Krüppel-like factor 12 regulates aging ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis by repressing SPHK1 transcription and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) production.

Oxidative stress triggered by aging, radiation, or inflammation impairs ovarian function by inducing granulosa cell (GC) apoptosis. However, the mechanism inducing GC apoptosis has not been characterized. Here, we found that ovarian GCs from aging patients showed increased oxidative stress, enhanced reactive oxygen species activity, and significantly decreased expression of the known antiapoptotic factor sphingosine-1-phosphate/sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) in GCs. Interestingly, the expression of Krüppel-like factor 12 (KLF12) was significantly increased in the ovarian GCs of aging patients. Furthermore, we determined that KLF12 was significantly upregulated in hydrogen peroxide-treated GCs and a 3-nitropropionic acid-induced in vivo model of ovarian oxidative stress. This phenotype was further confirmed to result from inhibition of SPHK1 by KLF12. Interestingly, when endogenous KLF12 was knocked down, it rescued oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, supplementation with SPHK1 partially reversed oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. However, this function was lost in SPHK1 with deletion of the binding region to the KLF12 promoter. SPHK1 reversed apoptosis caused by hydrogen peroxide-KLF12 overexpression, a result further confirmed in an in vitro ovarian culture model and an in vivo 3-nitropropionic acid-induced ovarian oxidative stress model. Overall, our study reveals that KLF12 is involved in regulating apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in aging ovarian GCs and that sphingosine-1-phosphate/SPHK1 can rescue GC apoptosis by interacting with KLF12 in negative feedback.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation Improves Postoperative Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Tumor Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to observe the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the postoperative sleep quality of patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery and to verify the possible mechanism. METHODS: Eighty-three patients were allocated to the TEAS or Sham group. Patients in the TEAS group received TEAS treatment (disperse-dense waves; frequency, 2/100 Hz) on bilateral Shenmen (HT7), Neiguan (PC6) and Zusanli (ST36) points for 30 min each time, total three times in the perioperative period. In the Sham group, electrodes were placed; however, no current was given. Sleep quality was assessed on the day before surgery (P1) and the first and third days after surgery (D1 and D3) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Postoperative pain was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) 72 h postoperatively. The incidences of abdominal distension, dizziness, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pulmonary complications were recorded. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and the expression of key factors of oxidative stress and key molecules of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signal pathway were measured. RESULTS: TEAS ameliorated sleep quality at D1 and D3 (PSQI P < 0.05, AIS P < 0.05) and decreased postoperative pain as demonstrated by lower VAS scores compared to the Sham group (P < 0.05). The incidences of abdominal distension and PONV were also lower in the TEAS group. Markers of oxidative stress were increased (P < 0.05), and the serum concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly lower in the TEAS group. The key mediators of the Nrf2/ARE pathway were enhanced after TEAS. CONCLUSION: Perioperative TEAS improved postoperative sleep quality, reduced postoperative pain and alleviated postoperative adverse effects in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastrointestinal tumor surgery resection. This may be associated with activating Nrf2/ARE signal pathway and decreasing its inflammatory actions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx ), ChiCTR2100054971.

Does China's carbon emission trading policy improve regional energy efficiency?-an analysis based on quasi-experimental and policy spillover effects.

Carbon emission trading policy is of great importance for addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. Reducing carbon emissions could further affect energy efficiency (EE). Based on the data from 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2017, this paper first calculated EE by using the super slack-based model (Super-SBM) and then analysed the theoretical mechanism of the impact of carbon emission trading policy on EE. We also used a difference-in-difference (DID) model and mediation effect model for empirical analysis. Finally, we established the spatial difference-in-difference (SDID) model to test the policy spillover effects of carbon emission trading policy. The results showed that the high EE areas have gradually shifted to the central and eastern regions during 2006-2017 in China. The EE value in the pilot area of the carbon emission trading policy was obviously higher than that in the non-pilot area. Carbon emission trading policy had a significant positive effect on improving EE overall. In particular, green technology innovation and energy structure both had positive mediation effects on carbon emission trading policy affecting EE. However, the industrial structuring adjustment had no significant mediation effect in its influencing mechanism. Additionally, the spatial spillover effects test showed that the carbon emission trading policy had a positive effect on the EE of the pilot areas but a negative effect on that of the non-pilot areas.

Spinal NF-κB and chemokine ligand 5 expression during spinal glial cell activation in a neuropathic pain model.

BACKGROUND: The NF-κB pathway and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) are involved in pain modulation; however, the precise mechanisms of their interactions in chronic neuropathic pain have yet to be established. METHODS: The present study examined the roles of spinal NF-κB and CCL5 in a neuropathic pain model after chronic constriction injury (CCI) surgery. CCI-induced pain facilitation was evaluated using the Plantar and von Frey tests. The changes in NF-κB and CCL5 expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Spinal NF-κB and CCL5 expression increased after CCI surgery. Repeated intrathecal infusions of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, a NF-κB inhibitor) decreased CCL5 expression, inhibited the activation of microglia and astrocytes, and attenuated CCI-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia. Intrathecal injection of a CCL5-neutralizing antibody attenuated CCI-induced pain facilitation and also suppressed spinal glial cell activation after CCI surgery. However, the CCL5-neutralizing antibody did not affect NF-κB expression. Furthermore, selective glial inhibitors, minocycline and fluorocitrate, attenuated the hyperalgesia induced by intrathecal CCL5. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of spinal CCL5 expression may provide a new method to prevent and treat nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain.

Resveratrol attenuates bone cancer pain through the inhibition of spinal glial activation and CX3CR1 upregulation.

The present study examined the effects of intrathecal use of resveratrol on pain hypersensitivities, spinal glia activation, and CX3CR1 expression in the model of bone cancer pain (BCP). The BCP model was established through intrathecally injecting Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells to Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that spinal CX3CR1 expression and glial activation aggravated after inoculation. Resveratrol (i.t.) attenuated bone cancer-induced pain hypersensitivities, decreased CX3CR1 expression and glial activation in the spine in a BCP model. Resveratrol (i.t.) also attenuated mechanical allodynia resulting from intrathecally injecting fractalkine in rats. Inhibition of spinal glial activation and CX3CR1 upregulation may involve in resveratrol's analgesic effects. These findings demonstrated that resveratrol attenuated pain facilitation through inhibiting spinal glial activation and CX3CR1 upregulation in a BCP model.

Resveratrol facilitates pain attenuation in a rat model of neuropathic pain through the activation of spinal Sirt1.

BACKGROUND: Little research has been conducted regarding the implications of Sirt1 (a classic III HDAC) in neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in the expressions of spinal Sirt1 and acetyl-histone H3 in a rat model of chronic constriction injury. METHODS: A neuropathic pain model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) was established in a unilateral hind limb in Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS: Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry revealed that Sirt1 (silent information regulator) expression decreased, whereas acetyl-histone H3 increased in the spinal cord following CCI surgery. The intrathecal administration of resveratrol, an activator of Sirt1, attenuated CCI-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, increased Sirt1 expression, and decreased acetyl-histone H3 in the spine. Resveratrol induced no obvious histopathological changes in the spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide new evidence for the contribution of spinal Sirt1 to the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. The antinociceptive effects of resveratrol may be mediated through the activation of spinal Sirt1 in CCI rats.

Overexpression of catalytic subunit M2 in patients with ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: The formation and growth of tumors are related to the synthesis of the DNA. The enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR) is an enzyme that regulates the total rate of DNA synthesis and thus plays a pivotal role in cell growth. Catalytic subunit M2 (RRM2) is the main unit modulating the ribonucleotide reductase enzymatic activity. This study aimed to investigate the expression of RRM2 mRNA and protein in patients with ovarian cancer and its relevance to diagnosis and clinical outcome of the patients. METHODS: RRM2 mRNA levels and protein expression were detected in 98 ovarian specimens with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Expression of the RRM2 protein and correlation of the RRM2 gene expression with clinical pathological features were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier test was used for evaluating RRM2 expression and time to progression and survival. The Cox proportional model was used to analyze the risk factors in prognosis of patients. RESULTS: Positive RRM2 immunostaining was found in 43 of 62 (69.4%) patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, 10 of 15 (66.7%) patients with borderline neoplasm, 4 of 15 (26.7%) patients with benign growths, and none of the normal group. The RRM2 mRNA levels were significantly over expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (1.722 ± 0.639) and borderline ovarian neoplasms (1.365 ± 0.615), compared to the normal group (0.678 ± 0.446) and benign group (0.828 ± 0.545). Patients with ovarian caner in clinical FIGO-stages III-IV presented higher RRM2 gene expression than those in clinical FIGO-stages I-II. Furthermore, the survival of patients with low RRM2 mRNA level was significantly better than patients with high levels (P < 0.05). By Cox proportional risk model analysis, the risk of mortality of patients with high level expression of RRM2 mRNA was 2.553 times greater than those with low expression. CONCLUSION: RRM2 expression closely correlates with the development of ovarian tumor and may serve as a novel predictive marker for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

A meta-analytic review of ERCC1/MDR1 polymorphism and chemosensitivity to platinum in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Platinum-based regimens are used as standard first-line chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. To study if pharmacogenetic approach may allow a tailored selection of platinum chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC, we performed a meta-analysis to compare chemosensitivity to platinum with different ERCC1 C118T/ MDR1 C3435T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). METHODS: Relevant studies were identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, OVID, Springer, EBSCO and CNKI databases. Inclusion criteria were patients with advanced NSCLC who received platinum-based chemotherapy, an evaluated polymorphism of ERCC/MDR1 and overall response rate. We excluded duplicate publications, letters and review articles. The RevMan 4.2 and STATA 11 package were used to do comprehensive quantitative assessment. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included in this meta-analysis. For studies evaluating ERCC1 C118T, test for heterogeneity was done (χ(2) = 13.41, P = 0.1), and the odds ratio (OR) for the wild-type C/C genotype versus the heterozygous C/T and T/T genotypes was 1.50 (95% CI 1.09 - 2.06, P = 0.01). In four studies evaluating MDR1 polymorphism, test for heterogeneity was also done (χ(2) = 3.22, P = 0.36), and the OR for the wild-type C/C genotype versus the heterozygous C/T and T/T genotypes was 2.30 (95% CI 1.44 - 3.68, P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that platinum-based chemotherapy sensitivity was significantly associated with polymorphism of ERCC1 C118T and MDR1 C3435T SNP. In further perspective studies, the ERCC1/MDR1 SNPs might serve as simple and less invasive biomarkers for personalized chemotherapy with platinum-based anticancer drugs.

[Exogenous hydrogen sulfide delays the senescence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells by lessening oxidative stress].

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of pretreatment with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) senescence and the underlying mechanism. Cultured HUVECs at twelfth and fourth passages were taken as old and young groups, respectively. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, donor of H2S) group was treated with NaHS from fourth to twelfth passage. The cell senescence was determined by senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA ß-gal) staining. DAPI fluorescent dye was used to detect cellular apoptosis. Western blot was used to analyze the expression levels of xanthine oxidase (XOD), manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and the subunits p67(phox) of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in the HUVECs. Colorimetric method was used to detect SOD activity and cellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level. The results showed that, compared with young group, the old group exhibited higher SA ß-gal positive rate and cellular apoptosis, while NaHS pretreatment decreased SA ß-gal positive rate and cellular apoptosis. Compared with the young group, the old group showed increased expression levels of XOD and p67(phox), as well as lower Mn-SOD expression level. With the pretreatment of NaHS, the up-regulations of XOD and p67(phox) levels and down-regulation of Mn-SOD level were inhibited. Compared with the young group, the old group showed lower SOD activity and higher H2O2 level, whereas NaHS pretreatment reversed the changes of SOD activity and H2O2 level. These results suggest that H2S delays senescence of HUVECs through lessening oxidative stress.