Objective To investigate the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in spinal dorsal horns in neuropathic pain (NP) in rats and its effect on activation of astrocytes.Methods In vivo experiment Sixty-four male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 180-200 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups using a random number table:control group (group C,n =16),sham operation group (group S,n =24) and group NP (n =24).The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium,the L5,6 spinal nerves of the left side of the rat were gently separated and exposed,tightly ligated with 5-0 silk suture and transected.In group S,the L5,6 spinal nerves of the left side of the rat were only exposed.In group C,no operation was performed.Mechanical pain threshold was measured at day 1 before operation and days 1,3,5,7,10 and 14 after operation.The expression of IL-17,IL-6,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA in the spinal dorsal horn was determined using quantitative real-time PCR at day 7 and day 14 after operation.At day 7 after operation,the activation of astrocytes in the spinal dorsal horn was detected.In vitro experiment Primarily cultured astrocytes of neonatal rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table:control group (group C,n=22),10 ng/ml IL-17 group (I10 group,n=18),50 ng/ml IL-17 group (I50 group,n-18) and 100 ng/ml IL-17 group (I100 group,n=22).In I10,I50 and I100 groups,the astrocytes were incubated with the culture medium containing 10,50 and 100 ng/ml IL-17,respectively.The proliferation of astrocytes was detected by MTT at 24,48 and 72 h of incutation or culture.The expression of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA was determined using quantitative real-time PCR.Results In vivo experiment Compared with group C,the mechanical pain threshold was significantly decreased at 3-14 days after operation,the expression of IL-17,IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA in the spinal dorsal horn was up-regualted at 7 days after operation,and the activation of astrocytes was increased in group NP,and no significant change was detected in the mechanical pain threshold at each time point after operation in group S.In vitro experiment Compared with group C,the proliferation of astrocytes was significantly increased at 48 h of incubation in I10 and I50 groups,the proliferation of astrocytes was significantly increased at 48 and 72 h of incubation,and the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA was up-regulated in I100 group,and no significant change was found in the proliferation of astrocytes in group S.Conclusion Up-regulated expression of IL-17 in spinal dorsal horns may be involved in the maintenance of NP,and the mechanism is related to promoted activation of astrocytes and induced inflammatory responses in rats.

Objective To investigate the structure-activity relationship for 21 anthocyanins in inhibiting oxidized injury of endothelial cells,and explore the structural characteristics of anthocyanins closely related to their effects. Methods Endothelial cells were treated by ox-LDL at different concentrations of 50,100,150 or 200 ?g/ml,and MTT assay was used to determine IC50. After pre-incubated for 2 h with different concentrations ( 50,100 or 200 ?mol/L) of anthocyanins and then treated with 100 ?g/ml ox-LDL for another 24 h in endothelial cells,MTT assay was used to detect the cellular viability. After pre-treated for 2 h with different anthocyanins with 100 ?mol/L and treated with ox-LDL for another 24 h,MDA and NO level in the culture media were both measured according to the methods of assay kits. Structure-activity relationship was analyzed according to the respective cellular viability,MDA and NO level. Results Cellular viability was significantly inhibited by ox-LDL in a dose-dependent manner,and the IC50 was 100 ?g/ml. A significant correlation was observed among the effect of anthocyanins on cell viability,MDA production and NO release. The inhibitory effects of anthocyanins in ox-LDL-injured endothelial cells were positively related to the total number of hydroxyl groups and hydroxyl substitutions in B ring. 3′,4′-ortho-dihydroxyl substitution on B-ring and a 3-hydroxyl group on C-ring significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of anthocyanins,yet methoxylation or glycosylation significantly decreased the effect. 6-hydroxylation substitution might attenuate the inhibitory effect of anthocyanins,while substitution at C5 or C5′ showed no significant influence on the effect of anthocyanins. Anthocyanin with monosaccharose substitution was much stronger than that with disaccharose substitution,while there was no significant difference between anthocyanins with glucoside and that with galacotoside substitution. Delphinidin and delphinidin-3-glucoside were respectively the most effectual anthocyanidin or anthocyanin. Conclusion 3′,4′-ortho-dihydroxyl substitution on B-ring and a 3-hydroxyl group on C-ring are the main structural requirements for anthocyanins in suppressing ox-LDL-induced injury in endothelial cells.

Madelung′s disease is a rare lipid metabolic disorder with unclear mechanism, characterized by the formation of diffuse uncapsulated lipomas in face, neck, shoulder and other body areas. This disease mainly affect middle-aged male, and is related to alcohol abuse. The treatment nowadays is only palliative surgery with a high recurrence rate, including lipectomy and liposuction. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages.