AIM: To investigate the effect of Chinese propolis on the activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in LPS-treated vascular endothelial cells (VECs). METHODS: Confluent VECs were stimulated with LPS at the concentration of 100 μg/L in the presence of 0.5% fetal bovine serum. The cells were treated with Chinese propolis at the concentration of 12.5 mg/L for 12 h and 24 h. The viability of VECs and the level of nitric oxide (NO) were detected by sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and chemical method, respectively. The activity of PC-PLC was measured using L-α-phosphatidylcholine as substrate. The protein levels of TLR4, nuclear factor-Κb p65 (NF-Κb p65) and p53 were determined by Western blotting. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined using a fluorescent probe, 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin (DCHF). For the measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential, the fluorescent dye JC-1 was used. RESULTS: Treatment with Chinese propolis for 24 h had no effect on the viability of VECs. However, the levels of NO and ROS were significantly decreased by Chinese propolis. PC-PLC activity and NF-Κb p65 expression were significantly depressed by Chinese propolis treated for 12 h, and the expression of TLR4 and p53 were dramatically decreased by Chinese propolis treated for 12 and 24 h. No effect of Chinese propolis on mitochondrial membrane potential was observed. CONCLUSION: Chinese propolis depresses the activity of PC-PLC and the expression of TLR4, and then inhibits the downstream signal molecules such as NF-Κb p65, p53, ROS and NO in VECs.

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect and the possible mechanism of water and ethanol extracts of propolis. Method: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: normal group, model group, medicine groups, two groups treated with water and ethanol extracts of propolis. The acute pleurisy model was established by injecting carrageenan. The effects of propolis on acute pleurisy was studied by counting leukocytes, measuring the content of MDA, lysozyme and activity of SOD in serum and the content of NO, protein and PGE2 in pleural effusion. Results: The propolis solutions extracted by water and ethanol presented obvious effect on inflammation. It could antagonize the purulent pleurisy, reduce the number of leukocytes and the content of MDA, lysozyme and activity of SOD in serum and the contents of NO, protein and PGE2 and decrease the inflammation. Conclusion: Propolis displays anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing the action of NO and PGE2 and preventing the activation of protein kinase.

AIM: To study the effect of propolis on the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-?B p65 in lung tissue of acute lung injury (ALI) rats. METHODS: 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control, model control, dectancyl group, water soluble derivative of propolis (WSP) group and ethanol extracted propolis (EEP) group. ALI animal model was performed by oleic acid and LPS twice attack. The pathologic slice was observed with light microscope and the NF-?B p65 activity and CD54 expression were tested by immunohistochemistry (SABC and SP). RESULTS: Both EEP and WSP antagonized the lung edema, decreased the inflammation and inhibited the expression of CD54 and activation of NF-?B p65. CONCLUSION: The increase in the expression of CD54 and the activation of NF-?B p65 in the lung tissues of ALI were involved in the formation of ALI. Propolis ameliorated the lung damage, which maybe related to the inhibition of CD54 expression and NF-?B p65 activation.

This study was aimed to observe changes of key molecular in insulin signaling pathway in the hypothala-mus of rats to explore the mechanism of spleen yin deficiency diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) and Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) in order to provide new ideas and new clues for treatment of DACD. Rats were randomly divided into five groups, which were the control (Cont) group, diabetes (DM) group, spleen yin deficiency (pi) group, spleen yin deficiency diabetes (piDM) group and the ZBPYR group. Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) serine phos-phorylation levels and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) serine phosphorylation levels which were involved in the insulin signaling were observed by western blotting in the hypothalamus to determine whether there were insulin signaling obstacles in the hypothalamus of rats. The results showed that the expression of p-IRS-1ser in the DM group, pi group and piDM group was increased compared with the Cont group (P< 0.05); while the p-Akt expression of the DM group and piDM group was decreased (P< 0.05). The expression of p-IRS-1ser in the ZBPYR group decreased compared with the DM group and piDM group (P< 0.05); while the level of p-Akt increased compared with the DM group and piDM group (P < 0.05). It was concluded that insulin signaling was not transduced normally in the hy-pothalamus of the DM group, pi group and piDM group. Insulin resistance may occur in the hypothalamus. And ZBPYR can correct insulin signaling transduction disorder.

Objective To clarify the pathogenesis of spleen yin deficiency diabetes-associated cognitive decline (DACD) and mechanism of Zinu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) by observing the expression of phosphorylated RNA-dependent protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), eukaryotic initiation factor 2α subunit (eIF2α), p-eIF2α, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in cerebral cortex of spleen yin deficiency diabetes mellitus rats. Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group, diabetes mellitus group, spleen yin deficiency group, spleen yin deficiency diabetes mellitus group (disease-syndrome group) and spleen yin deficiency diabetes mellitus+ZBPYR group (treatment group). Type 2 diabetes mellitus models were established by high-fat food feeding for 4 weeks and low dose STZ intraperitoneal injection. Then the classical compound method was used to construct spleen yin deficiency rats model by improper diet, over exertion and yin fluids exhaustion. The reatment group was given ZBPYR and other groups were given equal volume of normal saline for 15 days, then cerebral cortex was obtained. The expression of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, eIF2α and GRP78 were observed by Western Blot and RT-PCR. Results The protein expression of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, and mRNA expression of GRP78 of diabetes mellitus group, spleen yin deficiency group and disease-syndrome group was enhanced compared with control group (P<0.05). GRP78 protein expression of diabetes mellitus group, disease-syndrome group was increased compared with control group (P<0.05). The protein expression of p-PERK, p-eIF2α, GRP78 and mRNA expression of GRP78 of treatment group was decreased compared with diabetes mellitus group and disease-syndrome group (P<0.05). Conclusion Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in spleen yin deficiency DACD. ZBPYR improves learning and memory ability by reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress.

The tip structure is one of the key factors to determine the performance of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) inflow cannulas. The tip structure influences the thrombosis, hemolysis in cannula and left ventricle and suction leading to obstruction in ventricle. We designed four kinds of inflow cannulas that had different tips and built the numerical models of the four historical used inflow cannulas inserted into the apex of left ventricle. We computed the hemodynamic characteristics of inflow cannulas insertion by Fluent software. We researched the backflow, turbulent flow and pressure distribution of the four inflow cannulas. The results showed that the trumpet tipped inflow cannula had smooth flow velocity distribution without backflow or low velocity flow. The trumpet tipped inflow cannula had the best blood compatibility characteristics. The trumpet structure could prevent obstruction. The caged tipped cannula had serious turbulent flow which could possibly cause thrombosis and the low pressure near left ventricle wall and easily lead to ventricle collapse. The trumpet tipped inflow cannula has the best blood compatibility and is difficult to be obstructed. The trumpet tipped inflow cannula is fit to long-term use LVAD.
Catheters ; Computer Simulation ; Equipment Design ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Heart-Assist Devices ; adverse effects ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted ; Thrombosis ; prevention & control ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; prevention & control