Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for anti-inflammatory effect of usnic acid (UA), the effects of UA from usnea longissm on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages has been examined. Methods The different concentrations of UA were added to peritoneal macrophages. The TNF-α and NO production in peritoneal macrophages were examined with mouse TNF-α ELISA kit and NO content by measuring the amount of nitrite (NO-2μmol/L) formed in the medium using Griess reaction. The activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) was determined using i-NOS detection kit and the TNF-α mRNA expression was tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results UA decreased the TNF-α and NO level in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages in dose-dependent manner, the IC50 values were 12.8μmol/L and 5.7μmol/L respectively. RT-PCR analysis indicated that UA could inhibit TNF-α mRNA expression; the activity analysis of i-NOS indicated that UA could inhibit the activity of i-NOS. Conclusion UA could inhibit the TNF-α and NO production in peritoneal macrophages, it may be associated with the anti-inflammatory activity of UA.

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for anti-inflammatory effect of usnic acid (UA), the effects of UA from usnea longissm on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) production in peritoneal macrophages has been examined. Methods: The different concentrations of UA were added to peritoneal macrophages. The TNF-α and NO production in peritoneal macrophages were examined with mouse TNF-α ELISA kit and NO content by measuring the amount of nitrite (NO2- μmol/L) formed in the medium using Griess reaction. The activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) was determined using i-NOS detection kit and the TNF-α mRNA expression was tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: UA decreased the TNF-α and NO level in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages in dose-dependent manner, the IC50 values were 12.8 μmol/L and 5.7 μmol/L respectively. RT-PCR analysis indicated that UA could inhibit TNF-α mRNA expression; the activity analysis of i-NOS indicated that UA could inhibit the activity of i-NOS. Conclusion: UA could inhibit the TNF-α and NO production in peritoneal macrophages, it may be associated with the anti-inflammatory activity of UA.

Objective To test the efficiency of transfecting 9 Tcm-labeled anti-miR208b oligonucleotide into early hypertrophic cardiac myocytes in vitro. Methods The anti-oligonucleotide targeting miR208b (AMO) was synthesized and modified with LNA followed by conjugation with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl S-acetyl-meraptoacetyl triglycine (NHS-MAG3) and radiolabeling with 9 Tcm. NHS-MAG3-LNA-AMO and labeled AMO were purified with Sep-Pak C18 column chromatography, and the former was examined for UV absorption at the 260 nm using Gene Quant DNA/RNA calculator. The labeling efficiency, radiochemical purity, stability and molecular hybridization activity were analyzed. An angiotensin II-induced cell model of hypertrophic cardiac myocytes was transfected with 9 Tcm-NHS-MAG3-LNA-AMO via liposome, and the relative expression of miRNA208b and retention ratio of the labeled AMO in early hypertrophic cells were determined. Results The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity of the labeled AMO after purification exceeded 84% and 86%, respectively. The radio-chemical purities of the labeled AMO incubated in serum and normal saline for 12 h were both higher than 80%, and the labeled AMO showed a capacity to hybridize with the target gene. In the hypertrophic model of cardiac myocytes, the retention ratio of labeled AMO at 6 h was higher than 20%. Conclusion The 9 Tcm-labeled antisense probe can be efficiently transfected into hypertrophic cardiac myocytes in vitro, which provides an experimental basis for subsequent radionuclide imaging studies.

Objective To test the efficiency of transfecting 9 Tcm-labeled anti-miR208b oligonucleotide into early hypertrophic cardiac myocytes in vitro. Methods The anti-oligonucleotide targeting miR208b (AMO) was synthesized and modified with LNA followed by conjugation with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl S-acetyl-meraptoacetyl triglycine (NHS-MAG3) and radiolabeling with 9 Tcm. NHS-MAG3-LNA-AMO and labeled AMO were purified with Sep-Pak C18 column chromatography, and the former was examined for UV absorption at the 260 nm using Gene Quant DNA/RNA calculator. The labeling efficiency, radiochemical purity, stability and molecular hybridization activity were analyzed. An angiotensin II-induced cell model of hypertrophic cardiac myocytes was transfected with 9 Tcm-NHS-MAG3-LNA-AMO via liposome, and the relative expression of miRNA208b and retention ratio of the labeled AMO in early hypertrophic cells were determined. Results The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity of the labeled AMO after purification exceeded 84% and 86%, respectively. The radio-chemical purities of the labeled AMO incubated in serum and normal saline for 12 h were both higher than 80%, and the labeled AMO showed a capacity to hybridize with the target gene. In the hypertrophic model of cardiac myocytes, the retention ratio of labeled AMO at 6 h was higher than 20%. Conclusion The 9 Tcm-labeled antisense probe can be efficiently transfected into hypertrophic cardiac myocytes in vitro, which provides an experimental basis for subsequent radionuclide imaging studies.