Objective:To evaluate the effect of selective inhibitor of caspase-1 VX-765 on cognitive function in a rat model of hemorrhage shock and resuscitation (HSR).Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), VX-765 group (V group), and solvent control group (C group). The rats in H, V and C groups were subjected to hemorrhage by bleeding from femoral vein to achieve mean arterial pressure of 25-35 mmHg which was maintained at this level for 60 min followed by resuscitation with shed blood within 15 min to restore blood pressure, and normal saline was infused when needed.VX-765 1 mg/kg and 0.4% polyethylene glycol 1 mg/kg were intravenously injected via the femoral vein immediately after the end of resuscitation in V and C groups, respectively.Six rats in each group were selected and sacrificed at 12 h after the end of resuscitation, and the cerebral cortex was removed for determination of neuronal pyroptosis (by immunofluorescence) and degree of cortical edema (using T2-weighted imaging). Cognitive function was measured by open field test on day 7 after resuscitation in the rest 6 rats in each group. Results:Compared with S group, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly increased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were decreased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was shortened in H, V and C groups ( P<0.05). Compared with H and C groups, the pyroptosis rate in cortical neurons at 12 h after resuscitation and degree of cortical edema were significantly decreased, the distance in the central square and the number of standing on the back legs were increased on day 7 after resuscitation, and the time spent in the central square was prolonged in V group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:VX-765 can improve the cognitive function, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting pyroptosis in cortical neurons in a rat model of HSR.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) on cell apoptosis during acute renal injury induced by hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) in rats.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 350-400 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) by a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), HSR group (H group), HSR plus CORM-3 group (HC group) and HSR plus iCORM-3 group (HiC group). Mean arterial pressure was maintained at 30-35 mmHg for 45 min by withdrawing blood from the femoral vein, and the shed blood was re-transfused within 15 min to reach the initial blood pressure for resuscitation.Normal saline was infused when necessary, and the model of HSR was established.CORM-3 4 mg/kg and iCORM-3 4 mg/kg were added during resuscitation in HC group and HiC group, respectively.Only femoral vein and artery puncture was performed in S group.Blood samples were obtained from the tail vein at 3 h after resuscitation for measurement of serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Scr) concentrations.Rats were sacrificed at 12 h after resuscitation, and renal tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of Bcl-2 and Bak protein and cleaved caspase-3 (by Western blot) and cell apoptosis (by TUNEL). The damage to the renal tubules was assessed by paller assay after HE staining.Bcl-2/Bak ratio and apoptosis rate were calculated. Results:Compared with group S, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in H, HC and HiC groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group H, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was increased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was down-regulated in group HC ( P<0.05). Compared with group HC, the serum BUN and Scr concentrations, paller scores, and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, Bcl-2/Bak ratio was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was up-regulated in group HiC ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the indexes mentioned above between group H and group HiC ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism by which exogenous CO improves acute kidney injury may be related to inhibiting cell apoptosis in a rat model of HSR.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of carbon monoxide-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3) on blood transfusion-related acute lung injury in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods:Seventy-two clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 300-350 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=18 each) using the random number table method: sham operation group (group S), TBI group (T group), TBI plus 10 ml/kg plasma transfusion group (TP group), and TBI plus 10 ml/kg plasma transfusion plus CORM-3 group (TPC group). TBI was induced by dropping a 20-g weight from 20 cm height falling freely in anesthetized rats.Plasma 10 ml/kg was infused via the femoral vein after TBI in TP and TPC groups.The rats were sacrificed at 24 h after plasma transfusion, and lung tissues were obtained for determination of wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio, cell apoptosis, and expression of caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma (by Western blot). The lung injury score was calculated using the results of HE staining.Lung ultrasonography was performed for assessment of sonographic score, and the apoptosis rate was calculated by the TUNEL staining method. Results:Compared with S group, the W/D ratio, lung injury score, sonographic score and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, and the expression of activated caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma was up-regulated in the other three groups ( P<0.05). Compared with T group, the W/D ratio, lung injury score, sonographic score and apoptosis rate were significantly increased, and the expression of activated caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma was up-regulated in TP group ( P<0.05). Compared with TP group, the W/D ratio, lung injury score, sonographic score and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased, and the expression of activated caspase-3, Bid, Bim and Puma was down-regulated in TPC group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CORM-3 can reduce acute lung injury related to blood transfusion in rats with TBI, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting cell apoptosis in lung tissues.

Objective To discuss the techniques and methods of surgery for brain gliomas located in eloquent areas at awake anesthesia. Methods Nineteen patients with brain gliomas in eloquent areas, admitted to our hospital from December 2014 to May 2017, were operated under awake anesthesia with neuronavigation and intraoperative ultrasonography for locating the lesions and intraoperative direct electrical stimulation for functional mapping of the eloquent areas. All patients were followed up from 3 to 18 months; the surgical efficacies were analyzed. Results Of 19 patients, 18 (94.74％) were achieved awake and alert during brain mapping and resection of the tumors;17 (89.47％) were detected the motor areas by intraoperative direct electrical stimulation, 6 (31.58％) were detected the sensory cortex and 12 (63.16％) were detected language related cortex. Of 19 patients, MR imaging 2-3 months after surgery indicated that 5 (26.32％) received total resection of lesions, 9 (47.37％) subtotal resection of lesions and 5 (26.32％) partial resection of lesions. Seven patients (36.84％) had transitory postoperative aphasia, 4 (21.05％) were with transitory postoperative dyskinesia and one (5.26％) with permanent dyskinesia. Conclusion Comprehensive applications of awake anesthesia, neuronavigation, intraoperative ultrasonography and intraoperative direct electrical stimulation technologies allow maximum safe resection of gliomas in eloquent areas and protection of brain function.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of metformin for regulating tumor-stromal cell cross-talk in breast cancer.Methods Tumor associated fibroblasts(CAFs)co-cultured with breast cancer cells were treated with metformin,and the changes in expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),p-AMPK,stroma-derived factor-1(SDF-1)and interleukin-8(IL-8)in the CAFs were detected using ELISA,RT-qPCR or Western blotting;Transwell assay was used to evaluate the invasiveness of the tumor cells and its changes following treatment with exogenous SDF-1,IL-8 and TGF-β1.The effects of HIF-1α shRNA or overexpression plasmid,AMPK shRNA,and treatment with OG(a proline hydroxylase inhibitor)or 2-OXO(a proline hydroxylase activator)were examined on p-AMPK,HIF-1α,SDF-1 and IL-8 expressions and invasiveness of the CAFs.Results Metformin treatment significantly increased the expression levels of p-AMPK,SDF-1 and IL-8(P<0.05)and decreased HIF-1α expression(P<0.05)without affecting AMPK expression level(P>0.05)in the CAFs.The invasion ability of metformin-treated breast cancer cells was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Exogenous SDF-1 and IL-8,HIF-1α overexpression,and OG-induced upregulation of HIF-1α all significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of metformin on breast cancer cell invasion(P<0.05)and HIF-1α,SDF-1 and IL-8 expressions in CAFs(P<0.05).Transfection with HIF-1α shRNA or treatment with 2-OXO significantly decreased the invasiveness of breast cancer cells(P<0.05).P-AMPK knockdown significantly suppressed the inhibitory effect of metformin on HIF-1α expression in CAFs and on invasion of breast cancer cells(P<0.05).Treatment with TGF-β1 partially decreased the inhibitory effect of metformin on HIF-1α expression in CAFs and invasiveness of the breast cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion Metformin suppresses HIF-1α expression in CAFs to block tumor-stromal cross talk in breast cancer.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of metformin for regulating tumor-stromal cell cross-talk in breast cancer.Methods Tumor associated fibroblasts(CAFs)co-cultured with breast cancer cells were treated with metformin,and the changes in expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),p-AMPK,stroma-derived factor-1(SDF-1)and interleukin-8(IL-8)in the CAFs were detected using ELISA,RT-qPCR or Western blotting;Transwell assay was used to evaluate the invasiveness of the tumor cells and its changes following treatment with exogenous SDF-1,IL-8 and TGF-β1.The effects of HIF-1α shRNA or overexpression plasmid,AMPK shRNA,and treatment with OG(a proline hydroxylase inhibitor)or 2-OXO(a proline hydroxylase activator)were examined on p-AMPK,HIF-1α,SDF-1 and IL-8 expressions and invasiveness of the CAFs.Results Metformin treatment significantly increased the expression levels of p-AMPK,SDF-1 and IL-8(P<0.05)and decreased HIF-1α expression(P<0.05)without affecting AMPK expression level(P>0.05)in the CAFs.The invasion ability of metformin-treated breast cancer cells was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Exogenous SDF-1 and IL-8,HIF-1α overexpression,and OG-induced upregulation of HIF-1α all significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of metformin on breast cancer cell invasion(P<0.05)and HIF-1α,SDF-1 and IL-8 expressions in CAFs(P<0.05).Transfection with HIF-1α shRNA or treatment with 2-OXO significantly decreased the invasiveness of breast cancer cells(P<0.05).P-AMPK knockdown significantly suppressed the inhibitory effect of metformin on HIF-1α expression in CAFs and on invasion of breast cancer cells(P<0.05).Treatment with TGF-β1 partially decreased the inhibitory effect of metformin on HIF-1α expression in CAFs and invasiveness of the breast cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion Metformin suppresses HIF-1α expression in CAFs to block tumor-stromal cross talk in breast cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the role of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule-3 (CORM-3)-induced reduction of hepatocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis in a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.Methods:Forty-eight clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 9-11 weeks, weighing 320-380 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), CORM-3 group (C group) and STING agonist ADU-S100 group (A group).Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury models were developed by reversible ligation of left middle hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct branches for 45 min, followed by reperfusion in anesthetized animals in IR, C and A groups.In group C, CORM-3 4 mg/kg was injected into the femoral vein immediately after reperfusion.The equal volume of normal saline containing dimethyl sulfoxide was injected into the femoral vein in S, IR and A groups.At 1.5 h after injection into the femoral vein, ADU-S100 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in A group, and the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in S, IR and C groups.The serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations were determined at 3 h of reperfusion.The rats were sacrificed at 12 h of reperfusion, and liver tissues were collected for determination of the content of CO (by colorimetry), expression of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), IL-18, Bcl-2, Bax, interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), phosphorylated IRF3 (p-IRF3), STING, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), aspirin D (GSDMD) and activated caspase-1 (by Western blot), and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes (by immunofluorescence staining).The liver injury was scored. Results:Compared with group S, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, CO content, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly increased, and the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group IR ( P<0.05).Compared with group IR, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly decreased, the CO content was increased, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was down-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased in group C ( P<0.05).Compared with group C, the serum ALT and AST concentrations, liver injury score, and pyroptosis and apoptosis rates of hepatocytes were significantly increased, the CO content was decreased, the expression of IL-1β, IL-18, p-IRF3, STING, NLRP3, GSDMD and activated caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was decreased in group A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which CORM-3 attenuates hepatocyte pyroptosis and apoptosis may be related to the inhibition of activation of STING signaling pathway in a rat model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.