Objective To observe the expression of cellular Fas-associated death domain-like interleukin-1β converting enzyme inhibit protein (c-FLIP) in sepsis mice with acute kidney injury (SAKI) and explore its significance. Methods Thirty male ICR mice were divided into the normal control group (Normal group), sham operation group (Sham group) and SAKI group by random number table method, with 10 mice in each group. The SAKI model of mice was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); the Sham group was not ligated and the cecum was not punctured, and other surgical procedures were the same as the SAKI group; the Normal group did not experience any treatment. The serum and renal tissues of mice in each group were harvested 24 hours after CLP model establishment. The levels of serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The renal tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), and the pathological changes of renal tissues were observed under light microscope and the severity of injury was determined. The expression of c-FLIP in renal tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of c-FLIP, Bax and caspase-3 protein in renal tissue was detected by Western Blot. The correlation between c-FLIP expression and Bax, caspase-3 protein expressions in renal tissues were analyzed by Pearson test. Results In the Normal group and the Sham group, the renal tubular epithelial cells were regular and intact, and no interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration was observed; the renal injury score was both 1.30±0.48; immunohistochemistry showed a large amount of c-FLIP positive expression in renal tubular epithelial cells (IA: 120.20±3.87, 116.70±3.46); Western Blot showed high expression of c-FLIP in renal tissues (c-FLIP/GAPDH: 0.99±0.01, 0.98±0.02), and low expressions of Bax and caspase-3 (Bax/GAPDH: 0.16±0.04, 0.19±0.03, caspase-3/GAPDH: 0.24±0.04, 0.23±0.05). Compared with the Sham group, in the SAKI group, renal tubular epithelial cells were degenerated and necrosis, and a large number of interstitial inflammatory cells infiltrated, the renal injury score was significantly increased (4.60±0.52 vs. 1.30±0.48, P < 0.01); the levels of SCr and BUN were significantly increased [SCr (μmol/L): 193.90±13.54 vs. 24.50±3.78, BUN (mmol/L): 81.60±7.26 vs. 5.20±0.92, both P < 0.01]; the c-FLIP positive cells in renal tissues was significantly reduced (IA: 17.11±0.82 vs. 116.70±3.46, P < 0.01); the expression of c-FLIP protein in renal tissues was significantly decreased (c-FLIP/GAPDH: 0.29±0.03 vs. 0.98±0.02, P < 0.01), while the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 protein were significantly increased (Bax/GAPDH: 0.87±0.06 vs. 0.19±0.03, caspase-3/GAPDH: 0.88±0.07 vs. 0.23±0.05, both P < 0.01]. The correlation analysis showed that the c-FLIP protein was significantly negatively correlated with Bax (r = -0.468, P = 0.029) and caspase-3 protein expressions (r = -0.663, P = 0.004). Conclusions The expression level of c-FLIP protein was significantly down-regulated in renal tissue of SAKI, and its down-regulation mechanism was associated with increased apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, which could be an effective target for the treatment of SAKI.

Objective:To study the effect and mechanism of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant peptide SS-31 on sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:Sixty adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups according to the random number table method: sham group (10 mice), positive control group (10 mice), sepsis model group (20 mice), and SS-31 peptide group (20 mice). The sepsis-induced AKI mouse model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The sham group only received laparotomy. SS-31 peptide (5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected in SS-31 peptide group and positive control group 30 minutes after the operation, while an equivalent amount of normal saline was given in sham group and sepsis model group for 7 days. The blood samples were collected 24 hours after the operation from orbit, and the serum was collected to test the serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The mice were sacrificed 7 days after surgery. The kidney tissues were collected to observe the pathologic structure changes under the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining by light microscope. And the mitochondrial ultrastructure was checked under the transmission electron microscope. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling method (TUNEL). The expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and cleaved caspase-3 protein were tested by Western blotting.Results:Compared with sham group, the levels of SCr and BUN were significantly increased in sepsis model group [SCr (μmol/L): 93.12±11.80 vs. 32.94±3.37, BUN (mmol/L): 41.36±6.48 vs. 9.49±3.58, both P<0.05]. The expression levels of AMPK, PGC-1α and cleaved caspase-3 protein increased (AMPK/β-actin: 0.30±0.02 vs. 0.12±0.01, PGC-1α/β-actin: 0.38±0.03 vs. 0.16±0.02, cleaved caspase-3/β-actin: 0.20±0.01 vs. 0.11±0.02, all P<0.05). HE staining showed that inflammatory cell was infiltrated, glomerular basement membrane was exposed and vacuole-like transparent casts were found in the lumen. Mitochondria were damaged under electron microscope with swelling, ridge disappearance and ruptured membranes, with increasing of apoptotic cells [cells: 24.00 (18.75, 31.00) vs. 2.00 (0.72, 3.25) , P<0.05]. Meanwhile, compared with sepsis model group, the levels of SCr, BUN and the expressions of AMPK, PGC-1α, cleaved caspase-3 protein were significantly decreased in the SS-31 peptide group [SCr (μmol/L): 71.33±10.14 vs. 93.12±11.80, BUN (mmol/L): 27.00±5.52 vs. 41.36±6.48, AMPK/β-actin: 0.23±0.01 vs. 0.30±0.02, PGC-1α/β-actin: 0.27±0.02 vs. 0.38±0.03, cleaved caspase-3/β-actin: 0.13±0.01 vs. 0.20±0.01, all P < 0.05]. HE staining showed that cell swelling reduced, the mitochondrial structure was intact, the ridge swelling was also reduced, and the membrane structure was relatively intact, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced [cells: 13.00 (9.00, 16.50) vs. 24.00 (18.75, 31.00) , P<0.05]. Conclusion:The protective effect of SS-31 peptide on organ dysfunction induced by sepsis-induced AKI is related to maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Huperzine A (Hup-A) is a poorly water-soluble drug with low oral bioavailability. A self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) was used to enhance the oral bioavailability and lymphatic uptake and transport of Hup-A. A single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) technique and a chylomicron flow-blocking approach were used to study its intestinal absorption, mesenteric lymph node distribution and intestinal lymphatic uptake. The value of the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of Hup-A SMEDDS was significantly higher than that of a Hup-A suspension (<0.01). The absorption rate constant () and the apparent permeability coefficient () for Hup-A in different parts of the intestine suggested a passive transport mechanism, and the values ofandof Hup-A SMEDDS in the ileum were much higher than those in other intestinal segments. The determination of Hup-A concentration in mesenteric lymph nodes can be used to explain the intestinal lymphatic absorption of Hup-A SMEDDS. For Hup-A SMEDDS, the values of AUC and maximum plasma concentration () of the blocking model were significantly lower than those of the control model (<0.05). The proportion of lymphatic transport of Hup-A SMEDDS and Hup-A suspension were about 40% and 5%, respectively, suggesting that SMEDDS can significantly improve the intestinal lymphatic uptake and transport of Hup-A.

Objective: To explore whether the environmental pollutant triclosan (TCS) has negative effects on the various biological characteristics of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), as well as the distribution and hazards of TCS in rat dental pulp tissue in vivo, which will provide a basis for the clinical application of DPSCs and the safety of TCS. Methods : Tooth collection was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology. Human DPSCs were extracted, cultured, and identified. Up to 0.08 mmol/L of TCS was added to the in vitro culture medium of DPSCs. The proliferation ability of DPSCs was detected by CCK-8. The migration ability of DPSCs was detected via scratch assay. The differentiation ability of DPSCs was detected by inducing trilineage differentiation. The gene or protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in DPSCs were detected. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by DPSCs was analyzed using fluorescence staining. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential of DPSCs were detected using a fluorescent probe. The activity of PI3K/Akt/mTOR, p38, and JNK pathways of DPSCs were detected. Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Wuhan University of Science and Technology. A rat model of short-term oral exposure to 50 mg/kg/d of TCS for 2 months was established, and the TCS concentration in the liver, brain, and dental pulp tissues of rats was detected through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: TCS at 0.02 mmol/L, 0.04 mmol/L, and 0.08 mmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation ability of human-derived DPSCs on the 5th and 7th days of contact. TCS at 0.04 mmol/L and 0.08 mmol/L significantly inhibited the migration ability and tri-lineage differentiation ability of DPSCs on the 3rd day of contact. TCS induced the gene or protein expression of proinflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS, induced the gene or protein expression of TGF-β, and inhibited the protein expression of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. On day 1, TCS at 0.04 mmol/L and 0.08 mmol/L induced the production of ROS in DPSCs and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of DPSCs. On day 3, TCS at these levels inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activity and enhanced p38 pathway activity of DPSCs, without affecting the pathway activity of JNK. After short-term intragastric exposure of rats to TCS, TCS was detected in liver (430 ng/mL) and brain (41.4 ng/mL) tissues but not in the dental pulp. The TCS concentration was highest in the liver, but no obvious histopathological changes were observed. Conclusion TCS inhibits a variety of biological characteristics of DPSCs and poses a potential risk to the organism. No TCS exists in the dental pulp tissue of rats exposed to TCS for a brief period of time, and the health of the rats is not damaged.

Human 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is a well-validated drug target and its inhibitors are potential drugs for treating leukotriene-related disorders. Our previous work on structural optimization of the hit compound 2 from our in-house collection identified two lead compounds, 3a and 3b, exhibiting a potent inhibitory profile against 5-LOX with IC50 values less than 1 µmol/L in cell-based assays. Here, we further optimized these compounds to prepare a class of novel pyrazole derivatives by opening the fused-ring system. Several new compounds exhibited more potent inhibitory activity than the lead compounds against 5-LOX. In particular, compound 4e not only suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in brain inflammatory cells and protected neurons from oxidative toxicity, but also significantly decreased infarct damage in a mouse model of cerebral ischemia. Molecular docking analysis further confirmed the consistency of our theoretical results and experimental data. In conclusion, the excellent in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activities of these compounds against 5-LOX suggested that these novel chemical structures have a promising therapeutic potential to treat leukotriene-related disorders.

This study was performed to evaluate the oncological and reproductive outcomes of childbearing-age women treated with fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) for non-epithelial ovarian tumors in China. One hundred and forty eight non-epithelial ovarian tumor women treated with FSS between January 1, 2000 and August 31, 2015 from two medical centers in China were identified. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 88.5%, whereas overall survival (OS) was 93.9%. Univariate analysis suggested that delivery after treatment is related to PFS (P = 0.023), whereas histology significantly influenced OS. Cox regression analysis suggested that only histology was associated with PFS and OS (P < 0.05). Among the 129 women who completed adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT), none developed amenorrhea. Among the 44 women who desired pregnancy, 35 (79.5%) successfully had 51 gestations including 35 live births without birth defects. Non-epithelial ovarian tumors can achieve fulfilling prognosis after FSS and chemotherapy. Histology might be the only independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS. FSS followed by ACT appeared to have little or no effect on fertility. Meanwhile, postoperative pregnancy did not increase the PFS or OS. Use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist was not beneficial for fertility.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; adverse effects ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Neoplasm Staging ; Organ Sparing Treatments ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Young Adult