosin staining, and then the ratio of scala media (SM) area/[SM + scala vestibuli (SV) area] was calculated. Results 1. The hearing threshold of ABR in the acupuncture, moxibustion and electro-acupuncture groups were all significantly lower than that of the model group (P<0.01). The ABR threshold in the electro-acupuncture group was significantly decreased in comparison with that of the acupuncture and moxibustion groups (P<0.01 for both). The hearing threshold of the moxibustion group was significantly lower than that of the acupuncture group (P<0.05). 2. The ratio of SM/(SM + SV) in the acupuncture, moxibustion and electro-acupuncture groups were all significantly lower than that of the model group (P<0.01). The ratio in the electro-acupuncture group was significantly decreased in comparison with that of the acupuncture and moxibustion groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). The ratio of the moxibustion group was significantly lower than that of the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Conclusions Our findings suggest that all acupuncture, moxibustion and electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Baihui (GV 20) and Tinggong (SI 19) can significantly suppress the development of endolymphatic hydrops and improve the cochlear function in guinea pigs. Electro-acupuncture is the most effective in this experiment, and moxibustion therapy shows better effect than acupuncture.

Abstract:Objective To establish a mouse model of renal fibrosis and hypertension induced by unilateral nephrectomy and infusion of angiotensin II using a micro-osmotic pump. Methods Thirty-six 8-week old wild type male c57BL/6 mice were randomly divided equally into three groups. The normal group was not treated, model group underwent unilateral nephrectomy and infusion of angiotensin II using a micro-osmotic pump, and the saline control group underwent unilateral nephrectomy and infusion of physiological saline using a micro-osmotic pump. Blood pressure was measured before and two and four weeks after modeling. The 24 h urine protein quantity, serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured, and renal pathology was examined at 4 weeks after modeling. Results At 2 weeks of the experiment, the blood pressure in the saline control group and model group was significantly higher compared with that of the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the blood pressure of the model group was significantly higher than that of the saline control group (P<0.05). Four weeks after operation, the blood pressure in the model group was still higher than that of the normal group (P<0.01) and the saline control group (P<0.05). Both the levels of Scr and BUN in the saline control group and model group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.05). The 24 h urine protein quantity in the model group was markedly higher compared with that of the saline control group and normal group (P<0.01). The pathological examination showed that proximal tubular epithelial cells were swollen in the model group. Histology using Masson staining showed that the positive rate of collagen fibers in the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal group and saline control group (P<0.05).Conclusions Our results demonstrate that a mouse model of renal fibrosis and hypertension can be successfully established by unilateral nephrectomy and infusion of angiotensin II using a micro-osmotic pump.

Abstract:Objective To establish a rat model of traumatic hemorrhagic shock in dry-hot desert environment. Methods Ninety male SD rats were randomly equally divided into three groups (n=30): the normal temperature environment traumatic hemorrhagic shock group (normal temperature group) (temperature 25℃, humidity 35%), dry-hot traumatic hemorrhagic shock group I (dry heat group I) and dry-hot traumatic hemorrhagic shock group Ⅱ(dry heat group II)(temperature 40℃, humidity 10%). The rats were anesthetized, fixed, and intravenous indwelling needles were inserted into the right carotid artery, vein and the right femoral artery so as to make bleeding, and at the same time, fracture of the left hindlimb femur was made from the dropped steel wheel. The wounds were quickly bounded after injury. The mean arterial pressure was kept at 35±5 mmHg. The rats of group I was transferred into normal environment. The rats of group II were kept in the dry-hot environment continuously. The 3h-survival rates were calculated, and all the rats were sacrificed at 3 hours after the traumatic injury. Heart, lung and liver tissue samples were taken for histopathological examination using HE staining. Results In the normal environment group, one rat died within less than 2 hours and 2 rats died within 2-3 hours after injury. In the dry-hot environment group I, 2 rats died within 1 hour and 3 rats died within 2-3 hours. In the dry-hot environment group II, 5 rats died within 1 hour and all the rest 27 rats died within 2.5 hours. The survival rates of the normal temperature group, dry-hot groups I and II were 90%, 83.3%, and 0, respectively. There were no significant difference between the normal temperature group and the dry hot group I (P>0.05), but significant difference between the normal temperature group and dry-hot group I and the dry-hot group II (P<0.01). The pathological observation showed that the heart, lung and liver of the dead rats of the normal temperature group, dry hot groups I and in the dry hot group II had more severe edema, degeneration, leukocyte infiltration, wide-spread hemorrhage, and cell necrosis. Conclusions We have successfully established a rat model of traumatic hemorrhagic shock in dry-hot desert environment. The results of this study indicate that the hot desert environment may seriously decrease the survival rate of traumatic hemorrhagic shock rats. It suggests that in dry-hot environment, the traumatic hemorrhagic shock patients should be transported to a normal temperature and humidity environment as soon as possible.

Abstract:Objective To study the preventive effect of a Chinese traditional medicine, Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDT), on alcoholic fatty liver in mice, and provide experimental evidence for clinical prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver disease. Methods Sixty healthy SPF male C57 mice were randomly divided into control group, model group and low, medium and high dose HLJDT(0.61, 1.22, 2.44 g/kg/d)groups, 12 mice in each group. The mice of model groups were given gastric gavage of 50% ethanol, combined with concomitant HLJDT intervention for 6 weeks. The mice of control group received the same volume of saline. The body weight, liver index, serum biochemical indexes were determined and histopathological changes in the liver and colon tissues were examined and analyzed at 6 weeks after the experiment. Results Body weight gains of the mice in all the three dose HLJDT groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05),liver index and the serum ALT, AST and TG contents were significantly decreased (P<0.05 for all). Histological changes in the liver of all the three dose HLJDT groups were significantly milder than those of the model control group, and also improving of the colon mucosal alterations was observed in the three dose HLJDT groups in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Huanglian Jiedu Decoction can well reduce the permeability of intestinal mucosa, and exerts certain preventive and protective effects on alcoholic liver injury in mice.

Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of Lycium chinense Mill on hematopoietic reconstruction in mice after radiation injury. Method Female C57BL/6J mice were grouped to 3 groups at random: the control group, with normal food and no treatment, and the other 2 groups, treated with 4.5 Gy irradiation, with normal food or food added with Lycium chinense Mill. After 1 month, the mice were sacrificed and analyzed the peripheral blood, spleen, thymus and bone marrow cells by flow cytometer. Results In the mice fed with Lycium chinense Mill, the percentage of B cells was increased in the peripheral blood, the pre-B and immature B cells were increased, too, and the percentage of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells was decreased. Conclusion Lycium chinense Mill can promote the mobilization and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and accelerate the hematopoietic reconstruction after irradiation injury.

Abstract:Objective To explore a method of establishment of a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction(TAC) with less invasive injury. Methods Thirty-two male KM mice were randomly divided into two groups: sham-operation(SH) group (n=10)and transverse aortic constriction(TAC)group(n=22).Mice of the TAC group were placed in a supine position under anesthesia. The endotracheal intubation tube was then connected on a rodent ventilator.After that,the mice were replaced in the right lateral decubitus position. Thoracotomy was performed to the second rib and to separate the transverse aorta. A 26G blunt needle was inserted into thetransverse aorta, and a small piece of 5-0 silk thread was used to tightly ligate the needle inserted in the transverse aorta. The same operation was performed on the mice of sham group, except for the ligation of the transverse aorta. Then the open chest was closed and the skin was sutured. The death of mice during and post operation was recorded. Echocardiographic assessments,heart weight and histological examination of the myocardium were performed at 4 weeks after surgery.Results ① The total death rate of TAC modeling was 32%. ②The blood flow velocities of the ligation of transverse aorta were all above 2400 mm/s in the TAC group,but all bellow 900 mm/s in the SH group. Compared with that in the sham operation group, the LVSD, LVDV,LVM, and LVMI were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the EF and FS were significantly decreased in the TAC group (P<0.05).③Histopathological examination showed vascular dilation and thickening of the blood vessel wall. Conclusions The method of establishing a mouse model of transverse aortic constriction can successfully induce pressure overload, resulting in myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. Compared with the widely reported literature in our country, this method does not need to split the sternum and causes less invasive injury. Therefore, it may have good application value in myocardial hypertrophy-related pathophysiological and pharmacodynamics studies.

Abstract:There are three members in DNA methyltransferase family of mammals, DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), DNA methyltransferase 2 (Dnmt2, also named tRNA aspartic acid methyltransferase 1, TRDMT1) and DNA methyltransferase 3 (Dnmt3). Dnmt2 is immemorial than Dnmt1 and Dnmt3, and it exists in plant, fungi, parasites, insects, fish, amphibians, aves and mammalia, however, its biological function is still unknown. The structure characteristics, RNA methylation, function analysis and scientific problems are discussed in this paper.

Abstract:Stroke is a class of neurological disorders including cerebral ischemic stroke, cerebral hemorrhagic stroke (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke (SAH), which has a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. Simple and reproducible animal model is indispensable for the study of pathogenesis and treatment after stroke insult. Location and size of injury, neurological deficits and cerebral blood flow changes can be used to assess the availability of the model for various treatment methods. Construction methods, designing experience as well as the methods of model assessment were summarized in this article.

Abstract:Reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from oxidative stress have a close relationship with cell apoptosis. ROS induces cell apoptosis through activating different signaling pathways including mitochondria, Bcl-2, NF-κB, MAPK_S and Caspases and so on. Cell apoptosis plays a significant role in the course of kidney diseases. In this paper, the function of oxidative stress in the development and progression of kidney diseases and apoptosis mechanism induced by oxidative stress are reviewed.

Abstract:Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in elderly people. The main pathological changes include extracellular Aβ protein deposition, formation of senile plaques (SPs), neuronal loss and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). 3xTg-AD mice have been widely used in AD research as the first kind of animal model which can generate both amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. This paper aims at summarizing the pharmacological research related with 3xTg-AD mice, including basic introduction of 3xTg-AD mice and pharmacological studies of many kinds of drugs on the mice.

Abstract:It has been reported that induced neural stem cells(iNSCs) can be obtained from rodent and human somatic cells through the forced expression of defined factors. Two different approaches have been successfully used to obtain iNSCs:a direct method and an indirect method which involves an unstable intermediate state.Compared with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells(ESCs),iNSCs are committed towards neural lineage, enabling them with a lower risk of tumorigenicity and more efficient transdifferentiation which makes it suitable for clinical use in the future.

Abstract:Environmental enrichment is widely used in many different fields, such as prevention and therapy, medical research, and improvment of animal welfare. Society factor, sense stimulus, adding toys, foods and materials for nests were all its ways which can be used for common laboratory rodents. Different methods had different characteristics that should be paid attention to, and different methods should be used together correctly.