The purpose of this investigation was to re-evaluate the neurotrophic effect of GPI-1046 on neurite outgrowth in vitro. GPI-1046 was synthesized and identified with mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. Chicken dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were removed and divided into three groups: (1) The DRGs were cultured in DMEM containing different concentrations of GPI-1046; (2) The DRGs were cultured in DMEM containing nerve growth factor (NGF) alone at 0.8 and 8 ng/mL, respectively; (3) The DRGs were cultured in DMEM containing both different concentrations of GPI-1046 and NGF at 0.8 ng/mL. The results showed that GPI-1046 alone could not stimulate chicken DRG neurite outgrowth; however, GPI-1046 stimulated DRG neurite outgrowth only in the presence of NGF at low concentration in the culture medium.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Chickens ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Nerve Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Neurites ; drug effects ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the role of oxiracetam on traumatic brain injury in rats.

METHODSThirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, model group and treatment group. Feeney method were used to establish traumatic brain injury (TBI) model in rats in model and treatment group, and rats in sham group were only broached without hydraumatic fitted. Rats in treatment group were successive administration for 21 days with oxiracetam (100 mg/kg, ig). Neurologic impairment scores were undertook after operation of 1 d, 4 d, 7 d, 14 d and 21 d, and Morris water maze test were proceeded during 15 to 19 days after operation. Average escape latency, searching time in target quadrant and number of crossing target platform in rats were recorded.

RESULTSNeurologic impairment scores of rats in treatment group were significantly less than those of model group after operation of 7, 14 and 21 d (P < 0.05). Average escape latency of model group were significantly higher than those of sham operation group and treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Searching time in target quadrant and number of crossing target platform of model group were lower than those of sham operation and treatment group (P < 0.05)).

CONCLUSIONOxiracetam could decrease neural injury and increase ability of learning, memory and space cognition in traumatic brain injury rats.

Animals ; Brain Injuries ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

To investigate the role of activated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), the activity and protein expression of NF-kappaB p65 in rat brain tissues, which were extracted from EAE rats at 1, 7, 14 and 21 d respectively after EAE was induced by CFA-GPSCH, were measured with electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunohistochemistry. The relationship between activated NF-kappaB and symptoms of EAE was also investigated. The results showed that protein expression level and the activity of NF-kappaB were very low in the brain of the control group. After EAE was induced, the activity of NF-kappaB and the level of the protein expression in the brains increased gradually with the development of symptoms and brain pathology of EAE. On d 14, both the activity and the level of protein expression in the brains reached a peak, the positive cells of NF-kappaB were mainly located at the choroid plexuses and subfornical organ, as well as around the regions of sleeve-like lesion foci, which were coincident with the locations of lesions of EAE. The incidence, symptoms, reduction of the body weight and pathology of EAE rats brains at the above locations were most significant. On d 21 the activity of NF-kappaB and level of the protein expression reduced gradually, which was in parallel with a gradual alleviation of the symptoms of EAE rats. After a specific inhibitor of NF-kappaB, PDTC was applied, the symptoms and pathological lesions of EAE rat brain were mitigated markedly. The above results indicate that the dynamic changes in the activity and protein expression of NF-kappaB were in parallel with the changes in symptoms and pathological lesion of EAE rat brains. In conclusion, the activated NF-kappaB in the brain may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of EAE, and application of some inhibitors of NF-kappaB, such as PDTC, may be one of the effective therapeutic methods for prevention and treatment of EAE.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental ; metabolism ; Female ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of NF-kappaB in peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) of acute pancreatitis (AP) and to assess the preventive effectiveness of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on NF-kappaB in vitro.

METHODSNineteen patients and 16 healthy individuals as control were enrolled in this study. The expression of NF-kappaB in PMNs was determined by gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Routine clinical examination results and computed tomography findings of AP were recorded in all patients.

RESULTSThe PMNs from the patients with AP showed higher levels of NF-kappaB activities than those from control subjects (P < 0.01), severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group showed much higher than mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group (P < 0.05). In vitro, PDTC could reduce the NF-kappaB activity in PMNs of patients with AP, and its effectiveness at 2 mmol/L was stronger than at 1 mmol/L (P < 0.05). The PMNs from control subjects pretreated with 2 mmol/L PDTC before stimulation with the plasma from patients with SAP showed lower levels of NF-kappaB activities than did those untreated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe NF-kappaB activation in peripheral blood PMNs participate in the course of acute pancreatitis and can be inhibited by PDTC in vitro.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pancreatitis ; metabolism ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin (Fn) in acute paraquat poisoned rats and the effect of PDTC. To investigate the mechanism of paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: Control group (6 rats), PQ group (36 rats) and PQ+PDTC group (36 rats). On the 1st, 3rd, the 7th, the 14th, the 28th and the 56th day after exposure, the protein expression of α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was evaluated by western blot. The mRNA levels of integrin α5 and fibronectin (Fn) were analyzed with real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, the lung pathological changes were observed and semi-quantified.

RESULTST With the time passing, the expression of α-SMA in PQ group increased gradually compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The increasing extent was gently on the 3 rd, the 7 th day. While increasing extent was rapidly from the 28 th to the 56 th day. RT-PCR showed PQ significantly increased Fn mRNA level on all time points and increased integrin α5 mRNA level from the 7 rd to 56 th day compared with control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). PDTC treatment significantly deceased α-SMA, Fn, and integrin α5 levels compared with PQ group in corresponding time points (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) Noteworthy, in PQ+PDTC group, the occurrence of pathological changes were drastically attenuated and pathologic score significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSα-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin could play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis caused by paraquat poisoning. PDTC, asa strong NF-κB inhibitor, may inhibit NF-κB activity and further significantly decreased expressions of α-SMA, integrin α5 and fibronectin which were important part of ECM, leading to drastically attenuated pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms of PDTC intervention still remains to be explored.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Integrin alpha5 ; metabolism ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

This investigation was made with special reference to the effect of the combined use of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) inhibitor Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC) and Paclitaxel on the expression of Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9) and its inhibitor TIMP-1, and on the proliferation and invasion of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The MCF-7 cells were treated with PDTC and Paclitaxel. The effect on proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to determine the change of NF-kappaB p65, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in MCF-7 cells after treatment. RT-PCR was used to detect NF-kappaB p65 mRNA expression. The invasion ability of MCF-7 cells was tested by the invasion, migration and cell adhesion assay. The cell growth was significantly slowed down and the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 phase after the combined treatment. The expression of NF-kappaB p65 and MMP-9 was down-regulated and the invasion ability of MCF-7 cells was decreased after the combined treatment. In conclusion,PDTC combined with paclitaxel effectively inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest, and decreased cell invasion ability of breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The mechanism may be associated with the inhibiting effect of PDTC on the NF-kappaB-related gene expression.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Female ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between activation of nuclear factor-K-gene binding (NF-κB) and apoptosis induced by matrine(MT) in transplanted tumor of human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mouse.

METHODSTumors were established by injection of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 into the back of nude mice. The mice were divided randomly into four groups: Control group, MT group (35 mg/kg), PDTC group (120 mg/kg) and Combination group: PDTC + MT group (120 mg/kg + 35 mg/kg), the reagents were injected peritoneally. The tumor growth curve of nude mice bearing transplanted tumor were observed and the inhibition ratios were evaluated. Apoptosis of carcinoma cells was analyzed by TUNEL. The DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Expression of bcl-2 and bax in carcinoma tissue were detected by immunohistochemical method. NF-κB mRNA, bcl-2 mRNA and bax mRNA in carcinoma tissue were detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSPyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) could enhance the inhibition of matrine on carcinoma proliferation (P < 0.05). The apoptosis and activation of NF-κB in carcinoma cells could be induced by matrine. PDTC significantly suppressed NF-κB activation induced by matrine in carcinoma cells from 93.64 ± 2.95 to 65.78 ± 5.65 (F = 124.754, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, PDTC increased the apoptosis induced by matrine from 55.9% ± 2.8% to 74.3% ± 4.8% (P < 0.05).A positive correlation observed between the expressions of NF-κB and of bcl-2 (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.983, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSMatrine could induce apoptosis and activation of NF-κB in transplanted tumor. PDTC could increase apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells might be due to the suppression of NF-κB activation and the enhancement of bcl-2 expression.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pattern of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in rats with lipopolysaccharide( LPS) shock, and to explore the mechanism of NF-kappaB signal pathway in the biopterin-mediated nitric oxide(NO) induction, as well as its role in the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome ( MODS) secondary to endotoxin challenge.

METHODSFourty-seven male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group ( C, n = 8) , LPS group ( n = 24, with 8 rats at each time-points, and shock model was made by injection of same dosage of LPS) , and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment group ( PDTC, n = 15, with 5 rats at each time-points, and the rats were injected with LPS and PDTC). The rats were sacrificed at 2,6,12 post-injection hour( PIH) , and the blood and tissue samples from liver, lungs and kidneys were harvested for the determination of NF-KB activity, GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTP-CH I ) , and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression in the liver, lungs and kidneys, plasma and tissue content of biopterin and NO, as well as hepatic and renal function, and pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity.

RESULTSNF-kappaB DNA binding activity in LPS group was rapidly enhanced in liver, lungs and kidneys after endotoxin challenge when compared with that in controls (e. g. in pulmonary tissue it was 26+/-6) , and it reached the peak at 2 PIH, which was 291 +/-44 in pulmonary tissue( P <0. 01). GTP-CH I mRNA expression and biopterin levels in the liver, lung and kidney of each group were obviously higher than those in control group( P <0.05 or 0.01) , and it maintained at high levels at 12 PIH. Additionally, different degrees of dysfunction of the above mentioned organs was observed. Treatment with PDTC, an inhibitor of NF-KB signal transduction pathway, could reduce NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, inhibit GTP-CH I and iNOS/NO mRNA expression, as well as BH4, and NO levels in various tissues. Meanwhile the multiple organ damage was significantly ameliorated by PDTC pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONEndotoxin challenge can rapidly lead to activation of NF-kappaB in various tissues, and NF-KB pathway might markedly up-regulate the production of biopterin/NO following endotoxic shock. Inhibition of NF-kappaB pathway attenuates inflammatory response and ameliorates multiple organ dysfunction, which might be associated with its down-regulation of the excessive activation of iNOS mediated by biopterin.

Animals ; Biopterin ; metabolism ; Endotoxins ; pharmacology ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Shock, Septic ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo develop a technology for production of recombinant SAG1 of Toxoplasma gondii(T.g) in batches.

METHODSTwelve healthy mongrel dogs undergoing CPB were randomly allocated into control group (group C, n=6) and PDTC pretreatment group (group P, n=6). In group P, the dogs received intravenous injection of PDTC at 30 mg/kg before CPB, while in group C, normal saline was given instead. The myocardial tissues were obtained before CPB, 60 min after aortic cross-clamping (AC) and 60 min after declamping (DC) for determining the myocardial contents of adenine nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP, TAN, EC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and evaluating the total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC) and mitochondrial swelling degree (MSD). The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and cardiac output (CO) were monitored before CPB, 30 min and 60 min after DC.

RESULTSIn both groups, the myocardial contents of ATP, TAN, EC and T-AOC decreased while MDA content and MSD increased after AC as compared to the values before CPB (P<0.01). In group C, ATP, TAN, EC and T-AOC decreased while MDA content and MSD increased after DC as compared to the values before CPB (P<0.01). At 60 min after DC, the dogs in group P showed no significant variation in the contents of ATP, TAN, EC, MDA, T-AOC or MSD (P>0.05). ATP, TAN, EC and T-AOC were significantly lowered while MDA and MSD increased at 60 min after AC and after DC in group P in comparison with the measurements in group C (P<0.01). HR, MAP and CO of group P recovered rapidly at 30 min and 60 min after DC as compared with those in group C (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCPB can induce serious energy exhaustion and delay in the recovery of energy metabolism. PDTC pretreatment can substantially ameliorate myocardial energy depletion and protect the myocardial mitochondria to attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Dogs ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Female ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Postoperative Complications ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Preoperative Care ; methods ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo assess the alterations in myocardial energy metabolism and lipid peroxidation during canine cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and to investigate the interventional effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) pretreatment.

METHODSTwelve adult healthy dogs undergoing CPB were randomized into control group (Group C, n=6) and PDTC group(Group P, n=6). In Group P, 30 mg/kg PDTC was administered intravenously before CPB and in Group C animals were given physiological saline instead of PDTC. The contents of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde (MDA) and mitochondrial swelling degree (MSD) of myocardium were determined before CPB, 60 min after aortic cross-clamping (AC) and 60 min after declamping (DC). Hemodynamics was monitored before CPB, 30 min and 60 min after DC.

RESULTContents of ATP, SOD and GSH-PX in Group P at 60 min after AC and 60 min after DC were higher than those in Group C (P<0.01). MDA and MSD in Group P at 60 min after AC and 60 min after DC were significantly lower than those in Group C (P<0.01). Hemodynamics of Group P was recovered at 30 min and 60 min after DC.

CONCLUSIONPretreatment with PDTC is effective in improving antioxidation capacity of myocardium and ameliorates myocardial energy metabolism.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Dogs ; Female ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Pyrrolidines ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Thiocarbamates ; pharmacology