Ex Vivo Model to Evaluate the Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Gelatin-Tricalcium Phosphate Composite Incorporated with Emodin and Lumbrokinase for Bone Regeneration.

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) has gained attention due to its interconnected porous structures which promote fibrovascular invasion and bony replacement. Moreover, when gelatin is added and crosslinked with genipin (GGT), TCP exhibits robust biocompatibility and stability, making it an excellent bone substitute. In this study, we incorporated emodin and lumbrokinase (LK) into GGT to develop an antibacterial biomaterial. Emodin, derived from various plants, possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. LK comprises proteolytic enzymes extracted from the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus and exhibits fibrinolytic activity, enabling it to dissolve biofilms. Additionally, LK stimulates osteoblast activity while inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. GGT was combined with emodin and lumbrokinase to produce the GGTELK composite. The biomedical effects of GGTELK were assessed through in vitro assays and an ex vivo bone defect model. The GGTELK composite demonstrated antibacterial properties, inhibiting the growth of S. aureus and reducing biofilm formation. Moreover, it exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the secretion of IL-6 in both in vivo cell experiments and the ex vivo model. Therefore, the GGTELK composite, with its stability, efficient degradation, biocompatibility, and anti-inflammatory function, is expected to serve as an ideal bone substitute.

Purification and proteomic analysis of potent fibrinolytic enzymes extracted from Lumbricus rubellus.

BACKGROUND: Lumbrokinase derived from earthworms, Lumbricus rubellus is known to have fibrinolytic enzymes that have potential as therapeutic drugs due to its ability to dissolve fibrin. The current study is aimed to purify the Lumbrokinase from L. rubellus and identify its protein component. METHODS: Water extract of local earthworm Lumbricus rubellus revealed several proteins. Therefore, to identify its protein component, purification through HiPrep DEAE fast flow and proteomic analysis were conducted prior to identifications. A combination of two-dimension gel electrophoresis (2DE) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis was used to identify the purified fractions. RESULTS: The purified fractions contain five protein bands, namely F25-1, F25-2, F85-1, F85-2, and F85-3, which displayed strong fibrinogenolytic activity. F25 fractions showed fibrinogenolytic activity of 974.85 U/mg, while F85 fractions showed higher activity of 1,484.11 U/mg. Fractions F85-1, F85-2, and F85-3 showed molecular weights of 42.6 kDa, 27.03 kDa, and 14 kDa, respectively and were identified as Lumbrokinase iso-enzymes. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study indicates that the F25 and F85 fractions are similar to published fibrinolytic protease-1 and lumbrokinase, respectively, in terms of their amino acid sequence.

Lumbrokinase regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress to improve neurological deficits in ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is characterized by the loss of cerebral blood flow, which frequently leads to neurological deficits. Tissue plasminogen activator is the only therapeutic agent approved to treat ischemic stroke but increases the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. The fibrinogen-depleting agent lumbrokinase has been used to improve myocardial perfusion in symptomatic stable angina and to prevent secondary ischemic stroke. Lumbrokinase is highly fibrin-specific and only active in the presence of fibrin. Therefore, lumbrokinase has a low risk of hemorrhage due to excessive fibrinolysis. In this study, we aimed to clarify the neuroprotection of lumbrokinase in mice subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Lumbrokinase significantly attenuated infarct volume and improved neurological dysfunction. Lumbrokinase dramatically decreased the expressions of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane receptor protein inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1) and its downstream transcription factor, XBP-1, caspase-12, and NF-κB activity, thereby significantly inhibiting apoptosis and autophagy and decreasing the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our evidence indicates that post-stroke treatment with lumbrokinase protects against ischemic stroke, thereby regulating ER stress through the collective inhibitory effect of the IRE1 signaling pathways to decrease apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammatory responses. We suggest that lumbrokinase is potential as an adjuvant treatment for ischemic stroke.

The potential of lumbrokinase and serratiopeptidase for the degradation of Aß 1-42 peptide - an in vitro and in silico approach.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is diagnosed with the deposition of insoluble ß-amyloid (Aß) peptides in the neuropil of the brain leading to dementia. The extracellular deposition of the fibrillar Aß peptide on the neurons is known as senile plaques. Therefore, Aß degradation and clearance from the human body is a promising therapeutic approach in the medication of AD. METHODS: In the current study, the enzyme lumbrokinase (LK) was extracted and purified from earthworm and its activity was utilized toward Aß 1-42 amyloids degradation in vitro alongside with an additional enzyme serratiopeptidase (SP) considering nattokinase (NK) as a standard. RESULTS: The output of this study revealed that preformed Aß 1-42 amyloids was disintegrated by both LK and SP, as demonstrated from fluorescence assay using Thioflavin T dye. In addition, dynamic light scattering study revealed the lower size of the preformed fibrils Aß 1-42 at various time intervals after incubation with the enzymes LK and SP. Furthermore, in silico approach showed high affinity thermodynamically favorable interaction of LK as well as SP toward Aß 1-42 amyloid. Finally, the toxicity of degraded preformed Aß 1-42 amyloid was assessed by MTT assay which showed reduced toxicity of enzyme treated Aß 1-42 amyloid compared to only Aß 1-42 amyloid. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicated that LK and SP, not only had Aß 1-42 amyloid degrading potential, but also could reduce the toxicity which can make them a suitable drug candidate for AD. Furthermore, the in vivo studies are needed to be executed in future.

A Strategy for Rapid Discovery of Marker Peptides Associated with Fibrinolytic Efficacy of Pheretima aspergillum Based on Bioinformatics Combined with Parallel Reaction Monitoring.

Quality control of animal-derived traditional Chinese medicines has improved dramatically as proteomics research advanced in the past few decades. However, it remains challenging to identify quality attributes with routine proteomics approaches since protein with fibrinolytic activity is rarely reported in pheretima, a typical animal-derived traditional medicine. A novel strategy based on bioinformatics combined with parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) was developed here to rapidly discover the marker peptides associated with a fibrinolytic effect. Potential marker peptides were found by lumbrokinase sequences' alignment and in silico digestion. The fibrinogen zymography was used to visually identify fibrinolytic proteins in pheretima. As a result, it was found that the fibrinolytic activity varied among different portions of pheretima. Fibrinolytic proteins were distributed regionally in the anterior and anterior-mid portion and there was no significant fibrinogenolytic activity observed in the mid-posterior and posterior portion. Finally, PRM experiments were deployed to validate and quantify selected marker peptides and a total of 11 peptides were identified as marker peptides, which could be potentially used in quality control of pheretima. This strategy provides a robust workflow to benefit the quality control of other animal-derived traditional medicines.

Efficacy and safety of lumbrokinase plus aspirin versus aspirin alone for acute ischemic stroke (LUCENT): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lumbrokinase has been widely used for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in China; however, because rigorously designed studies are lacking, safety and efficacy of lumbrokinase in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke remains largely unknown. In this multicenter, randomized, and controlled trial, we aim to compare lumbrokinase plus aspirin versus aspirin alone in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 220 eligible participants will be randomized to either the intervention or control group with a 1:1 ratio. These participants must be diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke for the first time, whose symptoms appear within 72 h. Their NIHSS score must be greater than 5 and less than 15, and their age must be between 35 and 85 years old. They must have not received intravenous thrombolysis, arterial thrombolysis, or intravascular intervention. Participants in the intervention group will be treated with lumbrokinase plus aspirin for the first 90 days. Participants in the control group will use placebo plus aspirin for the first 90 days. Then, all participants will be treated with aspirin only and followed up for another 90 days (180-day follow-up). The primary outcome is the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. The secondary outcomes are National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, Activity of Daily Living (ADL) Scale score, coagulation function, and serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein. The exploratory outcomes are fasting lipid panel, recurrence rate, the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and the mortality rate. Safety evaluations include liver function and kidney function, serum fibrinogen, adverse events, serious adverse events, and bleeding events. Adherence of participants will also be assessed. DISCUSSION: This trial will investigate the efficacy and safety of lumbrokinase plus aspirin as compared to aspirin alone in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000032952 . Registered on May 16, 2020.

Functionalized polymeric hybrid micelles as an efficient nanotheranostic agent for thrombus imaging and thrombolysis.

Pathological thrombosis within a vessel hampers blood flow and is the mainspring of numerous fatal cardiovascular complications. In order to specifically image and dissolve a thrombus, we rationally designed a functionalized polymeric hybrid micelle (PHM) system self-assembled from amphiphilic polycaprolactone-polyethylenimine (PCL-PEI) and polycaprolactone-polyethylene glycol (PCL-PEG). Based on a biological component of thrombi, activated coagulation factor XIII (FXIIIa), which is responsible for fibrin crosslinking, we further developed FXIIIa-targeted near infrared imaging and thrombolytic nanoparticles, termed IR780/FPHM/LK NPs, through chemical conjugation of peptides to the system. In a ferric chloride (FeCl3)-induced mouse carotid thrombosis model, IR780/FPHM/LK NPs specifically targeted the thrombus and significantly enhanced the photoacoustic signal for an accurate diagnosis. When loaded with the fibrinolytic drug lumbrokinase (LK), FPHM remarkably dissociated the thrombus accompanied by an increase in the d-dimer level, a fibrin degradation product, and alleviation of fatal nonspecific hemorrhagic risk. Given its thrombus-specific imaging along with potent therapeutic activities, IR780/FPHM/LK NPs hold promise for developing nanotheranostic agents in preclinical thrombotic vascular disease models.

High-quality genome assembly of Metaphire vulgaris.

Earthworms enrich the soil and protect the health of their ecological environment. Previous studies on these invertebrates determined their protein content, hormone secretions, medicinal value, and ecological habits, but their whole genomic sequence remains incomplete. We performed whole genome sequencing of Metaphire vulgaris (Chen, 1930), which belongs to the genus Metaphire of the family Megascolecidae. The genome assembly was 729 Mb, with a N50 contig size of 4.2 Mb. In total, 559 contigs were anchored to 41 chromosomes according to the results of Hi-C (High-throughput Chromosome Conformation Capture) technology, which was confirmed by karyological analysis. A comparison of the genomic sequences and genes indicated that there was a whole-genome duplication in M. vulgaris followed by several chromosome fusion events. Hox genes and lumbrokinase genes were identified as partial clusters surrounding the genome. Our high-quality genome assembly of M. vulgaris will provide valuable information for gene function and evolutionary studies in earthworms.

Platelet membrane-functionalized nanoparticles with improved targeting ability and lower hemorrhagic risk for thrombolysis therapy.

Intravenous injection of thrombolytic drugs is the most effective strategy for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. However, the clinical application of most thrombolytic drugs is limited by hemorrhagic risks and narrow therapeutic index. The targeted drug delivery systems may help to address these problems. Inspired by the crucial role of platelets in the process of thrombus, Platelet membrane-coated PLGA cores loading lumbrokinase (PNPs/LBK) were designed for effective thrombolysis with reduced hemorrhagic risk. Using a mouse carotid thrombosis model, the affinity of platelet membrane-coated nanoparticles to the thrombus was confirmed. Also, the PNPs/LBK exhibited excellent thrombolytic efficacy at a low dose, compared with free LBK. More importantly, PNPs/LBK showed less adverse effect on the function of the coagulation system, and thus reduced hemorrhagic risk. These results indicated that a promising thrombus-targeted drug delivery system was achieved by coating PLGA nanoparticles with platelet membrane. Such rationally designed drug delivery system will provide a broad platform for thrombus treatment.

The Potential of Serratiopetidase and Lumbrokinase for the Degradation of Prion Peptide 106-126 - an In Vitro and In Silico Perspective.

BACKGROUND: PrPC is a host-encoded prion protein, which gets post translationally modified into a transmissible, ß-sheet rich disease associated protein called PrPSc, responsible for the Prion disease including mad cow disease in cattle and CJD in humans. The PrP 106-126 region in PrPSc peptide initiates the conformational change in that protein leading to fibrillation. Any agent that can destabilize or disintegrate such proteins can be served as a potential drug candidate for Prion diseases. METHODS: In the present study, an enzyme Lumbrokinase (LK) was isolated from earthworm and its activity was exploited towards PrP 106-126 amyloids in vitro along with another enzyme Serratiopeptidase (SP) taking Nattokinase (NK) as a standard. RESULTS: The results showed that PrP 106-126 amyloid formation was inhibited by both LK and SP, as evidenced from Thioflavin T fluorescence assay. Further, the size of fibrils as estimated by dynamic light scattering, was also found to be lower at different time intervals after incubation of the prion amyloids with LK and SP. Additionally, the molecular dynamics simulation revealed the thermodynamically favorable interaction of PrP 106-126 with LK as well as with SP with high affinity. CONCLUSION: Finally, the toxicity of the disintegrated amyloids was assessed using PC12 cell lines which showed higher cell viability in case of LK and SP treated amyloids compared to only PrP 106- 126 amyloid treatment. Altogether, the study concluded that the serine proteases like LK and SP have the potential to disintegrate PrP 106-126 amyloids with improved cell viability. The in vivo studies are needed to be executed in future.

Lumbrokinase effects on pro- and anti-apoptotic gene expression in Wistar rats with testicular torsion.

BACKGROUND: Testicular reperfusion is believed to be the mechanism by which testicular injury occurs in the ischemic testis. This study was performed to determine the therapeutic efficacy of lumbrokinase for treating ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury-induced bilateral testicular torsion. METHODS: Twenty-four male rats were equally divided into the following groups: torsion only (T), torsion plus lumbrokinase (TL), torsion-detorsion only (TD) and torsion-detorsion plus lumbrokinase (TDL) groups. The right testicle in each groups sample was rotated 720° for 4 h, followed by orchiectomy. The rats in the TD (TD and TDL) groups additionally underwent detorsion for 1 h after the initial rotation. Testicular tissues were collected for measuring anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and pro-apoptotic BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX) gene expression levels using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Pro- and anti-apoptotic gene expression levels were increased in the TD groups. Lumbrokinase was significantly effective in lowering BAX expression levels, particularly those in the TDL group compared with those in the TD group (P<0.05). Lumbrokinase did not significant change BCL-2 expression levels. CONCLUSION: The administration of lumbrokinase before orchiectomy can protect against IR-induced testicular damage by reducing pro-apoptotic gene expression levels.

Pheretima aspergillum extract attenuates high-KCl-induced mitochondrial injury and pro-fibrotic events in cardiomyoblast cells.

Hyperkalemia is often associated with cardiac dysfunction. In this study an earthworm extract (dilong) was prepared from dried Pheretima aspergillum powder and its effect against high-KCl challenge was determined in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. H9c2 cells pre-treated with dilong (31.25, 62.5, 125, and 250 mg/mL) for 24 hours, where challenged with different doses of KCl treatment for 3 hours to determine the protective mechanisms of dilong against cardiac fibrosis. High-KCl administration induced mitochondrial injury and elevated the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins. The mediators of fibrosis such as ERK, uPA, SP1, and CTGF were also found to be upregulated in high-KCl condition. However, dilong treatment enhanced IGF1R/PI3k/Akt activation which is associated with cell survival. In addition, dilong also reversed high-KCl induced cardiac fibrosis related events in H9c2 cells and displayed a strong cardio-protective effect. Therefore, dilong is a potential agent to overcome cardiac events associated with high-KCl toxicity.

Targeted thrombolysis by using c-RGD-modified N,N,N-Trimethyl Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with lumbrokinase.

Lumbrokinase (LK) has strong fibrinolytic and thrombolytic activities, but it has a short half-life, can be easily inactivated, and may cause hemorrhage as a side effect. This study develops a potential thrombolytic therapy by fabricating N,N,N-Trimethyl Chitosan (TMC) nanoparticles modified with the cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe-Lys peptide (c-RGD) and loaded with LK (i.e. c-RGD-LK-NPs). The binding of c-RGD to platelet membrane GPIIb/IIIa receptors is expected to enable targeted delivery of the c-RGD-conjugated TMC to the thrombus. The synthesized c-RGD-LK-NPs had a mean particle size of 232.0 nm, zeta potential of 19.8 mV, entrapment efficiency of 52.7% ± 2.5%, and loading efficiency of 17.4% ± 0.65%. Transmission electron microscopy showed that they were generally spherical. The c-RGD-LK-NPs gave a cumulative in vitro LK release of 80.6% over 8 h, and the activity of LK was close to 80%, indicating that the nanoparticles protected the activity of LK. In vitro blood clot lysis assays were carried out and in vivo thrombolysis effect was tested in Sprague-Dawley rats carotid artery thrombus model. In all cases, the c-RGD-LK-NPs showed superior performance compared with the free LK and the unmodified TMC nanoparticles loaded with LK. The c-RGD-LK-NPs reagent is expected to be potentially useful in treating thromboembolic diseases.

Synthesis and evaluation of cationic polymeric micelles as carriers of lumbrokinase for targeted thrombolysis.

To achieve targeted thrombolysis, a targeted delivery system of lumbrokinase (LK) was constructed using RGDfk-conjugated hybrid micelles. Based on the specific affinity of RGDfk to glycoprotein complex of GPⅡb/Ⅲa expressed on the surface of membrane of activated platelet, LK loaded targeted micelles (LKTM) can be delivered to thrombus. The hybrid micelles were composed of polycaprolactone-block-poly (2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PCL-PDMAEMA), methoxy polyethylene glycol-block- polycaprolactone (mPEG-PCL) and RGDfk conjugated polycaprolactone-block- polyethylene glycol (PCL-PEG-RGDfk). PCL-PDMAEMA was synthesized via ring open polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). PCL-PEG-RGDfk was synthesized via ROP and carbodiimide chemistry. The prepared LKTM was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Colloidal stability assay showed the prepared LKTM was stable. Biocompatibility assay was performed to determine the safe concentration range of polymer. The assay of fluorescent distribution in vivo demonstrated that LKTM can be efficiently delivered to thrombi in vivo. Thrombolysis in vivo indicated the thrombolytic potency of LKTM was optimal in all groups. Notably, the laboratory mice treated with LKTM exhibited a significantly shorter tail bleeding time compared to those treated with LK or LK-loaded micelles without RGDfk, which suggested that the targeted delivery of LK using RGDfk-conjugated hybrid micelles effectively reduced the bleeding risk.

Improved blood compatibility of polysulfone membrane by anticoagulant protein immobilization.

Two anticoagulant proteins, nattokinase and lumbrokinase, were successfully immobilized onto the dopamine-coated polysulfone (PSf) membrane surface by covalent bonding. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Zeta potential measurement confirmed the immobilization of these anticoagulant proteins. The immobilization yield of nattokinase and lumbrokinase reached to 35.2 and 33.4 µg/cm2, respectively. The water contact angle measurement revealed that the membrane surface hydrophilicity was improved after immobilizing the anticoagulant proteins. Meanwhile, the immobilized proteins retained their biological activity. Then blood compatible tests demonstrated that the modified membranes had lower static protein adsorption, platelet/erythrocyte adhesion, hemolysis, as well as longer blood clotting time, compared to virgin PSf membrane. In addition, the nattokinase-immobilized membrane showed a higher blood compatibility than BSA and lumbrokinase immobilized memrbanes, due to its' high bioactivity. Our research demonstrates that the dopamine-assisted immobilization of nattokinase and lumbrokinase can endow the membranes with improved blood compatibility as well as high biological activity, which may be expected to apply to blood-contacting materials.

Effect of lumbrokinase on the synthesis of Src and FAK induced by TGF-β1 in human renal tubular epithelial cells / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To observe the regulation of lumbrukinase on the expression of α-smooth muscle actin,fibronectin,focal adhesion kinase and Src kinase induced by transforming growth factor β1 in human renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods According to random number table method,the human renal tubular epithelial cells were divided into the normal group,TGF-β1 model group,benazepril group,lumbrukinase low,medium and high dose group.Except the normal group,the other groups were treated with TGF-β1 10 μg/ml.After 30 minutes,the benazepril group added benazepril 10 μmol/L,and the low,medium,high dose groups of lumbrukinase were respectively treated with lumbrokinase 30,60,120 U/ml to intervene.After 24 hours of cultivation.Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of α-SMA,FN,FAK and Src.Results Compared with the model group,the expressions of α-SMA (0.84 ± 0.14,0.72 ± 0.08,0.69 ± 0.05 vs.1.24 ± 0.03) and FN (0.59 ± 0.09,0.55 ± 0.11,0.44 ± 0.08 vs.0.83 ± 0.18) and FAK (0.94 ± 0.04,0.79 ± 0.05,0.70 ± 0.02 vs.1.29 ± 0.07) and Src (0.87 ± 0.20,0.78 ± 0.15,0.71 ± 0.11 vs.1.23 ± 0.01) proteins in the high doses of lumbrical kinase group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P＜0.05),the expressions of α-SMA (3.13 ± 0.62,2.76 ± 0.14,2.15 ± 0.33 vs.4.12 ± 0.32) and FN (3.08 ± 0.34,2.78 ± 0.17,2.49 ± 0.11 vs.4.34 ± 0.06) and FAK (1.73 ± 0.23,1.63 ± 0.36,1.57 ± 0.27 vs.2.61 ± 0.59) and Src (2.11 ± 0.17,1.78 ± 0.25,1.71 ± 0.22 vs.2.78 ± 0.47) mRNA in the high doses of lumbrical kinase group decreased significantly (P＜0.05).Conclusions Lumbrokinase may prevent the development of renal fibrosis by regulating the expression ofFN,FAK and and reducing the production of α-SMA,FN.

Inhibitory effect of lumbrokinase on proliferation and induction on apoptosis of gastric cancer sgc7901 cells / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effect of lumbrukinase CI.RK) on the gastric cancer SGC7901 Cells, and to clarify its mechanism Methods: The SGC7901 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were selected and divided into control group and 2, 4 , 8 U • ml. I.RK groups. MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory rates of proliferation of SGC7901 cells in various groups in vitro at different time (24, 48 and 72 h). Cell scratch assay was used to detect the migration abilities of the SGC7901 cells in vitro in various groups. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic rates of SGC7901 cells and the pencentages of cells at different cell cycles in various groups. The expression levels of Bcl-2, Rax, and caspase-3 in the SGC790I cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method. Results: The results of MTT assay showed that compared with control group, the inhibitory rates of SGC7901 cells in different doses of I.RK groups after treated for 24, 48 and 72 h were increased ( P<0.01). The cell scratch assay results showed that compared with control group, the migration distances of SGC790I cells in 4 and 8 U • mL"1 I.RK groups were increased significantly ( P

Inhibitory effect of lumbrokinase on proliferation and induction on apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells / 吉林大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effect of lumbrukinase (LBK) on the gastric cancer SGC7901cells, and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The SGC7901cells in the logarithmic growth phase were selected and divided into control group and 2, 4, 8U·mL-1 LBK groups.MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory rates of proliferation of SGC7901cells in various groups in vitro at different time (24, 48and 72h) .Cell scratch assay was used to detect the migration abilities of the SGC7901cells in vitro in various groups.Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic rates of SGC7901cells and the pencentages of cells at different cell cycles in various groups.The expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3in the SGC7901cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:The results of MTT assay showed that compared with control group, the inhibitory rates of SGC7901cells in different doses of LBK groups after treated for 24, 48and 72hwere increased (P＜0.01) .The cell scratch assay results showed that compared with control group, the migration distances of SGC7901cells in4and 8U·mL-1 LBK groups were increased significantly (P＜0.01) .The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group, the apoptotic rates of SGC7901cells in 4and 8U·mL-1 LBK groups were increased significantly (P＜0.01) ;the percentages of cells in G1and S phases were decreased (P＜0.01) ;the percentages of cells in G2phase were increased (P＜0.01) .The results of Western blotting method showed that compared with control group, the Bcl-2protein expression level in the SGC7901cells in 8U·mL-1 LBK group was decreased (P＜0.05) ;the Bax and caspase-3protein expression levels were increased (P＜0.05) .Conclusion:LBK can inhibit the proliferation and migration abilities of SGC7901cells in vitro and induce the apoptosis;its mechanism is achieved through the regulation of expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3proteins.

Sirt1 Activation by Post-ischemic Treatment With Lumbrokinase Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Lumbrokinase is used as an oral supplement to support and maintain healthy cardiovascular function, and to treat cardiovascular diseases in clinical for more than 10 years. Up until now, the mechanism of the cardioprotective effects of post-ischemic treatment with lumbrokinase has remained unclear. We therefore investigated the signaling pathways involved in the amelioration of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in rats treated with lumbrokinase 20 min after myocardial ischemia. Compared to vehicle-treated rats, post-ischemic treatment with lumbrokinase was associated with significant reductions in myocardial I-R-induced arrhythmias and myocardial damage, and an improvement in cardiac function. Moreover, lumbrokinase significantly upregulated levels of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1). In addition, lumbrokinase significantly increased manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase expression, decreased Cleaved-Caspase-3 expression, and induced deacetylation of FoxO1. On the other hand, lumbrokinase also significantly downregulated levels of succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and elevated levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3. Notably, the cardioprotective effects of lumbrokinase were abolished by administration of the specific Sirt1 inhibitor EX527. These findings demonstrate that post-ischemic treatment with lumbrokinase attenuates myocardial I-R injury through the activation of Sirt1 signaling, and thus enhances autophagic flux and reduces I-R-induced oxidative damage, inflammation and apoptosis.

Lumbrokinase/paclitaxel nanoparticle complex: potential therapeutic applications in bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lumbrokinase (LK) is an enzyme complex with antithrombotic, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory effects. It has been extensively studied and used in clinical anti-tumor therapy. However, its half-life is short, its bioavailability is low, and its toxicity and side effects are great, which greatly limit its clinical application. Therefore, LK is often combined with other drugs (such as immune agents, hormones, or Chinese herbal medicine) to reduce its dosage and side effects and to improve its anti-tumor effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we described an LK/paclitaxel (PTX) nanocarrier based on poly(ethylene glycol)-b-(poly(ethylenediamine l-glutamate)-g-poly(ε-benzyoxycarbonyl-l-lysine)-r-poly(l-lysine)) (PEG-b-(PELG-g-(PZLL-r-PLL))). In the present study, LK and PTX were loaded by electrostatic and/or hydrophobic effects under mild conditions, thereby increasing the half-life and bioavailability of the drugs via the sustained release and enhancement of tumor site enrichment by the LK/PTX/PEG-b-(PELG-g-(PZLL-r-PLL)) complex through passive targeting. In this study, using bladder cancer cells (J82 cells) and rat bladder cancer model as the object, the structure of the nanocarrier, the relationship between drugs composition and antitumor properties were systematically studied. CONCLUSION: We propose that the block copolymer PEG-b-(PELG-g-(PZLL-r-PLL)) may function as a potent nanocarrier for augmenting anti-bladder cancer pharmacotherapy, with unprecedented clinical benefits.