AIM:Methylglyoxal (MG) is considered as a very active free radical,which is an important contributor to diabetic complications such as cataracts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the serum MG levels and protective effects of soybean isoflavones on streptozotocin induced diabetes. METHODS:Diabetes was induced in male Sprague -Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetic rats were then randomly di-vided into 3 groups and received a special diet supplemented with casein (diabetes),low -isoflavone soy protein (diabetes + LIS),or high-isoflavone soy protein (diabetes + HIS) for 8 weeks,respectively. RESULTS:Compared to the diabetes or diabetes + LIS groups,diabetes + HIS diet significantly increased serum insulin levels,and reduced serum glucose,HbA1c and methylglyoxal levels (P

Objective To investigate the effects of mannan-binding lectin(MBL) on TNF-α production induced by peptidoglycan (PGN) and its mechanism in human THP-1/CD14 monocytes.Methods The THP-1/CD14 cells were stimulated for 24 h with PGN at the indicated ratios after pretreated with human natural MBL at concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 mg/L for 2 h.The content of TNF-α and IL-6 in culture supernatants were detected by ELISA,and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expressions in these cells were determined by RT-PCR.FACS was used to investigate the interaction of MBL with THP-1/CD14 cells and the impact of MBL on PGN binding to THP-1/CD14 cells.Western blot was used to detect PGN-induced NF-κB translocation in THP-1/CD14 cells.Results ELISA showed that secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 from THP-1/CD14 cells could be induced by PGN ;The productions of TNF-α and IL-6 by THP-1/CD14 cells induced with PGN were profoundly inhibited by MBL at higher concentrations (10-20 mg/L) but not MBL at lower concentrations (1 mg/L).RT-PCR analysis also indicated that the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 in THP-1/CD14 cells were decreased by MBL at higher concentration,compared to the corresponding THP-1/CD14 cells stimulated with PGN only.FACS showed that the binding of MBL to THP-1/CD14 cells was evident in a Ca2+-dependent manner.PGN could competitively inhibit the binding of MBL to THP-1/CD14 cells.MBL could competitively inhibit the binding of PGN to THP-1/CD14 cells by binding to THP-1/CD14 cells directly.Similarly,MBL at higher concentration (20 mg/L) decreased the NF-κB translocation in THP-1/CD14 cells.Conclusion MBL may inhibit TNF-α and IL-6 production induced by PGN in THP-1/CD14 cells through NF-κB signaling pathways,suggesting that MBL can play some roles in the regulation of PGN-induced inflammatory response.

Objective:To evaluate the protective effects of 8 different inactivated virus preservation solutions on viral nucleic acids.Methods:Eight commercial inactivated virus preservation solutions were evaluated by adding the pseudovirus standard material for SARS-CoV-2 and avian influenza virus, respectively. Two control groups (physiological saline and phosphate buffer) were set up at the same time. Reverse transcription real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and reverse transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR) were used to quantify the nucleic acids extracted from the above treatment at 0 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h at 24 ℃ and 37 ℃.Results:Four commercial virus preservation solutions (A, E, G, and H) could effectively protect the viral nucleic acids under different temperature and time conditions. However, the preservation solution B and C could not provide good protection after 12 h at 37 ℃. The protection effect of preservation solution D significantly decreased after 6 h at both 24 ℃ and 37 ℃. Preservation solution F could not provide any protection on viral nucleic acid.Conclusions:The poor protective effect of virus preservation solution can lead to false negatives in nucleic acid testing. It is recommended to control the quality of the virus preservation solution during nucleic acid testing.