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OBJECTIVE To study the impr ovement effects of Dianxianqing granule on blood-brain barrier （BBB）injury in Alzheimer’s disease （AD）model mice by regulating NLR family pyrin domain containing 3（NLRP3）inflammasome signaling pathway. METHODS Totally 125 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group （n＝25）and modeling group （n＝100） by body weight. AD model was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid 25-35 in model group. Sham operation group was given normal saline with same method. The 100 model mice were randomly divided into model group ，Donepezil hydrochloride tablets group （positive control 1，1.3 mg/kg，i.g.），MCC950 group [positive control 2（selective NLRP 3 inhibitor），10 mg/kg，i.p.] and Dianxianqing granule group （12.48 g/kg by crude drug ，i.g.）by body weight ，with 25 mice in each group. Second day after modeling ，administration groups were given relevant medicine ，once a day ，for consecutive 21 d. Sham operation group and model group were given intragastric administration of water and intraperitoneal injection of normal saline. At last administration，the learning and memory ability was determined by Y maze test ，and blood-brain barrier permeability was measured by Evans blue leakage assay. The expressions of NLRP 3，anti-ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1（IBA-1），nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB）p65，p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis （PUMA），occludin（ocln），zonula occluden- 1（ZO-1）and claudin-5 （cldn5） in cerebral tissue were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group ， spontaneous alternate response rate ，protein expressions of ocln ，cldn5 lnzyxyqy2003@163.com and ZO- 1 in cerebral tissue were increased significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；Evans blue E-mail：jiadg2003@126.com content and protein expressions of NLRP 3，IBA-1，PUMA and NF-κB p65 in cerebral tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Dianxianqing granule can improve BBB injury of AD model m ice by inhibiting NLRP 3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the synergistic effect of Coptidis Rhizoma crude polysaccharide （CCP） and berberine （BBR） in treating ulcerative colitis （UC） model mice. MethodThirty male BALB/c mice were randomized into five groups. Except the 6 mice in the normal group， the rest were given 5% dextran sodium sulfate in their daily drinking water to establish the UC model. After modeling， the mice were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage once daily for 4 days： BBR （100 mg·kg-1） group， BBR （100 mg·kg-1） + low-dose （22.8 mg·kg-1） CCP group， BBR （100 mg·kg-1） + high-dose （45.6 mg·kg-1） CCP group. The mice in the model group and normal group were administrated with the same volume of normal saline. At the end of the experiment， the mice were sacrificed for the collection of colon， and the expression of tight junction proteins zonula occluden-1 （ZO-1）， Claudin-1， and Occludin in colon tissue was detected by Western blot. With the normal group as the control， the disease activity index （DAI） score， colon length， colon histomorphology， and expression levels of tight junction proteins in other groups were evaluated. ResultCompared with the normal group， the modeling down-regulated the protein levels of ZO-1， Claudin-1， and Occludin （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， BBR did not significantly change the protein level of Claudin-1 and up-regulated those of ZO-1 and occludin （P<0.01）. The expression levels of Claudin-1， ZO-1， and Occludin were up-regulated in BBR + CCP groups （P<0.01）. The expression levels of tight junction proteins in BBR + CCP groups were significantly higher than those in the BBR group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe administration of CCP combined with BBR can effectively ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage in the mice with UC.
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Objective@#To explore the effects of vitamin D3 on intestinal mucosal barrier of mice with severe burns.@*Methods@#Forty-two C57BL/6C male mice aged eight to twelve weeks were divided into vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group of seven mice, vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group of fourteen mice, vitamin D3+ sham injury group of seven mice, and vitamin D3+ burn injury group of fourteen mice according to random number table. Mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group and vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group were injected with vehicle of vitamin D3 at a dose of 0.1 mL intraperitoneally at 1, 24, and 48 h before burn experiment. Mice in vitamin D3+ sham injury group and vitamin D3+ burn injury group were injected with vitamin D3 at a dose of 100 ng/kg dissolved in 0.1 mL vehicle intraperitoneally at the same time points. Mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group and vitamin D3+ burn injury group were inflicted with 30% total body surface area full-thickness dermal scald (hereinafter referred to as burn) on the back by 98 ℃ hot water for 3 to 4 seconds. And mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group and vitamin D3+ sham injury were treated with 37 ℃ water on the back for 3 to 4 seconds to simulate injury. Seven mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group and seven mice in vitamin D3+ sham injury group at post injury hour (PIH) 24, and seven mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group and seven mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group at PIH 6 and 24 were sacrificed respectively to collect mesentery lymph nodes, spleens, livers, and intestinal tissue. The mesentery lymph nodes, spleens, and livers of mice in each group were collected to observe growth of bacteria, and number of bacteria was counted. Intestinal tissue of mice in each group was collected to detect protein expressions of zonal occludin 1 (ZO-1) and occludin by immunohistochemistry staining method, distribution of ZO-1 by immunofluorescence staining method, and expression of occludin by Western blotting. Data were processed with Kruskal-Wallis H test, Nemenyi test, one-way analysis of variance, t test, and Bonferroni correction.@*Results@#(1) At PIH 6 and 24, bacterial counts of mesentery lymph nodes, livers, and spleens of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group were significantly higher than those of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group (P<0.05). At PIH 6, bacterial counts of livers and spleens of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group were significantly lower than those of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group (P<0.05). At PIH 24, bacterial counts of mesentery lymph nodes and livers of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group were significantly lower than those of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group (P<0.05). (2) At PIH 6 and 24, expressions of ZO-1 and occludin of intestinal tissue of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group were significantly lower than those of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group, and expressions of ZO-1 and occludin of intestinal tissue of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group were close to those of mice in vitamin D3+ sham injury group. At PIH 6 and 24, expressions of ZO-1 and occludin of intestinal tissue of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group were significantly higher than those of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group. (3) At PIH 6 and 24, compared with that of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group, distribution of ZO-1 of intestinal mucosal epithelium of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group was discontinuous. Distribution of ZO-1 of intestinal mucosal epithelium of mice in vitamin D3+ sham injury group was normal, and the distribution of ZO-1 of intestinal mucosal epithelium of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group was with good continuity. (4) At PIH 6 and 24, expressions of occludin of intestinal tissue of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group were 0.720±0.003, 0.638±0.052 respectively, significantly lower than 0.918±0.003 of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ sham injury group (t=57.33, 5.36, P<0.05). At PIH 6 and 24, expressions of occludin of intestinal tissue of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group were 0.994±0.058, 1.064±0.060, close to 0.938±0.023 of mice in vitamin D3+ sham injury group (t=0.91, 1.96, P>0.05). At PIH 6 and 24, expressions of occludin of intestinal tissue of mice in vitamin D3 vehicle+ burn injury group were significantly lower than those of mice in vitamin D3+ burn injury group (t=4.75, 5.35, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Intestinal bacterial translocation can occur in the early stage of severe burn. And vitamin D3 plays a protective role in the intestinal mucosal barrier post severe burn to reduce the bacterial translocation by protecting tight junction proteins of intestinal epithelium.
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Objective@#To investigate the effect of TNF-α on the expressions of tight junction protein ZO-1 and Claudin-4 in rat alveolar epithelial typeⅡ cells (AEC-Ⅱ).@*Methods@#Rat AEC-Ⅱ cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group, and TNF-α 24 h, 48 h, 72 h groups. The control group was cultured with DME F12 medium containing fetal bovine serum, and the TNF-α groups were intervened by TNF-α with a concentration of 10 ng/mL for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. After co-culture, the transmission electron microscopy was used to identify and observe the ultrastructural changes of rat AEC-Ⅱ cells. The cell inhibition rate was determined by MTT assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. The expression and distribution of tight junction protein ZO-1 and Claudin-4 in each group were observed by immunofluorescence method. The transcriptional levels of ZO-1 and Claudin-4 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-4 were detected by Western blot. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparisons among groups and SNK-q test was used for pairwise comparisons between groups. The non-parametric test of rank transformation was used when homogeneity of variance were not met. The value of P<0.05 was considered significantly different.@*Results@#Transmission electron microscopy showed that the AEC-Ⅱ cells in the control group obtained characteristic lamellar bodies of different sizes. The lamellar bodies in each TNF-α group were gradually emptied and apoptotic cells were observed under the visual field. The cell inhibition rate and early apoptosis rate of each TNF-α group were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P<0.05). Confocal microscopy showed that ZO-1 was linearly distributed along the cell membrane, and Claudin-4 was scattered along the cell membrane. In the TNF-α groups, the fluorescence intensity of ZO-1 was weakened and the continuity was broken as well as the linear structure. The fluorescence intensity and density of Claudin-4 were decreased in the TNF-α groups. Besides, the transcription and expression of ZO-1 in the TNF-α 24 h group were lower than those in the control group, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). However, the mRNA level of ZO-1 in the TNF-α 48 h group (0.28±0.06) and 72 h group (0.13±0.07) were significantly lower than those in the control group. And their protein levels of TNF-α 48 h group (0.44±0.09) and of TNF-α 72 h group (0.2±0.01) were lower than that of the control group (0.69±0.12). Compared with the control group, the transcription level (24 h: 0.16±0.03; 48 h: 0.04±0.01; 72 h: 0.01±0.00 vs 1.00±0.00) and expression (24 h: 0.49±0.08; 48 h: 0.34±0.05; 72 h: 0.04±0.01 vs 0.96±0.13) of Claudin-4 in each TNF-α group were significantly decreased, and showed a decreasing trend with time (all P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#TNF-α can damage the pulmonary epithelial barrier by damaging alveolar epithelial typeⅡ cells and down-regulating the expression and distribution of ZO-1 and Claudin-4.
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Objective To investigate the effect of TNF-α on the expressions of tight junction protein ZO-1 and Claudin-4 in rat alveolar epithelial typeⅡ cells (AEC-Ⅱ).Methods Rat AEC-Ⅱ cells were culturedin vitro and divided into the control group, and TNF-α 24 h, 48 h, 72 h groups. The control group was cultured with DME F12 medium containing fetal bovine serum, and the TNF-α groups were intervened by TNF-α with a concentration of 10 ng/mL for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. After co-culture, the transmission electron microscopy was used to identify and observe the ultrastructural changes of rat AEC-Ⅱ cells. The cell inhibition rate was determined by MTT assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. The expression and distribution of tight junction protein ZO-1 and Claudin-4 in each group were observed by immunofluorescence method. The transcriptional levels of ZO-1 and Claudin-4 were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-4 were detected by Western blot. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for comparisons among groups and SNK-q test was used for pairwise comparisons between groups. The non-parametric test of rank transformation was used when homogeneity of variance were not met. The value ofP<0.05 was considered significantly different.Results Transmission electron microscopy showed that the AEC-Ⅱ cells in the control group obtained characteristic lamellar bodies of different sizes. The lamellar bodies in each TNF-α group were gradually emptied and apoptotic cells were observed under the visual field. The cell inhibition rate and early apoptosis rate of each TNF-α group were significantly higher than those of the control group (allP<0.05). Confocal microscopy showed that ZO-1 was linearly distributed along the cell membrane, and Claudin-4 was scattered along the cell membrane. In the TNF-α groups, the fluorescence intensity of ZO-1 was weakened and the continuity was broken as well as the linear structure. The fluorescence intensity and density of Claudin-4 were decreased in the TNF-α groups. Besides, the transcription and expression of ZO-1 in the TNF-α 24 h group were lower than those in the control group, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). However, the mRNA level of ZO-1 in the TNF-α 48 h group (0.28±0.06) and 72 h group (0.13±0.07) were significantly lower than those in the control group. And their protein levels of TNF-α 48 h group (0.44±0.09) and of TNF-α 72 h group (0.2±0.01) were lower than that of the control group (0.69±0.12). Compared with the control group, the transcription level (24 h: 0.16±0.03; 48 h: 0.04±0.01; 72 h: 0.01±0.00vs 1.00±0.00) and expression (24 h: 0.49±0.08; 48 h: 0.34±0.05; 72 h: 0.04±0.01vs 0.96±0.13) of Claudin-4 in each TNF-α group were significantly decreased, and showed a decreasing trend with time (allP<0.05).Conclusions TNF-α can damage the pulmonary epithelial barrier by damaging alveolar epithelial typeⅡ cells and down-regulating the expression and distribution of ZO-1 and Claudin-4.
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Aim To probe the effect of borneol combined with astragalosides IV (AST I V) and Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion were administered by gavage, the symptom of nerve function defect was observed, the water content of brain tissues, the permeability of BBB, and the expression of zonula cccludens 1 (ZO-1), ZO-2, Occludin and Claudin-5 were detected. Results After cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, the neurological deficit symptom appeared, the neurological function score and brain water content increased, and BBB was destroyed. Each drug could relieve the above pathological changes to various degrees, and the effect of borneol + AST IV + PNS was the best, which was stronger than that of single drug and AST IV + PNS. The expressions of ZO-1, ZO-2, Occludin, Claudin-5 proteins decreased after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. All drugs inhibited the decrease of ZO-1, except AST I V, and increased Occludin expression; Borneol + AST IV + PNS also up-regulated ZO-2, and the increase in ZO-1, ZO-2, Occludin was greater than that of each drug alone and AST IV + PNS. Conclusions Borneol, AST IV and PNS can relieve the increase of BBB permeability, reduce brain edema and antagonize brain injury to various degrees after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which are enhanced by the combination of three drugs. The mechanism may be related to the synergistic inhibition of the down-regulation of ZO-1, ZO-2 and Occludin and the protection of BBB after cerebral ischemia.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: Male predominance has been observed in the erosive reflux disease (ERD), but reverse finding in nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). This suggests sex-specific medicine approach is needed but its mechanism is remained to be elucidated. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and mRNA expression levels of tight junction-related proteins between male and female gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: Sixteen healthy controls, 45 ERD, and 14 NERD patients received upper endoscopies and completed questionnaires. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions of occludin (OCLN), zonal occludens (ZO) 1, claudin-1 (CLDN1) and claudin-4 (CLDN4), and neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) were performed in the distal esophageal mucosal specimen. These results were analyzed by sex. RESULTS: Female GERD patients were affected more by reflux symptoms than males. The impairment of overall quality of life was more prominent in female patients with reflux symptoms than male patients (5.6±0.2 vs 4.9±0.6, p=0.009). The levels of OCLN mRNA expression were significantly lower in the male ERD group. On the other hand, those of CLDN1, CLDN4, and NK1R except ZO-1 were significantly higher in the male ERD group. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that female ERD/NERD patients were affected more by GERD and male ERD patients showed significant changes of tight junction protein mRNA expression levels.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Claudin-1 , Claudin-4 , Fluconazole , Gastroesophageal Reflux , Hand , Occludin , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Quality of Life , Receptors, Neurokinin-1 , RNA, Messenger , Tight Junction Proteins , Tight JunctionsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) on LPS induced barrier injure of Caco-2 cells.Methods The model of Caco-2 monolayer cells damage induced by LPS was established by using 50 μg/ml LPS for 24 hours.After preconditioning with different concentrations (10 μmol/L,50 μmol/L,and 100 μ mol/L) of CORM-2 for 1 hour,the cultured well-grown Caco-2 monolayer cells were stimulated with 50 μ g/ml lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for 24 hour.The 100 μmol/L CORM-2 was put into 37℃ and 5％ CO2 incubator for 18 hours until the CO has been fully released,and it became an inactive CORM-2(iCORM-2).The cultured Caco-2 monolayer cells were divided into six groups:the control group,the LPS group,the LC1(10 μmol /L CORM-2 preconditioning) group,the LC2(50 μmol/L CORM-2 preconditioning) group,the LC3(100 μmol/L CORM-2 preconditioning) group,and the LC4 (iCORM-2 preconditioning) group.The apoptosis rates of different groups of Caco-2 monolayer cells were detected using flow cytometry.Cytokines (TNF-α,IL-1β and HMGB-1) levels of different groups were detected using ELISA kits.The levels of tight junction proteins (occludin ZO-1,claudin-1 and claudin-4) of every group were detected using Western blotting with specific antibodies.The structural changes of tight junction proteins were visualized by immunofluorescence technique.Results Compared with control group,cell apoptosis rate and release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β and HMGB-1 in LPS group were significantly higher,and the levels of tight junction proteins were apparently decreased (P＜0.05) in LPS group.Compared with LPS group,cell apoptosis rate and release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β and HMGB-1 decreased,and the levels of tight junction proteins were attenuated obviously,P＜0.05,in CORM-2 preconditioning groups.And the higher the concentration of CORM-2,the more obvious the protective effects.Conclusions This study demonstrates that CORM-2,as one of exogenous CO-releasing molecules,has the capacity to protect the barrier damage of LPS-stimulated Caco-2 monolayer cells in a concentration dependent manner.The higher the concentration of CORM-2 was,the stronger the protective effects were.The protective effects of CORM-2 include reducing Caco-2 monolayer cells apoptosis rate,inhibiting inflammatory cytokines production and release,and restoring distribution and levels of tight junction proteins.
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Objective To investigate the protective effects of imipramine on alveolar epithelial barrier functiou in mice against LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI),and explore the possible mechanisms.Methods Total of 32 SPF male Balb/c mice were randomly (random number) divided into four groups:control group,Imipramine group,LPS group,LPS + Imipramine group.To establish an animal model of ALI,mice were administered intraperitoneally with LPS in 20 mg/kg.Mice were treated with imipramine in 25 mg/kg 30 min prior to LPS administration.FITC-FD4 was administered in mice via the tail vein with FITC-FD4 10 min before mice sacrificed under anesthesia at 12 hours after LPS administration,then bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were obtained.HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes,and pathology scores;lung tissue wet-to-dry weight ratio and BALF/serum FD4 ratio were used to assess pulmonary edema and alveolar epithelial permeability.Real-time PCR,western blot and immunochemistry were employed to detect the mRNA expressions and protein levels of Occludin,Claudin-4 and ZO-1.Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software,one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare multiple sets of variables,the intergroup comparisons were analyzed by the least-significant-difference (LSD) tests with P ＜ 0.05 for the statistically significant difference.Results Compared with LPS group,LPS + lmipramine group had a statistically significant decrease in pathological score [(9.22 ± 0.21) vs.(11.23 ± O.55),P ＜ O.05);the wet-to-dry weight ratio in LPS + Imipramine group was less than that in LPS group and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05);compared with LPS group,the ratio of BALF/serum FD4 in LPS + Imipramine was less and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05);compared with LPS group,the mRNA expressions and protein levels of Occludin,Claudin-4 and ZO-1 in LPS + Imipramine group were significantly increased (mRNA:Occludin:P ＜ 0.05;Claudin-4:P ＜ 0.05;ZO-1:P ＜ 0.05 . western blot:Occludin:P ＜ 0.05;Claudin-4:P ＜ 0.05;ZO-1:P ＜ 0.05).Immunochemistry showed that Occludin and Claudin-4 were present mainly in alveolar epithelial cell membrane,Z0-1 was found mainly in cytoplasm of alveolar epithelial cell.In control group and Imipramine group,tight junction proteins were obviously expressed.Compared with control group,protein levels in LPS group were significantly decreased (Occludin:P ＜ 0.05;Claudin-4:P ＜ 0.05;ZO-1:t =6.59,P ＜ 0.05);compared with LPS group,the tight junction proteins in LPS + Imipramine group were significantly increased (Occludin:P ＜ 0.05;Claudin-4:P ＜ 0.05;ZO-1:P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The protective effects of imipramine on alveolar epithelial barrier function by up-regulating tight junction proteins expression in murine LPS-induced ALI.
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Intestinal schistosomiasis is a kind of intravascular parasitic diseases, and chronic inflammation of colon is one of the basic pathological changes of the sickness.However, the mechanism of caveolin-1 and tight junction proteins in the pathogenesis of intestinal schistosomiasis is still unclear.Aims: To study the expressions and significances of caveolin-1 and tight junction protein occludin, claudin-1 in schistosomiasis colitis in mice.Methods: Forty BALB/c male mice were randomly divided into control group and infection group.Schistosomiasis colitis model was established by placing 40 Schistosoma Japonicum cercarie on the abdomen.Mice were sacrificed after 8 weeks.HE staining was performed.The permeability of intestinal vascular endothelium was detected by Evans blue method.The leukocyte counts in peritoneal lavage fluid were measured.qPCR was used to determine the mRNA expressions of caveolin-1, occludin, claudin-1 and eNOS in colon tissue.Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the protein expressions of caveolin-1 and occludin.Results: Large number of egg granuloma was observed in colon submucosa and accompanied by extensive inflammatory cells infiltration in infection group.Compared with control group, content of Evans blue and leukocyte counts in peritoneal lavage fluid were significantly increased (P<0.05);mRNA expressions of caveolin-1, occludin, claudin-1 were significantly decreased (P<0.01);protein expressions and positivity rates of caveolin-1 and occludin were significantly decreased in infection group (P<0.05).Conclusions: Down-regulation of expressions of caveolin-1, occludin and claudin-1 can induce leukocyte accumulation via increasing the permeability of intestinal vascular endothelial cells, thereby involving in the development of schistosomiasis colitis.
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Objective@#To explore the effects of miR-124-ROCK1 signal pathway in the damages of glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) induced by high glucose.@*Methods@#Rat glomerular endothelial cells were cultured in different glucose concentrations: normal control group (NG: 5.5 mmol/L), high glucose group (HG: 30.0 mmol/L), and cells were treated with ROCK1 inhibitor Y27632, miR-124-3p mimic, miR-124-3p inhibitor. The expressions of ROCK1 activity, cell apotosis and tight junction proteins were detected by Western blot. The cell tight junction protein ZO-1 in those groups were assessed by laser scanning confocal microscope.@*Results@#High glucose significantly decreased miR-124 expression (P<0.01), ROCK1 activity (P-MYPT1/MYPT1), and cell apoptosis (Cleaved-Caspase3/pro-Caspase3) were found increased while the tight junction proteins ZO-1and Occludin were found decreased in these cells (P<0.05 all P<0.01), However, when pretreated cells with ROCK1 inhibitor Y27632, these injuries were significantly reversed. In cells transfected with miR-124-3p mimic, p-MYPT1/MYPT1 was decreased. p-MYPT1/MYPT1 was however increased in cells transfected with miR-124-3p inhibitor (P<0.05), indicating that miR-124 could directly inhibit ROCK1 activity. The increased ROCK1 activity and apoptosis, as well as the decreased tight junction proteins induced by high glucose were significantly suppressed as miR-124-3p mimic transfected in GEnCs.@*Conclusions@#According to our experiments, high glucose suppressed miR-124 in glomerular endothelial cells, consequenctly activating ROCK1 activity to damage endothelial cells. MiR-124 overexpression could ameliorate these damages induced by high glucose, suggesting that miR-124 might be a new therapeutic target to prevent glomerular endothelial cells injuries in diabetic nephropathy.
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Background The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves a variety of biological pathways.Recently,inflammation factor has been thought to paly an important role in the pathogenesis of DR.Studies show that the concent of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is increased in high-glucose environment,which leads to the abnormality of tight junction protein and follows by blood-retinal barrier (BRB) damage.Polysaccharides of dendrobium candidum (PDC) can inhibit the overexpression of TNF-α,but its effect on TNF-α in early DR procedure has been unelucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of PDC on permeability of BRB and its mechanism in daibetic rats.Methods Fifty clear adult SD rats were divided into normal control group,diabetic model group and low-(100 mg/[kg · d]),moderate-(200 mg/[kg · d]) and high-dose (300 mg/[kg · d]) PDC groups,10 rats for each group.Streptozotocin was intraperitoneally injected to establish diabetic model in 40 rats,expect for normal control group.PDC at the concentrations of 100,200 and 300 mg/(kg · d) was intragastrically administered in the low-,moderate-and high-dose groups respectively at 6 weeks after modeling,and normal saline solution was used at the same way in the normal control group and diabetic model group.Evans blue was perfused via cardic chamber and eyes were obtained.Evants blue leakage was measured to evaluate the BRB permeability.The relative expressions of TNF-α,zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1),occludin and claudin-5 proteins were detected by Western blot;TNF-α contents in the retina and serum of the rats were detected by ELISA.Results The leakage concents of Evans blue in the retinas were (12.68±1.30),(30.45±2.60),(22.12±1.15),(17.99±1.00) and (21.49±1.00) in the normal control group,diabetic model goup and low-,moderate-and high-dose PDC groups,respectively,and the retinal leakage concents in the diabetic model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group,and the retinal leakage contents in the low-,moderate-and high-dose PDC groups were lower than those in the diabetic model group (all at P ＜ 0.01).Western blot showed that the relative expression level of retinal TNF-α was significantly higher in the diabetic model group compared with the normal control group(1.12±0.10 vs.0.27±0.03),and that in the diabetic model group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group;while the relative expression levels of retinal TNF-α in different doses PDC groups were significantly lower,and the relative expression levels of retinal ZO-1,occludin and claudin-5 were significantly higher than those in the diabetic model group (all at P＜0.05).ELISA showed that the concentrations of retinal and serum TNF-α were higher in the diabetic model group compared with the normal control group,and those in the different doses of PDC groups were lower than those in the diabetic model group (all at P＜0.05).No significant differences were found among various doses of PDC groups (all at P＞0.05).Conclusions PDC can improve the permeability of BRB by down-regulating the expression of TNF-α and up-regulating the expressions of tight junction proteins in the retina of diabetic rats,which is probably related to suppressing the development of early DR.
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Objective To investigate the effect of sleeve gastrectomy on the intestinal barrier of obesity rats fed with high-fat diet.Methods Thirty obesity rats fed with high-fat diet were randomly divided into three groups including common diet group (CD,n=10),sham operation group (SO,n=10) and sleeve gastrectomy group (SG,n=10).The lactulose/mannitol ratios (L/M) in 24-hour urine and endotoxin in portal vein were evaluated four weeks after surgery.The levels of tight junction proteins including claudin-1 and occludin in intestinal mucosa were analyzed by western blot.Results The body weight of SG group was significantly decreased than those of CD group (P<0.001) and SO group (P<0.001) four weeks after surgery.The L/M ratio in 24-hour urine of SG group was significantly lower than those of CD group (P<0.001) and SO group (P<0.01).The endotoxin level in portal vein of SG group was significantly lower than those of CD group (P<0.01) and SO group (P<0.05).The claudin-1 level in intestinal mucosa of SG group was significantly higher than those of CD group (P<0.001) and SO group (P<0.01) four weeks after surgery.The occludin level in intestinal mucosa of SG group was significantly higherthan those of CD group (P<0.001) and SO group (P<0.001).Conclusions Sleeve gastrectomy can reduce body weight,L/M ratio in 24-hour urine and endotoxin level in portal vein of obesity rat fed with high-fat diet and increase the levels of claudin-1 and occludin in intestinal mucosa.
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Objective To investigate the role of hypoxia?inducible factor?2α(HIF?2α) in the expression of tight junction proteins and permeability alterations in rat glomerular endothelial cells (rGENCs) under hypoxia condition. Methods The expressions of the HIF?2α and tight junction proteins such as occludin and ZO?1 of rGENCs were examined after exposed to 5%oxygen at different treatment time periods (0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h). Then lentiviral transfection was used to knock down HIF?2α expression in rGENCs. The cells were split into four groups, including i) control group where rGENCs were cultured under normal oxygen conditions, ii) hypoxia group, iii) negative control group where rGENCs were infected with a negative vector, iv) HIF?2α lentivirus transfection group. Group ii, iii and iv were kept in hypoxic chamber (5% O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2) for 24 h. The expressions of occludin, ZO?1 and HIF?2α were assessed by Western blotting. The permeability of rGENCs was measured using trans?epithelium electrical resistant (TEER) by Millicell? ERS voltohmmeter. Results With the elongation of hypoxia time, the expression of HIF?2α was increased gradually, while the occludin expression was decreased, there was statistically significance difference in each group (all P0.05). And a dramatic decrease in TEER of hypoxia cells was detected as compare with control cells (P0.05). Conclusion Hypoxia may promote HIF?2α expression, which could increase the permeability of rGENCs by reducing the expression of occludin and ZO?1.
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Objective To evaluate skin barrier function in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD),and to assess its relationship with claudin-1 expression.Methods Totally,11 patients with AD and 11 healthy human controls were recruited in this study.A Tewameter TM210 was used to measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL) value,and high-frequency ultrasound to determine epidermal thickness and density,in lesional and non-lesional skin of the patients and normal skin of the healthy controls.A double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the serum level of free claudin-1 in these subjects.One-way analysis of variance and t test were carried out to compare these parameters in different groups,and Pearson's correlation analysis to estimate the relationship between different parameters.Results The TEWL value was significantly higher in lesional skin than in nonlesional skin of patients with AD and normal skin of the healthy controls ((36.9 ± 34.2) vs.(9.1 ± 6.0) and (4.4 ± 3.1) g·m-2·h-1,both P＜ 0.05).The epidermal thickness in AD lesions was (0.23 ± 0.04) mm,significantly higher than that in nonlesional skin ((0.18 ± 0.03) mm,P ＜ 0.01) and normal control skin ((0.18 ± 0.02) mm,P ＜ 0.01).Ultrasound images revealed a characteristic subepidermal low echo-genic band in the AD lesions.The patients with AD showed a significantly lower serum level of claudin-1 compared with the healthy controls ((0.80 ± 0.88) vs.(1.73 ± 1.85) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the serum level of claudin-1 was negatively correlated with epidermal thickness (r =-0.61,P ＜ 0.01),but positively correlated with the inverse of TEWL (1/TEWL,r =0.44,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The impaired skin barrier function,which may be evaluated by TEWL,1/TEWL and epidermal thickness,is associated with the expression of claudin-1 in patients with AD.
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Objective To investigate the regulatory effects of hedgehog pathway on intestinal epithelial barrier function under hypoxia.Methods The IEC-6 cells of rats were divided into 3 groups:the normoxia group (21％ oxygen concentration),the hypoxia group (2％ oxygen concentration) and the hypoxia + cyclopamine group (cells pretreated by 5 mmol/L of cyclopamine,and then exposed in an atmosphere with 2％ oxygen concentration).The mRNA expressions of IHH,PTCH and GLI-1 were detected,and the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) was determined.The protein expressions of tight junction proteins (ZO-1,Occludin,Claudin-1) and IHH were assayed by using the Western blot.All data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance or LSD-t test.Results The relative mRNA expressions of IHH,PTCH and GLI-1 were 0.056 ± 0.009,0.459 ± 0.087,0.142 ± 0.023 in the normoxia group,and 0.303 ± 0.052,0.678 ± 0.073,0.483 ± 0.061 in the hypoxia group,with significant difference between the 2 groups (t =-14.05,-11.85,-6.52,P ＜ 0.05).The relative protein expressions of IHH in the normoxia group and the hypoxia group were 0.39 ±0.06 and 0.91 ±0.15,with a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =-8.08,P ＜ 0.05).The TERs of the normoxia group,the hypoxia group and the hypoxia + cyclopamine group were (134 ± 5) Ohm/cm3,(100 ± 6) Ohm/cm3 and (118 ± 5) Ohm/cm3,with significant difference between the 3 groups (F =1.04,P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the normoxia group,the TER of the hypoxia group was decreased by 27.7％ (t =7.84,P ＜ 0.05) ; compared with the hypoxia group,the TER of the hypoxia + cyclopamine group were increased by 16.4％,but it was still significantly lower than the normoxia group (t =4.23,P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-1 were 1.18 ± 0.24,0.80 ±0.13 and 0.90 ±0.09 in the normoxia group,and 0.58 ±0.08,0.32 ±0.05 and 0.50 ±0.09 in the hypoxia group,and 0.92 ± 0.21,0.43 ± 0.10 and 0.82 ± 0.11 in the hypoxia + cyclopamine group,with significant difference between the 3 groups (F =4.95,2.88,10.09,P ＜0.05).The expressions of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-1 in hypoxia group were decreased by 48.7％,40.0％ and 55.6％ when compared with the normoxia group (t =12.86,9.35,18.90,P ＜0.05).The expressions of ZO-1,Occludin and Claudin-1 in the hypoxia + cyclopamine group were increased by 59.9％,35.2％ and 65.1％ when compared with the hypoxia group (t =5.63,2.92,6.66,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Hedgehog signal pathway could be activated under hypoxia,and then the expressions of tight junction proteins are decreased,which finally induces the injury of intestinal epithelial barrier function.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of splenectomy on the intestine mucosa barrier in rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods50 Wistar rats were divided randomly into the obstructive jaundice group (OJ), in which the animals underwent operation to ligate common bile duct, and the obstructive jaundice + splenectomy group (OJ+ S). Seven days post-operation, plasma endotoxin levels were detected. Intestinal mucosa permeability was measured by the ratios of lactulose and mannitol (L/M). Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to examine the expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) in the distal ileum mucosa. Western blots images were analyzed quantitatively. ResultsAverage ratios of L/M and plasma endotoxin were decreased obviously in the OJ+S group compared to those in the OJ group (all P=0. 001). Compared with the OJ group, the average intestinal villus height and mucosa thickness were upgraded somewhat in the OJ + S group (P = 0.019, 0. 001 ). By immunohistochemistry staining seven days post-operation, same comment as above the amounts of strong positive expression of ZO-1 were significantly decreased in the OJ group (6/18, P-0. 021). There wewas no difference between the OJ+S group(8/17) and the OJ group.The amount of strong positive expression of occludin was higher in the OJ + S group than that of the OJ group(10/17 vs 4/18, P= 0. 026). The same outcomes were obtained by quantitative Western blot images. Conclusion The intestinal epithelial permeability was increased in rats with obstructive jaundice,and intestinal barrier was damaged. After excising spleen, the amount and distribution of tight junction proteins were changed and the impairment of intestinal barrier was abated.
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Objective To explore the change of occludin mRNA in the lung tissue under hyperoxia induced lung injury condition and their regulation of platelet-derived growth factor B(PDGFB).Methods Three hundred and twenty newborn rats were divided into 4 groups accor-ding to different oxygen concentrations(FiO2):experimental group 1(FiO2=800 mL/L),experimental group 2 (FiO2=600 mL/L),experimental group 3(FiO2=400 mL/L) and room-air control group(FiO2=210 mL/L).Rats were killed at 1st,3rd,5th,7th and 14th day respectively during the experiment,the expression of occludin was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) method.The expression of PDGFB in the lung tissue was also observed by immunohistochemistry.SPSS 11.5 software was used to analyze the data.Results The expressions of PDGFB in the lung tissue in experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 were lower than those of the control group at 1th day(Pa