Inhibition of 5-HT alleviates PTSD-like behaviors and promotes hippocampal neuroplasticity by modulating hippocampal autophagy in rats.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) plays a substantial role in mitigating depression and anxiety. However, the potential effects of 5-HT against posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Elevated plus maze test evaluates anxiety-related behaviors, and the open field test is used to assess overall activity levels and anxiety.

Glycyrrhizic acid, as an inhibitor of HMGB1, alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity in mice through the MAPK and Smad3 pathways.

Aim: High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein has been noticed particularly for its pivotal role in several pathologies. However, the relevance between HMGB1 and pathological progress in lung toxicity still remains unclear. In the study, we evaluated the effect of glycyrrhizic acid as an HMGB1 inhibitor on the early inflammation and late fibrosis in bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity in mice.

Salidroside Ameliorates Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in Rats by Inhibiting Neuroinflammation.

More than half of diabetic patients suffer from intractable neuropathic pain. As inflammation plays an important role in diabetic neuropathic pain, anti-inflammatory drugs might have therapeutic potentials for neuropathic pain. Salidroside (SAL), a phenylpropanoid glucoside, modulates a variety of cell functions, including inflammation.

Genistein alleviates anxiety-like behaviors in post-traumatic stress disorder model through enhancing serotonergic transmission in the amygdala.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder, characterized by intense fear, and increased arousal and avoidance of traumatic events. The current available treatments for PTSD have limited therapeutic value. Genistein, a natural isoflavone, modulates a variety of cell functions.

Contribution of Hippocampal 5-HT Receptors in Hippocampal Autophagy and Extinction of Conditioned Fear Responses after a Single Prolonged Stress Exposure in Rats.

One of the hypotheses about the pathogenesis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the dysfunction of serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission. While certain 5-HT receptor subtypes are likely critical for the symptoms of PTSD, few studies have examined the role of 5-HT receptor in the development of PTSD, even though 5-HT receptor is critical for contextual fear extinction and anxiety-like behavior. Therefore, we hypothesized that stimulation of 5-HT receptor in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) could prevent hippocampal autophagy and the development of PTSD-like behavior in animals.

SiRNA-mediated serotonin transporter knockdown in the dorsal raphe nucleus rescues single prolonged stress-induced hippocampal autophagy in rats.

The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain elusive. One of the hypotheses is the dysfunction of serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission, which is critically regulated by serotonin transporter (SERT). Therefore, we hypothesized that attenuation of SERT gene expression in the hippocampus could prevent hippocampal autophagy and the development of PTSD-like behavior.

Tormentic acid inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts via inhibition of TLR4-mediated NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathway.

Objective: Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent oral diseases, which is associated with inflammation of the tooth-supporting tissues. Tormentic acid (TA), a triterpene isolated from Rosa rugosa, has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of TA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

The role of RIP1 and RIP3 in the development of aplastic anemia induced by cyclophosphamide and busulphan in mice.

This study aimed to investigate the role of RIP1 and RIP3 in the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia (AA) induced by cyclophosphamide and busulphan in mice. Animals were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, the AA group, and the Nec-1 group. Mouse AA model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg/d) and busulfan (20 mg/kg/d) for 12 days.

[Aboveground biomass of natural Castanopsis carlesii-Schima superba community in Xiaokeng of Nanling Mountains, South China].

By the method of clear cutting, a measurement was made on the aboveground biomass (AGB) of 24-year old natural Castanopsis carlesii-Schima superba community in an 800 m2 plot in Xiaokeng of Nanling Mountains, South China. The distribution patterns of the total AGB in different forest layers, tree species, and tree layer organs were investigated, and the AGB regression models were constructed. The results showed that when constructing the AGB regression models, more than 12 samples would be feasible.

Expression level of IL-6 secreted by bone marrow stromal cells in mice with aplastic anemia.

Parasecretion of the hematopoietic cytokines is considered as one of the mechanisms account for bone marrow hematopoiesis disorder. In this study, the level of IL-6 secreted by bone marrow stromal cells from a mouse model of aplastic anemia was analyzed. The aplastic anemia mouse model was established with cyclophosphamide in combination with chloramphenicol and (60)Co γ radiation.

Synergetic effect of yihuo qingyi decoction (see text) and recombinant staphylokinase in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis of rats.

Objective: To investigate the effect of recombinant staphylokinase (r-Sak) and the Chinese medicine Yihuo Qingyi Decoction ((see test) Herbal decoction for severe acute pancreatitis) in the treatment of the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in rats, and to observe the synergistic effect of the two.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-two adult male SD rats with the body mass of 250-280 g were randomly divided into the following 5 groups: sham operation group (n = 18), control group (n = 36), Yihuo Qingyi Decoction treatment group (n = 36), r-Sak treatment group (n = 36), and Yihuo Qingyi Decoction plus r-Sak treatment group (n = 36). The SAP ratmodel was prepared by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the cholangiopancreatic duct.

Correlation between the distribution of SP and CGRP immunopositive neurons in dorsal root ganglia and the afferent sensation of preputial frenulum.

The aim of this study was to explore the distribution of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive nerve terminals in the penis prepuce and the preputial frenulum. The possible correlation between SP- and CGRP-immunopositive neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the afferent sensation of the penile preputial frenulum is also discussed. Immunohistochemistry showed SP- and CGRP-positive nerve terminals in the epidermal basal layer of the prepuce and frenulum in adult human males.

The myocardial protective effects of puerarin on STZ-induced diabetic rats.

To investigate the myocardial protective effects of puerarin on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and the possible mechanism were involved. 45 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups as diabetic group (intraperitoneally injected STZ 65 mg/kg), puerarin treatment group (intraperitoneally injected STZ 65 mg/kg, and intraperitoneally injected puerarin 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), and control group (intraperitoneally injected saline 6 ml/kg). Four weeks after the model induction, the myocardial changes were observed by H-E stain and Transmission electron microscopy, the alteration of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) protein and mRNA expression in the myocardium were also assessed by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR.