To study the effect of dihydroartemisinin(DHA) on hepatic inflammation and lipid metabolism in weaned piglets, a liver injury model of weaned piglets was established by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced method. In this study, 30 healthy weaned piglets were selected and randomly divided into control group(CON), model group(LPS) and treatment group(LD, LPS+DHA), with 10 in each group. The CON group and the LPS group were fed with a basal diet, and the LD group was fed with a basal diet+80 mg·kg~(-1) DHA. The test period was 21 days. The LPS group and the LD group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μg·kg~(-1) LPS at 4 hours before slaughter, and the CON group was injected with the same dose of sterile physiological saline. The results showed that compared with the CON group, contents of TC, AST activity and AST/ALT ratio were significantly increased in the serum of LPS piglets(P<0.05), content of HDL-c was significantly decreased(P<0.05). In addition, in the liver, the levels of TG, NEFA, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased significantly(P<0.05), and activities of LPL, HL and TL were decreased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with LPS group, content of TC, activities of AST and ALT and the AST/ALT ratio were decreased significantly(P<0.05), and HDL-c content increased significantly in the serum of LD piglets(P<0.05). The contents of TG, NEFA, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and activity of FAS in the liver were decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the activities of LPL, HL and TL were increased significantly(P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, ACCβ and SREBP-1 c in the LPS group were significantly increased(P<0.05), the mRNA expressions of AMPKα, SIRT1, CPT-1 and SCD were decreased significantly(P<0.05). The above indicators were improved in the LD group compared with the LPS group. These results indicated that DHA had a certain effect in recovering LPS-induced liver inflammation and abnormal lipid metabolism.
Animals ; Artemisinins/therapeutic use* ; Dietary Supplements ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver/physiopathology* ; Swine

PURPOSE: The combined use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine to manage bacterial endotoxin-induced inflammation following injuries or diseases is increasing. The cytokine level produced by macrophages plays an important role in this treatment course. Ciprofloxacin and indomethacin, two typical representatives of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine, are cost-effective and has been reported to show satisfactory effect. The current study aims to investigate the effect of ciprofloxacin along with indomethacin on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages in vitro. METHODS: Primary murine peritoneal macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells were administrated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. The related optimal dose and time point of ciprofloxacin or indomethacin in response to macrophage inflammatory response inflammation were determined via macrophage secretion induced by LPS. Then, the effects of ciprofloxacin and indomethacin on the secretory functions and viability of various macrophages were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry analysis, especially for the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The optimal dose and time course of ciprofloxacin affecting macrophage inflammatory response were determined by testing the maximum inhibitory effect of the drugs on pro-inflammatory factors at each concentration or time point. RESULTS: According to the levels of cytokines secreted by various macrophages (1.2 × 10⁶ cells/well) after administration of 1 μg/mL LPS, the optimal dose and usage timing for ciprofloxacin alone were 80 μg/mL and 24 h, respectively, and the optimal dose for indomethacin alone was 10 μg/mL. Compared with the LPS-stimulated group, the combination of ciprofloxacin and indomethacin reduced the levels of IL-1β (p < 0.05), IL-6 (p < 0.05), IL-10 (p < 0.01)), and TNF-α (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was greater stability in the reduction of inflammatory factor levels in the combination group compared with those in which only ciprofloxacin or indomethacin was used. CONCLUSION The combination of ciprofloxacin and indomethacin suppressed the levels of inflammatory cytokines secreted by macrophages in vitro. This study illustrates the regulatory mechanism of drug combinations on innate immune cells that cause inflammatory reactions. In addition, it provides a new potential antibacterial and anti-inflammatory treatment pattern to prevent and cure various complications in the future.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Cytokines ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-10 ; Indomethacin/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-6/therapeutic use* ; Ciprofloxacin/therapeutic use* ; Macrophages ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of stronger neo-minophagen C (SNMC) on fulminant liver failure (FLF).

METHODSD-Gal N and LPS were injected once into the abdominal cavity of rats to establish an experimental model of FLF. The level of plasma ALT, Alb, TBil, TNFalpha, NO, ET-1, IL-6 and liver histopathology of the rats were examined.

RESULTSIn the D-Gal N and LPS model of FLF, there was an obvious decline of plasma TNFalpha (F = 52.84), NO (F = 15.81), ET-1 (F = 15.68), IL-6 (F = 15.32) and there was less hepatic tissue damage in SNMC-treated groups using different doses (high dose, medium dose, low dose) and at different times (pre-protection, simultaneous protection, post-protection) compared with those not treated with SNMC. These results indicated that SNMC could be used to treat FLF. It was better to use a low dose of SNMC and use it at the same time as inducing the FLF. There were no differences in the results of those treated with SNMC of different dosages and treated at different times.

CONCLUSIONSNMC can decrease the mortality of FLF by preventing hepatocyte apoptosis induced by D-Gal N and LPS and inhibit liver inflammation caused by all kinds of factors.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Galactosamine ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver Failure, Acute ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice

Animals ; BCG Vaccine ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver Failure ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Male ; Mice ; Mycophenolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDGastrodin, as one of the major components extracted from the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Bl., has many biologic effects, one of which is anti-apoptosis. Apoptosis is considered to be one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Therefore, we performed this study to investigate whether gastrodin has the potential to prevent steroid-induced ONFH.

METHODSAll 18 male adult Wistar rats were divided equally into three groups: the steroid group, the gastrodin+steroid group, and the control group. Osteonecrosis was induced by low-dose lipopolysaccharide and subsequent high-dose methylprednisolone. Histomorphometric method was used to determine the incidence of osteonecrosis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to detect apoptotic index of osteocytes and osteoblasts. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3. Fisher's exact probability test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Turkey's post hoc test were used to examine significant differences between groups.

RESULTSThe incidence of osteonecrosis in the gastrodin+steroid group (16.7%) was significantly lower than that in the steroid group (83.3%). According to TUNEL assay, the apoptotic indices in the steroid group, the gastrodin+steroid group, and the control group were 91.1%, 27.1%, and 5.4%, respectively, and the differences were significant between groups. Compared with the control group and the gastrodin+steroid group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were significantly higher in the steroid group, but the Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower.

CONCLUSIONGastrodin could prevent steroid-induced ONFH by anti-apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzyl Alcohols ; therapeutic use ; Femur Head Necrosis ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Glucosides ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Steroids ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe nervous system, through the vagus nerve and its neurotransmitter acetylcholine, can down-regulate the systemic inflammation in vivo, and recently, a role of brain cholinergic mechanisms in activating this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway has been indicated. Galanthamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor and one of the centrally acting cholinergic agents available in clinic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of galanthamine on circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and the possible role of the vagus nerve in the action of galanthamine.

METHODSRat models of lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and bilateral cervical vagotomy were produced. In the experiment 1, the rats were randomly divided into control group, peritonitis group, and peritonitis groups treated with three dosages of galanthamine. In the experiment 2, the rats were randomly divided into sham group, sham plus peritonitis group, sham plus peritonitis group treated with galanthamine, vagotomy plus peritonitis group, and vagotomy plus peritonitis group treated with galanthamine. The levels of plasma TNF-alpha were determined in every group.

RESULTSThe level of circulating TNF-alpha was significantly increased in rats after intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin. Galanthamine treatment decreased the level of circulating TNF-alpha in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, and there was significant difference compared with rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis without treatment. The 3 mg/kg dosage of galanthamine had the most significant inhibition on circulating TNF-alpha level at all the three tested doses. Galanthamine obviously decreased the TNF-alpha level in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis with sham operation, but could not decrease the TNF-alpha level in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis with vagotomy.

CONCLUSIONCholinesterase inhibitor galanthamine has an inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha release in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis, and the vagus nerve plays a role in the process of the action of galanthamine.

Animals ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Galantamine ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Male ; Peritonitis ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in plasma levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in burn patients with severe infection treated with Imipenem or Cefoperazone.

METHODSThirteen severe burn patients infected with gram negative bacilli were enrolled in the study in which 7 were treated with IPM and 6 with CPZ. Venous blood samples were harvested before and 2, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the use of antibiotic for the determination of the plasma levels of LPS, TNF-alpha and IL-6, and correlative analysis was carried out among all the factors in regard to their changes.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of LPS in both groups were elevated 2 hours after the injection of either antibiotic, but it was more obvious in patients with CPZ when compared with that before treatment (13.95 +/- 5.44 pg/ml), and the levels were much higher than that after IPM (P < 0.05). The plasma LPS level declined thereafter. The plasma TNF-alpha level in CPZ group was 0.86 +/- 0.16 ng/ml at 2 hours after the use of antibiotic, and it was much higher than that before the use of the drug, and it was higher compared with IPM group. (P < 0.01). But there was no change in the plasma IL-6 level in all the patients at all the time points before and after the use of either drug. The plasma TNF-alpha levels in the two groups were positively correlated with the plasma levels of LPS and IL-6.

CONCLUSIONThe release of LPS and TNF-alpha from bacteria could be induced by the administration of different kinds of antibiotics in the management of burn patients infected by gram negative bacilli in different releasing amounts. And the TNF-alpha production was correlated with the release of LPS and IL-6.

Burns ; blood ; Cefoperazone ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Imipenem ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; blood ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on acute hepatic failure induced by galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice, and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: The mice were intraperitoneally administered D-GalN (800 mg/kg) and LPS (10 microg/kg), and then were intraperitoneally injected either saline (the control group )or rhG-CSF at 300 microg/kg body weight (the therapy group) at 4 h, 2 h and 0 h before the D-GalN/LPS injection. The survival rate of the mice was estimated at 24 h after the D-GalN/LPS injection. The degree of hepatic injury was evaluated at 6 h after the D-GalN/LPS injection, and the levels of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA were simultaneously measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The survival rate of the therapy group was significantly higher than that of the control group (68.4% vs 20%, P<0.01). As compared with the control group, the degree of liver injury in the therapy group significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma mRNA in the hepatic tissue also reduced remarkably (P<0.01, respectively), while the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA increased (P<0.01, respectively) at 6 h after the D-GalN/LPS injection. CONCLUSION G-CSF can protect the mice from acute hepatic failure induced by D-GalN/LPS.
Animals ; Galactosamine ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver Failure, Acute ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Protective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins

Osteoarthritis is a common disease characterized by degenerative lesions of articular cartilage in the elderly.Fufang Duzhong Jiangu Granulues(FDJG), a classical prescription for the treatment of osteoarthritis, has the effects of nourishing liver and kidney, nourishing blood and sinew, and dredging collaterals and relieving pain.In this study, molecular simulation technology was combined with molecular biology methods to explore and verify the potential pharmacodynamic substances and molecular mechanism of FDJG in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Arachidonic acid(AA) metabolic pathway is a typical anti-inflammatory pathway, and secretory phospholipase A2 group ⅡA(sPLA2-ⅡA), 5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), and leukotriene A4 hydrolase(LTA4 H) are the key targets of the pathway.Therefore, in this study, based on the pharmacophores and molecular docking models of the four key targets in AA pathway, a total of 1 522 chemical components in 12 medicinals of FDJG were virtually screened, followed by weighted analysis of the screening results in combination with the proportions of the medicinals in the prescription.The results showed that mainly 73 components in the preparation could act on the above four targets, suggesting they might be the potential anti-osteoarthritis components of FDJG.Considering the predicted effectiveness, availability, and compatibility of the medicinals, coniferyl ferulate, olivil, and baicalin were selected for further verification.Specifically, lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model was used to verify the anti-inflammatory activity of the three components.The results showed that the three can effectively inhibit the release of NO, supporting the above selection.In addition, targets 5-LOX, COX-2, and LTA4 H had high activity, which suggested that they may be the key anti-osteoarthritis targets of FDJG.The comprehensive activity values of Eucommiae Cortex, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus, and Astragali Radix were much higher than that of other medicinals in the prescription, indicating that they may be the main effective medicinals in FDJG acting on the AA pathway.In this study, the potential anti-osteoarthritis components of FDJG were obtained.Moreover, it was clarified that the anti-osteoarthritis mechanism of FDJG was to act on LOX and COX pathway in AA metabolic pathway, which provided a reference for the study of pharmacodynamic substances and molecular mechanism of FDJG.
Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Leukotriene A4/analysis* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Rhizome/chemistry*

BACKGROUNDSepsis is a leading cause of death in the intensive care units. The late inflammatory cytokine, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), plays a critical role in sepsis. In the present study, we investigated the association between the serum HMGB1 levels and the severity of organ injury in the lipopolysaccharide-induced sepsis in rats.

METHODSTo produce an animal model of sepsis with different degree of organ injury, animals were treated with three different doses of lipopolysaccharide (4, 8 and 16 mg/kg), and the animals in control group were treated with the same volume of the vehicle (saline). The levels of serum HMGB1 were measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 and 48 hours after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or vehicle injection, meanwhile the biochemical and histopathological indicators for the severity of organ injury were assessed.

RESULTSThe level of HMGB1 had a positive, high correlation with the abnormal changes of serum cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, as well as the pathologic scores of heart, lung, liver and kidney.

CONCLUSIONSThe level of serum HMGB1 is highly correlated with the severity of sepsis in rats, suggesting that HMGB1 could serve as a valuable adjunct in the diagnosis and management of sepsis.

Animals ; HMGB1 Protein ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology