AIM:To observe the expression of angiogenesis factors in the myocardial tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats .METHODS:The diabetic rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin .After 12 weeks, the cardiac function was measured by MPA cardiac function analysis system .The myocardial collagen volume fraction ( CVF) was assessed by Masson staining .The capillary vessels was quantified as the ratio of capillary to myocyte (C/M) using CD31 immunostaining.The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin ( Ang)-1, endostatin and Ang-2 were observed by Western blotting .RESULTS:Compared with normal control group , the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was evidently increased (P<0.01), but left ventricular pressure rise maximum rate (+dp/dtmax), left ventricular pressure decrease maximum rate (-dp/dtmax) and the ratio of capillary/myo-cyte (C/M) were significantly decreased (P<0.05).The CVF and the expression level of endostatin were significantly increased, whereas the expression levels of VEGF and Ang-1 evidently decreased (both P<0.05) in diabetic rats.Howev-er, no marked difference in the expression of Ang-2 between the 2 groups was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Im-balances between the angiogenic factors (VEGF and Ang-1) and anti-angiogenic factors (endostatin) may play an impor-tant role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy .

Flavonoids is one of the biggest families of the plant-derived secondary metabolites with structural diversity. Until now, over 10 000 kinds of flavonoids with distinct structures have been purified and identified from plants, and some of them possess a range of important pharmacological effects, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory and so on. So far, a number of genes and enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of flavonoids have been reported, especially, a great of progress has been achieved in the synthetic biology of flavonoids in the recent years. Herein, based upon a brief introduction on the biosynthesis of flavonoids, this review summarizes the research advances in synthetic biology of flavonoids in the past two decades (2001-2021), highlighting the cell factories construction of the representative flavonoids. And, a brief discussion and prospects of the relevant metabolic bottlenecks and optimizing strategies are proposed.

OBJECTIVETo study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.

Animals ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plantago ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach Ulcer ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To make comparisons of the three models of acute and chronic rheumatic carditis to find out an optimal animal model.Methods AntigenⅠwas a emulsifier mixed by complete freund’ s adjuvant( CFA) and Group A streptococcus(GAS).AntigenⅡwas mixed by incomplete freund’s adjuvant(IFA) and GAS.Female Lewis rats were randomly divided into four groups: A, B, C treatmeat groups were immuned with antigenⅠat the foot pad firstly. Subsequently, rats in group A、B、C were injected antigenⅠ, antigenⅡand activated GAS respectively to make the models of RHD.Rats in control group D were immunized with the same protocol outlined as treatment groups but without GAS. Respectively 7, 12, 24 weeks the rats were sacrificed 24 ( each group was 6).The blood biochemical item and Hematoxylin-eosin( HE) staining of hearts were detected.Results In group C the mortality was 25%.In group A, the incidence of carditis was the highest.Histopathological manifestations of group A, C was not only revealed acute damage such as inflammatory cell infiltrate as well as group B, but also the Aschofflike cells in the myocardial cells interstitial.But in group A and C there had a great degree of the inflammatory cells infiltration than group B.At 24th week rats in group A detected the rate and degree of valve fibrosis in chronic damage were higher than group B and C.None of rats in group D presented carditis or valvulitis.Conclusion In group A, giving the GAS with continuous stimulation after using the mixed emulsification of CFA and GAS to immune Lewis rats for five times was a appropriate method which could provide an optimal animal model for experimental study of acute and chronic rheumatic heart disease.

Diabetic SD rats were established by injection of streptozotocin,and were divided into normal blood sugar control group(NC),diabetic control group(DM),and the insulin treatment group(IDM).12 weeks later,the maximum rates of increasing and decreasing pressure in left ventricle were both decreased in DM group(P＜ 0.05),and those in IDM group were higher than those in DM group(P＜0.05).Regional myocardial blood flow in DM group was lower than that in NC group [(3.39 ± 0.48 vs 3.90 ± 0.45) ml · g-1 · min-1,P＜ 0.05],and that in IDM group was higher than that in DM group [(4.46 ± 0.52 vs 3.39 ± 0.48) ml · g-1 · min-1,P＜0.05].The capillary density ratio in DM group was lower than that of NC group [0.429 ± 0.091 vs 0.545 ± 0.082,P＜0.05],but that in IDM group was higher than DM group [0.494 ± 0.076 vs 0.429 ± 0.091,P＜0.05].VEGF and Ang-1 expression in DM group were the highest in 3 groups (P＜0.05).Insulin therapy may improve the angiogenesis and myocardial blood flow in diabetic rats with cardiomyopathy.

Objective:To study the effects of Tongxinluo,a traditional Chinese medicine,on the proliferation of peripheral blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs)in vitro.Methods:The Tongxinluo solution was prepared through ultrasonication according to the pervious literature.The mononuclear cells(MNCs)were isolated from the peripheral blood with Ficoll by density gradient centrifugation.MNCs were suspended in Medium 199 containing 20% fetal blood serum(FBS)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).After cultured for 7 d,the attached cells were characterized by Di-LDL uptaking and FITC-lectin binding by laser confocal microscope,and further identified through detection of CD34 and CD133 expression by flow cytometry.Then the cultured EPCs were incubated with Tongxinluo at a series of concentrations(0,50,100,200,500, 750,1000?g/ml)for different durations(0,6,12,24 and 36 h).The cell morphology was observed and cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay.Results:Incubation with different concentrations of Tongxinluo increased the proliferative ability of EPCs.Tongxinluo at 500?g/ml had the most prominent effect on proliferation and the effect increased as time went by and reached peak at 36 h(growth rate 54.18%,P

Animals ; Arsenic ; toxicity ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

Background Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which belong to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, are powerful regulators of cartilage and bone formation. This study investigated the biological changes of NIH3T3 cells incubated with secretive BMP2 that was induced by gene transfection through transwell. Methods Eukaryonic expression vector (pcDNA3.1-B2) was transfered into NIH3T3 cells with SofastTM,a positive compound transfection agent. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The cytoplasmic and extracellular expressions of BMP2 were determined by immunohistochemical stain and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NIH3T3 cells were co-cultured with hBMP2 gene transfecting cells through transwell, and the ultrastructure, alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of osteocalcin (the marker of osteogenetic differentiation) changes were observed. Results There were cytoplasmic and extracellular expressions of BMP2 in transfecting NIH3T3 cells. The ultrastructural changes, the high activity of alkaline phosphatase and the positive stain of osteocalcin suggested the osteogenetic differentiation tendency of NIH3T3 cells co-cultured with transfecting NIH3T3 cells. Conclusion Secretive BMP2 that is induced by gene transfection could promote the osteogenetic differentiation of fibroblast cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ultrastructure and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity changes of NIH3T3 cells incubated with secretive human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (hBMP-2) that is induced by gene transfection through transwell system.

METHODSEukaryotic expression vector (pcDNA3.1-B2) was transduced into NIH3T3 cells by Sofast, a positive compound transfection agent. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The cytoplasmic and extracellular expression of BMP-2 in the NIH3T3 cells were determined by immunohistochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NIH3T3 cells were co-cultured with hBMP-2 gene transfecting cells through transwell system, and the ultrastructure and ALP activity (the markers of osteogenetic differentiation) changes were observed.

RESULTSThere were cytoplasmic and extracellular expression of BMP-2 in transfecting NIH3T3 cells. The ultrastructure changes and the high expression of ALP suggested the osteogenetic differentiation tendency of NIH3T3 cells co-cultured with transfecting NIH3T3 cells.

CONCLUSIONSSecretive BMP-2 that is induced by gene transfection could promote the osteogenetic differentiation of fibroblast cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; Coculture Techniques ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Osteogenesis ; Transfection

Abstract: Objective　To analyze the influencing factors of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus after combined immunological blockade, and to evaluate the effect of mother-to-child blockade, and to provide a basis for health policies and health interventions for preventing mother-to-child blockade of hepatitis B virus. Methods A total of 11 363 pairs of HBsAg positive pregnant women and their infants aged 7-12 months in Hainan Province from 2015 to 2020 were included in the study. The general situation, the situation of health care and delivery in this pregnancy and perinatal period, the detection of hepatitis B markers, the situation of antiviral therapy, the general situation of mother and infant during delivery and the implementation of blockade measures for mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B were collected and analyzed. Results Among the 11 363 pairs of HBsAg positive pregnant women and their infants delivered in hospitals in Hainan province from 2015 to 2020, the positive rate of HBsAg in children at 7-12 months after birth was 1.47 %, and the difference in HBsAg positive rate of infants born in different years was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the positive rate of HBsAg among children born to pregnant women with different nationalities, educational levels, occupations, delivery modes, delivery places, obstetric operations and perineal laceration, abnormal perinatal period, children with different genders and premature delivery and perinatal (all P<0.05). There was significant difference in HBsAg positive rate among infants born to pregnant women of different ages, the positive rate of HBsAg of infants born to young pregnant women was higher than that of older pregnant women (P<0.05). The rate of antiviral therapy was low in HBeAg positive pregnant women, and the positive rate of HBsAg in their infants was 2.54%, which was higher than 0.83% in HBeAg negative pregnant women (P<0.05). Conclusions Combined immunological blockade with hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin can effectively prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HBV. HBsAg-positive women can give birth at the right age, and HBeAg-positive pregnant women can be treated with antiviral therapy to block mother-to-child transmission, providing the important basis for the formulation of hepatitis B prevention and control strategies and measures.