Catalpol inhibits LPS plus IFN-γ-induced inflammatory response in astrocytes primary cultures.

A large body of evidence suggests that the inflammatory reaction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous studies described the neuroprotective effects of catalpol in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory models, in which catalpol was shown to prevent mesencephalic neuron death and ameliorate cognitive ability animals. To further investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of catalpol, astrocytes were pretreated with low (0.

Effects of Resibufogenin and Cinobufagin on voltage-gated potassium channels in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons.

Outward delayed rectifier potassium channel and outward transient potassium channel have multiple important roles in maintaining the excitability of hippocampal neurons. The present study investigated the effects of two bufadienolides, Resibufogenin (RBG) and Cinobufagin (CBG), on the outward delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) and outward transient potassium current (IA) in rat hippocampal neurons. RBG and CBG have similar structures and both were isolated from the venom gland of toad skin.

Effects of resibufogenin on voltage-gated sodium channels in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play important roles in maintaining the excitability of hippocampal neurons. The present study investigated the effects of resibufogenin (RBG, a main component of bufadienolides) on voltage-gated sodium channel currents (I(Na)) in rat hippocampal neurons using whole-cell patch clamp recording. According to the results, RBG activated I(Na) in a concentration-dependent manner.

[Clinical, pathological and radiological characters of appendiceal mucocele].

Objective: To improve capability of appendiceal mucocele diagnosis via analyzes its clinical, pathological basis and radiological results.

Methods: Summarize 18 cases with pathological diagnosed appendiceal mucocele in PUMC Hospital since January 1985 till september 2004, including 4 males and 14 females (1:3.5), age ranged from 31 to 78 yrs old (average 59.