[Clinical study of the effect of free gingival graft and apically repositioned flap surgery on peri-implant keratinized gingival augmentation]

Objective: To compare and analyze the clinical outcomes of apically repositioned flap surgery and free gingival graft on keratinized gingival augmentation. Methods: Totally 30 partially edentulous patients treated with submerged implant surgery in mandibular molar area were recruited and divided into three groups: group 1(mean age: 41 years) and group 2 (mean age: 25 years) received free gingival graft 1 month after submerged implant surgery and second stage implant surgery3 months after submerged implant surgery; group 3(mean age: 44 years) received apically repositioned flap and second stage implant surgery 3 months after submerged implant surgery. The widths of keratinized gingiva were measured respectively at the time before the apically repositioned flap surgery/free gingival graft and 1 month, 6 months after the surgery. The thickness of keratinized gingiva was measured during the operation. Results: The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingiva of group 1 and group 2 were (3.1±1.2) mm and (3.5±1.0) mm 1 month after the free gingival graft surgery, (3.0±1.3) mm and (3.5±1.0) mm 6 months after the free gingival graft surgery, respectively. The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingiva in group 1 and group 2 demonstrated no statistically significant differences(P>0.05). The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingiva of group 3 was (2.6±0.5) mm 1 month after the apically repositioned flap surgery, (1.9±0.3) mm 6 months after the apically repositioned flap surgery, respectively. The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingiva(1 month and 6 months after the apically repositioned flap surgery) in group 3 showed statistically significant differences when compared with group 1 and group 2(P=0.008, P=0.000). Conclusions: The implant area treated with free gingival graft or apically repositioned flap exhibited increased width of the keratinized gingiva. The implants treated with free gingival graft exhibited more increased width of the keratinized gingiva compared with those treated with apically repositioned flap. Age showed little impact on keratinized gingival augmentation.

Inhibition of Duck Hepatitis B Virus Replication in vivo by the Nucleoside Analogue Ganciclovir (9-[2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethoxymethyl] Guanine)

Treatment of ducks congenitally infected with the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) using the guanosine analogue ganciclovir resulted in prompt and profound inhibition of viral DNA replication in serum and liver. By the end of the treatment period all the replicative intermediates, except the supercoiled DNA form, could not be detected. Within 2 weeks of cessation of treatment viral replication returned and, in some cases, rebound occurred. Sequential treatment with prednisolone followed by ganciclovir also resulted in inhibition of viral replication and, even though relapse was observed after therapy was discontinued, the rebound phenomenon was reduced. Ganciclovir significantly and selectively inhibited DHBV DNA replication but may be more efficacious if used in combination with compounds targeted to the viral supercoiled DNA form.

Promoting inflammatory lymphangiogenesis by vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) aggravated intestinal inflammation in mice with experimental acute colitis

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). However, it is not understood if inflammatory lymphangiogenesis is a pathological consequence or a productive attempt to resolve the inflammation. This study investigated the effect of lymphangiogenesis on intestinal inflammation by overexpressing a lymphangiogenesis factor, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), in a mouse model of acute colitis. Forty eight-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were treated with recombinant adenovirus overexpressing VEGF-C or with recombinant VEGF-C156S protein. Acute colitis was then established by exposing the mice to 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days. Mice were evaluated for disease activity index (DAI), colonic inflammatory changes, colon edema, microvessel density, lymphatic vessel density (LVD), and VEGFR-3mRNA expression in colon tissue. When acute colitis was induced in mice overexpressing VEGF-C, there was a significant increase in colonic epithelial damage, inflammatory edema, microvessel density, and neutrophil infiltration compared to control mice. These mice also exhibited increased lymphatic vessel density (73.0±3.9 vs 38.2±1.9, P<0.001) and lymphatic vessel size (1974.6±104.3 vs 1639.0±91.5, P<0.001) compared to control mice. Additionally, the expression of VEGFR-3 mRNA was significantly upregulated in VEGF-C156S mice compared to DSS-treated mice after induction of colitis (42.0±1.4 vs 3.5±0.4, P<0.001). Stimulation of lymphangiogenesis by VEGF-C during acute colitis promoted inflammatory lymphangiogenesis in the colon and aggravated intestinal inflammation. Inflammatory lymphangiogenesis may have pleiotropic effects at different stages of IBD.

[The clinical study of IgA nephropathy with severe chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical characteristics of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) with severe chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis.

METHODS

A total of 436 hospitalized patients who underwent renal needle biopsy in the department of nephrology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from November 2013 to December 2014 were recruited in the study and blindly had periodontal examination. The patients were divided into IgAN group and non-IgAN group according to the renal pathology. The patients with IgAN were further categorized as non-periodontitis, chronic periodontitis and aggressive peridontitis group by Haas classification. The chronic periodontitis group was continually divided into mild, moderate and severe periodontitis group. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in gingival crevicular fluid were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

The prevalence of periodontitis in the study was 88.3% (385/436). The prevalence of chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis were higher in patients with IgAN than those with non-IgAN (P<0.05). Degree of chronic periodontitis was correlated with pathologic grading of IgAN (r=0.48, P<0.001). Compared with IgAN patients with other types of periodontitis, those with severe chronic and aggressive periodontitis had more severe pathology, more frequent recurrent gross hematuria, higher levels of 24 h proteinuria, serum triglyceride and uric acid, higher periodontal probing depth and clinical attatchment level, as well as higer levels of IL-1β and IL-6, but had lower creatinine clearance rate (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of severe chronic and aggressive periodontitis was higher in patients with IgAN. Chronic periodontitis is correlated with the onset and development of IgAN. Patients with IgAN have worse condition with the aggravation of periodontitis.

Psychiatric genetics in China: achievements and challenges

To coordinate research efforts in psychiatric genetics in China, a group of Chinese and foreign investigators have established an annual “Summit on Chinese Psychiatric Genetics” to present their latest research and discuss the current state and future directions of this field. To date, two Summits have been held, the first in Changsha in April, 2014, and the second in Kunming in April, 2015. The consensus of roundtable discussions held at these meetings is that psychiatric genetics in China is in need of new policies to promote collaborations aimed at creating a framework for genetic research appropriate for the Chinese population: relying solely on Caucasian population-based studies may result in missed opportunities to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders. In addition, participants agree on the importance of promoting collaborations and data sharing in areas where China has especially strong resources, such as advanced facilities for non-human primate studies and traditional Chinese medicine: areas that may also provide overseas investigators with unique research opportunities. In this paper, we present an overview of the current state of psychiatric genetics research in China, with emphasis on genome-level studies, and describe challenges and opportunities for future advances, particularly at the dawn of “precision medicine.” Together, we call on administrative bodies, funding agencies, the research community, and the public at large for increased support for research on the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders in the Chinese population. In our opinion, increased public awareness and effective collaborative research hold the keys to the future of psychiatric genetics in China.

A Mouse Model of Targeted Musashi1 Expression in Whole Intestinal Epithelium Suggests Regulatory Roles in Cell Cycle and Stemness

The intestinal epithelium is very peculiar for its continuous cell renewal, fuelled by multipotent stem cells localized within the crypts of Lieberkühn. Several lines of evidence have established the evolutionary conserved RNA-binding protein Musashi1 as a marker of adult stem cells, including those of the intestinal epithelium, and revealed its roles in stem cell self-renewal and cell fate determination. Previous studies from our laboratories have shown that Musashi1 controls stem cell-like features in medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, and breast cancer cells, and has pro-proliferative and pro-tumorigenic properties in intestinal epithelial progenitor cells in vitro. To undertake a detailed study of Musashi1's function in the intestinal epithelium in vivo, we have generated a mouse model, referred to as v-Msi, overexpressing Musashi1 specifically in the entire intestinal epithelium. Compared with wild type litters, v-Msi1 mice exhibited increased intestinal crypt size accompanied by enhanced proliferation. Comparative transcriptomics by RNA-seq revealed Musashi1's association with gut stem cell signature, cell cycle, DNA replication, and drug metabolism. Finally, we identified and validated three novel mRNA targets that are stabilized by Musashi1, Ccnd1 (Cyclin D1), Cdk6, and Sox4. In conclusion, the targeted expression of Musashi1 in the intestinal epithelium in vivo increases the cell proliferation rate and strongly suggests its action on stem cells activity. This is due to the modulation of a complex network of gene functions and pathways including drug metabolism, cell cycle, and DNA synthesis and repair.

Glutaredoxin 2a overexpression in macrophages promotes mitochondrial dysfunction but has little or no effect on atherogenesis in LDL-receptor null mice

AIMS

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated formation of mixed disulfides between critical cysteine residues in proteins and glutathione, a process referred to as protein S-glutathionylation, can lead to loss of enzymatic activity and protein degradation. Since mitochondria are a major source of ROS and a number of their proteins are susceptible to protein-S-glutathionylation, we examined if overexpression of mitochondrial thioltranferase glutaredoxin 2a (Grx2a) in macrophages of dyslipidemic atherosclerosis-prone mice would prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and protect against atherosclerotic lesion formation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We generated transgenic Grx2aMac(LDLR-/-) mice, which overexpress Grx2a as an EGFP fusion protein under the control of the macrophage-specific CD68 promoter. Transgenic mice and wild type siblings were fed a high fat diet for 14 weeks at which time we assessed mitochondrial bioenergetic function in peritoneal macrophages and atherosclerotic lesion formation. Flow cytometry and Western blot analysis demonstrated transgene expression in blood monocytes and peritoneal macrophages isolated from Grx2aMac(LDLR-/-) mice, and fluorescence confocal microscopy studies confirmed that Grx2a expression was restricted to the mitochondria of monocytic cells. Live-cell bioenergetic measurements revealed impaired mitochondrial ATP turnover in macrophages isolated from Grx2aMac(LDLR-/-) mice compared to macrophages isolated from non-transgenic mice. However, despite impaired mitochondrial function in macrophages of Grx2aMac(LDLR-/-) mice, we observed no significant difference in the severity of atherosclerosis between wildtype and Grx2aMac(LDLR-/-) mice.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that increasing Grx2a activity in macrophage mitochondria disrupts mitochondrial respiration and ATP production, but without affecting the proatherogenic potential of macrophages. Our data suggest that macrophages are resistant against moderate mitochondrial dysfunction and rely on alternative pathways for ATP synthesis to support the energetic requirements.

Study of genes associated with the 'anger-in' and 'anger-out' emotions of humans using a rat model

The aim of the present study was to investigate the genes associated with 'anger-in' (tendency to suppress anger) and 'anger-out' (tendency to express anger through verbal or physical means) emotions in humans. Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=10/group), based on the type of model and the Chinese medicinal formulation administered, and the rat models were established. The five groups were as follows: Normal control (control), anger-in model (AIM), anger-in Jingqianshu-administered (AIA), anger-out model (AOM) and anger-out Jingqianping-administered (AOA). Open-field, resident-intruder and aggressive behavior tests were carried out, as well as gene expression analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. The body weights of the rats in the AIM and AOM groups were significantly lower than those of the control group rats. The open-field test indicated that the scores in the AOM group were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in the AIM group. The aggression scores of the rats in the AOM group were significantly higher than those of the AIM group rats. Jingqianshu and Jingqianping granules attenuated the behavioral changes of the rats. 5-Htr2C, GABA_BR2 and 5-Htr3B were associated with anger-in and anger-out emotions. Jingqianping and Jingqianshu granules attenuated the changes in the mRNA expression of 5-Htr2C, GABA_BR2 and 5-Htr3B, as indicated by RT-qPCR, and showed similar effects on protein expression, as demonstrated by western blot analysis. The present study demonstrated that the anger-in and anger-out emotions of rats are closely associated with 5-Htr2C, GABA_BR2 and 5-Htr3B genes, and that Jingqianshu and Jingqianping granules attenuate the abnormal behaviors of model rats. These findings may be useful for the treatment of emotional disorders associated with anger.

Alterations of GABA and glutamate-glutamine levels in premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a 3T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Increasing evidence has suggested that the GABAergic neurotransmitter system is involved in the pathogenesis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) to investigate whether PMDD is associated with alterations in brain GABA levels. Levels of glutamate-glutamine (Glx) were also explored. Participants comprised 22 women with PMDD and 22 age-matched healthy controls who underwent 3T (1)H MRS during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. GABA+ and Glx levels were quantified in the anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex (ACC/mPFC) and the left basal ganglia (ltBG). Water-scaled GABA+ concentrations and GABA+/tCr ratios were significantly lower in both the ACC/mPFC and ltBG regions of PMDD women than in healthy controls. Glx/tCr ratios were significantly higher in the ACC/mPFC region of PMDD women than healthy controls. Our preliminary findings provide the first report of abnormal levels of GABA+ and Glx in mood-related brain regions of women with PMDD, indicating that dysregulation of the amino acid neurotransmitter system may be an important neurobiological mechanism in the pathogenesis of PMDD.

Shu‑Yu capsule, a Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation, attenuates premenstrual syndrome depression induced by chronic stress constraint

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of the Shu-Yu capsule (SYC), a Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation, on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) depression and the ratio of glutamate (Glu) to γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a rat model of PMS depression. Rats were randomly divided into a control group, model group, fluoxetine group, SYC group and saikosaponins (SS) group. The therapeutic effect of SYC was evaluated using a sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OFT) and body mass following four days of treatment. Hippocampal extracellular fluid was collected by microdialysis and the levels of Glu and GABA in the microdialysate were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed that, compared with the control group, the sucrose preference coefficient (SC%), total score of OFT and body mass of the model group were significantly lower (P<0.01, P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). However, the sucrose preference coefficient, total score of OFT and body mass of the SYC group were all significantly increased compared with the model group (P<0.05). Furthermore, SYC inhibited the decrease of the Glu/GABA ratio in the hippocampus of rats with PMS depression. It was concluded that SYC effectively improved the symptoms of PMS depression, possibly by inhibiting the dysregulation of the Glu/GABA balance in the central nervous system.

Mechanisms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway in depressive disorder

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway plays an important role in the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs and has dominated recent studies on the pathogenesis of depression. In the present review we summarize the known roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressant medicines. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway has potential to be used as a biological index to help diagnose depression, and as such it is considered as an important new target in the treatment of depression.

Breed-specific transcriptome response of spleen from six to eight week old piglet after infection with Streptococcus suis type 2

Different pig breeds have shown differential susceptibility to the pathogen infection; however, molecular mechanisms of the infection susceptibility are not fully understood. Streptococcus suis type 2 (SS2) is an important zoonotic pathogen. To identify the genes responsible for infection susceptibility, pigs from two different breeds (Enshi black and Landrace) were inoculated with SS2 and their spleen transcriptome profiles were investigated in the present study. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed from infected versus control pigs in each breed, and then compared between both pig breeds. Enshi black pig showed more DEGs than Landrace (830 vs. 611) and most of these were due to down-regulated genes (543 vs. 387). However some DEGs were uniquely expressed in one breed, some were expressed in opposite direction in both breeds. A number of candidate genes and pathways are identified which might be involved in susceptibility to SS2, for example, MMP9 and Resistin were only significantly expressed in Landrace. NPG3 and PMAP23 were up-regulated in Landrace whereas down-regulated in Enshi black. LENG8 in control Landrace have inherently higher expression than control Enshi black. IGKV6 is down-regulated in Landrace but up-regulated in Enshi black. Overall, the transcriptome profiles are consistent with the clinical signs, i.e. the Enshi black is more susceptible to SS2 infection than Landrace. This is the first study to identify differential gene expression between indigenous and modern commercial pigs after in vivo SS2 infection using RNA-seq. The significant DEGs in splenic profiles between two pig breeds suggested considerable involvement of genetic background in susceptibility to the SS2 infection in pigs.

The effects of early life lead exposure on the expression of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the hippocampus of mouse pups

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of maternal lead (Pb) exposure on the expression of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL 6, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in hippocampus of mice offspring. Pb exposure initiated from the beginning of gestation to weaning. Lead acetate (PbAc) administered in drinking solutions was dissolved in distilled deionized water at the concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1% groups ,respectively. On the postnatal day 21, the Pb levels in their blood and hippocampus were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The expression of IL 1β, IL 6, and GFAP in hippocampus was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The Pb levels in blood and hippocampus of all Pb-exposed groups were significantly higher than that of the control group ( p < 0.05). The expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and GFAP was increased in Pb-exposed groups in comparison with the control group ( p < 0.05). The high expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and GFAP in the hippocampus of pups may contribute to the neurotoxicity associated with maternal Pb exposure.

Premenstrual dysphoria and luteal stress in dominant-social-status female macaques

The current study aims to extend our previous work to develop nonhuman primate model for prospectively studying the mechanism underlying premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Thirty young dominant-status female monkeys were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and JQP group. For two consecutive menstrual cycles, from day 18 to 22, monkeys in the model and JQP groups were housed and immobilized singly in specially designed isolation cages for 5-6 hours per day. At the same time, the pharmaceutical interference effect of jingqianping (JQP) granule, a traditional Chinese medicine specifically used to cure PMDD patients, was tested using monkeys in the JQP group. The behavior and facial expressions of monkeys were photographed with an automatic vidicon and were quantitatively analyzed by "the emotion evaluation scale of female experimental macaque." Changes in serum level of progesterone and estradiol were measured with RIA, and serum level of 5-HT, noradrenaline, and dopamine were measured with HPLC. After experiencing mentioned above stress, 70% of monkeys of model group showed PMDD symptoms during three consecutive menstrual cycles. Estradiol and progesterone serum level decreased (P < 0.01). Moreover, the peak value of secreted hormones in their follicular phase did not occur. Serum level of 5-HT and dopamine were significantly lower (P < 0.01), but the serum noradrenaline level was higher (P < 0.01). Moreover, in monkeys administered by JQP granule, both PMDD symptoms and the anormal serum level of neurotransmitters could be obviously reversed. This special luteal-phase treatment on dominant-social-status monkeys might be a feasible way to create models mimicking PMDD.

Vitamin B-12 supplementation improves arterial function in vegetarians with subnormal vitamin B-12 status

OBJECTIVE

Vegetarians are more vascular-healthy but those with subnormal vitamin B-12 status have impaired arterial endothelial function and increased intima-media thickness. We aimed to study the impact of vitamin B-12 supplementation on these markers, in the vegetarians.

DESIGN

Double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised crossover study.

SETTING

Community dwelling vegetarians.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty healthy vegetarians (vegetarian diet for at least 6 years) were recruited.

INTERVENTION

Vitamin B-12 (500 µg/day) or identical placebo were given for 12 weeks with 10 weeks of placebo-washout before crossover (n=43), and then open label vitamin B-12 for additional 24 weeks (n=41).

MEASUREMENT

Flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery (FMD) and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid artery were measured by ultrasound.

RESULTS

The mean age of the subjects was 45±9 years and 22 (44%) were male. Thirty-five subjects (70%) had serum B-12 levels <150 pmol/l. Vitamin B-12 supplementation significantly increased serum vitamin B-12 levels (p<0.0001) and lowered plasma homocysteine (p<0.05). After vitamin B-12 supplementation but not placebo, significant improvement of brachial FMD (6.3±1.8% to 6.9±1.9%; p<0.0001) and in carotid IMT (0.69±0.09 mm to 0.67±0.09 mm, p<0.05) were found, with further improvement in FMD (to 7.4±1.7%; p<0.0001) and IMT (to 0.65±0.09 mm; p<0.001) after 24 weeks open label vitamin B-12. There were no significant changes in blood pressures or lipid profiles. On multivariate analysis, changes in B-12 (β=0.25; p=0.02) but not homocysteine were related to changes in FMD, (R=0.32; F value=3.19; p=0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin B-12 supplementation improved arterial function in vegetarians with subnormal vitamin B-12 levels, proposing a novel strategy for atherosclerosis prevention.

Pharmacokinetics of spinosad and milbemycin oxime administered in combination and separately per os to dogs

Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies were conducted to determine the potential PK interactions when spinosad and milbemycin oxime (MBO) are administered simultaneously. Investigations used commercial MBO tablets (C-MBO; Interceptor(®) Flavor Tabs, active ingredient MBO, Novartis Animal Health, Greensboro, NC, USA), novel-source (Elanco) MBO (E-MBO) in a gelatin capsule, spinosad API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient using registered manufacturing process) in a gelatin capsule, spinosad tablets (Comfortis(®) chewable beef flavored tablets, active ingredient spinosad, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN, USA), and the recently registered spinosad + E-MBO combination tablets (Trifexis™ chewable beef flavored tablets, active ingredients E-MBO and spinosad, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN, USA). Regardless of the source of MBO, in the presence of spinosad, greater systemic exposure of MBO was obtained as compared to MBO administered alone. Target animal safety studies conducted with dose multiples of spinosad and MBO indicate the increased exposure of MBO does not have implications on adverse clinical reactions. Further research is required to determine whether the higher levels of MBO have any implications for improved effectiveness as compared to C-MBO. Effectiveness studies conducted with 0.5 mg/kg of E-MBO in combination tablets demonstrated noninterference against C-MBO with both products achieving >99% effectiveness against the dose-limiting nematode, Ancylostoma caninum. No statistical differences were detected in the PK of MBO when comparing animals receiving E-MBO (without spinosad) and C-MBO. Also, the PK of spinosad was unaltered when co-administered with MBO.

[Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with Chinese medicine formula, baixiangdan capsule: implications for neuron viability and GABA(A) receptor modulation in rat cortex]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of Baixiangdan capsule (BXD), a Chinese medicinal formula, on the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) rats with Liver-qi invasion and the possible underlying micro-mechanisms.

METHOD

Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups, nomal group and BXD group After evaluated by macro-behavior observation and open-field test, MTT assay and the whole-cell patch clamp recording were performed respectively to evaluate the effects of serum from BXD capsule-treated rats on the viability and GABA(A) R-induced currents of cortical neurons in vitro.

RESULT

In the open-field test, the crossing score, rearing score and total score of BXD rats decreased significantly (P < 0.05), compared by the normal rats. Compared with cells exposed to serum of normal rats, the viability values of those incubated with serum of BXD group for 24 h and 48 h significantly increased (P < 0.05), measured by MTT assay. The results of whole-cell patch clamp recording showed that concentration-response relationship curves revealed an EC50 value of (29.0 +/- 4.4) micromol x L(-1) and a Hill coefficient of 1.07 for normal-exposed cultures, (63.5 +/- 8.2) micromol x L(-1), 1.04 for BXD-exposed cultures after incubation for 24 h. Furthermore, the difference in EC50 values was statistically significant (P < 0.01), that in the Hill coefficient was not obvious.

CONCLUSION

BXD capsule could significantly decrease crossing score and total score of open-field test and effectively enhance the neuron viability and GABA(A) receptor activity in rat cortex. Paeonimetabolins I and paeonol may play a significant role in treating PMS model rats with Liver-qi invasion by BXD capsule, and paeonol may target at GABA(A) receptor, especially.