RNA-seq Was Used to Obtain the Key Genes in the Regulation of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Intramuscular Fat Metabolism in Royal Chicken / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Transcriptome sequencing was used to obtain the differentially expressed genes of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the basal diet of Royal chickens on intramuscular fat metabolism in related signal pathways and candidate genes that may play important roles by bioinformatics analysis, which could provide a further understanding of the molecular mechanism of CLA on intramuscular fat deposition. In this study, 55-day-old healthy Royal chickens were selected as experimental animals, and 0%, 1% and 2% of CLA were added to the basic diet. The pre-feeding period was 1 week and the normal feeding period was 6 weeks. The breast muscle tissues were collected for transcriptome sequencing, and the sequencing data were subjected for differential expression analysis, such as GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes. Differentially expressed genes related to breast muscle lipid metabolism were screened out, and qRT-PCR was used to verify differentially expressed genes. The results showed that a total of 1 065 differentially expressed genes were obtained, of which 703 were up-regulated genes and 362 were down-regulated genes. GO enrichment results show that differentially expressed genes are concentrated in cellular processes, single-biological processes, biological regulation and metabolic processes in biological processes. Enrichment analysis of KEGG signaling pathway shows that differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in focal adhesion, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and steroid biosynthesis. Totally 11 candidate genes were found mainly related to intramuscular fat metabolism, including FADS1, FADS2, ELOVL5, ACOX2, SLC27A1, FABP5, LPL, LOC107050163, ENSGALG00000030996, ENSGALG00000005043 and ENSGALG00000048882. Six genes were randomly selected for qRT-PCR verification, and their relative expression changes were consistent with the sequencing results. This study screened the differentially expressed genes related to CLA affecting breast muscle lipid metabolism in Royal chickens, and analyzed 11 genes related to fat metabolism, laying the foundation for revealing the molecular mechanism of CLA regulating intramuscular fat deposition.

A novel flavanone from Thymus przewalskii / 中国中药杂志

This study was to investigate the chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Thymus przewalskii. The chemical consti-tuents were separated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-prepared HPLC, and their structures were determined by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. Four flavanones were isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of T. przewalskii, and identified as(2S)-5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,4'-trimethoxyflavanone(1), 5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavanone(2),(2S)-5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavanone(3), sakuranetin(4), respectively. Compound 1 was a new compound and its configuration was determined by CD spectrum, compound 3 was natural product which was isolated for the first time and their configurations were determined by CD spectra. Compound 2 was isolated from the genus Thymus for the first time and compound 4 was isolated from T. przewalskii for the first time. Furthermore, cytotoxicity test was assayed for the four flavanones. They exhibited weak cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cells(A549), with the IC_(50) from 74.5 to 135.6 μmol·L~(-1).

Two natural molecules preferentially inhibit azole-resistant Candida albicans with MDR1 hyperactivation / 中国天然药物

Antifungal drug resistance is a significant clinical problem, and antifungal agents that can evade resistance are urgently needed. In infective niches, resistant organisms often co-existed with sensitive ones, or a subpopulation of antibiotic-susceptible organisms may evolve into resistant ones during antibiotic treatment and eventually dominate the whole population. In this study, we established a co-culture assay in which an azole-resistant Candida albicans strain was mixed with a susceptible strain labeled with green fluorescent protein to mimic in vivo conditions and screen for antifungal drugs. Fluconazole was used as a positive control to verify the validity of this co-culture assay. Five natural molecules exhibited antifungal activity against both susceptible and resistant C. albicans. Two of these compounds, retigeric acid B (RAB) and riccardin D (RD), preferentially inhibited C. albicans strains in which the efflux pump MDR1 was activated. This selectivity was attributed to greater intracellular accumulation of the drugs in the resistant strains. Changes in sterol and lipid compositions were observed in the resistant strains compared to the susceptible strain, and might increase cell permeability to RAB and RD. In addition, RAB and RD interfered with the sterol pathway, further aggregating the decrease in ergosterol in the sterol synthesis pathway in the MDR1-activated strains. Our findings here provide an alternative for combating resistant pathogenic fungi.

MiR-467g suppresses the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts via down-regulation of Runx-2 expression / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have found miR-467g inhibits bone regeneration, however, there is little information about the underlying mechanism. OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of miR-467g on osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: C57 mouse preosteoblasts were isolated and cultured in vitro. The expression levels of Runx-2, Osterix, and Osteocalcin, as well as alkaline phosphatase and mineralization activities were determined by western blot, real-time PCR, alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin red staining, respectively. miR-467g-overexpressed preosteoblasts were constructed to investigate the effect of miR-467g on osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of preosteoblasts by lipofection transfection. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to identify whether the 3’UTR of Runx-2 mRNA was a binding target of miR-467g. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The primary mouse preosteoblasts had a good osteogenic proliferation and differentiation ability in vitro. Expression level of miR-467g was decreased with the increase in osteogenic induction time. MiR-467g suppressed the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts. Luciferase assay confirmed that miR-467g targeted Runx-2 directly. In summary, miR-467g can suppress the osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of mouse preosteoblasts via down-regulation of Runx-2 expression.

Determination of impurity diketo aldehyde in bulk drug and preparations of dihydroartemisinin / 中国中药杂志

Diketo aldehyde (DKA),one of the most important impurities in dihydroartemisinin,was synthesized through reaction between dihydroartemisinin and anhydrous ferrous bromide under a N₂ atmosphere, and an HPLC method was established for the determination of DKA in bulk drug and in DHA tablet. DKA was prepared from dihydroartemisinin in the presence of FeBr₂.The chromatographic separation was achieved through an Agilent Eclise XDB-C₁₈ column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm), and the optimal mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water in the ratio of 37:63 at flow rate of 1.0 mL·min⁻¹.The detection was carried out at 216 nm, and column temperature was 15 °C.The injection volume was 40 μL.The method featured a good linearity (=0.999 9),precision (1.0%),repeatability (1.3%),stability (DKA standards RSD=1.0% and in tablet form instability),recovery (92.88%),limits of detection (0.20 mg·L⁻¹) ,and limits of quantification (0.78 mg·L⁻¹). The result show that the content of DKA in bulk drug was 0.086 7%-2.622 9%, and the content of DKA in tablet was 0.068 3%-0.615 1%.

Effect of adipose tissue extract on promoting angiogenesis and adipogenesis in tissue engineering chamber in vivo / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the influence of adipose tissue extract on inducing angiogenesis and adipogenesis in adipose tissue engineering chamber in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>6 months' healthy New Zealand rabbits (n = 64) were picked. The inguinal fat pads were cultured, centrifuged, filtered, and the liquid was called adipose tissue extract (ATE). Two adipose tissue engineering chamber were built in the rabbit's back. A week later, 0.2 ml normal saline (control group, left) and 0. 2 ml ATE (experimental group, right) was respectively injected into the chamber. The contents were evaluated morphometrically, histologically and immunohistochemically 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks and 7 weeks after injection. 8 rabbits were observed each time. The data regarding the number of the volume of fat flap and blood capillary at each time point were analyzed by paired t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After injection, new tissue volume was significantly increased in the experimental group [(5.12 ± 0.22) ml], compared with that in control group [(4.90 ± 0.15) ml]. Early angiogenesis was also increased after ATE injection and the total number of capillaries reached peak 1 week after injection, which was (72.80 ± 9.67) in experimental group and (51.40 ± 6.09) in control group. In the mid-term of experimental period, earlier adipogenesis appeared in experimental group. In the later period, the outer capsule of the new construction was thinner in experimental group which reduced the suppression of the adipogenesis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ATE can promote the angiogenesis and adipogenesis in the chamber, and reduce the capsule contracturing, so as to induce the large volume of adipose tissue regeneration</p>

Research on ursolic acid production of Eriobotrya japonica cell suspension culture in WAVE bioreactor / 中国中药杂志

Through scale-up cultivation of Eriobotrya japonica suspension cells using WAVE bioreactor, the cell growth and ursolic acid (UA) accumulation were studied. The comparison test was carried out in the flask and the reactor with cell dry weight (DW) and UA content as evaluation indexes. The culture medium, DW and UA content were compared in 1 L and 5 L working volumes of bioreactor. The orthogonal test with main actors of inoculation amount, speed and angle of rotation was developed to find the optimal combination, in 1 L working volume of bioreactor. DW of the cell growth and the UA content in bioreactor were higher than those of the shaker by 105.5% and 27.65% respectively. In bioreactor, the dynamic changes of elements in the fluid culture, the dry weight of the cell growth and the UA content in 1 L and 5 L working volumes were similar. Inoculation of 80 g, rotational speed of 26 r · min(-1), and angle of 6 ° was the optimal combination, and the cell biomass of 19.01 g · L(-1) and the UA content of 27.750 mg · g(-1) were achieved after 100 h cultivation in 1 L working volume of bioreactor. WAVE Bioreactor is more suitable than flasks for the E. japonica cell suspension culture, and culture parameters can be achieved from 1 L to 5 L amplification.

The impact of angiogenic and adipogenic microenvironment on adipose tissue regeneration in tissue engineering chamber / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>By observing the adipogenic and angiogenic microenvironment impact on the morphology of newly generated tissue for exploring the key factors which inducing mature adipose tissue regeneration in tissue engineering model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>24 healthy 6 months' New Zealand rabbits were picked and put into four groups according to different microenvironment. Every group has 6 rabbits and divided as follows: no axial-blood supply fat flap(0 ml), granular fat only(0.6 ml), axial blood vessel only (0.05 ml), axial vascularized fat flap ((0.6 ml). We separated or combined adipogenic and angiogenic environment within these groups. After 8 weeks, samples were harvested for histologic observation including macroscopic observation, volume analysis and HE testing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In granular fat group, its volume decreased by (0.25 ± 0.10) ml after 8 weeks as the shortage of blood supply and finally it could be enveloped. In axial blood vessel group, its volume increased by (0. 37 ± 0. 04) ml after 8 weeks with fibrous tissue formation as shortage of adipogenic microenvironment. The no axial-blood supply fat flap group grew into(0.12 ± 0.03) ml, which can' t support large volume adipose tissue formation because of lacking independent blood supply. Only axial vascularized fat flap model could generate mature adipose tissue in large volume(3.45 ± 0.48) ml. The number of new capillary in every group was different after 8 weeks. By counting the numbers in every single view, no axial-blood supply fat flap group 15 ± 3.5)and granular fat only group(5 ± 2.5)had a significant difference with axial vascularized fat flap group 22 ± 5) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Only both adipogenic or angiogenic microenvironment exist could induce mature adipose tissue in large volume in tissue engineering chamber model.</p>

Inhibition of NHE1 down-regulates IL-8 expression and enhances p38 phosphorylation / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to explore the changes of possible angiogenetic factors other than VEGF after inhibition of NHE1 and their related mechanisms. The K562 cells were treated by NHE1 specific inhibitor cariporide, the angiogenesis factors after inhibition of NHE1 were screened by using protein chip, the IL-8 expression level after cariporide treatment was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the K562 cells with stable interference of NHE1 were constructed, the IL-8 expression level after interference of NHE1 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR; the p38 phosphorylation level in K562 cells treated with cariporide was detected by Western blot. After treatment of K562 cells with p38 inhibitor SB203580, the IL-8 expression level was decreased by real-time quantitative PCR. The results of protein chip showed that IL-8 expression decreased after cariporide treatment. Real-time quantitative PCR confirmed this inhibitory effect. The p38 phosphorylation level increased after cariporide treatment. The down-regulation of IL-8 expression induced by cariporide treatment was partially restored after K562 cells were treated with p38 inhibitor SB203580. It is concluded that the inhibition of NHE1 can inhibit IL-8 expression through up-regulation of p38 phosphorylation.

Effect of DOT1L gene silence on proliferation of acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on proliferation of human leukemia cell line THP-1. The shRNA targeting the site 732-752 of DOT1L mRNA was designed and chemically synthesized, then a single-vector lentiviral, tet-inducible shRNA-DOT1L system (Plko-Tet-On) was generated. Thereafter, the THP-1 cells with lentivirus were infected to create stable cell line with regulatable shRNA expression. The expression of DOT1L in the THP-1 cell line was assayed by RT-PCR. Effect of shRNA-DOT1L on the proliferation of THP-1 cells was detected with MTT method,and the change of colony forming potential of THP-1 cells was analyzed by colony forming unit test. Cell cycle distribution was tested by flow cytometry. The results indicated that the expression of DOT1L was statistically lower than that in the control groups. The proliferation and colony forming capacity of THP-1 cells were significantly inhibited. The percentage of cells at G0/G1 phase increased in THP-1/shRNA cells treated with Dox while the percentage of cells at S phase significantly decreased as compared with that in the control group. It is concluded that the shRNA targeting DOT1L can effectively inhibit the proliferation of acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1.

Increasing sensitivity of leukemia cells to imatinib by inhibiting NHE1 and p38MAPK signaling pathway / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate whether the inhibition of NHE1 activity and intracellular acidification can reverse resistance of leukemia cells to the imatinib and to explore downstream signal molecule networks of BCR/ABL in the cells of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) patients. The mRNA and protein expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and the drug accumulation were assayed after acidifying the primary leukemia cells of patients or K562/DOX and K562/G01 cells. The effects of intracellular acidification of primary leukemia cells on the phosphorylation level changes of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were analyzed by Western blot. The results showed that the intracellular concentration of drugs in the advanced patients increased and the sensitivity of K562/DOX and K562/G01 cells to imatinib was enhanced after intracellular acidification or treatment with NHE1 inhibitor cariporide. With downregulation of intracellular pH, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK decreased in advanced patients and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 increased within 3 min and then decreased after 30 min. SB203580, the specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, displayed a synergistic effect with the inhibitor of NHE1 to downregulate the mRNA and protein expression of Pgp. It is concluded that the inhibiton of NHE1 can significantly decrease the protein expression of Pgp in K562/DOX and K562/G01 cells, increase the accumulation of Rhodamine123 and doxorubicin in the cells of advanced patients and enhance the sensitivity of cells to imatinib in which the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathways involves.

Study on acute and subchronic toxicity of ammonium dinitramide / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by ammonium dinitramide (ADN), and to ascertain the gradation and target organs of acute toxicity induced by AND.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, the oral tests for acute, subacute and subchronic toxicity induced by AND were performed for 90 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The oral LDx for mouse and rat was 568.9 mg/kg and 616.6 mg/kg ADN respectively. The gradation of acute toxicity induced by AND was low level. The results of oral subacute and subchronic toxicity tests (for 28 and 90 days) showed that a gain in weight in group exposed to 123 mg/kg AND was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05), the TBIL and ALT in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND significantly increased and the ratio of liver weight to body weight obviously decreased, as compared with control group, the number of animals with hepatic pathological changes in group exposed to 61.6 and 123 mg/kg AND was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The gradation of acute toxicity induced by ADN was low level. When the exposure dose of AND was 30.8 mg/kg, the adverse effect was not observed, and the target organ was liver.</p>

Study on mutagenicity and teratogenicity of ammonium dinitramide / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by ammonium dinitramide(ADN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to technical specifications for toxicity determination of chemicals, Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames assay), in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, sperm malformation test and teratogenesis test were used to detect the mutagenicity and teratogenicity induced by AND.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>When the exposure doses of AND were 8-5000 pg/plate, the result of Ames assay was negative. As compared with control group, the micronucleus rate of mice exposed to 113.8 mg/kg AND significantly increased(P<0.05), the sperm malformation rates of mice exposed to 54.4-272.0 mg/kg AND did not increased significantly. The survival rate of fetuses decreased, the rate of assimilated fetuses increased, the rate of fetus sternum agenesis enhanced in mice exposed to 319 mg/kg AND, as compared with controls. The rates of in the 4th-6th fetus sternum agenesis in groups exposed to 21.3, 79.7 and 319 mg/kg AND were higher than that in control group. The malformation rate of fetus bowels in groups exposed to 319 mg/kg AND was higher than that in control group. The teratogenic index of ADN was 30.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AND may be a mutagen and induce the teratogenic effect.</p>

Comparison of the efficiency of three techniques for labeling human adipose-derived stem cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the optimal methods for labeling human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>ASCs were isolated by collagenase digestion and density gradient centrifugation, and their cell surface markers and ability to differentiate into the adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages were examined in vitro. Three different cell labeling methods, namely 5 µl DiI, 10 µg/ml BrdU and 50 MOI adenovirus carrying GFP, were used for ASC labeling, and the labeling efficiency were compared at different time points and in different passages using fluorescent microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The isolated ASCs were capable of differentiating into adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic lineages with positive stem cell marker expression. At 48 h after DiI staining, 100% of the ASCs emitted red fluorescence in the cytoplasm with fluorescent-negative nuclei, but the fluorescence intensity declined quickly after cell passaging. With 10 µg/ml BrdU, 90% of the cells showed green fluorescence in the cell nuclei at 48 h after the labeling, but the positivity rate also decreased gradually after cell passaging. Cell labeling with GFP adenovirus showed more stable labeling efficiency, and green fluorescence was detected at 24 h after labeling, and even till 5 days later more than 90% of the ASCs remained positive without an obvious attenuation of the fluorescent intensity even after cell passaging.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All the 3 techniques are applicable for labeling ASCs. Cell labeling with DiI and BrdU can be convenient and economic and well serve the purpose of short-term labeling. Adenovirus carrying GFP gene is the optimal choice for long-term ASC tracing.</p>

Early apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by anti-CD44 McAb A3D8 inhibiting ERK1/2-upregulated Bim expression / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of anti-CD44 mAb A3D8 on proliferation and apoptosis of AML cells, to explore the mechanism of ERK1/2 and Bim in this process. Effect of the anti-CD44 mAb A3D8 on the HL-60 cell proliferation was assayed with MTT method, the change of mitochondrial transmembrane potential of HL-60 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of Bim was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of p-ERK1/2. The results showed that mAb A3D8 could remarkably inhibit the proliferation capacity of the HL-60 cells in a dosage- and time-dependent ways. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential in HL-60 cells treated with A3D8 (3.0 µg/ml) was significantly decreased as compared with the control cells. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Bim was much higher than that in controls. Expression of the p-ERK was much lower than that of the controls. It is concluded that anti-CD44 mAb A3D8 can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of HL-60 cells, mechanism of which is enhancing the expression of Bim via inhibiting p-ERK1/2.

Inhibition of NHE1 promotes hypoxia-induced differentiation of K562 leukemic cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of hypoxia microenvironment on K562 leukemic cell differentiation, and characteristics of NHE1 involvement in this process. The K562 cells were treated with hypoxia-mimical agent CoCl₂ or under actual hypoxia culture, and the specific NHE1 inhibitor Cariporide was used to inhibit NHE1 activity. The fluorescent probe BCECF was used for pH(i) measurements. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. The morphological characteristics was determined by Wright's staining. Signaling pathways were detected by Western blot using phosphospecific antibodies. The results indicated that the hypoxia or mimetic hypoxia favored K562 cells differentiation with up-regulation of C/EBPα. Moreover, treatment with Cariporide under hypoxia synergistically enhanced leukemia cell differentiation. Treatment with Cariporide increased levels of phosphorylated ERK5 and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). It is concluded that the hypoxia or mimetic hypoxia can induce the differentiation of K562 cells, the inhibition of NHE1 activity can promote the hypoxia-induced K562 cell differentiation. The enhancement of hypoxia-induced K562 differentiation by Cariporide via MAPK signal pathway suggests a possible therapeutic target of NHE1 under hypoxia microenvironment in the treatment of leukemias.

Reversal of multidrug resistance in HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells from umbilical cord blood by sustained intracellular acidification / 中国实验血液学杂志

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intracellular acidification on accumulation of rhodamine 123 (rh123) in non-mature cells with none or low expression of multidrug resistance MDR1. The expression of MDR1 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Confocal laser microscopy was used to determine the calibration curve of intracellular acidification (pHi). MTT assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of intracellular acidification on HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells from umbilical cord blood. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the influence of intracellular acidification. The results indicated that the intracellular acidification had no obvious cytotoxicity on HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells. The acidification resulted in the increased rhodamine 123 accumulation in HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells without P-gp activity. Moreover, the more primitive cells, the less accumulation of intracellular Rh123 were observed. It is concluded that the intracellular acidification can reverse the MDR of HL-60, MSC and CD34(+) cells.

Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 expression and its effect on apoptosis in K562 and HL-60 cells with DNA damage / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the expression of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE1) in K562 and HL-60 cells undergoing DNA damage induced by etoposide and to elucidate the regulating mechanism. Real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) and Western blot methods were used to determine the expression of NHE1 in K562 cells after the treating with etoposide. Meanwhile, the flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of leukemic cells. The luciferase reporter vector containing NHE1 promoter was constructed to measure relative luciferase activity after treating with different etoposide concentrations. The results showed that the mRNA and protein of NHE1 increased in accordance with apoptosis ratio in HL-60 cells after treated with etoposide (p < 0.05), but no such obvious increase in K562 cells. Treatment with NHE1 specific inhibitor could block etoposide induced alkalization and reduce the apoptosis ratio of HL-60 cells. The expression pattern and apoptosis alteration was not similar in K562 cells. Relative luciferase activity of reporter vector containing NHE1 promoter however increased in K562 cells after treated with etoposide. It is concluded that the expression of NHE1 is up-regulated in the process of apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by etoposide and depends on the pHi increasing caused by NHE1 up-regulation which is not found in K562 cells although the transcriptional activity increased.

A novel beta-glucan produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa JB115 induces nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophages

The effect of extracellular beta-(1-->3), (1-->6)-glucan, produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa JB115, on nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages was investigated. beta-glucan induced the production of NO by RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, beta-glucan stimulation increased the mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin-glycine acetate after intravenous and oral administration in pigs

The pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of norfloxacin-glycine acetate (NFLXGA) was investigated in pigs after a single intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) administration at a dosage of 7.2 mg/kg body weight. After both i.v. and p.o. administration, plasma drug concentrations were best fitted to an open two-compartment model with a rapid distribution phase. After i.v. administration of NFLXGA, the distribution (t1/2alpha) and elimination half-life (t1/2beta) were 0.36 +/- 0.07 h and 7.42 +/- 3.55 h, respectively. The volume of distribution of NFLXGA at steady state (Vdss) was 4.66 +/- 1.39 l/kg. After p.o. administration of NFLXGA, the maximal absorption concentration (Cmax) was 0.43 +/- 0.06 microgram/ ml at 1.36 +/- 0.39 h (Tmax). The mean absorption (t1/2ka) and elimination half-life (t1/2beta) of NFLXGA were 0.78 +/- 0.27 h and 7.13 +/- 1.41 h, respectively. The mean systemic bioavailability (F) after p.o. administration was 31.10 +/- 15.16%. We suggest that the optimal dosage calculated from the pharmacokinetic parameters is 5.01 mg/kg per day i.v. or 16.12 mg/kg per day p.o.