Diameter In Rats Research Articles

Test of the effectiveness of white goroho banana weevil extract gel preparation (Musa acuminafe, sp) against the healing of white rat burns (Rattus nornvegicus)

Natural wealth has a variety of herbal plants, plants that are included in it efficacious as medicine. Traditional medicine, is an ingredient or herb that is usually used as traditional medicine and is used to accelerate the healing of diseases, one of the plants used to accelerate wound healing is the white goroho banana weevil (Musa acuminafe, sp). This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of banana weevil gel preparations against healing burns in white rats (Rattus norvegicus). The test animals used were 15 rats. A burn of 2.5 cm was made on the back of the mouse using metal coins. The method used in this study is in the form of laboratory experiments. This study used a Complete Randomized Design (RAL) consisting of 5 treatments, including 1 negative control, 1 positive control (bioplacenton), and 3 stratified concentrations, namely 5% concentration gel, 10% concentration gel and 15% concentration gel with 3 repetitions each. The treatment is carried out for 14 days. The results of measuring wound diameter in rats based on the results showed that banana weevil extract gel concentration of 15% provided a healing effect more effective than other extracts.

Cordycepin suppresses vascular inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress of arterial smooth muscle cell in thoracic aortic aneurysm with VEGF inhibition

BackgroundThoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a type of common and serious vascular disease, in which inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress are strongly involved in the progression. Cordycepin, a bioactive compound from Cordyceps militaris, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. This study aimed to address the role and mechanism of cordycepin in TAA. MethodsThe thoracic aortas were perivascularly administrated with calcium chloride (CaCl2), and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were incubated with angiotensin II (Ang II) to simulate the TAA model in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The effect and mechanism of cordycepin in TAA were explored by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), western blot, biochemical test, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. ResultsCordycepin improved the CaCl2-induced the aneurysmal alteration and disappearance of normal wavy elastic structures of the aorta tissues, TAA incidence and thoracic aortic diameter in rats, and Ang II-induced the cell viability of HASMCs. Cordycepin reversed the CaCl2-induced the relative protein expression of cleaved caspase 9, cleaved caspase 3, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β, and the relative levels of glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vivo, or Ang II-induced these changes in vitro. Mechanically, cordycepin reduced the relative protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the Ang II-induced HASMCs. Correspondingly, overexpression of VEGF increased the levels of the indicators involved in apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, which were antagonized with the cordycepin incubation in the Ang II-induced HASMCs. ConclusionCordycepin inhibited apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress of TAA through the inhibition of VEGF.

Effect of carnosine on ovarian follicle in rats exposed to electromagnetic field

The electromagnetic field (EMF) has an effect on various organs, including the female reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of carnosine on ovarian follicle number and diameter in rats exposed to a 900 Megahertz (Mhz) electromagnetic field. In this study, six different groups were used. 40 female rats divided into groups were evaluated. The ovaries of the rats were removed at the end of the study. Routine histological procedures were performed on ovarian tissues. Follicle number and diameter of all groups were calculated and evaluated under the light microscope. When primary follicle number and diameters were compared statistically among the groups, there was a remarkably meaningful difference between the EMF group and the control, 20 mg carnosine and EMF+20 mg carnosine groups (p<0.05). There were significant irregularities in the structure of the oocyte and the granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte, especially in the EMF-treated groups. However, the structure of the oocyte and the granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte in the EMF+20 mg carnosine group showed a more regular structure compared to the EMF group. In this study, it can be concluded that the number and diameter of ovarian follicles decreased in rats exposed to electromagnetic field and 20 mg of carnosine may prevent damage caused by EMF.

Effect of Oral Applied Lead Acetate on the Expression of Caspase-3 on Antral Granulosa Cells and Histopathology of Ovary in Female Wistar Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Ovaries

Background: Lead exposure affects several human organs, including the reproductive organ. Aims: This research aims to prove the effect of oral applied lead acetate on the expression of caspase-3 in antral granulosa cells, the diameter of the tertiary follicle, and the amount of follicle atresia inside ovaries. Methods: Twenty-four female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) are classified into 4 groups. Group 1 consists of 6 rats acting as control groups. Group 2, 3, and 4 each consist of 6 rats receiving daily oral lead acetate of 30 ppm, 100 ppm, and 300 ppm in dose, respectively. The experiment will be conducted in 30 days. The rats are then dissected, and the weight of ovaries are measured. The expression of caspase-3 is assessed using immunohistochemistry, while the diameter of tertiary follicles and the amount of follicle atresia are both observed using Hematoxylin-Eosin stain. Results: Oral administration of lead acetate significantly decreased the weight of ovaries. Oral exposure of lead enhances the expression of caspase-3 in antral granulosa cells of all experiment groups, especially in the 300 ppm group. It significantly shrinks tertiary follicles' diameter in rats' ovaries to 100 ppm and 300 ppm groups. It also increases the amount of follicle atresia in the 300 ppm group. Conclusion: Oral exposure of lead enhances the expression of caspase 3 in antral granulosa cells at 300 ppm, shrinks the diameter of tertiary follicles at 100 ppm and 300 ppm doses, and increases the amount of follicle atresia at 300 ppm dose.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Carpolobia Lutea Stem on Some Reproductive Parameters in Adult Male Wistar

Background: The use of medicinal plants as fertility enhancer in human is now on the increase because of the shifting of attention from synthetic drug to natural plants. Carpolobia lutea (CL) is a popular aphrodisiac herbal medicine, known for curing male sterility; increasing libido; induction of penile erection; enhancement of aphrodisiac prowess; enhancement of virility and male fertility; and augmentation of male sexual functions. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the fertility enhancement ability and possible side effect(s) of CL in male rats and also to provide insight and added to the existing knowledge available in the society on the usage of CL. Methods: A total of 20 Wistar rats with average weight of 162g were randomly grouped into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) of 5 rats per group, with group A served as the control and was administered normal saline. The remaining 3 groups (B-D) were orally administered 47mg/kgbw, 94mg/kgbw and 141mg/kgbw of Carpolobia lutea (CL) respectively for 60 days before sacrifice by cervical dislocation method. Results: The results obtained show ed that the blood testosterone of the treated rats reduced significantly. The morphometric result was good with significant increase in cross sectional area and luminal diameters in rats exposed to 141mg/kgbw and germinal epithelial diameter in rats exposed to 47mg/kgbw and 141mg/kgbw. Semen parameters showed that the sperm count was significantly increased at the high doses of 94mg/kgbw and 141mg/kgbw. The percentage of motile sperm also increased significantly while the morphological grading showed no changes at all. The experimental rats testes showed no visible lesions or the lesion was very mild (20%), seminiferous tubules were normal and concentric with intact basal membrane and lumen containing matured sperm cells together with the interstitial spaces which are well delineated and defined. Conclusion: It was concluded that the consumption of CL stem in any form can enhance the normal anatomy and physiology of testes at moderate dose and may account in part for the rationale behind its use in the management of sexual dysfunction.

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF RAT SCIATIC NERVE INJURY AND ITS GRAFTING WITH SILICON WIRES-BASED CONDUIT: DISTAL NERVE STUMP HISTOLOGY AND ELECTROMYOGRAPHY RESULTS

Relevance. The investigations on trauma epidemiology have shown that both combat- and noncombat-related extremity injuries are often accompanied by nerve injuries. These injuries disproportionately affect young healthy civilians and military officers and has a devastating impact on a patients’ quality of life.
 Severe nerve injuries, such as nerve trunk injury in continuity (Sunderland 5), that cannot be treated by neurorraphy without tension, require use of nerve gap bridging strategies with different materials and techniques.
 Objective. This study was aimed to evaluate any positive or negative impact of implanted silicon wires on the quality of nerve fibers at distal nerve stump.
 Materials and Methods. An experiment was performed on 40 male Whistar rats 2-4 month that were divided to the next groups:
 I, (n=10) sham-operated, only surgical access to sciatic nerve was performed.
 II (n=10) with 10 mm sciatic nerve gap that was bridged with autoneurografting.
 III (n=10) with 10 mm nerve gap that was bridged with allogenic decell aorta filled with 4% carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel.
 IV (n=10) with 10 mm nerve gap that was bridged with allogenic decell aorta filled with 4% carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel and aligned p-type silicon microvires.
 Decellularization of allogenic aortas was performed by freeze-thaw cycles.
 Silicon whiskers were fabricated by Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) method in a cold wall Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition (Cat-CVD) chamber, pre-cleaned with hydrofluoric acid and sterilized via 180*C dry heat.
 12 weeks after surgery under general anesthesia all rats underwent invasive needle electroneurpmyography with proximal nerve stump stimulation and registration from gastrocnemius muscle. Myograms were recorded and compared by the shape of M-reflex and its amplitude.
 After myography rats were euthanized under thiopentone overdosage and distal stumps of injured sciatic nerves were harvested for light microscopy.
 Sciatic nerve transverse slices were stained with nitric silver by modified Bielschowsky method Nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter, myelin sheath thickness and axon-to-nerve fiber diameter ratio (g-ratio) were measured.
 Results. Performed analysis showed that rats from ІІ and IV groups demonstrated the best quality of nerve fibers in distal nerve stump. That was evidenced by bigger nerve fibers diameter in rats from autologous nerve grafting group and aorta with gel and wires grafting group in comparison with aorta with gel grafting group. Rats from IV demonstrated higher voltage and lower latency of M-reflexes during electromyography.
 Conclusions. It can be concluded about the possible pro-regenerative impact of implanted silicon wires that was evidenced by better nerve fibers quality at distal nerve stump.

Peran kecambah kacang hijau (Phaseolus radiatus (L.)) pada sel lemak retroperitoneal tikus Sprague Dawley yang diberi diet tinggi lemak

The role of mung bean sprouts (Phaseolus radiatus (L.)) on retroperitoneal fat cells of Sprague Dawley rats fed a high-fat dietBackground: The tendency of current lifestyles with high consumption patterns of fat is one of the factors causing obesity which is a risk of cardiovascular disease. Prevention of cardiovascular disease can be done by adopting a dietary pattern that is rich in antioxidants including consumption of sources of vitamin E. Sprouts from mung beans contain vitamin E and phytochemicals rich in antioxidants, so they can be used as an alternative to prevent hyperlipidemia sourced from daily functional food.Objective: To assess the effects of mung bean sprouts on retroperitoneal fat weight, cell number and cell diameter in rats fed high-fat feed.Method: This research is an experimental study with a post-test design with the control group. Thirty-four male Sprague Dawley rats ± 2 months old were divided into five groups, group I (standard feed), group II (high-fat feed), group III (high-fat feed and intervention of feeding tube of mung bean sprout 0.67 g/ 200 g BW), group IV (high fat feed and intervention of feeding tube of mung bean sprout 1.34 g / 200 g BW), and group V (high-fat feed and 23 IU dose of vitamin E supplement with feeding tube). After adaptation for three days, the intervention was carried out for four weeks. Analysis of fat weight, fat cell number, and fat cell diameter were done after the treatments. Data analysis using the One-Way ANOVA test. Results: Mung bean sprout dose of 1.34 g given for 4 weeks did not significantly decrease fat weight and cell number, but it decreased the diameter of retroperitoneal fat cells.Conclusion: Mung bean sprouts dose 1.34 g was better than a dose of 0.67 g and vitamin E supplementation in reducing the diameter of retroperitoneal fat cells in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Immunolocation of Heme Oxygenases in the Walls of Cerebral Arteries of Various Diameters in Rats.

The distribution of two enzymes involved in the formation of carbon monoxide, heme oxygenases 1 and 2, in the pial branches of orders I-V of the middle cerebral artery basin and in intracerebral vessels was studied in adult Wistar rats. Immunohistochemical studies detected hemeoxygenase-2 in the endothelium of the small pial and intracerebral arterioles and in myocytes of pial branches I-III. Heme oxygenase 1, an inducible form of the enzyme, is normally not expressed in the cerebral vessels, but the enzyme is expressed in response to sodium metaarsenite. In this case, heme oxygenase markers are detected in myocytes of pial arteries I-II and in the endothelium of small pial and intracerebral vessels. Sodium meta-arsenite is inessential for immunolocation and quantitative distribution of heme oxygenase 2 in the vessels.

Age-Specific Characteristics of CO-Mediated Reaction of the Pial Arteries of Various Diameters in Rats.

First-fourth order pial branches of the median cerebral artery were studied by biomicroscopy in male Wistar rats aged 1 and 12 months. Irrespective of age, CO-mediated mechanisms are involved in the regulation of the basal tone of pial vessels of various diameters (more so of arteries with well-developed muscular tunic). Injection of hemin confirmed that endogenous production of CO maintained vasodilatation and this effect was most pronounced in large pial branches of young animals, while zinc protoporphyrin IX blocked this effect in all cases. On the other hand, zinc IX protoporphyrin did not modify NO-mediated reaction caused by injection of L-arginine, while hemin compensated (though not completely) vasoconstriction induced by NO synthase blocker L-NAME. In contrast to NO, the effect of CO on blood vessels was not so rapid and potent, but more lasting. Other targets for CO were arteries with well-developed muscular tunic, while targets for NO were small vessels. The vasomotor effects of both gas transmitters were more pronounced in young animals.

Acute toxicity and bio-distribution of silver nitrate and nano-silver with different particle diameters in rats

Acute toxicity and bio-distribution of silver nitrate and nano-silver with different particle diameters in rats

Retinal Vessel Diameter Responses to Central Electrical Stimulation in the Rat: Effect of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition.

Recent histological data suggest autonomic innervation of the central retinal artery. In the present study, we investigated the effect of electrical brain stem stimulation at the superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) on the retinal vessel diameter in rats and whether nitric oxide mediates a possible effect. Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 12) were anesthetized using pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The animals were artificially ventilated and the femoral artery and vein were cannulated for blood pressure measurement and drug administration. After a craniotomy was performed, a unipolar stainless steel electrode was inserted into the brainstem at the coordinates of the SSN. Stimulations were performed at 20 Hz, 9 μA, 1 ms pulse duration and 200 pulses. Retinal vessel diameters were measured continuously with the Imedos DVA-R, a noncontact fundus camera for rats with image analysis software. After control measurements, L-NAME, a nonspecific inhibitor of NO synthase, was applied intravenously (10 mg/kg), and the SSN stimulations were repeated. Stimulation at the SSN coordinates increased the retinal arterial diameter by 6.41% ± 1.65% and the venous diameter by 3.48% ± 1.93% (both P < 0.05). Application of L-NAME reduced the arterial response significantly to 2.93% ± 0.91%, but did not change the venous response. Mean arterial pressure, carotid blood flow, and heart rate remained unaltered (by the stimulation). The present study demonstrates that the retinal circulation reacts to electric stimulation at the SSN coordinates in rats. Nitric oxide is involved in the response, but it is not the sole neurotransmitter.

Antirheumatic substance and meridian tropism of Loranthus parasiticus based on "syndrome-efficacy-analysis of biological samples"

To study the antirheumatic substance of Loranthus parasiticus and observe the relationship between its in vivo distribution and meridian tropism in rats by establishing adjuvant arthritis models corresponding to effectiveness. All rats except the negative control group were injected with 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant on the left foot. After 8 days, the rats in negative control group and model group were given with normal saline while the rats in positive control group were given with tripterygium glycosides suspension 10 mg•kg-1, and the rats in L. parasiticus treatment groups were given with high(10 g•kg ⁻¹), medium(5 g•kg ⁻¹) and low(2.5 g•kg ⁻¹) dose decoction for 21 days. The left rear ankle joint diameter of rats were measured every 7 days from the 9th day of modeling. On the 22nd day, eyeball blood of part rats in L. parasiticus high-dose group was taken at different time points, and then they were sacrificed to take heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, large intestine, small intestine and brain tissues. For the remaining rats, eyeball blood was taken 30 min after drug treatment, and their left rear ankle joints were taken to detect interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in serum by ELISA method; rutin, avicularin and quercitrin levels in the tissues of high-dose group were detected by HPLC; pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed by using DAS 2.0. Our results showed that L. parasiticus decoction could significantly improve the paw edema situation of adjuvant arthritis model rats, and reduce IL-1β and TNF-α levels in rat serum. The in vivo efficacy substance analysis in rats showed that rutin was only present in the stomach with a small amount. AUC0-t of avicularin was stomach > small intestine > kidney, and the duration time in vivo was kidney=stomach > small intestine > lung > heart. AUC0-t of quercitrin was stomach > kidney > liver > heart > lung > spleen > small intestine > brain > large intestine > serum, and the duration time in vivo was kidney=liver=small intestine=brain=lung=spleen=heart=stomach > large intestine > serum. The research indicated that L. parasiticus decoction was effective in treating rats with adjuvant arthritis. Avicularin and quercitrin are important ingredients of L. parasiticus in antirheumatism therapy. The distribution of avicularin and quercitrin in rats were consistent with traditional understanding that L. parasiticus could attribute to the kidney and liver meridians.

Action of leucine in heart hypertrophy induced by thyroid hormone in rats

Leucine is a regulator of protein metabolism in vivo, but there is little information regarding its effect on hyperthyroidism-induced cardiac hypertrophy. This study aimed to verify the action of leucine in heart hypertrophy using an experimental model of hyperthyroidism in rats. A total of 40 Wistar rats were used and allocated randomly into four groups: control (C), hormone (H), leucine (L) and hormone plus leucine (HL). Hyperthyroidism was induced by administering daily by gavage 20 μg of levothyroxine sodium in aqueous suspension per 100 g of body weight, and leucine was supplemented by adding 5% of the amino acid to conventional food. After 28 days, the heart was removed and weighed; the left ventricle was separated along with the interventricular septum and weighed. Histological slides were made from the left ventricle and stained with hematoxylin-eosin to measure the transverse diameter of cardiomyocytes. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post-test were used and significance level set at 5%. There was a significant increase in the absolute heart weight, the left ventricular weight and cardiomyocyte diameter in rats of the H group compared to the other groups. The addition of leucine inhibited heart hypertrophy. Levothyroxine sodium-induced cardiac hypertrophy in Wistar rats is inhibited by leucine.

Morphological restructuring of myocardium during the early phase of experimental diabetes mellitus.

The purpose of this study was to determine the specific features of the morphological restructuring of the myocardium in the early stage of experimental diabetes mellitus (DM). Experimental type 1 DM rat model was developed by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan solution at a dose of 30 mg per 100 g body mass. After 1 month, 3 mL of blood was drawn by heart puncture and the plasma separated by centrifugation for biochemical analysis. Plasma glucose, insulin, and glycosylated haemoglobin in whole blood were determined. Light microscopy and morphometric studies were conducted of histological slices of the hearts of experimental animals. The investigation of heart morphology showed a statistically significant alteration in chamber wall thickness in the right auricle in rats with alloxan-induced DM. A change in cardiomyocyte diameter in myocardium slices was observed in all chambers of DM rats except for the left ventricle. Average cardiomyocyte diameter in rats with experimental DM increased by 26.6% and 15.5% in the right auricle and right ventricle, respectively, while average cardiomyocyte diameter in the left auricle decreased by 20.8%. Histological investigation of the heart following alloxan injection demonstrated, under the epicardium, distended vessels of the venous collecting microcirculatory system. Aggregation and agglutination of red blood cells and endothelial cell destruction were found in some vessels. In the early stage of DM development, structural alterations in the microcirculatory channels and myocardiocytes can be observed in the heart. These structural alterations were most evident in the right chambers of the heart.

Different Roles of Peripheral Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Carrageenan-Induced Arthritic Pain and Arthritis in Rats

Accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) might be involved in hypersensitivity of various pain models. However, there is a lack of direct evidence for actual involvement of peripheral ERK, p38, and JNK in induction and maintenance of arthritic pain and the development of arthritis. We evaluated the effects of preemptive and therapeutic intra-articular administration of selective inhibitors of p38 (SB203580) and JNK (SP600125), and indirect inhibition of ERK with a blocker (PD98059) of the kinase that activates ERK (i.e., MEK, the mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK]/ERK kinase), on arthritic pain-related behavior such as reduction of weight load and the inflammatory responses such as neutrophil infiltration into the synovium and knee joint diameter in rats. In addition, arthritis-induced phosphorylation of ERK, p38, and JNK in synovium of knee joint was examined. Pretreatments with PD98059, SB203580, and SP600125 prevented the reduction of weight load induced by the carrageenan injected into the knee joint cavity, but their effects showed different time course patterns. Therapeutic administration of PD98059 and SB203580 partially reversed carrageen-induced reduction of weight load, and their effects showed a similar time course pattern. However, therapeutic administration of SP600125 had no effect on the reduction of weight load. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that carrageenan-induced neutrophil infiltration into the synovium was inhibited by pretreatment with SB203580 or SP600125, but not PD98059. Western blot measurements showed distinct expression of phosphorylated ERK, p38, and JNK in the synovium at different time points after carrageenan injection. These results suggest that ERK, p38, and JNK signaling pathways at the peripheral level may play different roles in arthritic pain and arthritis of the knee joint.

PL-301: Ileal interposition alters intestinal gene expression and increases pancreatic islet number in rats

Ileal interposition is a novel metabolic procedure that improves glucose homeostasis in a variety of diabetic rat models. An important role of the ileum as a potential mechanism for the metabolic improvements after surgery may be an altered ability to reabsorb bile and possibly glucose. In addition, long-term ileal stimulation resulting in abundant GLP-1 secretion may result in improved pancreatic function. In the present study we examined gastrointestinal genes related to glucose, lipid and bile transport and quantified pancreatic islet number and diameter in rats with either sham or ileal interposition.

The experimental study of homogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in treating acute myocardial infarction

Objective To investigate the allngeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs) transplantation on cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method Acute myocardial infarction models were made by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of rats. A total of 90 rats were randomly divided into the cell transplantation group and control group, 45 rars in each group. Rats in the cell transplantation group were subdivided into 3 groups according to the administration time of the allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks), and the control group was subdivided the same as in the cell transplantation group. The success criteria included the anterior my-ocardial wall darked and the Sr-segment elevation. The rat femur bone marrow cells were separated using centrifu-gal method, mononuclear cells were isolated by lymphocyte fluid, and the third generation of mesenchymal stem cells were obtained by washing, culture, passage and marked by 4, 6 diacetyl-2-phenyl Indole (DAPI). The ani-mals' chest was opened again a week later, the stem cell suspension was injected into the border zone of infarct area, and the control group was injected with medium. Pre-operative,2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after trans-plantation, cardiac function was tested by ultrasonic, myocardial biopsy was observed by HE conventional staining, cardiac stem cells division were observed by immunofluorescence. All data was analyzed by software SPSS 10.0, Independent-Samples T test and Chi-Square test was used, and P≤0.05 was considered as statistically signif-icant. Results The markered hone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were left in the myocardial cells and differen-tiated to eardiomyocyte-like cells. After 12 weeks, the left ventricular internal diameter of rats in cell transplanta-tion group was about (0.58±0.09) mm(P<0.05). Thickness of myocardial infarction zone was (0.25±0.01) mm (P<0.05),ejection fraction was (67.52±0.61) (P<0.05) and left ventricular fractional shortening was (39.86±3.00) (P<0.05). In the transplantation group, the DAPI marked nucleus presented as blue, and the cytoplasm of myocardial cell presented as green. HE staining showed that, in the cell transplantation group, there was less scar tissue and a large proportion of nuclear, similar to the fetal or newhom myocardium cells. Conclu-sions The homogeneus mesenchymal stem cell could repair myocardial infarction and improve cardiac function af-ter infarction. Key words: Homogenous mesenchymal stem cell; Cell transplantation; Acute myocardia infarction; My-ocardia repaire; Cardiac function

Validity of the Sonographic Measurement of the Diameters of the Ascending Aorta in Rats

The objective of this investigation was to compare transthoracic ultrasound (US) determinations of ascending aortic diameters in rats with video microscopy (VM), the current standard for measuring aortic diameters in rats. The diameter of the ascending aorta was measured in 111 adult Lewis male rats, by VM and US, with a 9 MHz probe, before and after intervention for induction of experimental aneurysm of the ascending aorta. The Bland-Altman test showed a high degree of agreement between the two methods, with a bias of only 0.23 mm (95 % confidence limits - 0.86 - 0.39 mm). Also, the measurements obtained by US correlated highly (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001) with those obtained by VM. Rat ascending aortic diameters obtained both by VM and US correlated significantly with the weight (r = 0.62 and r = 0.39, respectively), and with the age of the animals (r = 0.74 and r = 0.49, respectively). This study demonstrates that noninvasive US ascending aortic measurements are a reliable supplement to VM for the development of an ascending aortic aneurysm model, and for monitoring the efficiency of novel therapeutic agents.

The Effects of Systemic Alpha-1 Adrenergic Antagonists on Pupil Diameter in Rats

Purpose: To investigate the effects of alpha-1 adrenergic blockers on pupil diameter (PD) in rats. Methods: Four groups, with 10 rats each, were designed to receive terazosin, tamsulosin, doxazosin, and no medication. Dilated pupil diameter (PD) measurements were performed 24 hr before, 24 hr after, and 30 days after the initiation of medication, and after 30 days of washout. The intergroup and intragroup differences in PD were evaluated using one-way ANOVA and Wilcoxon signed rank test, respectively. Results: In day 1, PD decreased in both eyes significantly only in tamsulosin and doxazosin groups, but these effects became insignificant at 30 days of treatment (p > 0.05). The control group showed no significant difference in PD (p > 0.05). PD values returned to baseline after the washout period in all groups. Conclusions: A significant reduction in PD occurred in two of the three groups with alpha-1 adrenergic blockers (tamsulosin and doxazosin), but this effect was not sustained at 30 days. Further functional and structural studies of the iris are needed to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

Ultrasound measurement of aortic diameters in rodent models of aneurysm disease

Background. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate transabdominal ultrasound (US) measurements of aortic diameters in rats and mice as a complementary method to video microscopy (VM), the current standard for assessing the diameter of rodent aortas. Methods. Aortic diameters were measured in 64 rats ( n = 132 sets) and 12 mice ( n = 36 sets) following experimental induction of aortic aneurysms. Diameters were measured at the renal vein, midinfrarenal aorta, and aortic bifurcation. Results. In the rat, anteroposterior (AP) US measurements were closely correlated with transverse VM measurements, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.66 to 0.77 ( P < 0.0001) for axial US images and 0.58 to 0.63 ( P < 0.0001) for sagittal US images. In the mouse, significant correlation coefficients were 0.57 ( P < 0.001) near the renal vein and 0.44 ( P = 0.007) at the midinfrarenal aorta. Aortic diameters increased significantly with increasing animal age and weight (R = 0.40, P = 0.003 at the renal vein, R = 0.29, P = 0.04 in the midinfrarenal aorta, and R = 0.39, P = 0.004 at the aortic bifurcation), suggesting that weight matched rodents must be used to define aortic dimensions in treatment groups as opposed to repeated comparisons with baseline measurements in a growing rat. Conclusion. Noninvasive aortic US measurements throughout the course of a rodent study of aneurysmal disease provide a practical alternative to VM for the repeated determinations of aortic diameters.