Icariin protects testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats through regulation of glycolysis pathway.

Objective: This study aims to investigate potential beneficial actions of icariin (ICA) on testicular spermatogenic function in male rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and to explore the underlying mechanisms. ICA was found to reduce blood glucose, regulate the endocrine function of the reproductive system, and improve testicular spermatogenic function.

Methods: Adult rats were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (65 mg/kg) to induce type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Estimating foraging behavior in rodents using a modified paradigm measuring threat imminence dynamics.

Animals need to respond to threats to avoid danger and approach rewards. In nature, these responses did not evolve alone but are always accompanied by motivational conflict. A semi-naturalistic threat imminence continuum model models the approach-avoidance conflict and is able to integrate multiple behaviors into a single paradigm.

The role of ROS-pyroptosis in PM induced air-blood barrier destruction.

Fine particulate matter (PM) has attracted increasing attention due to its health-threatening effects. Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of PM on lung injuries, the specific mechanisms underlying the damage to the air-blood barrier after exposure to PM remain unclear. In this study, we established an in vitro co-culture system using lung epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cells.

PM induce myocardial injury in hyperlipidemic mice through ROS-pyroptosis signaling pathway.

Exposure to particulate matters with diameters below 2.5 µm (PM) is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The closest associations between PM and CVDs have been observed in hyperbetalipoproteinemia cases, although the detailed underpinning mechanism remains undefined.

A high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry protocol for detection of neurotransmitters in the rat brain tissue.

The detection of neurotransmitters has extensively been applied to the study of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapeutic effect of drugs on many neuropsychiatric diseases. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has been employed to determine neurotransmitters levels due to its distinct advantages. However, neurotransmitter detection still presents some challenges.

Tryptophan Hydroxylase 2 Knockout Male Rats Exhibit a Strengthened Oxytocin System, Are Aggressive, and Are Less Anxious.

The central serotoninergic system is critical for stress responsivity and social behavior, and its dysregulations have been centrally implicated in virtually all neuropsychiatric disorders. Genetic serotonin depletion animal models could provide a tool to elucidate the causes and mechanisms of diseases and to develop new treatment approaches. Previously, mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) have been developed, showing altered behaviors and neurotransmission.

Oxidative stress activates Ryr2-Ca and apoptosis to promote PM-induced heart injury of hyperlipidemia mice.

The increased cases of hyperlipemia in China and the crucial role of PM in inducing and promoting cardiovascular diseases have attracting more and more researchers' attention. However, the effects and mechanisms of PM on cardiovascular system of hyperlipidemia people are still unclear. In this study, hyperlipidemia mice model was established by high-fat diet.

Oxidative stress activates the TRPM2-Ca-NLRP3 axis to promote PM-induced lung injury of mice.

PM, a main particulate air pollutant, poses a serious hazard to human health. The exposure to PM increases mortality and morbidity of many respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and even lung cancer. The contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the PM-induced acute lung injury process was confirmed in our previous research, but the molecular mechanism based for it remains unclarified.

The harmful effects of acute PM exposure to the heart and a novel preventive and therapeutic function of CEOs.

Epidemiological researches have demonstrated the relationship between PM exposure and increased morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular injury. However, no effective therapeutic method was established. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of acute PM exposure on the mice heart tissue and explore the therapeutic effects of compound essential oils (CEOs) in this model.

Histamine-4 receptor antagonist JNJ7777120 inhibits pro-inflammatory microglia and prevents the progression of Parkinson-like pathology and behaviour in a rat model.

The activation of microglial cells is presumed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The activity of microglia is regulated by the histamine-4 receptor (HR), thus providing a novel target that may prevent the progression of PD. However, this putative mechanism has so far not been validated.

[Jinleng undershorts palliates varicocele].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Jinleng undershorts on the elevated scrotal temperature induced by varicocele as well as on other clinical symptoms of the disease.

Methods: Fifty-one varicocele patients received the treatment of wearing Jinleng undershorts for 30 min twice a day for a course of 90 days. Comparisons were made between the scrotal temperatures and other clinical symptoms of varicocele before and after the treatment.