Blood Coagulation ; physiology ; Blood Platelets ; metabolism ; Cell Communication ; Factor X ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; metabolism ; Thromboplastin ; metabolism ; physiology

A main symptom of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) in ponies is pathological obesity characterized by abnormal accumulation of fat deposits and inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the expression of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), in subcutaneous adipose tissue and the correlation with serum concentrations in peripheral blood of Welsh ponies. Based on clinical examination findings, the animals were divided into two groups: ponies affected with EMS (n = 8) and obese ponies (n = 8). The adipose tissue was examined using immunohistochemical analysis while concentrations IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Additionally, histological characterization of the adipose tissue was performed. The results obtained showed that IL-6 expression in adipose tissue biopsies derived from animals with EMS was enhanced while TNF-alpha levels of both groups were comparable. Compared to the obese ponies, EMS animals also had significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Histological analysis revealed macrophage infiltration and fibrosis in adipose tissue preparations from the EMS group. These data suggest that IL-6 may play a key role in the course of EMS in Welsh ponies. Our findings also demonstrated that analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in serum may serve as an additional tool for diagnosing EMS.
Adipose Tissue/*metabolism ; Animals ; Female ; Horse Diseases/blood/*metabolism ; Horses ; Interleukin-6/blood/genetics/*metabolism ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/metabolism/*veterinary ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood/genetics/*metabolism

To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of Shenling Kaixin Granules(SLKX) in treating chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, Shugan Jieyu Capsules(110 mg·kg~(-1)) group and SLKX low-(90 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-(180 mg·kg~(-1)), and high-dose(360 mg·kg~(-1)) groups. Depression rat model was replicated by CUMS method. After treatment, the behavioral changes of rats were evaluated by sugar preference, open field, elevated cross maze and forced swimming experiments. The contents of interleukin 1 beta(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) in hippocampal CA1 region were also detected. Pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and Western blot was used to determine the expression of nerve growth factor(NGF), BDNF, phospho-tyrosine kinase receptor(p-TrkB)/TrkB, phospho-cAMP-response element binding protein(p-CREB)/CREB, nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax) and caspase-3 in hippocampal CA1 region. RESULTS:: showed that compared with the control group, the model group had decreased sugar preference, reduced number of entries and time spent in the center of open field and shortened total distance of movement, reduced number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm, and increased number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment. Additionally, the serum contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were higher, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1 and Bcl-2/Bax, and the Nrf2 nuclear translocation were lower in model group than in control group. Compared with the conditions in model group, the sugar preference, the number of entries and time spent in the center of open, total distance of movement, and the number of entries and proportion of time spent in open arm in treatment groups were increased while the number and time of immobility in forced swimming experiment were decreased; the serum contents of IL-1β and TNF-α and the expression of caspase-3 were down regulated, while the contents of BDNF and 5-HT, the activities of SOD and CAT in hippocampal CA1 region, the expressions of NGF, BDNF, p-TrkB/TrkB, p-CREB/CREB, HO-1, Bcl-2/Bax, and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were enhanced. In conclusion, SLKX might regulate the Nrf2 nucleus translocation by activating BDNF/TrkB/CREB pathway, lower oxidative stress damage in hippocampus, inhibit caspase-3 activity, and reduce apoptosis of hippocampal nerve cells, thereby playing an antidepressant role.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Nerve Growth Factor/metabolism* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Sugars/pharmacology* ; Depression/genetics* ; Stress, Psychological/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharides (POP) on alcohol-induced injury of HepG2 cells and its potential molecular mechanisms. Methods: After screening the appropriate concentration of alcohol-treated HepG2 cells and the intervention concentration of POP by MTT method, HepG2 cells were divided into three groups according to different intervention concentrations (200 μg/L, 400 μg/L and 600 μg/L) of POP, and the blank group without POP. After pretreated for 1 h, HepG2 cells were treated with 4% alcohol for 24 h. The activities of intracellular alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured, and the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF- α) were measured. The protein expressions of Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 (Keap1), phosphorylated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (p-Nrf2), phosphoamide adenine dinucleotide quinone oxidoreductase -1 (NQO1), B lymphocyte tumor-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and caspase 3 were detected. Results: Compared with the HepG2 cells treated with 4% alcohol, POP at the various concentrations could effectively down-regulate the activities of ALT and AST in HepG2 cells induced by alcohol (P＜0.05). The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the 200 μg/L POP treated group were decreased significantly (P＜0.05), while the level of GSH was increased significantly (P＜0.01). The levels of ROS, MDA, IL-1β and TNF-α in the 400 μg/L and 600 μg/L POP treated groups were decreased significantly (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01), while the GSH level was increased significantly (P＜0.01). POP effectively up-regulated the expressions of p-Nrf2 and NQO1 protein in HepG2 cells induced by alcohol, and also down-regulated the Bax/Bcl-2 index (P＜0.05), and inhibited the protein expressions of Keap1 and cleaved-caspase-3 (P＜0.05). Conclusion: POP can improve alcohol-induced oxidative stress injury in HepG2 cells by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, thereby reducing the inflammatory index and apoptosis level of HepG2 cells. Among them, 400 μg/L and 600 μg/L POP have better intervention effects.
Ethanol ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Polygonatum/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*

The saturated free fatty acid (FFA), palmitate, could induce apoptosis in various cell types, but little is known about its effects on human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). Here, we investigated whether palmitate induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in hUC-MSCs. hUC-MSCs were stained by labeled antibodies and identified by flow cytometry. After administration with palmitate, apoptotic cell was assessed by flow cytometry using the Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD apoptosis detection kit. Relative spliced XBP1 levels were analyzed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The mRNA of BiP, GRP94, ATF4 and CHOP were analyzed by real-time PCR. Relative BiP and CHOP protein were analyzed using Western blot analysis. The results showed that hUC-MSCs were homogeneously positive for MSC markers; palmitate increased apoptosis of hUC-MSCs and activated XBP1 splicing, BiP, GRP94, ATF4 and CHOP transcription. These findings suggest that palmitate induces apoptosis and ER stress in hUC-MSCs.
Activating Transcription Factor 4 ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Palmitates ; pharmacology ; Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; X-Box Binding Protein 1

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases in which misfolding of extracellular proteins is the pathogenic factor. Light chain amyloidosis (AL) is the most common form of amyloidosis, and the causative proteins in AL are the immunoglobulin light chains produced by clonal plasma cells. Hemorrhagic events, ranging from mild subcutaneous hemorrhage to life-threatening bleeding, account for a significant proportion of morbidities and mortality in AL patients. Deficiency of factor X from deposition into amyloid fibrils has been reported to be the most common acquired factor deficiency in AL. We herein report 2 patients with acquired factor X deficiency in AL. A 55-yr-old woman with AL had a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 2.51 International Normalized Ratio (INR) and 75.1 sec, respectively, which were corrected on mixing with normal plasma. Factor X activity was markedly decreased at 5%. The other patient was a 67-yr-old man with AL with a PT of 1.63 INR and an aPTT of 50.3 sec, which were corrected on mixing with normal plasma. Factor X activity was decreased at 17%. Neither of the patients had apparent hemorrhagic manifestations. Identification of acquired factor deficiency and timely coagulation tests are needed in the diagnostic workup and management in AL.
Aged ; Amyloidosis/*complications ; Factor X/*metabolism ; Factor X Deficiency/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Transplantation, Autologous

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases in which misfolding of extracellular proteins is the pathogenic factor. Light chain amyloidosis (AL) is the most common form of amyloidosis, and the causative proteins in AL are the immunoglobulin light chains produced by clonal plasma cells. Hemorrhagic events, ranging from mild subcutaneous hemorrhage to life-threatening bleeding, account for a significant proportion of morbidities and mortality in AL patients. Deficiency of factor X from deposition into amyloid fibrils has been reported to be the most common acquired factor deficiency in AL. We herein report 2 patients with acquired factor X deficiency in AL. A 55-yr-old woman with AL had a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 2.51 International Normalized Ratio (INR) and 75.1 sec, respectively, which were corrected on mixing with normal plasma. Factor X activity was markedly decreased at 5%. The other patient was a 67-yr-old man with AL with a PT of 1.63 INR and an aPTT of 50.3 sec, which were corrected on mixing with normal plasma. Factor X activity was decreased at 17%. Neither of the patients had apparent hemorrhagic manifestations. Identification of acquired factor deficiency and timely coagulation tests are needed in the diagnostic workup and management in AL.
Aged ; Amyloidosis/*complications ; Factor X/*metabolism ; Factor X Deficiency/*diagnosis/etiology/therapy ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of F10 gene in regulating cell cycles of choriocarcinoma cells and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSUsing untreated cells as the control, JAR cells with F10 gene silencing or stable F10 over-expression were examined for cell cycle changes by flow cytometry (FCM) and for expressions of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKs) with Western blotting and immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSJAR cells over-expressing F10 gene showed reduced duration of cell cycle compared with untreated and with cells after F10 gene silencing. In F10-over-expressing cells, Western blotting revealed significantly up-regulated expressions of cyclin A2, B1, D1, E and CDK2, 6, and 7, but not CDK4, as compared with the control cells and cells with F10 gene silencing (P<0.05), and these results were consistent with those by immunofluorescence assay.

CONCLUSIONF10 gene may accelerate cell cycle progression and promote cell proliferation by up-regulating the expressions of cyclin A2, B1, D1, E and CDK 2, 4, 6, 7 in choriocarcinoma cells.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Choriocarcinoma ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases ; metabolism ; Cyclins ; metabolism ; Factor X ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; Humans ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible molecular mechanism of Ikaros regulation on FUT4 expression by analyzing the correlation of the functional state of Ikaros with level of FUT4 expression, so as to provide the theoretical basis for personalized treatment in children with ALL. METHODS: The subtypes of Ikaros were identified by nested PCR and sequencing. The expression level of FUT4 was detected by quantitative PCR and analyzed by ΔΔCt method in the early stage of treatment, remission and relapse of ALL. RESULTS: Ik1 and Ik2 were the main functional subtypes, and the dominant negative Ikaros was Ik6; the Ik6 was detected in 23 patients with ALL. It was found that 2.73% patients expressing Ik6 alone and 18.18% patients with heterozygous expression were detected. The expression of FUT4 in the newly diagnosed ALL was higher than that in the control group, and the functional Ikaros negatively correlated with the FUT4 expression(r=-0.6329). CONCLUSION Dominant negative Ikaros closely correlated with the relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. The functional Ikaros negatively correlated with FUT4 expression. Ikaros inhibit the transcriptional activity of FUT4, that may be the molecular mechanism of Ikaros regulating the expression of FUT4.
Acute Disease ; Child ; Fucosyltransferases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ikaros Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Lewis X Antigen ; metabolism ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Protein Isoforms ; Recurrence

This study compared the effects on bone metabolism and morphology of pathological obesity induced by excessive fat intake in a non-hibernator (mice) versus healthy obesity due to pre-hibernation fattening in a hibernator (ground squirrels). Kunming mice were fed a high-fat diet to provide a model of pathological obesity (OB group). Daurian ground squirrels fattened naturally in their pre-hibernation season (PRE group) were used as a healthy obesity model. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and three-point bending tests were used to determine the microstructure and mechanical properties of bone. Western blots were used to analyze protein expression levels related to bone metabolism (Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RunX2), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-‍κB ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), patched protein homolog 1 (Ptch1), phosphorylated β‍-‍catenin (P‍-‍β‍-‍catenin), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)). Compared with controls, there was no obvious bone loss in the OB mice, and the stiffness of the femur was increased significantly. Compared with summer active squirrels, bone formation was enhanced but the mechanical properties did not change in the PRE group squirrels. In OB mice, western blots showed significantly increased expression levels of all proteins except RunX2, OPG, and Ptch1. PRE ground squirrels showed significantly increased expression of most proteins except OCN and Ptch1, which decreased significantly, and P‍-‍β‍-‍catenin and OPG, which did not change. In conclusion, for non-hibernating mice, moderate obesity had a certain protective effect on bones, demonstrating two-way regulation, increasing both bone loss and bone formation. For pre-hibernating ground squirrels, the healthy obesity acquired before hibernation had a positive effect on the microstructure of bones, and also enhanced the expression levels of proteins related to bone formation, bone resorption, and Wnt signaling.
Mice ; Animals ; Hibernation ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Sciuridae/metabolism* ; Obesity