Objective To investigate the expressions of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and insulin receptor sub-strate-2 (IRS-2) in adipocytes during catch-up growth in neonatal rats with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and their correlations with the insulin resistance. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats (clean grade) were randomly divided into control group and food-restricted group after fertilization. Food-restricted group were received about 30%of food amount consumed in control group every day through the whole pregnant period to establish IUGR animal model, and were fed increased amount of breast-milk from postnatal day 1 to 21 to establish the period of catch-up growth in IUGR animal model (IUGR-CG). Fasting serum glu-cose, insulin and triglyceride were measured in blood from heart ventricles of 4-week old SD rats and insulin resistance index was calculated. Pre-adipocytes and mature adipocytes were obtained from SD rats at different age (1-week, 3-week, 5-week and 7-week old) and the former were induced to differentiate toward mature adipocytes. The levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 in the two kinds of mature adipocytes were detected by Real-Time PCR and Western blot. Results The expression levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 mRNA in mature adipocytes of IUGR-CG rats were signiifcantly lower than those of IUGR rats at 5-weeks and 7-weeks old (P<0.05) while the ex-pression levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 mRNA in differentiated adipocytes of IUGR-CG rats were signiifcantly lower than those of IUGR rats at 5-weeks old (P<0.05). The expression levels of IRS-1, IRS-2 protein in two kinds of adipocytes (mature and differentiated adipocytes) of IUGR-CG rats were signiifcantly lower than those of IUGR rats from postpartum week 1 through 7 (P<0.05). Conclusions IRS-1 and IRS-2 expression levels are downregulated in adipocytes during catch-up growth of IUGR rats, which may be closely related with insulin resistance.

To investigate the chemical constituents of A. barbadensis, aqueous extract of the plant was subjected to preparative medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). The chemical structures were mainly determined by spectroscopic evidences (UV, IR, HR-MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HSQC, 1H-1H COSY and HMBC) and chemical methods. A new O, O, O-triglucosylated naphthalene derivative, together with two known 6-phenyl-2-pyrone derivatives and four 5-methylchromones, were isolated and identified as 1-((3-((4- O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-xylopyranosyloxymethyl)-1-hydroxy-8-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)naphthalene-2-y])-ethanone (1), 10-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl aloenin (2), aloenin B (3), aloesin (4), 8-C-glucosyl-(R)-aloesol (5), 8-C-glucosyl-7-O-methyl-(S)-aloesol (6), and isoaloeresin D (7). Compound 1 is a novel naphthalene derivative and named as aloveroside B, compounds 2-3 are isolated from this Aloe species for the first time.

In previous study, glutaric acid (GA) induced apoptosis of primary striatal neuron in vitro. In order to investigate the neurotoxic effects of GA on neonatal rat corpus striatum and the possible mechanism, 34 male pups were randomly assigned to NS group, low dose GA (LGA, 5 μmol GA/g body weight) group and high dose GA (HGA, 10 μmol GA/g body weight) group. These pups were subcutaneously administered with three injections from postnatal day 3 to 22 at 7:30 am, 15:00 pm and 22:30 pm and killed 12 h after the last injection. Microscopic pathology in corpus striatum was evaluated by HE staining. The apoptotic cells were identified by TUNEL staining. The transcript levels of caspase-3, 8, 9, Bax, Bcl-2 were detected by using real-time PCR and the protein levels of procaspase-3 and the active fraction were evaluated by Western blotting. In LGA and HGA groups, ventricle collapse, cortical atrophy by a macroscope and interstitial edema, vacuolations, widened perivascular space of bilateral striatum by a microscope were observed. TUNEL assay revealed that the apoptotic cells were increased in LGA and HGA groups. The transcript of caspase-3 was up-regulated to 2.5 fold, accompanied by the up-regulation of caspase-9, Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2. The protein levels of procaspase-3 and the active fraction were up-regulated in LGA and HGA groups. The rat model for GA I showed mitochondrial apoptotic pathway may be involved in the GA-induced striatal lesion. Further studies should be taken to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

In previous study,glutaric acid (GA) induced apoptosis of primary striatal neuron in vitro.In order to investigate the neurotoxic effects of GA on neonatal rat corpus striatum and the possible mechanism,34 male pups were randomly assigned to NS group,low dose GA (LGA,5 μmol GA/g body weight) group and high dose GA (HGA,10 μmol GA/g body weight) group.These pups were subcutaneously administered with three injections from postnatal day 3 to 22 at 7:30 am,15:00 pm and 22:30 pm and killed 12 h after the last injection.Microscopic pathology in corpus striatum was evaluated by HE staining.The apoptotic cells were identified by TUNEL staining.The transcript levels of caspase-3,8,9,Bax,Bcl-2 were detected by using real-time PCR and the protein levels of procaspase-3 and the active fraction were evaluated by Westem blotting.In LGA and HGA groups,ventricle collapse,cortical atrophy by a macroscope and interstitial edema,vacuolations,widened perivascular space of bilateral striatum by a microscope were observed.TUNEL assay revealed that the apoptotic cells were increased in LGA and HGA groups.The transcript of caspase-3 was up-regulated to 2.5 fold,accompanied by the up-regulation of caspase-9,Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2.The protein levels ofprocaspase-3 and the active fraction were up-regulated in LGA and HGA groups.The rat model for GA Ⅰ showed mitochondrial apoptotic pathway may be involved in the GA-induced striatal lesion.Further studies should be taken to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Objective To explore the excitotoxic role of NMDA receptors in striatal neurons in glutaric aciduria type I (GA1). Methods A GA1 cell model was established by lentivirus-mediated shRNA to GCDH and excessive intake of lysine. The expression levels of NMDA receptors were determined by Western blotting. The striatal neurons were preprocessed by MK801(a NMDA receptor antagonist), then infected with lentivirus and cultured in high concentration lysine. Cell viability was measured using MTT. Apoptosis was assessed using Hoechst33342 staining. Results Compared with the control group, the expression of NR2B protein in the experimental group was increased, and there was statistical difference (P<0.001). The differentces in the cell viability and normal nuclear proportion among experimental group, control group, and MK-801 pretreatment group were statistically significant (P<0.01). The cell viability and normal nucleus proportion in experimental group were significantly lower than those in control group while they were significantly higher in MK-801 pretreated group than those in the experiment group but still significantly lower than those in control group (P all <0.05). Conclusion The accumulation of metabolites in GA 1 played a toxic role in striatal neurons through NMDR receptors.

Objective To observe the inhibited effect of gastrodin on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and its mechanism.Methods Fifty SD rats,chosen according to the threshold of pain,were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=10):control group,model group,and gastrodin treatment groups (30 mg/kg,60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg).Vincristine (125 μg/kg,i.p.) was administered on alternate days to establish chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain models in the model group and gastrodin treatment groups,and then,on the 9th d of modeling rats in the gastrodin treatment groups were treated with different doses of gastrodin,while those in the control group and model group were given normal saline on the 16th d of modeling.Paw withdrawal mechanical threshold and thermal pain threshold were measured;protein expressions of CX3CR1 and p-p38MAPK were detected by Western blotting,and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) protein expression was detected by ELISA.Results As compared with control group,model group had significantly decreased pain threshold and increased protein expressions of CX3CR1,p-p38MAPK and TNF-α (P＜0.05);as compared with those in the model group,the pain threshold increased and the expressions of CX3CR1,p-p38MAPK and TNF-α decreased in 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg gastrodin treatment groups,with significant differences (P＜0.05).Conclusion Gastrodin can relieve the chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain,probably by inhibiting the expressions of CX3CR1 and p-p38MAPK in the activation passageway of microglial cells in the spinal cord,and then,reducing the expression of TNF-α.

The tea beverages will be endowed with distinct aroma and taste, as well as various biologically active compounds including probiotic factors, when fermented with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, at present, few studies on the dynamics of flavors in tea soup at different fermentation stages were conducted. In this study, the composition of monosaccharides, aromatic components, free amino acids, and organic acids were measured, when the black tea beverages were fermented with Lactobacillus coryniformis FZU63 which was isolated from Chinese traditional kimchi. The results indicated that monosaccharides including glucose, fructose, mannose and xylose in black tea beverages are the main carbon sources for fermentation. In addition, the abundance of aromatic compounds in black tea soup are increased significantly at different fermentation stages, which endow the fermented black tea soup with fruit aroma on the basis of flowery and nutty aroma. Moreover, some bitter amino acids are reduced, whereas the content of sweet and tasty amino acids is elevated. Furthermore, the levels of lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid and other organic acids are accumulated during the fermentation. Additionally, sensory evaluation displays that black tea beverage is acquired with comprehensive high-quality after being fermented for 48 h. This study provides a theoretical basis to steer and control the flavor formation and quality of the fermented tea beverages during LAB fermentation.
Tea/chemistry* ; Beverages/microbiology* ; Camellia sinensis ; Fermentation ; Acids ; Amino Acids ; Glucose

Objective:To screen the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)under high phosphate-induced calcification in the vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)by mRNA high-throughput sequencing technology,and to analyze the key genes and signaling pathways involved in the VSMCs calcification.Methods:The human VSMCs were divided into control group and model group.The cells in model group was exposed to the high-phosphate medium,while the cells in control group were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum under the same conditions.The VSMCs in two groups,stably transfected,were cultured for 12 d.The morphology of the cells in two groups were observed and photographed under inverted microscope.The DEGs were selected by Hisat2 software,and Gene Ontology(GO)functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed by Stringtie software from three aspects,such as biological processes(BP),molecular functions(MF),and cellular components(CC).The calcification of the cells in two groups was observed by Von Kossa staining method.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to analyze the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP),bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2),alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),tumor protein 53(Tp53),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ferritin light chain 1(Ftl1),and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D1(GPLD1)mRNA in the cells in two groups.Results:Compared with control group,there were 2 524 DEGs in the cells in model group,and there were 1 368 upregulated DEGs and 1 156 downregulated DEGs.Clustering of DEGs between the cells in two groups was distinct.The GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the upregulated DEGs were primarily involved in regulating the microtubule cytoskeleton,cell polarity,protein localization,and cell cycle regulation among BPs;in constructing cell membrane,microtubule organization,chromosomes,and kinetochore among CCs;and functioning in phosphatidylinositol phosphate,Rho GTPase protein binding,transmembrane transport,and protein kinase regulatory activity among MFs.Downregulated DEGs were mainly involved in cytoplasmic translation,protein membrane localization,mRNA metabolism,and protein endoplasmic reticulum localization among BPs;in forming ribosome subunits,cell membrane,and autophagy among CCs;and functioning in single-stranded DNA,ribonucleoprotein complex,growth factor binding,regulating protein kinase activity,and catalytic activity among MFs.Seven signaling pathways were significantly enriched in upregulated genes,most notably in the biosynthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)anchors;whereas 18 signaling pathways were significantly enriched in the downregulated genes,most notably in ferroptosis.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of GPX4,Ftl1,and Tp53 mRNA in the cells in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),while the expression level of GPLD1 mRNA was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the expression level of α-SMA mRNA in the cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression levels of ALP and BMP2 mRNA were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The VSMCs underwent calcification and normal cells exhibit the DEGs.The key signaling pathways in the calcification induced by high phosphate in the VSMCs include ferroptosis and GPI anchor biosynthesis,mediated primarily through GPX4,Ftl1,Tp53,and GPLD1.