Identification of the iridoids of Hedyotis diffusa Willd and its mechanism on renal fibrosis based on network pharmacology / 药学学报

To identify the composition of iridoids from Hedyotis diffusa Willd and explore the mechanism on its anti-renal fibrosis effect based on network pharmacology, LC-Q/TOF-MS (liquid chromatograpy-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry) was used to analyze the iridoid ingredients and the related targets of renal fibrosis were obtained by DisGeNET database and MalaCards database. The potential targets were screened by SYBYL-X7.3 software. We then imported the identified ingredients and potential target genes into Cytoscape3.7.1 to construct the compound-target network and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, the gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the selected core genes were made to explore the mechanism of iridoids against renal fibrosis. There were 10 active iridoid compounds and 111 corresponding targets including dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1), heparanase (HPSE), human kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), moesin (MSN), etc. in compound-target network. The GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 211 GO entries. Twenty related signal pathways including Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway, renal cell carcinoma signaling pathway, and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of tran-ions (Jak-STAT) signaling pathway were selected by KEGG enrichment analysis. We preliminarily investigated the mechanism of the iridoid compounds on renal fibrosis to provide guide information for the subsequent experimental research and clinical application.

Anti-injury effect of hydrogen-enriched water in a rat model of liver injury induced by aflatoxin B / 生理学报

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-injury effect and protective mechanism of hydrogen-enriched water in a rat model of acute liver injury induced by aflatoxin B (AFB). Healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, model group (AFB group) and hydrogen-enriched water treatment group (AFB+H group). The rat model of acute liver injury induced by AFB was established by single intragastric administration of AFB (2.0 mg/kg), and then the rats were treated with hydrogen-enriched water intragastrically. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue. Blood samples were taken from vena cava to measure serum liver function indexes. Live tissue was sampled to detect malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents. Western blot was used to detect phosphorylation levels of MAPK signaling pathway proteins (ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK). The results showed that, compared with the AFB group, the AFB+H group exhibited increased body weights, alleviated acute liver injury, decreased activities of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, as well as total bilirubin level in the serum. Meanwhile, hydrogen-enriched water decreased MDA content and increased GSH content in liver tissue. AFB-increased phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK in liver tissue were down-regulated significantly by hydrogen-enriched water treatment. These results suggest that hydrogen-enriched water can alleviate liver injury induced by AFB, and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress and the inhibition of MAPK signal transduction pathway activation.

Antioxidant effects of celastrol against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in the cell model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / 生理学报

To investigate the anti-oxidative effect of celastrol on HO-induced oxidative stress in the cell model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and its molecular mechanism, NSC34 motor neuron-like cells were transfected with EGFP-G93A-SOD1 plasmid and used as in vitro ALS cell model. SOD1transfected NSC34 cells were treated with different doses of HOand celastrol. The survival rate of the cells was detected by CCK-8 assay, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was detected by corresponding kit. The mRNA expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) were detected by real-time PCR. The activation of intracellular MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways was detected by Western blot. The results showed that pre-incubation of celastrol (50 nmol/L) for 4 h prior to HO(10 μmol/L) co-treatment for another 24 h significantly attenuated HO-induced cell death and MDA level in SOD1transfected NSC34 cells. Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of GCLC and GST were enhanced with pre-incubation of celastrol. Celastrol quickly induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt within 30 min and 1 h respectively in SOD1transfected NSC34 cells. Pharmacological inhibitors of MEK (PD98059, 10 μmol/L) or Akt (MK2206, 10 μmol/L) could reverse the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt, and abolish up-regulation of GCLC and GST induced by celastrol at mRNA levels. Taken together, we conclude that celastrol exerts a beneficial antioxidant effect in SOD1NSC34 cells, which might be dependent on MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.

Effect of polydatin on miR-214 expression and liver function in ApoE-/- mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of polydatin on the expression level of miR-214 and liver function in atherosclerotic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=10), namely the model group, low- and high-dose polydatin groups, and simvastin group, with 10 male C57BL/6J mice serving as the normal control group. Mouse models of atherosclerosis were established by feeding the ApoE(-/-) mice with a high-fat diet. After 12 weeks of treatment, blood levels of glucose, lipids, AST, and ALT and the contents of T-SOD and MDA in the liver tissue were detected. The pathologies of the liver were examined with HE staining, and miR-214 expression in the liver was detected using quantitative real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control mice, the mice in the model group showed significantly increased blood glucose, serum TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, and AST levels, and MDA contents in the liver (P<0.01), with significantly decreased serum HDL-C level and SOD and miR-214 levels in liver (P<0.01). Polydatin treatment significantly ameliorated such changes in blood glucose, serum ALT, AST, TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels, and MDA, SOD, and miR-214 contents in liver tissue (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>s Polydatin can reduce blood glucose and lipid levels and protect the liver function in atherosclerotic mice possibly by up-regulating the expression of miR-214 and T-SOD and down-regulating MDA in the liver.</p>

Comparison of different methods of rat amniotic fluid sample preparation for 2-d electrophoresis / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To optimize the method for preparing samples for amniotic fluid proteomics study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant rats were sacrificed with an overdose of Chloral hydrate at E17. The fetuses and amniotic fluid were harvested. The samples were processed by three different methods including trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-acetone precipitation (protocol 1), TCA-acetone precipitation combined with an Albumin and IgG Removal Kit (protocol 2), and a Centrifugal Filter concentrating combined with an Albumin and IgG Removal Kit (protocol 3). The samples were run through a two-dimensional electrophoresis gel, stained and analyzed with a Image Master 6.0 software. Protein spots were identified with a LCQ Deca XP mass spectrometer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total numbers of protein spots for samples processed by protocol 1, 2 and 3 were 253 ± 28, 749 ± 32 and 782 ± 27, respectively. And there was a significant difference between protocol 1 has and other two methods. Those with MW > 50 kDa were 57± 14, 45 ± 13 and 41 ± 14, respectively. Protocol 2 differed significantly from protocol 3. Protein number of samples with MW < 50 kDa was 196± 29, 702± 35 and 735 ± 29, respectively. Again, protocol 1 has differed significantly from other two methods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By removing albumin and IgG from the serum, low abundance proteins can be enriched with little loss of high abundance proteins. Centrifugal Filter concentrating combined with Albumin and IgG Removal Kit can be effectively applied for amniotic fluid proteomics study.</p>

Therapeutic effect of ossicular reconstruction with bioceramic or porous macromolecular polyethylene partial ossicular replacement prosthesis in patients with tympanosclerosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of ossicular reconstruction with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) in patients with tympanosclerosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 31 cases of tympanosclerosis treated between 1992 and 2009 were reviewed. Of the 31 patients, 17 (17 ears) underwent ossicular reconstruction with porous macromolecular polyethylene PORP, and 14 (14 ears) with bioceramic PORP. All the patients were followed up for 3-24 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant improvement was found in postoperative speech frequency (500, 1000, 2000 Hz) pure tone average (PTA) and air-bone gap (ABG) (P < 0.05) after the treatments without statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Porous macromolecular polyethylene and bioceramic are valuable ossicular prosthesis for tympanosclerosis.</p>

Clinical analysis of 118 patients with tympanosclerosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the incidence of tympanosclerosis (TS) and the major risk factors of hearing loss.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 118 TS patients (137 ears) were compared with 265 patients with chronic otitis media (COM) (311 ears) for gender, age and course of disease. The disease regions and hearing loss of the TS patients were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TS showed higher prevalence in women of older ages. Sclerosis was seen most frequently in the tympanic membrane, followed by the malleus, incus, incudomalleolar joint, other regions, ariticulus incudostapedius and stapes. The patients with sclerosis or deterioration in the ossicular chain had worse hearing loss than the other patients. Carhart notch occurred in 45 ears (32.85%), an incidence similar to that of inverted "V"-shaped curve of air-conduction audiometry near 2 kHz (47 ears, 34.31%). The factors contributing to the hearing loss, listed in the order of their importance, included pathologies in the incus, malleus, incudomalleolar joint, ariticulus incudostapedius, stapes, other regions, tympanic membrane, and gender.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Female patients may had increased risk of TS. The presence of Carhart notch and inverted "V"-shaped curve in air-conduction audiograph may indicate myringosclerosis or ossicular chain sclerosis. Abnormal ossicular chain is the leading factor contributing to hearing loss.</p>

Posterior fixation and fusion with atlas pedicle screw system for upper cervical diseases / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of atlas pedicle screws system fixation and fusion for the treatment of upper cervical diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three consecutive patients with upper cervical disorders requiring stabilization, including 19 cases of atlantoaxial dislocation (4 congenital odontoid disconnections, 6 old odontoid fractures, 4 fresh odontoid fractures of Aderson II C, 3 ruptures of the C(1) transverse ligament, and 2 fractures of C(1)), 2 cases of C2 tumor (instability after the resection of the tumors), and 2 giant neurilemomas of C(2)-C(3)(instability after resection of the tumors), were treated by posterior fixation and fusion with the atlas pedicle screw system, in which the screws were inserted through the posterior arch of C1. The operative time, bleeding volume and complications were reported. All patients were immobilized without external fixation or with rigid cervical collars for 1-3 months. All patients were followed up and evaluated with radiographs and CT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 23 patients, 46 C(1) pedicle screws, 42 C(2) pedicle screws and 6 lower cervical lateral mass screws and 2 lower cervical pedicle screws were placed. The mean operative time and bleeding volume was 2.7 hours and 490 ml respectively. No intraoperative complications were directly related to surgical technique. No neurological, vascular or infective complications were encountered. All patients were followed up for 3-36 months (average 15 months). Firm bony fusion was documented in all patients after 3-6 months. One patient with atlas fracture showed anterior occipitocervical fusion. There was no implant failure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Posterior fixation and fusion of the atlas pedicle screw system is feasible and safe for the treatment of upper cervical diseases, and may be applicable to a larger number of patients.</p>