Induced molting improves egg producing functions in hens. We investigated the mechanism of oviducal regression during induced molting. Involvement of apoptosis and autolysis in the oviducal regression process was analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (Tdt)-mediated biotinylated deoxyuridine triphosphates (dUTP) nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and an enzyme histochemistry for acid phosphat...

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is a serious consequence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and has deleterious effects on central neurons and neurocognitive functions. This study examined if protocatechuic acid (PCA) could improve learning and memory functions of rats exposed to CIH conditions and explore potential mechanisms. Neurocognitive functions were evaluated in male SD rats by step-t...

Purpose. To test the effect of a small peptide inhibitor (Met12) of the Fas receptor on the activation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways after retinal detachment. Methods. Retinal-RPE separation was created in Brown Norway rats by subretinal injection of 1% hyaluronic acid. Met12, derived from the Fas-binding extracellular domain of the oncoprotein Met, was injected into the subreti...

The Akt serine/threonine kinase mediates pro-survival signalings in retina and was reported to be activated in a response to some retinal and optic nerve injuries. Human and experimental glaucoma induce apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The purpose of this study is to test whether episcleral vein cauterization (EVC) to chronically elevate intraocular pressures (IOPs) in rats increase ...

BACKGROUND Our previous study has confirmed that one bout of exhaustion (Ex) can cause hippocampus neurocyte damage, excessive apoptosis, and dysfunction. Its initial reason is intracellular calcium overload in hippocampus triggered by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) over-activation. NMDAR activation can be suppressed by γ-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor (GABAAR). Whether GABAAR can pr...

Phosphocreatine (PCr) is an endogenous compound containing high-energy phosphate bonds. It has been confirmed that PCr is effective in preventing and treating cardiac and renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury models were constructed. Apoptotic cells in the cortex region were measured by TUNEL method. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected...

The aim of this work was to analyze the cell proliferation and apoptosis indexes on the 18 and 21 days of pregnancy of diabetic rats and to correlate with maternal glycemia and perinatal outcomes. Placentas from 20 Wistar rats were collected and divided into four experimental groups: control and diabetic of 18 and 21 days of pregnancy. The cell proliferation was analyzed using the PCNA expressi...

OBJECTIVE This research aimed to investigate whether glutamate induced spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) apoptosis through apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) pathway. And verify whether PD150606, a calpain inhibitor could prevent apoptosis by inhibiting cleaving and releasing AIF in mitochondrion. METHODS SGNs of postnatal days 0-3 were harvested and cultured in dishes. 20 mM Glu, the caspase inhib...

AIM To evaluate the effects of NMDA receptor antagonist memantine and pancaspase inhibitor Q-VD-Oph in combination or alone in experimental spinal cord injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Spinal cord injury was created with the clip compression technique. The drugs were administered either alone of in combination to the subjects according to...

PURPOSE To investigate whether intravitreally injected peanut agglutinin (PNA) conjugated with a fluorochrome can specifically label retinal cones in vivo and to evaluate its clinical potential. METHODS Fluorescein- or rhodamine-conjugated PNA (0.005%-0.5%) was intravitreally injected into anesthetized mouse, guinea pig, or monkey and retinas were removed at various intervals for fluorescence...