Effect of Astragalus polysaccharides on expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 in a rat model of experimental colitis.

Aim: Astragalus membranaceus is a Chinese medicinal herb and has been shown to improve hapten-induced experimental colitis. One of its major components is polysaccharides. We investigated the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 in a rat model of experimental colitis.

Promotion of β-amyloid production by C-reactive protein and its implications in the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

C-reactive protein (CRP) and β-amyloid protein (Aβ) are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the relationship between CRP and Aβ production is unclear. In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to investigate the association of CRP with Aβ production.

[Effects of piperphentonamine hydrochloride on cognitive deficits in rats induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion].

Objective: To investigate the effect of piperphentonamine hydrochloride (PPTA) on cognitive deficits induced by ischemia-reperfusion and explore the possible mechanisms.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group (with saline injection), PPTA-treated groups (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) and edaravone-treated group (6 mg/kg).

Prevention of cerebral ischemia-induced memory deficits by inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 in rats.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) by rolipram, a prototypical PDE4 inhibitor, reverses memory impairment produced pharmacologically or genetically. Comparably, much less is known about the effect of rolipram on cerebral ischemia-induced memory deficits. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of rolipram on ischemia-induced memory deficit, neuronal damage, and alteration of PDE4 activity in the hippocampus.

A new hydrodynamic approach by infusion of drag-reducing polymers to improve left ventricular function in rats with myocardial infarction.

Background: Recent studies have shown that drag-reducing polymers (DRPs) prolonged survival time in rats with acute myocardial infarction (MI), but their effect on cardiac function post MI remains unknown. This study sought to test the hypothesis that intravenous infusion of DRPs may improve left ventricular (LV) function in rats following surgically induced MI.

Methods: MI was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 36 Sprague-Dawley rats, and sham operations were performed in 12 animals.

Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 reverses memory deficits produced by Aβ25-35 or Aβ1-40 peptide in rats.

Rationale: Cyclic AMP signaling plays an important role in memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about whether inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), which increases intracellular cAMP, reverses β-amyloid peptide (Aβ)-induced memory deficits.

Objective: Experiments were performed to demonstrate the effect of the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram on memory impairment produced by Aβ1-40 (Aβ40) or its core fragment Aβ25-35.

[Protective effect of polydatin on a PC12 cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation].

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of polydatin on a PC12 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD).

Methods: A pheochromocytoma cell injury model was induced by OGD to simulate the cerebral ischemic changes. The protective effects of polydatin were investigated in this model.

Antidepressant effect of the extracts from Fructus Akebiae.

Fructus Akebiae is a common ingredient in many traditional Chinese medicine complex prescriptions for the treatment of mental disorders. Previous studies indicate that the main chemical compositions of Fructus Akebiae are triterpenoid saponins with hederagenin as their sapogenin. In the present study, we enriched hederagenin from the extracts of Fructus Akebiae with a purity of approximately 70%.

Evaluation and simplified measurement of infarct size by myocardial contrast echocardiography in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

To test the feasibility and accuracy of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) for predicting infarct size (IS) in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI) and to compare a simplified single plane-based measurement of IS with the conventional three plane-based approach. Fifty male SD rats underwent left anterior descending artery ligation and were evaluated by MCE 8 h post MI. IS was calculated by the single and three plane-based approaches, compared to that determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining method.

Brain injury does not alter the intrinsic differentiation potential of adult neuroblasts.

Neuroblasts produced by the neural stem cells of the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) migrate into damaged brain areas after stroke or other brain injuries, and previous data have suggested that they generate regionally appropriate new neurons. To classify the types of neurons produced subsequent to ischemic injury, we combined BrdU or virus labeling with multiple neuronal markers to characterize new cells at different times after the induction of stroke. We show that SVZ neuroblasts give rise almost exclusively to calretinin-expressing cells in the damaged striatum, resulting in the accumulation of these cells during long term recovery after stroke.

Memory deficits and neurochemical changes induced by C-reactive protein in rats: implication in Alzheimer's disease.

Rationale: C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase protein that is released in response to inflammatory stimuli, is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role of CRP in memory deficits associated with AD remains unclear.

Objective: Experiments were carried out to determine whether CRP impaired memory and altered neurochemical measures associated with AD.

[Effect of nattokinase on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the abdominal artery in rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the effect of nattokinase on intimal hyperplasia in rabbit abdominal artery after balloon injury and explore a novel strategy for the preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Methods: Fifty-six New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 7 groups, namely the solvent control group, model group, natto extract lavage group, refined nattokinse lavage group, intravenous refined nattokinse injection group, clopidogrel group and clopidogrel-aspirin group. Balloon injury was induced by inserting the catheter through the femoral artery into the thoracic aorta of the rabbits.