Melatonin Augments the Effects of Fluoxetine on Depression-Like Behavior and Hippocampal BDNF-TrkB Signaling.

Depression is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with a huge socioeconomic burden, and its treatment relies on antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Recently, the melatonergic system that is closely associated with the serotonergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. However, it remains unknown whether combined treatment with SSRI and melatonin has synergistic antidepressant effects. In this study, we applied a sub-chronic restraint stress paradigm, and evaluated the potential antidepressant effects of combined fluoxetine and melatonin in adult male mice. Sub-chronic restraint stress (6 h/day for 10 days) induced depression-like behavior as shown by deteriorated fur state, increased latency to groom in the splash test, and increased immobility time in the forced-swim test. Repeated administration of either fluoxetine or melatonin at 10 mg/kg during stress exposure failed to prevent depression-like phenotypes. However, combined treatment with fluoxetine and melatonin at the selected dose attenuated stress-induced behavioral abnormalities. Moreover, we found that the antidepressant effects of combined treatment were associated with the normalization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling in the hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex. Our findings suggest that combined fluoxetine and melatonin treatment exerts synergistic antidepressant effects possibly by restoring hippocampal BDNF-TrkB signaling.

Identification of human serum protein targets of Qianggu Decoction () in primary type I osteoporosis based on tandem mass tag labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum protein targets of Qianggu Decoction (, QGD) on treating osteoporosis by the proteomics analysis using tandem mass tag (TMT) and liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). METHODS: Twenty serum protein samples were recruited (10 patients with primary type I osteoporosis before and after QGD treatment) and the high abundance ratios protein was removed, two serum samples were extracted and labeled with TMT reagent. Then, mass spectrometric detection, identification of differentially expressed proteins and bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 60 proteins were identified, within a 99% confidence interval, to be differentially regulated of which, 34 proteins were up-regulated and 26 proteins were down-regulated. Differentially expressed proteins analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) annotation mainly get involved in 12 different biological processes, 7 types of cellular components, and 6 kinds of molecular functions. Angiotensinogen (AGT), stromelysin-1 (MMP3), heparanase (HPSE) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were screened as candidate protein targets of QGD treatment, which were related to metabolic mechanism of bone remodeling and/or bone collagen of osteoporosis. By the utilization of the protein-protein interaction network analysis tool named STRING10.0, it showed that AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH were located in the key node of the protein-protein interactions network. Furthermore, AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH were found to be directly related to BMP, MAPK, Wnt, SMAD and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11) families. CONCLUSIONS: The proteomics analysis by using TMT combined with LC-MS/MS was a feasible method for screening the potential therapeutic targets associated with QGD treatment. It suggests that AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH may be candidate protein targets of QGD treatment which can be used as therapeutic effect monitor and early diagnosis of primary type I osteoporosis.

Weak cation exchange magnetic beads coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry in screening serum protein markers in osteopenia.

The present study aimed at investigating the weak cation magnetic separation technology and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in screening serum protein markers of osteopenia from ten postmenopausal women and ten postmenopausal women without osteopenia as control group, to find a new method for screening biomarkers and establishing a diagnostic model for primary type I osteoporosis. Serum samples were collected from postmenopausal women with osteopenia and postmenopausal women with normal bone mass. Proteins were extracted from serum samples by weak cation exchange magnetic beads technology, and mass spectra acquisition was done by MALDI-TOF-MS. The visualization and comparison of data sets, statistical peak evaluation, model recognition, and discovery of biomarker candidates were handled by the proteinchip data analysis system software(ZJU-PDAS). The diagnostic models were established using genetic arithmetic based support vector machine (SVM). The SVM result with the highest Youden Index was selected as the model. Combinatorial Peaks having the highest accuracy in distinguishing different samples were selected as potential biomarker. From the two group serum samples, a total of 133 differential features were selected. Ten features with significant intensity differences were screened. In the pair-wise comparisons, processing of MALDI-TOF spectra resulted in the identification of ten differential features between postmenopausal women with osteopenia and postmenopausal women with normal bone mass. The difference of features by Youden index showed that the highest features had a mass to charge ratio of 1699 and 3038 Da. A diagnosis model was established with these two peaks as the candidate marker, and the specificity of the model is 100 %, the sensitivity was 90 % by leave-one-out cross validation test. The two groups of specimens in SVM results on the scatter plot could be clearly distinguished. The peak with m/z 3038 in the SVM model was suggested as Secretin by TagIdent tool. To provide further validation, the secretin levels in serum were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that is a competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay technique for the in vitro quantitative measurement of secretin in human serum.

Endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant actions and mechanisms induced by total flavonoids of Elsholtzia splendens in rat aortas.

Elsholtzia splendens (ES) is, rich in flavonoids, used to repair copper contaminated soil in China, which has been reported to benefit cardiovascular systems as folk medicine. However, few direct evidences have been found to clarify the vasorelaxation effect of total flavonoids of ES (TFES). The vasoactive effect of TFES and its underlying mechanisms in rat thoracic aortas were investigated using the organ bath system. TFES (5-200mg/L) caused a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in endothelium-intact rings, which was not abolished but significantly reduced by the removal of endothelium. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100µM) and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,2-α]quinoxalin-1-one (30µM) significantly blocked the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of TFES. Meanwhile, NOS activity in endothelium-intact aortas was concentration-dependently elevated by TFES. However, indomethacin (10µM) did not affect TFES-induced vasorelaxation. Endothelium-independent vasorelaxation of TFES was significantly attenuated by KATP channel blocker glibenclamide. The accumulative Ca(2+)-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded aortic rings primed with KCl or phenylephrine was markedly weakened by TFES. These results revealed that the NOS/NO/cGMP pathway is likely involved in the endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by TFES, while activating KATP channel, inhibiting intracellular Ca(2+) release, blocking Ca(2+) channels and decreasing Ca(2+) influx into vascular smooth muscle cells might contribute to the endothelium-independent vasorelaxation conferred by TFES.

[Effects of the water channel aquaporin 4 deficiency on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4) on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. METHODS: In wild type and AQP4 gene knockout (AQP4-/-) mice, lung fibrosis was induced by injection of bleomycin (3 mg/kg) into the trachea and saline injection was used as a control. At d3, 7, 14, 28 after bleomycin-treatment, mice were randomly sacrificed in batch and the lung coefficient was determined. Serum levels of TGF-ß1 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA and hydroxyproline contents in lung tissue were determined by Alkaline hydrolysis method. H-E staining and Masson's staining were performed to examine the pathological changes of lung tissues after bleomycin-treatment. RESULTS: On d14 after bleomycin-treatment, the lung coefficients in wild type mice and AQP4-/- mice were 1.9-fold (12.69 ± 6.05 vs 6.80 ± 0.82, q=4.204, P<0.05) and 2.3-fold (14.05 ± 5.82 vs 6.05± 0.58, q=5.172, P<0.01) of that in control, respectively, but no significant difference was found between wild type and AQP4-/- mice in the lung coefficient value (P>0.05). The hydroxyproline contents in the lung increased after bleomycin-treatment; on d28, the lung hydroxyproline contents in wild type and in AQP4-/- mice were 1.55-fold (0.85 ± 0.22 g/mg vs 0.55 ± 0.14 µg/mg, q=4.313, P<0.05) and 1.4-fold (0.84 ± 0.13 µg/mg vs 0.60 ± 0.14µg/mg, q=4.595，P<0.05) of that in control, respectively, but no significant difference was noticed between wild type and AQP4-/- mice in lung hydroxyproline contents. There was a tendency that serum TGF-ß1 and TNF-α levels increased in bleomycin-treated mice, but no significant difference was found between wild type and AQP4-/- mice. AQP4-knockout showed no effects on pathological changes of lung tissues with H-E staining and Masson's staining in mice with bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. CONCLUSION: AQP4 might not be involved in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice.

[Partial endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of crocetin and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the vasorelaxation effect of crocetin (CCT) and its mechanism. METHODS: Isolated aortic rings from Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted in the organ bath system. The tension of the aorta was recorded. RESULT: CCT significantly provoked concentration-dependent relaxation in both endothelium-intact and-denuded aortic rings pre-constricted by phenylephrine (10⁻5 mol/L), and the vasorelaxation in endothelium-intact aortic rings was stronger than that in endothelium-denuded ones. CCT had no significant effects on aortic rings pre-constricted with KCl (6 × 10⁻² mol/L). Pretreatment with eith L-NAME (10⁻4 mol/L), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), or indomethacin (10⁻5 mol/L), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, for 30 min significantly attenuated the relaxation of endothelium-intact aortic rings induced by CCT. Besides, both tetraethylammonium (a Ca²(+)-activated K(+) channel inhibitor, 5 × 10⁻³ mol/L) and 4-aminopyridine (a voltage-sensitive K(+) channel inhibitor, 10⁻³ mol/L), but not the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel inhibitor glibenclamide (3 × 10⁻6 mol/L), significantly attenuated CCT-induced relaxation in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. CONCLUSION: CCT had partial endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aortas, which may be mediated by activating the endothelial NOS-NO and cyclooxygenase-prostacyclin pathways. The endothelium-independent relaxation in rat aortas induced by CCT may be mediated by Ca²(+)-activated K(+) channels and voltage-sensitive K(+) channels.

Activation of phospholipase D involved in both injury and survival in A549 alveolar epithelial cells exposed to H2O2.

To determine the role of the phospholipase D (PLD) pathway in injury and survival of alveolar epithelial cells, A549 cells were exposed to H(2)O(2) (500 microM) which resulted in time-dependent injury and bi-phasic increase of PLD activity at 5 min and at 3 h, respectively. n-Butanol (0.5%) inhibited PLD activation, attenuated cell injury at 5 min of H(2)O(2) exposure, but enhanced injury at 3h of exposure. This activation was inhibited by treatment with catalase (500 units/ml). Exogenous phosphatidic acid mimicked the effects of PLD activation, and diphenyliodonium (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) reversed the decline in cell viability induced by H(2)O(2) exposure. Propranolol (phosphatidic acid phospholydrolase inhibitor) and quinacrine (phospholipase A2 inhibitor) had weak effects on H(2)O(2)-induced PLD activation but reversed H(2)O(2)-induced injury. We speculate that PLD activation at the initiation of H(2)O(2) exposure predominantly results in NAPDH oxidase activation, which mediates A549 cell injury, but turns to mediating cell survival as the H(2)O(2) attack continues, which might be mainly due to the accumulation of intracellular phosphatidic acid.

[Intranasal administration of low dosage recombinant human erythropoietin inhibits seizure in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intranasal administration of low dosage recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on seizure in rats. METHODS: After intranasal or intraperitoneal administration of r-HuEPO, the behavioral and electroencephalographic changes were observed in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizure or electrical amygdaloid-kindled seizure of rats. RESULT: Intranasal administration of low dosage r-HuEPO increased the seizure latency, and decreased the seizure grade and duration, and the number of convulsive episodes in PTZ induced seizure, with the most potential dosage of 2.4 IU. Intraperitoneal administration of r-HuEPO (3 000, 4 000 IU/kg) only decreased the seizure duration and number of convulsive episodes. The seizure grade, forelimb or hindlimb extension duration were decreased in MES-induced seizure by intranasal administration of 2.4 IU r-HuEPO. In addition, intranasal administration of 2.4 IU r-HuEPO decreased the seizure grade, generalized seizure duration and afterdischarge in electrical amygdaloid-kindled rats stimulated with generalized seizure threshold. CONCLUSION: Intranasal administration of low dosage r-HuEPO can inhibit the seizure in rats.

N-(2-Amino-phenyl-sulfonyl)-N-(2-nitro-phenyl-sulfonyl)methylamine.

In the title mol-ecule, C(13)H(13)N(3)O(6)S(2), the two benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 28.59 (7)°. The crystal sructure exhibits weak inter-molecular N-H⋯O, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.899 (3) Å].

Mechanisms underlying biochanin A-induced relaxation of the aorta differ between normotensive and hypertensive rats.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism underlying biochanin A-induced relaxation of the aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. The tension in isolated ring preparations of thoracic aortas from normotensive (Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats) and SHR at 5 and 10 weeks of age was measured isometrically. 3. Biochanin A (10(-7) to 10(-4) mol/L) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in aortic rings from both strains at the age of 5 and 10 weeks and the relaxation was greater in rings from 10-week-old SHR compared with age-matched WKY rats. The vasorelaxation induced by biochanin A was significantly reduced by denudation of the endothelium in aortic rings from SHR, but not WKY rats. Treatment with either indomethacin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, had little effect on the relaxation induced by biochanin A in aortic rings from either strain. Glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, significantly attenuated the relaxation induced by biochanin A in aortic rings from both strains, although the extent of reduction was greater in WKY rats than SHR. Conversely, treatment with 4-aminopyridine, a selective inhibitor of voltage-dependent potassium channels, or tetraethylammonium, an inhibitor of calcium-activated potassium channels, significantly reduced the vasorelaxation induced by biochanin A in rings from SHR but not WKY rats. 4. The greater vasorelaxation produced by biochanin A in aortic rings from 10-week-old SHR is endothelium dependent. Different mechanisms underlie the relaxant effects of biochanin A in aorta from SHR and WKY rats. The mechanisms of biochanin A-induced vasorelaxation in thoracic aortas from both normotensive and hypertensive rats involve ATP-sensitive potassium channels and, in addition, in rings from the hypertensive strain at 10 weeks of age, an endothelium-derived activation of smooth muscle cell potassium channels contributes to the vasorelaxation observed.

[Effect of cinobufacini on vascular contractile of rat thoracic aorta].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of cinobufacini on rat thoracic aorta and its mechanism. METHODS: Isolated rat thoracic aorta was perfused and isometric tension was recorded by organ bath technique before and after cinobufacini treatment. RESULT: Cinobufacini induced contraction of isolated thoracic aorta with or without endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner (at concentration of 2.5,5.0,7.5,10.0 g/L). The vasoconstriction effect of cinobufacini was more potent in endothelium-denuded aorta ring [(16.3+/-3.39)%, (52.5+/-7.70)%, (60.9+/-8.84)%, (69.2+/-11.34)%] than in endothelium-intact aorta ring [(6.2+/-2.07)%, (14.7+/-4.91), (17.6+/-5.86)%, (20.3+/-6.78)% (P<0.01)]. Its contractile effect was attenuated in Ca(2+)-free solution (about 1/10 of that in buffer with 1.25 mmol/L CaCl(2)) or by the treatment with verapamil (10(-7)mol/L), an L-type calcium channel antagonist. Cinobufacini induced contraction on the endothelium-intact rat aorta was augmented by pretreatment with L-NAME (10(-4)mol/L), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Cinobufacini contracts rat thoracic aorta by opening the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel and increasing Ca(2+) influx into vascular smooth muscle. Cinobufacini can also stimulate the release of vascular relaxant factor, nitric oxide, from the endothelium and thus antagonize cinobufacini-induced contraction.

Endothelium-independent Vasorelaxant Effect of the Phyto-oestrogen Biochanin A on Rat Thoracic Aorta.

Epidemiological data suggest that the incidence of cardiovascular disease is reduced in people who have a high intake of phytoestrogens. The plant-derived estrogen biochanin A is known to cause vasodilation, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects and mechanisms of biochanin A on rat thoracic aorta. Isolated aortic rings were suspended in individual organ baths and isometric tension was measured. Biochanin A induced significant relaxation in rings with or without endothelium. Contractile responses induced by phenylephrine (PE), KCl and CaCl2were antagonized by 10-7~10-4mol/L biochanin A. The transient contraction elicited by PE was significantly attenuated by 10-5mol/L biochanin A in Ca2+-free medium. The relaxant effect of biochanin A was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with the K+channel antagonists tetraethylammonium and glibenclamide in endothelium-denuded aorta. We conclude that biochanin A induces an endothelium-independent relaxation in rat aortic rings. The underlying mechanism may involve the blockage of Ca2+entry through both voltage-dependent and receptor-operated Ca2+channels, the inhibition of intracellular Ca2+release, and the activation of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+channels and ATP-sensitive K+channels.