ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether chlorophyllin could protect human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) against oxidative damage by inducing the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and to explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The cellular protection of chlorophyllin against oxidative damage was detected by cell-survival assay with flow cytometry. The level of free radicals was detected directly by electron spin resonance spectra. The induced expression of HO-1 was shown by RT-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence confocal laser microscopy and enzymatic activity test. Whether the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway was involved was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Chlorophyllin could protect HUVEC against oxidative damage caused by H2O2 via scavenging the excessive free radicals. Chlorophyllin treatment could induce expression of HO-1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The activation of PI3K/Akt pathway was required in the induction of HO-1. LY294002, the specific inhibitor of PI3K, could suppress the activation of PI3K/Akt and the induced expression of HO-1 in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Chlorophyllin shows cellular protection against oxidative damage by counteracting the excessive free radicals. Up-regulation of HO-1 expression plays a pivotal role in the protection of chlorophyllin, while the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is required in the induction of HO-1.
Subject(s)
Chlorophyllides/pharmacology , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Chromones/pharmacology , Heme Oxygenase-1 , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Humans , Morpholines/pharmacology , Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Signal TransductionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To get the message about the developing feature of pneumoconiosis by analyzing the data from 353 cases of pneumoconiosis diagnosed in our hospital recent 6 years. METHODS: To analyze the onset age, onset service years and incubation period of 353 cases of pneumoconiosis, especially in silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and potter's pneumoconiosis. RESULTS: 353 patients referred to 10 species of pneumoconiosis, the silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and potter's pneumoconiosis were accounted for 28.90%, 43.34% and 15.01% of total pneumoconiosis respectively. Diagnosed patients who began to exposed to dust during 1950's to 1980's accounted for 84.99% of all the diagnosed patients. The onset age, onset service years and incubation period of silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and potters pneumoconiosis all showed a shorten trend compared each other every decade, especially after 1980's, but excluded potter's pneumoconiosis because of that the ceramics industry switched to other products in Beijing. There was a positive correlation relationship between average onset age and incubation period in three main species of pneumoconiosis mentioned above, but no significant difference could be seen in average promotion years. Additionally, comparing with other type of work, jade machining workers showed such a characteristic as younger onset and short incubation period. CONCLUSION: The development situation of silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis is still no so optimistic, and the strict surveillance and administration especially to the township enterprises with poor production conditions should get further strengthen.
Subject(s)
Pneumoconiosis/diagnosis , Pneumoconiosis/epidemiology , Age of Onset , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Time FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of baicalin on pulmonary functions and its mechanism during the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by oleic acid (OA) in rats. METHODS: Rats were randomized into 5 groups: control, ARDS (OA induction, 0.12 mg/kg), baicalin-treated group (150 mg/kg), baicalin-treated group (300 mg/kg) and baicalin-treated group (450 mg/kg). The blood samples and lung tissue were collected at 10 min, 1, 2 and 6 h after OA injection. The lung concentration of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was detected by an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit. Meanwhile, blood gas analysis and pulmonary pathological examination were also performed. RESULTS: The level of arterial oxygen partial pressure and oxygenation index decreased (P < 0.01 vs. control) and oxygenation index (190 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) reached the diagnostic standard of ARDS at 2 h in ARDS group. In baicalin-treated group (150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), the level of arterial oxygen partial pressure and oxygenation index increased versus the ARDS group. In baicalin-treated group (450 mg/kg), the level of arterial oxygen partial pressure was undifferentiated at 1, 2 and 6 h (P > 0.05) and decreased at 10 min (46.8 mm Hg, P < 0.05) versus the ARDS group. The level of MPO increased in baicalin-treated (300 mg/kg) and ARDS groups. Compared with the ARDS group, the level of MPO decreased significantly in baicalin-treated group (300 mg/kg) at 10 min, 1 and 2 h. Meanwhile, the pulmonary pathological damage improved in baicalin-treated group (300 mg/kg). CONCLUSION: An appropriate dose of baicalin may improve hypoxemia of ARDS induced by OA in rats. It may be due to the inhibition of MPO activity.
