OBJECTIVEEffects of ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1 and Re on neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway using liposome-mediated transfection of eukaryotic cells approach.

METHODThe injury model was established by treating SH-SY5Y cells with 0.6 mmol x L(-1) of corticosterone (CORT) by 24 h. SH-SY5Y cell were pretreated with CORT for 30 min followed by co-treated with 120,60 and 20 micromol x L(-1) of Rb1, 120, 80 and 40 micromol x L(-1) of Rg1 and 120, 80 and 40 micromol x L(-1) of Re for 24 h. Cells viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit (CCK) assay. CREB expressing Luciferase reporter gene was constructed and transfected with plasmid containing hRaf, hcAMP, hAkt, hCaMK gene into human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells using liposornal transfection reagent lipofection 2000. The expression of CREB before and after it addion of Rb1, Rg1 and Re was examined by Luc assay system and Western blotting.

RESULTCompared with normal control group, CORT significantly decreased the viability of SH-SY5Y cells to 67.21% (P < 0.01). CCK results show that Rb1 (60 micromol x L(-1)), Rg1 (80 micromol x L(-1)) and Re (80 micromol x L(-1)) on SH-SY5Y cells have significant protective effect (P < 0.01). Lucassay and Western blotting results show that the gene and protein levels of CREB increased significantly through the pathway of Raf and Akt with Rb1 and Rg1 (P < 0.01), Re can increase significantly the gene and protein levels of CREB through the pathway of Raf and CaMK II.

CONCLUSIONRb1, Rg1 and Re protects SH-SY5Y cells from CORT-induced damage and the neuroprotective mechanism may be associated with the Raf-CREB, Akt-CREB and CaMK II -CREB pathways.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Genes, Reporter ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Panax ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; raf Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the in vitro susceptibility of 16 strains of Exophiala dermatitidis to 6 commonly used antifungal agents. Methods The Glinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI)M27-A2 protocol was carried out to determine the MIGs of terbinafine (TRB), itraconazole (ITC), amphotericin B (AMB), fluconazole (FLC), voriconazole (VRC), and caspofungin (GAS) to 16 strains of E. dermatitidis, and E-test was performed to determine those of VRG, ITC and AMB. Besides, the minimal fungicidal concentrations (MFGs) of the above antifungal agents to the 16 strains of E. dermatitidis were further assessed.The activity of TRB in combination with ITC and VRG against E. dermatitidis was also estimated. Results The MIC ranges of TRB, VRC, ITC, AMB, FLC, and CAS were 0.125 - 0.25 mg/L, 0.25 - 0.5 mg/L, 2.0 mg/L,2.0 mg/L, 16 - 32 mg/L and 16 - 64 mg/L respectively as shown by M27-A2 microdilution assay, while the MIC ranges of VRG, ITG and AMB, as determined by E-test, were 0.032 - 0.094 mg/L, 0.047 - 0.5 mg/L and 0.125 - 3.0 mg/L, respectively. The MFC ranges of TRB, VRC, ITG, AMB and FLG were 0.125 - 0.5 mg/L,0.25 - 0.5 mg/L, 2.0 - 4.0 mg/L, 2.0 - 4.0 mg/L and 16 - 64 mg/L, respectively. No synergism in the acitivity against E. dermatitidis was observed for the combination of TBR with ITC or VRC. Conclusion E. dermatitidis is susceptible to TRB, ITC, AMB, and VRC, but less sensitive to both FLC and GAS.

BACKGROUND:Diabetic foot ulcers threaten the patients’ health and even survival seriously. It is an international difficult problem and lacks an effective treatment. But gene therapy and stem celltherapy possess special advantages and potential in wound healing. OBJECTIVE:To assess the therapeutic effect of transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected by human vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (hVEGF165) gene on foot wound healing in diabetic rats. METHODS:Recombinant adenovirus was established in vitro which expressed hVEGF165 gene and transfected into the third generation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Total y 120 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups:group A (non-diabetic controls), group B (diabetic controls), group C (Ad-hVEGF165 therapy), group D (stem celltherapy) and group E (transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected by Ad-hVEGF165 gene). Rats in the latter four groups were intraperitoneal y injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetic models. In al rats, a 3 mm×7 mm rectangular ful-thickness skin sample was cut from the instep of the hind foot to make a model of foot wound. The rats were subcutaneously injected at equidistant six points 5 mm distal to the wound edge on the dorsum of the foot:50μL PBS per point for group A, 50μL adenovirus suspension (1×1013 pfu/L) per point for group C, 50μL stem cellsuspension (1×1010/L) per point for group D, and 50μL adenovirus suspension+50μL stem cellsuspension per point for group E. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After injection, the rate of wound healing, the expression of VEGF and the qualities of capil aries in group E were higher when compared with groups B, C, D (P<0.05), but were lower than those in group A (P<0.05). Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected by hVEGF165 gene can promote foot wound healing, angiogenesis and expression of VEGF in diabetic rats.

The effects of alcohol intake for 5 months on insulin stimulated glucose uptake,expression levels and tyrosine phosphorylations of insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate (IRS) 1 and IRS 2 in rat skeletal muscle were observed. Results showed that alcohol consumption could impair insulin stimulated glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscle, accompanied by the up regulated expression and tyrosine phosphorylations of IR, IRS 1 and IRS 2.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of cross-resistance to azoles in a clinical isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus. Methods A. fumigatus was isolated from a patient with invasive aspergillosis.Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute M38-A2 broth microdilution method and E-test method were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) or minimum effective concentration (MEC) of itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B, posaconazole and caspofungin for the A. fumigatus isolate. DNA was extracted from the isolate and subjected to the amplification of cyp51A gene encoding the target enzyme of azole antifungal agents followed by sequence analysis. Results The broth microdilution test showed that the MEC of caspofungin was 0.5 mg/L, and MICs of itraconazole, voriconazole and amphotericin B were ≥ 16 mg/L,8 mg/L and 1 mg/L, respectively, for this isolate; while E-test assay revealed that the MICs of caspofungin,itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and posaconazole were 0.047 mg/L, ≥32 mg/L,≥32 mg/L, 12 mg/L and ≥32 mg/L, respectively. Sequence analysis showed an insertion of a 34-bp tandem sequence in the promoter region of the cyp51A gene as well as a T364A point mutation causing the substitution of leucine 98 (L98H). In addition, there were some other mutations in the cyp51A gene of this isolate, such as A137T,G585A, C814A, G836C, T991C and A1350G, which could result in corresponding amino acid substitutions.Conclusions An A. fumigatus strain with cross-resistance to azole antifungal agents is isolated. There is an insertion of a 34-bp tandem sequence into the promoter region as well as a T364A point mutation in the cyp51A gene, which contribute to the cross resistance to azole antifungal agents including itraconazole, voriconazole,and posaconazole. In addition, other mutations causing amino acid substitutions have also been detected in the cyp51 A gene of this isolate.

Objective To study the effect of Ro60 on migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma A 549 cells. Methods We knocked down Ro60 and analyzed the ability of migration and invasion of A 549 cells.Quantitative real time ( RT)-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect mRNA and protein levels of selected molecules associated with migration and invasion of neoplasm .Results When Ro60 was downregulated , the migration and invasion of A 549 cells decreased markedly.Meanwhile,the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9,c-Src etc was observably reduced.Furthermore, downregulation of Ro60 diminished the expression of Src protein and the activation of MMP-9 protein.Conclusion Downregulation of Ro60 inhibits migration and invasion of A549 cells by regulating Src protein and activating MMP-9 protein.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology

Objective To explore the dynamic changes of collagen type Ⅰand Ⅳ messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA)expression in the lung tissue of neonatal rats after inhaling high concentration of oxygen and the role of collagen type Ⅰand Ⅳ mRNA in chronic lung disease(CLD)induced by hyperoxia.Methods Full-term newborn rats were grouped according to inhale the concentration of oxygen into hypero-xia group and air control group after birth within 12 hours.Lung histological section at day 1,3,7,14 and 21 in 2 groups were prepared for hematoxylin-eosin staining and the detection of mRNA level of collagen type Ⅰand Ⅳ by in situ hybridization.The results were analyzed with SPSS 11.0 software.Results Compared with air control group,inflammation response was seen in early stage,the arrest of lung development was evident after 7 d of oxygen exposure,at last interstitial fibrosis.It was shown that the positive expression of collagen typeⅠ was mainly in the alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial cells by in situ hybridization.The expression of collagen typeⅠ mRNA was weakened compared to air group on 7 d(P0.05).Conclusions Prolonged hyperoxia may cause the onset of arrested lung development and lung fibrosis,which are similar to the changes of chronic lung disease.The collagen type Ⅰand Ⅳ mRNA expressions are not parallel to their protein contents,suggesting the main modulation of these collagens may be not at transcriptional level.

Objective To explore the incidence and risk factors of bacterial infection after othtotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Altogether 56 OLT recipients from January 2005 to October 2007 were included in the study. The incidents and the related variables of the infection were analyzed retrospectively. The related variables were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression model to identify the significant risk factors. Results Bacterial infection was confirmed in 29 recipients (51.8%). Among them, the lung infection was the most common site (53.7%). The Gram-positive cocci were 46.3%, while the Gram-negative bacilli were 53.7%. The risk factors for bacterial infection included duration of the operation and detained respirator using. Conclusion Bacterial infection is a major complication following OLT. Surveillance for the risk factors, enhancement the skill of operation, and improving the recovery of respiratory function is the key to decreasing the incidence of bacterial infection after transplantation.

Objective To observe the effect of fleabane injection on serum level of D-dimer, fibrinogen and hypersensitive C-reactive protein in patients with IgA nephropathy and to explore the mechanism of fleabane injection for treating IgA nephropathy. Methods 29 patients with IgA nephropathy were given fleabane injection together with routine treatment. Another group of 28 patients with IgA nephropathy were only treated with routine treatment as con-trol. Determinations of 24 hours urine protein output(24HPQ), serum level of D-dimer(D-D), Fibrinogen(Fib) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were carried out pre- and post-study. Results Significant decrease in 24HPQ , serum level of D-D, Fib and hsCRP were observed in both treatment group and control group(P <0. 01 ～0. 05), but more significant in treatment group as compared with control group ( P < 0. 05). Conclusion Flea-bane Injection plus routine treatment could significantly decrease 24HPQ in patients with IgA nephropathy, and this maybe contribute to regulation of D-D, Fib and hsCRP by fleabane injection.