Effect of protein kinase C β inhibitor on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and expression level of macrophage subtypes in rat models / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) β inhibitor on the renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) in rat models and detect the expression level of macrophage subtypes. Methods Eighteen healthy SD male rats were randomly divided into the Sham operation group (Sham group, n=6), RIRI group (n=6), PKCβ inhibitor +RIRI group (Inhibitor+RIRI group, n=6). Serum and left renal tissue samples were collected at postoperative 24 h. The contents of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The infiltration of inflammatory cells and pathological injury in the renal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of CD68, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and CD206 proteins in the renal tissues of rats in each group were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results The contents of serum Scr and BUN in the RIRI group were significantly higher than those in the Sham group (both P < 0.05). The contents of serum Scr and BUN in the Inhibitor+RIRI group were considerably lower than those in the RIRI group (both P < 0.05). No obvious renal injury was noted in the Sham group, whereas renal inflammatory cell infiltration and renal tubular structural damage were observed in the RIRI group. The renal inflammatory cell infiltration and renal tubular structural damage in the Inhibitor+RIRI group was slighter than that in the RIRI group. The protein expression levels of CD68, iNOS and CD206 in the renal tissue of rats in the RIRI group were significantly higher than those in the Sham group (all P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of CD68 and iNOS in the Inhibitor+RIRI group were remarkably lower than those in the RIRI group (all P < 0.05). The expression level of CD206 protein in the Inhibitor+RIRI group was significantly higher than that in the RIRI group (P < 0.05). Conclusions PKC β inhibitor can alleviate the RIRI in rat models to certain extent, which may be correlated with the role of PKC β inhibitor in mitigating inflammatory cell infiltration in ischemic renal tissues and promoting the expression of alternatively activated macrophage

Screening of meaningful endophytic fungi in Dendrobium officinale based on polysaccharides and flavonoids / 中国中药杂志

To reveal the relationship between endophytic fungi and the functional components, saccharides and flavonoids in the mycelia or fermented liquor of 21 endophytic fungi in D.officinale were detected using HPLC and UV spectrophotometer.The results showed that the ethyl acetate extracts from 21 fungal strains all contain flavonoids.According to the chromatographic retention time of HPLC and UV spectra characteristics of flavonoids, strain DO49 was found produce naringenin, strains DO23, DO81 and DO83 were found produce rutin.The water-soluble extracts from 21 strains all had polysaccharides.However, there was difference in the composition of monosaccharides derived from polysaccharides among different strains.According to the composition of monosaccharides and the peak area ratio of mannose and glucose, the fungal strains including DO23, DO26, DO81, DO54, DO55, DO83 product polysaccharides associated with D.officinale were selected.In conclusion, based on the saccharides and flavonoids, the excellent endophytic fungal strains DO23, DO81 and DO83 were selected, which could produce the same flavonoids and similar polysaccharides in D.officinale.

TNF-α induces endothelial dysfunction via PKC-ζ-dependent NADPH oxidase activation / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in a variety of cardiovascular diseases although the detailed mechanisms are not yet completely understood. A relationship has been suggested to exist between inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. TNF-α serves as one of the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines. The main objectives of the present study were to explore the effect of PKC-ζ on TNF-α-impaired endothelial function as well as the underlying mechanisms. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation of mouse thoracic aorta stimulated by TNF-α was initially determined. PKC-ζ deficient mice and the specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase were respectively applied to elucidate their roles in TNF-α-induced endothelial dysfunction. In vitro superoxide generation in HAECs was detected by DHE staining after administration of TNF-α. Meanwhile, the regulatory p47(phox) subunit of NADPH oxidase was evaluated by Western blotting and RT-PCR. The results showed that TNF-α conspicuously impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the impairment was attenuated by either depleting PKC-ζ or inhibiting NADPH oxidase. In vitro TNF-α increased superoxide production and p47(phox) expression in HAECs, and such increases could be ameliorated by the specific PKC-ζ inhibitor. Our findings suggest that superoxide over-production triggered by PKC-ζ-dependent NADPH oxidase activation contributes to TNF-α-induced endothelial dysfunction.

TNF-α induces endothelial dysfunction via PKC-ζ-dependent NADPH oxidase activation / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in a variety of cardiovascular diseases although the detailed mechanisms are not yet completely understood. A relationship has been suggested to exist between inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. TNF-α serves as one of the most important pro-inflammatory cytokines. The main objectives of the present study were to explore the effect of PKC-ζ on TNF-α-impaired endothelial function as well as the underlying mechanisms. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasodilation of mouse thoracic aorta stimulated by TNF-α was initially determined. PKC-ζ deficient mice and the specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase were respectively applied to elucidate their roles in TNF-α-induced endothelial dysfunction. In vitro superoxide generation in HAECs was detected by DHE staining after administration of TNF-α. Meanwhile, the regulatory p47(phox) subunit of NADPH oxidase was evaluated by Western blotting and RT-PCR. The results showed that TNF-α conspicuously impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the impairment was attenuated by either depleting PKC-ζ or inhibiting NADPH oxidase. In vitro TNF-α increased superoxide production and p47(phox) expression in HAECs, and such increases could be ameliorated by the specific PKC-ζ inhibitor. Our findings suggest that superoxide over-production triggered by PKC-ζ-dependent NADPH oxidase activation contributes to TNF-α-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Screening effective parts of combination of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (A&A) for its renoprotective effects / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The decoction of Astragali Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (A&A) has shown antifibrotic effects in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The aim of this study was to track the effective parts of A&A for its renoprotective effects, according to the improvement of renal function and renal tubulointerstitial damage.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A&A was sequentially extracted by using different solvents for three times and eleven different parts were gained. Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham, UUO and the treatment groups with A&A or each part of A&A. After administration of A&A or its parts for 10 days, the levels of serum creatinin (Scr) and urea were measured. The morphological changes of kidneys were also semi-quantitatively analyzed by HE, Masson stained tissue sections, which including interstitial cell infiltration, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The levels of Scr, urea were significantly increased, accompanied with severe renal damage in rats with UUO. As same as A&A, the part I in the first extraction and part IC in the second extraction were all shown to decrease the levels of Scr and urea and the index of renal interstitial damage. However, the following 4 parts extracted from IC in the third extraction were shown no effect on the above indexes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The extract part I and part IC could be considered as the predominant parts of A&A for its renoprotective effects, due to their improvement of renal damage in interstitial nephropathy.</p>

A study on noise controlling of the electromagnetic valve in external counterpulsation devices / 中国医疗器械杂志

Noise of ECP (external counterpulsation) comes from the frequent movement of the electromagnetic valve iron core hitting the top of the valve body and the orifice of the bottom, and the high pressure and large air stream rubbing the orifice. This article studies the method to reduce mechanical noise of the electromagnetic valve core, that is to reduce the above movement energy and the hitting force. The method is used in ECP devices with grafying results. This noise controlling technology may reduce the noise of the electromagnetic valve from higher than 50dB to less than 25dB.