Alpinia officinarum Hance extract alleviates particulate matter-induced lung injury in mice

To evaluate the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) extract on lung injury caused by particulate matter (PM). Methods: The Kunming mice were intranasally instilled with PM and treated with A. officinarum extract for 3 weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood and lung samples were collected for biochemical, serological and histopathological studies. Results: Serological analysis showed that albumin levels, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly reduced after administrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of A. officinarum extracts to the PM injured mice. Markers of oxidative stress, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde levels and nitric oxide synthase activities, were significantly decreased. Correspondingly, total superoxide dismutase activity was improved dramatically. The expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were also down-regulated obviously. In addition, pathological sections of lung tissue showed that A. officinarum could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells, pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis. These results showed that A. officinarum extract could alleviate PM-induced lung injury via reducing the permeability of cell membranes in lung tissue, eliminating oxidative stress and relieving inflammatory response. Conclusions: A. officinarum extract was an efficient treatment for PM-induced lung injury ir mice, and it may be a promising therapeutic agent in future.

Study on interaction between ginsenosides Rg_1,Rb_1 and Ro and bovine serum albumin / 中国中药杂志

Small molecules with physiological or pharmacological activities need to interact with biological macromolecules in order to function in the body. As the protein with the highest proportion of plasma protein,serum albumin is the main protein binding to various endogenous or exogenous small molecules. Serum albumin interacts with small molecules in a reversible non-covalent manner and transports small molecules to target sites. Bovine serum albumin( BSA) is an ideal target protein for drug research because of its low cost and high homology with human serum albumin. The research on the interaction between drugs and BSA has become a hotspot in the fields of pharmacy,medicine,biology and chemistry. In this research,molecular docking method was used to study the interaction between three small ginsenosides with high pharmacological value( Rg_1,Rb_1,Ro) and bovine serum albumin( BSA),and the binding mode information of three ginsenosides interacting with BSA was obtained. The results of molecular docking showed that ginsenosides and amino acid residues in the active pocket of proteins could be combined by hydrophobic action,hydrogen bonding and electrostatic action. The interaction between small ginsenosides and bovine serum albumin is not the only form,and their interaction has many forms of force. The interaction between these molecules and various weak forces is the key factor for the stability of the complex. The results of this study can provide the structural information of computer simulation for the determination of the interaction patterns between active components and proteins of ginseng.

PPARs signaling pathway is involved in diabetic hepatopathy in mice / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors(PPARs)-inflammation signaling pathways in diabetic hepatopathy.METHODS:Diabetic mouse model was established by feeding the mice with a high-energy diet for 4 weeks combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ;40 mg· kg-1· d-1for 5 d). The hepatopathy model was confirmed by histopathological observation and the indexes of liver function, such as alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP),after another 4 weeks.Mo-reover,fasting blood glucose(FBG), and serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG)and insulin were measured,and the HOMA insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)was calculated.The mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARs and inflammation-related factors were measured by qPCR and Western blot, respectively.RESULTS: After treatment with STZ for 7 d,the FBG of mice exceeded 11.1 mmol/L,suggesting that the diabetic model was established. After 4 weeks,the structural deformation of the hepatocytes(including hepatocytes containing abundant fat vacuoles, and inflammatory cell infiltration),and the increases in the serum levels of insulin,HOMA-IR,TC,TG,ALT,AST and ALP were observed(P<0.01), indicating the occurrence and progression of hepatopathy in diabetic mice.Meanwhile, com-pared with the control group,the mRNA and protein expression of PPARα,PPARβand PPARγdecreased,but the expres-sion of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),cyclooxygenase 2(COX-2)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)significantly increased in the diabetic hepatopathy mice(P <0.01).CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of PPARα, PPARβand PPARγand activation of NF-κB-COX-2/iNOS signaling pathways may be involved in the diabetic hepatopathy in mice in-duced by long-term high-energy diet feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of STZ.

Clinical analysis of thoracoscopic surgery combined with intraoperative autologous blood transfusion in the treatment of traumatic hemothorax / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

From January 2013 to January 2015, 19 patients of traumatic hemothorax with hemorrhagic shock were treated in our department by thoracoscopic surgery combined with autologous blood transfusion. This study retrospectively analyzed the therapeutic effect and shared our experience. The average amount of blood transfused back was 662.41 ml ± 269.15 ml. None of the patients developed transfusion reaction and were all discharged uneventfully. Thoracoscopic surgery combined with autologous blood trans- fusion is effective in the rescue of patients with progressive hemothorax and hemorrhagic shock. When corresponding indications are well managed, treatment for these patients is quicker, safer, and more effective.

PPARβ-related signal pathway involves in the effect of polydatin on high glucose-and insulin-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of polydatin on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose (25.5 mmol·L -1 )and insulin (0.1 μmol ·L -1 ) (HGI)and its possible influence on peroxisome prolif-erator-activated receptor-β (PPARβ)/nuclear tran-scription factor-κB (NF-κB)/nitric oxide (NO)signa-ling pathway.Methods The cardiomyocyte hypertro-phy was characterized in rat primary cardiomyocytes by measuring the cell surface area,protein content,and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)mRNA expression.The mRNA and protein expressions were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The activity of NO synthase (NOS)and NO content were measured by reagent kit through ultraviolet spectroscopy.Results HGI significantly induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy which increased the cell surface area,protein content and ANF mRNA expression (P <0.01 ).Meanwhile, the expressions of PPARβmRNA and protein reduced while the NF-κB p65 and iNOS expressions increased significantly which occurred in parallel with rising NOS activity and NO concentration (P <0.01 ).Polydatin (0.1,1,10 μmol·L -1 )inhibited the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by HGI (P <0.01 ),and re-versed the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARβ, NF-κB p65 and iNOS,and NOS activity,as well as NO content.These effects of polydatin were abolished by GSK0660 (1 μmol·L -1 ),a selective PPARβan-tagonist (P <0.05 ).Conclusion Polydatin resists HGI-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,which may be mediated by PPARβup-regulation,and then NF-κB-iNOS-NO pathway inactivation.

Effects of PPARβand NO on high glucose and insulin-induced cardio-myocyte hypertrophy / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor β( PPARβ)-nitric oxide (NO) signal pathway in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by high glucose (25.5 mmol/L) and insulin (0.1 μmol/L) ( HGI) .METHODS: The cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was characterized in rat primary cardiomyocytes by measuring the cell surface area, protein content, and the mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF).The mRNA and protein ex-pression were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting , respectively .The activity of NO synthase ( NOS) and NO content were measured by a reagent kit through ultraviolet spectroscopy .RESULTS:HGI induced profound change of hy-pertrophic morphology , and significantly increased the cell surface area , protein content and mRNA expression of ANF (P<0.01), but decreased the expression of PPARβat mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05).At the same time, the ex-pression of inducible NOS (iNOS) was obviously elevated (P<0.01), which occurred in parallel with the rising NOS ac-tivity and NO concentration (P<0.01).GW0742 (1 μmol/L), a selective PPARβagonist, inhibited the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by HGI ( P<0.01 ) , and up-regulated the expression of PPARβat both mRNA and protein levels . Meanwhile, GW0742 also inhibited the increases in iNOS expression , NOS activity, and NO content induced by HGI , which were abolished by GSK0660 (1 μmol/L), a selective PPARβantagonist (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: PPARβdown-regulation and the following iNOS-NO activation are involved in the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by HGI .

Effect of GW0742 on endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose in isolated rat thoracic aorta / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of GW0742 on the endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose (glucose at 55 mmol · L -1 )in isolated rat thoracic aorta and its related mechanisms.Methods The end othelium-dependent relaxation of acetylcholine was per-formed in the absence or presence of GW0742 at differ-ent concentrations under high glucose condition.The structure of aorta was observed by HE staining.Moreo-ver,the content of NO was also measured by nitrate re-duction method.The mRNA and protein expression were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and West-ern blot,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation was impaired by high glucose.Meanwhile,the structures of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were also in-terrupted.Furthermore, the expressions of PPARβmRNA and protein reduced while the NF-κB p65 ex-pression increased significantly which occurred in par- allel with decreasing eNOS expression and NO concen-tration (P <0.01 ).GW0742 (0.01 ,0.1 ,1 μmol· L -1 )restored the relaxation of acetylcholine in a dose-dependent manner,and reversed the mRNA and pro-tein expression of PPARβ,NF-κB p65 and eNOS,as well as NO content (P <0.01 ).Conclusion GW0742 attenuates the injury of endothelial dysfunc-tion induced by high glucose,which may be,at least partly,mediated by the up-regulation of PPARβ,then the down-regulation of NF-κB,and the activation of eNOS-NO signal pathway.

Effect and mechanism of polydatin on diabetic myocardial hypertrophy in mice / 中国中药杂志

To observe the preventive effect of polydatin on diabetic myocardial hypertrophy in mice and discuss its and mechanism. The diabetic model was induced with low dose STZ (40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x 5 d, ip) for five days in mice. The myocardial hypertrophy was determined by hypertrophy indexes (LVHI, left ventricular/right ventricle and septum), left ventricular/body weight (LV/BW), the histological examination and the mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic factor(ANF). The fast blood glucose(FBG), serum insulin and plasma hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c) levels were detected, and then HOMA insulin resistance index ( HOMA. IR) was calculated. The mRNA and protein expressions were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. According to the results, the FBG of the model group exceeded 11.1 mmol x L(-1), with notable decrease in BW and significant increase in insulin, HbA1c and HOME. IR, suggesting the successful establishment and stability of the diabetic model. The increases in LVHI, LV/BW, cell surface and ANF mRNA indicated a myocardial hypertrophy in diabetic mice. Meanwhile, the model group showed decrease in mRNA and protein expressions of PPARβ and significant increase in NF-κB p65, COX-2 and iNOS expressions. After the preventation with PD (50, 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), diabetic mice showed increase in BW, reduction in the levels of FBG, insulin and HbA1 c, relief in insulin resistance and significant recovery in hypertrophy indexes, indicating PD has the protective effect in diabetic myocardial hypertrophy. Meanwhile, PD up-regulated the expression of PPARβ, inhibited the expressions of NF-κB p65, COX-2 and iNOS, demonstrating that PD's protective effect may be related to the activation of PPARβ and the inhibition of NF-κB, COX-2 and iNOS signaling pathways.

A novel locus for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most prevalent group of inherited retinopathies and demonstrates considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity, with wide variations in disease severity, progression, and gene involvement. We studied a large family with RP to determine the pattern of inheritance and to identify the disease-causing gene/locus.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Ophthalmic examination was performed on 35 family members to identify affected individuals and carriers and to characterise the disease phenotype. Genetic linkage analysis was performed using short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphic markers encompassing the known loci for Xlinked RP (xlRP) including RP2, RP3, RP6, RP23, and RP24. Mutation screening was performed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified genomic DNA of the RP2 and RPGR genes of the affected individuals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A highly penetrant, X-linked form of RP was observed in this family. Age of onset was from 5 to 8 years and visual acuity ranged from 20/25 in children to light perception in older adults. Linkage analysis and direct sequencing showed that no known loci/genes were associated with the phenotype in this kindred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A novel disease gene locus/loci is responsible for the xlRP phenotype in this family.</p>