Intravenous administration of achyranthes bidentata polypeptides supports recovery from experimental ischemic stroke in vivo.

Background: Achyranthes bidentata Blume (A. bidentata) is a commonly prescribed Chinese medicinal herb. A.

Xenon preconditioning: molecular mechanisms and biological effects.

Xenon is one of noble gases and has been recognized as an anesthetic for more than 50 years. Xenon possesses many of the characteristics of an ideal anesthetic, but it is not widely applied in clinical practice mainly because of its high cost. In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated that xenon as an anesthetic can exert neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects in different models.

[Anti-motion sickness efficacy of the extracted mixture of Chinese medical herbs and its influence on the blood level of hormones].

Objective: To investigate the anti-motion sickness efficacy and influence on the blood level of some hormones of a Chinese prescription composed of 10 herbs such as spina date seed.

Methods: According to the report by Cramptom and Lucot, SD rats and Beagle dogs were rotated around a horizontal axis, and the rat behavior of pica for Kaolin and the latency to vomit in dog were observed. In addition, guinea pigs were rotated around a vertical axis, and the nystagmus was recorded.

Zinc reverses glycine-dependent inactivation of NMDARs in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

In the presence of glutamate and co-agonists, e.g., glycine, the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) plays an important role in physiological and pathophysiological brain processes.

Novel glycine-dependent inactivation of NMDA receptors in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Objective: Glycine acts as a co-agonist for the activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) by binding to glycine sites, thus potentiating glutamate-elicited responses and inhibiting NMDAR desensitization in a dose-dependent manner. The present study aimed to characterize the glycine-dependent inactivation of NMDARs and to explore its pathophysiological significance.

Methods: Primary hippocampal cell cultures from embryonic days 17-18 rats were treated with NMDA or NMDA plus glycine.

[Effective dose and time window of ginseng total saponins treatment in rat after traumatic brain injury].

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect, effective dose and time window of ginseng total saponins (GTS) treatment in rat after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: The modified Feeney's method was used to establish TBI model in rat. GTS was treated intraperitoneally.

Chemokine CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 in the medullary dorsal horn are involved in trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Background: Neuropathic pain in the trigeminal system is frequently observed in clinic, but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. In addition, the function of immune cells and related chemicals in the mechanism of pain has been recognized, whereas few studies have addressed the potential role of chemokines in the trigeminal system in chronic pain. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2)-chemokine C-C motif receptor 2 (CCR2) signaling in the trigeminal nucleus is involved in the maintenance of trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Synthesis and bioevaluation of diphyllin glycosides as novel anticancer agents.

A series of diphyllin glycosides were synthesized from diphyllin by phase transfer catalysis glycosylation, deprotection, and etherification, and the structures were established by (1) H NMR, (13) C NMR, and HRMS. These glycosides were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against HCT-116, A549, and A549T cancer cell lines by MTT assay, and most of them were cytotoxic at submicromolar concentrations. They were also effective against the paclitaxel-resistant cell line A549T.

[Therapeutic efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen on traumatic brain injury in the rat and the underlying mechanisms].

Objective: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the activation of astrocytes and the expression of glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: 54 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 18): sham-operated, TBI and HBO treatment groups. TBI was induced with Feeney's method, bone window was opened without strike on the brain tissue in the sham-operated group.

Treatment with ginseng total saponins reduces the secondary brain injury in rat after cortical impact.

The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of ginseng total saponins (GTSs) and its underlying mechanisms in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rats were injected with GTSs (20 mg/kg, i.p.

Activation of astrocytes in the anterior cingulate cortex contributes to the affective component of pain in an inflammatory pain model.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been implicated as a key structure in the affective component of pain (such as unpleasantness or aversion). Recent evidence suggests that activation of spinal astrocytes contributes to the development and maintenance of the sensory component of pain after peripheral inflammation. However, whether the astrocytes in the ACC contribute to the affective component of pain is unknown.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of novel podophyllotoxin derivatives.

Seven benzylamino derivatives of podophyllotoxin 8a-8g were synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and ESI-MS spectral analyses. Their abilities to inhibit the growth of cancer cells A549, HCT-116 and HepG2, were investigated by MTT assay. Compound 8b possessed the highest cytotoxicity on cancer cell lines with average IC(50) values of 3.

Free-radical scavenger edaravone treatment confers neuroprotection against traumatic brain injury in rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of neurological disability in young adults. Edaravone, a novel synthetic small-molecule free-radical scavenger, has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect in both animal models of cerebral ischemia and stroke patients; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In this report, we investigated the potential mechanisms of edaravone treatment in a rat model of TBI.

[The relationship of the content of AVP and the expression of V1b receptors in some brain areas with the sexual difference in the susceptibility of motion sickness in rats].

Objective: To measure the content of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and V1b receptor expression in the brain areas in rats of both genders and after rotatory stimulation and thereby, to identify the involvement of AVP in the mechanisms of motion sickness.

Methods: SD rats were rotated about a horizontal axis for 30 min, the content of AVP and the expression of V1b receptors in some brain areas were then measured with radioimmunological analysis and immunofluorescent method respectively.

Results: We proved that: (1) In female rats, the content of AVP in each area we measured in rotation group did not show any significant change compared with that in control group (P > 0.

Effect of hypoxia on the expression of iron regulatory proteins 1 and the mechanisms involved.

Iron is essential for many biological processes, including oxygen delivery, and its supply is tightly regulated. Iron regulatory proteins (IRPs, IRP1 and IRP2) are master regulators of cellular iron metabolism. Hypoxia triggers a broad range of gene responses that are primarily mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1).

Synthesis and evaluation of aroylthiourea derivatives of 4-β-amino-4'-O-demethyl-4-desoxypodophyllotoxin as novel topoisomerase II inhibitors.

A novel series of aroylthiourea derivatives of 4-β-amino-4'-O-demethyl-4-desoxy- podophyllotoxin were synthesized. Their cytotoxicities against three cancer cell lines were investigated by MTT assay. The kDNA decatenation assay indicated that compounds 5a, 5f, 5h and 5l inhibited topoisomerase II-mediated kDNA decatenation.

Pain-related aversion induces astrocytic reaction and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the anterior cingulate cortex in rats.

Pain involves sensory and affective dimensions. It is well-known that activation of glial cells and a subsequent increase in proinflammatory cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of pain sensation. However, the role of glial cells and proinflammatory cytokines in pain affect is unclear.

[Cognitive quality of professional divers].

Objective: To explore and analyze the cognitive quality of professional divers.

Methods: 165 professional divers were tested with Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM), 80.8 Neural Type Measuring Form, etc.

Synthesis, cytotoxicity and pro-apoptosis of novel benzoisoindolin hydrazones as anticancer agents.

A series of benzoisoindolin hydrazones as analogues of natural lignan diphyllin were synthesized and the structures of these compounds were established by (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, Mass and high resolution (HR)-MS. The compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against KB, A549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Compound 4 possessed the highest growth inhibitory effect.

Neuroprotective effect of astaxanthin on H(2)O(2)-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and on focal cerebral ischemia in vivo.

Astaxanthin (AST) is a powerful antioxidant that occurs naturally in a wide variety of living organisms. Much experimental evidence has proved that AST has the function of eliminating oxygen free radicals and can protect organisms from oxidative damage. The present study was carried out to further investigate the neuroprotective effect of AST on oxidative stress induced toxicity in primary culture of cortical neurons and on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion induced brain damage in rats.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel aroylthiourea derivatives of podophyllotoxin.

A novel series of 4β-[(4-substituted) aroylthiourea] derivatives of podophyllotoxin were synthesized and their abilities to inhibit the growth of cancer cells were investigated by MTT assay. Compound 4a possessed the highest cytotoxicity on HepG2, A549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines with the IC(50) values of 0.1 μM.

Neuroprotective effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on traumatic brain injury in the rat.

This study was designed to evaluate the potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The right cerebral cortex of rats was injured by the impact of a 20-g object dropped from a predetermined height. The rats received HBO treatment at 3 ATA for 60 min after TBI.

[Experimental study of therapeutic time window of L-serine against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats].

Objective: To observe the therapeutic time window of L-serine against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, and related mechanisms.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6), sham-operation group, vehicle group, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h treatment group of L-serine. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced with the method of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, and reperfusion was emerged by removing the thread 2 h later.

Neuroprotective effect of L-serine against temporary cerebral ischemia in rats.

To investigate the neuroprotective effect of L-serine and its underlying mechanisms, focal cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by occlusion of middle cerebral artery (MCAO) with a suture, and reperfusion was given by filament withdrawal 2 hr later. Meanwhile, rat hippocampal neurons were primarily cultured, and incubated in serum-free medium in an incubator containing 1% O(2) for hypoxic exposure of 5 hr, or incubated in serum-free medium containing 1 mM glutamate for glutamate exposure of 2 hr. Brain tissue injury and cell damage were then measured.

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) in spinal astrocytes is required for the maintenance of bilateral mechanical allodynia under a persistent inflammatory pain condition.

Peripheral inflammation induces persistent central sensitization characterized by mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia that are mediated by distinct mechanisms. Compared to well-demonstrated mechanisms of heat hyperalgesia, mechanisms underlying the development of mechanical allodynia and contralateral pain are incompletely known. In this study, we investigated the distinct role of spinal JNK in heat hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, and contralateral pain in an inflammatory pain model.