Liuwei Dihuang decoction(LW), a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), has been used for nearly one thousand years for various diseases with characteristic features of kidney yin deficiency. LW consists...Liuwei Dihuang decoction(LW), a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), has been used for nearly one thousand years for various diseases with characteristic features of kidney yin deficiency. LW consists of 6herbs including Dihuang[prepared root of Rehmannia glutinosa(Gaertn) DC], Shanyao(rhizome of Dioscorea polystachya Turcz), Shanzhuyu(fruit of Cornus officinalis Siebold Zucc), Mudanpi(root bark of Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews),Zexie(rhizome of Alisma plantago-aquatica L) and Fuling(scleorotia of Wolfiporia extensa(Peck) Ginns)LW-active fraction combination(LW-AFC) is extracted from LW, it is effective for the treatment of kidney yin deficiency in many animal models. There are 3 fractions in LW-AFC, a polysaccharide fraction(LWB-B), a glycoside fraction(LWD-b) and an oligosaccharide fraction(CA-30). Our previous results indicate that LW-AFC has similar pharmacological effects to LW, modulating the balance of the NIM network. LW-AFC has positive effects in many animal models of kidney deficiency or disturbance of the NIM network. LW-AFC could improve the cognitive ability in Alzheimer′s disease(AD) animal models(APP/PS1, SAMP8), where modulating immune function and balancing the NIM network may play an important role in its cognition improving effects. Our study also showed that LW-AFC had protective effects on stress-induced disturbances of the NIM network. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive and need further investigation. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effects of LW-AFC and the active fractions(polysaccharide, LWB-B;glycoside, LWD-b;oligosaccharide,CA-30) on corticosterone(Cort)-induced long-term potentiation(LTP) impairment in vivo. METHODS LTP was used to evaluate the synaptic plasticity. LW-AFC was orally administered for seven days. The active fractions were given by either chronic administration(ig, ip, 7 d) or single administration(icv, ig, ip). Cort was injected subcutaneously 1 h before the high-frequency stimulation(HFS) to induce LTP impairment. Moreover, in ord展开更多
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of relative humidity (RH) at either acute or chronic moderate ambient temperature (Ta) on growth performance and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites of broilers. Tw...The present study aimed to investigate the effect of relative humidity (RH) at either acute or chronic moderate ambient temperature (Ta) on growth performance and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites of broilers. Two experiments were conducted: effect of RH (35, 60 or 85%) on average daily feed intake (ADFI) and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at acute (1 d: 20–26 or 31–20°C, 26 or 31°C for 6 h d–1 at 10:00–16:00) moderate Ta (experiment 1) and effect of RH (35, 60 or 85%) on growth performance and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at chronic (step-wisely increasing temperature by 3°C every 3 d from 20 to 32°C within 15 d: 20–23–26–29–32°C) moderate Ta (experiment 2). Droppings were collected at the 2, 4, 6, 8, and 22 h after Ta-RH controlled in experiment 1 and at the 2, 4, 6, and 22 h after Ta controlled to 32°C in experiment 2. The results showed that: 1) In experiment 1, 85% RH increased (P<0.05) the droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at the 2, 6, 8, and 22 h and 35% RH increased (P<0.05) it at the 2 and 22 h compared to the 60% RH. Moreover, 85% RH further increased (P<0.05) it compared to the 35% RH, however, no difference (P >0.05) was found in ADFI among the three RH groups at acute moderate 26°C;35 and 85% RH increased (P<0.05) droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at the 2, 6, 8 and 22 h and decreased (P<0.05) ADFI compared to the 60% RH, moreover, 85% RH further increased (P<0.05) droppings’ corticosterone metabolites and further decreased (P<0.05) ADFI compared to the 35% RH at acute moderate 31°C;and the average of droppings’ corticosterone metabolites in the whole period had a negative correlation (P<0.02) with the ADFI. 2) In experiment 2, 85% RH increased (P<0.01) droppings’ corticosterone metabolites only at the 2 h and decreased (P<0.02) ADFI and average daily gain (ADG) compared to the 60% RH, no difference (P >0.05) in droppings’ corticosterone metabolites was found between the 35 and 60% RH, however, 35% RH decreased (P<0.01) ADG compare展开更多
Predators have both direct, consumptive effects on their prey and non-lethal effects on physiology and behavior, including reproductive decisions, with cascading effects on prey ecology and evol tion. Here, we experim...Predators have both direct, consumptive effects on their prey and non-lethal effects on physiology and behavior, including reproductive decisions, with cascading effects on prey ecology and evol tion. Here, we experime ntally tested such non-lethal effects of exposure to in creased predati on risk on clutch size, egg mass, and the concentration of yolk steroid hormones in the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis. We simulated increased predation risk by displaying stuffed predators (adult fox Vulpes vulpes, and adult buzzard Buteo buteo) to breeding adults before egg laying. The concentration of corticosterone, which has bee n show n to in crease un der exposure to mater nal predati on risk in other species, and of testosterone did not differ between eggs from mothers exposed to the predators and eggs from control mothers (i.e., eggs exposed to a novel object of similar size and position to the stuffed predators). The concentration of the two hormones negatively covaried. Clutch size did not vary according to experimental treatment, whereas egg mass was markedly larger in clutches from n ests exposed to predators than in clutches from control n ests. By in creasing egg mass, mothers may reduce the risk of cooling of the eggs when incubation is impeded by predators, boost energy reserves, reduce post-natal detectability caused by food solicitation, and/ or enha nee developme nt at hatchi ng, thus increasing the cha nces of offspri ng survival. In general, our results are inconsistent with most of the few previous studies on similar non-lethal predator effects and suggest that such effects may vary among species according to ecological conditions, social behavior, and developmental mode.展开更多
Previous studies have shown that models of depression exhibit structural and functional changes to the neurovascular unit. Thus, we hypothesized that diabetes-related depression might be associated with damage to the ...Previous studies have shown that models of depression exhibit structural and functional changes to the neurovascular unit. Thus, we hypothesized that diabetes-related depression might be associated with damage to the hippocampal neurovascular unit. To test this hypothesis, neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells were isolated from the brain tissues of rat embryos and newborn rats. Hippocampal neurovascular unit co-cultures were produced using the Transwell chamber co-culture system. A model of diabetes-related depression was generated by adding 150 mM glucose and 200 μM corticosterone to the culture system and compared with the neuron + astrocyte and astrocyte + endothelial cell co-culture systems. Western blot assay was used to measure levels of structural proteins in the hippocampal neurovascular unit co-culture system. Levels of basic fibroblast growth factor, angiogenic factor 1, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, transforming growth factor β1, leukemia inhibitory factor and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the hippocampal neurovascular unit co-culture system were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining was used to assess neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal neurovascular unit. The neurovascular unit triple cell co-culture system had better barrier function and higher levels of structural and secretory proteins than the double cell co-culture systems. In comparison, in the model of diabetes-related depression, the neurovascular unit was damaged with decreased barrier function, poor structural integrity and impaired secretory function. Moreover, neuronal apoptosis was markedly increased, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were reduced. These results suggest that diabetes-related depression is associated with structural and functional damage to the neurovascular unit. Our findings provide a foundation for further studies on the pathogenesis of diabetes-related depression.展开更多
Atractylenolide Ⅲ(ATL-Ⅲ), a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, has revealed a number of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activity, and neuropr...Atractylenolide Ⅲ(ATL-Ⅲ), a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, has revealed a number of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activity, and neuroprotective effect. This study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective efficiency and potential mechanisms of ATL-Ⅲ on corticosterone injured rat phaeochromocytoma(PC12) cells. Our results demonstrate that ATL-Ⅲ increases cell viability and reduces the release of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH). The results suggest that ATL-Ⅲ protects PC12 cells from corticosterone-induced injury by inhibiting the intracellular Ca^2+ overloading, inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB inflammatory pathways. These findings provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanism by which ATL-Ⅲ protected the PC12 cells against corticosterone-induced injury for the first time. Our results provide the evidence that ATL-Ⅲ may serve as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of depression.展开更多
文摘Liuwei Dihuang decoction(LW), a classic formula in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), has been used for nearly one thousand years for various diseases with characteristic features of kidney yin deficiency. LW consists of 6herbs including Dihuang[prepared root of Rehmannia glutinosa(Gaertn) DC], Shanyao(rhizome of Dioscorea polystachya Turcz), Shanzhuyu(fruit of Cornus officinalis Siebold Zucc), Mudanpi(root bark of Paeonia × suffruticosa Andrews),Zexie(rhizome of Alisma plantago-aquatica L) and Fuling(scleorotia of Wolfiporia extensa(Peck) Ginns)LW-active fraction combination(LW-AFC) is extracted from LW, it is effective for the treatment of kidney yin deficiency in many animal models. There are 3 fractions in LW-AFC, a polysaccharide fraction(LWB-B), a glycoside fraction(LWD-b) and an oligosaccharide fraction(CA-30). Our previous results indicate that LW-AFC has similar pharmacological effects to LW, modulating the balance of the NIM network. LW-AFC has positive effects in many animal models of kidney deficiency or disturbance of the NIM network. LW-AFC could improve the cognitive ability in Alzheimer′s disease(AD) animal models(APP/PS1, SAMP8), where modulating immune function and balancing the NIM network may play an important role in its cognition improving effects. Our study also showed that LW-AFC had protective effects on stress-induced disturbances of the NIM network. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive and need further investigation. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effects of LW-AFC and the active fractions(polysaccharide, LWB-B;glycoside, LWD-b;oligosaccharide,CA-30) on corticosterone(Cort)-induced long-term potentiation(LTP) impairment in vivo. METHODS LTP was used to evaluate the synaptic plasticity. LW-AFC was orally administered for seven days. The active fractions were given by either chronic administration(ig, ip, 7 d) or single administration(icv, ig, ip). Cort was injected subcutaneously 1 h before the high-frequency stimulation(HFS) to induce LTP impairment. Moreover, in ord
基金funded by the Key National Research and Development Program Project of China (2016YFD0500509)the National Science and Technology Support Plan Project of China (2012BAD39B02)the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Team Project (ASTIPIAS07).
文摘The present study aimed to investigate the effect of relative humidity (RH) at either acute or chronic moderate ambient temperature (Ta) on growth performance and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites of broilers. Two experiments were conducted: effect of RH (35, 60 or 85%) on average daily feed intake (ADFI) and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at acute (1 d: 20–26 or 31–20°C, 26 or 31°C for 6 h d–1 at 10:00–16:00) moderate Ta (experiment 1) and effect of RH (35, 60 or 85%) on growth performance and droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at chronic (step-wisely increasing temperature by 3°C every 3 d from 20 to 32°C within 15 d: 20–23–26–29–32°C) moderate Ta (experiment 2). Droppings were collected at the 2, 4, 6, 8, and 22 h after Ta-RH controlled in experiment 1 and at the 2, 4, 6, and 22 h after Ta controlled to 32°C in experiment 2. The results showed that: 1) In experiment 1, 85% RH increased (P<0.05) the droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at the 2, 6, 8, and 22 h and 35% RH increased (P<0.05) it at the 2 and 22 h compared to the 60% RH. Moreover, 85% RH further increased (P<0.05) it compared to the 35% RH, however, no difference (P >0.05) was found in ADFI among the three RH groups at acute moderate 26°C;35 and 85% RH increased (P<0.05) droppings’ corticosterone metabolites at the 2, 6, 8 and 22 h and decreased (P<0.05) ADFI compared to the 60% RH, moreover, 85% RH further increased (P<0.05) droppings’ corticosterone metabolites and further decreased (P<0.05) ADFI compared to the 35% RH at acute moderate 31°C;and the average of droppings’ corticosterone metabolites in the whole period had a negative correlation (P<0.02) with the ADFI. 2) In experiment 2, 85% RH increased (P<0.01) droppings’ corticosterone metabolites only at the 2 h and decreased (P<0.02) ADFI and average daily gain (ADG) compared to the 60% RH, no difference (P >0.05) in droppings’ corticosterone metabolites was found between the 35 and 60% RH, however, 35% RH decreased (P<0.01) ADG compare
文摘Predators have both direct, consumptive effects on their prey and non-lethal effects on physiology and behavior, including reproductive decisions, with cascading effects on prey ecology and evol tion. Here, we experime ntally tested such non-lethal effects of exposure to in creased predati on risk on clutch size, egg mass, and the concentration of yolk steroid hormones in the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis. We simulated increased predation risk by displaying stuffed predators (adult fox Vulpes vulpes, and adult buzzard Buteo buteo) to breeding adults before egg laying. The concentration of corticosterone, which has bee n show n to in crease un der exposure to mater nal predati on risk in other species, and of testosterone did not differ between eggs from mothers exposed to the predators and eggs from control mothers (i.e., eggs exposed to a novel object of similar size and position to the stuffed predators). The concentration of the two hormones negatively covaried. Clutch size did not vary according to experimental treatment, whereas egg mass was markedly larger in clutches from n ests exposed to predators than in clutches from control n ests. By in creasing egg mass, mothers may reduce the risk of cooling of the eggs when incubation is impeded by predators, boost energy reserves, reduce post-natal detectability caused by food solicitation, and/ or enha nee developme nt at hatchi ng, thus increasing the cha nces of offspri ng survival. In general, our results are inconsistent with most of the few previous studies on similar non-lethal predator effects and suggest that such effects may vary among species according to ecological conditions, social behavior, and developmental mode.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81373578 (to YHW), 81573965 (to YHW) the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province of China, No. 2017JJ3241 (to JL) the Education Department Scientific Research Foundationof Hunan Province of China, No. 17C1229 (to JL).
文摘Previous studies have shown that models of depression exhibit structural and functional changes to the neurovascular unit. Thus, we hypothesized that diabetes-related depression might be associated with damage to the hippocampal neurovascular unit. To test this hypothesis, neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells were isolated from the brain tissues of rat embryos and newborn rats. Hippocampal neurovascular unit co-cultures were produced using the Transwell chamber co-culture system. A model of diabetes-related depression was generated by adding 150 mM glucose and 200 μM corticosterone to the culture system and compared with the neuron + astrocyte and astrocyte + endothelial cell co-culture systems. Western blot assay was used to measure levels of structural proteins in the hippocampal neurovascular unit co-culture system. Levels of basic fibroblast growth factor, angiogenic factor 1, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, transforming growth factor β1, leukemia inhibitory factor and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the hippocampal neurovascular unit co-culture system were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining was used to assess neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal neurovascular unit. The neurovascular unit triple cell co-culture system had better barrier function and higher levels of structural and secretory proteins than the double cell co-culture systems. In comparison, in the model of diabetes-related depression, the neurovascular unit was damaged with decreased barrier function, poor structural integrity and impaired secretory function. Moreover, neuronal apoptosis was markedly increased, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were reduced. These results suggest that diabetes-related depression is associated with structural and functional damage to the neurovascular unit. Our findings provide a foundation for further studies on the pathogenesis of diabetes-related depression.
基金National Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 81673572)the Applied basic research project of Shanxi Province (No. 201601D021164)+2 种基金the Innovation project of higher education institutions in Shanxi Province (No. 2016120)the Construction of the Science and Technology Basic Condition Platform of Shanxi Province (No. 2014091022)the Program of Science and Technology of Shanxi Province (No. 20140313008-14).
文摘Atractylenolide Ⅲ(ATL-Ⅲ), a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, has revealed a number of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activity, and neuroprotective effect. This study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective efficiency and potential mechanisms of ATL-Ⅲ on corticosterone injured rat phaeochromocytoma(PC12) cells. Our results demonstrate that ATL-Ⅲ increases cell viability and reduces the release of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH). The results suggest that ATL-Ⅲ protects PC12 cells from corticosterone-induced injury by inhibiting the intracellular Ca^2+ overloading, inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB inflammatory pathways. These findings provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanism by which ATL-Ⅲ protected the PC12 cells against corticosterone-induced injury for the first time. Our results provide the evidence that ATL-Ⅲ may serve as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of depression.