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Previous studies have shown that methamphetamine (METH) can induce complex adaptive changes in the reward system in the brain, including the changes in the content of neurotransmitters in the signal transduction pathway. However, how the changes of various neurotransmitters in relevant brain reward circuits contribute to METH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) remains unclear.In this study, first, we designed an animal model of METH-induced CPP. Then we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to simultaneously determine the contents of various neurotransmitters - dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), glutamic acid (Glu) and glutamine (Gln) - in different brain regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFc), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate-putamen (CPu) and hippocampus (Hip), which are believed to be relevant to the drug's reward effect.The results of the behavioral experiment suggested that 1.0 mg/kg METH could induce obvious CPP in mice. The results about various neurotransmitters showed that: DA significantly increased in NAc in the METH group; Glu increased significantly in the METH group in PFc and NAc and Gln increased significantly in the METH group in PFc.These results suggested that the neurotransmitters of DA, Glu and Gln may work together and play important roles in METH-induced CPP in relevant brain reward circuits, especially in PFc and NAc. These findings therefore could help to advance the comprehensive understanding of the neurochemic and psychopharmacologic properties of METH in reward effect, which is important for future improvements in the treatment of drug addiction.

Cachexia, a complex disorder that results in depletion of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, is driven by anorexia, metabolic abnormalities and inflammation. There are limited therapeutic options for this syndrome. Previous evidence has demonstrated that increasing adipose tissue may improve quality of life and survival outcomes in cachexia. Cisplatin, as a chemotherapy drug, also causes cachexia during antitumor therapy due to its adverse effects. To establish a rat model of cachexia, the animals were intraperitoneally treated with cisplatin at doses of 1, 2 and 3 mg/kg, and the rats that responded to cisplatin at the optimal dose were used to test the effect of nomegestrol acetate (NOMAc). Rats that were assessed to be sensitive to cisplatin were randomly grouped and intragastrically administered vehicle, 5 or 10 mg/kg megestrol acetate (MA) or 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg NOMAc. The body weights and food consumption of the rats were assessed. Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were assessed using ELISA. The protein expression levels of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) from inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) were evaluated using western blotting. The optimal way to establish a chemotherapy-induced rat model of cachexia demonstrated in the present study was to intraperitoneally administer the rats with 2 mg/kg cisplatin for 3 consecutive days. NOMAc (2.5, 5 mg/kg) and MA (10 mg/kg) were able to significantly ameliorate the loss of body weight in the cisplatin-induced cachectic rats. NOMAc significantly reduced the serum levels of TNF-α at 10 mg/kg. Morphologically, iWAT atrophy, with a remarkable reduction in adipocyte volume, was observed in the cisplatin-induced cachectic rats, but the effects were reversed by administering 5, 10 mg/kg NOMAc or 10 mg/kg MA. Furthermore, 2.5 mg/kg NOMAc markedly reduced the protein expression levels of the lipolysis genes HSL and ATGL, and 5 mg/kg NOMAc markedly enhanced the protein expression levels of adipogenesis genes, including FASN, SREBP-1 and PPARγ in iWAT but not in eWAT. NOMAc was demonstrated to improve cachexia at lower doses compared with MA. Overall, NOMAc is likely to be a promising candidate drug for ameliorating cancer cachexia induced by cisplatin.

The design and fabrication of non-Pt catalysts with excellent electrocatalytic performance toward methanol oxidation play a crucial role in the commercialization of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Herein, we propose a facile and robust strategy for the preparation of ultrafine Rh nanocrystals grown onto a boron and nitrogen codoped carbon support with a horn-shaped structure as Pt-alternative anode catalysts for DMFCs. The as-obtained hybrid nanoarchitecture possesses interesting structural features, including large specific surface area, numerous internal open pores, abundant B and N species, and homogeneous Rh dispersion. Benefiting from these superior properties, the resulting catalyst exhibits exceptional methanol oxidation performance with a large electrochemically active surface area of 182.4 m

Objective To forward the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based distance between the deepest tumor invasion and mesorectal fascia (DMRF), and to explore its prognosis differentiation value in cT3 stage rectal cancer with comparison of cT3 substage. Methods This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study including cT3 rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery from January 2013 to September 2014. DMRF and cT3 substage were evaluated from baseline MRI. The cutoff of DMRF was determined by disease progression. Multivariate cox regression was used to test the prognostic values of baseline variables. Results A total of 804 patients were included, of which 226 (28.1%) developed progression. A DMRF cutoff of 7 mm was chosen. DMRF category, the clock position of the deepest position of tumor invasion (CDTI) and extramural venous invasion (EMVI) were independent predictors for disease progression, and hazard ratios (HRs) were 0.26 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.13−0.56], 1.88 (95% CI, 1.33−2.65) and 1.57 (95% CI, 1.13−2.18), respectively. cT3 substage was not a predictor for disease progression. Conclusions The measurement of DMRF value on baseline MRI can better distinguish cT3 rectal cancer prognosis rather than cT3 substage, and was recommended in clinical evaluation.

Hybrid electrocatalysts made from ultrafine Pd nanoparticles strongly coupled on single-wall carbon nanohorns (Pd/CNH) are prepared via a facile and scalable approach. Benefiting from the unique interconnected open-pore microstructure of CNHs as well as the numerous exposed Pd active sites, such an architectural design can substantially increase the Pd utilization efficiency and thereby reduce the overall dosage of metal Pd. Strikingly, the newly-developed Pd/CNH hybrid with an ultra-low Pd loading amount of 5.0 wt% exhibits high forward anodic peak current densities of up to 1420.4 and 1910.6 mA mg−1 toward formic acid and methanol oxidation, respectively, both of which are significantly superior to those of commercial 20.0 wt% Pd/carbon black catalyst. This study may offer an economic option and a new vision for the development of the next-generation low-cost fuel cell anode catalysts.

Panax ginseng is widely used as a functional food in Asia because of its bioactivities. Here, we report that ginsenoside Rh2, an extract of red Panax ginseng, suppressed growth of uterine leiomyomas (ULs) in a rat model and decreased serum hormone levels in a dose-dependent manner. Rh2 also inhibited the growth of cultured human UL cells in vitro. After Rh2 treatment, cells showed morphological changes that were consistent with apoptosis. Using ELISA, real-time RT-PCR, and Western blot methods, we found that Rh2 significantly reduced the activity of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and c-Src, increased p38 MAPK activity, and reversed ERα activity mediated by PP2 and SB203580, specific inhibitors of c-Src and p38 MAPK, respectively, in UL cells. These findings provide a novel mechanism for the anti-proliferative efficacy of Rh2 that likely involves regulating ERα/Src/p38 MAPK activity.

This study aimed to investigate the antifertility effect of Juniperus sabina fruit on male rats and its possible mechanism, and hence it might be developed as a potential nonhormonal male contraceptive. Male rats were intragastrically fed for consecutive 8-week and 4-week recovery with the fruit of J. Sabina, and sperm maturation, serum testosterone level, and histopathology were analyzed. Epididymal epithelial cell culture was prepared for detection of podophyllotoxin activities. Furthermore, cell proliferation, transmission electron microscopy, Annexin V/Propidium iodide, TUNEL, RT-PCR, ELISA, and western blotting were examined. The results showed that rat sperm motility and fertility were remarkably declined after feeding the fruit. Moreover, the fruit targeted the epididymis rather than the testis. After 4-week recovery, more than half of the male rats resumed normal fertility. It was found that podophyllotoxin significantly inhibited epididymal epithelial cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and increased the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and the expression levels of cytochrome c, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3. Our findings suggest that the fruit of J. sabina could inhibit male rat sperm maturation and fertility. The potential mechanism might be related to podophyllotoxin, inducing epididymal epithelial cell apoptosis through TNF-α and caspase signaling pathway.

The study was to investigate the effect of gestrinone on the growth of human uterine leiomyoma cells and on the levels and activity of p38, Src and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Human uterine leiomyoma cells were cultured and treated with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or a gestrinone concentration gradient. Morphological changes were observed and apoptosis was evaluated. Levels of p38 and phosphorylated-p38 (pp38) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of ERα and Src were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. The result showed that gestrinone significantly inhibited the growth of cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) value and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 43.67 (23.46∼81.32), 27.78 (12.51∼61.68) and 15.25 (7.17∼32.43) μmol/L at 20, 40 and 60h, respectively. Compared with control-treated leiomyoma cells, gestrinone significantly reduced both the expression of ERα (P0.05) and the levels of phospho-Ser167-ERα (P0.05). Gestrinone also markedly suppressed the level of phospho-Tyr416-Src (P0.05). Moreover, gestrinone significantly increased the ratio of phospho-p38/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (P0.05). However, no significant increase in apoptosis or cell cycle arrest was observed (P0.05) in response to the tested concentrations of 0.1 to 3.0μmol/L. As a conclusion, gestrinone suppresses the proliferation of uterine leiomyoma cells mainly by regulating the activity of ERα/Src/p38 MAPK in a concentration-dependent manner at a low concentration of 0.1∼3.0μM, but not significantly regulating apoptosis. Gestrinone opposes the growth of uterine leiomyoma through multiple genes.

Background Proprotein convertase 5/6 (PC6) is critical for endometrial epithelial receptivity and stromal cell decidualization for embryo implantation in women. We hypothesized that inhibiting PC6 could block implantation for contraception. The aim of this study was to prove this concept using human cell models and rabbits. Study Design A potential PC6 inhibitor, C1239-PEG-Poly R, was biochemically confirmed to be a potent PC6 inhibitor. The potential contraceptive action of the inhibitor was then tested in decidualization of primary human endometrial stromal cells in a human trophoblast spheroid attachment model and in vivo in rabbits. Results The PC6 inhibitor C1239-PEG-Poly R inhibited in a dose-dependent manner both decidualization and spheroid attachment. Vaginal delivery of 200 μL of the inhibitor at a final concentration of 5 mM to rabbits over a 3-day period starting 6 days after mating resulted in a 60% decrease in implantation and, hence, pregnancy. Conclusions This study presents proof of concept that PC6 inhibition has the potential to block embryo implantation, providing nonhormonal contraception for women.

We assessed the efficacy of biodegradable microspheres (MSs) containing nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) for treatment of endometriosis in a rat model and investigated its preliminary mechanism of action. Sprague-Dawley rats with surgically implanted endometrial autografts were divided randomly into four groups of thirteen rats each, and subcutaneously injected twice (10 d apart) with either empty MSs or MSs containing nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC-MS; 27–800 mg per kg of rat body weight). Twenty-one days after the first injection, blood and endometriotic tissues were collected and assayed for changes in endometriotic tissue, serum hormone, liver function parameters, and apoptotic protein. No remarkable irritation was observed at the site of injection. NOMAC-MS treatment significantly reduced the volume of the endometrial autografts, decreased serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, triiodothyronine, and alanine aminotransferase, and decreased levels of estrogen receptor alpha protein. Furthermore, NOMAC-MS at the highest dose significantly reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase and endometrial antibody, reduced the Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio, and increased caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins. There was no pronounced difference observed in alkaline phosphatase, carbohydrate antigen 125, progesterone receptor, or vascular endometrial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in any of the tested groups relative to the control. NOMAC-MS significantly changed the expression of apoptotic protein only at the highest dose. Our findings warrant the further investigation of sustained application of steroid hormone via microspheres for the treatment of endometriosis.

Glutamate is not only a neurotransmitter but also an important neurotoxin in central nervous system (CNS). Chronic elevation of glutamate induces both neuronal and glial cell apoptosis. However, its effect on astrocytes is complex and still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether morphine, a common opioid ligand, could affect glutamate-induced apoptosis in astrocytes. Primary cultured astrocytes were incubated with glutamate in the presence/absence of morphine. It was found that morphine could reduce glutamate-induced apoptosis of astrocytes. Furthermore, glutamate activated Ca2+ release, thereby inducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in astrocytes, while morphine attenuated this deleterious effect. Using siRNA to reduce the expression of κ-opioid receptor, morphine could not effectively inhibit glutamate-stimulated Ca2+ release in astrocytes, the protective effect of morphine on glutamate-injured astrocytes was also suppressed. These results suggested that morphine could protect astrocytes from glutamate-induced apoptosis via reducing Ca2+ overload and ER stress pathways. In conclusion, this study indicated that excitotoxicity participated in the glutamate mediated apoptosis in astrocytes, while morphine attenuated this deleterious effect via regulating Ca2+ release and ER stress.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. During the development and progression of cancer, tumor angiogenesis plays a crucial role. A great deal of evidence has revealed that human mast cells (MCs) contributed to tumor angiogenesis through releasing several pro-angiogenetic factors, among which tryptase is one of the most active. However, the role of mast cell tryptase (MCT) in human pancreatic cancer angiogenesis is still not well documented. In this study, we examined the MCT levels in serum from pancreatic cancer patients and evaluated the correlationship of the MCT level and tumor angiogenesis. In addition, the effect of MCT on endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation was investigated both in vitro and in nude mice bearing pancreatic tumor. It was found that MCT contributes to endothelial cell growth and tube formation via up-regulation of angiopoietin-1 expression. Moreover, using the MCT inhibitor nafamostat, tryptase-induced angiogenesis was obviously suppressed both in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that MCT plays an important role in pancreatic cancer angiogenesis and tumor growth via activating the angiopoietin-1 pathway, and tryptase inhibitors may be evaluated as an effective anti-angiogenetic approach in pancreatic cancer therapy.

Background: Spermatozoa become mature and acquire fertilizing capacity during their passage through the epididymal lumen. In this study, we identified new epididymal luminal fluid proteins involved in sperm maturation in infertile rats by dutasteride, a dual 5α-reductase inhibitor, in order to provide potential epididymal targets for new contraceptives and infertility treatment. Methods: Male rats were treated with dutasteride for 28 consecutive days. We observed the protein expression profiles in the epididymal luminal fluids in infertile and normal rats using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technique. The confidence of proteome data was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: 1045 proteins were tested, and 23 of them presented different expression profiling in the infertile and normal rats. The seven proteins were down-regulated, and 16 proteins were up-regulated. Among the seven proteins which were significantly down-regulated by dutasteride in the epididymal luminal fluids, there were three β-defensins (Defb2, Defb18 and Defb39), which maybe the key proteins involved in epididymal sperm maturation and male fertility. Conclusions: We report for the first time that dutasteride influences the protein expression profiling in the epididymal luminal fluids of rats, and this result provides some new epididymal targets for male contraception and infertility therapy.