Acta pharmacologica Sinica
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Acta Pharmacol. Sin. · Mar 2014
Oxymatrine attenuates diabetes-associated cognitive deficits in rats.
Oxymatrine (OMT) is the major quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the root of Sophora flavescens Ait (the Chinese herb Kushen) and exhibits diverse pharmacological actions. In this work we investigated the effects of OMT on diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) in a rat model of diabetes and explored the mechanisms of action. ⋯ Chronic treatment with OMT alleviates diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats, which is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptotic cascades.
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Acta Pharmacol. Sin. · Mar 2014
Association of the polymorphisms of MMP-9 and TIMP-3 genes with thoracic aortic dissection in Chinese Han population.
Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is the most common life-threatening disorder, and a shifted balance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is involved in TAD pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP-9 and TIMP-3 genes with TAD risk in Chinese Han population. ⋯ The results provide strong evidence for an association between MMP-9 SNP rs2274756 and female TAD risk in Chinese Han population.