高脂饲料喂养与动脉内膜球囊损伤结合建立兔腹主动脉粥样硬化模型

背景：以往研究多采用单纯饲喂高脂饲料、正常或高脂血症动物动脉内膜损伤致动脉粥样硬化狭窄模型。 目的：拟采用喂养高脂饲料与动脉内膜球囊损伤相结合的方法建立腹主动脉粥样硬化的模型。 设计、时间及地点：对比观察实验,于2007-01/03在解放军总医院动物实验中心完成。 材料：新西兰白兔20只,随机分为单纯饲喂高脂饲料组、高脂饲料与动脉内膜损伤结合组,每组10只。高脂饲料由普通颗粒饲料+4%胆固醇+10%猪油组成+10%蛋黄粉组成。 方法：单纯饲喂高脂饲料组单纯喂养高脂饲料,高脂饲料与动脉内膜损伤结合组喂养高脂饲料4周后,行腹主动脉内膜球囊损伤术。 主要观察指标：12周后取主动脉行病理检查,计算机计算脂纹脂斑厚度,内、中膜厚度,内膜厚度比值,并进行血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇的测定。 结果：12周后,两组兔血脂血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇均升高,高脂饲料与动脉内膜损伤结合组升高更明显(P < 0.05)。喂养高脂饲料的两组动物均出现动脉粥样硬化斑块,横段面纤维斑块切片出现钙化。与单纯饲喂高脂饲料组比较,高脂饲料与动脉内膜损伤术结合组内膜明显增厚, 形成了明显的斑块及纤维帽结构,斑块厚度与内中膜厚度比值增加明显(P < 0.01)。 结论：所诱导产生的斑块与人类斑块成分具有一定相似性,包括斑块的纤维帽、钙化、脂核等,提示采用动脉内膜损伤与高脂饮食结合方式来制作动脉粥样硬化斑块的模型是可行的、实用的。     

大鼠颈动脉粥样硬化性狭窄模型的建立

目的 建立一种经济实用、稳定、可靠的颈动脉粥样硬化动物模型.方法 SD大鼠分为3组,每组20只.采用球囊损伤法造成颈动脉内膜损伤后,分别给予普通饲料喂养,高脂饲料灌胃,同时给予腹腔注射维生素D,于第1,2,3,4周取出损伤侧血管,行HE染色,计算各组大鼠颈动脉狭窄率和内、中膜面积.结果 注射维生素D组大鼠颈动脉损伤处,第1周时内皮下即有泡沫细胞出现,随着时间延长逐渐出现内皮细胞脱落,内膜下泡沫细胞逐渐增多,血管平滑肌细胞增生,排列紊乱,至第4周时形成明显的动脉粥样斑块,管腔狭窄,较其他组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 SD大鼠经球囊损伤颈动脉内膜后,结合高脂饲料及维生素D腹腔注射,可形成明显的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块,该方法时间短、操作简单、成功率高,可作为脑缺血性疾病研究的动物模型.     

自制α-硫辛酸缓释片对氧化低密度脂蛋白致兔实验性动脉粥样硬化的影响

背景：由于硫酸锌半衰期短,必须多次给药,所以临床常用针剂剂型患者依从性差。 目的：利用食饵性兔动脉粥样硬化模型观察自制α-硫辛酸口服缓释片对动脉粥样硬化的预防作用及其可能途径。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验,于2008-05/09在南方医科大学珠江医院中心实验室完成。 材料：24只新西兰大白兔喂养1周后随机分成3组,分别为正常组、模型组、硫辛酸组,每组8只。 方法：正常组喂饲普通颗粒饲料。模型组用高脂饲料喂养,即在普通饲料中加入1 g胆固醇和8 g猪油。硫辛酸组用高脂饲料喂养,另外每只兔通过胃管给予自制硫辛酸缓释片300 mg/d。喂饲高脂饲料及预防性用药12周。 主要观察指标：实验结束后分别检测各组血清三酰甘油、总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、丙二醛、超氧化物歧化酶、氧化低密度脂蛋白、一氧化氮及内皮素1水平。 结果：①纳入24只兔全部进入结果分析,无脱失。②喂饲高脂饲料后,模型组血清中总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、丙二醛、氧化低密度脂蛋白及内皮素1水平均显著高于正常对照组(P < 0.05), 高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、超氧化物歧化酶及一氧化氮水平显著低于正常对照组(P < 0.05)。③硫辛酸组血清中总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、丙二醛、氧化低密度脂蛋白及内皮素1水平均显著低于模型组(P < 0.05)。硫辛酸组超氧化物歧化酶及一氧化氮水平高于模型组(P < 0.01)。 结论：自制α-硫辛酸缓释片具有预防动脉粥样硬化的作用,其机制可能与其清除超氧阴离子等自由基,减轻氧化低密度脂蛋白对血管内皮细胞的氧化损伤有关。     

蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132对动脉粥样硬化的影响

目的观察蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132对动脉粥样硬化的影响。方法将新西兰白兔30只随机分成高脂组、MG132(1)组和MG132(2)组。3组兔普通饲料喂养1w后行颈动脉球囊损伤术,术后高脂饲料(含1%胆固醇、3%猪油和15%蛋黄)喂养;MG132(1)组在术后高脂饲料喂养的同时血管局部应用蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132;MG132(2)组在术后高脂饲料喂养4w后血管局部应用蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132;3组均喂养8w后取颈总动脉血管制成病理切片行HE染色。结果高脂组兔的右颈总动脉管壁呈动脉粥样硬化改变。MG132(1)组兔右颈动脉血管组织结构基本正常。MG132(2)组兔的右颈总动脉管腔介于二者之间。结论局部应用蛋白酶体抑制剂MG132能够抑制血管内膜增生及动脉粥样形成,同时可能具有稳定斑块的作用。     

高糖高脂饮食对兔膝关节软骨形态的影响

背景：血清胆固醇水平增高与人群中骨关节病发病率增高呈正相关。而对于高糖高脂饮食是否参与关节软骨退变过程从而诱发骨关节炎，其参与机制又是什么，目前尚不清楚。 目的：观察经高糖高脂喂养后新西兰兔膝关节软骨形态学改变，探索饮食在关节软骨退变过程中的作用。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验，于2008-01/09在中南大学湘雅医学院动物实验室完成。 材料：健康成年雄性新西兰兔40只，体质量约2 kg。随机分为4组，每组10只。 方法：①对照组饲以基础饲料作。②高糖组饲以高糖饲料(37%的蔗糖混合63%的普通饲料)。③高脂组饲以高脂饲料(20%猪油混合80%的普通饲料)。④高糖高脂组饲以高糖高脂饲料(37%蔗糖、10%猪油混合53%基础饲料)。 主要观察指标：每4周末抽取空腹血样，测血糖、三酰甘油、总胆固醇及胰岛素水平，记录体质量变化。28周后取兔膝关节行大体观察后，取股骨髁部软骨行甲苯胺蓝染色、透射电镜观察。 结果：①与对照组相比，高脂组及高糖高脂组血糖、三酰甘油、总胆固醇水平都显著升高，而胰岛素水平先升高后显著降低，上述变化均有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。高糖组上述指标均较对照组升高，但差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。②光镜和透射电镜下，高脂饮食组和高糖高脂饮食组可见潮线消失、软骨细胞排列紊乱、胶原纤维断裂、软骨细胞固缩等形态变化，高糖组未见明显改变。 结论：长期高脂饮食及高糖高脂饮食可诱发和加重软骨损伤，提示其可能参与了骨关节炎的发生发展。     

胰岛素抵抗大鼠血糖正常阶段颈动脉内皮细胞结构改变及可能机制

目的:观察胰岛素抵抗(IR)大鼠血糖正常阶段颈动脉内皮细胞超微结构病理改变。方法:普通饲料喂养的SD大鼠为正常对照,高脂饲料喂养SD大鼠6周复制IR模型。透射电镜观察颈动脉内皮超微结构;应用钳夹法评价大鼠的胰岛素敏感性;酶联免疫方法测定甘油三酯(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL)、空腹胰岛素(FIN)、游离脂肪酸(FFA)。结果:IR大鼠颈动脉电镜下可见部分内皮细胞和内皮下结构的病理性改变。IR大鼠实验结束时FBG及PBG2h与正常对照组比较无显著差异(P>0.05);与正常对照组相比IR大鼠血浆FINS、TG、TC、FFA水平明显高于正常对照组(P<0.05);胰岛素敏感性指数(ISI)显著降低(P<0.05);两组高密度脂蛋白(HDL)及低密度蛋白(LDL)水平比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论:结论:高脂膳食诱发的IR大鼠在血糖正常阶段已存在颈动脉内皮超微结构的病理性改变,高胰岛素血症和脂代谢紊乱在内皮损害中可能发挥了重要作用。     

加味补阳还五汤对兔髂动脉球囊损伤血管狭窄和氧化应激的影响

背景：近年研究证明,补阳还五汤具有扩张血管、改善微循环、抗炎、抗氧化应激和保护血管内皮细胞的功能,但其具体机制尚不清楚,尤其是对经皮腔内冠状动脉成形后再狭窄形成过程有何影响,目前很少见报道。 目的：观察加味补阳还五汤对兔髂动脉球囊损伤后血管狭窄及氧化应激的影响。 方法：将新西兰兔以随机抽签法分为对照组、模型组和药物组。对照组给予普通饲料,模型组、药物组给予高脂饮食。饲养2周后,模型组、药物组行髂动脉内膜剥脱术,对照组兔行假手术对照,药物组术后饲料中添加加味补阳还五汤药颗粒 2 mL/(kg•d),对照组及模型组喂食同前。4周后光镜观察兔髂动脉内膜的损伤情况,并检测血脂水平、血清超氧化物歧化酶活性和丙二醛水平的变化。 结果与结论：对照组髂动脉内膜薄且结构完整,无动脉硬化斑块;模型组内膜增厚,管腔明显狭窄,可见明显动脉粥样硬化斑块;药物组动脉粥样硬化斑块厚度减小,管腔狭窄程度较轻。药物组兔血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、丙二醛水平明显低于模型组,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、血清超氧化物歧化酶水平明显高于模型组(P < 0.05)。结果说明加味补阳还五汤具有较好的防止家兔球囊扩张损伤髂动脉所致的管腔狭窄及抗实验性动脉粥样硬化作用,其机制可能与其清除氧自由基抗氧化应激、调节脂质代谢等作用有关。     

家兔颈动脉粥样硬化模型的建立

目的寻找一个建立家兔颈动脉粥样硬化模型的简单、重复性好的方法.方法 35只日本大耳白兔随机分成3组:正常组5只,高脂喂养组15只和高脂喂养加手术组15只.正常组普通饲料喂养,高脂喂养组给予高脂喂养,高脂喂养加手术组喂养1周后行颈动脉空气干燥术,并分别在喂养2、4、6周行脑血管DSA和观察颈动脉粥样硬化的病理变化.结果喂养4、6周时就可以形成颈动脉粥样硬化的病变,DSA可以发现颈动脉狭窄,内膜中膜比(I/M):1.05±0.008(喂养4周时),1.11±0.007(喂养6周时).结论利用高脂喂养加颈动脉空气干燥法可以建立一种成熟的颈动脉粥样硬化模型,而且此方法简单、重复性好,有利于进行颈脉粥样硬化的实验研究.     

肉毒碱复合高脂饲料喂养兔血脂水平的变化

背景：肉毒碱是脂肪酸进入线粒体内进行氧化代谢的惟一转运载体，其在机体内水平对血脂代谢具有重要的影响作用。 目的：观察肉毒碱对高脂饲料喂养兔血脂水平变化的影响。 设计、时间及地点：随机对照动物实验，于2006-10/2007-05在解放军南京军区南京总医院检验科及比较医学科完成。 材料：普通级健康纯系雄性新西兰兔14只，体质量(1.98±0.22) kg，用于建立兔高脂血症模型。 方法：14只雄性新西兰兔随机抽签法分为对照组及实验组，每组7只。对照组仅用高脂饲料喂养，实验组用高脂饲料喂养的同时每天补充肉毒碱200 mg/kg 体质量。分别于实验开始后第0，2，3，4周称体质量并抽取耳动脉血，分离血清后测定血中总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇以及载脂蛋白B和血清游离肉毒碱水平。 主要观察指标：不同时间点各组动物体质量的变化以及血中总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇以及载脂蛋白B和血清游离肉毒碱水平。 结果：14只新西兰兔全部进入结果分析。4周内，实验组和对照组体质量差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。自第2周开始，实验组兔血清游离肉毒碱水平高于对照组(P < 0.01)；总胆固醇、载脂蛋白B水平明显低于对照组(P < 0.05或P < 0.01)；3周后，实验组血清三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平也低于对照组(P < 0.01)；两组高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。 结论：补充服用肉毒碱能够抑制高脂饮食导致的血中总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇以及载脂蛋白B水平升高。     

胰岛素抵抗对大鼠脑海马区Aβ蛋白表达的影响及认知行为学的改变

目的 研究胰岛素抵抗大鼠脑海马区β-淀粉样蛋白的表达及认知行为学的改变.方法 30只Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为正常对照组(NC)、模型组(IR).模型组给予高脂高糖饮食诱导胰岛素抵抗模型,正常对照组给予标准饲料喂养；采用Morris水迷宫实验检测2组大鼠认知行为的变化,免疫组织化法测定大鼠脑海马区Aβ40蛋白的表达....     

Thy1.1干细胞对损伤动脉一氧化氮合成酶的影响

背景：目前干细胞移植对血管成形后再狭窄的影响存在争议。 目的：观察大鼠Thy-1.1干细胞局部移植对大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤后内膜增生的影响,探讨干细胞移植对内皮型一氧化氮合成酶及诱生型一氧化氮合成酶的影响,并评价干细胞移植对再狭窄的影响与一氧化氮合成酶的关系。 方法：4~6周龄雄性SD大鼠用于制备骨髓Thy-1.1干细胞。雌性SD大鼠随机抽签法法分为3组,干细胞组：于颈总动脉球囊损伤后即刻将约5×106 Thy-1.1干细胞注入至损伤血管局部;损伤组：颈总动脉球囊损伤后局部注入等量生理盐水;对照组：与损伤组共用大鼠,损伤组取材左侧损伤颈总动脉,对照组取右侧未损伤颈总动脉。各组各于术后即刻、3,7,14,21,28 d麻醉并处死大鼠,留取两侧颈总动脉标本。应用组织形态学方法检测内膜增生并进行计算机图像分析,RT-PCR方法检测内皮型一氧化氮合成酶及诱生型一氧化氮合成酶的表达情况。 结果与结论：①干细胞组内膜面积低于损伤组(P < 0.05)。②损伤组内皮型一氧化氮合成酶mRNA明显低于对照组,诱生型一氧化氮合成酶mRNA表达高于对照组(P < 0.05)。③干细胞组内皮型一氧化氮合成酶mRNA及诱生型一氧化氮合成酶mRNA表达均明显高于损伤组(P < 0.05)。提示Thy-1.1干细胞局部移植可抑制内膜增生,对球囊损伤具有修复作用,这可能与Thy-1.1干细胞增加一氧化氮合成酶的表达,促进大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤后再内皮化有关。     

Hyperlipidemia affects neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in brains of focal cerebral ischemia rat model★

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, may mediate production of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to induce increased nitric oxide levels, resulting in brain neuronal injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of hyperlipidemia on brain nNOS expression, and to verify changes in infarct volume and pathology during reperfusion, as well as neuronal injury following ischemia/reperfusion in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Complete, randomized grouping experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University from March 2005 to March 2006. MATERIALS: A total of 144 eight-week-old, male, Wistar rats, weighing 160-180 g, were selected. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was established by suture method after 4 weeks of formulated diet. Nitric oxide kit and rabbit anti-rat nNOS kit were respectively purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, China and Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, Ltd., China. METHODS: The rats were equally and randomly divided into high-fat diet and a normal diet groups. Rats in the high-fat diet group were fed a high-fat diet, consisting of 10% egg yolk powder, 5% pork fat, and 0.5% pig bile salt combined with standard chow to create hyperlipidemia. Rats in the normal diet group were fed a standard rat chow. A total of 72 rats in both groups were randomly divided into 6 subgroups: sham-operated, 4-hour ischemia, 4-hour ischemia/2-hour reperfusion, 4-hour ischemia/4-hour reperfusion, 4-hour ischemia/6-hour reperfusion, and 4-hour ischemia/12-hour reperfusion, with 12 rats in each subgroup. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: nNOS expression was measured by immunohistochemistry, and pathomorphology changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Infarct volume and nitric oxide levels were respectively measured using 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the ischemic region, pathology changes were significant in the 4-hour ischemia/4-hour, 4-hour ischemia/6-hour reperfusion, and 4-hour ischemia/12-hour reperfusion subgroups fed on a high-fat diet compared to the same groups fed on a normal diet. In each ischemia subgroup, nNOS expression in brain tissues was higher than in the sham-operated subgroups fed on either the high-fat diet or normal diet (P < 0.01). At each ischemia/reperfusion time point, rats fed on a high-fat diet expressed higher levels of nNOS compared to rats fed on the normal diet (P < 0.05). When tissue was stained with TTC, a white infarction area was detected in the ischemic hemisphere, demonstrating that the infarct volume gradually increased with prolonged reperfusion time in each ischemia subgroup. At each ischemia/reperfusion time point, the infarct volume was larger in rats fed on a high-fat diet compared to those fed on a normal diet. CONCLUSION: nNOS expression was greater in hyperlipidemia rats following ischemia/reperfusion. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is aggravated with prolonged reperfusion time. Key Words: focal cerebral ischemia; hyperlipidemia; ischemia/reperfusion injury; neuronal nitric oxide synthase     

Hyperlipidemia affects neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in brains of focal cerebral ischemia rat model★

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia, a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, may mediate production of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to induce increased nitric oxide levels, resulting in brain neuronal injury. OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of hyperlipidemia on brain nNOS expression, and to verify changes in infarct volume and pathology during reperfusion, as well as neuronal injury following ischemia/reperfusion in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Complete, randomized grouping experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University from March 2005 to March 2006. MATERIALS: A total of 144 eight-week-old, male, Wistar rats, weighing 160-180 g, were selected. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was established by suture method after 4 weeks of formulated diet. Nitric oxide kit and rabbit anti-rat nNOS kit were respectively purchased from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute, China and Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, Ltd., China. METHODS: The rats were equally and randomly divided into high-fat diet and a normal diet groups. Rats in the high-fat diet group were fed a high-fat diet, consisting of 10% egg yolk powder, 5% pork fat, and 0.5% pig bile salt combined with standard chow to create hyperlipidemia. Rats in the normal diet group were fed a standard rat chow. A total of 72 rats in both groups were randomly divided into 6 subgroups: sham-operated, 4-hour ischemia, 4-hour ischemia/2-hour reperfusion, 4-hour ischemia/4-hour reperfusion, 4-hour ischemia/6-hour reperfusion, and 4-hour ischemia/12-hour reperfusion, with 12 rats in each subgroup. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: nNOS expression was measured by immunohistochemistry, and pathomorphology changes were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Infarct volume and nitric oxide levels were respectively measured using 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the ischemic region, pathology changes were significant in the 4-hour ischemia/4-hour, 4-hour ischemia/6-hour reperfusion, and 4-hour ischemia/12-hour reperfusion subgroups fed on a high-fat diet compared to the same groups fed on a normal diet. In each ischemia subgroup, nNOS expression in brain tissues was higher than in the sham-operated subgroups fed on either the high-fat diet or normal diet (P< 0.01). At each ischemia/reperfusion time point, rats fed on a high-fat diet expressed higher levels of nNOS compared to rats fed on the normal diet (P<0.05). When tissue was stained with TTC, a white infarction area was detected in the ischemic hemisphere, demonstrating that the infarct volume gradually increased with prolonged reperfusion time in each ischemia subgroup. At each ischemia/reperfusion time point, the infarct volume was larger in rats fed on a high-fat diet compared to those fed on a normal diet. CONCLUSION: nNOS expression was greater in hyperlipidemia rats following ischemia/reperfusion. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury is aggravated with prolonged reperfusion time.     

Insulin resistance impairs nigrostriatal dopamine function

Clinical studies have indicated a link between Parkinson's disease (PD) and Type 2 Diabetes. Although preclinical studies have examined the effect of high-fat feeding on dopamine function in brain reward pathways, the effect of diet on neurotransmission in the nigrostriatal pathway, which is affected in PD and parkinsonism, is less clear. We hypothesized that a high-fat diet, which models early-stage Type 2 Diabetes, would disrupt nigrostriatal dopamine function in young adult Fischer 344 rats. Rats were fed a high fat diet (60% calories from fat) or a normal chow diet for 12 weeks. High fat-fed animals were insulin resistant compared to chow-fed controls. Potassium-evoked dopamine release and dopamine clearance were measured in the striatum using in vivo electrochemistry. Dopamine release was attenuated and dopamine clearance was diminished in the high-fat diet group compared to chow-fed rats. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated increased iron deposition in the substantia nigra of the high fat group. This finding was supported by alterations in the expression of several proteins involved in iron metabolism in the substantia nigra in this group compared to chow-fed animals. The diet-induced systemic and basal ganglia-specific changes may play a role in the observed impairment of nigrostriatal dopamine function.     

Effect of electroacupuncture on glial fibrillary acidic protein and nerve growth factor in the hippocampus of rats with hyperlipidemia and middle cerebral artery thrombus

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to reduce blood lipid level and improve cerebral ischemia in rats with hyperlipemia complicated by cerebral ischemia. However, there are few studies on the results and mechanism of the effect of EA in reducing blood lipid level or promoting neural repair after stroke in hyperlipidemic subjects. In this study, EA was applied to a rat model of hyperlipidemia and middle cerebral artery thrombosis and the condition of neurons and astrocytes after hippocampal injury was assessed. Except for the normal group, rats in other groups were fed a high-fat diet throughout the whole experiment. Hyperlipidemia models were established in rats fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Middle cerebral artery thrombus models were induced by pasting 50% FeCl₃ filter paper on the left middle cerebral artery for 20 minutes on day 50 as the model group. EA1 group rats received EA at bilateral ST40 (Fenglong) for 7 days before the thrombosis. Rats in the EA1 and EA2 groups received EA at GV20 (Baihui) and bilateral ST40 for 14 days after model establishment. Neuronal health was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining in the brain. Hyperlipidemia was assessed by biochemical methods that measured total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein in blood sera. Behavioral analysis was used to confirm the establishment of the model. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and nerve growth factor in the hippocampal CA1 region. The results demonstrated that, compared with the model group, blood lipid levels significantly decreased, glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was significantly weakened and nerve growth factor immunoreactivity was significantly enhanced in the EA1 and EA2 groups. The repair effect was superior in the EA1 group than in the EA2 group. These findings confirm that EA can reduce blood lipid, inhibit glial fibrillary acidic protein expression and promote nerve growth factor expression in the hippocampal CA1 region after hyperlipidemia and middle cerebral artery thrombosis. All experimental procedures and protocols were approved by the Animal Use and Management Committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China (approval No. BUCM-3-2018022802-1002) on April 12, 2018.

Chinese Library Classification No. R459.9; R363; R364     

Short day-length increases sucrose consumption and adiposity in rats fed a high-fat diet

BACKGROUND: Photoperiod, i.e., the relative day-length per 24h, may modulate the metabolic responses to high-fat diet (HFD) and sucrose consumption. METHODS: To test this hypothesis, hormonal changes, fat accretion and sucrose intake were measured in rats exposed to short- or long-day for 4 weeks and fed with a standard high-carbohydrate low-fat pelleted diet (high-carbohydrate diet (HCD)) or a high-fat, medium-carbohydrate pelleted diet (HFD), with or without free access to 10% sucrose solution in addition to water available ad libitum. RESULTS: Plasma leptin and adiposity index, defined as epididymal white fat expressed as percentage of body mass, were markedly increased only in HFD-fed animals drinking sucrose under short, but not long, photoperiods. Voluntary ingestion of sucrose under short days was greater in HFD rats compared with HCD animals over the experiment, while a trend for the opposite effect was visible under long days. Total energy intake was not changed overall, as rats proportionally decreased chow intake when they drank sucrose. A noteworthy exception was the HFD group with sucrose access under short days that significantly increased their total calorie intake. Fasting blood glucose was generally unaltered, except for an increase in HFD-fed animals drinking sucrose under long days compared to control animals, suggesting a decrease in glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance was not yet affected by nutritional or photoperiodic conditions after 4 experimental weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Even if photoperiod cannot be considered as an obesogenic environmental factor per se, the metabolic effects resulting from the combination of high-fat feeding and voluntary intake of sucrose were dependent on day-length. Exposure to short days triggers a larger increase of sucrose ingestion and hyperleptinemia in rats fed with HFD compared to the control diet. Considering that the cardinal symptoms of winter depression include carbohydrate craving and increased adiposity, the present data provide an experimental basis for developing new animal models of seasonal affective disorder.     

食源性肥胖大鼠2型糖尿病模型的建立

背景：高脂饮食加小剂量链脲佐菌素是目前国内最常用的2型糖尿病大鼠造模方式，但高脂饮食仅能诱导50%大鼠发生胰岛素抵抗，因此还需寻找更理想的2型糖尿病大鼠建模方法。 目的：选择食源性肥胖大鼠进行小剂量链脲佐菌素腹腔注射，建立更理想的2型糖尿病动物模型。 方法：将SD大鼠随机分成对照组和高脂饮食组。4周后，据大鼠体质量将高脂饮食组分为食源性肥胖组和食源性肥胖抵抗组。8周后，所有大鼠均给予小剂量链脲佐菌素(30 mg/kg)腹腔注射，将注射10 d后空腹血糖> 7.8 mmol/L且稳定2周以上者纳为2型糖尿病大鼠模型。检测各组大鼠的空腹血糖、血脂、胰岛素；评价各组大鼠的胰岛素抵抗程度；比较各组大鼠的2型糖尿病成模率。 结果与结论：与对照组及食源性肥胖抵抗组相比，食源性肥胖组大鼠出现明显的体质量增加、高血脂、高胰岛素血症及胰岛素抵抗(P < 0.01)。注射链脲佐菌素后食源性肥胖组2型糖尿病成模率高达100%，食源性肥胖抵抗组成模率仅为12.5%。由结果可知选择食源性肥胖组大鼠作为2型糖尿病造模对象，是2型糖尿病造模方法的成功改良。     

普伐他汀对慢性脑缺血大鼠脑海马区早老素-1表达的影响

目的 观察降血脂药普伐他汀对慢性脑缺血(CVI)大鼠脑海马区早老素-1（PS-1）蛋白水平的影响。方法 36只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组(7只),高脂饮食组随机分为空白对照组(6只)、普伐他汀组(7只)、单纯脑缺血组(7只)及脑缺血+普伐他汀组 (9只)。采用永久性结扎双侧颈总动脉建立CVI模型。于术后2个月测血脂,行酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血浆及脑左侧海马区匀浆中β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)水平,蛋白免疫印迹检测海马区PS-1改变。结果 ⑴高脂饮食导致大鼠血浆胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)显著升高。普伐他汀可使TC降至接近正常水平,LDL-C有不同程度下降,TG无明显改善。⑵各实验组血浆Aβ水平无统计学差异。脑海马区匀浆中,空白对照组、普伐他汀组Aβ轻度升高,而脑缺血组显著升高(P <0.01),普伐他汀可以有效降低脑缺血组Aβ水平(P <0.01)。蛋白免疫印迹结果显示高脂饮食组、空白对照组及脑缺血组PS-1全长蛋白明显上调(P <0.05),而普伐他汀组、脑缺血+普伐他汀组PS-1蛋白可降至接近正常水平。结论 降血脂药物普伐他汀在降低脑缺血后Aβ产生的同时抑制了PS-1的表达上调,可能对阿尔茨海默病有一定的防治作用     

A new clinically relevant model for intracranial atherosclerosis in rats

Introduction: Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) is one of the most common causes of stroke worldwide and, in particular, has been implicated as a leading cause of recurrent ischemic stroke. We developed a new rat model to study intracranial atherosclerosis.

Methods: Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control (on a maintain diet) and a high-cholesterol group (on a daily 1% cholesterol diet) for up to 6 weeks. During the first two weeks, NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, 3 mg/mL) was added to the drinking water in the high-cholesterol group to induce intimal changes making the rats susceptible to atherosclerosis. Blood lipids, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), were measured after 3 and 6 weeks. Histological sections of the brains, including internal carotid artery (ICA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), and basilar artery (BA), were prepared to study intracranial artery morphometry and intimal thickening. The levels of CD68, an inflammatory marker, within the vessel walls as determined by immunohistochemistry were also measured.

Results: The high-cholesterol diet increased the levels of classic blood markers of atherosclerosis, LDL, CHO, and TG as well as decreased HDL, which became progressively more intensive with time. Rats showed increased intimal thickening in the ICA, MCA, and BA. This protocol also increased the levels of CD68 immunoreactivity within the vessel walls.

Conclusions: A rat model of intracranial atherosclerosis was effectively developed by high-cholesterol diet and L-NAME administration. This clinically relevant model would be beneficial for studying ICAS.