Glucocorticoids promote joint microenvironment alteration of GABBR1 expression associated with mitigating rheumatoid arthritis.

GABBR1 receptors have been implicated in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) was shown to be downregulated by GABA and result in unchecked production of pro-inflammatory cytokine. GABBR1 is a member of GABA receptors, and it is known to be upregulated and plays a vital role in RA. Glucocorticoids are efficient therapeutics in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are known to regulate GABA actions; therefore, we intended to investigate the potential of glucocorticoids in RA concerning the potential pathway GABBR1/MAPK. Joint specimens were obtained from collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. A double-blind semi-quantitative analysis of vascularity, cell infiltration, as well as lining thickness by help of a 4-point scale setting was used to assess joint inflammation. Expression of GABBR1 and p38 was evaluated immunohistochemically. In vitro peripheral blood (PB), synovial fluid (SF), and mononuclear cells (MCs) were acquired from RA mice. Western blotting was used for detecting expression of GABBR1 and p38 proteins. The presence of high levels of GABBR1 and p38 was prevalent in RA joints relative to healthy joints and related to the inflammation level. Glucocorticoid treatment alters GABBR1 along with p38 protein expression in joints while reducing joint inflammation. Ex vivo and in vitro assays revealed glucocorticoids have a direct impact on p38, such as the decreased GABBR1 expression level after dexamethasone incubation with SFMC. GABBR1 together with p38 expression in RA joints depends on local inflammation and can be targeted by glucocorticoids.

Enhanced cavitation dose and reactive oxygen species production in microbubble-mediated sonodynamic therapy for inhibition of Escherichia coli and biofilm.

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is an emerging antibacterial therapy. This work selected hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) as the sonosensitizer, and studied the enhanced inhibition effect of Escherichia coli and biofilm by microbubble-mediated cavitation in SDT. Firstly, the influence of microbubble-mediated cavitation effect on different concentrations of HMME (10 µg/ml, 30 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml) was studied. Using 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) as an indicator, the effect of microbubble-mediated cavitation on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was studied by absorption spectroscopy. Secondly, using agar medium, laser confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, the effect of microbubble-mediated cavitation on the activity and morphology of bacteria was studied. Finally, the inhibitory effect of cavitation combined with SDT on biofilm was evaluated by laser confocal microscopy. The research results indicate that: (1) Microbubble-mediated ultrasound cavitation can significantly increase cavitation intensity and production of ROS. (2) Microbubble-mediated acoustic cavitation can alter the morphological structure of bacteria. (3) It can significantly enhance the inhibition of SDT on the activity of Escherichia coli and its biofilm. Compared with the control group, the addition of microbubbles resulted in an increase in the number of dead bacteria by 61.7 %, 71.6 %, and 76.2 %, respectively. The fluorescence intensity of the biofilm decreased by 27.1 %, 80.3 %, and 98.2 %, respectively. On the basis of adding microbubbles to ensure antibacterial and biofilm inhibition effects, this work studied the influence of cavitation effect in SDT on bacterial structure, providing a foundation for further revealing the intrinsic mechanism of SDT.

AIM2 regulates autophagy to mitigate oxidative stress in aged mice with acute liver injury.

The cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor, absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), detects cytosolic DNA, activating the inflammasome and resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and pyroptotic cell death. Recent research has illuminated AIM2's contributions to PANoptosis and host defense. However, the role of AIM2 in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatoxicity remains enigmatic. In this study, we unveil AIM2's novel function as a negative regulator in the pathogenesis of APAP-induced liver damage in aged mice, independently of inflammasome activation. AIM2-deficient aged mice exhibited heightened lipid accumulation and hepatic triglycerides in comparison to their wild-type counterparts. Strikingly, AIM2 knockout mice subjected to APAP overdose demonstrated intensified liver injury, compromised mitochondrial stability, exacerbated glutathione depletion, diminished autophagy, and elevated levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Furthermore, our investigation revealed AIM2's mitochondrial localization; its overexpression in mouse hepatocytes amplified autophagy while dampening JNK phosphorylation. Notably, induction of autophagy through rapamycin administration mitigated serum alanine aminotransferase levels and reduced the necrotic liver area in AIM2-deficient aged mice following APAP overdose. Mechanistically, AIM2 deficiency exacerbated APAP-induced acute liver damage and inflammation in aged mice by intensifying oxidative stress and augmenting the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK. Given its regulatory role in autophagy and lipid peroxidation, AIM2 emerges as a promising therapeutic target for age-related acute liver damage treatment.

Integrated analysis of comprehensive metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the mechanisms of abelmoschus manihot (L.) medik. in the treatment of cisplatin-induced chronic kidney disease.

Background: Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik ("Huangkui" in Chinese, HK) has been widely used for the treatment of kidney diseases. Nephrotoxicity is the side effect of cisplatin (CDDP), which greatly limits its clinical application. Therefore, CDDP could be used to establish the chronic kidney disease (CKD) model. However, the protective effects of HK on CDDP-induced CKD have not been investigated. Purpose: To explore the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of HK on multiple low-dose CDDP-induced CKD in rats by the integrated analysis of serum, kidney, and urine metabolomics and network pharmacology. Methods: The CKD model was induced by multiple low-dose CDDP. Body weight, organ index, serum biochemical, and kidney histology were examined to evaluate the effect of HK. Serum, kidney, and urine were collected and profiled by HILIC/RPLC-Q-TOF/MS-based metabolomics. Potential biomarkers (PBs) were screened according to the criteria of VIP >1, p < 0.01, and FC > 2, and then identified or assigned. The pathway analysis and PBs enrichment were conducted by MetaboAnalyst and ChemRICH. Furthermore, network pharmacology was adopted to dig out the active components and targets. Finally, the results from metabolomics and network pharmacology were integrated to confirm each other. Results: HK could recover the CDDP-induced abnormal pharmacological and metabolic profile changes. A total of 187 PBs were screened and identified from the serum, kidney, and urine metabolomics. Pathway analysis showed that multiple metabolic pathways, mainly related to amino acid and lipid metabolisms, were involved in the nephroprotective effect of HK, and especially, HK could significantly alleviate the disorder of tryptophan metabolism pathway in serum, kidney, and urine. Meanwhile, network pharmacology analysis revealed that 5 components in HK and 4 key genes could be responsible for the nephroprotection of HK, which also indicated that the metabolism of tryptophan played an important role in HK against CKD. Conclusion: HK has a nephroprotection on CDDP-induced CKD, mainly by restoring the dysregulation of tryptophan metabolism. Integrated analysis of serum, kidney, and urine metabolomics and network pharmacology was a powerful method for exploring pharmacological mechanisms and screening active components and targets of traditional Chinese medicine.

CD5L deficiency attenuate acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice via regulation of JNK and ERK signaling pathway.

CD5 molecule like (CD5L), a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain superfamily, plays a critical role in immune homeostasis and inflammatory disease. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a safe and effective antipyretic analgesic. However, overdose may cause liver damage or even liver failure. APAP hepatotoxicity is characterized by extensive necrotic cell death and a sterile inflammatory response, in which the role of CD5L remains to be investigated. In this study, we found that the expression of CD5L was increased in the livers of mice after APAP overdose. Furthermore, CD5L deficiency reduced the increase of alanine transaminase (ALT) level, histopathologic lesion area, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation level, Transferase-Mediated dUTP Nick End-Labeling positive (TUNEL+) cells proportion, vascular endothelial cell permeability and release of inflammatory cytokines induced by excess APAP. Therefore, our findings reveal that CD5L may be a potential therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of APAP-induced liver injury.

Cavitation-facilitated transmembrane permeability enhancement induced by acoustically vaporized nanodroplets.

Ultrasound-facilitated transmembrane permeability enhancement has attracted broad attention in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, by delivering gene/drugs into the deep site of brain tissues with a safer and more effective way. Although the feasibility of using acoustically vaporized nanodroplets to open the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) has previously been reported, the relevant physical mechanisms and impact factors are not well known. In the current study, a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane was used to mimic the multi-layered pore structure of BBB. The cavitation activity and the penetration ability of phase-changed nanodroplets were systemically evaluated at different concentration levels, and compared with the results obtained for SonoVue microbubbles. Passive cavitation detection showed that less intensified but more sustained inertial cavitation (IC) activity would be generated by vaporized nanodroplets than microbubbles. As the results, with a sufficiently high concentration (∼5 × 108/mL), phase-changed nanodroplets were more effective than microbubbles in enabling a fluorescent tracer agent (FITC, 150 kDa) to penetrate deeper and more homogeneously through the NC membrane, and a positive correlation was observed between accumulated IC dose and the amount of penetrated FITC. In vivo studies further confirmed acoustically vaporized nanodroplets performed better than microbubbles by opening the BBB in rats' brains. These results indicated that phase-changed nanodroplets can be used as a safe, efficient and durable agent to achieve satisfactory cavitation-mediated permeability enhancement effect in biomedical applications.

MicroRNA-125a-5p modulates the proliferation and apoptosis of TM4 Sertoli cells by targeting RAB3D and regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Sertoli cells provide protection and nutrition for developing sperm. Each stage of sperm development occurs on the surface of Sertoli cells. MicroRNA (MiR)-125a-5p is involved in male reproduction. The current research aimed to probe the role of miR-125a-5p in Sertoli cell function. Functionally, miR-125a-5p knockdown facilitated Sertoli cell proliferation, while miR-125a-5p overexpression suppressed Sertoli cell proliferation, as evidenced by 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. Additionally, miR-125a-5p knockdown inhibited Sertoli cell apoptosis, while miR-125a-5p upregulation facilitated Sertoli cell apoptosis, as evidenced by flow cytometry analysis. Computationally, we identified four predicted mRNA targets of miR-125a-5p. Based on the results of luciferase reporter assay, miR-125a-5p was confirmed to bind to the predicted sequence in the Ras-related protein Rab-3D (RAB3D) 3'UTR. Rescue experiments showed that miR-125a-5p suppressed the proliferative ability of TM4 Sertoli cells and facilitated their apoptosis by targeting RAB3D. Finally, our data confirmed that miR-125a-5p and RAB3D modulated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In conclusion, our data showed that miR-125a-5p regulated Sertoli cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting RAB3D and regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CD36 deficiency ameliorates drug-induced acute liver injury in mice.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes hepatotoxicity and even acute liver failure. Recent studies indicate that sterile inflammation and innate immune cells may play important roles in damage-induced hepatocytes regeneration and liver repair. The scavenger receptor CD36 has its crucial functions in sterile inflammation. However, the roles of CD36 in APAP induced acute liver injury remain unclear and warrant further investigation. METHODS: WT C57BL/6 J and CD36-/- mice were intraperitoneally injected with APAP (300 mg/kg) after fasting for 16 h. Liver injury was evaluated by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and liver tissue hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Liver inflammatory factor expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The protein adducts forming from the metabolite of APAP and the metabolism enzyme cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) levels were measured by Western blot. Liver infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils were characterized by flow cytometry. RNA sequencing and Western blot were used to evaluate the effect of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) molecule high mobility group B1 (HMGB1) on WT and CD36-/- macrophages. Moreover, PP2, a Src kinase inhibitor, blocking CD36 signaling, was applied in APAP model. RESULTS: The expression of CD36 was increased in the liver of mice after APAP treatment. Compared with WT mice, APAP treated CD36-/- mice show less liver injury. There was no significant difference in APAP protein adducts and CYP2E1 expression between these two strains. However, reduced pro-inflammatory factor mRNA expression and serum IL-1ß level were observed in APAP treated CD36-/- mice as well as infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils. Moreover, CD36 deficiency impaired the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) caused by APAP. Interestingly, the lack of CD36 reduced the activation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (Erk) and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (Akt) induced by HMGB1. RNA transcription sequencing data indicated that HMGB1 has a different effect on WT and CD36-/- macrophages. Furthermore, treatment with PP2 attenuated APAP induced mouse liver injury. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that CD36 deficiency ameliorated APAP-induced acute liver injury and inflammatory responses by decreasing JNK activation. CD36 might serve as a new target to reduce acute liver injury.

[Jujing Gouju Granules promote reproductive function in rats with spermatozoa].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the intervention effect of Jujing Gouju Granules (JGG) on teratozoospermia (TZ) in rats and explore its action mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of an equal number: normal control, TZ model control, high-dose JGG and low-dose JGG. The TZ model was established in the latter three groups of rats by intragastric administration of methyl methanesulfonate at 4 mg/100 g body weight/day for 7 consecutive days. After successful modeling, the animals in the high- and low-dose JGG groups were treated with JGG at 0.288 and 0.072g/100 g body weight/d, respectively, while the normal controls with the same dose of normal saline, all for 48 days. At two days after medication, all the rats were sacrificed and the right epididymides harvested for sperm counting, sperm motility analysis, observation the sperm morphology, and determination of contents of fructose, zinc, α-glucosidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the epididymal suspension, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the seminal plasma, and that of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the sperm. RESULTS: Both sperm concentration and motility were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm decreased in the JGG groups compared with the model controls, even more significantly in the high- than in the low-dose JGG group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the contents of fructose and zinc in the epididymal suspension among the four groups, but that of α-glucosidase was remarkably lower in the TZ model than in the normal controls (ï¼»50.31 ± 2.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»67.23 ± 3.54ï¼½ U/L, P < 0.05), but higher in the high- and low-dose JGG groups (ï¼»79.36 ± 2.35ï¼½ and ï¼»56.25 ± 3.44ï¼½ U/L) than in the model control group (P < 0.05). The level of ROS was markedly higher and that of SOD lower in the TZ model than in the normal controls, while the former was lower and the latter was higher in the JGG groups than in the TZ model controls (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the in the high- than in the low-dose JGG group (P < 0.05). Compared with the TZ model controls, the rats in the JGG groups showed dramatically decreased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the seminal plasma, even more significantly in the high- than in the low-dose JGG group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Jujing Gouju Granules can improve sperm morphology in teratozoospermia rats, possibly by regulating oxidative stress and inflammation-related factors.

Ultrasound-Enhanced Protective Effect of Tetramethylpyrazine via the ROS/HIF-1A Signaling Pathway in an in Vitro Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Model.

Reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress is an important pathophysiological process during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. It has been reported that the protective effect of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) against cerebral I/R injury can be significantly improved by its combination with ultrasound exposure. However, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying the synergistic protective effect remain unclear. In the present work, the damage induced by I/R injury was modeled by glutamate-induced toxicity to pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. The ultrasound-enhanced protective effect of TMP was systemically investigated by measuring variations in cell viability, cell migration and levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, the oxidative stress-related protein glutathione, apoptosis-related proteins (caspase-8, -9 and -3), as well as expression of related genes (hypoxia-inducible factor-1a, p53, murine double minute2). The results suggest that the ultrasound-enhanced protective effect of TMP against cerebral I/R injury might act via the reactive oxygen species/hypoxia-inducible factor-1a signaling pathway, and an appropriate ultrasound intensity should be selected to achieve an optimal synergistic neuroprotective effect.

Preventing microbial biofilms on catheter tubes using ultrasonic guided waves.

Biofilms on indwelling tubes and medical prosthetic devices are among the leading causes of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In this work, a new anti-biofilm catheter prototype was proposed. By combining an endotracheal tube (ET) with a group of ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) transducers, the general idea was to prevent bacteria aggregation with UGW vibrations. Based on quantitative analysis of UGW propagation, detailed approach was achieved through (a) selection of ultrasonic frequency, wave modes and vibration amplitude; and (b) adoption of wave coupling and 45° wave incidence technique. Performance of the proposed UGW-ET prototype was demonstrated via in vitro experiments, during which it deterred deposition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms successfully. With current configuration, UGW amplitudes ranged from 0.05-5 nm could be optimal to achieve biofilm prevention. This work sheds a light in the underlying mechanism of ultrasound-mediated biofilm prevention, and will inspire the development of new catheters of better antibacterial capability.

An Antagomir to MicroRNA-106b-5p Ameliorates Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Rats Via Inhibiting Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress.

We previously observed that microRNA miR-106b-5p significantly increased in serum of patients with acute ischemic stroke. The present study was to determine whether miR-106b-5p antagomir can protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was operated on male Sprague Dawley rats. MiR-106b-5p antagomir significantly decreased neurological deficit scores, infarct volumes, and neuronal injury. Furthermore, miR-106b-5p antagomir markedly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content, restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, increased the expression of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and decreased the expression of Bax in the ischemic cortex. In PC12 cells, miR-106b-5p inhibitor increased the Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 expression, which provided protection against glutamate-induced apoptosis and oxidative damage, as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and enhanced SOD activity. Notably, luciferase reported assay proved Mcl-1 was the target gene of miR-106b-5p. In conclusion, our data indicates that the neuroprotective effects of miR-106b-5p antagomir on cerebral I/R injury are associated with its inhibition of apoptosis and oxidative stress, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for ischemic stroke.

The Clinical Study of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Gastric Cancer.

The aim of this study is to explore the expression and significance of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in gastric cancer, providing a novel insight for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. The gastric cancer specimens, which were excised from 87 patients and confirmed during July, 2012-July, 2014, were selected as observation group, and the normal tissue next to the tumor (more than 5 cm from the edge of the tumor) from 45 patients were randomly selected as control. u-PA and VEGF were detected by immunohistochemistry for the analysis of the correlation of u-PA and VEGF in two groups. The positive rates of u-PA and VEGF in gastric cancer tissue were 81.61 and 79.31 %, respectively, which were 6.67 and 8.89 % in the control group, respectively. The positive rates in the observation group were obviously higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Among the 87 gastric cancer tissue samples from the observation group, the positive rates of u-PA and VEGF in the gastric cancer with poor differentiation, lymphatic metastasis, invasion up to serosal layer, and TNM stage III + IV were obviously higher than those in the gastric cancer with high differentiation, non-lymphatic metastasis, invasion not up to the serosal layer, and TNM stage I + II, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Among the 87 gastric cancer tissue samples from the observation group, u-PA and VEGF were found to be positive in 60 cases and negative in 7 cases. By comparing the two groups, u-PA and VEGF were positively correlated in gastric cancer tissue (P < 0.05). u-PA and VEGF were highly expressed in gastric cancer tissue, which could be used as the molecular biological indicators to predict the invasion and metastasis potential of gastric cancer. The combination of two factors plays a guiding role in early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.

Identification of circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for detecting acute ischemic stroke.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in serum and have the potential to serve as disease biomarkers. As such, it is important to explore the clinical value of miRNAs in serum as biomarkers for ischemic stroke (IS) and cast light on the pathogenesis of IS. In this study, we screened differentially expressed serum miRNAs from IS and normal people by miRNA microarray analysis, and validated the expression of candidate miRNAs using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays. Furthermore, we performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses to disclose functional enrichment of genes predicted to be regulated by the differentially expressed miRNAs. Notably, our results revealed that 115 miRNAs were differentially expressed in IS, among which miR-32-3p, miR-106-5p, and miR-532-5p were first found to be associated with IS. In addition, GO and KEGG pathway analyses showed that genes predicted to be regulated by differentially expressed miRNAs were significantly enriched in several related biological process and pathways, including axon guidance, glioma, MAPK signaling, mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, and ErbB-signaling pathway. In conclusion, we identified the changed expression pattern of miRNAs in IS. Serum miR-32-3p, miR-106-5p, miR-1246, and miR-532-5p may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for IS. Our results also demonstrate a novel role for miRNAs in the pathogenesis of IS.

Fas/FasL Complex Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Brain Endothelial Cells Via FADD-FLIP-TRAF-NF-κB Pathway.

Accumulating evidence indicates that factor associated with suicide ligand (FasL) is a bidirectional regulator. At higher dosage, soluble FasL induced the apoptosis of Fas-expressing brain endothelial cells. Reduced concentration of soluble FasL (sFasL), however, promoted the proliferation and migration of brain endothelial cells. The effect of sFasL on endothelial cells proliferation was completely abolished by silencing Fas expression using siRNA. Treating brain endothelial cells with low-dose sFasL led to increased secretion of VEGF and up-regulated expression of FLIP, TRAF, and NF-κB that played a crucial role in the proliferation of endothelial cells. Our results further underscore the potential stimulating role of Fas/FasL interaction in angiogenesis.

Ultrasound-enhanced protective effect of tetramethylpyrazine against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Ligusticum wallichii (Chuan Xiong) and its bioactive ingredient, tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases and to relieve various neurological symptoms, such as those associated with ischemic injury. In the present study, we investigated whether ultrasound (US) exposure could enhance the protective effect of TMP against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Glutamate-induced toxicity to pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells was used to model I/R injury. TMP was paired with US to examine whether this combination could alleviate glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. The administration of TMP effectively protected cells against glutamate-induced apoptosis, which could be further enhanced by US-mediated sonoporation. The anti-apoptotic effect of TMP was associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress and a change in the levels of apoptosis-related proteins, Bcl-2 and Bax. Furthermore, TMP reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-8, which likely also contributes to its cytoprotective effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that ultrasound-enhanced TMP treatment might be a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. Further study is required to optimize ultrasound treatment parameters.

Tetramethylpyrazine promotes the proliferation and migration of brain endothelial cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), one of the alkaloids isolated from the Chinese herb Chuanxiong, on the proliferation and migration of brain endothelial cells. A different dosage of TMP was employed to stimulate the mouse microvascular cell line bEnd.3 in vitro. TMP at lower concentrations (0.25 ng/ml), however not at high concentrations (100 ng/ml) could promote the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, which was further enhanced if combined with soluble Fas ligand (sFasL). TMP alone, or combined with sFasL, increased the autocrine signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by endothelial cells and TMP improved the expression of Fas on endothelial cells, which may explain the effect of the sFasL. These results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of the effects of TMP on stroke and other vascular diseases.

Progesterone protects ovarian cancer cells from cisplatin-induced inhibitory effects through progesterone receptor membrane component 1/2 as well as AKT signaling.

Progesterone, also known as P4 (pregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione), is a C-21 steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy (supports gestation) and embryogenesis of humans and other species. Despite the physiological effects, P4 is also effective for the treatment of numerous pathological states, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus as well as cancer. Considering the hormone microenvironment of gynecological cancers, P4 should be particularly noted in ovarian cancer. The present study demonstrated that P4 protected the ovarian cancer cell line HO-8910 from cisplatin (CDDP)-induced cell cycle arrest and restored the cell migratory capability following treatment of CDDP. Mechanistically, both progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) and the progesterone receptor (PGR) were decreased in the cells treated with CDDP plus P4, while the level of progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) was significantly elevated. Reversely, in the HO-8910 cells treated with CDDP alone, levels of both PGRMC1 and PGR were increased while the level of PGRMC2 was decreased. In addition to the receptor expression profile, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was also involved in the action of P4 in the CDDP-resistant HO-8910 cells, and a chemical inhibitor for PI3K, LY294002, significantly abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of P4. Consequently, the addition of a PI3K inhibitor to CDDP-based chemotherapy may have a more beneficial application for ovarian cancer therapy.

Lobaplatin arrests cell cycle progression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still is a big burden for China. In recent years, the third-generation platinum compounds have been proposed as potential active agents for HCC. However, more experimental and clinical data are warranted to support the proposal. In the present study, the effect of lobaplatin was assessed in five HCC cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanisms in terms of cell cycle kinetics were explored. METHODS: Cytotoxicity of lobaplatin to human HCC cell lines was examined using MTT cell proliferation assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Expression of cell cycle-regulated genes was examined at both the mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) levels. The phosphorylation status of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and retinoblastoma (Rb) protein was also examined using Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Lobaplatin inhibited proliferation of human HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. For the most sensitive SMMC-7721 cells, lobaplatin arrested cell cycle progression in G1 and G2/M phases time-dependently which might be associated with the down-regulation of cyclin B, CDK1, CDC25C, phosphorylated CDK1 (pCDK1), pCDK4, Rb, E2F, and pRb, and the up-regulation of p53, p21, and p27. CONCLUSION: Cytotoxicity of lobaplatin in human HCC cells might be due to its ability to arrest cell cycle progression which would contribute to the potential use of lobaplatin for the management of HCC.

[Grape seed extract inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cell MCF-7 and decrease the gene expression of survivin].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on breast cancer cell MCF-7 about the of proliferation and the gene expression of survivin, and to investigate the molecular biological mechanism of inhibition by GSE. METHOD: MTT was used to measure the role of proliferated inhibition of GSE at the dosage of 40, 80, 120, 160, 200 mg x L(-1) with different time. To calculate the IC50 of GSE and to select the suitable concentration and treatment time. The change of cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. mRNA expression of Survivin was observed by RT-PCR. Luciferase kit was used to observe the change of core promoter of survivin which was inserted in the flourescence report vector. And further to analyse the bind side of transcription factor on the sequence of core promoter of survivin was further analysed by using the microsoft of bioinformatics. RESULT: GSE could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cell MCF-7 with time and dosage-dependent (P < 0.05). GSE could arrest the cell cycle in S periods (P < 0.05) and also inhibit the mRNA expression of survivin effectively (P < 0.01); GSE could down-regulate the activity of core promoter of survivin significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GSE can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cell MCF-7 through arresting the cell cycle in S periods. The mechanism may be that GSE regulate the activity of transcription factor which are related to the activity of core promoter of survivin and decrease the gene expression of survivin.