Attenuation of lipid accumulation in Bel-7402 cells through ADPN/AMPKα signaling stimulated by Fructus rosae laxae extract.

In this work, a comparison study was conducted on the contents of total flavonoids and hyperoside in different polarity extracts of Fructus rosae laxae (FRL). The lipid-lowering effect and mechanism of FRL ethyl acetate extract (FRLE) on the lipid accumulation model of Bel-7402 cells in vitro were studied. The results showed that the contents of total flavonoids and hyperoside in FRLE were significantly higher than those in the other polarity extracts. Compared with those in the model group, the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased, the activities of superoxide dismutase and lactate dehydrogenase increased, and the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α decreased significantly in the cells intervened with FRLE. Moreover, FRLE can regulate lipid metabolism by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase α phosphorylation pathway and increasing the expression of adiponectin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fructus rosae laxae (FRL) is an edible medicinal fruit with multiple biological activities, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. However, the lipid-lowering activity of FRL and its mechanism of action have not yet been investigated. Our data indicate that the FRL extract, which contains high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components, plays a beneficial role in regulating lipid metabolism disorders, mainly by regulating the expression of proteins involved in the ADPN/AMPK signaling pathway, and reduces the release of inflammatory factors. Thus, the FRL extract effectively reduces the accumulation of free fatty acids (FFA) in vitro and exhibits considerable potential for the prevention and treatment lipid metabolism disorders.

[Study on difference of chemical compositions of Guilingji before and after alchemy based on mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis].

UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS and ICP-MS coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was employed to explore the differences in chemical compositions of Guilingji(GLJ) before and after alchemy.The changes in organic chemical compositions and inorganic elements were observed and 39 differential organic compositions were found in GLJ after alchemy, 24 compounds of which were identified. The differential compositions of GLJ included violet ketones, chalcones, amides, and fatty acids whose contents were increased after alchemy, as well as flavones, isoflavones, dihydroflavones, flavonoid glycosides, and coumarins whose content were decreased after alchemy. This study showed 6 inorganic elements filtered out as markers for distinguishing GLJ before and after alchemy, including B, Si, Mg, K, Cr, and Ni.The contents of Mg, K, Cr and Ni were increased while the contents of B and Si were decreased after alchemy.The difference of the contents after alchemy changed the cold and hot properties of the compound, showing the decrease of dryness, and the hot property was changed to warm and neutral properties; in addition, the membrane permeability and absorption of the compound compositions were improved. In this study, we preliminarily investigated the changes of chemical compositions in GLJ before and after alchemy as well as the effects of alchemy on physical and chemical properties and cold-heat nature of GLJ, laying a foundation for further clarifying the scientific connotation of alchemy process.

TLR-4/miRNA-32-5p/FSTL1 signaling regulates mycobacterial survival and inflammatory responses in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages.

Macrophages play a pivotal role in host immune response against mycobacterial infection, which is tightly modulated by multiple factors, including microRNAs. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biological function and potential mechanism of miR-32-5p in human macrophages during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection. The results demonstrated that miR-32-5p was robustly enhanced in THP-1 and U937 cells in response to M.tb infection. TLR-4 signaling was required for upregulation of miR-32-5p induced by M.tb infection. Additionally, the introduction of miR-32-5p strongly increased the survival rate of intracellular mycobacteria, whereas inhibition of miR-32-5p suppressed intracellular growth of mycobacteria during M.tb challenged. Furthermore, forced expression of miR-32-5p dramatically attenuated the accumulation of inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α induced by M.tb infection. Conversely, downregulated expression of miR-32-5p led to enhancement in these inflammatory cytokines. More importantly, our study explored that Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) was a direct and functional target of miR-32-5p. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis further validated that miR-32-5p negatively regulated the expression of FSTL1. Mechanistically, re-expression of FSTL1 attenuated the ability of miR-32-5p to promote mycobacterial survival. Meanwhile, miR-32-5p-mediated inhibition of the inflammatory cytokine production were completely reversed by overexpression of FSTL1. Collectively, our findings demonstrated a novel role of TLR-4/miRNA-32-5p/FSTL1 in the modulation of host defense against mycobacterial infection, which may provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and useful information for developing potential therapeutic interventions against the disease.

[Enhancing effect of compound Kusheng injection in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the enhancing effect of compound Kusheg injection in chemotherapy for patients with stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of 286 patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. The patients were treated with either compound Kusheng injection in combination with NP (NVB + CBP) chemotherapy (vinorelbine and carboplatin, n = 144), or with NP (NVB + CBP) chemotherapy alone (n = 142). The chemotherapy was performed for 4 cycles of 3 weeks, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated every 2 weeks. The following indicators were observed: levels of Hb, WBC, PLT and T cell subpopulations in blood, serum IgG level, short-term efficacy, adverse effects and quality of life. RESULTS: The gastrointestinal reactions and the myelosuppression in the combination chemotherapy group were alleviated as compared with the chemotherapy alone group, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). CD(8)(+) cells were markedly declined in the combination chemotherapy group, and the CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) ratio showed an elevation trend in the chemotherapy alone group. The KPS scores and serum IgM and IgG levels were higher in the combination chemotherapy group than those in the chemotherapy alone group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The serum lgA levels were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The compound Kusheng injection plus NP chemotherapy regimen shows better therapeutic effect, reduces adverse effects of chemotherapy and improves the quality of life in patients with stage III and IV NSCLC.

[Roles of matrix metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase and hs-CRP in Kawasaki disease].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, -9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and hs-CRP, and their relationship with coronary artery in children with Kawasaki disease. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-one children with Kawasaki disease (111 cases with coronary artery damage and 40 cases without) and 60 healthy children were enrolled. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was detected using ELISA, and the hs-CRP concentration was measured using the endpoint nephelometry. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the level of MMP-2, MMP-9 and hs-CRP between the patients with or without coronary artery damage and the healthy children (p<0.05). The levels of MMP-2, MMP-9 and hs-CRP were the highest in the cardiovascular damage group (p<0.05). There were positive correlations between MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in children with Kawasaki disease. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and hs-CRP may play important roles in the development of Kawasaki disease. The combined measurement of MMP-2, MMP-9 and hs-CRP may be useful in the evaluation of the severity in children with Kawasaki disease.