Objective:To explore the hepatoprotective effect and its mechanism of the geraniin on mice with acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN). Method:A total of 60 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Silymarin group (positive group 180 mg·kg^-1), and low, medium and high-dose geraniin groups (50, 100, 200 mg·kg^-1). All the mice were given with saline or corresponding dose of drugs (10 mL·kg^-1) by gavage once a day for 10 d. After 2 h of the last administration, except the normal group, the mice of other groups were injected intraperitoneally with D-GalN (500 mg·kg^-1) to induce the acute liver injury. After 16 h, the eye balls of mice were removed to take blood, and all mice were put to death to collect samples of liver. Activity or content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver were determined by biochemical method. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), γ-interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and expressions of Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4) and nuclear factor(NF)-κB proteins were detected by Western blot. Liver histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Result:Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL and liver MDA in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, geraniin can reduce activities or contents of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL in serum and MDA in liver of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01), but increase activities of T-SOD and GSH-Px in liver (P<0.05,P<0.01), while inhibiting the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ and the expressions of TLR-4 and NF-κB proteins in serum (P<0.05,P<0.01). HE staining showed that acute liver injury of mice was alleviated obviously by geraniin. Conclusion:Geraniin has an obvious protective effective on acute liver injuries induced by D-GalN in mice. Its mechanism may be correlated with oxidative stress, inflammation and TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

To investigate the effects of lidocaine on phospholipase A_2(PLA_2) and fluidity of lung cell membrane during rabbits endotoxemia. Method: Twenty-four white rabbits were randomly assigned to receiving one of three treatmemnts (n=8 for each group): infusion of saline(control group), infusion of Escbericbia coli endotoxin(endotoxin group), infusion of endotoxin with lidocaine pretreatment (lidocaine group). The PLA_2 activity, PS, PE and PC contents of lung cell membrane fluidity were analysed with high performance liquid chromatography and DPH method respectively. Result: PLA_2 activities in the plasma and cell membrane were reduced significantly, and the PS, PE and PC contents in the cell membrane increased significantly in lidocaine group compared with those in endotoxin group. The membrane fluidities of RBC and lung cells of rabbit with lidocaine pretreatment also incresed significantly in comparison with those in endotoxin group. Conclusion:The pretreatment with lidocaine inhibits PLA_2 activity in plasma and cell membrane of rabbit lung, reduces the contents of phospholipids in cell membrane of rabbit lung, increases membrane fluidity of RBC and lung ceils of rabbit and stabilizes cell membranes function.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the transcriptional regulation mechanism and biological function of low expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VIPR1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We constructed plasmids carrying wild-type VIPR1 promoter or two mutant VIPR1 promoter sequences for transfection of the HCC cell lines Hep3B and Huh7, and examined the effect of AP-2α expression on VIPR1 promoter activity using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Pyrosequencing was performed to detect the changes in VIPR1 promoter methylation level in HCC cells treated with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DAC). Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to evaluate the binding ability of AP-2α to VIPR1 promoter. Western blotting was used to assess the effect of AP-2α knockdown on VIPR1 expression and examine the differential expression of VIPR1 in the two cell lines. The effects of VIPR1 overexpression and knockdown on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HCC cells were analyzed using CCK8 assay and flow cytometry. We also observed the growth of HCC xenograft with lentivirus-mediated over-expression of VIPR1 in nude mice. RESULTS: Compared with the wild-type VIPR1 promoter group, co-transfection with the vector carrying two promoter mutations and the AP-2α-over-expressing plasmid obviously restored the luciferase activity in HCC cells (P < 0.05). DAC treatment of the cells significantly decreased the methylation level of VIPR1 promoter and inhibited the binding of AP-2α to VIPR1 promoter (P < 0.01). The HCC cells with AP-2α knockdown showed increased VIPR1 expression, which was lower in Huh7 cells than in Hep3B cells. VIPR1 overexpression in HCC cells caused significant cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase (P < 0.01), promoted cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), and inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.001), while VIPR1 knockdown produced the opposite effects. In the tumor-bearing nude mice, VIPR1 overexpression in the HCC cells significantly suppressed the increase of tumor volume (P < 0.001) and weight (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION VIPR1 promoter methylation in HCC promotes the binding of AP-2α and inhibits VIPR1 expression, while VIPR1 overexpression causes cell cycle arrest, promotes cell apoptosis, and inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Luciferases/genetics* ; Methylation ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor AP-2/metabolism*

Aim To investigate the protective effect of mogroside V on hydrogen peroxide ( H,02 )-induced oxidative stress response in mouse islet (3 cells MIN6 and the relation of its mechanism to PI3K/Akt signa¬ling pathway.Methods MIN6 cells were treated with 500 (jimol • L_1 H,(), after mogroside V,and cell via¬bility was detected by MTT.The release of reactive ox¬ygen species ( ROS) and apoptotic percentage of MIN6 cells were determined by flow cytometry.The expres¬sions of apoptosis-related factor Bel-2 , proliferation-re¬lated factor PCNA, protein Akt and p-Akt were deter¬mined by Western blot.Results H,02 restrained the proliferation of MIN6 cells obviously, induced ROS pro¬duction and apoptosis, and reduced the expression of Bel-2 and PCN A.The expressions of protein Akt and p-Akt decreased.After treatment of mogroside V , the release of ROS decreased, and the apoptosis of MIN6 cells was inhibited.The expression levels of apoptosis- related protein Bcl-2 and proliferation-related protein PCN A were reversed.The expressions of protein Akt and P-Akt increased.The viability of MIN6 cells in¬duced by H,0, increased.In addition, mogroside V partly reversed the apoptosis induction and ROS pro¬duction of Akt inhibitor MK2206 (5 jjimol • L"1 ) on MIN6 cells.Conclusions Mogroside V has protec¬tive effect on H202-induced oxidative damage in MIN6 cells and its mechanism is related to PI3K/Akt signa¬ling pathway.

Aim To investigate the potential mechanism of osthole promoting autophagy in cervical cancer HeLa cells. Methods HeLa cells were treated with various concentrations of Osthole(0,10,20,40,80,160,240,320 mg·L-1). MTT was used to detect cell vitality. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was used to observe the morphology of HeLa cells after osthole intervention. Mondane sulfonyl cadaverine(MDC)staining was used to dectect the level of autophagy. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression levels of mitochondrial protein MFN1 and DPR1. JC-1 flourescence probe was applied to detect mitochondrial membrane potential. Flow cytometry was used to deteminet the release of reactive oxygen species(ROS). A transplanted tumor model of cervical cancer was established in vivo in nude mice. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of PINK1,Parkin and LC3Ⅱ/. Results Osthole could inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells significantly. Transmission electron microscopy showed that typical autophagosomes were formed in HeLa cells after osthole intervention. The fluorescence intensity of MDC was enhanced. The expression of mitochondrial fusion protein MFN1 was down-regulated after HeLa cells pretreated with osthole,and mitochondrial fission protein DRP1 was up-regulated. Mitochondrial membrane potential decreased. ROS production of HeLa cells was increased by flow cytometry,which could be reversed by autophagy inhibitor 3-MA. Tumor weight in nude mice was inhibited by osthole obviously,which might restrain cervical cancer. Western blot result indicated that the key factors of mitochondrial autophagy PINK1,Parkin and LC3Ⅱ/ratio were up-regulated in HeLa cells. Conclusions Osthole could induce autophagy in HeLa cells and its mechanism may be related to ROS production and PINK1/Parkin pathway.

Objective To investigate the changes of plasma microRNA-223(miR-223) and HMGB-1 in pediatric sepsis patients.Methods There were 49 children with sepsis enrolled in the study (sepsis group),severe sepsis group (n=25) and general group (n=24). Meanwhile, 50 healthy children (normal control group) were selected as control group. The expression levels of plasma miR-223and HMGB-1 (high mobility group box 1) were detected. The predictive values of miR-223and HMGB-1 in plasma of children with sepsis were evaluated by receiver operatingcharacteristic (ROC) curve.Results The plasma miR-223 and HMGB-1 expression levels in severe sepsis group and general group were up-regulated compared with those in the normal control group (F=63.02, 76.32,P<0.05). The area under ROC curve of miR-223,HMGB-1 predicting sepsis were 0.904 (95%CI 0.821-0.998), 0.748 (95%CI: 0.625-0.903). There was positive correlation between miR-223 and HMGB-1 (r=3.532, P<0.05). Conclusions The expression levels of plasma miR-223 in children with sepsis are signiifcantly up-regulated, which can be used as early diagnostic markers to relfect the severity of inlfammation in some degree.

Objective To establish the rapid pathogen identification method for HIV and Mycobac-terium tuberculosis (Mtb)co-infection and the assay for the drug susceptibility. Methods Geneprobe and 16S rDNA sequencing were used to differentiate mycobacterium species and modified microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) was used for the drug susceptibility test. The above assays were compared with acid-fast smear, L-J culture and proportional drug susceptibility tests. Results (1) Thirty-four mycobacte-rial isolates were obtained from 112 samples collected from 68 HIV patients. Among these isolates, the strain species were determined by Geneprobe and 16S rDNA sequencing as the followings: 21 Mtb complex, 10 NTM including 5 M.avium complex, 2 M.gordonae, 2 M.kansasii, 1 M.colombiense, and 3 co-infection. (2) The sensitivity of Mtb to rifampicin, ethambutol, isoniazid and streptomycin were 100%, 100%, 76.2%, 90.5% respectively, while the sensitivity of NTM to rifampicin, ethambutol, isoniazid and strepto-mycin were 40%, 60%, 0%, 30% respectively. There is no significant statistic difference between the two methods, MODS and the reference standard, for the drug susceptibility test. (3) Six to eight weeks are nee-ded for the identification of the species of mycobacteria and the drug susceptibility test by using traditional method. In this study, 5-14 d, 6-15 d and 10-14 d are needed for Geneprobe, 16S rDNA sequencing, and MODS respectively. The time for the testing has been dramatically shortened. Conclusion The identifica-tion of mycobacterial species and the drug susceptibility test using clinical samples could be completed within 15 days by using combined Geneprobe, 16S rDNA sequencing and modified MODS. This combined method can be used for the pathogen identification and drug resistant test in HIV patients who are co-infected by my-cobacteria.

[Abstract] Objective To evaluate the effect of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Direct Assay (MTD) for rapid detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis rRNA and Multi-locus PCR for M.bovis BCG strain typing in patients with suspected extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods From June 2010 to December 2011,47 children and 75 adult patients with suspected extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Shanghai public health clinical center were recruited.Also 48 non-tuberculosis patients were taken as a negative control.Clinical specimens from these patients were collected.Acid fast stain,solid culture,liquid culture,and MTD were used to detect all clinical specimens simultaneously.Screen tuberculosis strains of the culture isolates by MPT64 antigen assay and use Multi-locus PCR for the BCG strain genotyping of the isolates without MPT64 antigen.SPSS16.0 was used to analyse the results.Results The sensitivity for acid fast stain,solid culture,liquid culture and MTD test was 10.7％ (13/122),11.5％ (14/122),16.4％ (20/122) and 37.7％ (46/122),respectively.And the specificity of MTD was 100.0％.Six clinical isolates from children were identified as BCG by Multi-locus PCR typing,the same with chemical tests.Conclusions The MTD assay and the MGIT960 liquid culture are effective and reliable method for diagnosing extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.And Multi-locus PCR can be assisted for the early diagnosis of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients with suspected BCG infection.

Objective: To establish the HPLC characteristic spectrum of Lygodii Herba from different habitats in Guangxi Province, and to evaluate the difference of components in different parts of medicinal materials. Methods: HPLC was performed on Waters symmetry C18 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column, with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid at flow rate of 1.0 mL/min; Detection wavelength was 354 nm; The column temperature was 30 ℃ and the sample size was 20 μL. Twelve batches of Lygodii Herba samples were determined and the characteristic spectrum of those were established, and the content of rutin, isoquercetin, and astragalin were determined to evaluate the difference of chemical components in different parts of medicinal materials. Results: There were seven characteristic peaks identified in the characteristic spectra of Lygodii Herba samples. Peak 1 was caffeic acid, peak 2 was Rutin, peak 3 was Isoquercitrin and peak 5 was astragalin. The similarities of 11 batches of samples were proved to be higher than 0.900 and one batch of them was proved to be less than 0.900. The chemical component of stem was richer than that of leaves of Lygodii Herba, and the content of the component was higher in the stem than that of the leaves. Conclusion: The method is simple, accurate, and reproducible, which can provide the scientific evidence for controlling the internal quality standards effectively. The preferred harvest season of Lygodii Herba is autumn and winter.

PURPOSETo investigate the influence of the same mechanical loading on osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in vitro.

METHODSPrimary osteoblasts, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs, cultured in osteoinductive medium) and RAW264.7 cells cultured in osteoclast inductive medium were all subjected to a 1000 μstrain (μs) at 1 Hz cyclic mechanical stretch for 30 min (twice a day).

RESULTSAfter mechanical stimulation, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin protein level of the osteoblasts and BMSCs were all enhanced, and the mRNA levels of ALP and collagen type I increased. Additionally, extracellular-deposited calcium of both osteoblasts and BMSCs increased. At the same time, the activity of secreted tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells, matrix metalloproteinase-9 protein levels of RAW264.7 cells and the extracellular calcium solvency all decreased.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrated that 1000 μs cyclic mechanical loading enhanced osteoblasts activity, promoted osteoblastic differentiation of BMSCs and restrained osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells in vitro.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; Osteoclasts ; physiology ; Osteogenesis ; physiology ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase ; metabolism