Effects of puerarin in STZ-induced diabetic rats by oxidative stress and the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of pueraria on streptozotocine (STZ)-induced renal damage and its possible mechanisms. Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control group, diabetes untreated model group, two dosages (140 and 200 mg per kg bw per day) of puerarin treatment groups and a positive control group. Rats were studied 30 days after the STZ treatment, and the diabetes untreated model group presented significantly higher kidney index, blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), malondialdehyde (MDA), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and IFN-γ/IL-4 levels, lower body weight, fasting blood insulin (FPI), IL-4, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and worse renal function (higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), urine protein (UP) levels and glomerular extracellular matrix (relative area)) compared with the normal control group (p < 0.

Optimization of extraction of Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharides by response surface methodology.

In this study, extraction yield of Eucommia ulmoides polysaccharides was optimized by the utilization of response surface methodology (RSM). Based on contour plots and variance analysis, optimum operational conditions for maximizing extraction yield were found to be extraction time 80 min, ratio of water to raw material 3, and extraction number 3. Then, we investigated the protective effect of the E.

[Effect of varicocele on expression of apoptosis associated gene Bcl-2 and Bax in spermatogenic cells of adolescent rats].

Objective: To study the effect of varicocel (VC) on expression of apoptosis associated gene Bcl-2 and Bax in spermatogenic cells of adolescent rats, and investigate the mechanism of the infertility resulting from varicocele.

Methods: The varicocele model was created by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the adolescent rats, two and four and eight weeks after creation of the varicocele model, the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method.

Results: With the duration of varicocele model, the Bcl-2 expression in experiment group was decreased as compared with that in control group.