[Development of peripheral neuropathy rat model induced by 1-bromopropane].

Objective: To observe the peripheral neurotoxicity of 1-bromopropane (1-BP) by developing an animal model of peripheral neuropathy through oral administration of 1-BP.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into low-dose group (200 mg/kg), medium-dose group (400 mg/kg), high-dose group (800 mg/kg), and control group. The rats in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups were orally given 1-BP (dissolved in corn oil), while the rats in the control group were orally given an equal volume of corn oil.

[Effects of 1-bromopropane exposure on cognitive function in rats].

Objective: To study the effects of 1-bromopropane (1-BP) on the functions of learning-memory and the central cholinergic system in rats.

Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: low 1-BP group (200 mg/kg), middle 1-BP group (400 mg/kg), high 1-BP group (800 mg/kg) and control group, and the exposure time was 7 days. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was applied to evaluate the learning-memory function in rats.

[Protective effects of garlic oil on n-hexane-induced neurotoxicity in rats via inhibition of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity].

Objective: To study the protective effects of garlic oil (GO) on the peripheral nerve injuries induced by n-hexane.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 rats in each group): the control, the n-hexane treatment (2000 mg/kg), the low dose GO, and the high dose GO groups. The rats in the low and high doses of GO groups were pretreated with GO (40 and 80 mg/kg) before exposure to n-hexane (2000 mg/ kg), while the animals of the n-hexane treatment group were given normal saline and then 2000 mg/ kg n-hexane.

[Efficient expression and purification of human beta-defensin-2 in E.coli].

Objective: To demonstrate the possibility of high-level expression of bioactive human beta-defensin-2 (hBD2) in E.coli, and to purify the recombinant hBD2.

Methods: DNA fragment containing mature hBD2 coding region (smhBD2-cDNA) was amplified by PCR, multiple copies of smhBD2-cDNA were linked using Bgl II and BamH I enzymes, pET32-nsmHBD2-cDNA with 1, 2, 4, or 8 copies of smhBD2-cDNA was constructed.