OBJECTIVETo investigate the 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) expression changes and the impact of ulinastatin (UTI) METHODS: Seventy-two healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, poisoning group and treatment group, with 24 rats in each group. The model of lung injury was established by intragastric PQ (80 mg/kg) administration in poisoning group and treatment group, and 1 mL saline was administered intragastrically in the control group. The rats in treatment group were injected intraperitoneally with UTI (100 000 U/kg) 30 minutes after PQ administration, and the rats in the control group and poisoning group were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline. After different treatments, the pathological changes and the expression of 4-HNE in lung tissue was detected in 12, 24, and 72 h in three groups.

RESULTSIn the poisoning group and treatment group, the expression of 4-HNE in lung tissue of rats were increased in 12 h after poisoning and reached the peak in 48 h; in 72 h after poisoning, the expression of 4-HNE in lung tissue were decreased, but they were still high. Compared with the control group, the expression of 4-HNE in lung tissue of rats were significantly increased in the poisoning group and treatment group (P < 0.05). And compared with the poisoning group, the expression of 4-HNE in lung tissue of rats were significantly decreased in the treatment group (P < 0.01). The pathological changes were observed, including alveolar capillary expansion, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and alveolar inflammation cell infiltration, were found in lungs of rats in poisoning group and treatment group. There is no significant change in the control group. Compared with the control group, the expression of 4-HNE in lung tissue significantly increased in poisoning group and treatment group (P < 0.01), but the expression in treatment group was lower than in poisoning group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of 4-HNE increased in PQ intoxicated rats. UTI may reduce the expression of 4-HNE and reduce lung injury in PQ intoxicated rats.

Aldehydes ; metabolism ; Animals ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lung Injury ; metabolism ; pathology ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is known to inhibit osteoclastogenesis by acting as a soluble decoy receptor for the receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL). We report the presence of OPG on the membrane of osteoclasts and the possibility of the direct action of OPG on them. Highly pure osteoclast precursors were isolated from mouse long bones and induced to differentiate into mature osteoclasts by M-CSF and soluble RANKL (sRANKL). The presence of OPG on the membrane of these cells was confirmed by western blotting and immunostaining. Furthermore, sRANKL was found to be bound to the OPG on the osteoclast precursors. These results suggest that OPG might have a new role during the differentiation of osteoclasts beyond its role as a soluble decoy receptor. The mechanism of the existence of OPG on osteoclast precursors remains to be found.
Animals ; Bone and Bones/cytology/*metabolism ; Carrier Proteins/immunology/metabolism ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects/physiology ; Cell Membrane/*metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Glycoproteins/drug effects/*metabolism ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/pharmacology ; Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology/metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Osteoclasts/drug effects/*metabolism ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/drug effects/*metabolism ; Stem Cells/drug effects/metabolism

Melamine in combination with cyanuric acid has been considered to be more toxic than either melamine or cyanuric acid alone. The objective of this study was designed to evaluate the combined genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of melamine (M) and cyanuric acid (C) at three mass ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1). MC (1:1), MC (1:2), and MC (2:1) were evaluated for their potential genotoxic risk, at gene level by Ames test, and at chromosomal level by micronucleus test. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity in HEK-293 cells, the MTT assay was included. Western blot was also employed to investigate the renal injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) expression in HEK-293 cells exposed to MC. Neither genotoxicity at gene level nor at chromosomal level was observed for MC (1:1), MC (1:2), and MC (2:1). Based on MTT assay, three ratios of MC at 82.5 and 165 µg/mL slightly inhibited viability of HEK-293 cells (P<0.05). MC (1:1) at 41.25 and 82.50 µg/mL could elevate the Kim-1 expression in HEK-293 cells.
Cell Survival ; drug effects ; HEK293 Cells ; Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1 ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Receptors, Virus ; metabolism ; Triazines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the reverse effect of ligustrazine (TMP) on HepG2/ADM, a herd of hepatocellular carcinoma cell, multidrug resistance (MDR) and the influence of P-gp170 expression.

METHODThe reverse effect of ligustrazine on HepG2/ADM cell was observed, with the methods of cell culture, MTT's analyze, RT-PCR and Flow cytometric, etc.

RESULTLigustrazine could make MDR of cell line of HepG2/ADM reduce the expression of P-gp170, enhance the density of adriamycin in cell and increase the adriamycin's cytotoxicity. With the Flow cytometric, the results of RT-PCR showed the transcriptional activity of the MDR1 decreased.

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine can reverse MDR of HCC cell line of HepG2/ADM and has prospect in clinical use.

Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; drug effects ; Doxorubicin ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Genes, MDR ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology

Although the apoptosis of chondrocytes plays an important role in endochondral ossification, its mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we show that guanosine induces chondrocyte apoptosis based on the results of acridine orange/ ethidium bromide staining, caspase-3 activation, and sub-G1 fraction analysis. The potent inhibitory effect of dipyridamole, a nucleoside transporter blocker, indicates that extracellular guanosine must enter the chondrocytes to induce apoptosis. We found that guanosine promotes Fas-Fas ligand interaction which, in turn, leads to chondrocyte apoptosis. These findings indicate a novel mechanism for endochondral ossification via metabolic regulation.
Tumor Necrosis Factors/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/*metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Nucleoside Transport Proteins/metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism ; Guanosine/*pharmacology/physiology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Chondrocytes/*drug effects/metabolism ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Antigens, CD95 ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of ulinastain on the expression of hemeoxy genase-1 (HO-1) in oil acid-induced acute lung injury in rats. METHODS: The animal model of acute lung injury was established by oil acid. Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the blank control group (A), the acute lung injury group (B) and the acute lung injury group (C) followed by injecting 100 mL/kg ulinastatin. Each group consisted of 10 rats. Group A were given 0.2 mL/kg natural solution through the trial vein; Group B and C were given 0.2 mL/kg oil-acid through trial vein, while group C were injected 100mL/kg ulinastatin by the peritoneal cavity after injecting oil acid. After 4 hours, the rates of respiration were counted and blood samples were cramped out through the heart puncture for blood gas analysis. The expressions of hemeoxygenase-1 and the pathologic construction changes were determined by HE staining in the lower right lung of rats in the 3 groups. RESULTS: The respiration dysfunction caused by oil acid could be prominently improved by ulinastain. There was only a little expression of hemeoxygenase-1 in the lung of Group A, but the expression increased in Group B and significatively increased in Group C. CONCLUSION Ulinastatin may protect the rats from acute lung injury through increasing the expression of HO-1.
Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Animals ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Oleic Acid ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of tetrandrine on reversion of mice S180's obtained multi-drug resistance tumor cell induced by chemotherapy by PFC. And then discuss the molecular mechanism of it for the use of TCM in clinic to restrain the drug-resistant of chemotherapy, thereby improve the curative effect.

METHODBy the methods of less dosage of chemotherapy PFC, give the mouse cisplatin 3 mg x kg(-1) i.p., once a week; CTX and 5-FU 3 mg x kg(-1) i.g. four weeks, set up the mice models of multi-drug resistance of S180 tumor cell, and then observe the P170, Fas, CD54 and apoposis by flow cytometry.

RESULTTetrandrine can obviously lower the express of P170 increase the express of Fas and the apoposis of drug resistant tumor cell. And at the same time it can obviously reduce the express of intercellular adhesion molecule (CD54).

CONCLUSIONTerandrine, with its adjustment of correlated biotic active matter, can intervene the occurrence of the multi-drug resistance of tumor cells induced by chemotherapy.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Sarcoma 180 ; metabolism ; pathology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological activity and molecular mechanism of interferon alpha (IFNalpha) on human myeloma cell line Sko-007.

METHODSThe effect of IFNalpha on the growth of Sko-007 cells was measured by MTT assay. Cells cycle distribution and the expression of two IL-6 receptor chains (IL-6R and gp130) on Sko-007 cell surface in the absence or presence of IFNalpha were monitored by FACS analysis. The activation state of protein kinase ERK, which is involved in Ras/MAPK signal transduction pathway mediating cell survival and proliferation, and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins-Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L) and Mcl-1 in Sko-007 cells with or without IFNalpha were determined by immunoblot assay.

RESULTIFNalpha arrested Sko-007 cell cycle progression. After stimulation with IFNalpha, an obvious increase in G(0)/G(1) phase (41.1%-->84.1%) and decrease in S phase (57.1%-->13.3%) of Sko-007 cell cycle distribution can be observed. Moreover, the proliferation of Sko-007 cells was dramatically inhibited in the presence of IFNalpha, with a maximal inhibitory rate up to 88%. In addition, the expression of gp130 on cell surface, the activation of protein kinase ERK and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) were all down-regualted in IFNalpha-stimulated Sko-007 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibitory effect of IFNalpha on the proliferation of Sko-007 cells was mediated by gp130 down-regulation, degradation of Bcl-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins and inhibition of ERK activation.

Antigens, CD ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cytokine Receptor gp130 ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Down-Regulation ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; G1 Phase ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Interferon-alpha ; pharmacology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Interleukin-6 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Resting Phase, Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; S Phase ; drug effects ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; drug effects ; metabolism ; bcl-X Protein

AIMTo investigate the influence of platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor on long-term potentiation (LTP) attenuated by aluminium.

METHODSThe method of extracellular recording was used to investigate the effect of PAF receptors on PP-CA3 LTP by microinjection of PAF receptor antagonist Ginkgolide B or agonist mc-PAF into CA3 area.

RESULTS(1) Amplitude of population spikes (PS) of evoked potential was not affected but LTP induction was blocked by 0.2 micromol/L ginkgolide B in CA3 area. (2) LTP induction was not influenced by 0.25 mol/L aluminium chloride, however, it could be blocked when aluminium was applicated with ginkgolide B. (3) LTP induction was influenced slightly by 40 micromol/L mc-PAF but it has no difference in statistic. LTP induction could be blocked completely by 0.5 mol/L aluminium, but when aluminium was coapplicated with mc-PAF, this effect could be relieved.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that PAF receptors are involved in induction of LTP in CA3 area by stimulating perforant path. The inhibitory effect of aluminium on LTP is partly related to PAF receptors.

Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; CA3 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Electric Stimulation ; Evoked Potentials ; drug effects ; Ginkgolides ; pharmacology ; Lactones ; pharmacology ; Long-Term Potentiation ; drug effects ; Perforant Pathway ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; metabolism

Depression is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with a huge socioeconomic burden, and its treatment relies on antidepressants including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Recently, the melatonergic system that is closely associated with the serotonergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression. However, it remains unknown whether combined treatment with SSRI and melatonin has synergistic antidepressant effects. In this study, we applied a sub-chronic restraint stress paradigm, and evaluated the potential antidepressant effects of combined fluoxetine and melatonin in adult male mice. Sub-chronic restraint stress (6 h/day for 10 days) induced depression-like behavior as shown by deteriorated fur state, increased latency to groom in the splash test, and increased immobility time in the forced-swim test. Repeated administration of either fluoxetine or melatonin at 10 mg/kg during stress exposure failed to prevent depression-like phenotypes. However, combined treatment with fluoxetine and melatonin at the selected dose attenuated stress-induced behavioral abnormalities. Moreover, we found that the antidepressant effects of combined treatment were associated with the normalization of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) signaling in the hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex. Our findings suggest that combined fluoxetine and melatonin treatment exerts synergistic antidepressant effects possibly by restoring hippocampal BDNF-TrkB signaling.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Depression ; Drug Synergism ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fluoxetine ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Restraint, Physical ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects