Effect of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai Prescription on Inflammatory Injury of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Induced by High Glucose and LPS Based on GPR43/β-arrestin-2/IκBα/NF-κB Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Tongmai prescription （ZJTP） on human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） damaged by high glucose combined with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. MethodThe survival rate of cells was determined by cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）， and the level of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to determine the optimal injury concentration and action time of LPS， as well as the optimal action concentration of ZJTP drug-containing serum. HUVECs were divided into a blank control group， a model group， a ZJTP drug-containing serum group， and an SCFA mixed liquid group. ELISA was used to detect the level of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， nitric oxide （NO）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and TNF-α. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of G protein-coupled receptor43 （GPR43）， β-suppressor protein-2 （β-arrestin-2）， nuclear factor-κB suppressor α （IκBα）， and nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65）. The nucleation of NF-κB p65 was observed by immunofluorescence staining （IF）. The role of GPR43 in the regulation of inflammatory injury was observed by means of small interfering ribonucleic acid （siRNA）. The cells after intervention were divided into an empty carrier group， a ZJTP drug-containing serum group， a Si-GPR43 group， and a Si-GPR43 + ZJTP drug-containing serum group. The content of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α was detected by ELISA. The protein expression of pathways was detected by Western blot. IF was used to observe the nucleation of NF-κB p65. ResultThe optimal molding condition was 1 mg·L-1 LPS for 24 h. The optimal drug intervention condition was 5% ZJTP drug-containing serum for 24 h. Compared with the blank control group， the content of ET-1 in the model group was significantly increased， and the content of NO was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of inflammatory factors were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were significantly decreased， while the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. NF-κB p65 protein was transferred from the extranuclear to the intranuclear （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the content of ET-1 in the ZJTP drug-containing serum group was decreased， and the content of NO was increased （P<0.05）. The levels of inflammatory factors decreased （P<0.05）. The protein expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were increased， while the expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were decreased （P<0.05）. The amount of NF-κB p65 transferred from the intranuclear to the extranuclear decreased （P<0.01）. The mechanism study showed that compared with the Si-GPR43 group， the content of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α were significantly decreased after treatment with ZJTP drug-containing serum （P<0.01）. The protein expressions of GPR43 and IκBα were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The amount of NF-κB p65 transferred from the extranuclear to the intranuclear decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionZJTP has a protective effect on HUVECs with high glucose and LPS-induced inflammatory injury， which may be related to the regulation of GPR43/β-arrestin-2/IκBα/NF-κB pathway.

Research progress on influence of PM2.5 on allergic rhinitis / 环境与职业医学

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the main chronic inflammatory diseases that pose a global threat. Its symptoms persist for a long time, recur, and seriously affect the physical and mental health of the patients. Existing research has shown that the occurrence and development of AR are related to genetic and environmental factors. In recent years, the harm of air pollution to human health has received increasing attention, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main harmful component of air pollutants. Its small particle size makes it easy to absorb various harmful substances, enter the respiratory tract, damage the nasal mucosa, and participate in the occurrence and development process of AR. At present, a large number of epidemiological studies have confirmed that PM2.5 is positively related to the incidence rate and severity of symptoms of AR, but its exact mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, studying the mechanism of PM2.5 exposure on AR damage is expected to provide new clues for exploring the pathogenesis and deterioration of AR. This article reviewed the epidemiological studies and toxicological mechanisms of PM2.5 exposure and AR in recent years; discussed the potential biological mechanisms of PM2.5 induced AR occurrence and development, including nasal mucositis damage, oxidative stress, and immune damage. Furthermore, a new research direction was proposed, which suggested that neuroimmune disorders and bacterial imbalance may be involved in the progression of AR and play a certain role in the toxic effects induced by PM2.5. We aim to provide ideas and a theoretical basis for developing effective measures to prevent and treat AR.

Improvement effect and mechanism of N-butylphthalide on inflammatory injury of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the improvement effect and possible mechanism of N-butylphthalide on inflammatory injury of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） in rats. METHODS BMSCs of rats were divided into control group， model group， N-butylphthalide low-concentration， medium-concentration and high-concentration groups （10， 20， 50 μmol/L）. BMSCs were cultured in vitro and lipopolysaccharide （the final concentration of 10 mg/L） was used to establish the inflammatory injury model. After the intervention of N-butylphthalide， the survival rate， apoptotic rate， the contents of tumor necrosis factor α （TNF- α）， interleukin 1β （IL-1β） and IL-6 in cell culture medium， the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-κB（NF-κB） p65， and the protein expressions of caspase-3， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax） and NF-κB p65 in cells were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group， the survival rate and protein expression of Bcl-2 were decreased significantly in model group （P＜0.05）； the apoptotic rate， contents of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6， the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65， and the protein expressions of caspase-3， Bax and NF-κB p65 were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， above indexes were significantly reversed in all concentration groups of N-butylphthalide （P＜0.05）， in concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS N-butylphthalide can ameliorate the inflammatory injury of BMSCs induced by lipopolysaccharide， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Research progress in effects of pyroptosis on intestinal inflammatory injury / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Inflammatory injury of the intestine is often accompanied by symptoms such as damage to intestinal mucosa, increased intestinal permeability, and intestinal motility dysfunction. Inflammatory factors spread throughout the body via blood circulation, and can cause multi-organ failure. Pyroptosis is a newly discovered way of programmed cell death, which is mainly characterized by the formation of plasma membrane vesicles, cell swelling until the rupture of the cell membrane, and the release of cell contents, thereby activating a drastic inflammatory response and expanding the inflammatory response cascade. Pyroptosis is widely involved in the occurrence of diseases, and the underlying mechanisms for inflammation are still a hot spot of current research. The caspase-1 mediated canonical inflammasome pathway of pyroptosis and caspase-4/5/8/11-mediated non-canonical inflammasome pathway are closely related to the occurrence and development of intestinal inflammation. Therefore, investigation of the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms of pyroptosis in intestinal injury in sepsis, inflammatory bowel diseases, infectious enteristic, and intestinal tumor is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of intestinal inflammatory injury.

Improvement effect and mechanism of calycosin on acute inflammatory injury secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of calycosin （CA） on acute inflammatory injury secondary to intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were injected with type Ⅶ collagenase into the basal ganglia to establish an intracerebral hemorrhage model， which were divided into sham-operation group（phosphate buffered saline instead of collagenase）， model group， and different CA dose groups（15，30，60，120 mg/kg）. Based on the modified neurological severity score （mNSS） to screen the intervention doses， the volume of intracerebral hemorrhage， brain water content， the expressions of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba1） in brain tissue， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） and its downstream inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric-oxide synthase （iNOS）， interleukin-1β （IL- 1β）] in brain tissue， and the apoptosis of cells in brain tissue were detected. Primary microglia were cultured in vitro， and the expressions of TLR4 and its downstream inflammatory factors were detected. Primary neurons and primary microglia were co- cultured in vitro， and the apoptosis of neurons was detected. RESULTS The doses of 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg were selected as intervention doses of CA for subsequent experiments. Compared with the sham-operation group， the mice in the model group had cerebral hemorrhage， the volume of cerebral hemorrhage and brain water content were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； the positive expression rate of Iba1 protein in brain tissue was significantly increased， and the relative expression levels of TLR4， TNF-α， IL-1β and iNOS protein in brain tissue were up-regulated significantly. The apoptosis rate also increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the above indexes of the mice in the 30 and 60 mg/kg CA groups were significantly improved （P＜0.05）. CA significantlyreduced the relative expression levels of TLR4 and its downstream inflammatory factors in microglia， and reduced the apoptosis of neurons in the co-culture system of primary neurons and primary microglia （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CA can exert a protective effect on the brain， which may be related to relieving the secondary acute inflammatory injury after intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting TLR4-mediated inflammatory response.

Bioinformatics analysis of ventilator-induced lung injury genome microarray based on gene expression omnibus database and key gene verification / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To investigate differential expression gene (DEG) in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) by bioinformatics analysis, and to verify the key genes by reproducing the VILI mouse model.Methods:① Experiment 1 (bioinformatics analysis): the microarray dataset of GSE9368 and GSE11662 regarding VILI mice and those in the spontaneous breathing control group were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. DEG obtained by R and Venn map was further used to obtain common DEG. DAVID online database was used to obtain gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Finally, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis of common DEG was carried out by using Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) and the key genes were screened out by using CytoScape software, molecular complex detection (MCODE) analysis plug-in and CytoHubba plug-in with maximum cluster centrality (MCC), maximum neighbor connectivity (MNC) and degree. ② Experiment 2 (related protein verification): VILI mouse model was reproduced by high tidal volume (20 mL/kg) ventilator. Spontaneous breathing control group was set up. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess lung injury and the key genes screened in experiment 1 were verified by immunohistochemical staining.Results:① Experiment 1 results: a total of 114 DEG were screened from GSE9368 dataset, including 99 up-regulated genes and 15 down-regulated genes. A total of 258 DEG were screened from GSE11662 dataset, including 188 up-regulated genes and 70 down-regulated genes. Furthermore, 66 common DEG were obtained, including 61 up-regulated genes and 5 down-regulated genes. GO analysis showed that the common DEG were mainly involved in inflammatory response, immune response, leukocyte and neutrophil chemotaxis. KEGG analysis showed that the common DEG were involved cell adhesion, cytokine receptor interaction and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway. STRING and CytoScape analysis were used to construct gene PPI network diagram and important sub modules. And the CytoHubba plug-in with MCC, MNC and degree algorithms was used to perform topology analysis and then taken an intersection to obtain eight genes including suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), integrin Itgam, CXC chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), Sell and CC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1). ② Experiment 2 results: a mouse model of high tidal volume VILI was reproduced. Compared with the spontaneous breathing control group, the lung tissue was injured slightly at 0 hour after the end of ventilation, and the lung tissue structure was significantly damaged at 6 hours after the end of ventilation, showing bleeding in alveolar cavity, significant increase and collapse of alveolar wall thickness, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The top three genes from intersection and topological analysis including IL-1β, SOCS3 and MMP-9 were verified by immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that the expressions of IL-1β, SOCS3 and MMP-9 were gradually increased with time of ventilation, the differences were found at 6 hours as compared with those in the spontaneous breathing control group [IL-1β (integral A value): 8.40±2.67 vs. 5.10±0.94, SOCS3 (integral A value): 9.74±1.80 vs. 5.95±1.31, MMP-9 (integral A value): 11.45±6.20 vs. 5.36±1.28, all P < 0.05]. Conclusion:Bioinformatics analysis based on GSE9368 and GSE11662 data sets found that VILI is mainly related to inflammatory injury, cytokines and immune cell infiltration; IL-1β, SOCS3 and MMP-9 might be biomarkers of VILI.

Progress on the protective effect of heme oxygenase-1 in viral infection / 药学学报

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a cytoprotective enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of heme to CO, biliverdin, and iron, which together protect cells from oxidative and inflammatory damage and play an important role in maintaining cell homeostasis. In recent years, HO-1 has also been found to have antiviral biological effects, and the induced expression of HO-1 inhibits the replication of various viruses such as hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus, dengue virus, ebolavirus, influenza A virus, Zika virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, human respiratory syncytial virus, hepatitis A virus and enterovirus 71. The inhibitory effect of HO-1 on these viruses involves three mechanisms, including direct inhibition of virus replication by HO-1 and its downstream products, enhancement of type I interferon responses in host cell, and attenuation of inflammatory damage caused by viral infection. This review focuses on the recent advances in the antiviral effect of HO-1 and its mechanism, which is expected to provide evidence for HO-1 as a potential target for antiviral therapy.

Prevention of liver fibrosis in mice by ethanol extract of Euonymus alatus and its preliminary mechanism / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To study the role of ethanol extract of Euonymus alatus stems (EAT) and ethanol extract of Euonymus alatus wings (EAW) in anti-hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice, and to explore its preliminary mechanism. Methods:Sixty C57BL/6 mice were selected and randomly divided into healthy control group, carbon tetrachloride model (CTM) group, EAW low dose (EAW-L) group, EAW high dose (EAW-H) group, EAT low dose (EAT-L) group and EAT high dose (EAT-H) group, with 10 mice in each group. Three days before modeling, the mice of EAT-L, EAT-H, EAW-L and EAW-H group were gavaged with EAT or EAW at 2.0 or 8.0 g/kg, respectively, and the mice of healthy control group and CTM group were gavaged with equal volume of pure water, once a day till the 30th day after modeling (total 33 times). Five percent carbon tetrachloride olive oil solution was intraperitoneally injected at 8 mL/kg to establish liver fibrosis model in CTM, EAT-L, EAT-H, EAW-L and EAW-H groups. The mice in the healthy control group were intraperitoneally injected with equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, twice per week for 30 days, and a total of 9 times of injection. The liver index, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of mouse liver tissue and calculate the collagen volume fraction. The liver inflammatory response and fibrosis degree were evaluated by histological activity index (HAI) and Ishak system score. The level of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)in liver tissue was both detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 at protein and mRNA level was detected by Western blotting and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of variance, Tukey test and Dunn test were used for statistical analysis.Results:The hepatic indexes of EAW-L, EAW-H and EAT-H groups were lower than that of CTM group(0.06±0.01, 0.05±0.01 and 0.05±0.01 vs. 0.07±0.01), and the differences were statistically significant ( q=5.12, 7.70, 7.11; all P<0.01). The serum ALT and AST levels of EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L and EAT-H groups were lower than those of CTM group((601.76±141.38), (283.35±42.32), (734.74±116.06) and (391.60±34.33) U/L vs.(982.45±96.04) U/L, (509.49±152.29), (345.41±67.39), (282.30±65.72) and(243.23±45.20) U/L vs.(766.01±114.49) U/L), and the differences were statistically significant ( qALT =9.88, 20.81, 7.65, 17.58, qAST =5.11, 12.52, 14.92, 15.56; all P<0.001). The serum TBil levels of EAW-H and EAT-H groups were lower than that of CTM group((6.81±0.49) and (7.08±1.78) μmol/L vs.(12.68±3.28) μmol/L), and the differences were statistically significant( q=6.31, 6.01; both P<0.01). The serum IL-6 levels of EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L and EAT-H groups were lower than that of CTM group((29.26±5.42), (24.28±4.75), (9.05±1.74) and (8.01±1.24) ng/L vs.(53.21±10.05) ng/L); the serum IL-6 level of EAT-L group was lower than that of EAW-L group; the serum IL-6 level of EAT-H group was lower than that of EAW-H group, and the differences were statistically significant( q=12.20, 14.73, 22.48, 22.11, 10.28, 7.96; all P <0.001). The collagen volume fractions of EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L and EAT-H groups were lower than that of CTM group (6.15±1.09, 2.91±0.76, 7.07±1.37 and 5.31±0.80 vs. 12.36±1.96); the collagen volume fraction of EAW-H group was lower than that of EAW-L, EAT-L and EAT-H groups, and the differences were statistically significant( q=11.68, 17.78, 9.94, 13.25; 6.10, 7.84, 4.53; all P <0.05). The HAI and Ishak system scores of EAW-H and EAT-H groups were lower than those of CTM group (6.0 (5.5, 7.5) and 7.0 (6.0, 7.5) vs. 13.0 (12.0, 13.0), 1.0 (1.0, 2.0) and 2.0 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0, 4.0)), and the differences were statistically significant( ZHAI=3.38, 3.23, Zlshak=3.22, 3.03; all P<0.05). The result of immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression levels of α-SMA in the mice liver tissues of EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L, EAT-H and CTM groups were 4.76±0.36, 2.75±0.29, 3.72±0.34, 5.20±0.79 and 5.98±0.52, respectively. The result of Western blotting showed that the expression levels of α-SMA in the mice liver tissues of CTM, EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L and EAT-H groups were 0.96±0.11, 0.67±0.07, 0.22±0.01, 0.78±0.08 and 0.68±0.07, respectively. Two detection methods both showed that the expression levels of α-SMA of EAW-L, EAW-H and EAT-H groups were lower than that of CTM group; the expression level of α-SMA of EAW-H group was lower than that of EAW-L, EAT-L and EAT-H group, and the differences were statistically significant( qimmunohistochemical =6.06, 15.95, 11.18, 9.92, 12.10 and 4.79, qWestern blotting=7.29, 18.34, 6.84, 11.05, 13.97 and 11.49, all P<0.05). The expression levels of MMP2 and ERK1/2 at protein and mRNA levels in the mice liver tissues of EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L, EAT-H and CTM groups were 0.18±0.04, 0.16±0.04, 0.28±0.02, 0.21±0.02 and 0.84±0.02, 0.80±0.02, 0.57±0.08, 0.83±0.03, 0.69±0.02 and 0.91±0.04, 18.74±1.90, 10.73±1.24, 24.99±1.84, 7.19±0.48 and 24.68±1.18, 29.44±4.47, 11.96±0.53, 24.75±4.04, 5.30±0.36 and 35.76±0.85, respectively. The expression levels of MMP2 at protein level in EAW-L, EAW-H, EAT-L and EAT-H groups were lower than that in CTM group; the expression levels of ERK1/2 at protein level in EAW-H and EAT-H groups were lower than that in CTM group; the expression level of ERK1/2 at protein level in EAW-H group was lower than that in EAT-H group; the expression levels of MMP2 and ERK1/2 at mRNA level in EAW-H and EAT-H group were lower than those in CTM group; the expression levels of MMP2 and ERK1/2 at mRNA level in EAW-H group were lower than those in EAW-L group; the expression levels of MMP2 and ERK1/2 at mRNA level in EAT-H group were lower than those in EAT-L and EAW-H groups, and the differences were statistically significant( q=22.15, 22.96, 18.87, 21.31; 13.42, 8.53; 4.90; 18.57, 23.29, 16.49, 21.11; 10.66, 12.12; 23.70, 15.38, 13.48, 16.73; all P<0.05). Conclusions:Both EAT and EAW can alleviate carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and liver fibrosis in mice, which may be related with inhibiting the expression of ERK1/2 and IL-6 and then affecting the Ras/ERK-MMP2 signaling pathway.

Effect of different concentrations of moxa smoke exposure on nasal mucosal injury and expression of serum IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in rats / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of long-term moxa smoke exposure of different concentrations on olfactory function in rats, and provide experimental basis of safety study of moxa smoke produced by moxibustion.@*METHODS@#Forty SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a low-concentration moxa smoke group, a moderate-concentration moxa smoke group and a high-concentration moxa smoke group, 10 rats in each one. The rats in the moxa smoke groups were put into three plexiglass moxibustion boxes with different moxa smoke concentrations, 4 hours per times, twice a day for 90 days. The general state of rats was evaluated before and during the experiment. After the intervention, the olfactory function was evaluated by two-bottle experiment (TBE); the morphology of nasal mucosa was observed by HE staining; the apoptosis of olfactory epithelial cells in nasal mucosa was detected by TUNEL method; the serum levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by ELISA method.@*RESULTS@#In the late stage of moxa smoke exposure (45-90 days into intervention), the behavioral activity of rats in the moderate-concentration moxa smoke group and the high-concentration moxa smoke group was weaker than that in the normal control group, and their response to stimulation was strong, and their mental state was worse. After intervention, the drinking rate of vinegar-water mixture in the moderate-concentration moxa smoke group and the high-concentration moxa smoke group was higher than that in the normal control group and the low-concentration moxa smoke group (@*CONCLUSION@#The long-term exposure to low, moderate and high concentrations of moxa smoke could cause pathological changes in nasal mucosa and increase the serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α; the moderate and high concentrations of moxa smoke exposure could cause a series of damage to olfactory function and reduce olfactory sensitivity in rats.

Protective effect of low-level laser irradiation on lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory injury of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect and mechanism of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory injury of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs).@*METHODS@#hPDLFs were inoculated into well plates and randomly divided into the normal group, LPS group, and LPS+LLLI group. The cells in the normal group were cultured in conventional medium. The hPDLFs in the LPS and LPS+LLLI groups were cultured in RPMI1640 medium containing 1 mg·L@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, the LPS group showed increased apoptosis rate of hPDLFs and intracellular free Ca@*CONCLUSIONS@#LLLI has a protective effect on the inflammatory injury of hPDLFs induced by LPS, and the effect is most obvious when the irradiation intensity is 4 J·cm

Effect of Dialectical Therapy of Bufeitang Combined with Shengesan and Fujiu Application on COPD at Stable Period and Lung-kidney Qi Deficiency Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To observe the clinical efficacy of dialectical therapy of Bufeitang combined with Shengesan and Fujiu application on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung-kidney Qi deficiency syndrome, and its effect on inflammatory damage and airway remodeling. Method::One hundred and thirty-four patients were randomly divided into control group (66 cases) and observation group (68 cases) by random number table. Patients in control group got spiriva by powder inhaler, 1 grain/time, 1 time/day, and salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate powder for inhalation for spray as appropriate, 1 suction/time, 1-2 times/days, for a continued 12 months. In addition to the therapy of control group, patients in observation group were also given Fujiu application at two-tailed acupoints of Feiyu, Piyu and Shenyu for the first day of the every San Fu and San Jiu, and dialectical therapy of Bufeitang combined with Shengesan were given at the first day of San Fu and San Jiu for 2 months. The course of treatment was 12 months. Before and after treatment, FEV1% of self-assessment questionnaire of patients with COPD (CAT), 6-min walking distance, St George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), severity of dyspnea (mMRC) and index of BODE were assessed. And levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) were detected. Result::After treatment, scores of CAT, the total score of SGRQ, scoring of each dimension and index of BODE in observation group were all lower than that in control group (P<0.01), while FEV1% was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). And 6-min walking distance was more than that in control group (P<0.01), and the numbers of acute exacerbations were less than that in control group (P<0.01). The severity of dyspnea was lighter than that in control group (Z=2.047, P<0.05). And levels of MMP-9, TNF-α, IL-6 and ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 were lower than those in control group (P<0.01), whereas the level of TIMP-1 was higher than that in control group (P<0.01). Conclusion::Dialectical therapy of Bufei decoction combined with Shenge powder and Fujiu application can alleviate the current symptoms of dyspnea, improve exercise tolerance, quality of life and pulmonary function, reduce the number of acute exacerbations, relieve inflammation damage and airway remodeling. The comprehensive clinical efficacy is better than that of conventional western medicine.

Marein inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation of high glucose induced HBZY-1 cells via AMPK signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the role of marein mediated AMPK signaling pathway in delaying oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrotic protein expression in diabetic nephropathy ( DN ). Methods In vitro diabetic nephropathy model was established by HG + PA induced rat mesangial cells ( HBZY-1 ) , and the cultured HBZY-1 cells were divided into normal control group (NG), HG + PA( GlucoselOO mmol • L'1 + Palmitic acid 250 [imo\ • L'1, HG +PA) model group, HG + PA + marein with different doses of 25 p,mol • L"1, 50 p,mol • L"1, 100 jimol • L"1, and 200 junol • L"1 groups. MTS was used to detect the effect of marein on HBZY-1 cell proliferation, and the optimal concentration was selected. Western blot was used to test the protein expression of NOX4, TGF-fU, MCP-1, a-SMA, FN, Collagen VI. Adenosine monophosphate activated( AMPK) protein kinase family of AMPK7I, p-AMPK a expression were measured. Results Marein inhibited high glucose palmitate-induced proliferation of HBZY-1 cells, down-regulated NOX4, TGF-(31, MCP-1, cx-SMA, FN and Collagen VI expression in model cells. Meanwhile, marein up-regulated both AMPK 7I and p-AMPKa expression. Conclusions Marein may inhibit the HBZY-1 cell proliferation, oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis factors expression in HG + PA induced HBZY-1 cell by activating of both AMPK 7I and AMPK signaling pathway, thus delaying renal injury in diabetic nephropathy.

miR-27a protects human mitral valve interstitial cell from TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory injury via up-regulation of NELL-1

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be associated with heart valve disease, which can be caused by inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the functional impacts of miR-27a on TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury in human mitral valve interstitial cells (hMVICs). hMVICs were subjected to 40 ng/mL TNF-α for 48 h, before which the expressions of miR-27a and NELL-1 in hMVICs were altered by stable transfection. Trypan blue staining, BrdU incorporation assay, flow cytometry detection, ELISA, and western blot assay were performed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. We found that miR-27a was lowly expressed in response to TNF-α exposure in hMVICs. Overexpression of miR-27a rescued hMVICs from TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury, as cell viability and BrdU incorporation were increased, apoptotic cell rate was decreased, Bcl-2 was up-regulated, Bax and cleaved caspase-3/9 were down-regulated, and the release of IL-1β, IL-6, and MMP-9 were reduced. NELL-1 was positively regulated by miR-27a, and NELL-1 up-regulation exhibited protective functions during TNF-α-induced cell damage. Furthermore, miR-27a blocked JNK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, and the blockage was abolished when NELL-1 was silenced. This study demonstrated that miR-27a overexpression protected hMVICs from TNF-α-induced cell damage, which might be via up-regulation of NELL-1 and thus modulation of JNK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR promotes UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammatory injury by up-regulation of PKR in keratinocytes

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage of the skin and may induce cancer, immunosuppression, photoaging, and inflammation. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is involved in multiple human biological processes. However, its role in UVB-induced keratinocyte injury is unclear. This study was performed to investigate the effects of HOTAIR in UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammatory injury in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the expression levels of HOTAIR, PKR, TNF-α, and IL-6. Cell viability was measured using trypan blue exclusion method and cell apoptosis using flow cytometry and western blot. ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6. Western blot was used to measure the expression of PKR, apoptosis-related proteins, and PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathway proteins. UVB induced HaCaT cell injury by inhibiting cell viability and promoting cell apoptosis and expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α. UVB also promoted the expression of HOTAIR. HOTAIR suppression increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis and expression of inflammatory factors in UVB-treated cells. HOTAIR also promoted the expression of PKR. Overexpression of HOTAIR decreased cell viability and increased cell apoptosis and expression of inflammatory factors in UVB-treated cells by upregulating PKR. Overexpression of PKR decreased cell viability and promoted cell apoptosis in UVB-treated cells. Overexpression of PKR activated PI3K/AKT and NF-κB pathways. Our findings identified an essential role of HOTAIR in promoting UVB-induced apoptosis and inflammatory injury by up-regulating PKR in keratinocytes.

Protective Effect of Rhizoma Coptis on LPS-induced Injury of Rat Liver Cells / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of Rhizoma Coptis(RC) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory injury in rat hepatocytes(BRL). METHODS: LPS-induced BRL cells injury model was established in vitro, then the damaged cells were given different interventions and treatment with 0.175, 0.1 mg• mL-1 RC aqueous extract as the test drug, and dexamethasone(Dex) as positive control drug. The optimal test doses of LPS and RC aqueous extract were selected and determined by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8), the cellular apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry, TLR4/NF-κB and TLR4/IRF3 signaling pathways and the mRNA level of related inflammatory mediators(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were detected by RT-PCR, the NF-κB p65 protein expression was analysed by Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques. RESULTS: ①Compared with normal control group, 0.1 mg•mL-1 LPS affected on BRL cells for 24 h, the cell survival rate was decreased significantly(P<0.01), the apoptotic rate increased significantly(P<0.01), the mRNA level of TLR4, NF-κB, IRF3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 were significantly increased(P<0.01), and the NF-κB p65 protein expression was increased. ②Compared with the model group, 0.1 and 0.175 mg•mL-1 RC affected on LPS-induced BRL cells for 24 h, the survival rate of BRL cells was increased significantly(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate decreased significantly(P<0.01), the mRNA level of TLR4, NF-κB, IRF3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and the NF-κB p65 protein expression were decreased significantly(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Rhizoma Coptis has obviously protective effect on LPS-induced inflammatory injury in rat hepatocytes(BRL), the mechanism of which may be related with inhibiting apoptosis, reducing the release of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, blocking NF-κB p65 protein nuclear translocation, interfering the R4/NF-κB and TLR4/IRF3 signaling pathway.

Research on the inflammatory injury induced by N,N-dimethylformamide in H9c2 cardiomyocytes / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of N,N-dimethylformamide( DMF)-induced inflammatory injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and its mechanism. METHODS: H9c2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into 4different groups: control group,50 mmol / L-group,100 mmol / L-group,200 mmol / L-group. These 4 groups of cells were treated with different DMF concentrations( 0,50,100,200 mmol / L) for 12 hours. The cells were also divided into 6groups and treated with 200 mmol / L DMF at different time points( 0,2,4,6,8,12 h) : control group,2 h-group,4 hgroup,6 h-group,8 h-group and 12 h-group. The level of lactate dehydrogenase( LDH) was detected by colorimetry. The levels of creatine kinase( CK) and isoenzyme of creatine kinase( CK-MB) were detected by ultraviolet spectrometry. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α),interleukin( IL)-1β,IL-6,and IL-8 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The level of reactive oxygen species( ROS) was detected by fluorescence probe. The location of nuclear factor-kappa B( NF-κB) p65 protein was detected by immunofluorescence cytochemistry( IFC) staining. RESULTS: The levels of LDH,CK and CK-MB in the 50 mmol / L-group,100 mmol / L-group and 200 mmol / L-group were higher than that of the control group( P < 0. 05) and showed a significant dose-effect( P < 0. 05). The levels of LDH,CK and CK-MB in the 6 h-group,8 h-group and 12 h-group were higher than that of the control group( P < 0. 01) and showed a significant time-effect( P < 0. 01). The levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-8 of the 200 mmol / L-group were higher than the control group( P < 0. 05). Compared with the control group,the levels of TNF-α of the 4 h-group,12 h-group were higher( P < 0. 05),the levels of IL-1β of the 2 h-group,4 h-group,6 h-group,8 h-group and 12 h-group were higher( P < 0. 05),the levels of IL-6 of the 2 h-group and 4 h-group were higher( P < 0. 05),the level of IL-8 of the 2 h-group was higher( P < 0. 05). In addition,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 reached a peak at 4 h-group and the level of IL-8 reached a peak at 2 h-group. The ROS levels of the 2 h-group,4 h-group and 6 h-group were higher than the control group( P < 0. 01),and the level of ROS reached a peak at 2 h-group. Furthermore,IFC staining showed that the fluorescence intensity of NF-κB p65 protein in nucleus of the 2h-group and 4 h-group increased after treatment with DMF,comparing with the control group. CONCLUSION: DMF leads to inflammatory injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. ROS and NF-κB might be involved in the process.

Intratracheal Atomization of Lipopolysaccharides Induced Lung Inflammatory Injury in Rats Model / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To establish dose-related lung inflammatory injury in rats model with intratracheal atomization of lipopo-lysaccharide (lipopolysaccharides, LPS). METHODS: Four groups of 4 rats were subjected to solvent or a single dose of LPS by in- tratracheal route using a IA-1B-2 inches-microsprayer. The male rats received 200 μL solvent (control), LPS solutions (15, 5, 0.5 mg·kg-1). All rats were sacrificed 24 h after dose administration, biochemical analysis and cell counts on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed on each rat. Lung, trachea and kidney were examined histologically. Serum chemistry profiles of creatinine, ALB, Na, K, Cl-were detected. RESULTS: Cell counts in BALF showed LPS groups had different degrees of inflammatory reaction. The alkaline phosphatase and total protein concentration were higher in LPS high dose group compared with other groups. In addition, the concentration of TNF-α increased consistently with LPS dose and has statistical significance compared with the control group. Histopathology findings demonstrated that LPS produced an accumulation of foamy macrophages in the lungs and high degree of inflammation. CONCLUSION: The results recommends intratracheally atomizing doses of LPS in rats model produced ranks of lung inflammatory injury.

Protection of Herba Scutellariae Barbatae against hepatotoxicity induced by Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae and its mechanism / 药学学报

This study was conducted to test the protective activity of ethanol extract of Herba Scutellariae Barbatae (SE) against hepatotoxicity induced by Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae in mice and its mechanism. SE was orally given to mice at various doses, and ethyl acetate fraction of Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae (EF, 450 mg·kg-1) was also orally given at the same time. After 11 days, serum levels of alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were measured, and liver histological examination was conducted. Liver glutathione (GSH) amount, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels were measured. The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 were determined by Western blot. The results showed that SE (200 mg·kg-1) reversed EF-induced changes of serum ALT, AST, ALP, TP and ALB. Liver histology also suggests the protection of SE against EF-induced liver injury. SE reduced the increased MPO activity in liver and TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ contents in serum, and blocked the decrease in IκB expression and subsequent increase in phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 induced by EF. EF increased liver GSH amount and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression in mice. SE increased liver GSH amount, but decreased the expression of HO-1. All those results suggest that SE alleviates liver injury induced by consecutive administration of EF by alleviating inflammatory injury via inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway and elevating antioxidant capacity.

Protective Effects of Danshen Injection on 5/6 Nephrectomy Induced Model Rats with Inflammatory Renal Injury / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study the protective effects of Danshen injection on 5/6 nephrectomiy induced model rats with in-flammatory renal injury. METHODS:50 rats were equally randomized into a sham-operation (isometric distilled water) group,a model (isometric distilled water) group,a positive control [captopril 5 mg/(kg·d)] group and Danshen injection low-dose and high-dose [1.6,4.8 ml/(kg·d)] groups. Models were established by performing 5/6 nephrectomy on the rats in all groups except the sham-operation group. The rats were given drugs for 4 consecutive weeks from the 6th week. 24 h urine protein was determined for all rats every week. After the last administration,the contents of creatinine,urea nitrogen and interleukins 1β(IL-1β),IL-2 and IL-10 in rats’serum were determined. Pathological changes and infiltration of macrophages CD68 in rats’kidney tissues were ob-served. RESULTS:Compared to the sham-operation group,those in the model group had more 24 h urine protein and more obvi-ous renal pathologic changes during 1-4 weeks of administration,and higher contents of creatinine,urea nitrogen,IL-1β,IL-2 and IL-10 and CD68 positive expression in serum. Compared to the model group,during 2-4 weeks of administration,those in the posi-tive control group and Danshen injection low-dose and high-dose groups had less 24 h urine protein,milder renal pathologic chang-es,and lower contents of creatinine,urea nitrogen,IL-1β and CD68 positive expression in serum,and higher content of IL-10, and only the rats in the positive control group demonstrated lower IL-2 content. There of the above were statistical differences(P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Danshen injection can alleviate renal pathologic changes and reduce inflammatory injury of the kidneys of 5/6 nephrectomiy induced model rats.

Intervention mechanisms of Chinese materia medica on inflammatory injury of renal tissue with chronic nephropathy / 中草药

Chronic kidney disease is closely related to inflammation. Chinese materia medica (CMM) or their extracts can intervene in some signal transduction paths such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) path, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) path, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) path, and regulate cytokines, adhesion molecules, transcription factors, acceptor molecules, and enzyme molecules to resist inflammatory injury of renal tissue from multiple target points. Because of the interaction, network, and magnification of inflammatory injury factors, the action of CMM shows the characteristics, such as multi-point, pleiotropy, overlap, and so on. The target points of CMM on inflammatory injury are explored and their molecular mechanism plays an important role in the prevention and control of chronic kidney disease and study on new drug.