Abstract To explore the protective activity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) root ethanol extract (GRE) on the neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in microglial cells. Ginger has been investigated as a neuroprotective and anti-aging agent. Nevertheless, ginger extract attenuates neuroinflammation in microglia have not been discovered in depth. The results showed that GRE had high total phenolic and (55.63 ± 0.16 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (4.33 ± 0.17 mg QUE/g), and antioxidant activity. GRE inhibited the release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators including COX-2, PGE2, Nitric oxide, interleukin-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. GRE ameliorated microglia-mediated neuronal insults via upregulating the expression of Bax and reducing the expression of Bcl-2. GRE suppressed NF-κB and AKT/STAT3, and the MAPK pathway in the neuroinflammatory response. In conclusions, GRE positively affected anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activity without serious side effects, which might be used as a functional food additive and/or therapeutic material for the management and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract The objective of the current study was to assess the antioxidant activity of different solvents containing Humulus japonicus extract (HJE) and their antioxidant effects on neurons. H. japonicus ethanol extracts (HEEs) together with H. japonicus water extracts (HWEs) were generated via extraction of H. japonicus leaves with 30%, 50%, and 80% ethanol solutions under a hot water temperature of 121 °C. HEEs showed higher levels of bioactive compounds, such as total flavonoids and polyphenols, with stronger antioxidant activities in contrast to HWEs. HEE (80%) showed the highest content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. Next, we used a H2O2-induced rat model of pheochromocytoma PC12 cells to investigate the antioxidant activity and cellular signal regulation of 80% HEEs. The results showed that HJEs resisted oxidative stress via MAPK and/or AKT-NRF2 and NF-kappa B signaling pathways and upregulated antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase, HO-1, and OGG1, thereby reducing intracellular ROS levels. Further, HJE promoted neuronal survival by upregulating sirtuin 1 expression. This study provides evidence supporting the potential benefits of HJE in preventing oxidative stress in PC12 cells, suggesting its application as a promising functional food additive or therapeutic agent for the prevention and the treatment of oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of collagen degradation by Pectinase-assisted Halophyte Complex Extract (PHCE) in hairless mice. Collagen expression in vitro was measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. After collecting mice skin in vivo, histological analysis was performed with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H & E) and trichrome stain. Molecular expression was measured by western blot analysis. In HaCaT cells, the collagen expression level was increased compared to the positive control group. Epidermal thickness inhibition and collagen expression levels were also increased in the skin of a hairless mouse model. Western blot analysis confirmed the increase in collagen and elastin by inhibiting phosphorylation of NF-κB and decreasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9). The skin protective effect of PHCE is considered to be due to inhibition of MMPs expression through inhibition of NF-κB activation. Therefore, PHCE can be considered as a candidate material as a food material that can improve skin damage caused by UV rays.

Abstract Humulus japonicus (HJ) is administered to patients with pulmonary disease and skin disease owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Lately, HJ has been shown to exert impacts on protection against neurodegenerative sickness. Nevertheless, its impacts on microglia have not been discovered in depth. As a result, anti-inflammatory impacts of HJ ethanol extract (HJE) and its active compound luteolin on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated SIM-A9 cells were investigated. The results showed that HJE luteolin inhibited generation of interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, interleukin-6, together with prostaglandin E2, iNOS, COX-2 along with HO-1 induction. Furthermore, HJE and luteolin reduced degrees of NF-κB pathway components within cytoplasm and nucleus, while reducing cytoplasmic MAPK levels and increasing Nrf2 levels in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that HJE might exhibit neuroprotective effects and could be used as a novel drug for various neurological diseases.

Abstract To explore the protective impact of the ginger root ethanol extract (GRE) against the oxidative stress induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and apoptotic and its mechanism. Parkinson's disease (PD) model was established using 6-OHDA in the cells of rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12). The GRE pretreatment increased PC12 cell viability of injury induced by 6-OHDA. The GRE effectively suppressed 6-OHDA-induced death, apoptosis through decreased Bax and cleaved-caspase 3 expression, and up-regulated expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). GRE also inhibited 6-OHDA-inducel oxidative stress, decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and up-regulates the heme oxygenase (HO-1), antioxidant enzymes, catalase and, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), 8-oxoguanine glycosylase1 (OGG1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase1 (NQO1). Besides, GRE up-regulating Protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), down-regulating nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) translocation, together with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. In conclusions, the GRE prevented apoptosis and oxidative stress in 6-OHDA-induced PC12 cells. The ginger ethanol extract could be treatment and prevention of PD.

Abstract In this study, whole wheat flour (WWF) was prepared by blending one commercial noodle flour with ten different bran samples from white and red winter wheat varieties. The whole wheat dough properties and noodle qualities were investigated. In general, brans from red wheat varieties exhibited higher total phenolic contents than those from white wheat varieties. Mixolab analysis revealed significant relationships between bran ash, starch, and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) contents and the mixing and pasting properties of WWF dough. Concerning the noodle quality, bran protein content showed a positive correlation with tensile strength (P < 0.01), elongation distance, springiness, and resilience of cooked noodles. Also, bran IDF content was positively related to the hardness of cooked whole-wheat noodles. These results suggest that bran with higher protein content and lower IDF content is more desirable for the production of whole wheat noodles.

RESUMO Introdução: Quando os atletas estão realizando treinamento esportivo, muitos movimentos são de alta intensidade, e esse treinamento é repetitivo, resultando em desgaste de algumas partes lesionadas. Objetivo: Os atletas podem danificar partes do corpo em exercícios de alta intensidade. Durante o processamento, é necessário identificar e analisar as partes danificadas da imagem. No entanto, os métodos atuais relevantes têm baixa precisão e problemas de eficiência e qualidade diferentes. Métodos: Neste artigo, um algoritmo Fish Swarm é proposto para identificar imagens danificadas por movimento de alta intensidade. Com base na combinação de limiar adaptativo e morfologia matemática, o contorno da parte danificada da imagem é extraído. Resultados: O método acima mencionado pode melhorar a precisão da identificação das partes danificadas das imagens de lesões esportivas, encurtar o tempo de reconhecimento e tem alguma viabilidade para determinar as partes das lesões esportivas. Conclusões: este método pode ser amplamente utilizado em lesões esportivas de alta intensidade. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos- investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: When athletes are performing sports training, many movements are of high intensity, and that training is repetitive, resulting in wear and tear on some injured parts. Objective: Sports athletes can damage parts of the body in high - intensity exercise. During the processing, it is necessary to identify and analyze the damaged parts in the image. However, the current relevant methods have low accuracy and different problems of efficiency and quality. Methods: In this paper, a Fish Swarm Algorithm is proposed to identify high-intensity motion damage images. According to the combination of adaptive threshold and mathematical morphology, the contour of the damaged part of the image is extracted. Results: The above-mentioned method can improve the accuracy of identifying damaged parts of sports injury images, shorten the recognition time, and has certain feasibility in determining sports injury parts. Conclusions: This method can be widely used in high-intensity sports injuries. Level of evidence II; Therapeuticstudies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: Cuando los deportistas realizan entrenamientos deportivos, muchos movimientos son de alta intensidad, y ese entrenamiento es repetitivo, lo que genera desgaste en algunas partes lesionadas. Objetivo: Los deportistas pueden dañar partes del cuerpo en el ejercicio de alta intensidad. Durante el procesamiento, es necesario identificar y analizar las partes dañadas en la imagen. Sin embargo, los métodos relevantes actuales tienen baja precisión y diferentes problemas de eficiencia y calidad. Métodos: En este artículo, se propone un algoritmo Fish Swarm para identificar imágenes de daño por movimiento de alta intensidad. Según la combinación de umbral adaptativo y morfología matemática, se extrae el contorno de la parte dañada de la imagen. Resultados: el método mencionado anteriormente puede mejorar la precisión de la identificación de las partes dañadas de las imágenes de lesiones deportivas, acortar el tiempo de reconocimiento y tiene cierta viabilidad para determinar las partes de las lesiones deportivas. Conclusiones: este método puede ser ampliamente utilizado en lesiones deportivas de alta intensidad. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos- investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O rápido desenvolvimento dos rs-fMRI nos últimos anos pode fornecer novas evidências científicas da plasticidade do cérebro da criança. Objetivo: revelar o efeito do exercício aeróbio de intensidade moderada de curta duração na consistência local da função cerebral em crianças em repouso e fornecer novas evidências para elucidar a relação entre exercício físico e plasticidade cerebral em crianças. Métodos: Usando a tecnologia de imagem de ressonância magnética funcional em estado de repouso (rs-fMRI) e o método de análise de consistência local (ReHo) para detectar exercícios aeróbicos de intensidade moderada e de curta duração 30 minutos antes e depois de alterações de consistência local na função cerebral das crianças; usando a medição de Flanker das mudanças na função executiva das crianças antes e depois do exercício. Resultados: 1) Um curto exercício aeróbico de 30 min de intensidade moderada fez com que as crianças se curvassem para trás, lobo pré-frontal dorsolateral esquerdo, giro frontal medial esquerdo, giro central posterior bilateral, giro suboccipital esquerdo e giro da língua. 2) Um exercício aeróbico de curta duração, 30 minutos e intensidade moderada melhora a função executiva das crianças. 3) Aumentos em ReHo no giro da fivela posterior bilateral, no giro parietal posterior central bilateral e no lobo pré-frontal lateral dorsal esquerdo estão significativamente associados à função executiva melhorada. Conclusões: O exercício aeróbico de intensidade moderada de curto prazo pode melhorar a plasticidade cerebral e a função executiva, aumentando a consistência local da função cerebral em crianças em repouso. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The rapid development of rs-fMRI in recent years can provide new scientific evidence of the plasticity of the child's brain. Objective: To reveal the effect of short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on local consistency of brain function in children at rest, and to provide new evidence for elucidating the relationship between physical exercise and plasticity of children's brain. Methods: Using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) technology and local consistency (ReHo) analysis method to detect a 30-min short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise before and after children's brain function local consistency changes; using the Flanker task measurement Changes in children's executive function before and after exercise. Results: 1) A 30-min short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise made the children's bilateral posterior buckle back, left dorsolateral prefrontal lobe, left frontal medial gyrus, bilateral central posterior gyrus, left suboccipital gyrus, and tongue gyrus. 2) A 30-minute short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves children's executive function. 3) ReHo increases in bilateral posterior buckle gyrus, bilateral central parietal posterior gyrus, and left dorsal lateral prefrontal lobe are significantly associated with improved executive function. Conclusions: Short-term moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can improve brain plasticity and executive function by increasing local consistency of brain function in children at rest. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.

RESUMEN Introducción: El rápido desarrollo de rs-fMRI en los últimos años puede proporcionar nueva evidencia científica de la plasticidad del cerebro del niño. Objetivo: Revelar el efecto del ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad moderada a corto plazo sobre la consistencia local de la función cerebral en niños en reposo y proporcionar nueva evidencia para dilucidar la relación entre el ejercicio físico y la plasticidad del cerebro de los niños. Métodos: uso de la tecnología de imágenes de resonancia magnética funcional (rs-fMRI) en estado de reposo y el método de análisis de consistencia local (ReHo) para detectar un ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad moderada a corto plazo de 30 minutos antes y después de los cambios de consistencia local de la función cerebral de los niños; utilizando la medición de Flanker de los cambios en la función ejecutiva de los niños antes y después del ejercicio. Resultados: 1) Un ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad moderada y corta duración de 30 min hizo que los niños se doblaran hacia atrás, lóbulo prefrontal dorsolateral izquierdo, circunvolución medial frontal izquierda, circunvolución posterior central bilateral, circunvolución suboccipital izquierda y circunvolución de la lengua. 2) Un ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad moderada a corto plazo de 30 minutos mejora la función ejecutiva de los niños. 3) Los aumentos de ReHo en la circunvolución de la hebilla posterior bilateral, la circunvolución posterior parietal central bilateral y el lóbulo prefrontal lateral dorsal izquierdo se asocian significativamente con una función ejecutiva mejorada. Conclusiones: El ejercicio aeróbico de intensidad moderada a corto plazo puede mejorar la plasticidad cerebral y la función ejecutiva al aumentar la consistencia local de la función cerebral en niños en reposo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos: investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Two 2,2’:6’,2”-terpyridine-based Schiff bases (TPySSB and TPySB) have been synthesized. The TPySSB shows remarkable selective ‘off-on’ fluorescence for Al3+ in combination with photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism and C=N isomerization mechanism. Chemosensor TPySSB binds Al3+ in a 1:2 ratio with an association constant 6.8 × 105 (correlation coefficient (R2) = 0.98) and this 1:2 stoichiometric model is established on Job’s plot and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Comparing TPySSB and TPySB, it is of great importance the existence of oxygen atom of hydroxyl group in salicylidene due to its strong binding abilities of both phenol and C=N structure to the Al3+.

Ophiopogonin D (OP-D) is the principal pharmacologically active ingredient from Ophiopogon japonicas, which has been demonstrated to have numerous pharmacological activities. However, its protective effect against renal damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats remains unclear. The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of OP-D in the STZ-induced DN rat model. DN rats showed renal dysfunction, as evidenced by decreased serum albumin and creatinine clearance, along with increases in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, TGF-β1, and kidney hypertrophy, and these were reversed by OP-D. In addition, STZ induced oxidative damage and inflammatory response in diabetic kidney tissue. These abnormalities were reversed by OP-D treatment. The findings obtained in the present study indicated that OP-D might possess the potential to be a therapeutic agent against DN via inhibiting renal inflammation and oxidative stress.

RESUMEN Las estructuras de deformación de sedimentos blandos de la Formación Yanchang del Triásico Superior están extendidas lateralmente en la cuenca Ordos. En el área Huachi-Qingyang de esta cuenca, el miembro de petróleo Chang 6 está entre los estratos petrolíferos más significativos del Mesozoico. Este se caracteriza por el desarrollo de cuerpos de arena en el yacimiento. Durante la evolución deposicional del miembro Chang 6, las estructuras de deformación de sedimentos blandos se desarrollaron en el área Huachi-Qingyang, en el medio de la cuenca, inducidas por eventos paleosísmicos. Las estructuras de deformación de sedimentos blandos que se desarrollaron en los cuerpos de arenas del miembro de petróleo Chang 6 son principalmente estructuras esféricas y acojinadas, estructuras plegadas, canales de arena, estratificaciones irregulares enrolladas y fallas sinsedimentarias. La arquitectura de los cuerpos arenosos son el resultado de eventos paleosísmicos y la caída por gravedad; se reconocen principalmente dos tipos de estructuras: 1. Estructuras de deformación de sedimentos blandos por eventos paleosísmicos con cuerpos arenosos del frente del delta. 2. Estructuras de deformación de sedimentos blandos traídas por eventos paleosísmicos con turbiditas (formadas por la caída del frente del delta y redistribuidas debido a la acción sísmica). Como consecuencia, se establecieron los modelos genéticos de los cuerpos arenosos formados por diferentes procesos de sedimentación.

ABSTRACT Soft-sediment deformation (SSD) structures of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation are laterally widespread in the Ordos Basin. In the Huachi-Qingyang (H-Q) area of the Ordos Basin, the Chang 6 oil member of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation is among the most significant Mesozoic oil-bearing strata. It is characterized by the development of reservoir sand bodies. During the depositional evolution of the Chang 6 oil member, SSD structures induced by paleo-seismic events developed in the H-Q area in the middle of the basin. The SSD structures developed in the sand bodies of the Chang 6 oil member are mainly ball-and-pillow structures, fold structures, sand dikes, irregular convolute stratifications, and synsedimentary faults. The architecture of the sand bodies resulted from paleo-seismic events and gravity slumping and mainly include two types of structures: i) SSD structures driven by paleo-seismic events with delta front sand body (SD-SSD) and ii) SSD structures driven by paleo-seismic events with turbidites (formed by delta-front slumping and re-distribution due to seismic action) (ST-SSD). As a consequence, genetic models of the sand bodies formed by different sedimentation processes are established.

Resumo Fundamento: As plaquetas são importantes no início da trombose e suas alterações morfológicas e funcionais estão intimamente relacionadas com a ocorrência e o desenvolvimento de trombose da artéria coronária. Os parâmetros plaquetários podem ser valiosos na distinção entre infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) e doença arterial coronariana estável (DACE). Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi detectar e comparar alterações nos parâmetros plaquetários, como o volume plaquetário médio (VPM) em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM) e doença arterial coronariana estável (DACE) e investigar seu papel nessas doenças. Métodos: Coleta de amostras: Entre janeiro de 2011 e dezembro de 2013, foram retirados 2 mL de sangue da veia do antebraço de cada um dos 31 pacientes diagnosticados principalmente com IAM, 34 pacientes com DACE e 50 indivíduos saudáveis; e colocado em tubos com anticoagulante EDTA-K2. As contagens de plaquetas (PQT), VPM, massa total de plaquetas (MTP), Amplitude de Distribuição de Plaquetas (PDW, do inglês platelet distribution width), contagem de glóbulos brancos (WBC, do inglês white blood cells) e neutrófilos (NEU) foram determinadas utilizando-se um analisador de hematologia automatizado STKS (Beckman Courter). Resultados: Comparado com o grupo controle, os níveis de VPM foram significativamente maiores nos grupos IAM e DACE (p < 0,05), enquanto os níveis de PQT foram significativamente menores (p < 0,05). Conclusão: Esses resultados sugerem que o VPM e outros parâmetros associados têm um certo valor no diagnóstico de DACE e IAM.

Abstract Background: Platelets are important in the initiation of thrombosis, and their morphological and functional changes are closely related with the occurrence and development of coronary artery thrombosis. Platelet parameters might be valuable in distinguishing between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). Objective: This study was designed to detect and compare changes in platelet parameters, such as mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and to investigate their roles in these diseases. Methods: Specimen collection: Between January 2011 and December 2013, 2 mL of elbow vein blood was drawn from each of 31 patients primarily diagnosed with AMI, 34 SCAD patients and 50 healthy subjects; and placed in EDTA-K2 anticoagulant tubes. Platelet count (PLT), MPV, plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW), white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NEU) counts were determined using an STKS automated hematology analyzer (Beckman Courter). Results: Compared with the control group, MPV levels were significantly higher in the AMI and SCAD groups (p < 0.05), while PLT was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that MPV and other related parameters have a certain value in the diagnosis of SCAD and AMI.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the possible role of IL-4 signaling pathway in vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: The mouse model of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy and interleukin (IL)-4 knockout mice were utilized to investigate the possible role of IL-4 signaling pathway in vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy. Vincristine induced increased sensitivity to mechanical stimulation was measured by von Frey hair test 7 and 14 days after intraperitoneal administration of 0.1 mg/kg vincristine in mice. Relative expression levels of cytokines were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. STAT6 expression following vincristine treatment was assessed with western blotting. Results: We discovered that IL-4/STAT6 signaling was down-regulated in vincristine-treated mice. Deletion of IL-4 in mice increased the sensitivity to mechanical allodynia. IL-4 knockout mice also produced more pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and TNF-α. Notably, co-administration of exogenous recombination IL-4 significantly prevented vincristine-induced mechanical allodynia. Conclusion: Anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 protects rodent model from vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy via the stimulation of IL-4/STAT6 signaling and inhibition of the pro-inflammatory cytokines.

This paper presents a probabilistic capacity spectrum strategy for the reliability analysis of a bridge pile shaft, accounting for uncertainties in design factors in the analysis and the soil-structure interaction (SSI). Monte Carlo simulation method (MCS) is adopted to determine the probabilities of failure by comparing the responses with defined limit states. The analysis considers the soil structure interaction together with the probabilistic application of the capacity spectrum method for different types of limit states. A cast-in-drilledhole (CIDH) extended reinforced concrete pile shaft of a bridge is analysed using the proposed strategy. The results of the analysis show that the SSI can lead to increase or decrease of the structure's probability of failure depending on the definition of the limit states.

OBJETIVO: Metalotioneína 3 (MT-3) tem mostrado proteção contra a apoptose neuronal em cérebros de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer. Zinco é um potente inibidor da caspase-3, e sua deficiência pode promover a apoptose. No presente trabalho, foram dosados os níveis de zinco e cobre nos cérebros de camundongos PRONE8 com envelhecimento acelerado (SAMP8), visando investigar o efeito da MT-3 na apoptse dos neurônios da região hipocampal CA1 destes camundongos. MÉTODO: Os níveis de zinco e cobre em amostras cerebrais de camundongos SAMP8 e de controles normais SAMR1 foram determinados por absorção atômica em espectrofotometria. Foram administradas MT-3 ou MT-1 intraperitoneais durante quatro semanas, sendo em seguida avaliada a apoptose pelo método TUNEL , enquanto a expressão da proteína anti-apoptótica Bcl-2 e a proteína pró-apoptótica Bax foram avaliadas por imunohistoquímica. RESULTADOS: Em comparação aos camundongos SMAR1, o nível de zinco nas amostras cerebrais dos camundongos SAMP8 estava significativamente diminuído (P<0.05). Além disto, níveis significativos de apoptose foram observados no hipocampo dos camundongos SAMP8, o que, em comparação com os níveis em camundongos SMAR1, também mostrava níveis significativamente mais baixos de Bcl-2 e níveis mais altos de Bax (P<0.05). MT-3 aumentou a concentração de zinco no hipocampo dos camundongos SAMP8, além de diminuir significativamente a apoptose destes neurônios, de uma forma dose-dependente, ao mesmo tempo que aumentou níveis de Bcl-2 e diminuiu níveis de Bax. CONCLUSÃO: MT-3 pode atenuar a morte neuronal apoptótica no hipocampo de SAMP8, o que sugere que esta proteína possa diminuir a neurodegeneração.

OBJECTIVE: Metallothionein 3 (MT-3) has been shown to protect against apoptotic neuronal death in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Zinc is a potent inhibitor of caspase-3 and its deficiency was found to promote apoptosis. Here, we measured the zinc and copper content in the brains of senescence-accelerated mouse/PRONE8 (SAMP8) and sought to investigate the effect of MT-3 on the apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region of these mice. METHOD: The zinc and copper content in the brain samples of SAMP8 and normal control SAMR1 mice were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mice were administered intraperitoneally for four weeks with MT-3 or MT1 and thereafter apoptosis was measured using the TUNEL method and the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and proapoptotic protein Bax was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with that in SMAR1 mice, the content of zinc in the brains of SAMP8 mice was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Moreover, significant levels of apoptosis of neurons were observed in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, which, compared with those in SMAR1 mice, also showed significantly lower levels of Bcl-2 and higher levels of Bax (P<0.05). MT-3 increased zinc concentration in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and also significantly decreased apoptosis in these neurons dose-dependently and increased the levels of Bcl-2 and decreased the levels of Bax. CONCLUSION: MT-3 could attenuate apoptotic neuron death in the hippocampus of SAMP8, suggesting that the protein may lessen the development of neurodegeneration.