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25 May 2012, Volume 7 Issue 15 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Serum containing Tongqiaohuoxue decoction suppresses glutamate-induced PC12 cell injury Ning Wang, Yi Deng, Wei Wei, Lihua Song, Yan Wang 2012, 7 (15):  1125-1131.  Abstract ( 209 )   PDF (201KB) ( 1383 )   Save Glutamate application is an established method of inducing PC12 cell injury. PC12 cells were cultured with serum containing Tongqiaohuoxue decoction consisting of moschus, Carthamus tinctorius, Rhizoma chuanxiong, Semen pruni persicae, and Radix Paeoniae Rubra. After 24 hours of co-cultivation, glutamate (12.5 mM) was added to the culture medium. We found that serum containing Tongqiaohuoxue decoction prevented the increase in reactive oxygen species, and the decreases in superoxide dismutase and Na+-K+-ATPase activity, induced by glutamate. It also reduced the concentration of malondialdehyde, enhanced the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, inhibited the elevation of cellular calcium, and decreased phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Thus, serum containing Tongqiaohuoxue decoction had protective effects on cell proliferation and membrane permeability in glutamate-injured PC12 cells. Related Articles | Metrics

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Wendan decoction improves learning and memory deficits in a rat model of schizophrenia Cuiping Yang, Changchun Cai, Xiaojin Yang, Yanping Yang, Zhigang Zhou, Jianhua Liu, Heping Ye, Hongjiao Wan 2012, 7 (15):  1132-1137.  Abstract ( 207 )   PDF (138KB) ( 825 )   Save An experimental model of schizophrenia was established using dizocilpine (MK-801). Rats were intragastrically administered with Wendan decoction or clozapine for 21 days prior to establishing the model. The results revealed that the latency of schizophrenia model rats to escape from the hidden platform in the Morris water maze was significantly shortened after administration of Wendan decoction or clozapine. In addition, the treated rats crossed the platform significantly more times than the untreated model rats. Moreover, the rate of successful long-term potentiation induction in the Wendan decoction group and clozapine group were also obviously increased compared with the model group, and the population spike peak latency was significantly shortened. These experimental findings suggest that Wendan decoction can improve the learning and memory ability of schizophrenic rats to the same extent as clozapine treatment. Related Articles | Metrics

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Electroacupuncture promotes the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes in the injured spinal cord of adult rats Haiying Wu, Min Hu, Dekai Yuan, Haiying Wu, Yunhui Wang, Jing Wang, Tao Li,Chuanyun Qian, Hualin Yu 2012, 7 (15):  1138-1144.  Abstract ( 240 )   PDF (324KB) ( 1109 )   Save null References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Suspended moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) inhibits prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 expression in the spinal cord of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity Chen Zhao, Li Qi, Luyi Wu, Tao Yi, Huangan Wu, Xinxin Guo, Cili Zhou, Huirong Liu, Xiaomei Wang 2012, 7 (15):  1145-1150.  Abstract ( 194 )   PDF (199KB) ( 866 )   Save Suspended moxibustion can decrease the expression of prokineticin 1 and its receptor in colonic tissue from rats modeling chronic visceral hyperalgesia. This study aimed to verify if rat spinal cord prokineticin 1 and its receptor contribute to the analgesic effect of suspended moxibustion in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome where rats display chronic visceral hypersensitivity. Results showed that suspended moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) point significantly decreased visceral sensitivity to colorectal distention in a chronic visceral hyperalgesia rat model; also protein and mRNA expression of prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 in the spinal cord of rats was significantly decreased. Experimental findings indicate that prokineticin 1 and prokineticin receptor 1 are involved in the analgesia using suspended moxibustion in rats with chronic visceral hyperalgesia. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Brain functional changes in facial expression recognition in patients with major depressive disorder before and after antidepressant treatment A functional magnetic resonance imaging study Wenyan Jiang, Zhongmin Yin, Yixin Pang, Feng Wu, Lingtao Kong, Ke Xu 2012, 7 (15):  1151-1157.  Abstract ( 243 )   PDF (179KB) ( 855 )   Save Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used during emotion recognition to identify changes in functional brain activation in 21 first-episode, treatment-naive major depressive disorder patients before and after antidepressant treatment. Following escitalopram oxalate treatment, patients exhibited decreased activation in bilateral precentral gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, left cingulate and right parahippocampal gyrus, and increased activation in right superior frontal gyrus, bilateral superior parietal lobule and left occipital gyrus during sad facial expression recognition. After antidepressant treatment, patients also exhibited decreased activation in the bilateral middle frontal gyrus, bilateral cingulate and right parahippocampal gyrus, and increased activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus and right precuneus during happy facial expression recognition. Our experimental findings indicate that the limbic-cortical network might be a key target region for antidepressant treatment in major depressive disorder. Related Articles | Metrics

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Functional magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of brain function reorganization in cerebral stroke patients after constraint-induced movement therapy Jun Zhao, Tong Zhang, Jianmin Xu, Mingli Wang, Shengjie Zhao 2012, 7 (15):  1158-1163.  Abstract ( 180 )   PDF (108KB) ( 792 )   Save In this study, stroke patients received constraint-induced movement therapy for 3 weeks. Before and after constraint-induced movement therapy, the flexibility of their upper limbs on the affected side was assessed using the Wolf motor function test, and daily use of their affected limbs was assessed using the movement activities log, and cerebral functional reorganization was assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging. The Wolf motor function test score and the movement activities log quantity and quality scores were significantly increased, while action performance time in the Wolf motor function test was significantly decreased after constraint-induced movement therapy. By functional magnetic resonance imaging examination, only scattered activation points were visible on the affected side before therapy. In contrast, the volume of the activated area was increased after therapy. The activation volume in the sensorimotor area was significantly different before and after therapy, and the activation area increased and appeared adjusted. In addition to the activated area around the lesions being decreased, there were also some new activated areas, including the supplementary movement area, premotor area and the ipsilateral sensorimotor area. Our findings indicate that constraint-induced movement therapy significantly improves the movement ability and daily use of the affected upper limbs in stroke patients and promotes cerebral functional reorganization. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Quantitative analysis of intraspinal cerebrospinal fluid flow in normal adults Leka Yan, Huaijun Liu, Hua Shang 2012, 7 (15):  1164-1169.  Abstract ( 163 )   PDF (104KB) ( 1134 )   Save The present study quantitatively analyzed intraspinal cerebrospinal fluid flow patterns in 19 normal adults using fast cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Results showed increased downward flow velocity and volume compared with upward flow, and the average downward flow volume of intraspinal cerebrospinal fluid decreased from top to bottom at different intervertebral disc levels. Upward and downward cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity reached a peak at the thoracic intraspinal anterior region, and velocity reached a minimum at the posterior region. Overall measurements revealed that mean upward and downward flow volume positively correlated with the subarachnoid area. Upward peak flow velocity and volume positively correlated with spinal anteroposterior diameter. However, downward peak flow velocity and volume exhibited a negative correlation with spinal anteroposterior diameter. Further flow measurements showed that flow velocity in upward and downward directions was associated with subarachnoid anteroposterior diameter, respectively. The present experimental results showed that cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity and volume varied at different intraspinal regions and were affected by subarachnoid space area and anteroposterior diameter size. Related Articles | Metrics

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Electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers promote Schwann cell adhesion, growth and proliferation Aijun Hu, Baoqi Zuo, Feng Zhang, Qing Lan, Huanxiang Zhang 2012, 7 (15):  1171-1178.  Abstract ( 304 )   PDF (269KB) ( 1531 )   Save In this study, Schwann cells, at a density of 1 × 105 cells/well, were cultured on regenerated silk fibroin nanofibers (305 ± 84 nm) prepared using the electrospinning method. Schwann cells cultured on the silk fibroin nanofibers appeared more ordered, their processes extended further, and they formed more extensive and complex interconnections. In addition, the silk fibroin nanofibers had no impact on the proliferation of Schwann cells or on the secretion of ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor or nerve growth factor. These findings indicate that regenerated electrospun silk fibroin nanofibers can promote Schwann cell adhesion, growth and proliferation, and have excellent biocompatibility. Related Articles | Metrics

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Effect of chitosan/type I collagen/gelatin composites in biocompatibility and nerve repair Qing Wang, Xiaolei Yang, Ming Ren, Yulin Hu, Qiang Chen, Lei Xing, Chunyang Meng, Tiemei Liu 2012, 7 (15):  1179-1184.  Abstract ( 221 )   PDF (363KB) ( 1004 )   Save Chitosan, collagen I and gelatin were mixed in appropriate quantities to develop a new nerve repair material, with good arrangement and structure, as well as even aperture size. The composite material was sterilized by 60Co irradiation for 24 hours prior to implantation in the right thigh of rats following sciatic nerve damage. Results showed that the material was nontoxic to the kidneys and the liver, and did not induce an inflammatory response in the muscles. The composite material enhanced the recovery of sciatic nerve damage in rats. These experimental findings indicate that the composite material offers good biocompatibility and has a positive effect on injured nerve rehabilitation. Related Articles | Metrics

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Paravertebral fascial massage promotes brain development of neonatal rats via the insulin-like growth factor 1 pathway Zhongqiu Wen, Wenqin Zeng, Jingxing Dai, Xin Zhou, Chun Yang, Fuhua Duan, Yufeng Liu, Huiying Yang, Lin Yuan 2012, 7 (15):  1185-1191.  Abstract ( 208 )   PDF (353KB) ( 897 )   Save Massage in traditional Chinese medicine can promote body and brain development of premature and normal newborn infants. In the present study, neonatal rats (1 day old) underwent paravertebral fascial massage (15 consecutive days), followed by subcutaneous injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor antagonist, JB1 (9 consecutive days). Paravertebral fascial massage significantly increased insulin-like growth factor 1 expression and cell proliferation in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. However, JB1 inhibited this increase. Results suggest that paravertebral fascial massage can promote brain development of neonatal rats via the insulin-like growth factor 1 pathway. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation Literature retrieval based on international databases Feng Sun, Jinchun Wang, Xia Wen 2012, 7 (15):  1192-1199.  Abstract ( 178 )   PDF (92KB) ( 817 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends of acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation using a bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science and the Clinical Trials registry database (ClinicalTrials.gov). DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of data retrievals for acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation from 1992 to 2011 using the Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: (1) Web of Science: (a) Peer-reviewed articles on acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation that were published and indexed in the Web of Science. (b) Type of articles: original research articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial material and news items. (c) Year of publication: 1992-2011. (2) ClinicalTrials.gov: All clinical trials relating to acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation were searched in this database. Exclusion criteria: (1) Web of Science: (a) Articles that required manual searching or telephone access. (b) We excluded documents that were not published in the public domain. (c) We excluded a number of corrected papers from the total number of articles. (2) ClinicalTrials.gov: (a) We excluded clinical trials that were not in the ClinicalTrials.gov database. (b) We excluded clinical trials that dealt with magnetic stimulation other than acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation in the ClinicalTrials.gov database.  MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Type of literature; (2) annual publication output; (3) distribution according to journals; (4) distribution according to country; (5) distribution according to institution; (6) top cited articles over the last 20 years; and (7) clinical trials registered. RESULTS: (1) In all, 92 studies on acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation appeared in the Web of Science from 1992 to 2011, almost half of which derived from Chinese and American authors and institutes. The number of studies addressing acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation has gradually increased over the past 20 years. Most papers on acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation appeared in journals with a particular focus on rehabilitation research, such as Stroke, Archives of Physical Medicine, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. (2) In the ClinicalTrials.gov, three studies can be searched on acupuncture and stroke, all of which were registered and sponsored by Chinese institutions since February 2009. CONCLUSION: From our analysis of the literature and research trends, we found that acupuncture in stroke rehabilitation may offer further benefits in regenerative medicine. Related Articles | Metrics