Protective effects of leonurine against ischemic stroke in mice by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway.

Aims: Leonurine has been shown to trigger antioxidant responses during ischemic stroke, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) imparts protective effects against oxidative injury. The present study has determined that leonurine prevents ischemic injury of brain tissues via Nrf-2 pathway activation.

Methods: Male ICR mice and Nrf-2 mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and received leonurine treatment at 2 hours after pMCAO by intraperitoneal injection.

[Observation on the leptin level in the subcutaneous tissues of the high temperature reaction zone along the abdominal gallbladder Meridian in rabbits with cholecystitis].

Objective: To observe the content of leptin in the abdominal subcutaneous tissues of the higher temperature zone along the Gallbladder (GB) Meridian in cholecystitis rabbits so as to explore the correlation between the temperature response and the leptin level.

Methods: Twenty-five rabbits were randomized into normal control group (n = 10) and cholecystitis model group (n = 15). Cholecystitis model was established by injection of Escherichia coli solution (0.

[Correlation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture of ear-body acupoints and mast cells in experimental gastric ulcer rats].

Objective: To study the interrelation between the therapeutic efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) and mast cells (MC) in experimental gastric ulcer rats.

Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group and EA group, with 10 cases in each. Experimental gastric ulcer model was established by injecting 20% glacial acetic acid (0.

[Effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion of "Dazhui" (GV14) on the number and distribution of degranulated mast cells in GV14 region].

Objective: To compare the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion on the degranulated mast cell number and distribution in "Dazhui" (GV14) region of rats.

Methods: Fifteen Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control, EA and moxibustion groups, with 5 cases in each group. "Dazhui" (GV14) was stimulated by EA (3/10 Hz, 2-4 V, 20 mm) or moxibustion (2 cones, 20 mm), thereafter, the tissues of GV14 region were sampled, quickly frozen, sectioned (20 microm) and stained with toluidine blue separately for observing the degranulated state of mast cells under microscope.

[Progress in the study on the relationship between effects of acu-moxibustion and mast cells in acupoints].

The present paper reviews develonment of researches on the relationship between mast cells (MCs) and effects of acupuncture and moxibustion from (1) the formation, distribution, types, morphological characters of MCs and their biological effects, (2) the number and degranulation of MCs in acupoints, (3) the relavance of MCs and the phenomenon of sensation transmission along meridian, and 4) the correlation between the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for relieving allergic reaction and MCs. Researches show that (1) MCs act as one of the characteristic constituents in acupoints where the MCs are in close relation with the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion, (2) MCs participate in the regulatory process of the organism in physiology and pathology. The underlying mechanism of MCs-related neuro-humoral regulation and meridian needs to be studied further.