Mechanism of Modified Zhenwutang in Delaying Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Chronic Renal Failure Based on Ang Ⅱ/AT1R/NOX4 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the underlying mechanism of modified Zhenwutang in delaying renal interstitial fibrosis in chronic renal failure （CRF） by observing the effects of modified Zhenwutang on the expression of angiotensin Ⅱ （Ang Ⅱ）， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） oxidase 4 （NOX4）， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， type I collagen （COL1A1）， and type Ⅲ collagen （COL3A1） in the serum and renal tissues of adenine-induced CRF rats. MethodFifty male SPF-grade SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group （n=10） and an experimental group （n=40） using a random number table. After one week of adaptive feeding， the experimental CRF model was established in rats by administering adenine at 150 mg·kg-1·d-1 orally. Three rats from each group were randomly selected to evaluate the model induction. After successful modeling， rats in the experimental group were randomly divided into a model group， low-， medium， and high-dose modified Zhenwutang groups， and a benazepril hydrochloride group， with six rats in each group. The rats were orally administered the corresponding drugs once daily for four weeks. At the end of the first week， 13th week， and 17th week of the experiment， 24 hour urinary protein quantification （24 h-UTP） was measured. At the end of the 17th week， the rats were euthanized， and blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta for the measurement of total protein （TP）， albumin （ALB）， creatinine （Cr）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） in the serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the expression levels of serum Ang Ⅱ. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to observe the pathological changes in renal tissues. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was performed to observe the expression of AT1R， NOX4， TGF-β1， COL1A1， and COL3A1. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to observe the mRNA expression levels of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1. Western blot was conducted to measure the protein expression levels of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1. Result① Compared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant increase in 24 h-UTP （P<0.01）. The levels of Cr and BUN in the model group were significantly higher （P<0.01）， while the levels of TP and ALB were significantly lower （P<0.01）. The serum Ang Ⅱ level in the model group was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. The model group exhibited widening of the renal glomerular mesangial space， necrotic glomeruli， increased interstitial width with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration， brownish precipitates blocking the renal tubular lumens， irregular renal tubules， and significant deposition of collagen fibers in the renal interstitium. Additionally， the collagen fibers around the renal vessels， outside the parietal layer of the renal sacs， glomerular basement membrane， and tubular basement membrane increased significantly. The expression of AT1R and NOX4 in the glomeruli and renal tubules of the model group was significantly enhanced， and TGF-β1 expression also significantly increased in the renal tubules. The expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 in the renal interstitium significantly increased. The mRNA expression of AT1R and TGF-β1 in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01）， while NOX4 mRNA expression significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1 was significantly enhanced （P<0.01）. ② Compared with the model group， modified Zhenwutang significantly reduced 24h-UTP （P<0.01）， decreased levels of Cr and BUN （P<0.01）， increased levels of TP and ALB （P<0.01）， reduced serum Ang Ⅱ level （P<0.01）， alleviated renal pathological damage， reduced expression of AT1R， NOX4， TGF-β1， COL1A1， and COL3A1 in the glomeruli， renal tubules， and renal interstitium， reduced mRNA expression of AT1R and TGF-β1 （P<0.01）， increased NOX4 mRNA expression （P<0.01）， and weakened protein expression of AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1 （P<0.01）. The modified Zhenwutang groups showed a significant dose-effect trend. ConclusionModified Zhenwutang may delay renal interstitial fibrosis in CRF rats by reducing the expression of Ang Ⅱ， AT1R， NOX4， and TGF-β1 in the serum and renal tissues， thereby alleviating renal pathological damage， reducing proteinuria， protecting renal function， and delaying the progression of CRF. The modified Zhenwutang group exhibited a dose-effect trend.

Electroacupuncture Improves Blood-Brain Barrier and Hippocampal Neuroinflammation in SAMP8 Mice by Inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4 and RAGE/NADPH Signaling Pathways / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of electroacupuncture (EA) in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in vivo.@*METHODS@#Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were used as AD models and received EA at Yingxiang (LI 20, bilateral) and Yintang (GV 29) points for 20 days. For certain experiments, SAMP8 mice were injected intravenously with human fibrin (2 mg). The Morris water maze test was used to assess cognitive and memory abilities. The changes of tight junctions of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in mice were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expressions of fibrin, amyloid- β (Aβ), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBa-1) in mouse hippocampus (CA1/CA3) were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot or immunohistochemical staining. The expression of fibrin in mouse plasma was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and claudin-5 in hippocampus were detected by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Apoptosis of hippocampal neurons was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.@*RESULTS@#Fibrin was time-dependently deposited in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice and this was inhibited by EA treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, EA treatment suppressed the accumulation of Aβ in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice (P<0.01), which was reversed by fibrin injection (P<0.05 or P<0.01). EA improved SAMP8 mice cognitive impairment and BBB permeability (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, EA decreased reactive oxygen species levels and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, which was reversed by fibrin injection (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Mechanistically, EA inhibited the promoting effect of fibrin on the high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) signaling pathways (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA may potentially improve cognitive impairment in AD via inhibition of fibrin/A β deposition and deactivation of the HMGB1/TLR4 and RAGE/NADPH signaling pathways.

Effect of Modified Shengjiangsan on Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in MN Rats via Regulating HIF-1α/NOX4 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the intervention effect of modified Shengjiangsan on hypoxia-inducible factor-1<italic>α </italic>（HIF-1<italic>α</italic>）/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 （NOX4） signaling pathway in membranous nephropathy （MN） rats and to explore its mechanism to reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal tissues. Method:Cationized bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） was injected into the tail vein of rats to replicate the MN model. Rats were randomly divided into a model group， a modified Shengjiangsan group， and a benazepril group after modeling， and administered by gavage once a day accordingly. At the end of the 4^th week， the 24-h urine total protein （UTP）， urea nitrogen （BUN）， and serum creatinine （SCr） levels of each group were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in renal tissues of rats. In situ end labeling（TUNEL） staining was used to detect the cell apoptosis rate. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1<italic>α</italic> and NOX4 were detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）and Western blot， respectively. The immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphomas -2 （Bcl-2）， B-cell lymphomas xl （Bcl-xl）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， Bcl-2 cell death regulator antibody （Bim）. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased UTP （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， decreased SOD， elevated MDA and ROS （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1<italic>α</italic> and NOX4 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， enhanced protein expression of Bax and Bim， declining protein expression of Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and increased cell apoptosis in renal tissues. Compared with the model group， the modified Shengjiangsan group and the benazepril group displayed declining UTP （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， up-regulated SOD， decreased MDA and ROS （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1<italic>α</italic> and NOX4 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， diminished protein expression of Bax and Bim， elevated protein expression of Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and reduced cell apoptosis in renal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:The protective effect of modified Shengjiangsan on the kidney is presumedly achieved by reducing the oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal tissues of MN rats via inhibiting the HIF-1<italic>α</italic>/NOX4 signaling pathway.

Effect of Albiziae Flos and Polygalae Radix Alone and Their Combination on Depression-like Behavior and CREB and NOX2 Expression in Hippocampus of Chronic Unpredictable Stress-induced Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Albiziae Flos （AF） and Polygalae Radix （PR） alone and their combination on the improvement of depression-like behavior in rats with chronic unpredictable stress （CUS） as well as on hippocampal ultrastructure and the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein （CREB） and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 （NOX2）， to explore their action mechanisms. Method:Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal group， model group， AF group， PR group， AF-PR group， and fluoxetine group. Rats in all groups except for the normal group were exposed to CUS and separated feeding to induce depression. Since the first day of modeling， rats in the AF group， PR group， AF-PR group were provided with the corresponding decoction containing 1.05 g·kg^-1 total crude drug by gavage， the ones in the fluoxetine group with 2.1 mg·kg^-1 fluoxetine hydrochloride aqueous solution， and those in the normal group and model group with the distilled water， for 28 successive days. The open field test and forced swimming test were performed 1 d before modeling and 7， 14， 21， 28 d after modeling， respectively. The morphological changes in hippocampus were observed under an electron microscope on the 28^th day. The superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels in hippocampus were detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry， and the expression levels of CREB and NOX2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. Result:The behavioral experiment results showed that the number of horizontal activities and sugar water consumption in the model group declined as compared with those in the normal group， while the immobility time in the forced swimming test was prolonged （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the AF group， PR group， and AF-PR group exhibited elevated number of horizontal activities， increased sugar water consumption but shortened immobility time in the forced swimming test （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the AF group or PR group， the AF-PR group showed significantly different behavioral indexes （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Morphological results showed that the mitochondria of the model group were obviously swollen and the ultrastructure of the hippocampus was destroyed. By contrast， the hippocampal ultrastructure in each administration group was close to normal. The comparison with the normal group revealed that the activity of SOD in the hippocampus of the model group was significantly reduced， whereas the content of MDA was elevated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the AF group， PR group， and AF-PR group displayed increased activity of SOD and decreased content of MDA in the hippocampal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with AF or PR alone， the herbal pair AF-PR resulted in significant differences in the above-mentioned indexes （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. The results of Real-time PCR and Western blot demonstrated that NOX2 expression in the hippocampus of the model group was up-regulated in comparison with that in the normal group， while the CREB expression was down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the AF group， PR group， and AF-PR group all showed diminished NOX2 expression but elevated CREB expression in the hippocampal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. The protein expression levels of NOX2 and CREB in the AF group or PR group were significantly different from those in the AF-PR group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:AF and PR alone and their combination improve the depression-like behavior of rats exposed to CUS， which may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress， the up-regulation of CREB expression， and the down-regulation of NOX2 expression in hippocampus.

Protective Effects of Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan () against Oxidative Stress in Testis of Diabetic Rats through PKCα/NAPDH Oxidase Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan (, HLBW) on the testis of diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four male Wistar rats (160-180 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups according to a random number table, including a control group (n=8), diabetic group (n=8), and HLBW group (n=8). Diabetic rat model was established by high-fat-diet administration and single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (26 mg/kg). Then HLBW granule was administrated for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels as well as serum total testosterone level and testicular testosterone content were examined. Oxidative stress markers in both serum and testis were tested. Meanwhile, testicular morphology was observed under hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and the ultrastructure of Leydig cell was observed by electron microscope. The superoxide anion level was detected by DHE, and TUNEL-positive cells of testis was evaluated by TUNEL assay. The gene and protein expression of protein kinase C (PKCα), phosphorylated PKCα (P-PKCα) and P47phox in testicular tissues were determined by quantitative RT-PCR analysis and Western bolt analysis.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the diabetic group, HLBW treatment significantly reduced the fasting glucose levels and increased the levels of fasting insulin and testosterone in serum (P<0.01). HLBW administration also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plasma and alleviated the damage of oxidative stress in the testis of diabetic rats. Additionally, HLBW down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of PKCα, P-PKCα and P47phox in testicular tissues.@*CONCLUSION@#HLBW may attenuate the oxidative stress in the testis of diabetic rats via PKCα /NAPDH oxidase signaling pathway.

Effects of NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway in TNF-α-induced apoptosis of A549 cells / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1(NOX1) signaling pathway in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) induced apoptosis of A549 cells. METHODS: i) A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentrations of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 nmol/L. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability to screen the optimal stimulating concentration of TNF-α. ii) A549 cells at logarithmic growth stage were randomly divided into four groups, the control group, the TNF-α group, the BAY11-7082(NF-κB inhibitor) group and the TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group. The cells in the control group were not treated. The TNF-α and BAY11-7082 groups were stimulated with 0.50 nmol/L TNF-α and 5 μmol/L BAY11-7082, respectively. The TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group was stimulated by both TNF-α and BAY11-7082. After 24 hours of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptotic rate, and Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 proteins. RESULTS: i) When A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentration of 0.50 nmol/L, the cell proliferative activity was reduced and the cell apoptosis was promoted. This concentration was selected as the stimulation dose of TNF-α in subsequent experiments. ii) The survival rate of A549 cells in the TNF-α group decreased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the protein expressions of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 increased in TNF-α group(all P<0.05) compared with the control group. In BAY11-7082 group, the survival rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 of A549 cells were decreased(all P<0.05), and the apoptotic rate of A549 cells was increased(P<0.05) compared with the control group. A549 cells in TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group changed from a long spindle shape to an irregular one. The cell survival rate increased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 decreased(all P<0.05) compared with the TNF-α group. CONCLUSION: NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway is involved in A549 cells apoptosis induced by TNF-α.

Inhibitory effects of NADPH oxidase 4 inhibitor on VEGF expression in hypoxia-induced human RPE cells / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective@#To observe the inhibitory effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in hypoxia-induced human retinal pigment epithelial cells.@*Methods@#The cultured APRE-19 cells were divided into Avastin group and VAS2870 group, and then the Avastin group was subdivided into the normoxic control group, hypoxia control group, 0.25 mg/ml Avastin intervention group, 0.50 mg/ml Avastin intervention group and 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group, and the VAS2870 group was subdivided into 1 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group, 3 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group and 5 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group.CoCl2 of final concentration of 300 mol/L was added to the medium to establish the cytochemical hypoxia model.The expressions of NOX4 and VEGF in human retinal pigment epithelial cells were located and evaluated by immunofluorescence staining, and relative expressing levels of NOX4 and VEGF proteins were compared by Western blot assay.@*Results@#The relative expression of NOX4 was 0.657±0.153, 1.000±0.200, 1.206±0.300, 1.260±0.200 and 1.413±0.273, and the relative expression of VEGF-A was 0.821±0.110, 1.210±0.100, 0.672±0.100, 0.340±0.120 and 0.300±0.130 in the normoxic control group, hypoxia control group, 0.25 mg/ml Avastin intervention group, 0.50 mg/ml Avastin intervention group and 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the groups (F=17.631, P<0.001; F=4.777, P<0.05). The relative expression of NOX4 protein in 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group was significantly lower than that in normoxia control group (P<0.001). The relative expression of VEGF-A protein in the cells of the 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group was significantly lower than that in hypoxia control group (P<0.05). The expression of NOX4 protein in the cells was 0.970±0.120, 1.060±0.130, 0.880±0.130, 0.567±0.135 and 0.450±0.120, and the relative expression of VEGF-A protein was 0.387±0.135, 0.627±0.125, 0.370±0.140, 0.363±0.140 and 0.160±0.100 in the normoxia control group, hypoxia control group, 1 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group, 3 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group and 5 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group, respectively, with statistically significant differences among them (F=12.933, P<0.001; F=4.948, P<0.05). The relative expression of VEGF-A protein in the 1, 3 and 5 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group was significantly lower than that in hypoxia control group (P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#NOX4 inhibitor can inhibit the expression of VEGF-A protein in hypoxia-induced human RPE cells by down-regulating the NOX4 level.

Inhibitory effects of NADPH oxidase 4 inhibitor on VEGF expression in hypoxia-induced human RPE cells / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective To observe the inhibitory effects of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in hypoxia-induced human retinal pigment epithelial cells.Methods The cultured APRE-19 cells were divided into Avastin group and VAS2870 group,and then the Avastin group was subdivided into the normoxic control group,hypoxia control group,0.25 mg/ml Avastin intervention group,0.50 mg/ml Avastin intervention group and 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group,and the VAS2870 group was subdivided into 1 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group,3 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group and 5 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group.CoCl2 of final concentration of 300 mol/L was added to the medium to establish the cytochemical hypoxia model.The expressions of NOX4 and VEGF in human retinal pigment epithelial cells were located and evaluated by immunofluorescence staining,and relative expressing levels of NOX4 and VEGF proteins were compared by Western blot assay.Results The relative expression of NOX4 was 0.657± 0.153,1.000±0.200,1.206 ± 0.300,1.260± 0.200 and 1.413 ± 0.273,and the relative expression of VEGF-A was 0.821±0.110,1.210±0.100,0.672±0.100,0.340±0.120 and 0.300±0.130 in the normoxic control group,hypoxia control group,0.25 mg/ml Avastin intervention group,0.50 mg/ml Avastin intervention group and 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group,respectively,with statistically significant differences among the groups (F =17.631,P＜ 0.001;F=4.777,P＜0.05).The relative expression of NOX4 protein in 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group was significantly lower than that in normoxia control group (P＜0.001).The relative expression of VEGF-A protein in the cells of the 0.25,0.50 and 0.75 mg/ml Avastin intervention group was significantly lower than that in hypoxia control group (P＜0.05).The expression of NOX4 protein in the cells was 0.970±0.120,1.060±0.130,0.880±0.130,0.567±0.135 and 0.450±0.120,and the relative expression of VEGF-A protein was 0.387±0.135,0.627±0.125,0.370±0.140,0.363±0.140 and 0.160±0.100 in the normoxia control group,hypoxia control group,1 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group,3 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group and 5 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group,respectively,with statistically significant differences among them (F =12.933,P＜ 0.001;F =4.948,P＜ 0.05).The relative expression of VEGF-A protein in the 1,3 and 5 μmol/ml VAS2870 intervention group was significantly lower than that in hypoxia control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions NOX4 inhibitor can inhibit the expression of VEGF-A protein in hypoxia-induced human RPE cells by down-regulating the NOX4 level.

Huidouba Ameliorates Kidney Oxidative Stress Injury by Down-regulating Nox4 Expression in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:From a new perspective，to explore therapeutic effect of Huidouba (HDB) on alleviating kidney oxidative damage in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and provide a scientific basis for developing HDB as a potential Tibetan medicine for treatment of DN. Method:Rats were fed with high-fat diet (HFD) and injected with streptozocin (STZ, 65 mg·kg-1) intraperitoneally to induce DN model, while rats in Blank group were injected with an equal volume of vehicle and fed with normal chow. The successfully modeling DN rats were randomly divided into three groups, 8 rats per group, DN model group (10 mL·kg-1·d-1), Metformin group (0.045 g·kg-1·d-1) and HDB group (0.18 g·kg-1·d-1). Monitor body weight (BW) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) weekly, and collect 24 hours urine before and after medication to examine microalbuminuria (mAlb). Calculate kidney index (KI) after sacrificing, analyze mAlb, serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) with a fully automatic biochemical analyzer. Histopathology of kidney was observed by Masson staining. Lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) assay kit was used to examine MDA content in kidney tissue. Nox4, as a subtype of triphosphopyridine nucleotide (NADPH) oxidase family was determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay of kidney tissue. Result:Compared with blank group, levels of FBG, 24 h mAlb, SCr, BUN and MDA in DN model group were increased (P<0.01), tissue damage was obvious and Nox4 expression in glumeruli was increased significantly (P<0.01). Compared with DN model group, levels of FBG, 24 h mAlb, SCr, BUN and MDA in drug administration groups were decreased (P<0.01), kidney injury was alleviated and Nox4 expression was down-regulated（P<0.01）. Conclusion:HDB as a Yiqiyangyin Tibetan medicine, could ease oxidative stress injury of kidney and reduce proteinuria in DN rats, thus prevent the development of DN. Its mechanism is closely related to down-regulating Nox4 expression of kidney tissue in DN rats.

The role of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase NOX family in acute lung injury / 中华危重病急救医学

Acute?lung?injury?(ALI)?and?its?severe?form,?acute?respiratory?distress?syndrome?(ARDS),?are?common?critical?syndromes.?The?causes?of?the?syndrome?are?complex?and?diverse.?The?main?pathological?features?are?the?diffuse?inflammatory?and?protein-rich?pulmonary?edema?caused?by?destruction?of?the?blood-air?barrier.?Reactive?oxygen?species?(ROS)?mediate?oxidative?damage?by?oxidizing?bio-macromolecules,?including?lipids,?proteins?and?nucleic?acid.?Among?many?systems?producing?ROS,?nicotinamide-adenine?dinucleotide?phosphate?(NADPH)?oxidase-mediated?ROS?is?the?main?source,?and?its?functional?subunit?is?the?transmembrane?subunit?NOX?family.?The?distribution?of?NOX?family?proteins?in?lung?tissue?is?cell?type?dependent.?NOX-derived?ROS?is?involved?in?the?defense?function?of?lung?tissue?and?related?to?the?occurrence?and?development?of?ALI/ARDS.?This?review?mainly?describes?the?cell?distribution,?activation?factors,?and?its?relationship?with?the?occurrence?and?development?of?ALI?of?the?NOX?family.

Effect of benazepril on nuclear factor E2 related factor 2, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and reactive oxygen species in rats with hepatic fibrosis / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To study the effect of benazepril on the expression of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration in rats with hepatic fibrosis and to explore the possible antifibrotic mechanism of benazepril.@*Methods@#Twenty-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (6 rats), model group (8 rats) and benazepril treatment group (8 rats). Two rats died during modeling and treatment in the model group and the benazepril treatment group, and a model of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) was established. The rats in benazepril group were given benazepril for 8 weeks by gastric gavage. The assessment of liver tissue damage in each group was measured using conventional hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining. The mRNA level of Nrf2, NOX4 in liver tissue was detected by RT-PCR, and serum ROS concentration was determined by colorimetry. All data were expressed in mean ± standard deviations, and were analyzed using SPSS21.0 statistical software. The data were compared using one-way analysis of variance, and the LSD-t method was used for pairwise comparison between the two groups. The correlation analysis was performed by Spearman’s correlation analysis.@*Results@#In the liver of the model group, with the aggravation of liver fibrosis the expression of Nrf2mRNA, NOX4 mRNA and ROS concentration were higher than control group [(4.01 ± 3.40), (31.78 ± 3.96), (1.82 ± 0.46) μg/ ml vs. (0.12 ± 0.11), (2.03 ± 0.31), (1.56±0.84) μg/ml, P < 0.05]. After benazepril treatment, NOX4 mRNA expression and ROS concentration were decreased than the model group [(15.93 ± 5.01), (0.78 ± 0.44) μg/ml vs. (31.78 ± 3.96), (1.82 ± 0.46) μg /ml, P < 0.05], while Nrf2 mRNA expression was higher than the model group [(6.69 ± 4.86) vs. (4.01 ± 3.40), P < 0.05]. There was a positive correlation between Nrf2 and NOX4, Nrf2 and ROS, and NOX4 and ROS (r = 0.616, 0.411, 0.802, P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@#Benazepril may exert an anti-hepatic fibrosis effect by activating Nrf2 expression, or may inhibit the ROS-mediated oxidative stress in response to NOX4.

Enzyme histochemical detection of cell viability in ablation area of thyroid nodules at 6 months after microwave ablation / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the cell viability in the ablation area of thyroid nodules at 6 months after microwave ablation by enzyme histochemical staining. Methods Twenty-four ablation areas of thyroid nodules were selected from 20 patients who underwent histopathological assessment of the ablation area by core needle biopsy at 6 months after microwave ablation between Dec. 2017 and Sep. 2018. Core needle biopsy was performed at the central and marginal regions of the ablation area with a cutting biopsy needle. The specimens were obtained and placed in liquid nitrogen to make frozen sections. Enzyme histochemical staining was used to detect the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d), and the difference of cell morphology and histological structure was compared with H-E staining results. Results The specimens of the central and marginal regions of 24 ablation areas were successfully obtained. The histochemical staining of SDH and NADPH-d in the central region of ablation area had good consistency, and the negative rates were both 95.83% (23/24). The histochemical staining of SDH and NADPH-d in the marginal region of ablation area also had good consistency, and the negative rates were both 91.67% (22/24). H-E staining of 23 central regions and 22 marginal regions showed pink amorphous mass of necrosis. H-E staining of 1 central region and 2 marginal regions showed partly necrotic and fibrous tissue hyperplasia. The location of fibrous tissue hyperplasia was consistent with the location of the positive region of enzyme histochemical staining. Conclusion At 6 months after microwave ablation, the tissue in the ablation area of thyroid nodules is consistent with coagulative necrosis, and is still inactivated. SDH or NADPH-d enzyme histochemical staining combined with H-E staining can objectively evaluate the old ablation area.

Adrenomedullin and bronchopulmonary dysplasia / 国际儿科学杂志

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common respiratory disease in premature infants characterized by alveolar and pulmonary vascular dysplasia.There are currently no effective preventive and therapeutic measures.Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a vasodilator peptide produced by endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the systemic and pulmonary circulation,which promotes alveolar growth and pulmonary angiogenesis.ADM protects the respiratory system through three signaling pathways:(1) it promotes pulmonary vascular endothelial cell proliferation through extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK);(2) attenuates lung cell apoptosis and improves cell proliferation through protein kinase B (PKB) pathway;(3) it down-regulates NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression in lung tissue to inhibit oxidative stress and improves BPD.So ADM signaling axis may be a potential therapeutic target for human infants with BPD.It provides theoretical basis for clinical prevention and treatment of BPD in premature infants.

Role of NADPH oxidase-mediated activation of microglia in the comorbidity of neuropathic pain and depression / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To observe the variation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and microglia in the comorbidity of neuropathic pain and depression and discuss the related mechanism.Methods The spared nerve injury model was used.Forty-four male adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups (n=11 each): sham+vehicle group (group SV), sham+APO group (group SA), SNI+vehicle group (group SNV), SNI+APO group (group SNA).In groups SA and SNA, rats were intraperitoneally injected with apocynin (APO) 15 mg/kg 24 hours and 1 hour before SNI and continued once daily until the 14th day.The rats in the other two groups received the equal volume of vehicle.The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) was tested 1 day before SNI and 7 days and 14 days after SNI, and the open field test, the forced swimming test and the sucrose preference test were performed 14 days after SNI.The prefrontal cortex were collected 2 hour after the behavior tests.The expression of gp91phox was detected by Western blot and the expression of Iba1 and gp91phox were detected by double-immunofluorescance staining.Results The reduced MWT, the increased immobility time, the decreased sucrose consumption and the increased content of gp91phox were observed in group SNV compared with groups SV, SA and SNA (P<0.05).The expression of Iba1 and gp91phox were increased in group SNV.The total travel distance in the open field test and the total liquid consumption in the sucrose preference test had no significant difference among the four groups.Conclusion Neuropathic pain may induce depressive behaviors and activate NADPH oxidase in the prefrontal cortex.Moreover, the inhibition of NADPH oxidase by APO can alleviate neuropathic pain and depression, which is potentially related to the activation of microglia.

Research on the oxidation damage of sodium arsenite on rat lung / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the oxidation damage of sodium arsenite( NaAsO_2) drinking exposure on rat lung.METHODS: Thirty-two specific pathogen free healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group,low-,medium- and high-dose groups,with 8 rats in each group. The 3 arsenic exposure groups were intoxicated by NaAsO_2 with mass concentrations of 10. 00,100. 00 and 1 000. 00 μg / L in drinking water,respectively,while the control group was given ultrapure water for free drinking. All the rats were sacrificed after 28 days. The total number of white blood cells and the cell death rate in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid( BALF) were measured. The level of reactive oxygen species( ROS),nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate( NADPH),the antioxidant ability and the nitric oxide( NO) level in BALF were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The total number of white blood cells in BALF in medium-dose group was higher than those of the control group and high-dose group( P < 0. 05).The cell death rate of BALF in high-dose group was higher than those of the other groups( P < 0. 01). The ROS levels in BALF of rat lung in 3 exposure groups were higher than that of the control group( P < 0. 01). The NADPH levels in medium- and high-dose groups were higher than those of the control group and low-dose group( P < 0. 05). The total antioxidant ability in medium- and high-dose groups were lower than that of the control group( P < 0. 01). The NO levels in medium- and high-dose groups were higher than that of the control group( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The NaAsO_2 exposure in rats could lead to high expression of oxidase ROS by activating NADPH followed by increasing NO level,resulting in imbalanced organism oxidation and anti-oxidation system and causing oxidative stress injury in tissues.

Effect of plumbagin on levels of Nox4/ROS andα-SMA in human hepatic stellate cells / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe the effect of plumbagin on the mRNA and protein expression of nicotinamide ade -nine dinucleotidephosphate oxidase 4 ( Nox4 ) , reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) level and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the HSC-LX2 cells stimulated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in vitro.METH-ODS:HSC-LX2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into blank group, model group, high-, medium-and low-dose (2, 1.5 and 1 μmol/L) plumbagin groups .After incubated with each drug for 72 h, the mRNA expression of Nox4 was detec-ted by RT-PCR.ROS levels were tested by in situ loading probe method.The protein contents of Nox4 and α-SMA were measured by Western blot .RESULTS:Compared with model group , after treated with plumbagin for 72 h, the mRNA ex-pression of Nox4, ROS level and α-SMA protein were significantly decreased in high-and medium-dose plumbagin groups (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Plumbagin inhibits the activation of HSC-LX2 cells via decreasing the expression of Nox4, thus decreasing ROS levels .

Inhibitor of NADPH oxidase slow photoreceptor cell death in the retinal degeneration of rd mice / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Our previous study demonstrated that microglial activation is closely associated with photoreceptor apoptosis in rd mice.Recent studies on central nervous system (CNS) showed that activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays a key role in the microglia activation and neural cell death.However,the mechanism of NADPH oxidase during the retinal degeneration and the effect of NADPH oxidase inhibitor on photoreceptor apoptosis are concerned.Objective The aim of this study was to further explore the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase in the retinal degenerative process of rd mice and protection of NADPH oxidase inhibitor on photoreceptors.Methods Sixty rd mice at postnatal day 9 (P9) were randomized into the experimental group and the control group by throwing coins method.Apocynin,a NADPH oxidase inhibitor,was intraperitoneally injected in the dose of 10 mg/kg (0.01 ml/kg) once daily for 5 days (P13) in the experimental group,and the equal amount of PBS was used in the same way in the control group,and 10 C57BL/6N mice without injection of any drugs served as the wild type mice group.All the mice were sacrificed in P14 for the preparation of retinal sections.The expression of ROS in the retina was detected by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence staining.Expression level of rhodopsin mRNA in the photoreceptor of the mice was determined by real-time PCR,and the thickness of retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL) in the mice of the experimental group and the control group was measured using hematoxylin & eosin staining.The use and care of the animals complied with the Statement of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.Results DHE staining showed that the ROS presented with the red fluorescence in the mouse retinas.In the rd mice of the experimental group,the ROS fluorescence intensity was dramatically enhanced in comparison with C57BL/6N mice,but weakened in comparison with the rd mice of the control group.Real-time PCR revealed that the relative expressing level of rhodopsin mRNA in the photoreceptor was (4.21±0.33) in the experimental group and (0.93±0.24) in the control group,showing a significant difference between them (t =2.360,P =0.000).The thickness value of retinal ONL was (35.95±1.63)μm in the mice of the experimental group,which was significantly higher than that in the mice of the control group ([23.17±1.38] μm) (t=3.850,P=0.016).Conclusions In the retinal degeneration of rd mice,activation of NADPH oxidase increases the ROS production.Apocynin can slow the apoptosis procedure of photoreceptor cells of rd mice.

Changes of NADPH oxidase expression in retina of rd mice / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Studies showed that activation of microglia-derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays a key role in the neurodegenerative diseases and neural cell death in central nervous system.The effect of NADPH on cone degeneration have been determined in rd rats,its role in rod degeneration is relatively less studied.Objective This study was to study the expression of NADPH oxidase in the retinal degenerative process in rd mice and further explore its role in the photoreceptor degeneration.Methods rd Mice at postnatal day 8 (P8),P10,P12,P14,P16 and P18 were collected.The mice were sacrificed,and retinal sections,RNAs and proteins were prepared in above-mentioned time points.The expressions of the gp91 phox,a major subunit of NADPH oxidase,in transcript level and protein level in the retinas were semi-quantitatively detected by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.Expression of gp91phox was localized in the rd retinas as ageing by immunohistochemstry,and the co-expression of gp91phox with CD11b,a specific marker of microglial cells,was assayed by immunofluorescent double labeling.The C57BL/6N mice were served as controls.The use and care of the animals complied with the Guideline of ARVO.Results Real-time PCR showed that gp91phox mRNA was not expressed in the retinas of C57BL/6N mice.Gp91phox mRNA was found to have less expressed in retinas of P8 rd mice.With aging,the expression level of gp91phox mRNA (gp91phox mRNA/β-actin) in rd mouse retinas was gradually increased with the highest level in P14 mice(1.136±0.370).A significant difference was seen in the gp91 phox mRNA expression among various groups of mice (F=17.81,P =0.00),and gp91phox mRNA expression was significantly elevated in P10,P12,P14,P16 and P18 rd mice compared with P8 rd mice(all at P＜0.05).The expression level of gp91phox protein (A value) in the retinas presented with a similar trend in the rd mice,with a significant difference among the various ages of rd mice and C57BL/6N mice (F =354.00,P＜0.01).The expression level of gp91 phox protein was increased in the rd mice in comparison with the C57BL/6N mice (all at P＜0.05).Immunochemistry revealed that the positive response cells for gp91phox increased in the inner layers of retinas in P10 rd mice and peaked in P14 mice.Immunofluorescent double labeling exhibited that gp91phox were seen to present a co-expression with CD11b,showing an orange fluorescence.Conclusions Expression of NADPH oxidase in the rctinas in the rd mice up-regulates and is parallels to the microglial activation and photoreceptor degeneration,suggesting that NADPH oxidase plays a role in the retinal dystrophy associated with microglial activation.

Effect of high glucose on NADPH oxidase expression and reactive oxygen species generation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To explore the effect of high glucose on NADPH oxidase (NOX) expression and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were divided into a control group, a mannite group, a glucose group and aglucose plus diphenylene iodonium (DPI) group. Intracellular ROS was detected by lfow cytometry. RNA and protein expression of NOX in HUVECs was analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Results: 1) Compared with the control group, the intracellular ROS were signiifcantly increased in the glucose group (P0.05,n=3); 2) Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expression of NOX4 in the glucose group were signiifcantly increased (P0.05); 3) there were no signiifcant difference in the mRNA and protein expression of NOX2, NOX4, p22phox, p67phox and rac between the glucose plus DPI group and the control group (allP>0.05). Conclusion: High glucose may increases intracellular ROS generation by increasing the expression of NOX4 in HUVECs, which might mediate the oxidative stress.

The changes and significances of glutathione and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels in elderly acute myocardial infarction / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the changes of glutathione and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate levels and their significances among elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction,elderly patients with angina pectoris and elderly people with normal coronary artery.Methods Totally 64 elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction were selected according to the clinical manifestation,electrocardiogram and myocardial markers.68 elderly patients with angina pectoris and 66 subjects with normal coronary artery (control group) were enrolled according to the coronary artery radiography.Peripheral venous blood in all subjects were taken and plasma glutathione (reduced form GSH and oxidized form GSSG) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form NADPH and oxidized form NADP+) were measured.The GSH/GSSG ratio and NADPH/NADP+ redox potentials were calculated according to Nernst equation.Results Compared with control group,GSH level in acute myocardial infarction group and angina pectoris group significantly increased(4.04 ± 0.77 μmol/L,5.89 ± 0.85 μmol/L,7.55 ± 0.93 μmol/L; P＜0.05 or 0.01),GSSG decreased(0.70±0.05 μmol/L,0.61±0.04 μmol/L,0.53±0.03 μmol/L;P＜0.05 or 0.01),GSH/GSSG ratio increased(5.18±1.06,9.76±1.67,12.80±1.93; P＜0.05 or 0.01).The GSH/GSSG redox potentials decreased(-123.49 ± 1.18 mV,-126.21 ± 1.01mV,-128.71 ±1.29 mV;P＜0.05 or 0.01).Compared with control group,NADPH in acute myocardial infarction group increased(5.72 ± 0.44 nmol/L,6.83± 0.55 nmol/L ; P＜0.05),NADPH/NADP ratio increased (2.29±0.10,2.58±0.26,P＜0.05),the NADPH/NADP+ redox potentials significantly decreased (-306.3±2.44 mV,-312.1±2.53 mV; P＜0.05).Conclusions The imbalance of plasma redox status migrating to oxidization may have close relationships with atheromatous plaque formation,plaque rupture and thrombosis.