Construction of cell factories for production of valencene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae / 药学学报

Valencene, a kind of sesquiterpenoid with a citrus flavor, is mainly found in Valencia orange and is commonly used in cosmetics and food additives, as well as industrial synthetic nootkatone. In this study, synthetic biology was used to create a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell factory to produce valencene. Fistly, valencene synthase gene (CnVS) from Callitropsis nootkatensis was inserted into the chromosome of the chassis strain YTT-T5. The resulting strain VAL-01 could produce 1.1 mg·L-1 valencene. Protein fusion technique was used, different valencene synthases were compared and the copy number of key genes was adjusted, yielding valencene to 436.4 mg·L-1. Then, knocking-out the transcription factor ROX1 resulted in valencene improvement by 17.4%. Moreover, the induction system of galactose was regulated, transcription factor PDR3 and INO2 were overexpressed. The engineered strain VAL-10 could produce 2 798.6 mg·L-1 valencene by high cell density fermentation method (nearly 2 500 times higher than VAL-01). This study provides a basis for green production of valencene.

Research advances on mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in promoting angiogenesis of diabetic ulcers / 中华烧伤杂志

Extracellular vesicles are nanoparticles secreted by most eukaryotic cells and play important roles in material transport and information transmission between cells, involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, antigen presentation, cell apoptosis, cell differentiation, and other biological processes. The culture supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells is rich in extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular vesicles can regulate the formation of new blood vessels, a key step in wound healing and tissue repair. The persistence of diabetic ulcers is closely related to the blocked formation of wound vascular network. This article reviews the role of extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells in promoting angiogenesis of diabetic ulcers, in order to provide a new idea for the treatment of diabetic ulcers.

Effect of RhoE expression on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to investigate the effect of RhoE expression on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).@*METHODS@#Forty-eight TSCC cases were selected from the Maxillofacial Surgery Center of Qingdao Municipal Hospital from 2017 to 2019. The expression of RhoE in the specimens (TSCC and adjacent tissues) was detected by immunohistochemistry, and RhoE mRNA and protein were extracted to further detect the expression of RhoE. SCC-4 and CAL-27 cells were selected for @*RESULTS@#The expression level of RhoE in TSCC was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues (@*CONCLUSIONS@#RhoE expression is low in TSCC. Over expression RhoE in TSCC can significantly decrease its migration and invasion abilities. Hence, RhoE may play an important role in regulating the metastasis and invasion of TSCC and provide a new target for gene therapy.

Implementation of the pre-operative rehabilitation recovery protocol and its effect on the quality of recovery after colorectal surgeries / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Patients' recovery after surgery is the major concern for all perioperative clinicians. This study aims to minimize the side effects of peri-operative surgical stress and accelerate patients' recovery of gastrointestinal (GI) function and quality of life after colorectal surgeries, an enhanced recovery protocol based on pre-operative rehabilitation was implemented and its effect was explored.@*METHODS@#A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted, patients were recruited from January 2018 to September 2019 in this study. Patients scheduled for elective colorectal surgeries were randomly allocated to receive either standardized enhanced recovery after surgery (S-ERAS) group or enhanced recovery after surgery based on pre-operative rehabilitation (group PR-ERAS). In the group PR-ERAS, on top of recommended peri-operative strategies for enhanced recovery, formatted rehabilitation exercises pre-operatively were carried out. The primary outcome was the quality of GI recovery measured with I-FEED scoring. Secondary outcomes were quality of life scores and strength of handgrip; the incidence of adverse events till 30 days post-operatively was also analyzed.@*RESULTS@#A total of 240 patients were scrutinized and 213 eligible patients were enrolled, who were randomly allocated to the group S-ERAS (n = 104) and group PR-ERAS (n = 109). The percentage of normal recovery graded by I-FEED scoring was higher in group PR-ERAS (79.0% vs. 64.3%, P  0.050).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Peri-operative rehabilitation exercise might be another benevolent factor for early recovery of GI function and life of quality after colorectal surgery. Newer, more surgery-specific rehabilitation recovery protocol merits further exploration for these patients.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR-ONRC-14005096.

Blood homocysteine level in Shanghai rural residents with high risk of stroke / 上海预防医学

Objective:To determine the blood level of homocysteine （Hcy） and its influencing factors among Shanghai rural residents with high risk of stroke and to verify if hyperhomocysteinemia （HHcy） is a main biomarker of stroke. Methods:With a clustered random sampling method， questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted among 4 073 rural residents， aged 55 years and above， in Luojing community， Shanghai， in 2018. A total of 470 residents were at high-risk for stroke based on screening of plasma Hcy and other blood indicators. Multivariate logistic regression method was performed for data analysis. Results:The overall level of Hcy was （18.92±6.37）μmol/L， with （20.40±5.89）μmol/L for men and （17.87±2.12）μmol/L for women （t=5.431，P<0.001）. HHcy was detected in 78.94%（371/470） of the participants， in which 85.77%（235/274） were men and 69.39%（136/196） were women （χ2=12.400，P=0.001）. In the high-risk male group， subjects with smoking history， overweight or obesity， exercise frequency <1 h/d， and hypertension has a higher detection rate of HHcy than those without smoking history， normal body mass index， exercise frequency ≥1 h/d and without hypertension （χ2=11.340，8.170，8.200， and 12.400， respectively， all P<0.01）. However， there was no significant difference in HHcy detection rate in different age groups and between the patients with or without diabetes， and dyslipidemia（χ2=3.120，2.311， and 0.984， respectively， all P>0.05）. In the high-risk women group， HHcy detection rate increased with age （χ2=13.874，P<0.01）， and it was higher in participants with overweight or obesity， exercise frequency < 1 h/d， hypertension， and dyslipidemia（χ2=10.278， 13.840， 14.100， and 12.330， respectively， all P<0.01）. Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting HHcy in the high-risk population of stroke include being male， smoking， hypertension， overweight and obesity. Conclusion:Screening of high-risk populations for stroke should include blood level of Hcy.

Off-hours admission does not impact outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention and with a first medical contact-to-device time within 90 min / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#It remains unclear whether the outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) during off-hours are as favorable as those treated during on-hours, especially those with a first medical contact-to-device (FMC-to-device) time within 90 min. We aimed to determine whether off-hours admission impacted late outcomes in patients undergoing PPCI and with an FMC-to-device time ≤90 min.@*METHODS@#This multicenter retrospective study included 670 STEMI patients who underwent successful PPCI and had an FMC-to-device time ≤90 min from 19 chest pain centers in Beijing from January 2018 to December 2018. Patients were divided into on-hours group and off-hours group based on their arrival time. Baseline characteristics, clinical data, and key time intervals during treatment were collected from the Quality Control & Improvement Center of Cardiovascular Intervention of Beijing by the "Heart and Brain Green Channel" app.@*RESULTS@#Overall, the median age of the patients was 58.8 years and 19.9% (133/670) were female. Of these, 296 (44.2%) patients underwent PPCI during on-hours and 374 (55.8%) patients underwent PPCI during off-hours. Compared with the on-hours group, the off-hours group had a longer FMC-to-device time and fewer patients with FMC-to-device time ≤60 min (P  0.05). According to the Cox regression analyses, off-hours admission was not a predictor of 2-year MACEs (P = 0.788). Similarly, the Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the risks of a MACE, all-cause death, reinfarction, and target vessel revascularization were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#This real-world, multicenter retrospective study demonstrated that for STEMI patients who underwent PPCI within 90 min, off-hours admission was safe, with no difference in the risk of 2-year MACEs compared with those with on-hours admission.

Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles inhibit the migration and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by enhancing autophagy / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨超微氧化铁纳米粒子（ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticle，USIONP）对人肝细胞癌HepG2细胞迁移和侵袭的影响及其可能的机制。方法：采用粒径分析仪和透射电镜分别分析USIONP的水合粒径和核心粒径，Zeta电位和胶体稳定性实验分析USIONP的分散性及其稳定性以鉴定USIONP的成功制备；用不同质量浓度USIONP（0、50、100、200 μg/ml）或200 μg/ml USIONP+5 mmol/L 3-MA（自噬抑制剂）联合处理HepG2细胞，CCK-8法检测HepG2细胞的增殖活力，Transwell法检测细胞的迁移和侵袭能力，WB实验检测自噬标志物Beclin1、LC3、p62的表达，2’,7’-二氯二氢荧光素二醋酸（DCFH-DA）法测定细胞内活性氧（ROS）水平，铁离子比色法检测细胞内铁离子水平。结果：USIONP的平均水合粒径为（37.86±12.90） nm、核心粒径约10 nm，Zeta电位为–23.8 mV，有良好的水溶分散性，证实了USIONP的成功制备。随USIONP质量浓度升高和处理时间延长，HepG2细胞的增殖活力明显降低（均P<0.05）；与对照组相比，200 μg/ml USIONP处理HepG2细胞24 h后，迁移、侵袭细胞数量均显著减少（均P<0.05），而3-MA能够部分抵消上述影响（均P<0.05）。与对照组相比，100、200 μg/ml USIONP处理组的HepG2细胞中Beclin1和LC3Ⅱ蛋白相对表达水平均显著升高（均P<0.05），而p62蛋白表达水平下降（均P<0.05）；200 μg/ml USIONP可显著提高细胞内ROS水平与铁离子水平，而加入3-MA可阻断其作用（均P<0.05）。结论：USIONP能促进HepG2细胞发生自噬，而自噬通路激活后降解USIONP释放铁离子和导致细胞ROS水平升高，从而抑制HepG2细胞的迁移和侵袭。

Fe3O4 nanoparticles enhance the sonodynamic therapy effect of chlorin e6 on glioma U251 cells / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：探讨四氧化三铁（Fe3O4）纳米粒子（PION）作为药物载体增强二氢卟吩e6（chlorin e6，Ce6）在胶质瘤中的增效作用。方法：采用高温降解法和相转移法制备PEG-Fe3O4@Ce6复合纳米粒子（PION@E6），用水合粒径分析、透射电镜、胶体稳定性分析、紫外可见光吸收光谱等方法对PION@E6进行鉴定。CCK-8法检测胶质瘤U251细胞的增殖活性，流式细胞术检测细胞的凋亡水平，DCFH-DA探针法检测细胞中活性氧（reactive oxygen species，ROS）的水平。构建BALB/c-nu裸鼠胶质瘤U251细胞移植瘤模型，动物活体荧光成像术及磁共振成像（MRI）观察PION@E6及Ce6在移植瘤中的潴留时间，比较PION@E6声动力治疗组及Ce6声动力治疗组的第28天生存情况及肿瘤体积。结果：PION@E6的核心粒径为10 nm、水合粒径为（37.86±12.90）nm，具有良好的水溶性和稳定性；吸收光谱及XRD图谱显示Ce6已经负载到Fe3O4纳米粒子上。与Ce6声动力组比较，PION@E6声动力组U251细胞的增殖活性显著下降（P<0.05），细胞凋亡率显著升高（均P<0.05），细胞中ROS水平显著升高（P<0.05）。荷瘤裸鼠胶质瘤U251细胞移植瘤治疗实验结果显示，与Ce6声动力治疗组比较，PION@E6声动力治疗组裸鼠移植瘤组织中潴留时间显著延长（P<0.05），存活的裸鼠数显著增多，移植瘤体积显著缩小（P<0.01）。结论：Fe3O4纳米粒子对Ce6介导的胶质瘤U251细胞声动力治疗具有明显的增效作用。

Clinical Analysis of CMV Infection after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Severe Aplastic Anemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA).@*METHODS@#Clinical data from 270 SAA patients with allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed, including 108 sib congruence patients and 162 substitute donors (68 unrelated donor congruence patients and 94 related haploid patients). Different pretreatment schemes were selected for different transplantation modes. The HLA-identical sibling and haploid grafts were all bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells, and the grafts from unrelated donors were peripheral blood stem cells. After granulocyte implantation, blood CMV-DNA was regularly monitored. Flow cytometry was also used to determine the absolute number of CD3@*RESULTS@#CMV infection occurred in 229 of 270 patients with an incidence of 84.8%. Among them, 18 patients developed giant cell disease. Univariate analysis showed that alternative donors (unrelated total and haploid donors), mycophenolate mofetil and acute graft-versus-host disease were statistically significantly associated with CMV infection (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that alternative donors were associated with CMV infection. The recovery of CD3@*CONCLUSION@#After allo-HSCT, substitute donors are more easily to develop CMV infection than full-sibling donors, and the reconstruction of immune function is delayed after transplantation.

Effects of isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase silencing on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#The effect of isoprenylcysteine carboxymethyltransferase (ICMT) silencing on the migration and invasion of tongue squamous cell carcinoma was investigated by constructing the small interfering RNA (siRNA) of ICMT.@*METHODS@#Through liposomal transfection, siRNA was transfected into human tongue squamous cell carcinoma CAL-27 and SCC-4 cells (ICMT-siRNA group) with a negative control group (transfected with NC-siRNA) and a blank control group (transfected with a transfection reagent but not with siRNA). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the mRNA expression of ICMT and RhoA in each group of cells after transfection and to measure the silencing efficiency. Western blot was applied to examine the expression levels of ICMT, total RhoA, membrane RhoA, ROCK1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 proteins in each group. The migration and invasion abilities were evaluated via wound healing and Transwell motility assays.@*RESULTS@#After CAL-27 and SCC-4 cells were transfected with ICMT-siRNA, the expression levels of ICMT genes and proteins decreased significantly in the experimental group compared with those in the negative and blank control groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The migration and invasion abilities of CAL-27 and SCC-4 cells were reduced significantly after the transfection of ICMT-siRNA, and the involved mechanism might be related to the RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway.

Effects of isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to explore the effects of silencing isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransfe-rase (Icmt) through small interfering RNA (siRNA) interference on the proliferation and apoptosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).@*METHODS@#Three siRNA were designed and constructed for the Icmt gene sequence and were then transfected into TSCC cells CAL-27 and SCC-4 to silence Icmt expression. The tested cells were divided as follows: RNA interference groups Icmt-siRNA-1, Icmt-siRNA-2, and Icmt-siRNA-3, negative control group, and blank control group. The transfection efficiency of siRNA was detected by the fluorescent group Cy3-labeled siRNA, and the expression of Icmt mRNA was screened by quantitive real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) selected the experimental group for subsequent experiments. The expression of Icmt, RhoA, Cyclin D1, p21, extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK) were analyzed by Western blot. The proliferation abilities of TSCC cells were determined by cell counting kit-8 assay. The change in apoptosis was detected by AnnexinV-APC/propidium staining (PI) assay. Cell-cycle analysis was conducted by flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#The expression of Icmt mRNA and protein in TSCC cells significantly decreased after Icmt-siRNA transfection (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Silencing Icmt can effectively downregulate its expression in TSCC cells, reduce the RhoA membrane targeting localization and cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis. Thus, Icmt may be a potential gene therapy target for TSCC.

Application of two occupational health risk assessment methods in enterprises with 1-bromopropane production and utilization / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To compare the applicability of two risk assessment methods for occupational health risk assessment in enterprises with 1-bromopropane(1-BP) production and utilization. METHODS: Three enterprises with 1-BP production and utilization were selected as the research subjects by a typical sampling method. The exposure concentration of time-weighted average of 1-BP-exposed in worker was detected. The non-carcinogenic health risk of 1-BP was assessed using the USA Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) inhalation risk(EPA assessment model) and the Ministry of Manpower of Singapore(MOM assessment model), and the results were compared. RESULTS: When the EPA method was used for the assessment, the risk assessment results of the four posts in the manufacturing enterprises were all negligible. In the enterprises that use 1-BP, the posts of cleaning machine B and clamping were of medium risk and the other four posts were of low risk based on the occupational exposure limit(OEL) in China used as the reference exposure concentration(RfC). When the 24-hour minimal risk level of USA Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry was used as the RfC, the posts of cleaning machine B and clamping were of extreme high risk; the posts in cleaning machine A and checking were of high risk; the post in the cleaning machine D was of medium risk and the post of cleaning machine C was of low risk. When the MOM assessment model was used for evaluation, the four posts were of low risk in the 1-BP production enterprises. In the enterprises that use 1-BP, the posts of cleaning machine B and clamping were of high risk; the posts of cleaning machine A, cleaning machine D and checking were of medium risk; and the post of cleaning machine C was of low risk. CONCLUSION: When the OEL value is used for risk assessment, the MOM assessment method is more suitable than the EPA assessment method to assess occupational health risks of 1-BP.

Prognostic Factors Analysis of Children with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the risk factors affecting prognosis of children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).@*METHODS@#The clinical manifestations and laboratory data of 143 HLH children who met the HLH-2004 diagnostic criteria in Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2009 to May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the independent factors affecting prognosis were also analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The median age of 143 HLH children was 1.9 (0.1-14.3) years old, and the median follow-up time was 6.7 years (1 day - 11.9 years). The overall survival rate of 1 month, 1 year, and 10 years was (87.4±5.5)%, (81.1±6.5)%, and (81.1±6.5)%, respectively. The deaths occurred within 1 year after onset. Multivariate analysis showed that central nervous system (CNS) involvement (P=0.047), low hemoglobin (P=0.002), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P<0.001), high triglyceride (P=0.005) were all the independent risk factors affecting survival of the children. Receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that APTT (AUC=0.753, P<0.001) was more valuable than other risk factors in predicting death of the children. The cut-off value of APTT was 56.6 s, and the sensitivity and specificity of which was 55.6% and 89.7%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Hypohemoglobinemia, prolonged APTT, hypertriglyceridemia, and CNS involvement the risk factors affecting prognosis of HLH, and prolonged APTT shows a strong predictive value for death.

Relationship between Muscle Mass of Limbs and aGVHD in Patients with Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the correlation of limb muscle mass and acute graft-versus-host disease.@*METHODS@#Clinical data from 144 patients treated by allo-HSCT in Guangzhou First People's Hospital were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The age, sex, diagnosis, donor age, sex of the donors, preparative regimen, ATG dose, HLA match, graft source, and number of infused stem cells of the patients were collected as baseline information. Meanwhile, bioelectrical impedance principle (BIA) was used to measure the limb muscle mass, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, upper arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and body fat rate of the patients before and after transplantation, so as to compare the changes of limb muscle mass and investigate its correlation with aGVHD.@*RESULTS@#It was found that 61.11% of allo-HSCT patients showed muscle mass loss, and the proportion of male and female was 35.42% and 25.69%, respectively. There were reduction in the body weight, BMI, upper arm muscle circumference and muscle mass of limbs after transplantation as compared with those before transplantation (P<0.05). By comparing with the cumulative incidence of aGVHD between the patients in low muscle mass group and normal muscle mass group, it was found that the cumulative incidence of Ⅱ-Ⅳdegree aGVHD in patients with low muscle mass (30.38%) was higher than those with normal muscle mass (8.93%), which showed statistical difference (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that muscle mass, the sex of the donors, and preparative regimen were the influencing factors of aGVHD (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression showed that low muscle mass was the independent risk factor affecting aGVHD (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Patients treated by allo-HSCT shows a decline in muscle mass after transplantation, and the incidence of aGVHD is high in patients with low muscle mass. Therefore, the assessment of muscle quality in early stage in patients with HSCT can facilitate earlier detection of aGVHD.

Lotus leaf flavonoids induce apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells through the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway

BACKGROUND: Leaves of the natural plant lotus are used in traditional Chinese medicine and tea production. They are rich in flavonoids. METHODS: In this study, lotus leaf flavonoids (LLF) were applied to human lung cancer A549 cells and human small cell lung cancer cells H446 in vitro to verify the effect of LLF on apoptosis in these cells through the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway. RESULTS: LLF had no toxic effect on normal cells at concentrations up to 500 µg/mL, but could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells and H446 cells. Flow cytometry showed that LLF could induce growth in A549 cells. We also found that LLF could increase ROS and MDA levels, and decrease SOD activity in A549 cells. Furthermore, qRT-PCR and western blot analyses showed that LLF could upregulate the expression of p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), caspase-3, caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and Bax and downregulate the expression of Cu/Zn SOD, CAT, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and Bcl-2 in A549 cells. Results of HPLC showed that LLF mainly contain five active substances: kaemp-feritrin, hyperoside, astragalin, phloridzin, and quercetin. The apoptosis-inducing effect of LLF on A549 cells came from these naturally active compounds. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown in this study that LLF is a bioactive substance that can induce apoptosis in A549 cells in vitro, and merits further research and development.

Effect of dictyophora polysaccharide on mitophagy induced by sodium arsenite in L-02 cells / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of dictyophora polysaccharide (DIP) on PINK1/Parkin pathway mediated mitophagy induced by sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) in human hepatocytes (L-02 cells). Methods:The L-02 cells in logarithmic growth phase and in good condition were divided into control group, NaAsO 2 group (10 μmol/L), DIP group (80 μg/ml), DIP + NaAsO 2 group (80 μg/ml DIP + 10 μmol/L NaAsO 2) , N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (5 mmol/L), and NAC + NaAsO 2 group (5 mmol/L NAC + 10 μmol/L NaAsO 2). Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of mitophagy related proteins p62, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, PINK1, and Parkin. The mitochondrial stucture and autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscope, the fluorescent probe method was used to detect the expression level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results:Compared with the control group, the protein expressions of p62, LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ, PINK1, and Parkin in NaAsO 2 group were higher ( P < 0.05); compared with the NaAsO 2 group, the protein expressions of p62, LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ, PINK1 and Parkin were lower in DIP, DIP + NaAsO 2, NAC, and NAC + NaAsO 2 groups ( P <0.05). According to the transmission electron microscope, compared with the control group, the mitochondria of L-02 cells in NaAsO 2 group were significantly damaged and the number of autophagosomes increased. Compared with NaAsO 2 group, the degree of mitochondrial swelling, vacuolar degeneration and the number of autophagosomes decreased in DIP + NaAsO 2 group. Compared with the control group (33 110.00 ± 2 191.28), the intracellular ROS level in NaAsO 2 group was higher (48 000.00 ± 2 395.31, P < 0.05); the level of intracellular ROS in DIP + NaAsO 2 group (38 670.00 ± 2 620.56) was significantly lower than that in NaAsO 2 group( P < 0.05), and there was no significant change compared with the control group ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:NaAsO 2 can induce PINK1/Parkin mediated mitophagy in L-02 cells. DIP can alleviate NaAsO 2 induced mitophagy. DIP may affect PINK1/Parkin mediated mitophagy induced by NaAsO 2 through the regulation of ROS.

Effects of sodium arsenite on the expression of lipid metabolism related genes SREBP-1c, PPARα and FAS in L-02 cells / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) on the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in human liver cells (L-02 cells). Methods:L-02 cells were cultured in vitro, and exposed to NaAsO 2 at 0 (control), 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 μmol/L for 24 h, respectively, and the cell survival rate was determined by CCK-8 method. And a fitting curve was made to calculate the half inhibitory concentration (IC 50), subsequent experiments were carried out with 0, 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 of IC 50 as arsenic exposure doses. Glycerol phosphate oxidase-catalase (GPO-PAP) method was used to detect the content of triglyceride (TG) in cells; the mRNA expression levels of SREBP-1c, PPARα and FAS were detected by Real-time PCR; and the protein expression levels of SREBP-1c and PPARα were detected by Western blotting. Results:The cell survival rates of 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 μmol/L NaAsO 2 groups [(92.000 ± 1.414)%, (91.000 ± 0.000)%, (76.500 ± 0.707)%, (53.000 ± 1.412)%, (47.000 ± 1.412)%] were significantly lower than that of the control group [(100.000 ± 0.000)%, P < 0.01]. The IC 50 was 64 μmol/L, and subsequent experiments were conducted with 0 (control), 8, 16 and 32 μmol/L NaAsO 2, respectively. Compared with the control group [(1.000 ± 0.000) mmol/g prot], TG contents of 8, 16 and 32 μmol/L NaAsO 2 groups [(0.691 ± 0.064), (0.474 ± 0.162), (0.184 ± 0.045) mmol/g prot] were significant decreased ( P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of SREBP-1c, PPARα, FAS, and the protein expression levels of SREBP-1c and PPARα in NaAsO 2 groups were significantly decreased ( P < 0.01 or < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that NaAsO 2 content was negatively correlated with TG content, SREBP-1c and PPARα protein expression levels ( r =-0.954,- 0.875,-0.965, P < 0.01). Conclusion:NaAsO 2 can reduce the TG content and the expression of lipid metabolism related genes SREBP-1c, PPARα and FAS in L-02 cells, suggesting that arsenic-induced liver injury can cause lipid metabolism disorders.

Role of Nrf2 signaling pathway in oxidative damage of L-02 cells induced by sodium arsenite / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To explore the role of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in oxidative damage caused by sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) in human normal liver cells (L-02), and to provide experimental basis for the study of oxidative damage mechanism of liver damage caused by arsenic. Methods:L-02 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with 0 (control), 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 μmol/L NaAsO 2, respectively, for 24 h. The half-inhibitory concentration (IC 50) was calculated according to the cell survival rate by CCK8, and L-02 cells were treated with 0, 1/8, 1/4 and 1/2 dose of IC 50 of NaAsO 2, respectively, for grouping experiments. Protein expressions of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NADH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) in L-02 cells and L-02 nucleus were detected by Western blotting. Results:The result of CCK8 showed that the survival rates of L-02 cells in 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 μmol/L NaAsO 2 groups were [(69.53 ± 0.06)%, (41.33 ± 0.08)%, (23.65 ± 0.04)%, (26.51 ± 0.04)%, (31.63 ± 0.01)%, (26.24 ± 0.02)%], which were significantly lower than that of the control group[(100 ± 0.00)%]. The differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The IC 50 calculated by cell survival was 40 μmol/L, and the NaAsO 2 doses used in the experiment were 0 (control), 5, 10, and 20 μmol/L. Western blotting results showed that, compared with the control group, the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1 in L-02 and HO-1 in the L-02 cells nucleus in the 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L NaAsO 2 groups were significantly higher ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of GPx1 protein in L-02 cells of 10 and 20 μmol/L NaAsO 2 groups were decreased ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Nrf2 protein in L-02 nucleus in 10 and 20 μmol/L NaAsO 2 groups were significantly increased ( P < 0.05); the expression level of NQO1 protein in L-02 nucleus in 5 μmol/L NaAsO 2 group was significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:NaAsO 2 has an effect on the expression of Nrf2 signaling pathway related factors in L-02 cells, and the mechanism of oxidative damage caused by NaAsO 2 in L-02 cells may be related to Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Role of reactive oxygen species-mitochondrial pathway in sodium arsenite-induced apoptosis of L-02 cells / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of apoptosis induced by sodium arsenite (NaAsO 2) in human hepatic cells (L-02) through reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, and provide experimental evidence for the mechanism of arsenic poisoning. Methods:L-02 cells were divided into control group, NaAsO 2 group (10 μmol/L NaAsO 2), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (5 mmol/L NAC), and NaAsO 2 + NAC group (10 μmol/L NaAsO 2, 5 mmol/L NAC), and were cultured in vitro for 24 h. The intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratio and cell apoptosis rate were measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescence probe, JC-1 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, respectively; the mRNA and the protein of Caspase 3, cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and cytochrome C oxidaseⅣ (COXⅣ) were detected by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Results:There were statistically significant differences in intracellular ROS levels (3 857 392.33 ± 44 928.39, 4 515 288.00 ± 32 660.64, 3 670 150.67 ± 101 987.69, 4 035 235.67 ± 99 995.30), mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratios (2.16 ± 0.54, 7.95 ± 0.52, 2.70 ± 0.29, 1.01 ± 0.23) and total apoptosis rates (1.45 ± 0.03, 4.27 ± 0.17, 1.87 ± 0.12, 2.52 ± 0.35) between groups ( F = 62.62, 159.81, 112.70, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in Caspase 3, Cyt-C, COXⅣ mRNA expression levels ( F = 9.20, 7.33, 14.87, P < 0.05) and in cleaved-Caspase 3, Cyt-C, COXⅣ protein expression levels( F = 31.42, 8.01, 83.30, P < 0.05) between groups. Compared with the control group, the intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratio and total apoptosis rate were significantly increased ( P < 0.05); Caspase3, Cyt-C mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased ( P < 0.05), and COXⅣ mRNA and cleaved-Caspase 3, Cyt-C protein expression levels were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) in NaAsO 2 group. Compared with the NaAsO 2 group, the intracellular ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization ratio and total apoptosis rate of NaAsO 2 + NAC group were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05); the Caspase3, Cyt-C mRNA and cleaved-Caspase 3, Cyt-C protein expression levels were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), the COX Ⅳ mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:NaAsO 2 stimulates L-02 cells to produce excessive ROS, which induces mitochondrial depolarization and further triggers mitochondrial damage, resulting in increased release of Cyt-C and activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway that Caspase 3 protein induces apoptosis in L-02 cells, which may be one of the main mechanisms of arsenic-induced liver injury.

Mechanism of Liuwei Dihuangtang on Learning and Memory in Depressive Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Liuwei Dihuangtang on memory impairment in rats with chronic depression. Method::Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group (normal saline), chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model group (normal saline), and low, medium and high-dose Liuwei Dihuangtang groups (2.60, 7.81, 23.50 g·kg-1·d-1). Except for the normal group, all of the other groups were included in the chronic unpredictable mild stress model. Weight were measured every week, changes in their behavioral indicators were observed. The mRNA expressions of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K), cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the rat hippocampus were determined by real-time fluorescence quantification polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The concentration of serum estrogen was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Result::Compared with normal group, model group showed decreases in weight, activity and interest. Liuwei Dihuangtang (2.60, 7.81, 23.50 g·kg-1) significantly increased the sucrose preference of CUMS rats (P<0.01) and standing times in the open field test (P<0.01), doses of 7.81, 23.50 g·kg-1 significantly increased the total distance of the open field test (P<0.05, P<0.01), doses of 2.60, 7.81 g·kg-1 shortened the latency of water maze experiment (P<0.01), and dose of 7.81 g·kg-1 increased serum estrogen concentration (P<0.05). The mRNA expressions of GPR30, PI3K, CREB and BDNF in hippocampus of CUMS model group decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01), but the mRNA expression levels of GPR30, CREB in hippocampus of 2.60 g·kg-1 dose Liuwei Dihuangtang group increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA expression levels of GPR30, PI3K, CREB, BDNF in hippocampus of 7.81 g·kg-1 dose group increased significantly as well (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Liuwei Dihuangtang has effect in resisting depression, and reversing depression-like behavior and learning and memory impairment in CUMS rats, with the best effect in the medium-dose Liuwei Dihuangtang group. Its mechanism may be related to increase of serum estrogen and mRNA expressions of GPR30, PI3K, CREB and BDNF in rat hippocampus.