Therapeutic Effects of Decursin and Angelica gigas Nakai Root Extract in Gerbil Brain after Transient Ischemia via Protecting BBB Leakage and Astrocyte Endfeet Damage

Angelica gigas Nakai root contains decursin which exerts beneficial properties such as anti-amnesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Until now, however, the neuroprotective effects of decursin against transient ischemic injury in the forebrain have been insufficiently investigated. Here, we revealed that post-treatment with decursin and the root extract saved pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus following transient ischemia for 5 min in gerbil forebrain. Through high-performance liquid chromatography, we defined that decursin was contained in the extract as 7.3 ± 0.2%. Based on this, we post-treated with 350 mg/kg of extract, which is the corresponding dosage of 25 mg/kg of decursin that exerted neuroprotection in gerbil hippocampus against the ischemia. In addition, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate ischemia-induced dysfunctions via tests of spatial memory (by the 8-arm radial maze test) and learning memory (by the passive avoidance test), and post-treatment with the extract and decursin attenuated ischemia-induced memory impairments. Furthermore, we carried out histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and double immunohistofluorescence. Pyramidal neurons located in the subfield cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) among the hippocampal subfields were dead at 5 days after the ischemia; however, treatment with the extract and decursin saved the pyramidal neurons after ischemia. Immunoglobulin G (IgG, an indicator of extravasation), which is not found in the parenchyma in normal brain tissue, was apparently shown in CA1 parenchyma from 2 days after the ischemia, but IgG leakage was dramatically attenuated in the CA1 parenchyma treated with the extract and decursin. Furthermore, astrocyte endfeet, which are a component of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), were severely damaged at 5 days after the ischemia; however, post-treatment with the extract and decursin dramatically attenuated the damage of the endfeet. In brief, therapeutic treatment of the extract of Angelica gigas Nakai root and decursin after 5 min transient forebrain ischemia protected hippocampal neurons from the ischemia, showing that ischemia-induced BBB leakage and damage of astrocyte endfeet was significantly attenuated by the extract and decursin. Based on these findings, we suggest that Angelica gigas Nakai root containing decursin can be employed as a pharmaceutical composition to develop a therapeutic strategy for brain ischemic injury.     

Ischemic preconditioning in the rat hippocampus increases antioxidant activities but does not affect the level of hydroxyl radicals during subsequent severe ischemia

Several studies have demonstrated that ischemic preconditioning increases superoxide dismutase activity, but it is unclear how ischemic preconditioning affects events downstream of hydrogen peroxide production during subsequent severe ischemia and reperfusion in the hippocampus. To answer this question, we investigated whether ischemic preconditioning in the hippocampal CA1 region increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and catalase, resulting in a decrease in the level of hydroxyl radicals during subsequent severe ischemia-reperfusion. Transient forebrain ischemia was induced by four-vessel occlusion in rats. Ischemic preconditioning for 3 min or a sham operation was performed and a 15-min severe ischemia was induced three days later. Ischemic preconditioning preserved the CA1 hippocampal neurons following severe ischemia. The concentration of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, an indicator of hydroxyl radical, was measured using in vivo microdialysis technique combined with HPLC. The ischemia-induced increase in the ratio of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid concentration relative to baseline did not differ significantly between preconditioned and control groups. On the other hand, activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase-1 and catalase were significantly increased at 3 days after ischemic preconditioning in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that, in preconditioned rats, while hydrogen peroxide is generated from severe ischemia, the activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase-1 is correspondingly increased to eliminate the excessive hydrogen peroxide. However, our results show that the enhanced activity of these antioxidant enzymes in preconditioned rats is not sufficient to decrease hydroxyl radical levels during subsequent severe ischemia-reperfusion.     

Populus tomentiglandulosa Extract Is Rich in Polyphenols and Protects Neurons,Astrocytes, and the Blood-Brain Barrier in Gerbil Striatum Following Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Transient ischemia in brains causes neuronal damage, gliosis, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, which is related to ischemia-induced brain dysfunction. Populus species have various pharmacological properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we found that phenolic compounds were rich in Populus tomentiglandulosa extract and examined the effects of Populus tomentiglandulosa extract on neuronal damage/death, astrogliosis, and BBB breakdown in the striatum, which is related to motor behavior, following 15-min transient ischemia in the forebrain in gerbils. The gerbils were pre-treated with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the extract. The latter showed significant effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ischemia-induced hyperactivity using spontaneous motor activity test was significantly attenuated by the treatment. Striatal cells (neurons) were dead at five days after the ischemia; however, pre-treatment with the extract protected the striatal cells from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ischemia-induced reactive astrogliosis was significantly alleviated, in particular, astrocyte end feet, which are a component of BBB, were significantly preserved. Immunoglobulin G, which is not found in intact brain parenchyma, was apparently shown (an indicator of extravasation) in striatal parenchyma at five days after the ischemia, but IgG leakage was dramatically attenuated in the parenchyma by the pre-treatment. Based on these findings, we suggest that Populus tomentiglandulosa extract rich in phenolic compounds can be employed as a pharmaceutical composition to develop a preventive material against brain ischemic injury.     

Buffalo Yogurt Fortified with Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) Essential Oils: New Insights into the Functional Properties and Extended Shelf Life

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) essential oils (EOs) stand out for their benefits in terms of health and functionality. Buffalo set yogurt enriched with different concentrations of EOs (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9%) were investigated. The effects of addition on sensory, syneresis, antibacterial activity, and bioactive properties (total phenol content and antioxidant activity) of yogurt were studied. The most acceptable organoleptic properties of treated yogurt were those samples treated with Eucalyptus oil. The levels of syneresis were decreased by increasing the concentration of EOs. Moreover, the antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and total phenolic content were enhanced by increasing the concentration of EOs. Yogurt with 0.9% Eucalyptus oil showed the highest antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The same concentration of Eucalyptus oil showed the highest antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium (the inhibition zone was 20.63 mm) then E. coli (the inhibition zone was 19.43 mm). On the other hand, the highest antibacterial effect against L. monocytogene was for Myrrh oil-enriched yogurt by 0.9% and the inhibition zone was 19.21 mm. The obtained results showed that Eucalyptus and Myrrh oils can be applied to yogurt to improve its beneficial properties in terms of physical characteristics and for human health due to their antioxidant activity and phenolic materials.     

Neuroprotective and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Pinus densiflora Bark Extract in Gerbil Hippocampus Following Transient Forebrain Ischemia

Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) belongs to the Genus Pinus, and its bark contains a great amount of naturally occurring phenolic compounds. Until now, few studies have been conducted to assess the neuroprotective effects of Pinus densiflora bark extract against brain ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of pre-treatment with the extract in the hippocampus following 5-min transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Furthermore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect as a neuroprotective mechanism of the extract. Pinus densiflora bark was extracted by pure water (100 °C), and this extract was quantitatively analyzed and contained abundant polyphenols, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins. The extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) was orally administered once a day for seven days before the ischemia. In the gerbil hippocampus, death of the pyramidal neurons was found in the subfield cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) five days after the ischemia. This death was significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with 100 mg/kg, not 25 or 50 mg/kg, of the extract. The treatment with 100 mg/kg of the extract markedly inhibited the activation of microglia (microgliosis) and significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α). In addition, the treatment significantly increased anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 4 and interleukin 13). Taken together, this study clearly indicates that pre-treatment with 100 mg/kg of Pinus densiflora bark extract in gerbils can exert neuroprotection against brain ischemic injury by the attenuation of neuroinflammatory responses.     

Integration of metabolomics and network pharmacology to validate the mechanism of Schisandra chinensis（Turcz.）Baill - Acorus tatarinowii Schott ameliorating the Alzheimer's disease by regulating the aromatase activity to affect local estrogen in brain of AD model rats

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a latent and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Schisandra chinensis（Turcz.）Baill - Acorus tatarinowii Schott (Sc-At) are effective in treating neurological disorders.Purpose of this study is to explore the mechanism of Sc-At in AD treatment. First, untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time of flight/mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTOF/MS) metabolomics was employed to detect the rat brain metabolism. Then, network pharmacology was used to determine the potential anti-AD targets. Bioinformatics, and molecular docking were conducted for further analysis. A MetScape study examined the association between differential metabolites and potential targets. Finally, the targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) metabolomics and the potential protein activity studies were carried out to elucidate the mechanisms. The results showed that Sc-At improved the neuronal cell alignment disorder in hippocampal CA1 region of AD rats. In brain metabolomics, 30 differential metabolites were screened in the study model versus blank group. The network pharmacology analyzed 54 targets of Sc-At anti-AD where, 14 were correlated with amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Aromatase was selected as an important hub target having the best binding power in molecular docking simulation predictions and also correlated with Aβ. Further tests showed that the brain aromatase activity, and the downstream product 17β-Estradiol levels were elevated in AD rats treated with Sc-At. This work may provide new perspectives for the pharmacological effects and the action mechanisms of natural compounds extracts in treating AD progression.     

The Effect of Coconut Water (Cocos Nucifera L.) and an Isotonic Drink on the Change of Heart Rate Frequency in the Rats Induced Hypertension

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of coconut water (Cocos nucifera L) and an isotonic drink on the changes of heart rate frequency in the rats induced hypertension. Wistar male rats were divided into five groups: a negative group, a mineral-watered group, a coconut-watered group, a group with isotonic drink, and a group with medicine. The rats were induced hypertension by administering NaCl solution high concentration for 14 days, and then they were treated with the test materials given to each group for another 14 days without stopping the induction. Their heart rate was measured using a tail cuff before the induction (d0), at the beginning of the treatment (d14), and at the end of the treatment (d28). When being induced hypertension, higher heart rate frequency was significantly showed by the groups with coconut water and isotonic drink (p<0.05) compared with the control group. When the rats of coconut water group were treated with coconut water, their heart rate became significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to the control groups. When the rats of isotonic drink group were treated with isotonic drink, their heart rate was lower, although not significant, than the control groups. The results showed that coconut water (C. nucifera L) lowered the heart rate frequency better than the isotonic drink.     

Neuroprotective effects of sonochemical- synthesized SiO2 nanoparticles in vivo models of ischemic/reperfusion injury in stroke

Cerebral ischemic injury is one of the debilitating diseases that showed inflammation plays an essential role in aggravating ischemic damage. After synthesizing silica nanoparticles (SiO₂ NPs) by sonochemical method, serum parameters in the presence of different concentrations of SiO₂ NPs are measured for toxicity assay. Rats were separated randomly into control, ischemia/reperfusion, and ischemia/reperfusion + SiO₂ NPs groups. Transient forebrain ischemia induced with bilateral occlusion of both common carotid arteries followed by 60minuts of reperfusion. SiO₂ NPs were administered (500 mg/kg/day p.o.) 21 days before ischemia/reperfusion time. Animals sacrificed and frontal cortex and hippocampal tissues used to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) level, nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) levels, an essential antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD), alterations in the level of cytokines, TNFα, IL-1β, MCP-1, and phosphor Ik-кB. We also revealed the involvement of NF-κB downregulation by using western blotting. We reported on a histological investigation. The results showed that SiO₂ NPs with a diameter of around 50 nm in dose of 500 mg/kg didn't change the level of liver enzyme (including ALT, AST and ALP) and hematological parameters. 500 mg/kg SiO₂ NPs showed significant effects on remission of behavioral impairment. Ischemia/reperfusion oxidative injury in the rat hippocampus demonstrated a significant increase in MDA, TNFα, MCP-1, IL-1β, phosphor Ik-кB, NO levels, and a significant decrease in GSH contents and SOD activities in the hippocampal tissue compared to the control group. Pretreatment of ischemic rats with SiO₂ NPs decreased the elevated levels of MDA, TNFα, MCP-1, IL-1β, phosphor Ik-кB, and NO levels. A significant alteration observed in SOD activities and GSH content results between treated and untreated ischemia/reperfusion brains in rats. Decreased protein level of NF-κB also measured in SiO₂ NPs-treated animals. Untreated ischemia/reperfusion brains had significantly decreased in number of cells in CA1 hippocampus, nevertheless SiO₂ NPs increase the normal cell and decrease the neurodegeneration in hippocampus but it was not significant alteration. SiO₂ NPs reduced the damage caused by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats and its molecular mechanism attributed to the downregulation of NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil Prevents Behavioral and Oxidative Stress Changes in the Scopolamine Zebrafish Model

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum has been used as medicinal herbs promoting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective activities. We investigated the protective effects and the mechanism of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum essential oil (OEO) on cognitive impairment and brain oxidative stress in a scopolamine (Sco)-induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) model of cognitive impairment. Our results show that exposure to Sco (100 µM) leads to anxiety, spatial memory, and response to novelty dysfunctions, whereas the administration of OEO (25, 150, and 300 µL/L, once daily for 13 days) reduced anxiety-like behavior and improved cognitive ability, which was confirmed by behavioral tests, such as the novel tank-diving test (NTT), Y-maze test, and novel object recognition test (NOR) in zebrafish. Additionally, Sco-induced brain oxidative stress and increasing of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were attenuated by the administration of OEO. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were used to elucidate the OEO composition, comprising thymol (38.82%), p-cymene (20.28%), and γ-terpinene (19.58%) as the main identified components. These findings suggest the ability of OEO to revert the Sco-induced cognitive deficits by restoring the cholinergic system activity and brain antioxidant status. Thus, OEO could be used as perspective sources of bioactive compounds, displaying valuable biological activities, with potential pharmaceutical applications.     

TRIM45 causes neuronal damage by aggravating microglia-mediated neuroinflammation upon cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury

Excessive and unresolved neuroinflammation is a key component of the pathological cascade in brain injuries such as ischemic stroke. Tripartite motif-containing 45 (TRIM45) is a ubiquitin E3 ligase involved in various critical biological processes. However, the role of TRIM45 in cerebral ischemia remains unknown. Here, we found that the TRIM45 protein was highly expressed in the peri-infarct areas of mice subjected to cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. This study systemically evaluated the putative role of TRIM45 in the regulation of neuroinflammation during ischemic injury and the potential underlying mechanisms. We found that TRIM45 knockdown significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in primary cultured microglia challenged with oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that TRIM45 constitutively interacted with TAB2 and consequently facilitated the Lys-63-linked polyubiquitination of TAB2, leading to the formation of the TAB1–TAK1–TAB2 complex and activation of TAK1, which was ultimately followed by activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In an in vitro coculture Transwell system, downregulation of TRIM45 expression also inhibited the OGD/R-induced activation of microglia and alleviated neuronal apoptosis. More importantly, microglia-specific knockdown of TRIM45 in mice significantly reduced the infarct size, mitigated neurological deficit scores, and improved cognitive function after ischemic stroke. Taken together, our study reveals that the TRIM45–TAB2 axis is a crucial checkpoint that controls NF-κB signaling in microglia during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. Therefore, targeting TRIM45 may be an attractive therapeutic strategy.Subject terms: Cell death in the nervous system, Stroke     

Effect of Toxoplasma gondii infection on glucose metabolism in the brain of pregnant rats by [18F]FDG microPET imaging

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a pathogenic protozoan parasite, infection of which in early pregnancy increases the risk of serious sequelae in fetus. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of T. gondii infection on glucose metabolism in the brain of pregnant rats by microPET using ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxygulcose (¹⁸F-FDG) as the tracer. Thirty female SD rats were divided into the T. gondii infection and control group. After set for pregnancy, the body weight was assessed, T. gondii infection was identified by PCR, ELISA technology and immunohistochemistry, and glucose metabolism in brain of rats was monitored by microPET scan. Our results showed that brain glucose metabolism was significantly increased in T. gondii-infected group comparing to the control, indicating microPET scan is more sensitive to detect the abnormality than traditional measurements. In addition, bio-distribution of ¹⁸F-FDG in T. gondii-infected rats was assessed by using another twenty female SD rats, which has higher uptake of ¹⁸F-FDG at 30 min after injection in whole brain. Furthermore, the expression profile of GLUT1 was also higher in the brain of pregnant rats of the infected group. Therefore, microPET can be effectively applied to in vivo assessment of small animals and contributes to early diagnosis of T. gondii infection, which also assists in understanding birth defects caused by T. gondii infection.     

Neuroprotective activity of lavender oil on transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice

The air-dried aerial parts of Lavandula angustifolia Mill, a traditional Uygur herbal drug, is used as resuscitation-inducing therapy to treat neurodisfunctions, such as stroke. This study was designed to assess the neuroprotective effects of lavender oil against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury in mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the intraluminal occlusion method with a nylon string. The neurodysfuntion was evaluated by neurological deficit and the infarct area was showed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of mitochondria-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl, the ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH)/glutathione disulfide (GSSG), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) in brain tissue were measured to estimate the oxidative stress state. Neurological deficit, infarct size, histopathology changes and oxidative stress markers were evaluated after 22 h of reperfusion. In comparison with the model group, treatment with lavender oil significantly decreased neurological deficit scores, infarct size, the levels of MDA, carbonyl and ROS, and attenuated neuronal damage, upregulated SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activities and GSH/GSSG ratio. These results suggested that the neuroprotective effects of lavender oil against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury may be attributed to its antioxidant effects.     

TCD检测MCA供血区非痴呆型血管性认知障碍的血流动力学相关性研究

目的探讨TCD检测MCA供血区非痴呆型血管认知障碍患者的血流动力学的变化关系。方法选取2015年10月至2016年10月在佳木斯大学附属第一医院门诊和住院部被确诊为MCA供血区缺血性脑梗死的患者80例,将被诊断为非痴呆型血管性认知障碍36例患者为观察组,同时选取被确诊为无血管性认知障碍的44例患者为对照组。通过TCD检测两组患者MCA的血流速度、脉动指数。比较两组的血流速度及脉动指数的关系。结果观察组患者非痴呆型血管性认知障碍与认知正常的对照组之间TCD脑血流动力学存在差异,观察组的各期血流速度均较对照组降低(P0.05),而脉动指数增高(P0.05),均具有统计学意义。结论 TCD检测MCA供血区缺血性脑卒中患者的血流速度和脉动指数可以指导临床医师早期对VCI-ND的辅助诊断。     

Proangiogenic cells enhanced persistent and physiologic neovascularization compared with macrophages

Proangiogenic cells (PACs) display surface markers and secrete angiogenic factors similar to those used by myelomonocytic cells, but, unlike myelomonocytic cells, PACs enhance neovascularization activity in experimental ischemic diseases. This study was performed to reveal the differential neovascularization activities of PACs compared with those of myelomonocytic cells. We cultured PACs and CD14⁺-derived macrophages (Macs) for 7 days. Most of the surface markers and cytokines in the two cell types were alike; the exceptions were KDR, β8 integrin, interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. Unlike Macs, PACs significantly enhanced mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transmigration. PACs and Macs increased neovascularization activity in an in vitro co-culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and MSCs and in an in vivo cotransplantation in Matrigel. However, the use of Macs resulted in inappropriately dilated and leaky vessels, whereas the use of PACs did not. We induced critical hindlimb ischemia in nude mice, and then transplanted PACs, Macs or vehicle into the mice. We obtained laser Doppler perfusion images weekly. At 2 weeks, mice treated with PACs showed significantly enhanced perfusion recovery in contrast to those treated with Macs. After day 7, when cells were depleted using a suicidal gene, viral thymidine kinase, to induce apoptosis of the cells in vivo by ganciclovir administration, we found that the improved perfusion was significantly abrogated in the PAC-treated group, whereas perfusion was not changed in the Mac-treated group. PACs caused an increase in healthy new vessels in in vitro and in vivo models of angiogenesis and enhanced long-term functional neovascularization activity in the hindlimb ischemia model, whereas Macs did not. Nevertheless, the angiogenic potential and long-term functional results for a specific cell type should be validated to confirm effectiveness and safety of the cell type for use in therapeutic angiogenesis procedures.     

Synthesis and protective effect of scutellarein on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats

Scutellarein, the main metabolite of scutellarin in vivo, has relatively better solubility, bioavailability and bio-activity than scutellarin. However, compared with scutellarin, it is very difficult to obtain scutellarein from Nature. Therefore, the present study focused on establishing an efficient route for the synthesis of scutellarein by hydrolyzing scutellarin. Neurological deficit score and cerebral infarction volume with the administration of scutellarein were then used to compare its neuroprotective effects on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with those of scutellarin. The results showed that scutellarein had better protective effect on focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion than scutellarin, which laid the foundation for further research and development of scutellarein as a promising candidate for ischemic cerebro-vascular disease.     

Nucleosides rich extract from Cordyceps cicadae alleviated cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in rats: A behavioral,biochemical and histopathological study

This work explored the protective effects of nucleosides rich extract from C. cicadae (CCNE) against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. The rats were divided into four groups: normal control (NCA), cisplatin control (CCA), CCNE-L + cisplatin (CCNE-L) and CCNE-H + cisplatin (CCNE-H). The rats in CCNE-L and CCNE-H were orally administered with 100 and 400 mg/kg of CCNE, respectively for five weeks, while the rats in CCA, CCNE-L and CCNE-H groups received intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg/kg cisplatin once a week for four weeks starting from the second week of CCNE treatment. After the final treatment, the rats were subjected to behavioural task including Morris water maze test (MWMT), Y maze test, forced swimming (FST), open field test (OFT), rotarod test as well as heat and mechanical hyperalgesia test. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory mediators and acetylcholinesterase activities were measured in the brain. The histopathological assessment of the brain issues was also performed using H&E staining. The results indicated that CCNE significantly ameliorative cisplatin induced learning and memory impairment (MWMT and Y maze test), depressive behaviours (FST and OFT), motor coordination as well as thermal (hot plate and tail withdrawal test) and mechanical hyperalgesia (von Frey filament test). Furthermore, CCNE decreased acetylcholinesterase level, proinflammatory cytokines levels and lipid peroxidation, with concomitant increase in antioxidant enzymes profiles in the brain tissues of cisplatin treated rats. Additionally, CCNE treatment alleviated histopathological alterations in the brain tissues caused by cisplatin treatment. These results suggested that CCNE ameliorated memory impairment deficits, neuropathy, increased oxidative stress, inflammation in cisplatin treated rats through the inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.     

新生鼠缺氧缺血性脑病脑组织中微量元素的变化

为探讨新生鼠缺氧缺血性脑病脑组织中 5种元素 (Fe2 + 、Ca2 + 、Zn2 + 、Cu2 + 、Mg2 + )的变化及意义 ,将新生Wistar鼠 2 4只随机分为正常对照组和缺氧缺血性脑病组 ,乙醚吸入麻醉后用1 0双线结扎右侧颈总动脉 ,术后恢复 4h ,吸入含 8%O2 和 92 %N2 混合气体 2h后将 2组大鼠处死 ,取脑组织 ,用原子吸收分光光度仪测定其微量元素的变化。结果表明 ,与正常对照组相比较 ,缺氧缺血性脑病脑组织中Zn2 + 、Mn2 + 、Cu2 + 含量明显减少 (P <0 0 1 ) ;Ca2 + 增加 (P <0 0 1 )。提示缺氧缺血性脑病能引起大鼠脑组织微量元素的改变     

Honey from Luso region (Portugal): Physicochemical characteristics and mineral contents

This work was conducted to evaluate the quality of 38 honey samples from Luso region (Portugal), and to study the relation between Eucalyptus pollen and chemical properties of honey. Mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters were: pH 3.83; 16.65% moisture; 80.7 °Brix sugar; 0.35% ash; 419.6 μS cm^− 1 electrical conductivity; 21.5 meq/kg free acidity; 9.6 meq/kg lactonic acidity; 31.2 meq/kg total acidity; 9.41 mg/kg HMF and 18.3° Gothe diastase activity. The mineral content was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and in the analysed samples, potassium was the major element, being magnesium the minor one. Mean values obtained were (mg/kg): Ca, 59.88; K, 1150.10; Mg, 35.57; Na, 261.43. Among the overall determined parameters, only Mg, ash and electrical conductivity were influenced by the presence of Eucalyptus pollen in the honey samples: the values obtained for Mg, ash and electrical conductivity in multifloral honey without Eucalyptus were lower than those of either monofloral or multifloral honey with Eucalyptus. The results obtained for physicochemical characteristics of Luso honey indicate a good quality level, adequate processing, good maturity and freshness.