Dietary supplementation of soy germ phytoestrogens or estradiol improves spatial memory performance and increases gene expression of BDNF, TrkB receptor and synaptic factors in ovariectomized rats.

Background: Estrogen or phytoestrogens treatment has been suggested to improve cognitive function of the brain in postmenopausal women. However, there is lack of information on the mechanism of such treatment on the central nervous system. The present study aimed to determine the effects of estradiol and soy germ phytoestrogens on spatial memory performance in ovariectomized rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms affecting the central nervous system.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells and inhibits prostate cancer growth in a xenograft mouse model of human prostate cancer.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are important functional constituents in red-colored fruits of L. barbarum (Guo Qi Zi, a well-known traditional Chinese medicinal plant commonly known as Goji berry or wolfberry). The influence of LBP on human prostate cancer cells was systematically investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Expression of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptors in rat testis and their role in isolated Leydig cells.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was initially discovered as a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus. Receptors for this hormone include TRH-receptor-1 (TRH-R1) and -2 (TRH-R2). Previous studies have shown that TRH-R1 and TRH-R2 are localized exclusively in adult Leydig cells (ALCs).

Immunolocalization assessment of metastasis-associated protein 1 in human and mouse mature testes and its association with spermatogenesis.

Aim: To investigate the stage-specific localization of metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) during spermatogenesis in adult human and mouse testis.

Methods: The immunolocalization of MTA1 was studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The distribution pattern of MTA1 in mouse testis was confirmed by using quantitative analysis of purified spermatogenic cells.

The effects of perinatal protein malnutrition on spatial learning and memory behaviour and brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in the brain tissue in young rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of perinatal protein malnutrition on brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration in brain tissue and spatial learning and memory performance in young rats. Nine pregnant Wistar rats were assigned into three groups. Rats in one group were fed with a control diet containing 20% protein.

DHA depletion in rat brain is associated with impairment on spatial learning and memory.

Objective: To examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) deficiency in brain on spatial learning and memory in rats.

Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were fed with an n-3 fatty acid deficient diet for two generations to induce DHA depletion in brain. DHA in seven brain regions was analyzed using the gas-liquid chromatography.

Serial changes in urinary proteome profile of membranous nephropathy: implications for pathophysiology and biomarker discovery.

Membranous nephropathy is one of the most common causes of primary glomerular diseases worldwide. The present study adopted a gel-based proteomics approach to better understand the pathophysiology and define biomarker candidates of human membranous nephropathy using an animal model of passive Heymann nephritis (PHN). Clinical characteristics of Sprague-Dawley rats injected with rabbit anti-Fx1A antiserum mimicked those of human membranous nephropathy.

Dietary insulin affects leucine aminopeptidase, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I and insulin receptors in the intestinal mucosa of neonatal pigs.

Background: Recent studies suggest that milk-borne insulin may regulate the development of the gastrointestinal tract in neonatal mammals.

Objectives: To explore the mechanism by which milk-borne insulin affects gastrointestinal tract development, we examined the effect of dietary insulin on the expression levels of leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), as well as its effect on growth hormone (GH), IGF-I and insulin receptors in the small intestinal mucosa of neonatal pigs.

Methods: Five piglets were anesthetized and sampled within 2-4 h after birth.

Effects of intrauterine growth retardation on development of the gastrointestinal tract in neonatal pigs.

Background: Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a common problem in human and other species and increases the risk of death of the fetus and newborn during the perinatal period.

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the influences of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) on development of the gastrointestinal tract in newborn pigs.

Methods: Ten animals from five litters were divided into five piglets with IUGR and five with normal birth-weight (NW).

Transient changes of transforming growth factor-beta expression in the small intestine of the pig in association with weaning.

It is well known that early weaning causes marked changes in intestinal structure and function, and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is believed to play an important regulatory role in post-weaning adaptation of the small intestine. The present study examined the distribution and expression intensity of TGF-beta in the small intestinal mucosa of pre- and post-weaning pigs using a specific immunostaining technique and Western blot analysis. The level of TGF-beta in the intestinal mucosa, as estimated by Western blot analysis, did not change significantly during weaning.

[Location studies of Smad4 protein in the rat testis during postnatal development].

In order to shed light on the mechanisms of TGF-beta action in the testis,we examined the expression and function of Smad4 protein, the common-mediator Smads, which is one of intracellular signaling molecules of TGF-beta superfamily members, in rat testis during postnatal development. Whole testes were collected from SD rats aged 3 days, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days, and adult. In this study, we examined, by means of western blots, the protein expression of Smad4 during rat testicular development and its cellular localization by immunohistochemical ABC method with glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel enhancement technique.

Stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor beta1 and beta3 and their receptors during spermatogenesis in men.

Aim: To investigate the stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 and beta3 during spermatogenesis in adult human testis.

Methods: The localization of TGFbeta1 and beta3 was investigated by immunohistochemical staining method employing specific polyclonal antibodies.

Results: Both TGFbeta1 and beta3 and their receptors were preponderant in the Leydig cells.

Expression and localization of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 proteins in rat testis during postnatal development.

Aim: To study the expression and regulation of Smad1, Smad2 and Smad4 proteins (intracellular signaling molecules of transforming growth factor-b family) in rat testis during postnatal development.

Methods: The whole testes were collected from SD rats aged 3, 7, 14, 28 and 90 (adult) days. The cellular localization and developmental changes were examined by immunohistochemistry ABC method with the glucose oxidase-DAB-nickel enhancement technique.