Effects of anlotinib on the malignant phenotype of glioma cells by mediating NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of anlotinib on the malignant phenotype of glioma cells by regulating the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. METHODS Human glioma T98G cells were cultured in vitro， and 5-fluorouracil was used as positive control to investigate the effects of different concentrations of anlotinib （5， 10， 20 μmol/L） on the ability of proliferation， adhesion， migration and invasion， the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） related proteins [E-cadherin， N-cadherin， vimentin and fibronectin （FN）]. NF- κB signaling pathway inhibitor （BAY 11-7082） and activator （prostratin） were additionally used to verify the possible mechanism of the above effects of anlotinib. RESULTS Anlotinib with 5， 10， 20 μmol/L could significantly decrease the activity of cell proliferation （except for 5 μmol/L anlotinib group）， migration rate， and the number of adherent cells and invasive cells， could significantly up-regulate the expression of E-cadherin protein while down-regulate the expressions of N-cadherin， vimentin and FN protein （P＜0.05）； the effect of 20 μmol/L anlotinib was similar to that of positive control （P＞0.05）. Compared with 10 μmol/L anlotinib， pathway inhibitor could significantly decrease the ability of proliferation， adhesion， migration and invasion， and the expressions of N-cadherin， vimentin， FN and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 protein， while could significantly up-regulate the expression of E-cadherin protein （P＜0.05）； above indexes were reversed significantly by pathway activator （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Anlotinib may inhibit the proliferation， adhesion， migration and invasion of human glioma T98G cells， which may be associated with the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway， thus inhibiting cell EMT-like processes.

Therapeutic effect of pachymic acid on Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis in rats by regulating the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway / 基础医学与临床

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of pachymic acid(PA)on Helicobacter py-lori(Hp)-associated gastritis in rats.Methods A rat model of Hp-associated gastritis was established;all rats were separated into control group(CT group),model group(group M),PA low-dose group(PA L group),PA high-dose group(PA H group),and PA H+phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)activator(740 Y-P)group;the gastric mucosal injury index(UI)of rats in each group was evaluated,transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the morphology of gastric mucosal cells.HE staining was applied to evaluate the pathological characteristics of gastric mucosa.ELISA was applied to detect the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-10,induc-ible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in gastric tissue.Western blot method was applied to detect the expression of PI3K,phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),p-AKT,nuclear factor(NF)-κB p65,and p-NF-κB p65 proteins.Results Compared with the CT group,the gastric mucosa erosion,epithelial ede-ma,congestion,and severe ulcers were observed in the group M,with epithelial cell pyknosis and inflammatory cell in-filtration,the UI,IL-6,TNF-α,iNOS,and the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 proteins increased,the levels of IL-10 and SOD decreased(P<0.05);compared with group M,the gastric mucosal damage and inflammatory cell infiltration in the PA L and PA H groups were improved,the UI,IL-6,TNF-α,iNOS by the host animal and the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 proteins all decreased,the level of IL-10 and SOD was increased(P<0.05);compared with the PA H group,the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa in the PA H+740 Y-P group was aggravated,with epithelial cell pyknosis.The UI,IL-6,TNF-α,iNOS,and the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-AKT/AKT,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 proteins increased,the levels of IL-10 and SOD decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions PA might facilitate the treatment of Hp-associated gastritis in rats by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Mechanism by which interleukin-1beta regulates the expression of Semaphorin 3A to induce intervertebral disc degeneration / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Semaphone 3A(Sema3A)is an important neurovascular growth inhibitor.It is not clear how Sema3A is involved in the pathogenesis of discogenic low back pain.Exploring the potential mechanism of Sema3A in intervertebral disc degeneration can provide a new target and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of discogenic low back pain. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism of interleukin-1β inhibiting the expression of Sema3A by activating the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway to induce intervertebral disc degeneration in rats. METHODS:RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of Sema3A mRNA in normal and degenerative human nucleus pulposus tissues.Nucleus pulposus cells of Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated,cultured,and passaged to the 3rd generation.Then,passage 3 cells were divided into three groups:the blank control group was routinely cultured for 48 hours,the degeneration group was intervened with 10 ng/mL interleukin 1β for 48 hours,and the degeneration+inhibitor group was treated by 5 μmol/L nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway-specific inhibitor BAY11-7082 for 1 hour,followed by interleukin-1β for 48 hours.At the end of the intervention,cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8,cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/FITC staining,mRNA expression of cellular matrix,vascular and neural markers and Sema3A was detected by RT-qPCR,and protein expression of marker proteins,p65 and p-p65 was detected by western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:RT-qPCR assay showed that the expression of Sema3A mRNA was lower in degenerative human nucleus pulposus tissue than in normal human nucleus pulposus tissue(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the nucleus pulposus cell viability decreased and the apoptotic rate increased in the degeneration group(P＜0.05);compared with the degeneration group,the nucleus pulposus cell viability increased and the apoptotic rate decreased in the degeneration + inhibitor group(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank control group,mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen,polyproteoglycan,and Sema3A was decreased in the degeneration group(P＜0.05),while mRNA expression of CD31 and neurofilament 200 was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the degeneration group,mRNA expression of type Ⅱ collagen,polyproteoglycan,and Sema3A was elevated in the degeneration+inhibitor group(P＜0.05)and mRNA expression of CD31 and neurofilament 200 decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the protein expression of type Ⅱ collagen,polyproteoglycan,and Sema3A was decreased in the degeneration group(P＜0.05),and the protein expression of CD31,neurofilament protein 200,p65,and p-p65 was elevated(P＜0.05);compared with the degeneration group,the protein expression of type Ⅱ collagen,polyproteoglycan,and Sema3A was elevated in the degeneration+inhibitor group(P＜0.05),and protein expression of CD31,neurofilament 200,p65,and p-p65 was decreased(P＜0.05).To conclude,interleukin-1β does inhibit the expression of Sema3A by activating the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway,which can also increase the degradation of extracellular matrix,promote the innervation and angiogenesis in degenerative intervertebral disc,and may be one of potential factors that contribute to intervertebral disc degeneration and discogenic low back pain.

Semen cuscutae in the treatment of osteoarthritis:network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Semen cuscutae has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidney system and benefiting the essence.The main pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is deficiency of the liver and kidneys.Therefore,it is hypothesized that there is a link between semen cuscutae and osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential relationship between osteoarthritis and semen cuscutae and validate the mechanism of semen cuscutae based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis. METHODS:First,the active ingredients and targets of semen cuscutae were screened in TCMSP,and the genes related to osteoarthritis were collected in the disease databases GeneCard's,OMIM and TTD.The intersected genes were taken and then subjected to a series of analyses and screened for hub genes.Through the enrichment analysis of hub genes,the pathway of semen cuscutae acting on osteoarthritis was selected.The role of hub genes was verified by molecular docking.Therefore,the appropriate active ingredients of semen cuscutae were selected for experimental verification. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were 11 active ingredients of semen cuscutae,66 intersection target genes of semen cuscutae and osteoarthritis,and 12 hub genes,including tumor necrosis factor,interleukin 1B,TP53,RAC-alpha serine/threonine protein kinase(AKT1),vascular endothelial growth factor A,matrix metalloproteinase 9,prostaglandin peroxidase 2,cystatinase 3,epidermal growth factor,peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma,interleukin 10,vascular cell adhesion factor 1.After the enrichment analysis of the hub genes,the classical inflammatory pathway,nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway,was selected for subsequent validation of semen cuscutae to alleviate osteoarthritic inflammation.Through the results obtained after molecular docking of each active ingredient and the hub gene of the pathway prostaglandin peroxidase 2,sesamin with the highest affinity was selected for subsequent cell experiments,and the experimental results confirmed that sesamin,the active ingredient of semen cuscutae,could reduce the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway induced by interleukin-1β.To conclude,sesamin,the active ingredient of semen cuscutae,reduces the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway induced by interleukin-1β,thereby improving inflammation in osteoarthritis and expanding the therapeutic effect of semen cuscutae in osteoarthritis.

Effect of acupuncture on corneal morphology and nuclear factor κB signaling pathway of dry eye rabbits / 眼科新进展

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture on the morphology of the dry eye rabbit's cornea and the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway of the corneal tissue to analyze the mechanism of acupuncture on dry eyes.Methods Twenty-four healthy New Zealand rabbits,without restriction on sex,were randomly divided into four groups,including a blank group,a model group,an acupuncture group,and a sham acupuncture group,with 6 in each group.Rabbits in the blank group were not treated;rabbits in the other three groups were treated with scopolamine hydro-bromide 2.0 mg·kg-1 by subcutaneous injection at 8:00,11:00,14:00 and 18:00 each day for 35 consecutive days un-til the end of the experiment.Rabbits in the sham acupuncture group were treated with sham acupuncture on the 22nd day after successful modeling by quickly pricking acupoints(Jingming BL1,Cuanzhu BL2,Sizhukong SJ23,Taiyang EX-HN5 and Tongziliao GB1)with a blunt acupuncture needle,once a day,for a total of 14 days.Rabbits in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at the same acupoints as the sham acupuncture group after successful modeling.The corneal fluorescence staining was conducted on Days 0,21,28 and 35 after modeling.On Day 35,corneal confocal microscope ex-aminations were conducted.Then,the rabbits were sacrificed,the corneal morphological changes were observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope,and the expression of corneal NF-κB protein was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the model group,the score of rabbit corneal fluorescein staining in the acupuncture group and blank group decreased on the 28th and 35th days after modeling,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The results of the confocal microscope examination on Day 35 after modeling showed that,compared with other groups,there were a large number of globular immune cells and activated stromal cells with unclear boundaries and irregu-lar sizes in the stromal layer and inflammation in the area with irregular intercellular space in the model group and the sham acupuncture group.In the acupuncture group,the morphology of stromal layer cells improved,the cells were slightly acti-vated,and there were no obvious abnormalities in the corneal nerve morphology.On the 35th day after modeling,the re-sults of the light microscope showed that,the surface of the corneal tissue in the model group and the sham acupuncture group showed hyperkeratinized flat epithelial cells,lymphocyte infiltration,increased number of focal epithelial cell layers,and epithelial cell detachment.In the acupuncture group,there were 4-6 layers of epithelial cells in the corneal epitheli-um,and epithelial shedding decreased.In addition,the lymphocyte infiltration decreased compared with the model group.On the 35th day after modeling,the results of the transmission electron microscope showed that abnormal microvilli oc-curred and epithelial cells were absent in the corneal epithelial cells of rabbits in the model group and the sham acupuncture group,the cell space was widened,the rough endoplasmic reticulum was severely expanded,and desmosomes were dis-banded with mitochondrial swelling.In the acupuncture group,the microvilli structure of epithelial cells was sparse and short,local deletion was still observed,the rough endoplasmic reticulum was slightly expanded,and no obvious swelling of mitochondria was observed.On the 35th day after modeling,the Western blot examination results showed that,compared with the blank group,the expression of p-NF-κB p65 was up-regulated in both the model group and sham acupuncture group(both P＜0.05);compared with the model group and sham acupuncture group,the expression of p-NF-κB p65 in the acupuncture group was down-regulated(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture can inhibit the NF-κB signaling path-way to play an anti-inflammatory role and relieve corneal inflammation and injury of dry eye rabbit models.

Exploration of the mechanism of micro ribonucleic acid-3197 in diabetic reti-nopathy based on nuclear factor κB signaling pathway / 眼科新进展

Objective To explore the mechanism of micro ribonucleic acid(miR)-3197 in diabetic retinopathy(DR)on the basis of the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 47 DR patients admitted to Heng-shui People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were selected as the DR group,and 47 healthy individuals in the same period were collected as the control group.Their information in gender,age,fasting blood glucose(FBG),fast-ing insulin(FINS),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and miR-3197 were compared.The correlation between miR-3197 in DR patients and laboratory data was analyzed,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve of miR-3197 for DR diagnosis was drawn.The human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(hRMECs)were cultured in vitro and treated with 5.5 mmol·L-1 glucose[low glucose(NG)group]and 30 mmol·L-1 glucose[high glucose(HG)group],respectively.After transfecting with anti-miR-NC and anti-miR-3197,the cells were treated with 30 mmol·L-1 glucose(HG+anti-miR-NC group and HG+anti-miR-3197 group).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression level of miR-3197,flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of hRMECs,enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay was used for detecting tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a)and interleukin-6(IL-6),and Western blot was adopted to detect the expressions of aspartic protease 3 containing cysteine(cleaved caspase-3)protein,Bax protein and NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins[phospho-NF-KB p65(p-p65),p65,phospho-NF-KB inhibited protein(p-IκBα),and NF-κB inhibited protein(IκBα)].Results The levels of FBG,FINS,TC and TG in the DR group were higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.001).The relative expression level of miR-3197 in the peripheral blood of patients in the DR group(2.76±0.67)was higher than that of the control group(1.03±0.34),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The miR-3197 level of patients in the DR group was positively correlated with FBG,FINS,TC and TG levels(r=0.672,0.587,0.511 and 0.423;all P＜0.05).The ROC curve graph showed that the area under the curve was 0.919,with sensitivity and specificity of 85.11％and 89.36％,respectively.Compared with the NG group,the HG group showed a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate and the pro-tein expressions of cleaved caspase-3,Bax,TNF-a,IL-6,p-IκBa and p-p65(all P＜0.05);compared with the HG+anti-miR-NC group,the HG+anti-miR-3197 group showed a significant decrease in cell apoptosis rate and the protein expres-sions of cleaved caspase-3,Bax,TNF-a,IL-6,p-IκBa and p-p65(allP＜0.05).Conclusion The miR-3197 is highly ex-pressed in the peripheral blood of DR patients and high glucose-induced hRMECs.Down-regulation of miR-3197 can allevi-ate high glucose-induced hRMEC apoptosis and inflammatory injury,and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhi-bition of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Repair effect of ephedrine on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglia function injury and its mechanism / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the repair effect of ephedrine on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced microglia function injury and its mechanism. METHODS Human microglia cells （HMC3） were used as research objects to investigate the effects of different concentrations of ephedrine （75， 150， 300， 600 μg/mL） on the viability and apoptosis of HMC3 cells. HMC3 cells were divided into control group （without drug intervention）， LPS group （1 μg/mL）， ephedrine group （1 μg/mL LPS+300 μg/mL ephedrine）， BAY11-7082 group [1 μg/mL LPS+5 μmol/L nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） pathway inhibitor BAY11-7082]， inhibitor group （1 μg/mL LPS+300 μg/mL ephedrine+5 μmol/L BAY11-7082） and activator group （1 μg/mL LPS+300 μg/mL ephedrine+1 μmol/L NF-κB pathway activator Prostratin）. After 24 hours of drug treatment， cell migration， the levels of soluble interleukin-6（sIL-6）， interleukin-10（IL-10）， superoxide dismutase（SOD）and malondialdehyde（MDA）， and the expressions of NF-κB pathway-related proteins were all detected. RESULTS The viability of HMC3 cells could be increased significantly by 300 μg/mL ephedrine， while the apoptotic rate was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group， the number of migrating cells was increased significantly in the LPS group； the levels of sIL-6 and MDA， the phosphorylation of NF-κB protein were increased significantly， while the levels of IL-10 and SOD were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the LPS group， the above indexes were reversed significantly in the ephedrine group and BAY11-7082 group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the ephedrine group， the number of migrating cells was decreased significantly in the inhibitor group； the levels of sIL-6 and MDA， the phosphorylation of NF-κB protein were decreased significantly， while the levels of IL-10 and SOD were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. The above indexes were reversed significantly in the activator group （P＜0.05）can repair cell injury by inhibiting LPS induced apoptosis， migration， inflammation and oxidant stress of HMC3 cells， the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting the activity of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Tectorigenin improves cognitive deficits in rats with vascular dementia by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To analyze effects of tectorigenin on improving cognitive deficits in rats with vascular dementia(VD)by regulating Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods:A total of 72 rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,low,medium and high doses[25,50,100 mg/(kg·d)]tectorigenin groups and positive control group[piracetam 324 mg/(kg·d)],with 12 rats in each group.Except for sham operation group,VD models were replicated in other groups.After successful modeling,different doses tectorigenin groups and positive control group were administered intragastrically with different doses of tectorigenin and piracetam,while other groups were administered intragastrically with same volume of normal saline for 28 d.Spatial learning and memory ability were detected by Morris water maze.Neurotransmitter levels in hippocampus interstitial fluid were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-electro-chemical.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and tyrosine kinase receptor b(TrkB)expressions in hippocampus were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway-related proteins in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with sham operation group,escape latency was longer,while stay time in target area and times of crossing platform were lower in model group(P<0.05).Compared with model group,escape latency was shorter,while stay time in target area and times of crossing platform were higher in medium and high doses tectorigenin groups(P<0.05).NE,DA,5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in model group were lower than those in sham operation group(P<0.05),which were higher in medium and high doses tectorigenin groups than model group(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,BDNF and TrkB mRNA and proteins levels were lower,while TLR4,MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 proteins levels were higher in model group(P<0.05).Compared with model group,BDNF and TrkB mRNA and proteins levels were higher,while TLR4,MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 proteins levels were lower in medium and high doses tectorigenin groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Tectorigenin can improve cognitive deficits in VD rats,which may be related to regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Therapeutic mechanism of emodin for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a network pharmacology-based analysis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of emodin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a network pharmacology-based method and validate this mechanism in a fibroblast-like synovial cell line.@*METHODS@#The PubChem, Targetnet, SwissTargetPrediction, Genecards, OMIM, and DisGeNET databases were searched to obtain emodin targets and RA-related genes. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were carried out to analyze the intersection genes. AutoDock4.2.6 software was used to simulate molecular docking between emodin and its candidate targets. In a cultured fibroblast-like synovial cell line (MH7A), the effects of different concentrations of emodin on proliferation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced cells were investigated using CCK-8 assay, cell scratch experiment and flow cytometry; the changes in the expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway proteins were detected using Western blotting, and the mRNA expressions of the hub genes were examined with RT-qPCR.@*RESULTS@#We identified 32 intersection genes of emodin and RA, and the key targets including CAPS3, ESR1, and MAPK14 involved mainly the NF-κB signaling pathway. Cell scratch experiment and flow cytometry demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect of emodin on MH7A cell proliferation. Treatment with TNF-α significantly increased the cellular expressions of the NF-κB pathway proteins, which were obviously lowered by treatment with 80 μmol/L emodin. The results of RT-qPCR showed that TNF-α treatment obviously up-regulated the expressions of the hub genes COX2 and P38MAPK, and emodin treatment significantly down-regulated the expressions of MAPK and PTGS2 and up-regulated the expression of CASP3.@*CONCLUSION@#The therapeutic effect of emodin on RA is mediated mainly through regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and the NF-κB pathway.

Effect of Total Saponin of Dioscoreae Collettii Rhizoma on Toll-like Receptor/Nuclear Factor-κB (TLR/NF-κB) Signaling Pathway Induced by Monosodium Urate in THP-1 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the effect of total saponin of Dioscoreae Collettii Rhizoma (TSD) on Toll-like receptor/nuclear factor-κB (TLR/NF-κB) signaling pathway induced by monosodium urate in THP-1 cells, in order to explore the possible mechanism of anti-gout arthritis. Method::Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophages, divided into normal group, model group, low, medium and high-concentration TSD groups (1, 3, 10 mg·L-1) and colchicine group (0.2 mg·L-1). Except the normal group, the other groups were stimulated with 400 mg·L-1 monosodium urate to replicate an inflammation model in vitro. Cell viability was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, the levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α ) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and NF-κB were detected by Western blot. The mRNA levels of TLR4, NF-κB and Pro-IL-1β were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR), and the nuclear shift of NF-κB p65 was detected by immunofluorescence. Result::0~32 mg·L-1 TSD has no effect on cell viability. Compared with the normal group, the secretion levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the expressions of key proteins (TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB) and genes (TLR4, NF-κB and Pro-IL-1β) were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, 1-30 mg·L-1 TSD significantly down-regulated the secretion of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.01), the expressions of key proteins (TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB) and genes (TLR4, NF-κB and Pro-IL-1β) were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the NF-κB p65 partially trans-located to the cytosol and the superposition in the nucleus were decreased, inhibiting the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Conclusion::TSD may exert an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating the expressions of TLR4, NF-κB and Pro-IL-1β mRNA and reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β.

Electroacupuncture Delays Cartilage Degeneration by Modulating Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To illustrate the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on knee osteoarthritis (OA).@*METHODS@#Twenty-seven six-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were allocated into three groups in accordance with a random number table: normal group (no surgery-induced OA; without treatment), model group (surgery-induced OA; without treatment) and EA group [surgery-induced OA; received treatment with EA at acupoints Dubi (ST 35) and Neixiyan (EX-LE 5), 30 min twice a day]. After eight consecutive weeks of treatment, the histopathological alterations in cartilage were observed using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, cartilage degeneration was evaluated by modified Mankin's score principles, the synovial fluid concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the protein expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-3, IκB kinase-β (IKK-β), nuclear factor of α light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor α (IκB-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 were quantified by Western blot analysis.@*RESULTS@#EA treatment significantly improved cartilage structure arrangement and reduced cellular degeneration. The IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and MMP-3 of synovial fluid in the EA-treated group were significantly decreased compared with the model group (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-3, IKK-β and NF-κB p65 protein expressions in cartilage of EA-treated group were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), whereas IκB-α expression was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#EA treatment may delay cartilage degeneration by down-regulating inflammatory factors through NF-κB signaling pathway, which may, in part, explain its clinical efficacy in the treatment of knee OA.

Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of liraglutide on hippocampal neurons in diabetic rats / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of liraglutide on diabetic rats. Methods 24 healthy male SPF Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with random blood glucose greater than 11.1 mmol/L were selected as the experimental group, and randomly divided into diabetes mellitus group ( n＝12) and liraglutide group (n＝12). Ten healthy male SPF Wistar rats with the same age and weight as GK rats were selected as normal control group. After adaptively feeded for 2 weeks, the liraglutide group was given liraglutide (400 μg·kg－1·d－1, subcutaneous injection), while the control group and diabetes mellitus group were given the same volume of saline, and continued to be administered for 8 weeks. After 10 weeks, data and biochemical indicators were recorded. Effects of liraglutide on learning and memory in diabetes mellitus rats were detected by Morris water maze test. HE staining observed the hippocampal neurons morphology. Western blotting method detected the expression of p- IκB kinase (IKK) β, p-NF-κB, NF-κB, Klotho, and PRX2 in hippocampus. Results Morris water maze test showed that liraglutide can improve the spatial learning and memory ability of diabetes mellitus rats. HE staining showed that liraglutide significantly reduced the pathological damage of hippocampal neurons of diabetes mellitus rats. Western blotting showed that liraglutide inhibited NF-κB signaling pathway in hippocampus of diabetes mellitus rats. The expression of Klotho protein in hippocampus of diabetes mellitus group was significantly lower than that of control group, while the expression of PRX2 protein was higher than control group (t＝8.298,－7.398,all P<0.01). The expression of Klotho and PRX2 protein in hippocampus of liraglutide group were higher than diabetes mellitus group (t＝－13.059, 14.113, all P<0.01). The expression of Klotho protein of liraglutide group was similar to that of control group ( t ＝ －1. 137, P>0. 05 ). The expression of PRX2 protein was significantly higher than control group (t＝－28.055, P<0.01). Conclusions Liraglutide may enhance the expression of antioxidant stress protein including Klotho and PRX2, by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway in hippocampus of diabetes mellitus rats, reduced oxidative stress and improved the injury of hippocampal neuronal in diabetes mellitus rats, which seems to play a neuroprotective effect, to prevent and delay the occurrence of diabetic encephalopathy.

Epinephrine combined with acupuncture therapy can treat anaphylactic shock mice through nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway: a rat experimental result / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of epinephrine combined with acupuncture on anaphylactic shock and its mechanism. Methods Sixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal saline (NS) group, anaphylactic shock model group, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment group with 20 mice in each group. The anaphylactic shock model was reproduced by egg albumin infusion: intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mL egg albumin (0.01 mmol/L), repeated injection 1 week later, and intravenous injection of 0.5 mL egg albumin through caudal vein on the 3rd week to induce anaphylactic shock. The mice in the NS group were injected with NS. The mice in the treatment group were immediately subcutaneously injected with 0.2 μg of 0.1% epinephrine, and intraperitoneally injected with aminophylline 0.2 mg, combined with acupuncture at Shuigou, Neiguan and Hegu points. Number of died mice in each group were observed at 1, 6, and 12 hours after model reproduction. The mice were sacrificed at 12 hours, the blood was harvested, and the serum tryptase, immunoglobulin E (IgE), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The lung tissues were harvested, and the protein expressions of p65, phosphorylation of p65 (p-p65), and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α (p-IκBα) were determined by Western Blot. Results No mice died in the NS control group at 12 hours. In the treatment group, the mortality at 12 hours was significantly lower than that in the model group (10% vs. 80%, P < 0.01). The levels of tryptase and IgE in the model group were significantly higher than those in the NS control group [tryptase (μg/L): 1.53±0.28 vs. 0.91±0.23, IgE (μg/L): 33.3±3.1 vs. 21.3±1.9, both P < 0.01], both levels in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group [tryptase (μg/L): 1.31±0.26 vs. 1.53±0.28, IgE (μg/L): 25.6±2.2 vs. 33.3±3.1, both P < 0.05]. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the NS control group [TNF-α (ng/L): 35.3±4.7 vs. 16.4±3.5, IL-1 (ng/L): 13.8±3.3 vs. 4.2±1.8, IL-6 (ng/L): 15.3±4.8 vs. 5.5±2.1, all P < 0.01]. The serum inflammatory factors of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the model group [TNF-α (ng/L): 26.1±4.3 vs. 35.3±4.7, IL-1 (ng/L): 7.2±2.7 vs. 13.8±3.3, IL-6 (ng/L): 8.8±3.8 vs. 15.3±4.8, all P < 0.05]. It was shown by Western Blot results that there was no significant difference in p65 protein expression of the lung tissue among the three groups. In the NS control group, the expression of p-p65 protein in the nucleus of the lung tissue was extremely low but was significantly increased in the model group, and p-p65 protein in the treatment group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the model group. The expression tendency of p-IκBα protein was consistent with that of p-p65. Conclusion Epinephrine combined with acupuncture plays a therapeutic role in mice with anaphylactic shock by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Protective effect of thalidomide on ALI induced by paraquat poisoning in rats and its mechanism / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To investigate the protective effect of thalidomide on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by paraquat (PQ) poisoning in rats and its possible mechanism. Methods Sixty SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of PQ poisoning was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of PQ solution 20 mg/kg (PQ model group), and the rats were treated by intraperitoneal injection of gradient thalidomide (50, 100, 200 mg/kg treatment groups) 30 minutes later continuously for 3 days. The normal saline (NS) control group and thalidomide control group (thalidomide 200 mg/kg) were established. After 3 days, the abdominal aorta blood was collected, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was determined by hydroxylamine method, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was determined by thiobarbituric acid method. The rats were sacrificed for lung tissue, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The phosphorylation levels of p65 and inhibitor-α of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) (IκB-α), which were the NF-κB signaling pathway proteins, were determined by Western Blot. The pathological changes in lung tissue were observed under light microscope by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Results Under microscope, obvious congestion of pulmonary interstitial and alveolar septum, a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration and thickened alveolar wall were observed after 3 days of PQ poisoning, and the congestion of pulmonary interstitial and alveolar septum, edema and inflammatory cells infiltration in the lung tissue were significantly reduced after treatment of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg thalidomide, but compared with NS control group, there was still a small amount of edema fluid, inflammatory cells and erythrocytes in the lungs tissue. Compared with the NS control group, serum MDA content and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB-α in lung tissue were significantly increased after PQ exposure, and the activity of serum SOD was significantly decreased. Treatment with 50, 100, 200 mg/kg thalidomide could significantly reduce the levels of MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and phosphorylation of IκB-α and p65, and increase SOD activity, in a dose-dependent manner, and the levels were significantly different from PQ model group [MDA (mmol/L): 8.26±1.20, 6.72±1.18, 5.51±1.44 vs. 9.02±1.03, TNF-α (ng/mg): 3.00±0.14, 1.84±0.18, 1.58±0.11 vs. 3.30±0.14, IL-6 (ng/mg): 1.26±0.04, 1.06±0.04, 0.97±0.08 vs. 1.97±0.07, p-p65/p65: 6.01±0.35, 3.64±0.15, 2.89±0.18 vs. 6.34±0.23, p-IκB-α/IκB-α: 2.27±0.13, 2.14±0.22, 1.52±0.14 vs. 2.96±0.20, SOD (kU/L): 195.7±19.3, 207.1±25.6, 225.8±23.1 vs. 188.2±26.6, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant effect on lung by 200 mg/kg thalidomide alone. Conclusion Thalidomide has a protective effect on ALI induced by PQ poisoning in rats in a dose-dependent manner, the mechanism may be achieved by reducing the level of oxygen free radicals, reducing the inflammatory factor and inhibiting the IκB-α/NF-κB signal pathway activation.