OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of glycogen synthase 3β (GSK-3β) in the regula-tion of NLRP3 inflammasome activation after acute myocardial infarction (MI) in Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. METHODS Ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) in SD rats was used to establish an acute myocardial infarction model. SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10, each group):sham group,MI group,and MI+SB group:the GSK-3β inhibitor(SB216763)was given 1 h by intrave-nous injection(0.6 mg·kg-1·d-1)before surgery.The serum and heart tissue were collected to measure lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and IL-1β content and mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, Cas-pase-1,IL-1β and GSK-3β after 2 days and 7 days operation,respectively.RESULTS The serum levels of LDH and IL-1β in the MI group were significantly higher than those in the sham group(P<0.01),and the MI+SB group was obviously lower than the MI group(P<0.01).In addition,mRNA and protein levels of NNLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β and GSK-3β expressions in MI group were clearly increased (P<0.01) compared with those in sham group.These indicators were significantly decreased in SB+MI group (P<0.01). Interestingly, the indicators were all higher at 7 days than 2 days. CONCLUSION GSK-3β inhibition induces cardioprotection via attenuating the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome after the acute myocardial infarction in rats.

The different biological functions were studied in mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells isolated by differential time attachment to obtain the optimal adherent time in this study. Density gradient centrifugation-isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells were seeded on the fibronectin-coated dish. The 1-day cultured unattached cells were seeded on the second dish for 2 more days. Then unattached cells in the second dish were seeded on the third dish. The cells on 3 dishes were defined as 1-day adherent cells, 3-day adherent cells and 3-day unattached cells, respectively. After 20-day culture, the biological functions, such as the percentage of biomarkers, the ability of adhesion, and the ability of forming tubes in vitro were analyzed. The results showed that the percentages of positive CD34, FLK-1, and CD34/FLK-1 expressions in 1-day attached cells were significantly increased compared to those in the 3-day adherent or unattached cells (P < 0.01), which showed the strongest adhesion ability. The expression of eNOS in 1- or 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF in 3-day adherent cells was significantly higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells (P < 0.01). These results suggest the biological functions of 1-day adherent cells are significantly stronger than that of 3-day adherent or unattached cells. VEGF expression in 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day unattached cells. The expression of eNOS in 1-day adherent cells or 3-day adherent cells is higher than that in 3-day unattached cells. The optimal adherent time to obtain mouse bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells is 1-3 d.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of mesothelin (MESO) mRNA and protein and its significance in ovarian carcinomas.

METHODSSemi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression level of MESO mRNA and protein, respectively, in 124 samples of ovarian tumor and normal tissues, including 84 epithelial ovarian carcinomas, 12 borderline ovarian tumors, 16 benign ovarian tumors and 12 normal ovarian tissues.

RESULTSThe expression of MESO mRNA and protein in epithelial ovarian carcinomas (1.4005 +/- 0.4646, 2.7857 +/- 2.2712) and borderline ovarian tumors (1.0650 +/- 0.3100, 2.9167 +/- 2.391) were significantly higher than that in benign ovarian tumors (0.6463 +/- 0.2419, 1.2500 +/- 1.6125) and normal ovarian tissues (0.6439 +/- 0.2729, 0.9167 +/- 1.2401) (P < 0.05), and also significantly higher in serous cystadenocarcinoma (1.5255 +/- 0.4151, 3.3036 +/- 2.6141) and endometrioid carcinoma (1.5250 +/- 0.5419, 3.0000 +/- 2.3094) than that in mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (1.0675 +/- 0.3149, 1.0556 +/- 1.9242) (P < 0.05). The expression of MESO mRNA and protein in stages II and IV carcinomas (1.5100 +/- 0.4142, 3.6087 +/- 3.3959) was significantly higher than that in stages I and II carcinomas (1.1190 +/- 0.4909, 1.7895 +/- 2.6320; P < 0.05), and also significantly higher in grade 3 carcinomas than that in grade 1 and 2 ones (P < 0.05), but was not correlate with age or serum CA125 of the patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study demonstrated that the expression of MESO mRNA and protein is increased in ovarian carcinomas and borderline ovarian tumors, and MESO may play a role in the adhesion and dissemination of ovarian carcinomas.

Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovary ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

The purpose of the present study is to explore the effect of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) on the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and the underlying mechanisms in ox-LDL-induced macrophage foam-forming process. RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, and then treated with ox-LDL (25, 50 and 100 mg/L), anti-CD36 monoclonal antibody+ox-LDL and tunicamycin (TM), respectively. After incubation for 24 h, the cells were collected. The cellular lipid accumulation was showed by oil red O staining and the content of cellular total cholesterol was quantified by enzymatic colorimetry. The expression of glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94), a molecular marker of ERS, was determined by immunocytochemistry assay. The levels of GRP94 protein, phosphorylated inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (p-IRE1) and X box binding protein 1 (XBP1) in RAW264.7 cells were detected by Western blotting. The results indicated that after incubation with ox-LDL (25, 50 and 100 mg/L) for 24 h, a large amount of lipid droplets were found in the cytoplasm, and the contents of cellular total cholesterol were increased by 2.1, 2.8 and 3.1 folds compared with the control, respectively. Anti-CD36 antibody decreased markedly the cellular lipid accumulation induced by ox-LDL at 100 mg/L. Both ox-LDL and TM, a specific ERS inducer, could up-regulate the protein expression of GRP94 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, p-IRE1 and XBP1, two key components of the unfolded protein response, were also significantly induced by the treatment with ox-LDL. The up-regulations of the three proteins induced by ox-LDL were inhibited significantly when the macrophages were pre-incubated with anti-CD36 antibody. These results suggest that ox-LDL may induce ERS in a dose-dependent way and subsequently activate the unfolded protein response signaling pathway in RAW264.7 macrophages, which is potentially mediated by scavenger receptor CD36.
Animals ; CD36 Antigens ; physiology ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; drug effects ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Mice ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors ; Stress, Physiological ; drug effects ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; X-Box Binding Protein 1

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the inhibitory effect and its mechanism of celecoxib combined with capecitabine on the growth of implanted H22 hepatoma in mice.

METHODSTumor model was established by hypodermical injection of H22 cells in BALB/c nude mice. Forty mice were equally randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, celecoxib group (receiving 100 mg/kg celecoxib), capecitabine group (receiving 755 mg/kg capecitabine), and combined treatment group (receiving 100 mg/kg of celecoxib and 755 mg/kg of capecitabine). From the third post-implantation day, each mouse was given relevant drug (or normal saline) by oral gavage. Fifteen days later, all mice were sacrificed and the tumor tissues were measured. The mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-ΚB) p65 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in tumor tissues were detected by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe tumor inhibition rate was 30.2% in celecoxib group and 49.9% in capecitabine group, which was significantly lower than that (75.4%) in the combined treatment group (P<0.01,P<0.05, respectively). qPCR showed a significant decrease of the mRNA expression of COX-2 in celecoxib group and combined treatment group when compared with control group (P<0.001), but no significant change in NF-ΚB p65.Capecitabine had no significant effects on the mRNA expression of COX-2 and NF-ΚB p65. Western blotting showed that celecoxib and combined treatment significantly inhibited the protein expression of COX-2 and NF-ΚB p65(P<0.05), but not capecitabine.

CONCLUSIONCelecoxib can enhance the antitumor effect of capecitabine by inhibiting the expressions of COX-2 and NF-ΚB p65 in mice bearing H22 implanted tumor.

Animals ; Capecitabine ; Celecoxib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Deoxycytidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Drug Synergism ; Fluorouracil ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Pyrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in brain and plasma after brain injury and to assess the relationship between the cytokine levels and injury severity in rats.

METHODSA total of 51 male Wistar rats, weighing 280-340 g, were anesthetized with chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg body weight) through intraperitoneal injection and fixed on a stereotaxic instrument. Severe brain injury was created in 16 rats (severe injury group) and moderate brain injury in 18 rats (moderate injury group) by a fluid percussion model, and cytokine levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 were measured with biological assay. And sham operation was made on the other 17 rats (control group).

RESULTSIn the control group, the levels of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 were hardly detected in the cortex of the rats, but in the ipsilateral cortex of the rats in both injury groups, they increased obviously at 8 hours after injury. The increasing degree of these cytokines had no significant difference between the two injury groups. The levels of IL-6 in the plasma of all the rats increased slightly, whereas the levels of IL-1beta and TNFalpha were undetectable.

CONCLUSIONSThe increase of IL-1beta, TNFalpha and IL-6 levels is closely related to brain injury. The increased cytokine levels in the central nervous system are not parallel to those in the peripheral blood. It suggests that inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the secondary neural damage after brain injury.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Injury Severity Score ; Interleukin-1 ; analysis ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; metabolism ; Male ; Probability ; Prognosis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the difference in the pharmacokinetics of emodin in Zhiganning capsules and Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum by nonaqueous RP-HPLC.

METHODThe rats were orally administered with the extraction of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum and Zhiganning capsules. After hydrolysis and extraction, the content of emodin in the plasma is determined by Nonaqueous RP-HPLC.

RESULTThe concentration-time profiles of emodin fit two-compartment model. The pharmacokinetics parameters including, t1/2alpha, AUC(0-infinity), CL(s) and C(max) of emodin in the group of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum were significantly different from these in the group of its compounds.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant difference in pharmacokinetics of emodin between zhiganning capsules and the extraction of Rhizoma Polygontum Cuspidatum.

Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Capsules ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Emodin ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygonum ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the current status of penis and testicular development in boys and the effects of overweight/obesity on their development in the Zhengzhou area of Henan Province.

METHODSHeight, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, penis length and testicular volume were measured in 3 546 4 to 12-year-old boys. The penis length and testicular volume were compared between the overweight/obesity and normal weight groups.

RESULTSBefore 9 years of age, the testicular volume was progressively smaller, and after 9 years old, it gradually increased. By the age of 11, it increased rapidly. The penis length increased gradually between 4 and 11 years of age, and after the age of 11 it increased rapidly. Phimosis was found in 144 cases (4.01%) and cryptorchidism was found in 18 cases (0.51%). A total of 639 (18.02%) boys were overweight or obese among 3 546 boys. At the ages of 6 and 7 years, the testicular volume in the overweight/obesity group was greater than in the normal control group (P<0.05). The penis length in the overweight/obesity group was significantly shorter than in the normal control group (P<0.05) by the age of 11 years. The correlation analysis showed that the testicular volume at the ages of 4 and 5 years was positively correlated with height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference in overweight/obese boys. The penis length at the ages of 7 and 8 years was negatively correlated with weight, waist circumference and hip circumference. By the age of 12 years, the penis length was positively correlated with the height.

CONCLUSIONSThe development of penis and testicles in boys in the Zhengzhou area is in line with the level of sex development of Chinese boys. Overweight/obesity adversely affects the development of penis and testicles.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Penis ; growth & development ; Testis ; growth & development

OBJECTIVESTo study the changes of cellular immunity function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its correlation with disease severity.

METHODST lymphocyte subsets and CD28 co-stimulation molecule in CD8+ T cells in 22 HCC patients were detected using three-color flow cytometry. Serum interleukin-2 (IL-2), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by ELISA and radioimmunoassay. A group of 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), or normal adults (NC) served as controls.

RESULTSCompared with NC, the number of CD8+CD28- T cells increased and CD8+CD28+ T cells decreased in patients with HCC. The number of CD4+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratios, IL-2 level all decreased and CD8+ T cells, IL-6, TGFbeta1 levels all increased in patients with HCC, LC and CHB. The CD4+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratios and IL-2 level in patients with HCC were lower than those with CHB. Serum IL-6 and TGFbeta1 in patients with HCC were higher than those with LC and CHB. The levels of IL-6 and TGFbeta1 correlated with the stages of the tumors.

CONCLUSIONSHCC patients have a cellular immunity dysfunction. Rectifying the imbalanced function could be a potential way for treating HCC. Measurement of these factors would be useful for early diagnosis and evaluating the prognoses of these patients.

Adult ; CD28 Antigens ; immunology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; immunology ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) + 49A/G polymorphism with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children.

METHODSPapers about the association of CTLA4+49A/G polymorphism with T1DM in children were collected by searching PubMed, EBSCO, CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. A meta-analysis was performed to examine differences in the genotypes (AG, GG, and GG+AG) and G allele at position 49 of the CTLA-4 gene between a childhood T1DM group and a control group.

RESULTSA total of 10 papers involving 1084 T1DM children and 1338 healthy children were included. The Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association of the genotypes (AG, GG, and GG+AG) and the G allele at position 49 of the CTLA-4 gene with T1DM using a fixed effect model according to the heterogeneity test results of all studies. The pooled OR values (95% CI) were 1.13 (0.97-1.33), 1.42 (1.16-1.75), 1.20 (1.03-1.40), and 1.21 (1.09-1.33), suggesting a significant difference in genotypes (AG, GG, and GG+AG) and the G allele at position 49 of the CTLA-4 gene between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSCTLA-4 +49A/G polymorphism is associated with T1DM in children.

CTLA-4 Antigen ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic