Taurine inhibits M2 polarization of macrophages by promoting mitophagy / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of taurine regulating the polarization of M2 macrophages by mitophagy. Methods THP-1 cells were divided into four groups: M0 group (THP-1 cells were treated by 100 nmol/L phorbol myristate ester for 48 hours to polarize into M0), M2 group (THP-1 cells were induced to polarize into M2 macrophages by 20 ng/mL interferon-4 (IL-4) for 48 hours), M2 combined with taurine groups (added with 40 or 80 mmol/L taurine on the basis of M2 macrophages). The mRNA expression of mannose receptor C type 1(MRC-1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 22(CCL22) and dendritic cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (CD209) in M2 macrophages were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Mitochondrial and lysosome probes were used to detect the number of mitochondria and lysosomes by multifunction microplate reader and confocal laser scanning microscope. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was detected by JC-1 MMP assay kit. The expression of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with M0 group, the expression of MRC-1, CCL22, CD209 and PINK1, the number of mitochondria and the level of MMP in M2 group were significantly increased, whereas the number of lysosomes and LC3II/LC3I ratio were decreased. Compared with M2 group, the expressions of MRC-1, CCL22 and CD209, the number of mitochondria and the level of MMP in M2 combined with taurine group dropped significantly while the number of lysosomes was found increased, and the protein expression of PINK1 and LC3II/LC3I ratio were also increased. Conclusions The polarization of M2 macrophages is regulated by taurine to prevent excessive polarization via reducing the level of MMP, improving the level of mitophagy, reducing the number of mitochondria, and inhibiting the mRNA expression of polarization markers in M2 macrophages.

Analysis of the ammonia level in air and heavy metals in drinking water in a cynomolgus monkey feedlot / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective The ammonia level in air and heavy metals in drinking water were explored in a cynomolgus monkey feedlot. Methods Air ammonia from different communities and feeding patterns of cynomolgus monkeys were collected at three time-points per day and determined by Nessler's reagent spectrophotometry. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was applied to detect the level of heavy metals in drinking water from 5 different sampling sites in the feedlot,incluing the outlet of underground water,the water tank,both monkey cages equipped with PVC or iron pipes and sewage lagoon,respectively. Results Air ammonia levels in quarantine inspection flock cages(0.59 ± 0.03 mg/m3)were significantly higher than in the cages of both reproductive flock(0.34 ± 0.03 mg/m3)and sale flock(0.27 ± 0.04 mg/m3). The ammonia level in air in different feeding patterns ranks as following:cage rearing of quarantine inspection flock(0.59 ± 0.03 mg/m3)>cage rearing of reproductive flock(0.48 ± 0.02 mg/m3)>captive bleeding of sale flock(0.30 ± 0.02 mg/m3)>cage rearing of sale flock(0.25 ± 0.01 mg/m3)> captive bleeding of reproductive flock(0.22 ± 0.02 mg/m3). The air ammonia concentrations of both former flocks were statistically higher than the latter three flocks. The highest air ammonia level among different flocks and feeding patterns occurred in the morning, before waste discharge clean-up. The iron concentration in drinking water in the cages equipped with iron pipes was higher than Chinese drinking water standard. Conclusions The air ammonia level was lower than the Chinese air quality standard. The iron concentration in drinking water in the cages equipped with iron pipes was higher than the Chinese drinking water standard.

Therapeutic effects of Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon for obesity / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) on obesity under gastroscopy.Methods Data of 47 patients treated with Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon under gastrscopy were reviewed from July,2010 to May,2011.Results Weight loss ( mean 15.4 kg ) was successfully achieved in all the patients during 6 months.BMI decreased by 3.2-6.4 kg/m2 ( mean 4.7 kg/m2 ).There was no serious side effect with a better result for obesity according to the follow-up.Conclusion BIB is effective for obesity for noninvasiveness,stable speed of weight loss and less pain.

Seasonal distribution of active systemic lupus erythematosus and its correlation with meteorological factors

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of seasonal distribution of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the influences of meteorological factors including temperature and humidity on active systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: The characteristics of seasonal distribution of active SLE and its correlation with meteorological factors were retrospectively analyzed in 640 patients living in the city of Zhanjiang, China and had active SLE between January 1997 and December 2006. RESULTS: In winter, when there are weaker ultraviolet (UV) rays, the ratio of patients with active SLE to total inpatients was 3.89 percento, which is significantly higher than in other seasons with stronger UV rays, including 2.17 percento in spring, 1.87 0 in summer and 2.12 0 in autumn. The number of patients with active SLE had significant negative correlation with mean temperature and was not significantly related to mean humidity. CONCLUSION: Active SLE has the characteristics of seasonal distribution and is associated with temperature. The mechanism remains to be further studied.

RU486 reverses dexamethasone inhibition of interleukin—2 prodnction and gene expression in lymphocytes of rat spleen / 中国免疫学杂志

By using ~3H—TdR incorporation and CTLL—2 cell line,we observed effects of RU486,anantagonist of type Ⅱ glucocorticoid receptor,on dexamethasone inhibition of lymphocyte prolifer-ation and interleukin—2(IL—2)production in rat spleen.It was shown that RU486 obviouslyantagonized the inhibitory actions of dexamethasone on lymphocyte proliferation and IL—2 pro-duction.By means of dot hybridization and Northern blot analysis,effects of dexamethasone andRU486 on IL—2 gene expression were investigated in lymphocytes of rat spleen.The datademonstrated that dexamethasone markedly decreased IL—2 mRNA production,RU486 alonedidn't affect IL-2 mRNA levels,but obviously reversed dexamethasone-mediated downregala-tion of IL—2 mRNA production in ConA—activated lymphocytes.These results suggest thatthe above effects of dexamethasone may be mediated by glucocorticoid receptor in lymphocytesof rat spleen.