[Remediation Potential of Ageratum conyzoides L. on Cadmium Contaminated Farmland].

To evaluate the remediation potential of Ageratum conyzoides L. on cadmium (Cd) contaminated farmland soil, the Cd-containing plants and root were collected and analyzed by field investigation, original pot experiment, and field experiment. The enrichment factor and removal rate of Ageratum conyzoides L. was calculated. The results showed that the maximum Cd content in the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides L. growing in soil of different lead-zinc mines was 77.01 mg·kg-1. In the high-concentration Cd soil treatment (T2), Cd content of the above-ground of Ageratum conyzoides L. was 69.71mg·kg-1, and Cd enrichment coefficient was 6.09. In the low-concentration Cd soil treatment (T1), the enrichment characteristics of Cd (Ageratum conyzoides L.) are consistent with the enrichment characteristics of Cd under high concentration conditions. Ageratum conyzoides L. exhibits stable accumulation characteristics for Cd. In the field experiment, the average Cd content of Ageratum conyzoides L. was 21.13 mg·kg-1, and the enrichment coefficient was 6.93. The removal rate of the three planting Ageratum conyzoides L. per mu of soil using the Ageratum conyzoides L. to repair Cd contaminated soil was 13.2%-15.6%. The use of Ageratum conyzoides L. to repair Cd pollution in farmland has a good prospect for engineering application.

Neopterin negatively regulates expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 by the LXRα signaling pathway in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells.

To investigate the effects of neopterin on ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in human THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells, and to explore the role of the liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) involved. In the present study, THP-1 cells were pre-incubated with ox-LDL to become foam cells. The protein and mRNA expression were examined by Western blot assays and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Liquid scintillation counting and high performance liquid chromatography assays were used to test cellular cholesterol efflux and cholesterol content. Neopterin decreased ABCA1 expression and cholesterol efflux in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells, and the LXRα siRNA can reverse the inhibitory effects induced by neopterin. Neoterin has a negative regulation on ABCA1 expression via the LXRα signaling pathway, which suggests the aggravated effects of neopterin on atherosclerosis.