商陆抗病毒蛋白对感染细胞模型中HCV复制的影响

目的探讨商陆抗病毒蛋白(PAP)对丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)感染细胞模型中 HCV 的抑制作用。方法用 HCV 阳性血清感染人肝癌细胞株 HepG2细胞.制成 HCV感染细胞模型,用不同浓度的 PAP 干预该模型;利用荧光定量 PCR 法分别于药物干预后48h、96h、144h 检测培养细胞及上清液中 HCV RNA 含量,同时以不同浓度干扰素(IFN)处理该模型作为对照。结果 PAP 处理 HepG2感染 HCV细胞模型后,细胞内 HCV RNA 含量在48h、96h、144h 各组间与对照组相比有显著差异(P<0.01)。在第48h,HCVRNA 含量100μg/ml 组和10μg/ml 组<1μg/ml 组<0.1μg/ml 组<0.01μg/ml 组及对照组;在第96h,HCV RNA含量100μg/ml 组和10μg/ml 组<1μg/ml 组<0.1μg/ml 组和0.01μg/ml 组<对照组;在第144h,HCVRNA含量100μg/ml 组及10μg/ml 组<1μml 组<0.1μg/ml 组、0.01μg/ml组及对照组。培养上清液中 HCV RNA 含量各组间在48h时与对照组相比差异无显著性(P>0.05),第96h,培养上清液中 HCV RNA 含量各组间差异显著(P<0.05)。100μg/ml组及10μg/ml 组<1μg/ml 组<0.1μg/ml 组、0.01μg/ml 组及对照组;第144h 时,培养上清液中 HCV RNA 含量各组间差异显著(P<0.01),100μg/ml 组、10μg/ml 组及1μg/ml 组<0.1μg/ml 组、0.01μg/ml 组及对照组。PAP 对 HCV 的抑制作用随 PAP 浓度的增加而增强,以100μg/ml 组对 HCV的抑制作用最强。IFN 干预该模型亦得出相似结果,以3.0×10~4IU/ml 组对 HCV 抑制作用最强。PAP 与 IFN 均以第48h 的抑制效果最好,在48h、96h 及144h时,PAP 对 HCV的抑制作用显著高于 IFN(P<0.01)。实验浓度的 PAP 未引起细胞死亡或脱壁,对细胞的形态、生长也无明显影响。结论 PAP 对 HCV 复制有明显的抑制作用,且作用强于IFN。实验浓度的 PAP 对细胞形态及生长无明显影响。     

商陆抗病毒蛋白抗HCV作用的初步研究

目的　探讨商陆抗病毒蛋白 (PAP)对HCV的抑制作用。方法　用不同浓度PAP处理HCV感染细胞模型 ,用荧光定量PCR检测HCVRNA。结果　HepG2 细胞内HCV持续表达达 3 0d以上。PAP处理HCV HepG2 细胞后 ,各组细胞内HCVRNA含量在 48h、96h和 14 4h差异非常显著 (P <0 .0 1)。培养上清液HCVRNA含量在 48h时 ,各组间无明显差异 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但在 96h和 14 4h时 ,各组间差异非常显著 (P <0 .0 1)。此种抑制作用随PAP浓度的增加而增强。结论　PAP具有抑制HCV复制和表达的作用。     

慢性丙肝患者血清干扰素抗体检测及其临床意义

选择94例慢性丙型病毒性肝炎(慢性丙肝)患者，采用α2b—干扰素(α2b—IFN)治疗，动态检测其血清抗—HCV、HCV—RNA及α2b—IFN—IgG表达水平。结果显示α2b—IFN治疗后抗—HCV、HCV—RNA阴转率分别为32．98％(31／94)和38．30％(36／94)，常规治疗组治疗后抗—HCV、HCV—RNA阴转率分别为10．OO％(4／40)和15．OO％(6／40)，两者相比差异有显著性(P＜O．01)。α2b—IFN治疗后抗—IFN—IgG阳检率为5．32％(5／94)，与常规治疗组相比差异无显著性(P＞O．05)。认为α2b—IFN对抗—HCV、HCV—RNA阴转具有肯定疗效，且优于常规治疗，是治疗慢性丙肝的有效药物之一。α2b—IFN虽有一定的免疫原性，但在治疗过程中仅诱导机体产生低水平的抗α2b—IFN—IgG，对IFN—α2b的抑制作用较弱。     

慢性丙型肝炎干扰素治疗后复发患者干扰素联合利巴韦林再治疗

目的 探讨干扰素（IFN）治疗后复发的慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）患者对IFN联合利巴韦林再治疗的应答情况及影响因素。方法 100例IFN治疗后复发的CHC患者中，50例使用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a（PEG—IFNα-2a），50例使用重组人干扰素α-1b（CIFNα—1b），均联合利巴韦林再治疗，联合治疗48周，停药随访24周，分析HCVRNA载量、病毒基因型、药物种类对联合治疗疗效的影响。结果 100例复发患者联合再治疗后，36．00％取得持续病毒学应答（SVR），其中PEG-IFNα-2a组48．00％取得SVR，显著高于CIFNα—1b组（24．00％，P〈0．05）。56例低病毒载量（HCV-RNA〈1×10^5拷贝／mL）患者中，PEG—IFNα-2a组28例，其中57．14％取得SVR，显著高于CIFNα—1b组（25．00％，P〈0．05）。HCV非基因1（2a或2b）型组29例，其中55．17％取得SVR，显著高于基因1型组（28．20％，P〈0．05）；在CIFNα—1b治疗组，病毒非基因1型17例患者，其中47．06％取得SVR，明显高于基因1型患者（12，12％，P〈0．01）；在基因1型组，PEG—IFNα-2a组38例，其中42．11％取得SVR，显著高于CIFNα—1b组（12．12％，P〈0.01）。结论 IFN治疗后复发的CHC患者IFN联合利巴韦林再治疗存在部分患者无应答；对于HCV病毒载量低、基因1型的复发患者，聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林再治疗疗效明显优于普通干扰素的联合治疗。     

干扰素γ对丙型肝炎病毒复制子的抑制作用

目的研究干扰素（IFN）γ直接抑制丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）复制子的作用及其与IFN α联合用药的疗效，并对可能介导IFN γ抗HCV作用的干扰素刺激基因（ISG）的表达水平进行探讨。方法建立HCV复制子细胞模型，用IFN γ或IFN γ联合IFN α处理HCV复制子细胞，通过半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）及实时定量PCR检测细胞中HCV RNA水平；western blot检测细胞中HCV非结构蛋白5A（NS5A）。结果IFN γ对HCV RNA的复制及NS5A的表达有明显抑制作用，10U／ml IFN γ可使HCV RNA较对照组减少36％，25U／ml减少80％；IFN γ对HCV RNA及NS5A蛋白的抑制作用与其剂量及作用时间呈正相关。用IFN γ预处理的细胞对IFN α抗HCV的作用更敏感，且细胞内干扰素调节因子-1（IRF-1）、干扰素刺激基因因子3 γ（ISGF3 γ）和2’5’-寡腺苷酸合成酶（2’5’-OAS）呈明显的诱导性表达。结论IFN γ能有效抑制HCV RNA的复制，并与IFN α有协同抗HCV的作用。IRF-1、ISGF3 γ和2’5’-OAS可能参与介导IFN γ抗HCV的作用。     

干扰素α联合利巴韦林治疗丙型肝炎病毒与人类免疫缺陷病毒混合感染

目的观察干扰素α联合利巴韦林对中国人丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）与人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）混合感染（HCV／HIV）患者的治疗效果及不良反应，并与其对单独HCV患者的治疗进行对比。方法10例HCV／HIV患者和17例HCV患者，以肌肉注射干扰素α5MU，隔日1次，口服利巴韦林0．3g，3次／d，动态观察两组的HCV RNA水平和HIV RNA水平，CD^4＋和CD8^＋ T淋巴细胞计数，主要的肝功能和血细胞指标，以及主要的不良反应。结果HCV／HIV患者与HCV患者治疗l2周和24周，HCV RNA较用药前平均分别下降1．14log（t-3．843，P〈0．01）和2．08log（f=6．564，P〈0．01），1．48log（f=6．438，P〈0．01）和2．33log（t=7．343，P〈0．01）;同时HIV RNA也较用药前平均下降了1．22log（t=3．662，P〈0．01）和1．73log（t=6．119，P〈0．01），但两组用药前后的CD4^＋、CD8^＋T淋巴细胞计数变化不大；27例患者的氨基转移酶除2例稍高以外其余均降至正常值。用药过程中部分病例发生流感样症状和消化道反应（多见于用药早期），白细胞总数和血红蛋白各有4例轻度下降；未发现明显精神神经异常和自身免疫疾病表现。结论以干扰素α联合利巴韦林治疗中国人HCV／HIV患者，用药24周的抗HCV效果不低于两种药物联合治疗单独HCV患者的效果，并有一定的抗HIV作用。两组的生化反应和不良反应差异无统计学意义。     

干扰素α抗病毒活性的实验研究

目的比较不同亚型干扰素α（IFNα2b、IFNα2a、IFNαIb）对JAK-信号转导活化转录因子（STAT）通道中重要信号传导分子STAT1、STAT2、干扰素α受体（IFNAR）、蛋白激酶（PKR）、核糖核酸酶L（RNaseL）表达的影响，研究其抗病毒活性的差别，并评价IFNα抗病毒活性的关键性信号传导分子。方法1000U／ml的不同亚型IFNα分别作用于HepG2细胞后，用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RTPCR）方法检测HepG2细胞内STAT1、STAT2、IFNAR、PKR、RNase L mRNA表达水平。用western blot方法检测细胞内STAT1及IFNAR蛋白表达水平。结果RT-PCR的实验结果：（1）IFNα1b处理组IFNAR、STAT1、STAT2 mRNA的表达水平较IFNα2b组高，两组比较差异无统计学意义。IFNα1b、IFNα2b处理组IFNAR、STAT1、STAT2 mRNA水平明显较IFNα2a组高，差异均有统计学意义，，值分别为5．26、15．6、4．67，P值均〈0．05。（2）IFNα1b、IFNα2b、IFNα2a处理后的PKR表达水平相似，3组比较差异无统计学意义。（3）RNaseL表达量极少，无法比较不同处理组间RNase L mRNA表达水平的差异性。Western blot实验结果：（1）IFNα1b处理组IFNAR、STAT1蛋白水平较IFNα2b处理组高，两者比较差异无统计学意义，IFNα1b、IFNα2b处理组IFNAR、STAT1蛋白水平较IFNα2a处理组明显升高，差异有统计学意义，F值分别为17．7、20．1，F值均〈0．05。结论IFNα2b、IFNα2a、IFNα1b均可促进JAK—STAT信号通道中STAT1、STAT2、IFNAR mRNA及蛋白表达，IFNα1b和IFNα2b作用较强，IFNα2a作用较弱。初步表明，IFNα1b、IFNα2b的抗病毒活性较IFNα2a强，IFNAR、STAT1、STAT2可作为评价IFNα抗病毒活性的关键性指标，而PKR、RNaseL能否作为评价指标有待进一步的实验证实。     

重组干扰素α-2a,α-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效比较

探讨不同亚型α干扰素（IFNα-2α，IFNα-2b）治疗慢性乙型肝炎的疗效差异。110例慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者被随机分为IFNα-2α，治疗组（52例）和IFNα-2b治疗组（58例）。IFNα-2α治疗组采用IFNα-2a（因特芬）每日3MU肌注，IFNα-2b治疗组采用IFNα-2b（隆化诺）每日3MU肌注，30天后改隔日3MU肌注，疗程6月。观察两组用药3月，6月后血清ALT昨常率，HBeAg阴转率，HBV－DNA阴转率和治疗反应率。ALT复常率两组无明显差异（P＞0．05）。HBeAg阴转率：IFNα－2b治疗组（51.7%,67.2%)，明显优于IFNα－2a治疗组（32.7%,44.2%)，两组差异明显（P＜0．05）。HBV DNA阴转率：6月后IFNα－2b治疗组（58．6％），明显优于IFNα-2α治疗组（34．6％），两组差异明显（P＜0．05）。治疗后完全反应率：IFNα－2b治疗组（46．6％） ，明显优于IFNα-2α治疗组（21．2％），两组间有极显著差异（P＜0．01）。干扰素α-2b亚型治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效明显优于干扰素α-2α，亚型。     

细胞培养实验中条件培养基相关问题探讨

目的“通过LX-2人肝星状细胞条件培养基（CM）对HepG2人肝癌细胞增殖活性的影响,探讨CM各影响因素在离体实验中的作用。方法：收集LX-2细胞第24小时、48小时、72小时条件培养基,设100％、50％、25％共3个浓度,并设1％DMEM组为对照,培养24小时、48小时、72小时;并将收集的第24小时条件培养基分装分别保存至4℃1周、-20℃1周、-80℃3个月、-20℃3个月,采用MTT法检测各组条件培养基对HepG2细胞增殖活性的影响。结果：①收集时间：第24小时、第48小时LX-2CM具有明显的促增殖作用（P〈0．01）;培养24小时后,各收集时间点的LX-2CM的促增殖作用为：第24小时〉第48小时〉第72小时（P〈0．01）;培养48小时后,第48小时〉第72小时（P〈0．01）。②添加浓度：培养24小时后,第24小时CM100％浓度、第24小时CM50％浓度、第24小时CM25％浓度、第48小时CM100％浓度均有明显的促增殖作用（P〈0．01）;第24小时CM各浓度比较,100％优于50％（P〈0．05）;第48小时CM各浓度,100％优于50％（P〈0．05）、25％（P〈0．01）。③多元线性回归分析,条件培养基收集时间与HepG2细胞增殖呈负相关,浓度与其呈正相关。④保存条件：-20℃1周CM优于-80℃3个月CM、-20℃3个月CM（P〈0．01）;-800C3个月CM优于-20℃3个月CM（P〈0．01）。结论：LX-2CM对HepG2细胞具有明显的促进增殖活性作用,其作用随着收集时间点延长、浓度减小,增殖效果逐渐降低;CM的保存条件对其作用效果有影响。     

宿主细胞因子及黏病毒抵抗蛋白A基因多态性与干扰素治疗慢性乙型肝炎疗效的相关性

目的：探讨IFN治疗慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的疗效与TNF—α启动子-238、-857、-863位点，IL-10启动子-1082、-592位点及黏病毒抵抗蛋白A（MxA）启动子-88位点单核苷酸多态性（SNP）的关系。方法：305例CHB患者IFNα-1b治疗12个月，随访至停药后6个月判断疗效，分为持续应答（SR）和非持续应答（NSR）组。应用PCR及限制性片段长度多态性方法，检测TNF-α-238、-857、-863和IL-10—592、-1082及MxA-88位点的SNP。判断SNP与IFN疗效的关系。结果：本研究失访43例。262例CHB患者IFNα-1b疗效SR为50例，占19．1％；NSR212例，占80．9％。在MxA-88位点，GT型分别与GG型、TT型患者IFN疗效比较，差异均有统计学意义（x^2=20．119，OR：5．302，95％CI：2．458～11．433，P〈0．01；x^2=13．071，OR：4．110，95％CI：1．858～9．092，P〈0．01）。在TNF—α-863位点，CC型分别与CA型、AA型患者疗效比较，差异均有统计学意义（x^2=29．628，0R：7．578，95％CI：3．444～16．672，P〈0．01；x^2=13．543，0R：4．513，95％CI：1．966～10．357，P〈0．01）。在TNF-α-857位点，CC与CT型患者疗效比较，差异有统计学意义（x^2=12．927，OR：0．293，95％CI：0．146～0．586，P〈0．01）。在IL广10-592位点，AA与CC型患者疗效比较，差异有统计学意义（x^2=8．984，OR：3．380，95％CI：1．484～7．697，P〈0．01）。结论：MxA-88位点为GT杂合型，TNF—α-863 CC纯合型，IL-10—592AA纯合型的CHB患者对IFNα-1b治疗反应好，可作为预测IFN疗效的参考指标之一。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.