ABSTRACT
Ligustrum lucidum is a woody perennial plant of genus Ligustrum in family Oleaceae. Its dried fruit has high medicinal value. In this study, the authors evaluated the variability and species identification efficiency of three specific DAN barcodes(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, ycf1b) and four general DAN barcodes(matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2) for a rapid and accurate molecular identification of Ligustrum species. The results revealed that matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2 and ycf1a were inefficient for identifying the Ligustrum species, and a large number of insertions and deletions were observed in rbcL-accD sequence, which was thus unsuitable for development as specific barcode. The ycf1b-2 barcode had DNA barcoding gap and high success rate of PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, which was the most suitable DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification and achieved an accurate result. In addition, to optimize the DNA extraction experiment, the authors extracted and analyzed the DNA of the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp and seed of L. lucidum fruit. It was found that seed was the most effective part for DNA extraction, where DNAs of high concentration and quality were obtained, meeting the needs of species identification. In this study, the experimental method for DNA extraction of L. lucidum was optimized, and the seed was determined as the optimal part for DNA extraction and ycf1b-2 was the specific DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification. This study laid a foundation for the market regulation of L. lucidum.
Subject(s)
Ligustrum/genetics , Seeds , Fruit , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Research DesignABSTRACT
Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, the sun-dried mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum, is cool, plain, sweet, and bitter, which can be used as both food and medicine, with the effects of improving vision, blacking hair, and tonifying liver and kidney. It takes effect slowly. However, little is known about the genetic information of the medicinal plant and it is still a challenge to distinguish Ligustrum species. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was obtained by genome skimming and then compared with that of five other Ligustrum species, which had been reported. This study aims to evaluate the interspecific variation of chloroplast genome within the genus and develop molecular markers for species identification of the genus. The result showed that the chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was 162 162 bp with a circular quadripartite structure of two single-copy regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats. The Ligustrum chloroplast genomes were conserved with small interspecific difference. Comparative analysis of six Ligustrum chloroplast genomes revealed three variable regions(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, and ycf1b), and ycf1a and ycf1b can be used as the species-specific DNA barcode for Ligustrum. Phylogeny analysis provided the best resolution of Ligustrum and supported that L. lucidum was sister to L. gracile. This study clarified the genetic diversity of L. lucidum from provenance, which can serve as a reference for further analysis of pharmacological differences and breeding of excellent varieties with stable drug effects.
Subject(s)
Fruit , Genome, Chloroplast , Ligustrum/genetics , Phylogeny , Plant BreedingABSTRACT
Objective:To apply contrast-enhanced ultrasound in renal function evaluation for patients with spinal cord injury complicated with hydronephrosis. Methods:From October, 2015 to November, 2018, 23 patients with spinal cord injury complicated with hydronephrosis and renal disfunction (spinal cord injury group) and 19 cases of normal kidneys (control group) accepted contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and the image was analyzed with software. The region of interest (ROI) in the renal cortex, and the time intensity curve was drawn. Logistic regression was performed with time to initial peak (TTP), peak intensity (DPI), slope of ascending time (A), area under the curve (AUC) as the independent variable and renography as the dependent variable. The data was analyzed with ROC. Results:There was no significant difference in serum creatinine and ureophil between two groups (P > 0.05). TTP was longer (t = 5.068, P < 0.001), and A and AUC were lower (t > 3.784, P < 0.01) in the spinal cord injury group than in the control group. AUC was the factor related to renography (P < 0.01). The smaller the AUC was, the greater the likelihood of kidney damage was. The sum of sensitivity and specificity was 1.759 and the corresponding AUC was 982.518 dBS. Conclusion:Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can evaluate renal function of patients with spinal cord injury complicated with hydronephrosis. The decrease in AUC of the time-intensity curve indicates that the renal function is impaired.
ABSTRACT
Wandaitang, which is one of classical traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescriptions, is derived from Collected Exegesis of Recipes of Fu Qingzhu' s Obstetrics and Gynecology. It is commonly used in modern clinical practice, and included in the Catalogue of Ancient Classical Prescriptions (The First Batch). Collected Exegesis of Recipes of Fu Qingzhu' s Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chen Shi-duo' s Bianzhenglu have a complicated relationship. Both of them have another biography, named Nvke Xianfang and Bianzheng Qiwen. The composition of Wandaitang in the four books is slightly different, while the prescription's explanations and other records are almost the same. The research and development of Wandaitang should be based on the records of Collected Exegesis of Recipes of Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology. Compared with other classical literatures, Collected Exegesis of Recipes of Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology was published in a late period and less reproduced in other ancient books. To study the function of Wandaitang, we need to analyze the records in the original book. In addition, we need to make a multi-angle analysis by reference to the theory of TCM, the composition of drugs, the significance of compatibility, as well as the understanding of modern famous doctors, clinical reports and experimental studies in all aspects. The study found that the functions of Wandaitang were relatively concentrated, but with wide major functions involving internal medicine, surgery, gynecological, pediatric, andrological and other departments. According to the study, the authors believe that the functions of the classical TCM prescription of Wandaitang are invigorating spleen to eliminate dampness, dispersing the liver and rectifying Qi, and invigorating Yang. It can be used to treat leucorrhea, diarrhea, edema and stranguria with the syndromes of pale, languid, little food, loose stool and depression. Wandaitang can also be used to treat vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic colitis, chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and chronic prostatitis.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION@#We aimed to investigate the intergrader and intragrader reliability of human graders and an automated algorithm for vertical cup-disc ratio (CDR) grading in colour fundus photographs.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Two-hundred fundus photographs were selected from a database of 3000 photographs of patients screened at a tertiary ophthalmology referral centre. The graders included glaucoma specialists (n = 3), general ophthalmologists (n = 2), optometrists (n = 2), family physicians (n = 2) and a novel automated algorithm (AA). In total, 2 rounds of CDR grading were held for each grader on 2 different dates, with the photographs presented in random order. The CDR values were graded as 0.1-1.0 or ungradable. The grading results of the 2 senior glaucoma specialists were used as the reference benchmarks for comparison.@*RESULTS@#The intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from 0.37-0.74 and 0.47-0.97 for intergrader and intragrader reliability, respectively. There was no significant correlation between the human graders' level of reliability and their years of experience in grading CDR ( = 0.91). The area under the curve (AUC) value of the AA was 0.847 (comparable to AUC value of 0.876 for the glaucoma specialist). Bland Altman plots demonstrated that the AA's performance was at least comparable to a glaucoma specialist.@*CONCLUSION@#The results suggest that AA is comparable to and may have more consistent performance than human graders in CDR grading of fundus photographs. This may have potential application as a screening tool to help detect asymptomatic glaucoma-suspect patients in the community.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical effect of maternal voice stimulation in alleviating procedural pain in neonates during heel blood collection.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 neonates who were admitted to the neonate intensive care unit were randomly divided into an intervention group (n=35) and a control group (n=37). Heel blood collection was performed by the routine method in the control group. The intervention group listened to their mothers' voice from 1 minute before heel blood collection to the end of the procedure. Pain score, incidence of crying, and vital signs were recorded before and after heel blood collection.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the heart rate was significantly reduced, the blood oxygen saturation significantly increased, the incidence of crying and the pain score were significantly reduced in the intervention group during the procedure of heel blood collection (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Maternal voice stimulation helps to reduce procedural pain and maintain stable vital signs in neonates.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Crying , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Mothers , Pain Management , Pain, Procedural , SpeechABSTRACT
Pistacia lentiscus,which belongs to foreign medicine resources,is widely distributed in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern area. The essential oils are a mixture of several volatile compounds mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes obtained from different parts of P. lentiscus by hydrodistillation. The variability of chemical composition,biological activities and content of essential oil is strongly affected by extraction technology,environmental and sex factors. It is indicated that essential oils of P. lentiscus have kinds of biological activities such as antibacterial,anticancer,anti-atherogenesis,antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and insecticidal activities.Many scholars hold the opinion that combination of different components with synergistic and/or additive actions should account for their biological activities. Due to its diverse efficacy and special taste,the essential oil of P. lentiscus has been extensively used in medicine,food and cosmetics industries. A mini review of chemical constituents and biological activities of essential oil of P. lentiscus in the past20 years is made here to provide valuable reference for the construction of " the Belt and Road".
Subject(s)
Monoterpenes , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Oils, Volatile , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Pistacia , Chemistry , Plant Oils , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Sesquiterpenes , Chemistry , PharmacologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of placement of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) via the upper versus lower extremity veins in neonates through a Meta analysis.@*METHODS@#CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Data, CBMdisc, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched for control studies on the effect of PICC placement via the upper versus lower extremity veins in neonates. RevMan 5.3 was used to perform a Meta analysis of the studies which met the inclusion criteria.@*RESULTS@#A total of 18 studies were included, among which there were 8 randomized controlled trials and 10 cohort studies, with 4 890 subjects in total. Compared with those undergoing PICC placement via the upper extremity veins, the neonates undergoing PICC placement via the lower extremity veins had significantly lower incidence rates of complications (RR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.75-0.92, P<0.05), catheter-related infections (RR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.60-0.99, P<0.05), catheter malposition (RR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.18-0.42, P<0.05), extravasation of the infusate (RR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.40-0.70, P<0.05), and unplanned extubation (RR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.69-0.98, P<0.05). They also had a significantly higher first-attempt success rate of puncture (RR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.05-1.30, P<0.05) and a significantly shorter PICC indwelling time (MD=-0.93, 95%CI: -1.26-0.60, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The above evidence shows that PICC placement via the lower extremity veins has a better effect than PICC placement via the upper extremity veins in neonates.
Subject(s)
Humans , Infant, Newborn , Catheterization, Central Venous , Catheterization, Peripheral , Cohort Studies , Lower Extremity , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
@#Objective: To investigate the effects of nuclear factor 5 of activated T cells (NFAT5) on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer MGC803 cells and to explore the possible mechanisms. Methods: Three siRNAs targeting NFAT5 gene (siRNA2567, siRNA2714 and siRNA4562) and one negative control siRNA were designed and chemically synthesized before transfected into human gastric cancer cell line MGC803 by liposome. Real-time PCR was used to detect the changes of N F AT 5 mRNA expression in MGC803 cells to further pick out the siRNA that most effectively inhibit the expression of N F AT 5 . Further, Real-time PCR and Western blotting assay were carried out to test mRNAand protein levels of NFAT5 and S100A4 in cells 48 h after N F AT 5 -siRNAtransfection. Then, CCK-8 assay and FCM assay were used to detect the influence of silencing N F AT 5 on cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. Results: siRNA2567 was the most effective siRNA that significantly inhibited the expression of N F AT 5 mRNA ( P <0.01), and thus was validated as NFAT5-siRNA. Real-time PCR and Western blotting assay confirmed that both mRNA and protein levels of NFAT5 and S100A4 were down-regulated in cells 48 h after N F AT 5 -siRNAtransfection. Compared with NC-siRNAgroup, the proliferation ability of MGC803 cells in the N F AT 5 siRNAgroup was significantly down-regulated at 72 h and 96 h ( P <0.01).And FCM assay showed that compared with NC-siRNA group, cell apoptosis rate of N F AT 5 -siRNA group was significantly increased from (2.7±0.2)% to (7.9±0.2)%, ( P <0.01) 48 h after N F AT 5 -siRNA transfection. Conclusion: N F AT 5 -siRNA transfection can silence N F AT 5 gene expression in gastric cancer MGC803 cells effectively. N F AT 5 may inhibit proliferation and promote cell apoptosis of gastric cancer cells possibly through regulating S100A4 expression.
ABSTRACT
Seven aromatic glycosides (1-7), including four phenylethanol glycosides, one phenylmethanol glycoside, one phenylpropane glycoside and one benzoside, were isolated from the methanolic extract of Uighur Medicine Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers. Their structures were elucidated based on the analysis of spectroscopic data (1D, 2D NMR and HR-MS). Compound 1 is a new compound, named as angustifol A. Six known compounds were identified as 2-phenylethyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(2), salidroside (3), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4), vanilloloside (5), (Z)-isoconiferin (6), 2-phenylethyl-6-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compounds 2-7 were isolated from the genus Elaeagnus for the first time. In vitro anti-inflammatory assays revealed that none of these compounds showed good COX inhibitory activities.
ABSTRACT
Brazilein is an active small molecular compound extracted from Caesalpinia sappan L. with favorable pharmacological properties on immune system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. C. sappan has been used as a traditional medicine in China for hundreds of years for various diseases. However, the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein is still unknown. The purpose of the present study was to thoroughly evaluate the general reproductive toxicity of brazilein in ICR mice to support the future drug development and modernization of this potent traditional Chinese medicine. The results showed that, although no apparent toxicity on the reproducibility of the male was observed, brazilein might cause considerable risks to the fetuses and females as indicated by the ratios of dead fetuses and reabsorptions. In conclusion, our results from the present study provided some useful insights about the safety profile of brazilein, suggesting that brazilein should be used with caution in pregnant women.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Pregnancy , Benzopyrans , Toxicity , Caesalpinia , Toxicity , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Toxicity , Indenes , Toxicity , Mice, Inbred ICR , ReproductionABSTRACT
Brazilein is reported to have immunosuppressive effect on cardiovascular and cerebral-vascular diseases. The essential roles of innate immunity in cerebral ischemia are increasingly identified, but no studies concerning the influence of brazilein on the innate immunity receptors have been reported. The present study was designed to investigate the regulation of NOD2 (Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2) by brazilein for its protection of neuron in cerebral ischemia in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro. The results showed that brazilein could reverse the elevated expression of NOD2 and TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) elicited by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. This reduction could also be detected in normal mice and C17.2 cells, indicating that this suppressive effect of brazilein was correlated with NOD2. The results from GFP reporter plasmid assay suggested brazilein inhibited NOD2 gene transcription. In conclusion, brazilein could attenuate NOD2 and TNFα expression in cerebral ischemia and NOD2 may be one possible target of brazilein for its immune suppressive effect in neuro-inflammation.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Mice , Benzopyrans , Brain Ischemia , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Glucose , Metabolism , Indenes , Mice, Inbred ICR , Neurons , Allergy and Immunology , Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein , Genetics , Metabolism , Oxygen , Metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Genetics , Allergy and ImmunologyABSTRACT
A variety of pharmacological effects of berberine (BBR) are constantly being discovered with the deepening of BBR research. What followed is how to rationally use the drug according to these new pharmacological effects. Because of some cardiac toxicity and poor oral absorption, conflicts may arise between improving the bioavailability and controlling the toxicity of BBR. Meanwhile some new therapeutic uses of BBR, such as hypolipidemia, hypoglycemia as well as prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, need long-termoral administration, thereby may lead to alteration of intestinal flora and potentially affect body's other physiological functions. Based on the stated targets of BBR and related pharmaceutical properties, comprehensive analysis of these issues was conducted in this study. Some suggestions were presented below：the effect of long-term oral administration on body function, especially the intestinal flora, needs to be further investigated; risks shall be considered in changing the composition of the formulation to improve the absorption rate of oral administration; for the medication with higher concentration demand (such as anti-cancer), targeted drug-delivery is worthy to be considered.
ABSTRACT
Objective To comparison curative effects between radiofrequency coblation and CO 2 laser in treat‐ment of early glottic carcinoma .Methods A total of 104 patients with early glottic cancer (Tis ,T1a ,T1b ) were treated in our department from October 2007 to December 2012 .Among them 64 cases underwent radiofrequency ablation (radiofrequency group) while 40 cases underwent CO2 laser resection (CO2 laser group) .The operation time and the postoperative pain VAS scores were recorded .All of the patients were examined by electronic laryngoscopy and a‐coustic analysis in 1 week ,1 month ,3 months after surgery .Results The mean operation time of radiofrequency group was 8 .75 ± 1 .62(min)and CO2 laser group was 11 .82 ± 1 .51(min) .The radiofrequency group was better than CO2 laser group(P 0 .05) .The mucosal recovery of radiofrequency group in 1 month after surgery was better than the CO2 laser group (χ2 = 13 .842 ,P 0 .05) .All of the patients had not underwent tracheotomy .They did not have cough ,dyspnea ,severe pain ,hemoptysis ,serious compli‐cations after surgery .Conclusion Both radiofrequency coblation and CO 2 laser are safe and effective surgical meth‐ods in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma .The operation time of radiofrequency coblation is shorter than CO 2 laser surgery .The mucosal recovery in 1 month after surgery and acoustic recovery of radiofrequenay coblation are all better than that of the CO2 laser surgery .
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the significance of urine screening for school-age children by analyzing urine screening results of school-age children from Zhucheng City, Shandong Province, China, in 2013.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 37 344 school-age children were randomly selected from children 6 to 12 years of age in Zhucheng City. Morning urine was tested by routine screening test, and the children who tested positive were re-tested after two weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 2 388 children (6.39%) tested positive in the first screening, and 388 children (1.04%) tested positive again in the second screening. The positive rates in the first and second screening tests were 9.52% and 2.01%, respectively, in girls, which were significantly higher than those in boys (3.79% and 0.23%, respectively; P<0.05). Among the children who had positive test results in the second screening, 302 (0.81%) were diagnosed with urinary system diseases.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Urine screening is an effective way for the early detection of some occult kidney diseases, which provides great benefits for early prevention and treatment of kidney diseases in children.</p>
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Male , Early Diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Kidney Diseases , Diagnosis , Urine , UrinalysisABSTRACT
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaves contain mainly phenolic components with antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects. One of the principle components is p-coumaric acid. In this study, the transport behavior of p-coumaric acid, was observed after the administration of pineapple leaf phenols in vitro. Simultaneously, the effect of the phenols on glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides transportation and metabolism in HepG2 cells was also observed. The results showed that the phenols had good transport characteristics. 5 min after the administration, p-coumaric acid of the phenols could be detected, and the content of p-coumaric acid reached the peak concentration after 60 min of the administration. p-coumaric acid of phenols have time-and dose-dependent manner. While promoting glucose transporter (GLUT4) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) expression, the phenols decreased intracellular lipid content. This reduction of intracellular lipid content was highly correlated with the promotion of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) expression, while the reduction of intracellular glucose levels was correlated with glycogen synthesis in the cells.
Subject(s)
Humans , Ananas , Chemistry , Biological Transport , Cholesterol , Metabolism , Glucose , Metabolism , Hep G2 Cells , Lipid Metabolism , Plant Extracts , Pharmacology , Plant Leaves , ChemistryABSTRACT
AIM@#Euphorbia kansui (E. KS) is a traditional medicine used in China for thousands of years with the effect of propulsion in the gastrointestines. However, there is no reported study of E. KS on gastrointestinal motility until now. The aim of this work is to study the effect of E. KS on the propulsion of gastrointestines, and to elucidate the possible mechanism of action.@*METHODS@#E.KS was prepared as a 30% ethanol extract and used for the experiment of small and large intestines of mice by oral administration with three different dosages (1.2, 0.6 and 0.3 g·kg(-1)). The feces were observed in vivo. The morphology was carried out to detect if there are any changes in the intestines after the extract of E. KS administration. The assays of mRNA and protein expression were employed to observe IL-1β, TNFα and caspase 3.@*RESULTS@#It was shown that the extract of E.KS promoted diarrhea in mouse feces after administration, inhibited the contraction of smooth muscle of mouse small intestine and caused the inflammatory exudation on the mucosa of the intestines, enhanced the expression of both mRNA and the protein levels of IL-1β and TNFα in the small or large intestines.@*CONCLUSION@#The results showed that the extract of E. KS acted on the intestinal smooth muscle with propulsion of feces involving the irritation of the intestines with acute inflammatory reactions.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Diarrhea , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Euphorbia , Chemistry , Gastrointestinal Motility , Interleukin-1beta , Genetics , Allergy and Immunology , Intestines , Mice, Inbred ICR , Muscle, Smooth , Plant Roots , Chemistry , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Genetics , Allergy and ImmunologyABSTRACT
Activation pattern recognition receptors can cause the startup of downstream signaling pathways, the expression of inflammatory factors, and finally immunological inflammatory reaction. Either exogenous pathogenic microorganisms or endogenous tissue components can activate these pattern recognition receptors as ligands at varying degrees, and then cause the immunological inflammatory reaction. Therefore, it is of great significance to inhibit relevant receptors, as well as the immunological inflammatory reaction, in order to avoid tissue injury during the course of disease. Baicalin is able to specifically inhibit the expression of TLR2/4-NOD2, inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and thereby reducing the injury of the tissue cells during the course of disease. This effect is non-specific with tissues, which is of great theoretical and practical significance in druggability. In addition, the drug metabolism and toxicity of baicalin are also discussed for its druggability in this article.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Flavonoids , Pharmacology , Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein , Metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 2 , Metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Baicalin has a significant anti-inflammation effect and is widely used in the clinical treatment of stroke. Most of the studies of Toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) during cerebral ischemia had defined their specific expressions in microglia in hippocampus tissue. To explore the targets of baicalin in stroke, we detected the expressions of TLR2/4 in vitro/vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By constructing a cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model in vivo and glucose oxygen deprivation model, we successfully induced neuron damage, then added baicalin and detected expressions of TLR2/4, nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in mRNA level and protein level.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found distinct upregulations of TLR2/4 and TNFα in both mRNA level and protein level in PC12 cells and primary neurons. Moreover, TLR2/4 and TNFα expressions were significantly higher in mice hippocampus treated with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Baicalin could downregulate the expressions of TLR2/4 and TNFα in the damaged cells and mice hippocampus effectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Neurons could respond to the damage and activate the related signal pathway directly. TLR2/4 responsed to the damage and sent the signal to downstream factor TNFα through activating NF-kB. Baicalin could inhibit the inflammatory reaction in neuron damage and TLR might be its targets, which explained why baicalin could widely be used in the clinical treatment of stroke.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Rats , Brain Ischemia , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Flavonoids , Therapeutic Uses , Interleukin-1beta , Genetics , Metabolism , Mice, Inbred ICR , NF-kappa B , Genetics , Metabolism , Neurons , Metabolism , PC12 Cells , Reperfusion Injury , Drug Therapy , Genetics , Metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 2 , Genetics , Metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , Genetics , Metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
To address whether hepcidin functions in bone metabolism. This study was carried out in the Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Public Health of Soochow University, and the Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, from September 2009 to July 2010. The positive expression of ferroportin-1 [Fpn-1] was detected by reverse transcrptase-polymerase chain reaction. After the treatment with distilled water [control group] and hepcidin [25noml/L, 50noml/L, 100noml/L], the fluorescence intensity related to intracellular iron concentration of a human fetal osteoblast cell line [hFOB 1.19] was measured by a confocal laser scanning microscope. A 3-[4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl] - 2-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and Von Kossa staining was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and mineralization in cultured hFOB 1.19 cells. This study revealed a high level expression of Fpn-1 in hFOB 1.19. On the basis of which, it was found that 25noml/L, 50noml/L, 100noml/L hepcidin could promote the fluorescence intensity related to intracellular iron concentration and mineralization in hFOB 1.19 in a dose-dependent manner [p<0.05], but hepcidin had no effect on FOB 1.19 proliferation [p>0.05]. The hepcidin-ferroportin signal pathway may function in the osteoblast cell line of hFOB 1.19 cells. It is also suggested that cross-talk between iron and calcium homeostasis may play a role in bone metabolism in responding to hepcidin activation