Comparative proteomic analysis of the nucleus accumbens during extinction and reinstatement of morphine dependence

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to detect differentially expressed proteins in the nucleus accumbens between the states of extinction and reinstatement ofmorphine addiction. Numerous studies on the neurobiological mechanisms concerning drug craving and relapse have been reported to date, but data on their relationship with the underlying key molecular mechanisms involved remain limited.

METHODS

In this study, 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into a saline group and a morphine group. Both groups received drug self-administration training, after which extinction models were established naturally. The groups were further divided into two subgroups for extinction and reinstatement tests. Cerebral nucleus accumbens masses were measured for total protein extraction. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed to determine differential protein spots. These differential proteins were then enzymolysed and identified using mass spectrography.

RESULTS

The proteins were classified as fatty acid-binding protein, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit beta isoform, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit alpha isoform, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B2 subunit gamma or heat shock protein 90 co-chaperone CDC37.

CONCLUSION

Significant changes in five proteins were detected between extinction and reinstatement. These proteins are correlated with phosphorylation and the tricarboxylic acid cycle.

Comparative analysis of effects of reconstruction and radical treatment of the posterior ear canal wall using periosteal osteocomma and mastoid antrum ventilation

To analyze the results of repair defect of the ear canal with autologous bone containing periosteum and hearing reconstruction and postoperative inflation. Retrospective analysis of the 40 cases of surgeries conducted by senior surgeon. All cases received full open surgeries. Preoperative air conduction (AC) was 67.47 ± 14.32 dBHL, and GAP was 45.95 ± 12.63 dBHL. These cases were divided into two groups: the first 20 ears received repair surgery for radical mastoid cavity with bone slice containing periosteum combined with ear ossicle remodeling, namely the bone slice group. For another 20 ears, inflator was additionally used and the mastoid antrum cavity was inflated twice a day, namely the inflation group.

FOLLOW-UP

9-60 months (median follow-up of 26 months).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

U test was adopted. All ear canal showed a smooth appearance. Eight cases received CT scans and presenting re-gasification of attic and/or mastoid cavity. Hearing: AC of 47.32 ± 15.63 dBHL, and GAP of 18.28 ± 15.28 dBHL, both P values were <0.01 as compared with that before operation, and the difference was highly significant. 23 cases showed GAP <20 dB, and one case showed GAP >20 at follow-up, but narrowing was >30 dB, and these 24 cases were successful case, with a success rate = 60 %. 16 cases with GAP <10 dB, although 4 cases with GAP >10 dB, narrowing was >30 dB, thus the 20 cases were markedly effective, and with ratio = 50 %. The gap of 30 cases was narrowed more than 15 dB, although two cases showed gap narrowing less than 15 dB, postoperative GAP was less than 10 dB, both were valid, with an efficacy of 32/40 = 80 %, 18 cases (45 %) with AC <40 dBHL. Sub-group analysis: age: group P < 0.05 when the two groups were compared, difference in ages of the two groups were significant, and the age of the inflation group was older. Both GAP and AC of the two groups showed no significant difference before and after the surgery. One case in the bone slice group showed poor postoperative hearing, adhesion was found between the mesotympanum and attic in reoperation, and best result of GAP Close to less than 10 dB was obtained using the decomposition method after inflation. Bone slice containing periosteum can be used for reconstruct the normal ear canal. Auxiliary inflation of middle ear can even promote the tympanic re-gasification and hearing recovery.

Alkaloids and flavonoids as α(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonists

Since the subtypes of α(1)-adrenergic receptor have been thoroughly determined, to date medicinal chemists raise their deliberation on how to conceive selective α(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist with the minimal side effects. It needs to be well recognized that natural products can exist as a significant source of drug leads, thus portraying a consequential capacity in drug design and development. The current review article would like to present a comprehensive survey on natural products, mainly including alkaloids and flavonoids, which exhibit α(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonistic activities.

Particulate matter concentrations in residences: an intervention study evaluating stand-alone filters and air conditioners

This study, a randomized controlled trial, evaluated the effectiveness of free-standing air filters and window air conditioners (ACs) in 126 low-income households of children with asthma. Households were randomized into a control group, a group receiving a free-standing HEPA filter placed in the child's sleeping area, and a group receiving the filter and a window-mounted AC. Indoor air quality (IAQ) was monitored for week-long periods over three to four seasons. High concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide were frequently seen. When IAQ was monitored, filters reduced PM levels in the child's bedroom by an average of 50%. Filter use varied greatly among households and declined over time, for example, during weeks when pollutants were monitored, filter use was initially high, averaging 84±27%, but dropped to 63±33% in subsequent seasons. In months when households were not visited, use averaged only 34±30%. Filter effectiveness did not vary in homes with central or room ACs. The study shows that measurements over multiple seasons are needed to characterize air quality and filter performance. The effectiveness of interventions using free-standing air filters depends on occupant behavior, and strategies to ensure filter use should be an integral part of interventions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) increased particulate matter (PM) levels by about 14 μg/m3 and was often detected using ETS-specific tracers despite restrictions on smoking in the house as reported on questionnaires administered to caregivers. PM concentrations depended on season, filter usage, relative humidity, air exchange ratios, number of children, outdoor PM levels, sweeping/dusting, and presence of a central air conditioner (AC). Free-standing air filters can be an effective intervention that provides substantial reductions in PM concentrations if the filters are used. However, filter use was variable across the study population and declined over the study duration, and thus strategies are needed to encourage and maintain use of filters. The variability in filter use suggests that exposure misclassification is a potential problem in intervention studies using filters. The installation of a room AC in the bedroom, intended to limit air exchange ratios, along with an air filter, did not lower PM levels more than the filter alone.

The Effects of Ananas comosus L. Leaves on Diabetic-Dyslipidemic Rats Induced by Alloxan and a High-Fat/High-Cholesterol Diet

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effects of Ananas comosus L. leaves on diabetic-dyslipidemic rats. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of the ethanolic extract of Ananas comosus L. leaves (EEACL) were evaluated in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats by oral glucose tolerance test and an olive oil load test. Anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-oxidative activities of EEACL were also investigated in diabetic-dyslipidemic rats induced by alloxan and a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet. EEACL at the dose of 0.40 g/kg significantly inhibited the increase in blood glucose in diabetic rats in oral glucose tolerance test, but did not cause any hypoglycerimic activity in normal rats. It also significantly inhibited the increase in postprandial triglycerides (TG) levels in both normal and diabetic rats in olive oil load test. After 15 days of treatment of diabetic dyslipidemic rats, EEACL significantly decreased blood glucose (-51.0%, P<0.01), TG (-50.1%, P<0.01), TC (-23.3%, P<0.01), LDL-c (-47.9%, P<0.01) and glycated albumin (-25.4%, P<0.01) levels, significantly increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (66.2%, P<0.01) and prevented lower body weight of diabetes (11.8%, P<0.05), significantly lowered lipid peroxidation productions of blood (-27.8%, P<0.01), brain (-31.6%, P<0.05), liver (-44.5%, P<0.01) and kidneys (-72.2%, P<0.05) compared with those in untreated diabetic dyslipidemic rats. These data suggest that EEACL has anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipidemic and anti-oxidative activities, which may be developed into a new plant medicine for treatment of diabetes and its complications.

Pharmacokinetics of Berberine in Rat Thalamus After Intravenous Administration of Coptidis Rhizoma Extract

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for determination of berberine in rat thalamus was described in this study. Thalamus samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with methanol and acetonitrile. Berberine was determined using a Hypersil C 18 column with an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile — 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate (containing 0.5% triethylamine, pH 3.0) (30:70 v/v) and with UV detection at 265 nm. The lower limit of quantification for berberine in thalamus was 24 ng/ml, and the lowest concentration of berberine determined in rat thalamus samples was 47.5 ng/ml at 48 hours. The calibration curve for berberine was linear ( r 2 = 0.9994) over the concentration range 24–6000 ng/ml. At this concentration range, the overall recoveries (91.20%–93.24%) for berberine were determined and the accuracy of the intra- and inter-day assays from rat thalamus were less than 6% RSD. Following intravenous administration of 10.2 mg/kg of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) extract containing 3 mg/kg berberine into rats, the thalamus level of berberine increased rapidly ( t 1/2α = 1.93 hours ), peaked at 2.48 hours with a concentration of 271 ng/g, and had a slow elimination rate ( t 1/2β = 14.6 hours ), which suggested that berberine might directly act on certain regions of the thalamus, have pharmacological effects on some cerebral dysfunctions, and be an active ingredient of Huang Lian Jie Du Tang for the treatment of cerebral disease.

Emerging approaches of traditional Chinese medicine formulas for the treatment of hyperlipidemia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas have been widely used in China since ancient times to treat certain diseases (e.g., phlegm, dampness and blood stasis). Recently, the effects of these medicines have been increasingly demonstrated to be helpful for hyperlipidemic patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This manuscript aims to describe the scientific evidence for the efficacy of TCM and attempts to identify potential TCM formulas for treating hyperlipidemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TCM formulas approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China (SFDA) were sourced from the official SFDA website (http://www.sda.gov.cn/). Human and animal evidence for the hypolipidemic effects of herbs from TCM formulas were reviewed via the Internet (Elsevier, ACS, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Baidu, and Google) and libraries up to October 31, 2011.

RESULTS

More than 50 TCM formulas have been used to treat hyperlipidemia. These herbs can primarily be grouped into three categories: (1) herbs promoting excretions, generally by reducing food retention, enhancing purgative effects, and promoting diuresis and choleretic effects, e.g., Fructus Crataegi (), Radix Polygoni Multiflori (), Semen Cassiae (), and Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (), Rhizoma alismatis (), and Herba Artemisiae Scopariae (); (2) herbs acting on the cardiovascular system, generally by improving blood circulation based on TCM theories, e.g., Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (), Radix Puerariae (), Rhizoma Chuanxiong (), Flos Carthami (), and Folium Nelumbinis (); and (3) herbs that have tonic effects, e.g., Fructus Lycii (), Radix Ginseng (), and Radix Astragali ().

CONCLUSIONS

Three basic approaches, including excretory function enhancement, cardiovascular system improvement, and tonic effect reinforcement, are emerging among TCM formulas for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. These approaches may be useful in controlling blood lipid levels, preventing cardiovascular complications, and adjusting bodily functions in hyperlipidemic patients. However, solid evidence of the efficacy of these treatments is required.

Dual-wavelength passive and hybrid mode-locking of 3, 4.5 and 10 GHz InAs/InP(100) quantum dot lasers

We present an investigation of passive and hybrid mode-locking in Fabry-Pérot type two-section InAs/InP(100) quantum dot lasers that show dual wavelength operation. Over the whole current and voltage range for mode-locking of these lasers, the optical output spectra show two distinct lobes. The two lobes provide a coherent bandwidth and are verified to lead to two synchronized optical pulses. The generated optical pulses are elongated in time due to a chirp which shows opposite signs over the two spectral lobes. Self-induced mode-locking in the single-section laser shows that the dual-wavelength spectra correspond to emission from ground state. In the hybrid mode-locking regime, a map of locking range is presented by measuring the values of timing jitter for several values of power and frequency of the external electrical modulating signal. An overview of the systematic behavior of InAs/InP(100) quantum dot mode-locked lasers is presented as conclusion.

[Effect of Euphorbia kansui on urination and kidney AQP2, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA expression of mice injected with normal saline]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Euphorbia kansui (E. KS) alcohol extracts on urination and kidney-related expressions of mice injected with normal saline and to discuss its impact on kidney.

METHOD

Mice intraperitoneally injected with normal saline were observed for urination and changes in kidney-related histiocytic factors of after intragastrical administration of E. KS and compared with normal mice.

RESULT

E. KS alcohol extracts can promote urination of mice injected with normal saline and enhance peripheral serum creatinine, with no obvious pathological change showed in tissue sections. It had a certain effect on reducing AQP2 expression and enhancing TNF-alpha expression.

CONCLUSION

Euphorbia kansui in large dose has a remarkable effect on kidney but may be accompanied with pathological reactions to some extent, especially the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1). The pathological reactions may be related with increased serum creatinine and TNF-alpha expression.

[Determination of chlorfluazuron residue in foods by high performance liquid chromatography]

A method for the determination of chlorfluazuron residue in foods by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed. The samples were extracted with hexane or acetonitrile. After cleaned up with Florisil-solid phase extraction (SPE), the samples were analyzed by the separation on a C18 chromatographic column with an acetonitrile and water (85 : 15, v/v) mixed solution as the mobile phase and the determination with an ultraviolet detector at 260 nm. The linear range was 0.05 - 2.0 mg/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.999 8 and the limit of quantification (S/N = 10) was 0.05 mg/kg. The recoveries were 82.1% - 102.5% with the relative standard deviations (n = 10) of 3.00% - 6.25% at the three different spiked levels of 0.05, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg. The method is easy, fast, accurate and consuming less sample and organic solvents. It can be applied in the determination of chlorfluazuron in foods.

PI3K p55γ promoter activity enhancement is involved in the anti-apoptotic effect of berberine against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Berberine is a candidate clinical neuroprotective agent against ischemic stroke. In the present study, we examined the influence of the PI3K/Akt pathway in mediating the anti-apoptotic effects of berberine. Oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation of nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells and primary neurons, and bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in mice were used as in vitro and in vivo ischemia models. We found that the anti-apoptotic effects of berberine against ischemia were indeed mediated by the increased phosphor-activation of Akt (higher p-Akt to total Akt), leading to the intensified phosphorylation of Bad and the decreased cleavage of the pro-apoptotic protease caspase-3. Berberine action is specific for PI3K, rather than the upstream receptor tyrosine kinase. The anti-apoptotic effect is maintained in the presence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor PD153035, but is suppressed by the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 and the Akt inhibitor Akti-1/2.The unique PI3K regulatory subunit p55γ was upregulated by berberine during ischemia-reperfusion and was not blocked by these inhibitors. We constructed a reporter plasmid to detect PI3K p55γ promoter activity and found that berberine enhanced PI3K p55γ promoter activity during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.