Objective To observe the apoptosis of hippocampal dentate gyrus in rats with pentrolone model of epilepsy, and detect the significance of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and Caspase-3 joint expression. Methods Twelve Wistar rats were randomly divided into model group and control group with 6 in each. Intraperitoneal injection of pentrolone was carried out for rats in the model group, while physiological saline was injected in rats of the control group. After the model was successfully established, we observed the Nissl staining results of hippocampus dentate gyrus tissue in the rats as well as the expression of AIF and Caspase-3 protein in both groups. Results The single visual nerve cell counts of the control group and the model group under 400-times magnification were respectively 99.76±11.89 and 78.69±10.94; Caspase-3 gray values of the two groups were respectively 154.81±16.06 and 131.65±16.81; and AIF protein gray values were respectively 173.09±9.57 and 158.34±6.33. All the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The two apoptotic pathways through Caspase-3 dependent on Caspase and AIF independent of Caspase are both involved in the neuronal apoptosis induced by epilepsy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and pathological significance of neutrophil elastase (NE) and mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats. MethodsA total of 60 male specific pathogens free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into model group and blank group, each with 30 rats. The number of goblet cells and the positive expression of NE and MUC5AC were compared between the two groups by hematoxylin-eosin staining, alcianblue-periodic acid Schiff staining and immunohistochemical staining. ResultsNo rats died accidentally during the experiment. The number of goblet cells was 57.93±7.79 in the model group and 6.80±3.19 in the blank group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (t=−44.267, P<0.05). The median (lower quartile, upper quartile) of the positive expression score of NE was 0 (0, 0) in the blank group and 2 (2, 3) in the model group, the median (lower quartile, upper quartile) of the positive expression score of MUC5AC was 0 (0, 1) in the blank group and 2 (2, 2) in the model group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe positive expression of NE, goblet cells, MUC5AC and mucus secretion in COPD model rats increases significantly. Perhaps NE and MUC5AC can be used as target interventions to inhibit mucus hypersecretion.