Objective To evaluate the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against interleukin (IL)-17-induced injury to keratinocytes,and to explore its mechanism.Methods Some cultured HaCaT cells were divided into 3 groups to be treated with IL-17 alone at concentrations of 50,70,90 μg/L,respectively,with those receiving no treatment as the blank control group.Some HaCaT cells were divided into 5 groups:IL-17 group treated with 90 μg/L IL-17 alone,IL-17 + EGCG group treated with 90 μg/L IL-17 and 60 μmol/L EGCG,IL-17 + SP600125 group treated with 90 μg/L IL-17 and SP600125 (a JAK signaling pathway inhibitor),IL-17+ EGCG + anisomycin group treated with 90μg/L IL-17,60xmol/L EGCG and anisomycin (a Janus kinase signaling pathway activator),and blank control group receiving no treatment.After different durations of treatment,CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate cellular proliferative activity,flow cytometry to detect cell apoptosis,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure expression levels of IL-6,IL-23 and IL-8,and Western-blot analysis to determine protein expressions of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and phosphorylated JNK (P-JNK).Results IL-17 promoted cellular proliferation of HaCaT cells,and the proliferation rate,which was correlated with the concentration of IL-17,reached the maximum in the 90-μg/L IL-17 group (P ＜ 0.05).EGCG at 60 μmol/L significantly inhibited cellular proliferation of,promoted apoptosis in,and reduced IL-6,IL-23 and IL-8 expressions in,HaCaT cells induced by 90 μg/L IL-17 (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the IL-17 group,the IL-17 + EGCG group and IL-17 + SP600125 group both showed significantly decreased P-JNK expression,cell proliferation rate and IL-6,IL-23 and IL-8 expression levels (all P ＜ 0.05).However,compared with the IL-17 + EGCG group,the IL-17 + EGCG + anisomycin group showed significantly increased protein expression of P-JNK,cell proliferation rate and IL-6,IL-23 and IL-8 expression levels (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion EGCG protected against IL-17-induced injury to HaCaT cells,such as abnormal cell proliferation,apoptosis and inflammatory response,likely by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway.

Objective To study the distribution of intestinal autofluorescent microorganisms in the rat intestine at different developmental stages. Methods The distribution of intestinal autofluorescent microorganisms in rat intestine at va-rious developmental stages was tested and evaluated using a small animals living imaging system. First, standard E. coli strain was tested by fluorescence detection in vitro. Then, the distribution of E. coli under the same test conditions was tested. The intestinal autofluorescent bacteria distribution was detected in the SD rats at 3 days,14 days and 60 days of age. After expanding the range of excitation wavelength fluorescence detection,removing the background of fluorescence feed and feces and other foreign autofluorescent substances. Results E. coli can be excited in the range of 485 -535 nm wave?length and to emit fluorescence. E. coli mainly existed in the stomach and only a few E. coli were found in the ileum of 3?days old SD rat. . In the 14?days old rats, E. coli mainly existed in the stomach and cecum, and only a few E. coli were found in the ileum. In the 60-days old SD rats, E. coli mainly existed in the ileum, and only a few E. coli were found in the colon, cecum and jejunum. After the expansion of the excitation light wavelength range of fluorescence detection, E. co?li were observed mainly in the ileum, and only a few E. coli were found in the stomach in 3?days old SD rat. E. coli mainly existed in the stomach, then the cecum and only a few E. coli were found in the ileum and jejunum in 14-days old SD rats. E. coli could be found in the whole intestinal system but mainly in the ileum and cecumin of the 60-days old rats. Conclu?sions Examining the intestinal autofluorescent microbes with the small animal in vivo imaging system can be helpful and make guidance to study the distribution of intestinal microbes in the host at different developmental stages, and to provide a basis for studying the relationship of intestinal microbes with its host and the gastrointestinal drug administration.

Objective To evaluate effects of ursolic acid (UA) on interleukin?33 (IL?33) expression in HaCaT cells induced by interferon?γ(IFN?γ), and to explore their mechanism. Methods Some HaCaT cells were treated with UA at different concentrations(0, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80μmol/L)for 24, 48 and 72 hours separately. Then, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay was conducted to evaluate cell proliferative activity. A cell model of inflammation was established by culture of HaCaT cells with the presence of 200μg/L IFN?γ. Some HaCaT cells were classified into several groups to be treated with IFN?γ(200μg/L)and UA(10 and 15μmol/L)alone or in combination (firstly treated with IFN?γ followed by UA treatment), and those receiving no treatment served as the blank control group. Reverse transcription PCR (RT?PCR) was performed to detect mRNA expressions of IL?6 and IL?33, and Western?blot analysis to measure IL?33 protein expression after 12?hour culture. The expressions of extracelluar signal?regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and phosphorylated ERK1/2(p?ERK1/2)were also measured by Western?blot analysis after 5?and 60?minute treatments with IFN?γand UA alone or in combination. Results MTT assay showed that the treatments with 5-20μmol/L UA for 24 hours had no effects on cell proliferative activity, while 40-80μmol/L UA could significantly inhibit it at 24, 48 and 72 hours (all P < 0.05). Thus, 10 and 15 μmol/L were chosen as the concentrations of UA for further study. After the treatment with 200μg/L IFN?γ, there was a significant increase in the expressions of IL?33 mRNA(0.812 ± 0.036 vs. 0.412 ± 0.021), IL?6 mRNA(0.947 ± 0.091 vs. 0.595 ± 0.030)and IL?33 protein(1.317 ± 0.119 vs. 0.147 ± 0.036)in HaCaT cells compared with the blank control group(all P<0.05). Compared with the IFN?γgroup, the IFN?γ+10?μmol/L UA group and IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group both showed significantly decreased expressions of IL?33 mRNA(0.447 ± 0.042 and 0.438 ± 0.028 respectively, both P<0.05), IL?6 mRNA(0.437 ± 0.099 and 0.350 ± 0.075 respectively, both P<0.05)and IL?33 protein(0.923 ± 0.058 and 0.564 ± 0.113 respectively, both P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL?33 mRNA expression between the IFN?γ+10?or 15?μmol/L UA group and blank control group(P>0.05), while IL?33 protein expression was significantly lower in the IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group than in the IFN?γ+10?μmol/L UA group(P<0.05). The p?ERK1/2 protein expression significantly increased in HaCaT cells treated with IFN?γ for 5 and 60 minutes compared with the blank control group, but significantly decreased in the IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group compared with the IFN?γgroup(0.458 ± 0.053 vs. 0.941 ± 0.042 at 5 minutes, 0.302 ± 0.054 vs. 0.509 ± 0.032 at 60 minutes, both P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the total ERK1/2 protein expression between the IFN?γ+15?μmol/L UA group and IFN?γgroup at 5 or 60 minutes. Conclusion UA can suppress IL?33 expression in HaCaT cells induced by IFN?γ, likely by regulating expressions of the ERK signaling pathway?related proteins.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective To study the expression of interleukin-1β in aortic dissections and aneurysms. Methods Aortic specimens were obtained from patients with type Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection (11 cases),ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (10 cases),and healthy organ donors (7 cases).Expression of interleukin-1β,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and signal transduction factors phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK were detected by real time RT-PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry,respectively.TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis of media cells. Results Apoptosis in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms was dramatically higher than control group.Expression of interleukin-1β gradually increased in an order of control group,thoracic aortic dissection to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively).Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9significantly increased in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01,respectively).There were positive correlations between interleukin1 β and matrix metalloproteinase-9,interleukin-1β and phospho-p38 in thoracic aortic dissection ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively),interleukin-1β and apoptosis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Interleukin-1β and interferon-γ might effect the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms possibly through the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and apoptosis of media cells in humans.

Objective To investigate the effect of downregulation of KIAA0101 protein expression on the proliferation and invasion of a cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCL-1,and to explore possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effect.Methods SCL-1 cells were classified into three groups: siRNA control group transfected with the control siRNA,KIAA0101 group transfected with KIAA0101 siRNA,and untreated group remaining untreated.After additional culture,Western blot was used to detect the expression of KIAA0101 protein and proteins associated with cell proliferation and invasion,cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to evaluate cellular proliferative activity,and Boyden chamber assay to estimate invasive ability of cells.Results The relative expression level of KIAA0101 protein was 0.062 ± 0.095 in the KIAA0101 group,significantly lower than that in the untreated group (0.359 ± 0.044,P ＜0.05) and siRNA control group (0.379 ± 0.025,P ＜0.05).A significant decrease was observed in cellular proliferative activity (from 24 to 96 hours) and invasive activity (at 48 hours) in the KIAA0101 group compared with the other two groups (all P ＜0.05).Moreover,compared with the untreated group and siRNA control group,the KIAA0101 group showed a stronger expression of p21 protein (0.570 ± 0.060 vs.0.048 ± 0.018 and 0.055 ± 0.014,P ＜0.01) but a weaker expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) protein (0.051 ± 0.013 vs.0.205 ± 0.029 and 0.221 ± 0.029,P ＜0.01).Conclusion The inhibition of SCL-1 cell proliferation and invasion induced by the downregulation of KIAA0101 gene expression may be associated with the expression changes of p21 and MMP2.

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of Notch1 gene in xenografted human cutaneous squamous cell (SCL-1) carcinoma. MethodsFifteen nude mice were divided into three groups, including untreated group(inoculated with SCL-1 cells treated with phosphate buffered saline), empty vector group (inoculated with SCL-1 cells transfected with empty vector) and Notch1 group(inoculated with SCL-1 cells transfected with Notch1 expression vector). All the mice were inoculated with SCL-1 cells(1 x 108/ml) of0.2 ml. Then, the growth of xenografted tumor was observed every other day. Fifteen days later, the mice were sacrificed, tumor tissue was dissected and subjected to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay for the detection of cell apoptosis, reverse-transcription(RT)-PCR and Western blot for the examination of mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1, bcl-2 and bax, respectively. ResultsThe proliferation of xenografted tumor in Notch1 group was obviously inhibited compared with the untreated group. The weight of xenografted tumor in Notch1 group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group and empty vector group (0.574 ± 0.219 g vs. 2.642 ± 0.404 g and 2.606 ± 0.512 g, F= 26.642, P＜ 0.01). TUNEL assay demonstrated that the number of apoptotic cells per 500 cells in tumor tissue specimens was(87 ± 9) in Notch1 group, evidently higher than that in the untreated group(8 ± 2) and empty vector group(10 ± 3) (F = 194.266, P ＜ 0.05 ). Further, RT-PCR and Western blot revealed that the mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1 and bax were significantly upregulated, but those of bcl-2 were markedly downregulated in the Notch 1 group, with significant difference among the three groups(all P ＜ 0.05). ConclusionsNotch 1 gene can inhibit the growth of xenogra ffted human cutaneous squamous cell(SCL-1) carcinoma and induce SCL-1 cell apoptosis likely by upregulating bax expression and downregulating bcl-2 expression.

Objective To study the effect of down-regulation of PTTG on the proliferation and migration of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCL-1 and its related mechanism. Methods SCL-1 cells were transfected with control siRNA or PTTG-targeting siRNA (PTTG-siRNA), or remained untransfected. After additional culture, the proliferation of SCL-1 cells as observed with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell migration with Boyden chamber. Real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and PTTG. Results The proliferation of SCL-1 cells transfected with PTTG-siRNA was markedly deccelarated in comparision with that of untransfected cells and those transfected with control siRNA (both P< 0.05). Real-time PCR and Western blot disclosed a significant decrease in the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and PTTG in PTTG-siRNA-transfected SCL-1 cells compared with the other two groups of cells. As real-time PCR showed, the expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9 and PTTG in PTTG-siRNA-transfected SCL-1 cells were 0.8%, 23.2% and 21.3% of those in untransfected cells, respectively. Further more, the number of SCL-1 cells migrating through microporous membrane in the Boyden chamber was significantly smaller in PTTG-siRNA-transfected group than in untransfected group and control siRNA-trans-fected group (51.38 ± 4.71 vs 131.33 ± 6.12 and 127.72 ± 5.20, both P< 0.05). Conclusion The down-regulation of PTTG may deccelarate the proliferation and migration of SCL-1 cells and inhibit the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SCL-1 cells.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of deep electroacupuncture (EA) at Baliao points in treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: A total of 60 female patients with SUI were divided into two groups according to the order of consultation, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with pelvic floor muscle training. The treatment group was treated with deep EA at Baliao points [Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33) and Xialiao (BL 34)]. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the treatment group, versus 33.3％ in the control group, and the total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of international consultation on incontinence questionnaire-short form (ICIQ-SF) and the volume of urinary leakage in both groups were lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the ICIQ-SF score and the volume of urinary leakage in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Deep EA at Baliao points with long needles can improve the clinical symptoms in female patients with SUI, and it has a better curative effect than pelvic floor muscle training.

Objective:To explore the application of speckle tracking imaging (STI) stratification strain technique in the assessment of circumferential myocardial function and the myocardial protection of ATP-postconditioning (ATP-PostC) in a rabbit model of acute myocardial infarction.Methods:A total of 40 rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups: pure ischemia reperfusion group (IR group)and ATP-PostC group. STI images were recorded before and 45 min after occlusion of coronary artery, post low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography, 60 and 120 min after reperfusion, respectively. The following parameters were obtained: left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), heart rate (HR), endocardial circumferential systolic strain (CSsys-endo), mid-myocardial circumferential systolic strain (CSsys-mid) and epicardial circumferential systolic strain (CSsys-epi) at left ventricular short-axis level. At different time points after occlusion and reperfusion, 5 experimental rabbits were killed in each group for pathological examination.Results:①Forty-five min after coronary artery occlusion in both groups, the values of LVEF and HR were decreased( P<0.05), and the absolute values of CSsys-endo, CSsys-mid and CSsys-epi were significantly reduced( P<0.01). After LDDSE, the absolute values of CSsys-endo, CSsys-mid and CSsys-epi were increased, which were different from those after blockade( P<0.05). ②After reperfusion, the circumferential strains were not significantly different from those after blockade in IR group ( P>0.05). After blockade, the absolute values of circumferential strains were increased significantly in the ATP-PostC group compared with IR group( P<0.05). In the ATP-PostC group, the absolute values of CSsys-endo at different time points after reperfusion increased significantly compared with that after blockade ( P<0.05). The absolute values of CSsys-endo and CSsys-mid 120 min after reperfusion continued to increase significantly compared with those 60 min after reperfusion( P<0.05). ③Pathological examination: After 60 min of blockade, there was no significant difference in myocardial infarction area between the IR group and the ATP-PostC group( P>0.05). The percentage of infarct areas at each time point of reperfusion in the ATP-PostC group was decreased compared with that after blockade( P<0.05). Compared with the IR group, the percentage of infarct area in the ATP-PostC group was smaller after 120 minutes of reperfusion and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The applications of STI stratification strain technique and LDDSE can assess left ventricular circumferential strains at each of myocardial layers before and after reperfusion in rabbit myocardial ischemia ATP-PostC model, identify and evaluate the function of viable myocardium, and exhibit the significant protective effects of ATP-PostC on myocardial reperfusion injury.