Regulation of Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction on lung-gut injury and intestinal microflora in sepsis mice / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction (XBCQT) on lung-gut injury and intestinal function, and analyze its effect on intestinal flora in sepsis mice.Methods:C57 male mice were randomly divided into three groups with 12 mice in each group: control group, model group and treatment group. The sepsis model was prepared by intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 mg/kg. XBCQT was administered by gavage 24 h before, 0.5 h after and 12 h after modeling. The lung, colon and blood samples were collected at 24 h after modeling. The pulmonary and intestinal inflammatory cytokine content of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. HE staining was used to evaluate the structural damage and changes of lung and gut, and Western blot and Immunohistochemistry methods were used to analyze the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in intestinal epithelium. Finally, the plasma endotoxin content of each group was tested by Limulus test kit. Fecal DNA of mice was extracted and the changes of intestinal flora in sepsis mice were detected by 16S rDNA quantitative PCR. The measurement data among the three groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance.Results:(1) XBCQT significantly reduced the pulmonary inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1 expression (all P<0.05), and attenuated lung injury. (2) Compared to the model group, the treatment group exhibited a reduction in intestinal damage and a decrease in the intestinal inflammatory cytokines (all P<0.05). XBCQT increased the expression of epithelial tight junction and mucin of colon, and improved the intestinal epithelium barrier function. (3) XBCQT treatment decreased the content of endotoxin in plasma of sepsis mice ( P<0.05), promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and reduced the expression of Enterococcus in the intestine of sepsis mice (all P<0.05). Conclusions:XBCQT can significantly improve the intestinal inflammatory injury, regulate the intestine epithelium barrier and improve the intestinal function in sepsis mice.

Correlation analysis of serum zonulin, ZO-1, TNF-α with severity of acute pancreatitis / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To analyze the correlation between the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) and the levels of zonulin, zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF -α) in the peripheral blood of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), and the value of predicting moderate and severe AP.Methods:The clinical data of 115 AP patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into mild group (69 cases) and moderate severe group (46 cases). The blood levels of zonulin, ZO-1, and TNF-α were measured for all patients on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th day after admission, and the results of the two group tests were compared. The correlation between zonulin, ZO-1, TNF -α and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scores on the 1st day was and the value of various indicators for predicting moderate to severe AP were analyzed.Results:The C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of AP patients in the moderate to severe group were higher than those in the mild group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of zonulin, ZO-1, and TNF -α in AP patients in the moderate to severe group showed an upward trend on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after admission. The levels of zonulin, ZO-1, and TNF -α in AP patients in the moderate to severe group were higher than those in the mild group at the same time point, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The APACHE Ⅱ score of AP patients on the first day of admission was positively correlated with the levels of zonulin, ZO-1, and TNF -α ( r=0.736, 0.552, 0.621, all P<0.05). Zonulin had the highest area under the curve (AUC) for predicting moderate to severe AP, at 0.892, with an optimal threshold of 2.075 pg/ml. Zonulin had the highest sensitivity, at 0.804, and ZO-1 had the highest specificity, at 0.926. Using zonulin ≥2.075 pg/ml, ZO-1≥399.4 ng/ml, and TNF -α≥40.88 pg/ml as thresholds; the sensitivity and specificity obtained from parallel experiments were 0.976 and 0.710, respectively; The sensitivity and specificity obtained from the series of experiments were 0.326 and 0.999, respectively. Conclusions:There is a correlation between the serum levels of zonulin, ZO-1, and TNF -α in AP patients and the severity of AP. Zonulin, ZO-1, and TNF -α have certain clinical value in predicting moderate to severe AP.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the blood-brain barrier via the SIRT1/FoxO1 signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the blood-brain barrier via the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/Forkhead box O1(FoxO1) signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion using a rat model.Methods:Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into sham, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR), CIR+ HBO and CIR+ HBO+ EX527 groups, each of 10. The cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established in all groups except the sham group by right middle cerebral artery occlusion using the modified thread-occlusion method. The sham group was not ligated. Both the CIR+ HBO and CIR+ HBO+ EX527 groups were given HBO 1, 9, 21, 45 and 69 hours after the reperfusion. The CIR+ HBO+ EX527 group was additionally injected with 5mg/kg of EX527(a SIRT1inhibitor) peritoneally 4, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the reperfusion. Then 2% Evens blue (EB) was injected into the tail vein an hour before the rats were sacrificed. The content of EB and the expression of SIRT1, FoxO1, ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-5 mRNA and their proteins were determined using spectrophotometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions and Western blotting.Results:The average EB content of the hippocampal brain tissue from the CIR, CIR+ HBO and CIR+ HBO+ EX527 rats was significantly greater than the Sham group′s average 72h after reperfusion. The average expression of SIRT1, FoxO1, ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-5 mRNA and their proteins was significantly lower, with the CIR + HBO + EX 527 group′s average significantly lower than that of the CIR+ HBO group.Conclusions:HBO can increase the expression of tight junction protein via the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway. It helps to protect the blood-brain barrier in CIR injury situations.

Protective Effect of Ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 Against Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Injury Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Vitro / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb1 on the release of inflammatory factors of human myeloid leukemia monocytes （THP-1） induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and their protective effects on the inflammatory injury of intestinal epithelial cells （Caco-2） induced by THP-1 cell activation based on the co-culture system of THP-1 and Caco-2. MethodFirstly，the microfluidic chip of co-culture of THP-1 and Caco-2 cells was prepared. In the experiment， a blank group， an LPS group， and drug intervention groups were set up.The cells in the blank group were cultured conventionally. In the LPS group，LPS （1 mg·L-1） was added to the lower THP-1 cells after the upper Caco-2 cells formed a monolayer barrier. On the basis of the LPS group， 33 mg·L-1 ginsenoside Rg1 and 33 mg·L-1 ginsenoside Rb1 were added to THP-1 cells respectively. After the co-culture of THP-1 cells and Caco-2 cells for 24 hours， the fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC）-Dextran fluorescence value in the lower chip channel was detected by FITC-Dextran tracer method. A blank group， an LPS group，and drug intervention groups were set up in the THP-1 cell experiment. THP-1 cells in the blank group were cultured conventionally. In the LPS group， LPS （1 mg·L-1） was added to THP-1 cells.Ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb1 of the corresponding doses （11，33，100 mg·L-1） were added to the drug intervention groups respectively on the basis of the LSP group. After 24 hours of cell culture， the activity of THP-1 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α of THP-1 cells. A blank group， an LPS group， and drug intervention groups were set up in the Caco-2 cell experiment. Caco-2 cells in the blank group were cultured conventionally， and in other groups， the corresponding cell supernatant in the second part of the THP-1 cell experiment was employed in Caco-2 cells. After 24 hours of cell culture，the activity of Caco-2 cells was detected by CCK-8. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of IL-6，interleukin-8 （IL-8）， TNF-α， and Occludin of Caco-2 cells. The expression of tight junction protein Occludin in Caco-2 cells was detected by Western blot. ResultBoth ginsenoside Rg1 and ginsenoside Rb1 could effectively protect LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier permeability in the co-culture system of THP-1 and Caco-2 cells （P<0.01）. Ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 antagonized LPS-induced increased expression of IL-6，IL-1β， and TNF-α in THP-1 cells （P<0.05）. When the supernatant of THP-1 cells treated with ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 was co-cultured with Caco-2 cells， the expression of IL-6，IL-8， and TNF-α in Caco-2 cells was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expression of tight junction protein Occludin was up-regulated. ConclusionIn the co-culture system of THP-1 and Caco-2 cells simulating the intestinal epithelial barrier function in vitro，ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 play a protective role against LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier injury by regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines by THP-1 cells， thereby regulating the inflammatory response and cell barrier integrity of Caco-2 cells.

Effect and Mechanism of "Liver-Soothing and Spleen-Invigorating" Therapies Against Liver Injury in Rats： An Exploration Based on TGR5 and Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of different treatment methods of "soothing liver， invigorating spleen， soothing liver and invigorating spleen， soothing liver first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen， as well as invigorating spleen first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen" on liver depression combined with liver injury in rats and their action mechanisms. MethodA six-week rat model of liver depression combined with liver injury was established by restraint stress and subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride （CCl4， 5.89 g·kg-1， once every three days）. At the same time， the drugs were given by gavage. Forty-eight male SD rats of clean grade were randomly divided into eight groups， namely the normal group， model group， bicyclol （0.2 g·kg-1） group， Sinisan （4.32 g·kg-1） group， Liu Junzitang （9.26 g·kg-1） group， Chaishao Liu Junzitang A （Chai A， soothing liver and invigorating spleen，13.57 g·kg-1） group， Chaishao Liu Junzitang B （Chai B， soothing liver first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen， 13.57 g·kg-1） group， and Chaishao Liu Junzitang C （Chai C， invigorating spleen first and then soothing liver and invigorating spleen， 13.57 g·kg-1） group， with six rats in each group. The pathological changes in liver and colon tissues of each group were observed under light microscope and electron microscope. The serum biochemical indexes of the liver were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The relative mRNA expression levels of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 （TGR5） and intestinal mucosal zona occluden-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， and Claudin-1 in the liver and colon were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. The positive expression rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） in the colon was detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultCompared with normal group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated serum alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， and direct bilirubin （DBIL） （P<0.01）， lowered TGR5 mRNA expression in liver tissue， up-regulated TGR5 mRNA expression in the colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and down-regulated ZO-1， Occludin， and tight junction protein-1 (Claudin-1) mRNA expression and PCNA in the colon tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， bicyclol and Chai C remarkably decreased the levels of serum ALP， ALT， AST， TBIL， and DBIL （P<0.05，P<0.01）， while Liu Junzitang， Chai A， Chai B， and Chai C significantly up-regulated the TGR5 mRNA expression in the liver and down-regulated its expression in the colon （P<0.01）. Bicyclol， Chai A， Chai B， and Chai C enhanced the ZO-1 and Claudin-1 mRNA expression in the colon （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Bicyclol， Sinisan， and Chai C increased PCNA expression （P<0.01）. The comparison with the Chai C group showed that the TGR5 mRNA expression in the liver and ZO-1 mRNA expression in the colon of the bicyclol and Sinisan groups were lower， whereas the TGR5 mRNA expression in the colon was higher （P<0.01）. However， the PCNA expression in the colon of the Liu Junzitang and Chai B groups declined significantly （P<0.05）. ConclusionIn the presence of liver injury， invigorating spleen first helps to relieve the liver injury， and the efficacy of "spleen-invigorating" therapy in increasing the intestinal mucosal tight junction proteins and improving the gastrointestinal function is related to its activation of TGR5 to improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function， promote the renewal of intestinal stem cells， and drive the regeneration after injury.

Effect of estrogen-related receptor α on lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular endothelial apoptosis and tight junction protein degradation / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and tight junction protein degradation.Methods:RPMVECs transfected with shERRα were cultured in vitro and divided into four groups: Normal control group (Ctr group); shERRα knockdown group (shERRα group); normal cells + LPS treated group (LPS group): The cells in the six-well plates were cultured in serum-free medium for 12 h, and then treated with 20 μg/mL LPS for 12 h; and shERRα+LPS group: ERRα knockdown cells were treated as the LPS group. ROS fluorescence kit was used to detect the intracellular ROS levels . Apoptosis ratio was detected by TUNEL staining, AnnexinV-FITC and PI. Cell membrane ZO-1 expression was detected by cellular immunofluorescence, and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, Smac, Cytochrome c, and tight junction protein ZO-1, as well as the expression of Occludin, JAM-A and E-Ca at molecular level were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the Ctr group and the shERRα group, the ROS level, apoptosis rate (TUNEL test: 16.44 ± 2.55; and flow cytometry test: 23.56 ± 2.22), the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, Smac and Cytochrome c were increased in the LPS group, while the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and tight junction protein were decreased. In the LPS group. Cellular immunofluorescence results showed that the ZO-1 was degraded in the cell membrane and the network structure was broken. Compared with the LPS group, inhibition of ERRα in the shERRα+LPS group increased cell damage.Conclusions:ERRα can negatively regulate the apoptosis and affect the function of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, thereby regulating sepsis-induced acute lung injury.

Metformin alleviates intestinal epithelial barrier damage by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell apoptosis in colitis cell model / 浙江大学学报·医学版

To investigate the effect and mechanism of metformin on intestinal epithelial barrier injury in ulcerative colitis. A cell model of colitis was established by co-culture of human colon cancer cell line Caco-2 and human monocyte cell line THP-1. The colitis model cells were treated with metformin at concentration of for Flow cytometry was used to detect Caco-2 cell apoptosis, and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of tight junction proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins. After metformin treatment, the apoptosis rate of Caco-2 cells was decreased from (14.22±2.34)% to 0.61)% (=3.119, <0.05), and the expression levels of tight junction protein-1 and claudin-1 increased (=5.172 and 3.546, both <0.05). In addition, the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum-related proteins glucose regulated protein (GRP) 78, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase-12, as well as the phosphorylation level of PRKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) decreased (all <0.05). Metformin may alleviate the intestinal epithelial barrier damage in colitis by reducing intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and increasing the expression of tight junction proteins, which may be associated with the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptotic pathway.

The mechanism and treatment of blood-retinal barrier injury / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#The blood-retinal barrier(BRB)plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the retinal microenvironment. Many diseases can lead to the damage of BRB, such as diabetic retinopathy, acute glaucoma and retinopathy of prematurity. At present, the molecular mechanism of BRB injury has not been fully explained. This paper briefly reviews the structure and function of blood-retina barrier, the damage mechanism of blood-retina barrier caused by various ocular diseases, and the therapeutic countermeasures of drug therapy, laser therapy and surgical treatment.

Mechanism of aquaporin 4 in regulating 1,2-dichloroethane-induced blood-brain barrier permeability in mice / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of aquaporin 4(AQP4) in regulating the permeability of blood-brain barrier(BBB) induced by subacute 1,2-dichloroethane(1,2-DCE) inhalation. METHODS: Specific pathogen free healthy CD-1 male Aqp4 genetically engineered mice(Aqp4~(+/+)and Aqp4~(-/-)) were randomly divided into control and low-, medium-and high-dose groups. The mice were exposed to 1,2-DCE at the dosages of 0.00, 100.00, 350.00 and 700.00 mg/m~3 for 6 hours per day for consecutive 28 days by systemic dynamic inhalation. After the end of 1,2-DCE exposure, the BBB permeability was evaluated by Evans blue staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the mRNA expression of genes related to BBB tight junction protein(Tjp)1, Tjp2, Tjp3, claudin(Cldn)3, Cldn5, Cldn11, occludin(Ocln), matrix metalloproteinase(Mmp)2, Mmp9 and Na-K-Cl cotransporter-1(Nkcc1). RESULTS: The BBB permeability in mice showed significant change with 1,2-DCE dose and Aqp4 genotype(P<0.01). The BBB permeability of Aqp4~(+/+) genotype mice was higher in low-, medium-and high-dose groups than that of control group(all P values were <0.05). The permeability of BBB was lower in Aqp4~(+/+) genotype mice in the control group than that of Aqp4~(-/-) genotype mice in the same group(P<0.05), but BBB permeability was higher in Aqp4~(+/+) genotype mice in the three dose groups than that of Aqp4~(-/-) genotype mice in the same group(all P values were <0.05). The Cldn3 and Olcn mRNA relative expression in the brain cortex had statistical difference in mice with different genotype(all P values were <0.01). The mRNA relative expressions of Cldn3 and Olcn in the brain cortex were higher in Aqp4~(-/-) genotype mice than that of Aqp4~(+/+) genotype mice(all P values were <0.01). The relative mRNA expression levels of Tjp1, Tjp2, Tjp3, Cldn5, Cldn11, Mmp2, Mmp9 and Nkcc1 in the cerebral cortex of mice were not statistically significant in aspect of 1,2-DCE exposure dose and genotype(all P values were >0.05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to 1,2-DCE can increase BBB permeability in mice, and the mechanism may be associated with 1,2-DCE-induced down-regulation of Aqp4 and up-regulation of mRNA expression of the cerebral cortex TJP-related molecules Cldn3 and Ocln.

Linderae radix ethanol extract attenuates alcoholic liver injury via attenuating inflammation and regulating gut microbiota in rats

This study aimed to explore the influence of gut microbiota alterations induced by Linderae radix ethanol extract (LREE) on alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in rats and to study the anti-inflammatory effect of LREE on ALD through the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. ALD rat models were established by intragastric liquor [50% (v/v) ethanol] administration at 10 mL/kg body weight for 20 days. Rats were divided into six groups: normal group (no treatment), model group (ALD rats), Essentiale group (ALD rats fed with Essentiale, 137 mg/kg), and LREE high/moderate/low dose groups (ALD rats fed with 4, 2, or 1 g LREE/kg). NF-κB and LPS levels were evaluated. Liver pathological changes and intestinal ultrastructure were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. The gut microbiota composition was evaluated by 16S rDNA sequencing. Expression levels of TLR4 and CD68 in liver tissue, and occludin and claudin-1 in intestinal tissue were measured. LREE treatment significantly reduced NF-κB and LPS levels, improved liver pathological changes, and ameliorated intestinal ultrastructure injury. Meanwhile, LREE-fed groups showed a higher abundance of Firmicutes and a lower abundance of Bacteroidetes than the rats in the model group. Administration of LREE suppressed TLR4 overexpression and promoted the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in intestine tissue. Thus, LREE could partly ameliorate microflora dysbiosis, suppress the inflammatory response, and attenuate liver injury in ALD rats. The protective effect of LREE might be related to the LPS-TLR4-NF-κB pathway.

Effect of Changji'an Prescription on Intestinal Permeability of IBS-D Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Changji'an prescription on intestinal permeability in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) rats and explore its mechanism for treatment of IBS-D. Method:Male SD neonatal rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal group, model group, pinaverium bromide group(0.018 g·kg-1), high-dose(33.48 g·kg-1) and low-dose (16.74 g·kg-1)Changji'an prescription groups. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D model was established by the combination of maternal and infant separation+acetic acid stimulation+restraint stress. After drug treatment, the ultrastructure of rat intestinal mucosa was observed by using transmission electron microscopy and the plasma D-lactate level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-1 were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Occludin,Claudin-1 and zonula occluden(ZO)-1 were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). Result:As compared with the normal group, the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells were damaged in IBS-D model group, and the microvilli arrangement was sparse and tight junction was widened, and some were not obvious,and the plasma D-lactate level in IBS-D rats was increased significantly (PPD-lactate level in pinaverium bromide group and high-dose Changji'an prescription group was significantly decreased (PD-lactate level in the low-dose group Changji'an prescription group had a tendency to decrease with no statistical difference. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Occludin and Claudin-1 and the mRNA expression of ZO-1 in the colon of rats in each administration group were higher than those in the model group (PConclusion:The therapeutic effect of Changji'an prescription on IBS-D may be achieved by improving the intestinal permeability.

Effects of Aconitum carmichaelii Water Extract on the Expression of Efflux Transporters and Tight Junction Proteins in Duo- denum of Rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of Aconitum carmichaelii water extract on the expression of 3 kinds of efflux transporters and 3 kinds of tight junction proteins as well as their genes in duodenum tissues of rats. METHODS： Thirty-two SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group， A. carmichaelii water extract low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups [0.45， 0.9， 1.8 g/（kg·d）， by crude drug]， with 8 rats in each group. They were given water and relevant liquid 0.1 mL/kg intragastrically for consecutive 7 d. After last administration， the duodenal segments of rats were collected. Western blotting assay was used to detect the expression of efflux transporters as P-glycoprotein （P-gp）， breast cancer resistance protein （Bcrp）， multidrug resistance protein 2 （Mrp2） as well as tight junction proteins as Claudin-1， Occludin and ZO-1. mRNA expression of 6 kinds of proteins relevant gene were determined by qRT-PCR respectively. RESULTS： Compared with normal group， the protein expression of P-gp， Mrp2， Bcrp， Claudin-1， Occludin and ZO-1 in duodenum of rats were increased significantly in A. carmichaelii water extract groups （P＜0.01）. mRNA expression of P-gp in A. carmichaelii water extract groups， mRNA expression of Bcrp in A. carmichaelii water extract low-dose and high-dose groups as well as mRNA expression of Claudin-1 in A. carmichaelli water extract medium-dose and high-dose groups were increased significantly， with statistical significance （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There was no statistical significance in mRNA expression of other genes （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： A. carmichaelii water extract can up-regulate the expression of 3 kinds of efflux transporters and 3 kinds of tight junction proteins at the level of mRNA and/or protein， thus may interact with other substrates of the aforementioned efflux transporters and drugs with cell bypass pathway as the main transport pathway. In clinical practice， adjustment of dosage may be considered in drug combination.

Influence of Sleep Deprivation on Blood-brain Barrier in Rats / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the influence of sleep deprivation (SD) on blood-brain barrier in adult male rats. Methods:A total of 90 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into SD group, SD and recovery (SDR) group and control (K) group. SD group and SDR group were continuously deprived of sleep for five days by horizontal table, and then, SDR group were fed normally for two days after SD. K group accepted no intervention. The leakage of Evens Blue (EB) in brain was observed after EB perfusion. The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occluding, Claudin-5, Bax/BCL-2, P53 and caspase-3 in the cortex was detected with Western blotting. The apoptosis of neurons and endothelial cells in cortex was observed with immunofluorescence staining. Results:In SD group, EB was observed in multiple cerebral lobe and extensive cortex, and it was also observed in SDR group in a milder way, but not observed in K group. The expression of P53, Caspase-3, Bax/BCL-2 in the cerebral cortex was the most in SD group, and the least in K group; while the expression of ZO-1, Occluding and Claudin-5 was the least in SD group, and the most in K group, and it was in-between in SDR group (F > 39.915, P < 0.001). The CD31 and NeuN positive cells decreased in cortex were the least in SD group, and the most in K group, while the TUNEL positive cells were the most in SD group, and the least in K group, and the levels of CD31, NeuN and TUNEL positive cells were in-between in SDR group (F > 142.056, P < 0.001). Conclusion:SD may lead to dysfunction of permeability of blood-brain barrier, while decrease expression of tight junction protein, and increase apoptosis of neurons in rats to reduce the neurons and endothelial cells in cerebral cortex. Sleep recovery may partly alleviate these impacts.

Effect of low-frequency pulsed magnetic field on blood-brain barrier permeability of rat hippocampus / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of pulsed magnetic radiation on BBB permeability of hippocampus in Sprague-Dawley rats at different exposure intensity.Methods A total of 72 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham exposure group,positive control group and magnetic field treatment groups (100,400,800,1 200 mT,30 pulses each group).At three hours after exposure,the morphological structure of hippocampus was evaluated by HE staining,the extravasation of albumin around microvessels in rat hippocampus was detected immunohistochemically,the EB extravasation around microvessels was observed with Evans blue (EB) fluorescence method,and the levels of BBB-related protein ZO-1 and Occludin in hippocampus were measured with Western blot assay.Results Compared with the control group,no significant change in the hippocampus morphology structure,the extravasation of albumin and EB around the microvessels were observed after the pulsed magnetic exposures.The protein levels of ZO-1 and Occludin had no changes in the exposed groups (P＞ 0.05) except that ZO-1 was significantly reduced in 1 200 mT exposure group (t =14.26,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Low-frequency pulsed magnetic field could not affect the permeability of BBB in SD rats but impairs the integrity of BBB at 1 200 mT.

Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Perivascular Beta-Amyloid Accumulation in the Brain of Aged Rats with Spontaneous Hypertension: Evaluation with Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE: Whether blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption induced by chronic spontaneous hypertension is associated with beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in the brain remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between BBB disruption and Aβ influx and accumulation in the brain of aged rats with chronic spontaneous hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five aged spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and five age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied. The volume transfer constant (Ktrans) obtained from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) was used to evaluate BBB permeability in the hippocampus and cortex in vivo. The BBB tight junctions, immunoglobulin G (IgG), Aβ, and amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampus and cortex were examined with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: As compared with WKY rats, the Ktrans values in the hippocampus and cortex of the SHRs increased remarkably (0.316 ± 0.027 min−1 vs. 0.084 ± 0.017 min−1, p < 0.001 for hippocampus; 0.302 ± 0.072 min−1 vs. 0.052 ± 0.047 min−1, p < 0.001 for cortex). Dramatic occludin and zonula occludens-1 losses were detected in the hippocampus and cortex of SHRs, and obvious IgG exudation was found there. Dramatic Aβ accumulation was found and limited to the area surrounding the BBB, without extension to other parenchyma regions in the hippocampus and cortex of aged SHRs. Alternatively, differences in APP expression in the hippocampus and cortex were not significant. CONCLUSION: Blood-brain barrier disruption is associated with Aβ influx and accumulation in the brain of aged rats with chronic spontaneous hypertension. DCE-MRI can be used as an effective method to investigated BBB damage.

Additive Effects of Rebamipide Plus Proton Pump Inhibitors on the Expression of Tight Junction Proteins in a Rat Model of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rebamipide on tight junction proteins in the esophageal mucosa in a rat model of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: GERD was created in rats by tying the proximal stomach. The rats were divided into a control group, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) group, and a PPI plus rebamipide (PPI+R) group. Pantoprazole (5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to the PPI and PPI+R groups. An additional dose of rebamipide (100 mg/kg) was administered orally to the PPI+R group. Mucosal erosions, epithelial thickness, and leukocyte infiltration into the esophageal mucosa were measured in isolated esophagi 14 days after the procedure. A Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the expression of claudin-1, -3, and -4. RESULTS: The mean surface area of mucosal erosions, epithelial thickness, and leukocyte infiltration were lower in the PPI group and the PPI+R group than in the control group. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of claudin-3 and -4 was significantly higher in the PPI+R group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Rebamipide may exert an additive effect in combination with PPI to modify the tight junction proteins of the esophageal mucosa in a rat model of GERD. This treatment might be associated with the relief of GERD symptoms.

Research progress on Chinese materia medica intervening intestinal flora to improve intestinal mucosal barrier function / 中草药

Intestinal mucosal barrier can prevent harmful substances in the intestinal cavity, such as pathogenic microorganisms, biological macromolecules, and antigens into the blood circulation to maintain human health. The adhesion, colonization, and reproduction of normal microbiota in a particular part of the human body can form a layer of “membrane barrier” which is an important defense against the colonization of foreign microorganisms and plays an important role in protecting the body tissue from the invasion of foreign pathogens. Under certain circumstances, such as shock, ischemia, and pancreatitis, the increase in the permeability of intestinal mucosa further leads to intestinal bacterial and endotoxin translocation and release of a large number of proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, aggravating the primary disease can trigger systemic inflammatory response, insulin resistance, central nervous system damage, and even induce multiple organ failure. Chinese materia medica (CMM) has a clear advantage in the treatment of disorders of intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction, but most of its effective composition have low bioavailability. After oral administration, CMM can contact with intestinal flora and interact with each other to regulate body-related functions. This article summarizes the effect of CMM on intestinal mucosal barrier through regulating intestinal flora from four aspects which are mechanical barrier, immune barrier, microbial barrier, and chemical barrier of intestinal mucosa, in order to provide references for the research on the regulation of gut microbiota by CMM in the treatment of intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction-related diseases.

Effect of Tanshinone ⅡA injection on intestinal mucosal tight junction protein in severe rat septic models / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To discuss the influence of Tanshinone ⅡA on the tight junction protein of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells in rat severe septic models. Methods Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and Tanshinone ⅡA injection high (20 mg/kg), medium (10 mg/kg) and low (5 mg/kg) dose groups, each group 15 rats. Sepsis rat models were established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method, in sham operation group, only switched abdominal surgery was performed without CLP. In Tanshinone ⅡA injection groups, different doses of Tanshinone ⅡA were injected intraperitoneally after modeling for 10 minutes and 6 hours; in sham operation and model groups, equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally at the same times as above. After operation, 3 L/kg of normal saline was injected into the caudal vein in all rats for fluid resuscitation.Twelve hours after operation, the rats were killed, the abdominal lymph nodes, liver, spleen and kidney tissues were taken for bacterial culture and calculating the rate of bacterial translocation; under microscope, the histopathological changes of ileum mucosal tissues were examined and Chiu scoring was carried out; TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was applied to detect the ileum mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis and calculating the index (AI);fluorescence immunoassay and Western Blot methods were used to measure the contents and protein expression levels of tight junction protein, junctional adhesion molecule-1 (JAM), Claudin-1, Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, c-Fos and Tryptase. Results ① In bacterial cultures of abdominal lymph node, liver, spleen and kidney, the positive rate of mesenteric lymph node was the highest, followed by liver and spleen, mainly Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, etc. The highest positive rate of bacterial culture was in model group (38.8%), followed by low dose of Tanshinone ⅡA injection group (35.0%), and the lowest was 16.6% in high dose Tanshinone ⅡA injection group, the differences being statistically significant in comparisons between any pair of groups (all P < 0.05). ② Pathological examination showed that the pathological changes of ileum mucosa were obvious and the Chiu score (4.17±0.98 vs. 0) and AI (11.70±2.87 vs. 2.17±0.80) in model group were significantly higher than those in sham group (all P < 0.05); with the increase of dosage of Tanshinone ⅡA injection, the pathological changes of rat ileum mucosa were improved gradually, the Chiu score and AI were decreased gradually, and the degrees of decrease in high dose Tanshinone ⅡA group were more significant than those in model group (Chiu score: 1.12±0.79 vs. 4.17±0.98, AI: 3.65±1.98 vs. 11.70±2.87, both P < 0.05).③ Immunofluorescence staining showed that the positive staining of protein JAM, ZO-1 and c-Fos were all green in color, Claudin-1, Occludin and Tryptase were all red in color, the localizations of all of them were in the cytoplasm, the protein expression of JAM, Claudin-1, ZO-1, Occludin from strong to weak in turn were Sham group, high, medium, low dose Tanshinone ⅡA group and model group, the expression of c-Fos, Tryptase from strong to weak in turn were model group, low, medium, high dose Tanshinone ⅡA group and Sham group. ④ Western Blot showed that the expressions of ileum tissue JAM, Claudin-1, ZO-1 and Occludin in model group were all significantly lower than those of the sham group, while the expressions of c-Fos, Tryptase were obviously higher than those of the sham group, with the increase of dosage of Tanshinone ⅡA, the expressions of JAM, Claudin-1, ZO-1 and Occludin were increased gradually and the protein expressions of c-Fos and Tryptase were gradually decreased, and the changes in high dosage group of Tanshinone ⅡA were more significant than those in low and moderate groups [JAM (gray value): 25.39±1.82 vs. 12.41±1.34, 19.45±1.66, Claudin-1 (gray value): 28.44±1.56 vs.17.26±1.46, 21.23±1.34, ZO-1 (gray value): 28.84±1.59 vs. 16.45±1.21, 24.22±1.46, Occludin (gray value): 25.49±1.63 vs. 13.34±1.45, 19.45±1.37, c-Fos (gray value):15.76±1.36 vs. 27.84±1.36, 21.22±1.73, Tryptase (gray value): 14.44±1.41 vs. 28.14±1.38, 22.32±1.57], all the above comparisons of different dosage groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Tanshinone ⅡA injection may improve intestinal wall structure and reduce bacterial translocation by improving the intestinal mucosal tight junction protein in sepsis model rats, and this effect is positively correlated to Tanshinone ⅡA dosage.

Expression and significance of neutrophil extracellular traps in ulcerative colitis mouse model / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To investigate the expression of neutrophil extracellular traps ( NETs) in ulcerative colitis mouse model and its correlation with the degree of intestinal barrier function. Methods Sixty male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into normal group( n＝30) and model group( n＝30). An ulcerative colitis model was established by dextran sulfate sodium,and intestinal tissue and blood samples were taken on day 1,day 3,day 5 after modeling(10 mice at each time point). By observing the disease activity index and HE pathological analysis,the intestinal tissue damage was reflected. The cell free DNA was quantified using PicoGreen?dye,and the expression and localization of myeloperoxidase and citrullinated his-tone in the intestine were observed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Claudin-1. Results Compared with the normal group,the disease activity index in model group increased significantly (P<0. 05). The content of cell free DNA increased significantly ( P <0. 05). Immunohisto-chemical examination showed that the formation of NETs in the model group increased,and with the disease recovers, its content gradually decreased. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of claudin-1 in the model group decreased (P<0. 05),and with the disease recovers, its content gradually increased. Conclu-sion The formation of NETs increases in the mouse model of ulcerative colitis,and the increased formation of NETs is associated with impairment of intestinal barrier function.

The role of blood brain barrier in postoperative cognitive dysfunction of elderly mice / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To observe the changes of learning and memory ability in aged mice after appendectomy or isoflurane exposure and the permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) in hippocampus in order to find the reasons for the destruction of BBB damgge.Methods Thirty C57BL mice (18-month) were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group (group C),surgery group (group S) and inhalation group (group Ⅰ).The permeability of BBB in hippocampus was detected with Evans-blue (EB) quantification.The alterations of tight junction protein were measured by occludin and claudin-5 using Western blot on the same day.The changes of two matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected.Results Compared with the control group and inhalation group,surgery group had longer escape latencies and less platform crossings,and EB leaked into the hippocampus.The expression of occludin decreased,while the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased.Conclusions MMP-2 and MMP-9 may cause the decrease of the expression of tight junction occludin protein,and lead to the destruction of BBB,which resultes in postoperative cognitive dysfunction.