1.Uric acid stimulates rat glomerular mesangial cells proliferation via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases
Hong XIANG ; Songming HUANG ; Quancheng FENG ; Yanggang YUAN ; Aihua ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2010;26(12):892-897
Objective To explore the effect of uric acid (UA) on the rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) and its possible mechanism in vitro. Methods Cultured rat GMCs were treated with various concentrations of UA (50 μmol/L, 100 μmol/L, 300 μmol/L) in the presence or absence of U0126, apocynin, rotenone. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) and cell counting were used to measure GMCs proliferation. GMCs cell-cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. CyclinD1 and cyclin A2 expression were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting analysis. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was detected by Western blotting. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence. Results (1) Uric acid increased GMCs proliferation in dose-dependent manner compared with the control groups, as assessed by 3H-TdR incorporation and cell counting. GMCs proliferation induced by 300 μmol/L uric acid was increased by more than 1.5-fold assessed by both of the methods. (2) Uric acid decreased cell number in G1/G0 phase and increased cell number in S phase in dosedependent manner, as assessed by flow cytometry. (3) Uric acid iuduced cyclin D1 and cyclin A2 expression in dose-dependent manner. (4)Uric acid increased pospho-ERK1/2 in dose-dependent manner and ERK1/2 specific inhibitor U0126 could suppress uric acid-induced cell proliferation.The inhibition percentage of U0126 was 22% and 31% assassed by cell counting and 3H-TdR incorporation, respectively. (5) Uric acid increased ROS production in dose-dependent manner.NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin could also significantly inhibit uric acid-induced ROS production, ERK phosphorylation and cell proliferation. In contrast, rotenone had no effect on them.Conclusion Uric acid can stimulate rat GMCs proliferation, partially by the activation of ERK pathway via NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation.
2.Impact of Xingnao Kaiqiao Acupuncture Method on Synaptic Plasticity in Stroke Rats Based on Intestinal Flora
Chunfeng TAN ; Qiong XU ; Bo WANG ; Jianfu HUANG ; Quancheng ZHENG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;25(8):2735-2742
Objective To observe the impacts of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture(AC)method on synaptic plasticity and intestinal flora in stroke rats.Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion method was applied to establish a rat model of ischemic stroke,and the rats with Zea Longa score of 1-3 were randomly grouped into model(M)group and AC group,and rats without middle cerebral artery occlusion were regarded as the sham(S)group,with 15 animals per group.After modeling,groups S and M were not intervened,and group AC was intervened with AC,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The Zea Longa method was applied to assess neurological function;transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and Golgi staining were applied to visualize synaptic structures in the ischemic penumbra(IP);Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of BDNF,SYN and GAP-43 in the IP cortex tissue;ELISA was applied to detect the content of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-17 in the IP cortex tissue;16S rDNA amplification and sequencing method was applied to analyze the structure of rat intestinal flora.Results Compared with the S group,the M group had irregular synaptic morphology,blurred boundaries,thinned postsynaptic zona densities,higher neurological function scores,protein levels of BDNF,SYN,GAP-43 and content of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-17(P<0.05),and lower density of spines(P<0.05).Compared with the M group,AC intervention could improve the synaptic morphology,reduce the neurological function score and content of IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-17(P<0.05),and increase the density of dendritic spines,BDNF,SYN,and GAP-43 protein levels(P<0.05).The intestinal flora analysis showed that compared with the S group,the M group had a reduced diversity and number of bacterial flora,at the phylum level,the M group had a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,and higher F/B ratio(P<0.05);at the genus level,the group M had a higher relative abundances of Bacteroides and Rikenbacteria(P<0.05),and lower relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006(P<0.05).Compared with the M group,AC intervention could increase the diversity and quantity of the flora,increase the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and reduce the F/B ratio at the phylum level(P<0.05),increase the relative abundances of Faecalibacterium and Lactobacillus and reduce the relative abundances of Riken,Escherichia-Shigella,etc.at the genus level(P<0.05).Conclusion Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture can restore the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria,reduce the relative abundance of harmful bacteria,attenuate brain inflammation,improve synaptic plasticity,and reduce neurological damage in stroke rats.
3.Residuals of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals in soil and water of planting base and Liriope muscari.
Yougen WU ; Lianting ZHANG ; Quancheng HUANG ; Zengxu XIANG ; Qiaosheng GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2009;34(11):1351-1354
OBJECTIVETo analyze the residuals of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals in soil, water and Radix Liriopes from planting bases in Quanzhou city, and evaluate the quality of the herb.
METHODGC method was applied to determine residuals of organochlorine pesticides, the contents of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, and As were determined by IPC.
RESULTThe contents of residuals of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals varied among the samples of soil, water and Radix liriopes, but all of the residuals met requirement of the national standard.
CONCLUSIONResiduals of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals in soil, water and Radix liriopes from planting bases in Quanzhou city were conformed to GAP.
China ; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated ; analysis ; Liriope Plant ; chemistry ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; blood ; Soil Pollutants ; analysis ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis