Objective: To investigate the protective effects of cinnamon polyphenols on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and its molecular mechanism. Methods: A single dose of streptozotocin (streptozotocin, STZ; 240 mg/kg) was used to induce diabetic mouse model. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: STZ model control group, metformin (0.3 g/kg), and low-, medium- and high-dose groups (0.3, 0.6 g/kg, and 1.2 g/kg) every day continuously until day 14. The vehicle control was set up. After the last administration, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) value was measured by blood glucose test. Serum amylase content was measured by biochemical method. The serum insulin and glucagon concentration were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The number of insulin-positive cells in islet cells was analyzed and the expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and its phosphorylation level in pancreatic cells were detected by Western blotting. Results: Compared with diabetic mice, in the cinnamon polyphenols intervention groups the diabetic mice had significantly lower blood glucose (P<0.05), increased serum insulin, and decreased glucagon levels (P<0.05). The number of insulin-positive cells was significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression of protein kinase B (AKT) and its phosphorylation level in pancreatic cells increased in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Cinnamon polyphenols show effective cytoprotective effects on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats' pancreatic lesions, and their molecular mechanisms may be related to the promotion of islet β cell secretion by regulating pharmacological activities of the islet cell AKT signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is a refractory degenerative disease that seriously affects patients’ quality of life, and brings a heavy financial burden to their families. Nowadays, treatments for osteoarthritis can only alleviate symptoms, improve joint function in a short period of time, but cannot prevent or reverse the pathological process of osteoarthritis. To date, there are no prophylactic or regenerative therapies for osteoarthritis. The signaling pathway can explain the occurrence and development of disease at the molecular level. Therefore, the regulation of signaling pathway can be used as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE: To review the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis, aiming at providing new ideas for clinical diagnosis, treatment and deeper understanding of diseases in the future. METHODS: CNKI, Wanfang, VlP, CBMdisc, PubMed and MEDLINE databases were retrieved respectively with the keywords of “osteoarthritis; signaling pathway; EGFR; Hedgehog; NF-kB; Notch” in Chinese and English, and included literature reports regarding the signaling pathways related to osteoarthritis published in 2008-2019 were retrieved. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Normal articular cartilage function depends on the regulation of multiple signaling pathways, and the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis are also regulated by corresponding signaling pathways, providing deep understanding of osteoarthritis at the molecular level and new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Regulation of signaling pathways through drug action and gene modification is a potential treatment for osteoarthritis. However, there is a common problem in related research: most of the research on signaling pathway is isolated, and the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis may involve the joint action of multiple signal pathways. Therefore, further research is needed on the synergy of signaling pathways.

Aim To study the effect of total saponins of Schizocapsa plantaginea Hance ( SFSP) on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CC14 and to investigate the molecular mechanisms of these effects. Methods 5 SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: Normal control group, model group, colchicine (Col) as positive control group, low-dose SFSP group (SFSP-L), and high-dose SFSP group ( SFSP-H ). After four weeks of continuous administration, serum AST, ALT and hydroxyproline (Hyp) were measured by biochemical detection method. The four indicators of liver fibrosis ( CIV, PC HJ , LN, HA) in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The location of liver fibrous tissues was observed by Masson staining. Liver sections were stained with HE, and observed for pathologic changes. Liver ultrastructural changes were observed using a transmission electron microscope. The expressions of mRNA of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) , transforming growth factor pi (TGF-β1) , Smad4 and Smad7 in liver were detected by qPCR. Results In the liver fibrosis model group, the contents of AST, ALT and CIV, PCI, LN, HA, Hyp reflecting liver injury and fibrosis significantly increased ( P < 0. 05 ) , while in SFSP-H group and Col group the contents of the above indicators were significantly reduced, and the pathological results of liver tissues were consistent with it. SFSP significantly inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, Smad4 and α-SMA mR-NA ( P < 0. 01 ) , and increased the expression of Smad7 as well (P < 0. 01). Conclusion SFSP has an antifibrogenic effect through down-regulating the TGF-(β1/Smad signaling pathway in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method for determination of astragaloside in 4 Chinese patent medicines (BuZhong YiQi Pills, TongQiao BiYan Granules, XingNao ZaiZao Capsules, YuPing Feng Granules) by accelerate solvent extraction (ASE) combined with column post compensation liquid chromatography and charged aerosol detector (CAD) detection, and compare the result with that of the pharmacopoeia method. METHODS: The optimal extraction conditions were determined by the ASE test: water saturated n-butanol was used as solvent, ASE extraction temperature was 100℃, extraction time was 7 min and cycle time was 3. For the HPLC analysis, Thermo AQ-C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 3 μm) was employed, the mobile phase for the analysis pump was composed of acetonitrile-water (15:85), and the flow rate was 0.3 mL•min-1. Gradient program was as follows: 0 min, 15% A; 0 - 4 min, 15% - 60%A; 4 - 5 min 60% A. The mobile phase for the compensating pump was acetonitrile, and the flow rate was 0.3 mL•min-1. RESULTS: The linear range of the calibration curve of astragaloside was 26.62 - 665.5 μg•mL-1. The RSD of sample analysis was 1.0% - 2.1%. The average recoveries were 98.80% - 100.80%. The method is in good agreement with the Pharmacopoeia method. CONCLUSION: The method is rapid, accurate and reproducible. It can be used for the determination of astragaloside in 4 kinds of Chinese patent medicines.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of flurbiprofen( FPA) combined with dexamethasone on preemptive analgesia for whole lung lavage in pneumoconiosis patients. METHODS: Ninety pneumoconiosis patients who underwent whole lung lavage under general analgesia were divided into three groups by random number table method: combine treatment group,FPA group and control group,30 cases in each group. Patients in combine treatment group were given 2 mg/kg body weight( bw) of flurbiprofen axetil injection and 10 mg of dexamethasone through intravenous injection before 2 hours of surgery. Patients in FPA group were given 2 mg/kg bw of FPA axetil injection intravenously. The control group was injected with 2 m L 0. 9% sodium chloride solution. Visual Analogue Scale( VAS) score,Bruggramann Comfort Scale( BCS) score,and adverse reaction of the three groups were recorded in 2,6,8,12 and 24 hours after operation. RESULTS: The postoperative VAS and BCS scores of combine treatment group at the 5 time points after operation were lower than that of control group and FPA group respectively( P < 0. 01). The VAS score between the 5 time points presented an decreasing tendency with the increase of time in the combine treatment group( P < 0. 05),and the BCS score presented an increasing tendency with the increase of time( P < 0. 05). The adverse reaction,such as nausea,vomiting dizziness and drowsiness,sore throat and skin itching in combine treatment group was lower than that of control group and FPA group 24 hours postoperatively( P < 0. 017). CONCLUSION: The therapy of FPA combined with dexamethasone on preemptive analgesia is a safe and effective method for reducing postoperative pain of whole lung lavage in pneumoconiosis patients.

Child ; Humans ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*

Oral plaque biofilms are one of the bases for the survival and metabolism of different bacteria. With the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria due to antibiotic abuse, the prevention and treatment of plaque biofilm-associated oral diseases are becoming increasingly difficult. Although some research progress has been made in the field of biofilm formation and destruction, there is still a lack of effective clinical therapies for plaque biofilm-associated oral diseases. Metal nanoenzymes possess the physical properties of nanoparticles and exhibit catalytic activity similar to that of natural enzymes. The nanoscale size of metal nanoenzymes provides a greater specific surface area to help reactive oxygen species spread rapidly to active catalytic sites and improve the antioxidant properties of nanoenzymes. Additionally, metal nanoenzymes are easy to produce using different methods, such as electrochemical reduction, solvent thermal synthesis and microwave-assisted synthesis. Moreover, metal nanoenzymes can produce a high concentration of hydroxyl radicals, catalyze plaque biofilm degradation, lyse glucan and inhibit biofilm formation by oxidative stress reactions, as well as kill bacteria by releasing metal ions. Thus, metal nanoenzymes are expected to become a new option for the prevention and treatment of oral plaque biofilm-associated diseases. However, metal nanoenzymes can enter organisms through oral, intravenous and respiratory routes, triggering potential toxic effects such as pulmonary toxicity, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity. In a complex biological environment, the occurrence of metal nanoenzymes toxicity may involve multiple mechanisms, and the mechanism of action and safety need to be thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we intend to describe the research progress on metal nanoenzymes through an overview of their properties, antibacterial mechanisms, biotoxicity and applications in the prevention and treatment of oral plaque biofilm-related diseases, which may provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal fibrosis is the primary reason that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have to cease peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) were on the rise. We had previously shown that matrine inhibited the formation of biofilm by E. coli. However, the role of matrine on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in peritoneal mesothelial cells under chronic inflammatory conditions is still unknown. METHODS: We cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce an environment that mimicked peritonitis and investigated whether matrine could inhibit LPS-induced EMT in these cells. In addition, we investigated the change in expression levels of the miR-29b and miR-129-5p. RESULTS: We found that 10 μg/ml of LPS induced EMT in HPMCs. Matrine inhibited LPS-induced EMT in HPMCs in a dose-dependent manner. We observed that treatment with matrine increased the expression of E-cadherin (F = 50.993, P < 0.01), and decreased the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (F = 32.913, P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found that LPS reduced the expression levels of miR-29b and miR-129-5P in HPMCs, while matrine promoted the expression levels of miR-29b and miR-129-5P. CONCLUSIONS Matrine could inhibit LPS-induced EMT in HPMCs and reverse LPS inhibited expressions of miR-29 b and miR-129-5P in HPMCs, ultimately reduce peritoneal fibrosis. These findings provide a potential theoretical basis for using matrine in the prevention and treatment of peritoneal fibrosis.
Actins ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Epithelium ; drug effects ; Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; drug therapy ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use

Succinic acid is an important C4 platform chemical in the synthesis of many commodity and special chemicals. In the present work, different compounds were evaluated for succinic acid production by Actinobacillus succinogenes GXAS 137. Important parameters were screened by the single factor experiment and Plackeet-Burman design. Subsequently, the highest production of succinic acid was approached by the path of steepest ascent. Then, the optimum values of the parameters were obtained by Box-Behnken design. The results show that the important parameters were glucose, yeast extract and MgCO3 concentrations. The optimum condition was as follows (g/L): glucose 70.00, yeast extract 9.20 and MgCO3 58.10. Succinic acid yield reached 47.64 g/L at the optimal condition. Succinic acid increased by 29.14% than that before the optimization (36.89 g/L). Response surface methodology was proven to be a powerful tool to optimize succinic acid production.
Actinobacillus ; classification ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bioreactors ; Culture Media ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; Succinic Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of lead on the thyroid function of occupationally exposed workers.

METHOD157 workers occupationally exposed to lead in a smelting factory were investigated. The concentration of lead in air at workshop was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) and the levels of blood lead (PbB) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) by ZnPP meter, as well as the indexes of thyroid function, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxin (T(4)), free T(3) (FT(3)), and free T(4) (FT(4)) in serum by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSThe workers with higher level of blood lead (> 2.88 micro mol/L) showed lower levels of T(3) [(1.54 +/- 0.39) nmol/L] and FT(3) [(5.50 +/- 1.26) pmol/L] than those with lower blood lead level [PbB: (1.92 approximately 2.88) micro mol/L group, T(3): (1.71 +/- 0.45) nmol/L, FT(3): (6.12 +/- 1.64) pmol/L, P < 0.05]. There was no obvious effect of length of service on thyroid hormone of exposed workers.

CONCLUSIONHigher level of blood lead may cause certain damage to thyroid function by inhibiting deiodination of T(4). No obvious relation between length of service and thyroid function was found.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lead ; blood ; toxicity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Thyroid Gland ; drug effects ; physiology