Spinal astrocytic activation is involved in a virally-induced rat model of neuropathic pain.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most common complication of herpes zoster (HZ), plays a major role in decreased life quality of HZ patients. However, the neural mechanisms underlying PHN remain unclear. Here, using a PHN rat model at 2 weeks after varicella zoster virus infection, we found that spinal astrocytes were dramatically activated.

Isoflurane enhances malignancy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines: a preliminary study in vitro.

The objective of this study was to explore the influence of isoflurane on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion of Tca8113 and HSC2 cell lines in vitro. MTT test was used to detect the cell proliferation. It was performed 72h after exposure to isoflurane to make sure that a time for normal cell cycle progression was allowed.

Histologic distribution, fragment cloning, and sequence analysis of g protein couple receptor 30 in rat submaxillary gland.

Recent studies indicated that G protein couple receptor 30 (GPR30), a nongenomic estrogen receptor, is widely expressed in many organ systems inducing many quick reaction of estrogen. However, there was rare report about the expression of GPR30 in the salivary gland. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of GPR30 in rat submaxillary gland by means of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

Spinal astrocytic activation contributes to mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) plays a major role in decreased life quality of type 2 diabetes patients, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DNP remain unclear. Emerging research implicates the participation of spinal glial cells in some neuropathic pain models. However, it remains unknown whether spinal glial cells are activated under type 2 diabetic conditions and whether they contribute to diabetes-induced neuropathic pain.

Debittering effect of Actinomucor elegans peptidases on soybean protein hydrolysates.

Effects of the enzymes in Actinomucor elegans extract and the enzyme Alcalase 2.4L on debittering the soybean protein hydrolysates were investigated. When the protein was treated only with the latter, a strong bitterness formed; but it decreased if the protein was treated with both the enzymes.