Bilirubin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

BACKGROUNDTo study the effect of DTB against HIV-1, for developing anti-HIV drugs.

METHODSDifferent concentration of DTB was added to cell culture system after viral inoculation, MTT staining method for viable cells (MTT assay) and p24 (ELISA) were used as markers to monitor the viral replication.

RESULTSThe inhibition rates of DTB at concentrations 160, 80, and 40mg/ml were 93.0%, 56.2% and 18.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSDTB could effectively inhibit HIV-1 in vitro.

Anti-HIV Agents ; pharmacology ; Bilirubin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; HIV-1 ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques

Daily administration of glucocorticoids for 10 days to dogs resulted in a significant increase in the hepatic bile secretion in response to secretory stimulants. The response of hepatic bile in testosterone-treated animals was not changed and the response was increased in DOCA--treated animals. A significant increase of liver weight was induced by the animals receiving glucocorticoids. Other organ weight was not changed; however, a slight reduction of kidney weight was seen in prednisolone, dexamethasone, and DOCA treated animals and also in animals supplemented with cortisone following adrenalectomy. The presence of large areas of ballooning and vesicular changes of liver cells was seen in glucocorticoid treated animals, particularly in cases of dexamethasone and prednisolone. Both vesicular changes of liver cell and its glycogen content were increased by the repeated administration of prednisolone and reduced by the cessation of treatment. Special stain and liver glycogen determination demonstrated the material distending the liver cell was glycogen. These findings indicate that long term administration of glucocorticoids results in an increase of liver weight and hepatic glycogen content as well as increased bile secretion.
Animal ; Bile/secretion* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism ; Bilirubin/secretion ; Cholagogues and Choleretics/pharmacology ; Dogs ; Glucocorticoids/pharmacology* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Liver/pathology ; Liver Glycogen/metabolism ; Organ Weight ; Substances: ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Cholagogues and Choleretics ; Glucocorticoids ; Liver Glycogen ; Bilirubin

High intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) are being studied as possible light sources for the phototherapy of neonatal jaundice, as they can emit high intensity light of narrow wavelength band in the blue region of the visible light spectrum corresponding to the spectrum of maximal bilirubin absorption. We developed a prototype blue gallium nitride LED phototherapy unit with high intensity, and compared its efficacy to commercially used halogen quartz phototherapy device by measuring both in vitro and in vivo bilirubin photodegradation. The prototype device with two focused arrays, each with 500 blue LEDs, generated greater irradiance than the conventional device tested. The LED device showed a significantly higher efficacy of bilirubin photodegradation than the conventional phototherapy in both in vitro experiment using microhematocrit tubes (44 +/-7% vs. 35 +/-2%) and in vivo experiment using Gunn rats (30 +/-9% vs. 16 +/-8%). We conclude that high intensity blue LED device was much more effective than conventional phototherapy of both in vitro and in vivo bilirubin photodegradation. Further studies will be necessary to prove its clinical efficacy.
Animals ; Bilirubin/*metabolism ; Biochemistry/*methods ; Gallium/pharmacology ; Hematocrit ; In Vitro ; *Light ; Phototherapy/*methods ; Rats ; Rats, Gunn ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced decrease in contraction of isolated rataortic rings, and to investigate its mechanisms.

METHODSThe thoracic aortic rings with endothelium of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on a bath system. Isometric contractions of aortic rings were measured.

RESULT(1) After incubation with captopril (an ACEI with sulfhydryl groups) or perindoprilate (an ACEI without sulfhydryl groups), the decrease in contraction response to PE was prevented in arteries which were pretreated with 300 micromol/L H(2)O(2). (2) Captopril enhanced the HO-1 activity of thoracic aorta. After inhibition of HO-1 activity by ZnPP IX, the protection effect of captopril was abrogated. Hemin (an inducer of HO-1) and bilirubin (a product of HO-1) could mimic the antioxidative effect of captopril. (3) Both L-NAME (an inhibitor of NOS) and methylene blue (an inhibitor of GC) could abolish the protective effect of captopril. (4) SNAP could protect aortic rings against H(2)O(2) attack, and ZnPP IX could cancel the effect of SNAP.

CONCLUSIONBoth ACEI with or without sulfhydryl groups could prevent the H(2)O(2) induced decrease in contraction responses to PE in intact aortic rings. The increase of NO and activation of HO-1 might be involved in the mechanism.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Bilirubin ; pharmacology ; Captopril ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Hemin ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Methylene Blue ; pharmacology ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Penicillamine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Protoporphyrins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of different concentrations of bilirubin on expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in cord blood monocytes (CBMC).

METHODSUnder the sterile condition, umbilical vein blood samples were obtained from normal full-term newborns, and the monocytes were in vitro separated by the method of gelatin/plasma coated flasks. The monocytes were preincubated with various concentrations (0-307.8 μmol/L) of bilirubin dissolved in bovine albumin solution for 1 hr. Bilirubin-treated CBMC were further cultured with LPS (1 μg/mL) to induce cellular activation for 24 hrs, and then the CBMC were collected. The expression of TLR4 in monocytes was measured by indirect immunofluorescence method.

RESULTSBilirubin at the concentrations of 102.6, 153.9, 220.6 and 307.8 μmol/L inhibited the expression of TLR4 of CBMC. The inhibition effect increased with the increasing concentration of bilirubin.

CONCLUSIONSBilirubin can inhibit the TLR4 expression of CBNC in a dose-dependent manner.

Bilirubin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Monocytes ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Chinese drug Dahuang Zhechong pill on the hepatocellular function.

METHODThirty-seven patients with hepatocirrhosis and twelve normal controls were performed the hepatobiliary scintgraphy with Tc-99m labeled ethylene hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (99 mTc-EHIDA), and the biochemical examination of hepatic function. There was 19 cases repeated the imaging after 6 months treated with chineses drug. By the three compartmental model configurations, the function parameters of hepatocellular extraction and excretion were calculated.

RESULTIn the hepatocirrhosis groups, the hepatocellular uptake peak time and mean residence index were higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.01). Compared to normal controls, the uptake index, uptake speed index and descendent speed index were decreased markedly (P < 0.05). After treatment for 6 months with Chinese drug, the level of serum transaminase, globulin and bilirubin was lower than that before treatment. The uptake peak time and mean residence index decreased notably after treatment for 6 months (P < 0.01), and the uptake index increased, (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChinese drug Dahuang Zhechong pill may improve the hepatocellular function and liver function status in patients with hepatocirrhosis.

Adult ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Globulins ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transaminases ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of Li-Dan-He-Ji in the treatment of infantile cholestatic hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: Patients who met the diagnostic criteria of infantile cholestatic hepatic fibrosis in the department of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and the department of gastroenterology of Wuhan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January to December 2021 were included in the study by prospective randomized controlled trial. They were divided into the conventional treatment group and Li-Dan-He-Ji group according to the random number table. The patients in the conventional treatment group were given conventional treatment according to the guidelines. In the Li-Dan-He-Ji group, the self-made Chinese medicinal compound Li-Dan-He-Ji (prescription: Herba Artemisiae Scopariae, Fructus Forsythiae, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei preparata, Radix Polygoni Multiflori Preparata, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Fructus Aurantii, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, Carapax Trionycis, and Radix Glycyrrhizae) was given on the basis of the routine treatment, by oral, enema or nasal feeding, 60 mL each day, divided into 2 or 3 times, for 28 days. Outpatient follow-up was maintained for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, serum liver fibrosis 4 items [type IV collagen (IV-C), hyaluronidase (HA), type III procollagen (PC III), laminin (LN)], liver function and cholestasis-related markers [total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), total bile acid (TBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)], oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH)], liver stiffness measurement (LSM) detected by transient elastography (TE), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and liver and spleen retraction time were recorded in the two groups. RESULTS: During the observation period, a total of 40 cases of cholestatic hepatic fibrosis were treated, including 21 cases in the conventional treatment group and 19 cases in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group. Before treatment, the differences in serum liver fibrosis 4 items, serum liver function and cholestasis-related markers, oxidative stress indexes, LSM and APRI of the two groups were not statistically significant. After treatment, the liver fibrosis 4 items, liver function and cholestasis-related markers, LSM, and APRI were all significantly decreased in both groups, and the indexes in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group were significantly lower than those in the conventional treatment group [HA (ng/L): 165.81±21.57 vs. 203.87±25.88, PC III (μg/L): 69.86±9.32 vs. 81.82±7.39, IV-C (μg/L): 204.14±38.97 vs. 239.08±24.93, LN (μg/L): 162.40±17.39 vs. 190.86±15.97, TBil (μmol/L): 37.58±27.63 vs. 53.06±45.09, DBil (μmol/L): 20.55±19.34 vs. 30.08±27.39, ALP (U/L): 436.50±217.58 vs. 469.60±291.69, γ-GGT (U/L): 66.78±35.84 vs. 87.00±32.82, ALT (U/L): 64.75±50.53 vs. 75.20±50.19, AST (U/L): 77.25±54.23 vs. 96.80±59.77, TBA (μmol/L): 74.35±44.44 vs. 85.45±39.50, LSM (kPa): 5.24±0.39 vs. 7.53±3.16, APRI: 0.52±0.39 vs. 0.98±0.29, all P < 0.05]. After treatment, MDA in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, and SOD and GSH were significantly higher than those before treatment. The level of SOD in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group was significantly higher than that in the conventional treatment group (kU/L: 64.56±6.69 vs. 51.58±5.98, P < 0.05). In addition, the liver retraction time (day: 20.13±10.97 vs. 24.33±13.46) and spleen retraction time (day: 25.93±13.01 vs. 29.14±14.52) in the Li-Dan-He-Ji group were significantly shorter than those in the conventional treatment group (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of Li-Dan-He-Ji in the treatment of cholestatic hepatic fibrosis can effectively improve the indicators of cholestasis, hepatic fibrosis, oxidative stress and clinical symptoms in children.
Child ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Cholestasis/pathology* ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy* ; Bilirubin/pharmacology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*

To explore the effects of bilirubin on alveolar macrophages (AM) and expression of iNOS and NO in them in emphysema model, the rats were pretreated with bilirubin before exposed to smoke. AM were isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and cultured. Pathological microscopic examination of AM and immunohistochemical analysis of iNOS were performed. Nitric oxide (NO) content in the samples was determined by nitrate reductase technique. The results showed both alveoli and alveolar septum appeared normal in size and shape in normal group. AM showed kidney-shaped nucleus and were rich in Golgi complexes and primary lysosomes in the cytoplasm. The inner membrane of mitochondrion was continuous. Most cristae of the mitochondria were intact. In model group, the alveoli were expanded, ruptured and bullaes were formed. Both the population and sizes of AM increased significantly. Secondary lysosomes were rich in the cytoplasm. Deformation and pyknosis of the nucleus, swelling of the mitochondrions and rupture of the inner mitochondrial membrane could also be seen. At high magnification, most of the mitochondrial cristae were broken, or completely lost at certain points. In bilirubin group, alveoli partly expanded and the population of AM also increased, with morphological changes being slighter than that in model group. Both NO contents and expression of iNOS in model group were higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). In bilirubin group the two indice were lower than those in model group (P<0.05). Our findings suggested that high expression of iNOS and high NO content in AM accelerate the development of emphysema associated with smoking in rats. Bilirubin may exert protective effects on AM and retards the development of emphysema in rats.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Bilirubin ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Emphysema ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in bilirubin-induced apoptosis of rat hippocampal neurons and the effect of TAT-NBD intervention on bilirubin neurotoxicity.

METHODSPrimary-cultured rat hippocampal neurons were treated with TAT-NBD in the initial 6 or 24 h or in the latter 6 h during a 24-h bilirubin exposure of the cells (early, continuous and late intervention groups, respectively). Immunocytochemistry was performed to detect NF-κB p65 protein expression, and the cell survival and apoptosis were assessed with a modified MTT assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI and TUNEL assay. IL-1β concentration in the supernatant was determined with ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, bilirubin-treated cells showed a significantly increased NF-κB p65 protein expression (P<0.01), which reached the peak level at 6 and 24 h (P<0.01). The cell survival rate in early TAT-NBD intervention group was (80.784∓9.767)%, significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.01) but higher than that of bilirubin group (P<0.01); the apoptotic rate in early TAT-NBD intervention group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.01) but lower than that of bilirubin group (P<0.01). IL-1β concentration was significantly lower in early TAT-NBD intervention group (15.348∓0.812 pg/ml) than in bilirubin group (P<0.05). The continuous and late TAT-NBD intervention groups showed comparable cell survival rate, apoptotic rate and IL-1β concentration with bilirubin group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONNF-κB bidirectionally regulates bilirubin-induced apoptosis of rat hippocampal neurons. Selective inhibition of the early peak of NF-κB by TAT-NBD offers neuroprotective effect. TAT-NBD can be potentially used for prophylaxis of bilirubin-induced brain injury.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bilirubin ; toxicity ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism