OBJECTIVETo study whether necroptosis exists or not in neural cell death induced by aluminum.

METHODSSH-SY5Y cells were treated with 4 mmol/L AlCl(3) x 6H(2)O The cell viability was determined with CCK-8 kit after treated with Nec-1 at different dosages (0, 30, 60, 90 micromol/L). Mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptotic rate/necrotic rates were measured with cytometry.

RESULTSNec-1 ameliorated the necrotic-like cell morphology, the cell viability were 0.28 +/- 0.05, 0.58 +/- 0.03, 0.68 +/- 0.04, and 1.03 +/- 0.17, there were significant differences between the Nec-1 treated groups and that of controls (t values were 3.25, 3.36, 4.56; P < 0.05). After Nec-1 treatment, the necrotic rates were 16.46% +/- 0.54%, 10.40% +/- 0.64%, 5.43% +/- 0.68%, and 6.28% +/- 0.35%, there were significant differences between the Nec-1 treated cells and that of controls (t values were 3.62, 7.32, 6.96; P < 0.05); while the apoptotic rates were 8.68 +/- 0.36, 7.66 +/- 0.53, 5.68 +/- 0.41, and 4.13 +/- 0.41, there was no significant difference among the groups (F = 6.33, P = 0.11). Cytometry had shown the increased cell MMPs after Nec-1 treatment, which were 67.54 +/- 6.36, 49.42 +/- 5.96, 84.79 +/- 6.86, and 95.51 +/- 7.01, there were significant differences as comparing MMPs of the middle and high dosage of Nec-1 treated cells with those of controls (t values were 3.21, 4.01; P < 0.05); while ROS contents in the Nec-1 treated SH-SY5Y cells were 54.07 +/- 3.32, 52.79 +/- 2.36, 54.68 +/- 1.91, and 59.23 +/- 2.96, there was no significant difference among the groups (F = 5.26, P = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONNec-1, as a specific inhibitor of necroptosis, might effectively block the cell death pathway induced by aluminum, it indicates that necroptosis should be one of the major causes of the SH-SY5Y cell toxicity induced by aluminum, and necroptosis also plays an important role in aluminum induced SH-SY5Y cell death.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Neuroblastoma

Aluminum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Chlorides ; pharmacology ; Decalcification Technique ; methods ; Formates ; chemistry ; Humans

Recently, a topical preparation of 5% propantheline bromide and 10% aluminum hydroxychloride in an emulsion ground substance was introduced as an effective antiperspirant. According to the literature, aluminum salts may produce functional closure of swet ducts. Nevertheless, histologic study has as yet failed to reveal a solid anatomic basis for occlusion. In this study, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to demonstrate eccrine gland ostial occlusion due to topical 5% propantheline bromide and 10% aluminum hydroxychloride.
Aluminum Hydroxide/pharmacology* ; Animal ; Eccrine Glands/drug effects* ; Foot ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred HRS ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Propantheline/pharmacology* ; Sweat Glands/drug effects*

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms of muscovite gastric mucosal protective effect.

METHODRat model of chronic gastritis were used. After gastric mucosal injury was induced, the rats were divided into 6 groups and were treated with different drugs. 2 weeks later, the tissue and blood samples were obtained and measured.

RESULTThe general conditions, the observations under macroscopy, microscope and electron microscope of the middle and high dose of muscovite groups resembled those of the normal group. Their PH levels were higher than those of the model group, and the rates of intestinal metaplasia were lower, but the PGE2 level of the middle dose of muscovite group was the highest.

CONCLUSIONMuscovite can be adsorbed on the surface of the gastric mucosa. It has gastric mucosal protective effect by improving excretion of mucus and synthesis of PGE2 in gastric mucosa, restraining gastric acid, reversing of intestinal metaplasia and decreasing inflammation cells.

Aluminum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dinoprostone ; blood ; Gastric Juice ; chemistry ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Gastritis ; blood ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Potassium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Silicates ; pharmacology ; Sodium Salicylate

In order to study the effect of seed soaking with different aluminum solution on seed germination and seedling physiological characteristics of Platycondon grandiflorum, two P. grandiflorum varieties'seed (the white flower and the purple flower) were soaked in Al3+ solution with different concentrations (0, 10, 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg x L) for 24 h, then germinated in illumination incubator. Results showed that the aluminum toxicity on the trends of the germination rate, germination index and vigor index was positive associated with its concentration, and the Al tolerance of the purple was slightly greater than that of the white. There were some relationships between the physiological indices, which were the leakage rate of electrolyte, the malonaldehyde (MDA) content, the activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) , the free praline(Pro) and the soluble sugar contents, with the concentrations of Al. It was suggested that there was Al tolerance difference between the two P. grandiflorum varieties: the purple flower was greater than the white.
Aluminum ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Germination ; drug effects ; Immersion ; Platycodon ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; physiology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of exposure to aluminum (Al) on Zn, Fe, Cu and Ca contents in hippocampus of rats.

METHODSAlCl(3).6H(2)O was administered orally through diet (8% of body weight) to SD rats at doses of 0 (A), 11.2 (B), 55.9 (C), 111.9 (D) mg Al(3+)/kg BW for successive 90 days. Then Al, Zn, Fe, Cu and Ca contents in hippocampi of rats were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

RESULTSAfter oral exposure to Al, the Al content in hippocampus of rat increased significantly with a remarkable dose-effect relationship (r = 0.731, P < 0.001), The Zn, Fe, Ca and Cu contents in these four groups are as follows: Group A (18.29 +/- 2.48, 24.86 +/- 1.97, 48.69 +/- 22.08, 4.53 +/- 0.99) mg/g, Group B (17.22 +/- 2.06, 27.54 +/- 2.87, 42.79 +/- 14.42, 4.06 +/- 0.41) mg/g, Group C (14.46 +/- 1.90, 20.18 +/- 2.79, 29.95 +/- 7.33, 3.98 +/- 0.25) mg/g, Group D (15.85 +/- 2.54, 20.96 +/- 2.83, 36.14 +/- 12.66, 4.53 +/- 0.58) mg/g. Compared with the control group A, the Zn and Fe contents in group B and group C decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the Ca content in group C also decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONOral exposure to Al may result in accumulation of Al in hippocampus of brain and thus affect some essential elements (Zn, Fe, Cu and Ca) contents in the hippocampus at different degrees.

Aluminum ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Copper ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Iron ; metabolism ; Male ; Metals ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Zinc ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of aluminum phosphate gel and Kangfuxin on esophageal pathology and expressions of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in rats with reflux esophagitis and explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODSSixty SD rats were randomized into aluminum phosphate gel group (n=10), Kangfuxin group (n=10), aluminum phosphate gel+Kangfuxin group (n=10), model group (n=20), and control group (n=10). Except for those in the control group, all the rats were subjected to infusion of diluted lysolecithin with hydrochloric acid in the esophagus for 14 days. Ten rats in the model group and those in the control group were sacrificed to examine the pathological changes and contents of IL-8 and PGE2 in the esophagus using optical and electron microscopes and radioimmunoassay. The next day the rest rats were given corresponding treatments (saline in model group) administered into the esophagus on a daily basis for 14 days, after which esophageal pathologies and IL-8 and PGE2 contents were examined.

RESULTSThe model rats showed obvious esophageal pathologies including inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolar degeneration of the epithelial cells, esophageal erosion and even ulceration, with severe detachment of the epithelial cells. The rats in all the intervention groups showed lessened esophageal pathologies and lowered esophageal IL-8 and PGE2 contents compared with those in the model group. Esophageal mucosal injury index and IL-8 and PGE2 contents were all significantly lower in rats receiving combined treatment with aluminum phosphate and Kangfuxin than in those receiving either of the treatments (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth Kangfuxin and aluminum phosphate gel are effective in the treatment for reflux esophagitis induced by lysolecithin and hydrochloric acid, and their therapeutic effects are achieved possibly by reducing IL-8 and PGE2 levels in the esophagus.

Aluminum Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Esophagus ; drug effects ; pathology ; Gels ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Phosphates ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

In this study, the effects of chronically administered aluminum on iron metabolism-related parameters of liver and blood of mice were investigated. An additional purpose to determine how chronic aluminum administration together with vitamin E as an antioxidant to mice changed the parameters related to iron metabolism. For these purposes, we used 21 adult female Balb-c mice in this study. The animals were divided into three groups: one group with aluminum administered chronically, another group with aluminum plus vitamin E administered chronically, and the control group. Serum levels of hemoglobin, ferritin, iron, transferrin, hematocrit, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), as well as percentage of transferrin saturation were determined in all groups. In addition, the liver tissue levels of ferritin and iron were analyzed. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of the aluminum group and aluminum plus vitamin E group were significantly decreased compared to the control. In conclusion, no changes occurred in the serum iron related parameters although Al induced anemia in mice when Al administered chronically. There was an increase in the levels of liver iron and ferritin with Al, but Vit E had no effect on the changes of all blood and liver parameters caused by Al.
Aluminum/*pharmacology ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/blood/*chemically induced/prevention & control ; Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology ; Female ; Ferritin/metabolism ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; Iron/*blood ; Liver/*drug effects/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vitamin E/pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study synthesis of baicalin-copper and baicalin-aluminium complex and its antimicrobial, anti-tumor activity and anti-tumor effect against macrophages.

METHODBaicalin was reacted with metallic salt under a weak base condition to produce baicalin-copper and baicalin-aluminium complex. Baicalin and its synthesized complex were detected for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Hay bacillus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Candida albicans by twofold broth dilution technique. Their anti-tumor activity against A549 and IC50 of HepG2 cells and anti-tumor effect against macrophages were detected by the MTT. And their phagocytic effect on macrophages was determined by the neutral red assay.

RESULTThe yields of baicalin-copper and baicalin-aluminium complex were 73.93% and 91.08%, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value against Staphylococcus aureus, Hay bacillus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Candida albicans was 0.0004, 0.0009, 0.0004, 0.0009, 0.000 4 mol x L(-1) for baicalin-copper complex and 0.0011, 0.0011, 0.0011, 0.0011, 0.0005 mol x L(-1) for baicalin-aluminium complex. The IC50 values against A549 and HepG2 cells were 89.6, 22.6 micromol x L(-1) for baicalin-copper complex, and 138.8, 97.2 micromol x L(-1) for baicalin-aluminium complex. The inhibitory ratio of macrophage on A549 cell was 43.52%, 80.89%, 52.66%, respectively, after the macrophages were stimulated by baicalin, baicalin-copper and baicalin-aluminium complex at a concentration of 160 micromol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe acute toxicity test in mice showed that the complex was nontoxic to mice. Baicalin-copper complex showed the highest antimicrobial, anti-tumor activity, and the strongest effect on the anti-tumor activity of macrophage, while baicalin showed the lowest activities compared with baicalin-copper and baicalin-aluminium complex.

Aluminum ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Copper ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; Humans ; Mice ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo examine the efficacy of Muscovite on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats, and to research the mechanisms of intestinal mucosal protection.

METHODUlcerative colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic injection of 2 mL of 7% acetic acid. Rats were treated with three different doses of the Muscovite and SASP at random by intracolonic injecion, the normal saline was considered as control group. The rats were sacrificed and the colons were excised and opened longitudinally. Under a dissecting microscope, gross findings were observed and scored. MPO activity was assayed by spectrophotometry in colonic mucosa.

RESULTGross finding showed that multiple ulcer with diameter more than 1 cm, surrounded with erosion, erythematous and edema in the proximal colon in ulcerative coltis. The colon from Muscovite treatment group were histopatholgically normal, with slight erosion, erythematous and edema. The colon in SASP group had small ulceration and severe erosion and edema. The score of gloss change were significant lower in Muscovite groups than that in normal saline group (P < 0.01). There were necrosis and exfoliation of mucosa, multiple cystic dilation of mucosa gland, and large number of and inflammation attenuated in Muscovite groups. There nerutrophils and vessel infiltration in ulcerative colitis. The ulceration disappeared were erosion in mucosa and inflammatory cell infiltrating into submucosa in SASP group. Compared with normal saline group, the pathological scale were significant decreased in Muscovite and SASP groups (P < 0.05). The MPO activity was significant increased in colitis tissue compared with normal group (P < 0.001). After administrating with Muscovite or SASP, the level of MPO were significant decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMuscovite has the effect of mucosal protection by attenuating the inflammation of colonic mucosa and decreasing the activity of MPO.

Acetic Acid ; Aluminum Silicates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Colon ; enzymology ; pathology ; Intestinal Mucosa ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley