Betulin inhibits lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute liver injury in mice through activating PPAR-γ.

Betulin is a phenolic flavonoid which has been reported to possess a mass of pharmacological properties, especially anti-inflammatory activity. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effects and possible mechanism of betulin against lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-Gal)-induced acute liver injury. D-Gal and LPS were intraperitoneally injected to develop acute liver injury animal model. Betulin (2, 4 or 8 mg/kg) were given 1 h before LPS/D-Gal instillation. Liver tissues and plasma samples were collected 9 h after LPS/D-Gal were given. The results indicated that betulin dramatically decreased liver pathologic changes, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Simultaneously, the levels of interleukin (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in serum and liver tissues were both attenuated by betulin. Besides, betulin suppressed NF-κB pathway activation in a dose-dependently manner. Betulin increased the expression of PPAR-γ in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, all these results revealed that betulin could possess potential therapeutic effect for LPS/D-Gal-induced acute liver injury.

[Simulation of rainfall and snowmelt runoff reduction in a northern city based on combination of green ecological strategies.] / 基于组合绿色生态措施的北方城市雨雪径流削减模拟.

With the aim to control and reduce rainfall and snowmelt runoff in northern cities in China, the summer runoff and spring snowmelt runoff in the studied area were simulated with the establishment of storm water management model (SWMM). According to the climate characteristics and the situation of the studied area, the low impact development (LID) green ecological strategies suitable for the studied area were established. There were three kinds of management strategies being used, including extended green roof, snow and rainwater harvesting devices, and grass-swales or trenches. We examined the impacts of those integrated green ecological measures on the summer rainfall and spring snowmelt runoff and their mitigation effects on the drainage network pressure. The results showed that the maximum flow rates of the measured rainfall in May 24th, June 10th and July 18th 2016 were 2.7, 6.2 and 7.4 m3·s-1 respectively. The peak flow rates at different return periods of 1, 2, 5, 10 years were 2.39, 3.91, 6.24 and 7.85 m3·s-1, respectively. In the snowmelt period, the peak flow appeared at the beginning of March. The LID measures had positive effect on peak flow reduction, and thus delayed peak time and relieved drainage pressure. The flow reduction rate was as high as 70%. Moreover, the snow harvesting devices played a positive role in controlling snowmelt runoff in spring.

Acute single dose of ketamine relieves mechanical allodynia and consequent depression-like behaviors in a rat model.

Both chronic pain and depression are debilitating diseases, which often coexist in clinic. However, current analgesics and antidepressants exhibit limited efficacy for this comorbidity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ketamine on the comorbidity of inflammatory pain and consequent depression-like behaviors in a rat model established by intraplantar administration of complete Freunds adjuvant (CFA). The mechanical withdrawal threshold, thermal withdrawal latency, open field test, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference test were evaluated after the CFA injection and ketamine treatment. The hippocampus was harvested to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), kynurenine (KYN), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and tryptophan (TRP). The inflammatory pain-induced depression-like behaviors presented on 7days and lasted to at least 14days after the CFA injection. Single dose of ketamine at 20mg/kg relieved both the mechanical allodynia and the associated depression-like behaviors as demonstrated by the attenuated mechanical withdrawal threshold, reduced immobility time in the forced swim test, and increased sucrose preference after ketamine treatment. The total distance had no significant change after the CFA injection or ketamine treatment in the open field test. Simultaneously, ketamine reduced the levels of IL-6, IL-1ß, IDO, and KYN/TRP ratio and increased the 5-HT/TRP ratio in the hippocampus. In conclusion, acute single dose of ketamine can rapidly attenuate mechanical allodynia and consequent depression-like behaviors and down-regulate hippocampal proinflammatory responses and IDO/KYN signal pathway in rats.

Protective effect of stellate ganglion block on delayed cerebral vasospasm in an experimental rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a blockade of sympathetic ganglia innervating the head and neck, and is known to function through vasodilation of the target region. However, the effectiveness of SGB in relieving cerebral vasospasm (CVS) through dilation of intracerebral vessels has not been evaluated. The aim of the present study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of SGB in a rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) complicated by delayed CVS, and explore the underlying mechanisms. The SAH model was established by double injection of autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna. We simulated SGB by transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk (TCST), and measured changes in the diameter, perimeter and cross-sectional area of the basilar artery (BA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) to evaluate its vasodilatory effect. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we determined the expression level of vasoactive molecules endothelin-1 (ET-1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the plasma, and apoptotic modulators Bcl-2 and Bax in the hippocampus. We found a significant increase in the diameter, perimeter and cross-sectional area of the BA and right MCA in SAH rats subjected to TCST. Application of SGB significantly reduced the expression of ET-1 while increasing that of CGRP in SAH rats. We also found a significant increase in the expression of Bcl-2 and decrease in the expression of Bax in the hippocampus of SAH rats subjected to TCST, when compared to untreated SAH rats. The mechanism of action of SGB is likely mediated through alterations in the ratio of ET-1 and CGRP, and Bax and Bcl-2. These results suggest that SGB can alleviate the severity of delayed CVS by inducing dilation of intracerebral blood vessels, and promoting anti-apoptotic signaling. Our findings provide evidence supporting the use of SGB as an effective and well-tolerated approach to the treatment of CVS in various clinical settings.

Effect of intestinal function-recovering decoction on treatment of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of intestinal function-recovering decoction on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in rats, and to investigate a novel solution to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. METHODS: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was induced in 60 Sprague-Dawley rats by intestinal ischemia-reperfusion combined with cecal ligation and puncture. Then these rats were intragastrically administered physiological saline (group I, n=20), ampicillin (group II, n=20) or intestinal function-recovering decoction (group III, n=20). After treatment, serum malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase levels were compared among three groups. Simultaneously, bacterial culture of various organ tissues was performed and bacterial and endotoxin translocation were observed. RESULTS: Compared with group I, serum malondialdehyde, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05) and serum superoxide dismutase level was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the group III. However, there were no significant differences in these indices between groups II and III (P>0.05). The rate of bacterial translocation in the groups II and III was significantly lower than in the group I (P<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between groups II and III (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal function-recovering decoction can significantly reduce endotoxin and bacterial translocation and stabilize enteral oxidative-antioxidative balance.

[Effects of subsoil bulk density on late growth stage photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield of maize].

A pool-culture experiment was conducted to study the effects of different subsoil bulk density at the depths of 20-40 and 40-60 cm on the late growth stage photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield of maize. The results showed that there existed significant differences in the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and grain yield when the subsoil bulk density was differed. The Pn and grain yield decreased with increasing subsoil bulk density, and the higher the bulk density, the more significant the decrement in Pn and grain yield. The diurnal changes of Pn and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were not in the same trend. Pn was high at noon and low at twilight and dusk, and decreased with increasing subsoil bulk density; while Ci was in adverse. The stomatal limitation (Ls) and stomatal conductance (Gs) also decreased with increasing subsoil bulk density. With the development of maize, the Pn, Ls and Gs, decreased gradually, while Ci increased continuously.