Biomedical subjects

Shutian Li

Publications and source records attributed to Shutian Li.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Actin depolymerization is sufficient to induce programmed cell death in self-incompatible pollen.

Self-incompatibility (SI) prevents inbreeding through specific recognition and rejection of incompatible pollen. In incompatible Papaver rhoeas pollen, SI triggers a Ca2+ signaling cascade, resulting in the inhibition of tip growth, actin depolymerization, and programmed cell death (PCD). We investigated whether actin dynamics were implicated in regulating PCD. Using the actin-stabilizing and depolymerizing drugs jasplakinolide (Jasp) and latrunculin B, we demonstrate that changes in actin filament levels or dynamics play a functional role in initiating PCD in P. rhoeas pollen, triggering a caspase-3-like activity. Significantly, SI-induced PCD in incompatible pollen was alleviated by pretreatment with Jasp. This represents the first account of a specific causal link between actin polymerization status and initiation of PCD in a plant cell and significantly advances our understanding of the mechanisms involved in SI.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

PubMed2004

[Supplementation with micronutrients attenuating stress injuries in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effects of compound micronutrients (CMN) on stress-induced injury of the rats. METHODS: The experimental rats were fed with diet added micronutrients in small, medium and large dose respectively. The stress animal model was established by feet-electric shock. The behaviors in open-field test, hormons, metallothionein (MT) and the antioxidant ability of the rats were detected. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the abnormal behaviors in open-field test, increased cortisol level in serum, decreased epinephrine and norepinephrine contents in brain were observed in stress rats. Also stress induced significantly changes of MT levels in liver and brain, and declined antioxidant ability in serum and enhanced lipid peroxidation in liver of the animals. The most indicators mentioned above were obviously improved by supplementation with CMN for 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with CMN was beneficial to improve the stress adapting ability and to attenuate the stress-induced injuries in rats.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2003

[Zinc deficiency on pathological changes of femur epiphyseal growth plate in rats].

To study zinc deficiency on pathological changes of femur epiphyseal growth plate in rats thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: zinc-deficient group (Zd), control group (Ctr), and pair-fed group (Zp) to study the effects of zinc deficiency on femur epiphyseal growth plate of rats and the mechanism involved. After 8 weeks feeding, the histomorphology of right femur indicated that chondrocytes in the epiphyseal growth plate of Zd group were generally ill-organized and mis-shaped. The number of chondrocytes decreased. Trabecular bone in the epiphyseal of Zd group were also ill-organized, scarce and slim. The cavities of marrow in Zd animals were significantly larger than those of Ctr and Zp. The volume of trabecular bone, the mean trabecular plate density of Zd rats were significantly decreased, but their mean trabecular plate space was significantly increased. In addition, the Zd animals had significantly lower concentration of osteocalcin and growth hormone in sera. The above results suggested that zinc deficiency impaired proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes and balance between osteoblast and osteoclast function by reduce growth hormone levels in sera. The lack of zinc in diet resulted in disorder of bone molding and ultrastructure.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Effect of zinc deficiency on the behavior and calcium status of hippocampal neurons in rats].

In order to explore the effects of zinc deficiency on the behavior, [Ca2+]i and active CaM contents of hippocampal cells of rats, 21 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e. zinc deficiency group (ZD), pair-fed group (PF), and control group (CT) fed with zinc deficiency (ZD group) and normal diets (PF and CT group). At the end of the third week, the behavior in open-field test was observed. Then all the rats were killed and [Ca2+]i concentration and active CaM contents of hippocampal cells were determined by Fura-2 two wave-length fluorophotometry and flow cytometry respectively. It showed a significant difference between ZD and CT group in behavior was observed. [Ca2+]i concentration of ZD group was remarkably higher than that of CT and PF group. Active CaM contents of ZD and PF groups were significantly lower than that of CT group, and the active CaM content of ZD was also significantly lower than that of PF group. It showed that the effect of zinc deficiency on behaviors may be related with the changes in calcium status of hippocampal cells in growing rats.

Animals↗