Total Saponin Fraction of Dioscorea Nipponica Makino Improves Gouty Arthritis Symptoms in Rats via M1/M2 Polarization of Monocytes and Macrophages Mediated by Arachidonic Acid Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of effects of total saponin fraction from Dioscorea Nipponica Makino (TSDN) on M1/M2 polarization of monocytes/macrophages and arachidonic acid (AA) pathway in rats with gouty arthritis (GA). METHODS: Seventy-two Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=18 in each): normal, model, TSDN at 160 mg/kg, and celecoxib at 43.3 mg/kg. Monosodium urate crystal (MSU) was injected into the rats' ankle joints to induce an experimental GA model. Blood and tissue samples were collected on the 3rd, 5th, and 8th days of drug administration. Histopathological changes in the synovium of joints were observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of arachidonic acid (AA) signaling pathway were assessed via real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportion of M1 and M2 macrophages in the peripheral blood. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect interleukine (IL)-1 ß, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-4, IL-10, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). RESULTS: HE staining showed that TSDN improved the synovial tissue. qPCR and Western blot showed that on the 3rd, 5th and 8th days of drug administration, TSDN reduced the mRNA and protein expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)2, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 derived eicosanoids (mPGES-1), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), recombinant human mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NALP3), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in rats' ankle synovial tissues (P<0.01). TSDN decreased COX1 mRNA and protein expression on 3rd and 5th day of drug administration and raised it on the 8th day (both P<0.01). It lowered CD68 protein expression on days 3 (P<0.01), as well as mRNA and protein expression on days 5 and 8 (P<0.01). On the 3rd, 5th, and 8th days of drug administration, TSDN elevated the mRNA and protein expression of Arg1 and CD163 (P<0.01). Flow cytometry results showed that TSDN decreased the percentage of M1 macrophages while increasing the percentage of M2 in peripheral blood (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ELISA results showed that on the 3rd, 5th, and 8th days of drug administration, TSDN decreased serum levels of IL-1 ß, TNF-α, and LTB4 (P<0.01), as well as PGE2 levels on days 3rd and 8th days (P<0.05 or P<0.01); on day 8 of administration, TSDN increased IL-4 serum levels and enhanced IL-10 contents on days 5 and 8 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The anti-inflammatory effect of TSDN on rats with GA may be achieved by influencing M1/M2 polarization through AA signaling pathway.

Simiao Yong'an decoction ameliorates murine collagen-induced arthritis by modulating neutrophil activities: An in vitro and in vivo study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common systemic autoimmune disease with high morbidity and disability rate. Currently, there is no effective allopathic treatment for RA, and most of the drugs provoke many adverse effects. Simiao Yong'an decoction (SMYAD) is a traditional Chinese prescription for the treatment of sore and gangrene caused by hot poison. With the development of pharmacology and clinical research, SMYAD has remarkable anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for RA treatments for years. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of SMYAD and further explore the immunopharmacological mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arthritis was induced in DBA/1 mice by two-time immunizations. Collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) mice were divided into 4 groups: control, model, methotrexate (MTX), and SMYAD group (n = 6). The administration groups were given MTX (0.5 mg/kg/3 d) and SMYAD (4.5 g/kg/d) by gavage from day 14. The arthritis index (AI) score was evaluated every 3 days after the second immunization. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, Safranin-O fast green staining, Trap staining, and Micro-CT were used to measure the histopathology injuries and bone destruction of joints. Granulocyte changes in the spleen, bone marrow, and period blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in joints were detected by qRT-PCR. SMYAD-containing serum was obtained from SD rats gavaged with SMYAD. Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and bone marrow for the in vitro experiments of transwell cell assay, apoptosis assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation. RESULTS: SMYAD significantly relieved arthritis severity in CIA mice. The AI score was significantly decreased in the SMYAD group compared with the model group. Additionally, SMYAD alleviated inflammatory infiltration, cartilage damage, osteoclast formation, and bone damage in the ankle joints. In the flow cytometry assay, SMYAD significantly reduced granulocytes number in the spleen and bone marrow, while increased in peripheral blood. Furthermore, compared with the CIA group, SMYAD suppressed the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and chemokines CXCL1, CXCL2, and IL-8 in the inflamed joints. In the in vitro studies, 20% SMYAD-containing serum effectively inhibited the migration of neutrophils, promoted neutrophils apoptosis, reduced ROS production and NETs formation. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results demonstrated that SMYAD effectively restrained arthritis in CIA mice by modulating neutrophil activities.

Effects of Total Saponins from Dioscorea Nipponica Makino on Monosodium Urate-Induced M1-Polarized Macrophages through Arachidonic Acid Signaling Pathway: An in vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and reveal the underlying mechanism of the effect of total saponins from Dioscoreae nipponica Makino (TSDN) on the arachidonic acid pathway in monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced M1-polarized macrophages. METHODS: M1 polarization of RAW264.7 cells were induced by 1 µ g/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide method was then used to screen the concentration of TSDN. MSU (500 µ g/mL) was used to induce the gouty arthritis model. Afterwards, 10 µ g/L TSDN and 8 µ mol/L celecoxib, which was used as a positive control, were added to the above LPS and MSU-induced cells for 24 h. The mRNA and protein expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), microsomal prostaglandin E synthase derived eicosanoids (mPGES)-1, leukotriene B (LTB)4, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4A, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test the contents of M1 markers, including inducible nitric oxid synthase (NOS) 2, CD80, and CD86. RESULTS: TSDN inhibited the proliferation of M1 macrophages and decreased both the mRNA and protein expressions of COX2, 5-LOX, CYP4A, LTB4, and PGE2 (P<0.01) while increased the mRNA and protein expression of mPGES-1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TSDN could also significantly decrease the contents of NOS2, CD80, and CD86 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: TSDN has an anti-inflammation effect on gouty arthritis in an in vitro model by regulating arachidonic acid signaling pathway.

[Formation of neutrophil extracellular traps and their effects on autoimmune diseases].

Neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) are networks of extracellular fibers primarily composed of DNA, histones, granular proteins, and cytoplasmic proteins and released to the outside of cells by neutrophils under the stimulation of bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, etc. NETs are generated in two forms, suicidal NETs and vital NETs, according to different stimuli. NETs have both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effects. On the one hand, they can play the anti-microbial role to resist inflammation by capturing, fixing, and killing invading pathogens, which is a special way for neutrophils to exert host defenses. On the other hand, in case of excessive formation or insufficient elimination, they can cause tissue damage directly, and also promote the release of inflammatory factors by recruiting other pro-inflammatory cells or proteins to further expand the inflammatory response, which is related to the pathologies of many diseases. In autoimmune diseases, NETs as important sources of autoantigens, can act as danger-associated molecular patterns( DAMPs) and activate the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeats containing pyrin domain 3(NLRP3) inflammasome and complement system, thereby breaking self-tolerance and accelerating autoimmune inflammation. In addition, NETs can also activate other immune cells(such as B cells, antigen-presenting cells, and T cells) and regulate the acquired immune response. The present study reviewed the correlation of NETs with diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE), rheumatoid arthritis(RA), and gouty arthritis(GA) to reveal the effect of dynamic balance between formation and clearance of NETs in autoimmune diseases and provide a theoretical basis for the investigation of underlying mechanisms and targeted therapies of traditional Chinese medicine.

Absent atherosclerotic risk factors are associated with carotid stiffening quantified with ultrafast ultrasound imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate carotid stiffening in participants without conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) by using ultrafast pulse wave velocity (ufPWV). METHODS: The present study enrolled 517 participants without conventional CVRFs (CVRF-Free total population). Subjects in this population were defined as current non-smokers with untreated blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg, fasting blood glucose (FBG) < 7.0 mmol/L, total cholesterol (TC) < 6.2 mmol/L, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol < 4.1 mmol/L, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥ 1.0 mmol/L. Participants in the subgroup with optimal CVRFs (CVRF-Optimal subgroup; n = 188) were defined as having blood pressure < 120/80 mmHg, TC < 5.2 mmol/L, and FBG < 5.6 mmol/L. Clinical interviews, physical examinations, serum draw, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and ufPWV were evaluated. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals and ordinal logistic regression models were used. RESULTS: Carotid stiffening was present in 46.2-54.5% of CVRF-Free subjects. Age, male sex, and body mass index (BMI) were independently associated with carotid stiffening in both the CVRF-Free total population and CVRF-Optimal subgroup (OR for age = 1.10-1.11, OR for male sex = 2.65-7.19, OR for BMI = 1.34-1.62; p < 0.05). Carotid stiffening was associated with TC only in the CVRF-Free total population (OR for TC = 1.84; p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Many CVRF-Free individuals have carotid stiffening. ufPWV for atherosclerotic stiffening aids the assessment of early atherogenesis and may further clarify the true status of healthy adults without CVRFs. KEY POINTS: • CVRF-Optimal individuals have a lower carotid stiffness than CVRF-Free populations. • ufPWV is a quantitative predictor for the early assessment of AS. • Absent major CVRFs cannot be considered low risk for carotid stiffening and atherosclerosis.

Anti-inflammation effects of the total saponin fraction from Dioscorea nipponica Makino on rats with gouty arthritis by influencing MAPK signalling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Dioscorea nipponica Makino is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat gouty arthritis. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: the normal group, model group, colchicine group (COL) and three total saponin groups (RDN) (high dose [160 mg/kg], middle dose [80 mg/kg] and low dose [40 mg/kg]). HE staining was used to detect the histopathologic changes of the synovial tissue of joint. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the protein expressions of P-38, p-P38, JNK, p-JNK, ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, MEK1/2, p-MEK1/2, MKK4, p-MKK4, ICAM1, VCAM1, and PPARγ in the synovial tissue of joint. Realtime PCR and WB methods were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ and AdipoR2 in the synovial tissue of joint. The contents of CXCL1 and ADP in the blood serum were measured by Elisa method. RESULTS: Our study showed that RDN could improve the situation of the synovial tissue, reduce the protein expressions of MKK4, p-MEK1/2, p-JNK, p-ERK1/2, ICAM1. They could also decrease the content of CXCL1 and increase the content of ADP in the blood serum. CONCLUSION: RDN has good effect of anti-inflammation. This is in part realized by influencing MAPK signalling pathway. It provides a new visual angle to reveal the mechanism of RDN to treat GA.

[Biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica of berberine in Gegen Qinlian decoction].

One of the top-level researches of biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica (CMMBCS) is the study on single component in compound Chinese medicine. The medicines shall be classified according to its solubility and intestinal permeability, as well as the ascending degree in multicomponent environment. Based on above, we chose berberine as the main object to explore the change rules of its solubility and intestinal permeability in Gegen Qinlian decoction. Shaking flask-HPLC was used to detect the solubility changes of berberine in compounds. The qualitative investigation of berberine in intestinal absorption was measured by everted gut sac, and the quantitative research of berberine in intestinal absorption was measured by single-pass intestinal perfusion experiment, while the qualitative and quantitative research of berberine absorption into blood was measured by in intestinal perfusion with venous sampling experiment.

High-pressure structures of yttrium hydrides.

In this work, the crystal structures of YH3 and YH4 at high pressure (100-250 GPa) have been explored using a genetic algorithm combined with first-principles calculations. New structures of YH3 with space group symmetries of P21/m and I4/mmm were predicted. The electronic structures and the phonon dispersion properties of various YH3 and YH4 structures at different temperatures and pressures were investigated. Among YH3 phases, the P21/m structure of YH3 was found to have a relatively high superconducting transformation temperature T c of 19 K at 120 GPa, which is reduced to 9 K at 200 GPa. Other YH3 structures have much lower T cs. Compared with YH3, the T c of the YH4 compound is much higher, i.e. 94 K at 120 GPa and 55 K at 200 GPa.

[Overall intestinal permeability of multiple components in lotus leaves].

In the study of biopharmaceutics classification system of Chinese materia medica (CMMBCS), the interactions of multiple components in the absorption should be taken into consideration in simultaneous multi-component determination. To investigate the absorption of multiple components, the in vitro everted gut sac model was used in this study, wtih lotus leaves as the research object. Aquantitative analysis was also carried out for the known components in this study. Totally 19 components in lotus extracts were absorbed by the intestinal tract, the Papp levels of the known components were nuciferine (1×10⁻5-1×10⁻6 cm•s⁻¹), rutin (1×10⁻6-1×10⁻7 cm•s⁻¹), hyperoside (1×10⁻6 cm•s⁻¹), isoquercitrin (1×10⁻6-1×10⁻7 cm•s⁻¹) and astragalin (1×10⁻6-1×10⁻7 cm•s⁻¹), respectively. These components showed a low permeability under a multi-component environment. This study was carried out to lay a foundation for further relevant target studies for different categories of components.

Fluorescent studies on the interaction of DNA and ternary lanthanide complexes with cinnamic acid-phenanthroline and antibacterial activities testing.

Twelve lanthanide complexes with cinnamate (cin(-) ) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) were synthesized and characterized. Their compositions were assumed to be RE(cin)3 phen (RE(3+) = La(3+) , Pr(3+) , Nd(3+) , Sm(3+) , Eu(3+) , Gd(3+) , Tb(3+) , Dy(3+) , Ho(3+) , Tm(3+) , Yb(3+) , Lu(3+) ). The interaction mode between the complexes and DNA was investigated by fluorescence quenching experiment. The results indicated the complexes could bind to DNA and the main binding mode is intercalative binding. The fluorescence quenching constants of the complexes increased from La(cin)3 phen to Lu(cin)3 phen. Additionally, the antibacterial activity testing showed that the complexes exhibited excellent antibacterial ability against Escherichia coli, and the changes of antibacterial ability are in agreement with that of the fluorescence quenching constants.

[Synthesis and fluorescence properties of the complexes [(Tb(x)Y(1-x)) (HL)L'Cl x 1/2H2O]].

By replacing a part of terbium ions with yttrium ions using doping method, a series of dinuclear complexes of 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) and phenanthroline (phen) with different molar ratios of Tb3+ to Y3+ were synthesized in the present paper. Their elemental analysis, rare earth complexometric titration, molar conductivity, IR spectra and UV spectra were studied, and the contents of terbium and yttrium of three doped complexes were measured by a plasma emission spectrophotometer. Their chemical formula is inferred to be (Tb(x)Y(1-x)) (HL)L'Cl x 1/2H2O (x = 0.10, 0.30, 0.50, 0.70, 0.90, L = BTC3-, L' = phen). The infrared spectra and ultraviolet spectra were determined, the results showed that the rare earth ions are bounded with the oxygen atoms of trimesic acid, and with the nitrogen atoms of phenanthroline. The fluorescence spectra of the complexes were determined at the room temperature (the exit and entrance slits are both 1.5 nm). The fluorescence intensity of terbium doped yttrium complexes is stronger than those of the terbium complex; it was showed that the fluorescence intensity of Tb3+ ion is greatly enhanced by Y3+ ion in the complexes. The fluorescence intensity of (Tb0.7 Y0.3)(HL)L'C1 x 1/2H2O complex is the strongest among the six complexes. The lowest excitation state energy level of Tb3+ ion and the triplet state energy level of the ligands (H3BTC and phen) match well each other, and the absorbing energy of the ligands is effectively transferred to Tb3+ ion.

[Synthesis and fluorescence properties of complexes of terbium with red fluorescence].

Two terbium complexes were synthesized, with dibenzoylmethane (HDBM) as the first ligand and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c] quinoxaline as the second ligand. The studies of elemental analysis, rare earth complexometric titration, molar conduction, IR spectra, UV spectra, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra indicate that the complexes have the compositions of Tb (DBM)3 phen and Tb (DBM)3dpq. The results show that the rare earth ion (Tb3+) was bonded with the carbonyl oxygen atom of DBM and nitrogen atoms of phen and dpq. For the terbium complexes prepared by precipitation, the peak positions of the transitions were similar with the ones of the common complexes. The peaks at 490, 545, 586 and 621 nm were assigned to the D4 --> 7F6, 5D4 --> 7F6, D4 --> 7F6, 5D4 --> 7F6 transitions. For the fluorescence intensities of their 5D4 --> 7F6, 5D4 --> 7F5 and 5D4 --> 7F4 transitions were lower than that of the 5D4 --> 7F3 transition, the terbium complexes did not exhibit the characteristic fluorescence (green), but strong red fluorescence. The reason why terbium complexes exhibit the red fluorescence was investigated in the paper by studying the triplet state of ligands, the energy level transitions of complexes and the aggregation state of particles.

[Surgical management of hypopharyngeal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preservation of laryngeal function for the patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. METHODS: Two hundred and ninety-three cases of hypopharyngeal cancer with surgical management were reviewed retrospectively, and 222 cases were originated from pyriform sinus, 13 from post-cricoid, and 21 from posterior pharyngeal wall. Radiotherapy (37 cases), operation only (56 cases) and the combined treatment (operation plus radiation or chemotherapy, 200 cases) were adopted. 159 cases were treated with function preserved laryngectomy and 97 with total laryngectomy. RESULTS: The 5 year survival rates of patient with laryngeal function preserved and no laryngeal function preserved were 51.3%, 47.6% (for stage III); 40.4%, 43.3% (for stage IV), respectively. There were no significant differences in 5-year survival between the functionally preserved group and no functioned group (P > 0.05). The analysis of survival rates revealed a significant difference between combined therapy and radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between the survive rates of function preserved and non-preserved groups. Conservation laryngectomy improves the quality of patient's life, and combined therapy is the best choice for hypopharyngeal cancer.