Objective： To investigate the preventive effects and possible underlying mechanism of different extracts of Kanggushu （抗骨疏） on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Methods： One hundred and sixty- five female SD rats were divided into 11 groups： control, sham, model, Xianling Gubao Capsule （仙灵骨葆胶囊）, nilestriol, Kanggushu aqueous extract high-, medium-, and low-dose and suet extract high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. The osteoporosis model was made by ovariectomizing the rats. The latter 8 groups were administered intragastricly with Xianling Gubao Capsule, nilestriol, Kanggushu aqueous extract and suet extract for 12 weeks, respectively, while the other 3 groups were administered orally saline. The whole body bone mineral density, bone mineral content, organ coefficient of uterus, serum estradiol and alkaline phosphatase contents, blood calcium, phosphorus, interleukin 6 and bone Gla-protein levels after treatment were monitored. Additionally, three-point bending test of femur, HE staining, and scanning electron microscope were performed to explore the pharmacodynamics and underlying mechanisms. Results： In comparison with ovariectomized rats of model group, Kanggushu aqueous extract high-dose resulted in an increased bone mineral density, bone mineral content and organ coefficient of uterus, improved estradiol level, and improved maximum load and structural stiffness （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Two-dimensional and thrae-dimensional trabecular structure was also observed under HE staining and scanning electron microscopy, and the number and thickness of trabecular bone in Kanggushu aqueous extract high-dose group was significantly increased compared to the model group, while the lipid droplets in bone marrow cavity were significantly less. However, there were no significant differences in blood calcium, total serum alkaline phosphatase and bone Gla protein among different treatment groups. Overall, the osteoprotective effects of Kanggushu aqueous extract were comparable to those
An experiment was conducted to compare the effects of two mouse thrombocytopenia models induced by cyclophosphamide at two different administration routes to determine a proper cyclophosphamide administration route that could cause stable thrombocytopenia. A suitable drug dosage that could induce thrombocytopenia in mouse efficiently with the definite administration route was then investigated. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into Normal, Model A and Model B groups. To Model A, 200 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide was given by vena caudalis injection as first dose and 30 mg/kg as maintenance dose by intraperitoneal injection at the following 6 days. To Model B, 150 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide was given by subcutaneous injection once a day for consecutive 3 days. All groups were under investigation for 15 days. The result suggested that a decrease in the number of blood platelets of Model B at the 7th day were significantly than that of Normal. Other platelet related indices like platelet distribution width, mean platelet volume and platelet-large cell ratio of Model B increased significantly in comparison with those of Normal group. The platelets count was reduced but fluctuated greatly, and more than half of the mice died in Model A. Therefore, subcutaneous injection of cyclophosphamide for 3 days was used for the cyclophosphamide dosage test. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into Normal, cyclophosphamide low dose （100 mg/kg）, medium dose （120 mg/kg） and high dose （140 mg/kg） groups. All groups were under investigation for 11 days. Though all 3 dosages successfully initiated thrombocytopenia as the platelets number dropped at the 7th day, the low dose was considered to be a suitable one that was of high efficacy and low toxicity. Thus, BALB/c mice challenged by subcutaneous injection of cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg per day for 3 consecutive day is one simple, feasible and stable mouse thrombocytopenia model that could be used for pharmacodynamic test of the drugs which are supposed to have platelets increasi
The aim of this study was to establish a method of isolating and culturing smooth muscle cells from the ductus deferens of rats. Smooth muscle cells were prepared from ductus deferens by explanting technique after dissection of adventitia and intimae, and cultured in vitro. The identification of the smooth muscle cells were verified by using anti u-smooth muscle actin （a-SMA） immunohistochemistry studies. The result suggested that the cells are multi-morphous, showing long fusiform or star shapes. The apophysis of cells contacted and coalesced to each other, in some regions the cells overlapped in multilayer, while in the other regions they formed monolayer that fluctuated and showed a ＂peak-valley＂ shape. They presented a positive reaction through immunohistochemistry studies. The purity of the cells was more than 99% through this method. The culturing of smooth muscle cells by explanting technique is simple and stable.
