Isolation of Peptide Inhibiting SGC-7901 Cell Proliferation from Aspongopus chinensis Dallas.

Aspongopus chinensis Dallas is used as a traditional Chinese medicine as well as an edible insect. Although its anti-tumor effects have been observed, the anti-tumor active component(s) in the hemolymph of A. chinensis remains unknown. In this study, a combination usage of ultrafiltration, gel filtration chromatography, FPLC and RP-HPLC to separate and purify active peptides was performed based on the proliferation of the human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cell line treated with candidates. One peptide (MW = 2853.3 Da) was isolated from the hemolymph of A. chinensis. A total of 24 amino acid residues were continuously determined for the active peptide: N'-ECGYCAEKGIRCDDIHCCTGLKKK-C'. In conclusion, a peptide that can inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells in the hemolymph of A. chinensis was purified in this study, which is homologous to members of the spider toxin protein family. These results should facilitate further works for this peptide, such as the cloning of genes, expression in vitro by prokaryotic or eukaryotic systems, more specific tests of anti-tumor activity, and so on.

A luminescent Zn-MOF exhibiting high water stability: selective detection of Cr(VI) ion and treatment activity on sepsis.

A fresh metal-organic framework (MOF) based on the Zn ions as the metal ions has been prepared via the solvothermal method, and its chemical formula is [Zn(byia)(DMF)]·1.5DMF·7H2O (1, byia = â€¯5-(benzimidazol-2-yl) isophthalic acid). It is worth noting that the compound 1 has excellent water stability (which can be maintained in the water for at least a month). Most fascinating, in water, the compound 1 exhibits the strong blue luminescence, which can only be selectively quenched via the contaminant of the Cr2O7 2- ion. The selective luminescence quenching with low limits of detection and high values of K sv proved its better sensing property, which can be compared with the contemporary materials. To development new strategy for the sepsis treatment, the biological activity and mechanism of the compound was explored. Firstly, the ELIA detection was performed in this experiment to assess the inhibition of compound against inflammatory factor storm during sepsis. Then, the inflammatory response in the immune cells was assessed by real time RT-PCR.

[Study of adiponectin, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in first episode drug naїve schizophrenia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the levels of adiponectin (APN), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in first episode drug naїve schizophrenics and further examine the role of adipocytokines in schizophrenia. METHODS: Ninety-six normal weight schizophrenics and 22 overweight/obese ones from First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University and 60 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and APN were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α in normal weight schizophrenics (54 ± 13, 34 ± 12, 48 ± 18) pg/ml and overweight/obese schizophrenics (71 ± 21, 40 ± 12, 53 ± 18) pg/ml were significantly higher than those in the controls (23 ± 16, 16 ± 7, 32 ± 15) pg/ml (P < 0.05). Serum levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 in overweight/obese schizophrenics were significantly higher than those in normal weight schizophrenics (P < 0.05). Serum level of adiponectin in normal weight schizophrenics was significantly higher than that in control group [(12 ± 4) vs (9 ± 4) pg/ml, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: The serum levels of APN, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α increase in first episode drug naїve schizophrenics. It suggests that an inflammatory response mediated by adipocytokines. APN may play a pro-inflammatory role in schizophrenia.