红景天苷介导TLR4调控小胶质细胞激活对小鼠抑郁样行为的改善作用

目的 探讨红景天苷对脂多糖（LPS）诱导炎症抑郁模型小鼠的作用及机制。方法 48只Balb/c小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、盐酸氟西汀（阳性药,20 mg/kg）组、红景天苷（25 mg/kg）组,每组12只。各组连续ig给药14 d后,除对照组外,其余各组ip 1 mg/kg LPS连续7 d制备抑郁症模型。以糖水偏好实验、旷场实验、悬尾实验和强迫游泳实验检测小鼠抑郁样症状;结束后取脑组织与血液检测肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）水平;Iba1免疫荧光染色检测脑组织小胶质细胞激活;Western blotting法检测脑组织TLR4信号通路蛋白TLR4、NLRP3、cleaved-Caspase-1/Caspase-1表达。结果 与模型组比较,红景天苷与盐酸氟西汀预防给药能够显著上调小鼠糖水摄取率（P<0.05）,增加小鼠穿格评分（P<0.05）,下调悬尾与强迫游泳不动时间（P<0.05）;显著逆转LPS造成的TNF-α、IL-1β水平上调（P<0.05）;明显抑制小胶质细胞激活,显著降低Iba1荧光强度（P<0.05）;显著降低脑组织中TLR4、NLRP3与cleaved-Caspase-1/Caspase-1蛋白表达（P<0.05）。结论 ip LPS成功构建了炎症诱导的抑郁模型,红景天苷通过TLR4信号通路调控小胶质细胞激活,从而改善小鼠抑郁样行为。     

丙酮酸乙酯调控TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1通路对缺氧缺血新生大鼠海马神经元焦亡的影响

目的 探究丙酮酸乙酯（EP）调控硫氧还蛋白结合蛋白（TXNIP）/核苷酸结合域样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）/半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-1（Caspase-1）通路对缺氧缺血性脑损伤（HIBI）新生大鼠海马神经元焦亡的影响。方法 将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组,模型组,尼莫地平（8 mg·kg^-1）组,EP低、高剂量（1.5、3.0 mg·kg^-1）组,EP （3 mg·kg^-1）+白藜芦醇（Res,30 mg·kg^-1,TXNIP抑制剂）组。通过左颈总动脉结扎及缺氧处理构建HIBI大鼠模型,于造模24h后开始ip给药,每天1次,连续2周。采用Longa评分对各组大鼠神经功能损伤进行评估;ELISA法检测大鼠海马组织白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、白细胞介素-18（IL-18）含量;透射电子显微镜下观察大鼠海马超微结构;HE染色观察海马组织病理学情况;TUNEL染色观察海马神经元凋亡;Western blotting检测海马组织中TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1通路相关蛋白表达。结果 与假手术组比较,模型组Longa评分、海马组织IL-1β和IL-18水平、神经元凋亡指数（AI）、以及TXNIP、NLRP3、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC）、cleaved Caspase-1蛋白表达水平显著增加（P<0.05）,神经元损伤、海马组织病理学程度明显增加;与模型组比较,尼莫地平组和EP低、高剂量组Longa评分、IL-1β和IL-18水平、神经元AI以及TXNIP、NLRP3、ASC、cleaved Caspase-1蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,神经元损伤、海马组织病理学程度明显改善;与EP高剂量组比较,EP+Res组Longa评分、IL-1β和IL-18水平、神经元AI以及TXNIP、NLRP3、ASC、cleaved Caspase-1蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,神经元损伤、海马组织病理学程度改善更明显。结论 EP可能通过抑制TXNIP/NLRP3/Caspase-1通路来减轻HIBI新生大鼠海马神经元焦亡。     

基于NLRP3炎症小体的抑瘤汤联合紫杉醇对上皮性卵巢癌的作用研究

目的 研究抑瘤汤对上皮性卵巢癌中NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3（NLRP3）炎症小体的作用。方法 通过免疫组化法比较人体的良性肿物和卵巢癌组织中NLRP3和白细胞介素（IL）-1β的表达水平;体外培养人上皮性卵巢癌细胞系A2780,分成对照组、化疗（给予DMSO溶解的紫杉醇100nmol·L^-1）组、化疗＋抑瘤汤（1、10、100mg·L^-1）组,对照组加入等量DMSO,干预12、24、48、72h后,CCK-8法检测细胞存活率,选取合适的抑瘤汤浓度及干预时间进行后续实验;Western blotting法检测NLRP3的蛋白表达;实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）法检测NLRP3、半胱氨酸蛋白酶-1（Caspase-1）、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白（ASC）和IL-1β的mRNA水平;ELISA法检测细胞上清液中NLRP3、Caspase-1、ASC和IL-1β蛋白水平。结果 与卵巢良性肿物组相比,卵巢癌患者的卵巢组织中NLRP3及IL-1β蛋白表达显著上调（P＜0.05）;干预24、48、72h后,与对照组相比,化疗组的细胞存活率显著降低（P＜0.05、0.001）;与化疗组相比,化疗＋100mg·L^-1抑瘤汤组的细胞存活率显著降低（P＜0.01、0.001）,选取100mg·L^-1抑瘤汤干预48h进行后续研究。与对照组相比,化疗组的细胞中NLRP3蛋白表达水平降低,但无统计学意义;与对照组及化疗组相比,化疗＋抑瘤汤组的细胞中NLRP3蛋白表达水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.001）。与对照组相比,化疗组和化疗＋抑瘤汤组的NLRP3 mRNA和上清中蛋白水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.001）;与化疗组相比,化疗＋抑瘤汤组的NLRP3mRNA和上清中蛋白水平显著降低（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,化疗组的Caspase-1、ASC、IL-1β的mRNA水平降低,但无统计学意义;化疗＋抑瘤汤组的Caspase-1、ASC、IL-1β mRNA水平显著降低（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,化疗组和化疗＋抑瘤汤组细胞上清中的Caspase-1、ASC、IL-1β蛋白水平显著降低（P＜0.01、0.001）;与化疗组相比,化疗＋抑瘤汤组的Caspase-1、ASC、IL-1β蛋白进一步降低,其中Caspase-1、ASC差异显著（P＜0.05、0.001）。结论 NLRP3炎症小体在卵巢癌中高表达,抑瘤汤可抑制卵巢癌细胞NLRP3炎症小体的表达。     

商陆皂苷甲抑制TLR4/NF-κB信号通路改善大鼠动脉粥样硬化的作用研究

目的 研究商陆皂苷甲（EsA）对动脉粥样硬化（AS）大鼠的作用及机制。方法 将SD雄性大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、辛伐他汀片（SIMT,10mg·kg^-1,阳性对照）组和EsA高、低剂量（10、2.5mg·kg^-1）组,每组6只。对照组给予普通饲料,其余各组以高脂饲料联合ip7×10⁵U·kg^-1维生素D₃（在第3天注射）制备AS模型。造模的同时ip给药,每天1次。采用全自动生化分析仪检测各组大鼠血清总胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平;ELISA法检测血清肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）和白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）水平;HE染色法观察胸主动脉病理变化;Western blotting法检测胸主动脉Toll样受体4（TLR4）和髓样分化因子88（MyD88）蛋白表达;免疫组化法检测胸主动脉核因子κB（NF-κB） p65阳性细胞表达。结果 与对照组比较,模型组大鼠血清中TC、TG、LDL-C、TNF-α、IL-6和IL-1β水平显著升高（P＜0.01）,HDL-C水平显著降低（P＜0.01）;胸主动脉血管内皮损伤严重,可见明显蓝色钙状斑块;胸主动脉TLR4和MyD88蛋白表达以及NF-κB p65阳性细胞表达显著升高（P＜0.01）。与模型组比较,EsA高、低剂量组大鼠血清血脂和炎性因子水平明显改善（P＜0.05、0.01）;胸主动脉血管内皮大致恢复正常,蓝色钙状斑块减少;胸主动脉TLR4和MyD88蛋白表达以及NF-κB p65阳性细胞表达显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01）。结论 EsA可能通过抑制TLR4/NF-κB信号通路对大鼠AS发挥改善作用。     

利多卡因调控Apelin/APJ系统对脓毒症相关性脑病大鼠的脑保护作用

目的 探究利多卡因对脓毒症相关性脑病模型大鼠的脑保护作用及机制。方法 将40只大鼠按随机数字表法分为对照组、模型组、利多卡因组、利多卡因＋血管紧张素受体AT1相关的受体蛋白拮抗剂Apelin13（F13A）组,每组10只。除对照组外,其余3组大鼠均构建脓毒症相关性脑病模型,利多卡因组和利多卡因＋F13A组造模后即刻给予利多卡因10 mg/kg负荷剂量,随后尾iv利多卡因10 mg/kg并持续3 h,利多卡因＋F13A组同时ip APJ拮抗剂F13A 100 μg/kg。24 h后,Morris水迷宫实验检测各组大鼠认知功能,酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法检测各组大鼠血清白细胞介素（IL）-6、IL-10、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平,苏木精-伊红（HE）染色观察各组大鼠脑组织病理变化,TdT介导的dUTP缺口末端标记法（TUNEL）和神经元特异核蛋白（NeuN）双免疫荧光染色检测各组大鼠脑组织皮质内神经元凋亡,免疫荧光双染法观察各组大鼠脑组织皮质内Apelin与APJ表达,实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-qRCR）检测各组大鼠脑组织Apelin和APJ的mRNA表达,蛋白质免疫印迹（Western blotting）法检测各组大鼠脑组织Apelin和APJ的蛋白表达。结果 与模型组比较,利多卡因组大鼠逃避潜伏期缩短,通过目标象限次数增加（P＜0.05）,血清IL-6、TNF-α水平降低而IL-10水平显著升高（P＜0.05）,海马区神经元损伤明显减轻,形态和分布均趋于正常,脑组织皮质内凋亡神经元数目减少（P＜0.05）;Apelin与APJ荧光染色表达均明显增强,脑组织内Apelin、APJ的mRNA与蛋白相对表达量均显著上调（P＜0.05）;与利多卡因组比较,利多卡因＋F13A组大鼠逃避潜伏期延长,通过目标象限次数减少（P＜0.05）,血清IL-6、TNF-α水平升高,血清IL-10水平显著降低（P＜0.05）,海马区神经元损伤加重,有大量细胞肿胀与细胞核固缩,脑组织皮质内凋亡神经元数目增加（P＜0.05）。同时,Apelin与APJ荧光染色表达均明显减弱,脑组织内Apelin、APJ的mRNA与蛋白相对表达量均显著下调（P＜0.05）。结论 利多卡因能够改善脓毒症相关性脑病模型大鼠脑损伤,抑制炎症反应,并减少神经元凋亡,其机制可能与激活Apelin/APJ系统有关。     

五味子乙素对慢性应激抑郁大鼠海马BDNF/TrkB/CREB通路的影响

目的 研究五味子乙素对慢性应激抑郁大鼠海马脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）/酪氨酸激酶B（TrkB）/环磷腺苷效应元件结合蛋白（CREB）信号通路的影响。方法 40只SD大鼠随机选择10只作为对照组,其余大鼠采用慢性不可预知温和应激（chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS）结合孤养制备抑郁症模型,造模结束后随机分为3组：模型组、盐酸氟西汀（3 mg·kg^-1）组、五味子乙素（5 mg·kg^-1）组,每天ig给药1次,连续8周。分别于造模前、造模后及给药后进行旷场、悬尾、强迫游泳行为学实验;通过苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察大鼠海马形态学改变;免疫组织化学染色（IHC）法观察大鼠海马BDNF蛋白表达;实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）法检测大鼠海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB mRNA相对表达量;Westernblotting检测大鼠海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB蛋白相对表达量。结果 与对照组比较,模型组大鼠旷场实验水平、垂直得分显著降低（P＜0.05）,悬尾不动时间和强迫游泳漂浮时间显著增加（P＜0.05）;HE染色结果显示海马神经元结构损伤,IHC结果显示海马BDNF表达明显降低;海马BDNF、TrkB、CREB mRNA及蛋白相对表达显著降低（P＜0.05）。与模型组比较,盐酸氟西汀及五味子乙素组大鼠水平、垂直得分显著增加（P＜0.05）,不动时间和漂浮时间显著减少（P＜0.05）;海马神经元结构明显复原,海马组织中BDNF染色明显增加;BDNF、TrkB、CREB mRNA和蛋白相对表达量显著增加（P＜0.05）。结论 五味子乙素可以改善慢性应激抑郁大鼠抑郁样行为、海马区神经元数量及形态,其机制可能与上调BDNF/TrkB/CREB信号通路有关。     

注射用丹参多酚酸对MCAO/R大鼠Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1信号通路的影响

目的 采用大鼠大脑中动脉栓塞/再灌注（MCAO/R）模型考察注射用丹参多酚酸（SAFI）对脑缺血再灌注大鼠核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）/Kelch样ECH相关蛋白（Keap1）/血红素氧合酶-1（HO-1）信号通路的影响。方法 线栓法构建大鼠MCAO/R模型,于术后24 h进行神经功能评分,将造模成功的大鼠随机分为模型组、丁苯酞（5 mL·kg^-1）组和SAFI低、中、高剂量（5.76、11.51、23.02 mg·kg^-1）组,尾iv给药,连续14 d。考察给药后各组大鼠神经功能缺损评分;ELISA法检测血清超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）水平;TTC染色法检测脑梗死体积;HE染色观察脑组织病理变化;Western blotting法检测Nrf2、Keap1、HO-1蛋白表达。结果 与模型组比较,SAFI中、高剂量组和丁苯酞组大鼠的神经功能缺损评分显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01） ;SAFI各剂量组和丁苯酞组脑梗死体积显著减少（P＜0.01、0.001）,血清BDNF、SOD水平均显著升高（P＜0.05、0.01、0.001）,MDA水平显著降低（P＜0.05、0.01）,脑组织病理变化明显减轻,水肿减轻; SAFI高、中剂量组及丁苯酞组Keap1、Nrf2、HO-1蛋白表达显著升高（P＜0.05、0.01、0.001）,SAFI低剂量组Keap1、HO-1蛋白表达显著升高（P＜0.01、0.001）。结论 SAFI可以减轻大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤,可能是通过促进Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1信号通路,抑制氧化损伤实现的。     

芹菜素对顺铂化疗所致肾损伤及Nrf2/HO-1通路的影响

目的 探索芹菜素（APG）对顺铂（DDP）化疗所致肾损伤大鼠的保护作用及机制研究。方法 将60只SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、氨磷汀组（阳性对照组）及APG低、中、高剂量组,每组10只。模型组、氨磷汀组及APG低、中、高剂量组大鼠均采用一次性腹腔注射DDP（7.5 mg·kg^-1）的方法建立DDP致肾损伤大鼠模型,空白组大鼠仅腹腔注射生理盐水（不造模）;然后分别腹腔注射给药（APG低、中、高剂量组分别给予10、20、40 mg·kg^-1 APG,氨磷汀组给予1 mg·kg^-1氨磷汀,空白组和模型组均给予生理盐水）,1次/d,连续给药28 d。测定各组大鼠24 h尿蛋白量和血清肌酐（Scr）、尿素氮（BUN）含量,HE染色法、TUNEL法分别行肾脏病理学检查和细胞凋亡检测,生化分析法检测MDA含量和抗氧化酶（SOD、GSH-Px）活性,ELISA法检测炎症细胞因子（TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6）水平,Western blotting检测核因子E2相关因子2（Nrf2）、血红素加氧酶-1（HO-1）、核因子-κB（NF-κB）、激活型半胱胺酸蛋白酶-3（Cleaved Caspase-3）蛋白的表达水平。结果 与模型组比较,APG中、高剂量组和氨磷汀组大鼠24 h尿蛋白量和血清Scr、BUN含量显著降低（P<0.05）,肾脏组织病理学改变和细胞凋亡状况明显改善,凋亡指数（AI）显著降低（P<0.01）,MDA含量显著降低且SOD、GSH-Px活性显著升高（P<0.05）,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6水平显著降低（P<0.05）,Nrf2、HO-1表达显著上调而NF-κB、Cleaved Caspase-3表达显著下调（P<0.01）。与氨磷汀组比较,APG高剂量组大鼠血清Scr、BUN含量显著降低（P<0.05）,肾脏组织病理学改变和细胞凋亡状况明显改善、AI显著降低（P<0.01）,MDA含量显著降低且SOD活性显著升高（P<0.01）,TNF-α、IL-1β水平显著降低（P<0.05）,Nrf2、HO-1表达显著上调且Cleaved Caspase-3表达显著下调（P<0.05）。结论 APG对DDP所致肾损伤大鼠具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与激活Nrf2/HO-1通路而抑制氧化应激损伤、炎症反应和细胞凋亡有关。     

栀子苷对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤大鼠炎症反应、氧化应激和PI3K/Akt信号通路的影响

目的 探讨栀子苷对肝脏缺血再灌注损伤大鼠炎症反应、氧化应激和PI3K/Akt信号通路的影响。方法 将SD大鼠分为对照组、模型组和栀子苷5、10 mg/kg组,每组各10只。对照组、模型组大鼠ip溶剂橄榄油10 mg/kg,栀子苷5、10 mg/kg组大鼠ip栀子苷5、10 mg/kg,连续7 d,最后一次注射药物后进行肝缺血再灌注损伤建模处理。检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素、直接胆红素以及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-1β水平;测定肝组织丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)、诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平;观察肝组织病理学变化和细胞凋亡;检测肝组织凋亡相关因子Bcl-2、Bax mRNA表达及p-PI3K、PI3K、p-Akt、Akt、Bcl-2、Bax、cleaved Caspase-3、Caspase-3蛋白表达。结果 与模型组相比,栀子苷5、10 mg/kg组血清ALT、AST、总胆红素、直接胆红素水平、TNF-α、TGF-β、IL-6、IL-1β、MDA和iNOS水平、肝组织凋亡细胞比例、Bax mRNA、蛋白表达和cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3显著降低(P<0.05),GSH、SOD水平、Bcl-2 mRNA和蛋白表达、p-PI3K/PI3K和p-Akt/Akt显著升高(P<0.05),且栀子苷10 mg/kg组作用效果更明显(P<0.05)。结论 栀子苷能够改善大鼠肝功能,减轻氧化应激、炎症反应和细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能是通过激活PI3K/Akt信号通路实现的。     

基于转录组学研究野黄芩苷对代谢相关脂肪性肝病的作用及潜在机制

目的 研究野黄芩苷对代谢相关脂肪性肝病（MAFLD）大鼠的改善作用,并基于转录组学探讨潜在机制。方法 将大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和野黄芩苷低、高剂量（50、100 mg·kg^-1）组,采用高脂饮食（HFD）饲喂16周诱导NAFLD大鼠模型,从第8周开始按分组对应ig给药,实验结束后测定体质量及肝脏指数;采用试剂盒检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、总胆固醇（TC）和三酰甘油（TG）水平;采用苏木素-伊红（HE）、油红O和Masson染色检查肝脏病理变化;采用转录组学技术分析肝脏基因表达。结果 与对照组比较,模型组大鼠16周体质量、肝脏质量及肝脏指数明显增加（P＜0.01）;血清中ALT、AST、TC和TG水平明显升高（P＜0.01）;肝脏出现结构性损伤、脂肪变性及气球样变等病理改变,红色脂滴和蓝色胶原纤维明显变多。与模型组比较,野黄芩苷组大鼠16周体质量、肝脏质量及肝脏指数明显降低（P＜0.05、0.01）;肝损伤及血脂相关指标水平明显恢复（P＜0.05、0.01）;肝脏病理改变趋于正常,红色脂滴和蓝色胶原纤维减少。转录组学结果显示,对照组与模型组间有622个差异表达基因,模型组与野黄芩苷组间有579个差异表达基因,这其中有238个共有差异表达基因,并调控环磷酸鸟苷（cGMP）/蛋白激酶G（PKG）、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶（PI3K）/蛋白激酶B（Akt）、松弛素、晚期糖基化终末产物（AGE）-糖基化终末产物受体（RAGE）、钙、胰岛素抵抗和Hippo等信号通路。结论 野黄芩苷可能通过作用于肝脏238个基因,调控cGMP/PKG、PI3K/Akt、松弛素、AGE-RAGE、钙、胰岛素抵抗和Hippo等信号通路发挥对NAFLD大鼠的改善作用。     

Efficacy of gut lavage,hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the therapy of paraquat or diquat intoxication

Clinical and in vitro investigations were carried out to test the efficacy of gut lavage, hemodialysis, and hemoperfusion in the treatment of poisoning with paraquat or diquat. In a patient suffering from diquat intoxication 130 times more diquat was removed by gut lavage 30 h after ingestion than was removed by complete aspiration of the gastric contents.Determination of in vitro clearances for paraquat and diquat by hemodialysis showed that, at serum concentrations of 1–2 ppm, such as are frequently encountered in poisoning in man, toxicologically relevant quantities of herbicide cannot be removed from the body. At a concentration of 20 ppm, on the other hand, hemodialysis proved to be effective, the clearance being 70 ml/min at a blood flow rate of 100 ml/min. The efficacy of hemoperfusion with coated activated charcoal was on the whole better. Especially at concentrations around 1–2 ppm, the clearance values for hemoperfusion were some 5–7 times higher than those for hemodialysis.In a patient suffering from paraquat poisoning, both hemodialysis as well as hemoperfusion were carried out. The in vitro results could be confirmed: At serum concentrations of paraquat less than 1 ppm no clearance could be obtained by hemodialysis while by hemoperfusion with activated charcoal quite high clearance values were measured and the serum level dropped down to zero.

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Zusammenfassung Klinische Untersuchungen und Laboratoriumsversuche wurden durchgeführt, um die Wirksamkeit von Darmspülung, Hämodialyse und Hämoperfusion bei Paraquat- und Deiquat-Vergiftungen zu prüfen.Bei einem Patienten wurde 30 Std nach Deiquat-Aufnahme durch Darmspülung 130mal mehr Deiquat entfernt als durch vollständige Aspiration des Mageninhaltes. In vitro-Versuche ergaben, daß bei Blutserumkonzentrationen von 1–2 ppm, die bei Vergiftungen oft gemessen werden, durch Hämodialyse keine toxikologisch relevanten Paraquat- oder Deiquat-Mengen entfernt werden können. Dagegen erwies sich die Hämodialyse bei 20 ppm und einer Blutumlaufgeschwindigkeit von 100 ml/min mit einer Clearance von 70 ml/min als wirksam. Die Hämoperfusion mit beschicheter Aktivkohle war in diesen Versuchen aber eindeutig überlegen, denn insbesondere bei Konzentrationen um 1–2 ppm waren die Clearance-Werte 5–7mal höher als bei der Hämodialyse.Die in vitro-Ergebnisse wurden bei einem Patienten mit einer Paraquat-Vergiftung bestätigt: Bei Konzentrationen unter 1 ppm war die Hämodialyse wirkungslos, während durch Hämoperfusion relativ hohe Clearance-Werte erreicht wurden, so daß der Serumspiegel rasch unter die Nachweisgrenze abfiel.

     

Aquatic Insects and Trace Metals: Bioavailability,Bioaccumulation, and Toxicity

Abstract

The uptake of metals from food and water sources by insects is thought to be additive. For a given metal, the proportions taken up from water and food will depend both on the bioavailable concentration of the metal associated with each source and the mechanism and rate by which the metal enters the insect. Attempts to correlate insect trace metal concentrations with the trophic level of insects should be made with a knowledge of the feeding relationships of the individual taxa concerned. Pathways for the uptake of essential metals, such as copper and zinc, exist at the cellular level, and other nonessential metals, such as cadmium, also appear to enter via these routes. Within cells, trace metals can be bound to proteins or stored in granules. The internal distribution of metals among body tissues is very heterogeneous, and distribution patterns tend to be both metal and taxon specific. Trace metals associated with insects can be both bound on the surface of their chitinous exoskeleton and incorporated into body tissues. The quantities of trace meals accumulated by an individual reflect the net balance between the rate of metal influx from both dissolved and particulate sources and the rate of metal efflux from the organism. The toxicity of metals has been demonstrated at all levels of biological organization: cell, tissue, individual, population, and community. Much of the literature pertaining to the toxic effects of metals on aquatic insects is based on laboratory observations and, as such, it is difficult to extrapolate the data to insects in nature. The few experimental studies in nature suggest that trace metal contaminants can affect both the distribution and the abundance of aquatic insects. Insects have a largely unexploited potential as biomonitors of metal contamination in nature. A better understanding of the physico-chemical and biological mechanisms mediating trace metal bioavailability and exchange will facilitate the development of general predictive models relating trace metal concentrations in insects to those in their environment. Such models will facilitate the use of insects as contaminant biomonitors.     

Alzheimer’s disease – current trends in basic and clinical research. Highlights from the 16th ECNP

Advances in the molecular biological knowledge of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have led to a growing interest by the pharmaceutical industry in the development of novel compounds that selectively modulate nAChR function. The ability of (-)-nicotine, an activator of nAChRs, to enhance attentional aspects of cognition in animals and humans, to exert neuroprotective and anxiolytic-like effects, and presumably to mediate the negative correlation between smoking and Alzheimer's (and Parkinson's) Disease, has focused interest on the potential therapeutic utility of modulators of nAChR function for treatment of some of the deficits associated with these progressive, neurodegenerative conditions. Numerous compounds are known which activate nAChRs and which might serve as lead compounds toward the development of such agents. The pharmacologic diversity of neuronal nAChR subtypes suggests the possibility of developing selective compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents. This broader class of agents, collectively called cholinergic channel modulators (ChCMs), is anticipated to encompass compounds which would have more favourable side-effect profiles than existing agents, which generally exhibit low selectivity. This selectivity may be achieved by preferentially activating some subtypes of nAChRs (i.e., Cholinergic Channel Activators, ChCAs) or inhibiting the function of other subtypes (Cholinergic Channel Inhibitors, ChCIs). An overview of the biology of nAChRs and the rationale for the use of ChCMs for the treatment of dementia related to neurodegenerative diseases are presented, followed by a discussion of lead compounds and compounds under consideration for clinical evaluation.     

2-(Acetoxyphenyl)-(Z)-styryl sulfides as cyclooxygenase inhibitors

2-(Acetoxyphenyl)-(Z)-styryl sulfides are described as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, useful for treating inflammation and COX-2-mediated disorders including neoplasia. 2-(Acetoxyphenyl)-(Z)-styryl sulfide is claimed to be the most potent COX inhibitor in the series with a COX-2 selectivity ratio of 33. This compound is also claimed to be superior to celecoxib (Celebrex^®, Pfizer) in inhibiting cell growth of colorectal carcinoma cells. In this evaluation, the COX inhibitory activity of this compound is compared to that previously disclosed for diarylheterocycles and 2-(acetoxyphenyl)alkyl sulfides. The validity of the DLD-1 cell line in the growth inhibition studies is questioned based on recent literature reports indicating the lack of COX-2 expression in this cell line.     

Sleep-disordered breathing with chronic opioid use

Chronic opioid use for pain relief or as substitution therapy for illicit drug abuse is prevalent in our societies. In the US, retail distribution of methadone and oxycodone has increased by 824 and 660%, respectively, between 1997 and 2003. μ-Opioids depress respiration and deaths related to illicit and non illicit chronic opioid use are not uncommon. Since 2001 there has been an emerging literature that suggests that chronic opioid use is related to central sleep apnoea of both periodic and non-periodic breathing types, and occurs in ～ 30% of these subjects. The clinical significance of these sleep-related abnormalities are unknown. This review addresses the present knowledge of control of ventilation mechanisms during wakefulness and sleep, the effects of opioids on ventilatory control mechanisms, the sleep-disordered breathing found with chronic opioid use and a discussion regarding the future research directions in this area.     

Drug targets for cognitive enhancement in neuropsychiatric disorders

The investigation of novel drug targets for treating cognitive impairments associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders remains a primary focus of study in central nervous system (CNS) research. Many promising new therapies are progressing through preclinical and clinical development, and offer the potential of improved treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as other disorders that have not been particularly well treated to date like the cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). Among targets under investigation, cholinergic receptors have received much attention with several nicotinic agonists (α7 and α4β2) actively in clinical trials for the treatment of AD, CIAS and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Both glutamatergic and serotonergic (5-HT) agonists and antagonists have profound effects on neurotransmission and improve cognitive function in preclinical experiments with animals; some of these compounds are now in proof-of-concept studies in humans. Several histamine H3 receptor antagonists are in clinical development not only for cognitive enhancement, but also for the treatment of narcolepsy and cognitive deficits due to sleep deprivation because of their expression in brain sleep centers. Compounds that dampen inhibitory tone (e.g., GABA_A α5 inverse agonists) or elevate excitatory tone (e.g., glycine transporter inhibitors) offer novel approaches for treating diseases such as schizophrenia, AD and Down syndrome. In addition to cell surface receptors, intracellular drug targets such as the phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are known to impact signaling pathways that affect long-term memory formation and working memory. Overall, there is a genuine need to treat cognitive deficits associated with many neuropsychiatric conditions as well as an increasingly aging population.