Ginsenoside Rg1 protects human renal tubular epithelial cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis and inflammation damage

Ginsenoside Rg1, one of the most notable active components of Panax ginseng, has been widely reported to exert anti-inflammatory actions. This study aimed to reveal whether ginsenoside Rg1 also exhibits beneficial roles against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis and inflammation in human renal tubular epithelial cells, and to evaluate the potential role of the component on tubulointerstitial nephritis treatment. HK-2 cells were treated with various doses of ginsenoside Rg1 (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) in the absence or presence of 5 μg/mL LPS. Thereafter, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, western blot, migration assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and ELISA were carried out to respectively assess cell viability, apoptosis, migration, ROS activity, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. As a result, ginsenoside Rg1 protected HK-2 cells from LPS-induced injury, as cell viability was increased, cell apoptosis was decreased, and the release of MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was reduced. Ginsenoside Rg1 functioned to HK-2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the 150 μM dose exhibited the most protective functions. Ginsenoside Rg1 had no significant impact on cell migration and ROS activity, while it alleviated LPS-induced ROS release and migration impairment. Furthermore, the down-regulations of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and up-regulations of PTEN, p-IκBα, p-p65, Bcl-3 induced by LPS were recovered to some extent after ginsenoside Rg1 treatment. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rg1 protects HK-2 cells against LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and suppression of NF-κB pathway.

Artificial pneumothorax for pain relief during microwave ablation of subpleural lung tumors.

BACKGROUND: When microwave ablation (MWA) is used for subpleural lesions, severe pain was the common side effect under the local anesthesia conditions during the procedure and postprocedure. To study the pain relief effect of artificial pneumothorax in the treatment of subpleural lung tumors with MWA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2012 to October 2014, 37 patients with 40 subpleural lung tumors underwent MWA, including 17 patients of 19 sessions given artificial pneumothorax prior to MWA (group‑I), and 20 patients of 21 sessions without artificial pneumothorax (group‑II). Patient’s pain assessment scores (10‑point visual analog scale [VAS]) at during‑procedure, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after the MWA procedure and mean 24 h morphine dose were compared between the two groups. Complications of the artificial pneumothorax were also summarized. RESULTS: Pain VAS were 0.53, 0.65, 1.00, 0.24, and 0.18 at during‑procedure, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h for group‑I and 5.53, 2.32, 2.82, 1.21, and 0.21 for group‑II, respectively. Pain VAS in group I was significantly decreased at during‑procedure, 6, 12, and 24 h after the MWA (P < 0.001). No statistical pain VAS difference was observed at 48 h after the MWA between the two groups (P > 0.05). The mean 24 h morphine dose was 5.00 mg in group‑I and 12.63 mg in group‑II (P = 0.000). “Artificial pneumothorax” related complications occurred in two patients from group‑I, including one pleural effusion and one minor hemoptysis. No patient in group‑I and group‑II died during the procedure or in 30 days after MWA. CONCLUSION: Artificial pneumothorax is a safe and effective method for pain relief during MWA of subpleural lung tumors.

Microwave ablation as palliative treatment of locally recurrent colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients suffering local recurrence of colorectal cancer which cannot be surgically removed are troubled with severe pain and poor quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)‑guided microwave ablation (MWA) as palliative treatment for recurrent unresectable colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty‑one patients were suffering locally recurrent colorectal cancer underwent MWA with CT guidance. The MWA power was set at 60–80 W, 6–8 min. Effectiveness was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) with a follow‑up of 6‑month. Complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all patients. Mean VAS preprocedure was 7.10. Mean VAS postprocedure were as follows: 1 week, 2.65 (P < 0.001); 1 month, 0.81 (P < 0.001); 3 months 0.45 (P < 0.001); and 6 months 0.19 (P < 0.001). No serious complications were observed including intestinal fistulas, bladder fistulas, or peripheral vascular or nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS: CT‑guided MWA as treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer can quickly and effectively relieve pain. It is a minimally invasive, safe, and efficient palliative treatment of recurrent colorectal cancer.

Bronchopleural fistula after lung ablation: Experience in two cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) complicating lung tumor ablation is rare but severe. The purpose of this article was to study its characteristics and treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two of 682 (0.3%) sessions of lung microwave ablation (MWA) were complicated with BPF and documented. Two electronic databases were searched for reported cases of BPF after lung tumor ablation. Case selection and data collection were done by 3 independent reviewers. RESULTS: A 56‑year‑old man and a 61‑year‑old woman developed BPF after MWA and died. Thirteen cases (mean age 63.8, 61.5% male) of BPF with adequate information were identified from 8 articles. Of the 13 cases, 5 (38.5%) had pulmonary co‑morbidity, 3 (23.1%) had a history of pulmonary surgery, 7 (53.8%) had a target tumor adjacent or abutting pulmonary pleura, and 6 (46.2%) developed severe infections. After chest tube placement, pleurodesis, endoscopic therapy, surgery, and other treatments, 12 were cured and 1 died of BPF and pneumonia. CONCLUSION: BPF is a rare but severe complication of lung ablation, and the management needs a multidisciplinary and individualized treatment strategy.

Molecular characterisation of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli O136:K78 isolates from patients of a diarrhoea outbreak in China.

Purpose: A diarrhoea outbreak occurred in a kindergarten, which caused 21 relevant infected cases. Our object was to confirm the pathogens and their molecular characterisation. Materials and Methods: Faecal samples from 21 patients were collected on the 3rd day after their symptom onset, and a regular epidemiological investigation was conducted. Bacterial isolation was performed in accordance with standard laboratory protocol, serological and molecular characterisations were determined by serum agglutination test and real‑time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, respectively. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and 16S rRNAs were conducted to determine the homology. Results: Eleven enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) O136:K78 strains were isolated. The serum agglutination test showed that all strains’ serotypes were E. coli (EIEC) O136:K78. Real‑time PCR showed that 10 (91%) strains carried the invasion plasmid antigen H gene (ipaH), carried by all four Shigella species and EIEC. The strain that didn’t carry the ipaH gene had different biochemical reactions of L‑lizyna and L‑rhamnose with the other strains. The complete 16S rRNA sequences showed 98.4% identity between ipaH‑negative isolate and the others, and the PFGE indicated that the ipaH‑negative isolate was not homological with other isolates in this diarrhoea outbreak. Conclusions: The diarrhoea outbreak was caused by E. coli (EIEC) O136:K78.