Effect of Licochalcone A on Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of licochalcone A （LCA） on apoptosis in human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells， and to explore its possible mechanism. Method:MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with LCA of different concentrations， and<italic> </italic>cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was used to detect the cell viability. The cells were treated with LCA （10， 20， and 40 μmol·L^-1） for 24 h， and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC） and propidium iodide （PI） （Annexin V-FITC/PI）. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） was detected by 2′，7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate （DCFA-DA） fluorescent probe. Mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） was detected by 5， 5′， 6， 6′-tetrachloro-1， 1′， 3， 3′-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine （JC-1） fluorescence probe. Western blot was used to detect the expression of cell apoptosis-related proteins， such as B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress-related proteins， such as C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， protein kinase R-like ER kinase （PERK）， p-PERK， eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha （eIF2<italic>α</italic>）， and p-eIF2<italic>α</italic>. Result:With the increase in the drug concentration （starting from 5 μmol·L^-1）， the cell viability decreased （<italic>P<</italic>0.05） with IC₅₀of 19.05 μmol·L^-1 as compared with the normal group. Additionally， the apoptosis rates of the LCA groups （10， 20， 40 μmol·L^-1） significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， which reached 30.2% （<italic>P</italic><0.05） at LCA concentration of 40 μmol·L^-1. LCA （10， 20， and 40 μmol·L^-1） decreased the expression of Bcl-2 （<italic>P<</italic>0.05） and increased Bax expression （<italic>P<</italic>0.05） in a dose-dependent manner. Besides， the intracellular ROS level was elevated （<italic>P<</italic>0.05） and mitochondrial MMP was reduced （<italic>P<</italic>0.05） after LCA （10， 20， and 40 μmol·L^-1） treatment in a dose-dependent manner， leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. LCA （10， 20， and 40 μmol·L^-1） induced ER stress to up-regulate the expression of CHOP， ATF4， p-PERK， and p-eIF2<italic>α</italic> （<italic>P<</italic>0.05） in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion:LCA can induce MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis by increasing intracellular ROS level and reducing MMP to trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress.

Herbal Textual Research on Aconitum Sinomontanum Nakai / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To provide herbalist basis for development of resource-related varieties through the study of herbal textual research of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai, alias and source of production. Methods Description of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai and its alias from the ancient herbal books was analyzed. Literature was searched to clarify modern research and conduct analysis. Results Ancient herbal textual records of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai was not clear enough. The first records about Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai started from late Qing Dynasty, from which the source of production, medicinal parts, alias, harvest processing, efficacy and application of Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai were summed up. Conclusion Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai is the dry roots of Aconitum from Ranunculaceae, which has good medicinal prospects and development value, and can provide basis and guidance for the late clinical application and research.

Effect of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids on NLRP3-IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To explore the effect of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids on NLRP3-IL-1β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.Methods:HMrSV5 cells (SV40 immortalized human peritoneal mesothelial cell line) were grown in type Ⅰ collagen-coated dishes in DMEM/F12 containing 10％ fetal calf serum (FCS).All experiments on HMrSV5 cells were performed between passages 5 and 10.The cells were divided into 7 groups:control,1.5％ dextrose,2.5％ dextrose,4.25％ dextrose,rotenone,thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA),and antimycin A.Immunoblotting was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 β.Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting NLRP3 was used to downregulate the expression of NLRP3 and Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 β in human peritoneal mesothelial cells exposed to 4.25％ dextrose.In the meanwhile,resveratrol (RSV) was used to induce autophagy,3-methyladenine (3-MA) and siRNA against Beclin 1 or ATG5 were used to block autophagy,flow cytometric was used to analyze the respiring (mitotracker deep red),total (mitotracker green) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating mitochondria (mitoSOX);Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1β.Results:The IL-1β relative expressions were 0,0.175 ±0.082,0.418 ± 0.163,2.357 ±0.288,2.642 ±0.358,3.271 ±0.462,and 0.123 ±0.091,indicating that the cells exposed to high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids and cells treated with mitochondria respiratory chain key enzyme complex Ⅰ,and complex Ⅲ inhibitors increased the IL-1β expression.And we found that NLRP3 knock-down significantly blocked the upregulation of IL-1 β.In addition,the fluorescence intensity of total mitochondria and ROS-generating mitochondria in the following groups:control,negative control,RSV,3-MA,ATG5 siRNA,Beclin1 siRNA were 1.76 ± 0.42,1.83 ± 0.55,1.85 ± 0.62,7.36 ± 0.92,5.35 ± 0.77,5.06 ± 0.62 and 821.68 ± 95.12,868.15 ± 102.82,723.39 ± 92.56,1 660.08 ± 113.65,1 433.01 ± 107.24,1 562.36 ± 112.88 respectively.The increased concentrations of mitochondrial ROS and IL-1β upregulation were confirmed in the inhibition but not the induction of autophagy.We also found that downregulation of ATG5 and Beclin1 sensitized cells for the release of IL-1β induced by MSU (monosodium urate) or nigericin which was the NLRP3 inflammasome activator.RSV treatment attentuated this effect.Conclusion:Long-term application of high glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluids can trigger the consistent activation of NLRP3-IL-1ββ in peritoneal mesothelial cells.Timely initiation of autophagy may block the NLRP3-IL-1ββ activation and provide a basis for the further development of a potential therapeutic strategy for delay of chronic inflammation and peritoneal fibrosis associated with peritoneal dialysis.

Characteristics of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Women Aged 15-49 Years from 2005 to 2012 in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the characteristics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in women aged 15-49 years in China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HIV/AIDS cases from 2005 to 2012 that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified on the Chinese HIV/AIDS case reporting system. Descriptive and spatial analyses were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 103,559 female HIV/AIDS cases were included in our study. Based on the descriptive analysis, between 2005 and 2012, the proportion of heterosexually acquired HIV infection among women (15-49 years) increased rapidly from 35.8% to 87.4%. Approximately 60% of these cases were infected through non-marital heterosexual contact. Among older women (40-49 years), a slightly increasing trend was identified. The spatial analysis detected 'hot spots' in the Xinjiang, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, and Chongqing provinces. The epidemic trends in these areas were predominately driven by heterosexual transmission.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Non-marital heterosexual contact is a very important factor in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in women aged 15-49 years, and the HIV infection rate in older women is increasing. Several epidemic hot spots were detected in northwestern and southwestern China. Efficient interventions are needed to control the spread of HIV/AIDS among women living in these areas.</p>

Antioxidative effects of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists montelukast and HAMI 3379 on ischemic injury in rat cortical neurons in vitro / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antioxidative effects of two cysteinyl leukotriene receptors antagonists (CysLT1R and CysLT2R) montelukast and HAMI 3379 on ischemic injury of rat cortical neurons in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured rat cortical neurons were pretreated with CysLT1R antagonist montelukast and CysLT2R antagonist HAMI 3379, and then exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/recovery (OGD/R）or H2O2. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization, neuronal viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were determined. Meanwhile, RNA interference was used to inhibit the expression of CysLT1R and CysLT2R，and the effects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ROS production in neurons was significantly increased after 1 h OGD, which reached the peak at 30 min and lasted for 1.5 h after recovery. Montelukast and HAMI 3379 at 0.01-1μmol/L moderately decreased OGD/R-induced ROS production (P<0.05). Montelukast mildly attenuated OGD/R-induced MMP depolarization (P<0.05)，but HAMI 3379 had no effect. H2O2 reduced neuronal viability and increased LDH release, namely inducing neuronal injury. Montelukast and HAMI 3379 at 0.1-1μmol/L moderately attenuated H2O2-induced neuronal injury (P<0.05). However, both CysLT1R siRNA and CysLT2R shRNA did not significantly affect the responses mentioned above.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In ischemic neuronal injury, montelukast and HAMI 3379 exert a moderate antioxidative effect, and this effect may be receptor-independent.</p>

Effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor NL101 on rat neurons / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor NL101 on L-homocysteine (HCA)-induced toxicity in rat neurons, and the toxic effect on normal rat neurons.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the presence of NL101 at various concentrations, HCA (5 mmol/L)-induced changes in cell density, necrosis, and viability were determined in the mixed cultures of rat cortical cells and the primary cultures of rat neurons. The direct effect of NL101 on primary neurons was also observed in the absence of HCA. Histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) was used as the control. After the treatments, cell viability, the density, and morphology of neurons and glial cells, and cell necrosis were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the mixed cultures of cortical cells, NL101 had no effect on HCA (5 mmol/L)-induced cell number reduction at 0.001-10μmol/L; however, it significantly attenuated necrosis at 1-10 μmol/L, and increased neuronal number at 1 μmol/L. NL101 had no effect on the mixed cortical cells in the absence of HCA. In the primary neurons, NL101 reduced neuronal viability and mildly increased necrosis at 1-10 μmol/L in the absence of HCA, while it significantly attenuated HCA-induced neuronal viability reduction at 0.01-10 μmol/L and reduced neuronal necrosis at 1-10 μmol/L. The effects of NL101 were apparently similar to those of SAHA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NL101 has protective effect on HCA-induced neuronal injury but it is neurotoxic at high concentrations, which is similar to the typical histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA.</p>

Effect of montelukast on morphological changes in neurons after ischemic injury / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effect of montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonist, on morphological changes in rat neurons after ischemic injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The in vivo ischemia injury was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2 h and reperfusion (R) for 24 h (OGD/R) in rat neurons primary culture and mixed cortex culture. In the presence or absence of various concentrations of montelukast, neuron number, area of neuron, number of neuritis per neuron, branch number of primary neuritis and primary neurite length were determined for evaluating morphological changes in neurons.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OGD/R significantly reduced neuron number, and altered neuron morphology. In cortical neuron cultures, montelukast (0.0001-1 μmol/L) attenuated OGD/R-induced reduction in neuron number, and inhibited OGD/R-induced increase in branch number of primary neuritis. In the mixed cultures, montelukast (0.0001-0.1 μmol/L) increased the primary neurite length, and reduced number of neuritis and branch number of primary neurite after OGD/R.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Montelukast has a protective effect on ischemic injury in neurons.</p>

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 is involved in rotenone-induced injury of PC12 cells / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT₁ receptor) is involved in rotenone-induced injury of PC12 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After 24 h treatment with rotenone or with rotenone and the CysLT₁ receptor antagonist montelukast, PC12 cell viability was determined by the colorimetric MTT reduction assay. After PC12 cells were treated with various concentrations of rotenone for 24 h or with 3 μmol/L rotenone for various durations, the expression of CysLT(1) receptor was determined by Western blotting, and its intracellular distribution was detected by immunocytochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rotenone (0.3-30 μmol/L) induced PC12 cell injury; this injury was significantly attenuated by montelukast at 1 and 5 μmol/L.The expression of CysLT(1) receptor increased after rotenone treatment at 1-10 μmol/L, or at 3 μmol/L for 3 and 24 h. Rotenone caused concentration-and time-dependent translocation of CysLT₁ receptor from the nucleus to the cytosol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 is involved in rotenone-induced injury of PC12 cells.</p>

Effects of agonist and antagonist of cysteinyl leukotriene receptors on differentiation of rat glioma C6 cells / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptors in the differentiation of rat glioma C6 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rat glioma C6 cells were treated with the agonist LTD(4), the CysLT(1) receptor antagonist montelukast and the differentiation inducer forskolin. Cell morphology and GFAP protein expression were determined after treatments.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Forskolin (10 μmol/L) induced morphological changes and GFAP protein expression (cell differentiation) in C6 cells, but LTD(4) (0.1-100 nmol/L) did not induce these changes. Montelukast (1 μmol/L) alone did not affect C6 cell differentiation, while it induced the differentiation when combined with the LTD(4) (100 nmol/L).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The CysLT(2) receptor may modulate the differentiation of rat glioma C6 cells.</p>