OBJECTIVETo study the effects of low concentration dopamine(DA) on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in cultured rat cardiomyocytes as well as the possible molecular mechanisms.

METHODSCultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into the following groups: control group (control), hydrogen peroxide group (H2O2), pretreated with low concentration dopamine ( DA + H2O2), dopamine receptor l(DR1) antagonist group (DR1 + DA + H2O2), dopamine receptor 2(DR2) antagonist group (DR2 + DA + H2O2). The cell apoptosis was then assessed by MTT and flow cytometry. The cellular ultrastructure changes were observed by transmission electron micro- scope. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH )and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in cell medium was analyzed by colorimetry. The protein expressions of Cytochrone c, Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 were obtained by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with hydrogen peroxide group, low concentration dopamine(10 µmol/L) decreased the apoptosis rate and the expression of protein of apoptosis related protein, enhanced SOD activity, decreased LDH activity. DR1 antagonist SCH-23390 treatment inhibited dopamine induced cardiac protective effect. DR2 antagonist haloperido treatment had no changes compared with dopamine group.

CONCLUSIONAbove findings indicate that low concentration dopanine inhibits apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, which is partly associated with the activation of DR1.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Benzazepines ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Dopamine ; pharmacology ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Aim:To construct the short hairpin small interfering RNA(shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector specific to mouse lectin like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1(LOX-1) gene and to observe its silencing effect on LOX-1 in RAW264.7 cells.Methods:(1)The pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector was constructed by gene recombination,Then transfected into the cultured RAW264.7 cells.At 48 h after Transfection,the expression of LOX-1 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR,the expression of LOX-1 proteins examined by Western blot.(2) Oil Red O Dyeing experiment was used to show the cellular lipid droplets in lipid-loaded cells.The method of cholesterol oxidase analysis was performed to determine the content of cellular cholesterol.The ability of uptake Dil-ox-LDL in RAW264.7 cells was assayed by fluorescence microscopy.Results: pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector was successfully constructed.Transfection of pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector into RAW264.7 cells down regulaled the expression level of LOX-1 gene,as compared with the control group,transfection of the RAW264.7 cells with LOX 1-shRNA led to a remarkable reduction of the number macrophages transformed into foam cell,and could suppress the uptake of ox-LDL.Conclusion:The pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector can inhibit the expression of LOX 1 in RAW264.7 cells and the transformation of the macrophages into foam,which may he beneficial in searching new gene therapy of atherosclerosis.

Objective To provide reliable indicators for effective prevention and control of COVID-19, we examined the biochemical indicators as well as anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients. Methods A total of 56 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases quarantined during January-March, 2020 in Gansu Provincial People′s Hospital and People′s Hospital of Xigu District, Gansu Province were included.Based on the results of nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding, they were divided into three groups: positive in both nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding; positive in nucleic acid testing but negative in CT scan finding; negative in both nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding.COVID-19 viral nucleic acid was detected and chest CT scan was performed.The following biochemical indicators were examined: total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the differences in the biochemical indicators among these three groups, as well as the temporal trend of IgM and IgG antibodies at different points of time. Results There were significant differences in the mean values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase between these three groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in the mean value of total protein and albumin (P>0.05).ROC curve indicated that aspartate aminotransferase had the largest maximum area under the curve (AUC, 0.834), whereas alanine aminotransferase had the highest sensitivity (1.0) and total bilirubin had the highest specificity (0.927).Thus, aspartate transaminase provided the best prediction for the diagnosis of COVID-19, with sensitivity of 0.786, specificity of 0.854, and the maximum AUC of 0.834.In 12 of 16 confirmed COVID-19 patients tested IgG positive after 10 days of diagnosis, and 10 of 10 confirmed COVID-19 patients tested IgG positive after 14 days of diagnosis. Conclusion Aspartate aminotransferase may be the most useful indicator in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

The laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied to perform a qualitative elementary analysis on four precious Tibetan medicines, i. e. Renqing Mangjue, Renqing Changjue, 25-herb coral pills and 25-herb pearl pills. The specific spectra of the four Tibetan medicines were established. In the experiment, Nd: YAG and 1 064 nm-baseband pulse laser were adopted to collect the spectra. A laser beam focused on the surface of the samples to generate plasma. Its spectral signal was detected by using spectrograph. Based on the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) database, LIBS spectral lines were indentified. The four Tibetan medicines mainly included Ca, Na, K, Mg and other elements and C-N molecular band. Specifically, Fe was detected in Renqing Changjue and 25-herb pearl pills; heavy mental elements Hg and Cu were shown in Renqing Mangjue and Renqing Changjue; Ag was found in Renqing Changjue. The results demonstrated that LIBS is a reliable and rapid multi-element analysis on the four Tibetan medicines. With Real-time, rapid and nondestructive advantages, LIBS has a wide application prospect in the element analysis on ethnic medicines.
Calcium ; analysis ; Copper ; analysis ; Iron ; analysis ; Lasers ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Mercury ; analysis ; Silver ; analysis ; Spectrum Analysis ; methods

Chlorogenic acid displays several important roles in the therapeutic properties of many herbs, such as antioxidant activity, antibacterial, antiviral, scavenging free radicals and exciting central nervous system. Only about one-third of chlorogenic acid was absorbed in its prototype, therefore, its gut metabolites play a more important role in the therapeutic properties of chlorogenic acid. It is necessary to consider not only the bioactivities of chlorogenic acid but also its gut metabolites. This review focuses on the potential activities and mechanisms of chlorogenic acid and its gut metabolites on central nervous system diseases.
Animals ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Chlorogenic Acid ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intestines ; drug effects ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on affected and healthy limbs and on the regulation of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA and proteins in the cerebral cortex early after focal ischemic.Methods A model of focal cerebral ischemia was established in 54 SD rats using the suture occlusion method.They were then randomly divided into an affected limb therapy group (ALTG,n =18),an unaffected limb therapy group (UALTG,n =18),and a control group (CG,n =18).Each group had a 7-day subgroup,a 14-day subgroup and a 21-day subgroup with 6 rats in each.Rats in the experimental groups received EA beginning 24h after the occlusion.Rats in each subgroup were sacrificed in a random order on the 7th,14th and 21st days and the ischemic cerebral cortexes were quickly dissected.The specimens were frozen in liquid nitrogen before being analysed for IGF-1 mRNA expression by RT-PCR and for IGF-1 protein by Western blotting.Results ①After occlusion,IGF-1 protein levels in the ischemic cortexes of the CG declined from the 7th through the 21st day.Rats in the ALTG had significantly higher levels compared with the CG at all time points.The UALTG had the highest values on the 14th day,but was lower than the ALTG and higher than the CG at the 21st day.②IGF-1 mRNA levels in the ischemic cortexes of the UALTG declined from the 7th through the 21st day.At day 7 the results of the UALTG were 6.8 times higher than the CG,and the ALTG was 3.0 times higher.At day 14 levels in the UALTG were significantly lower than those in the ALTG.At that point the results of the UALTG rats were 3.3 times higher than those of the CG and the ALTG was 5.7 times higher.On day 21 levels in both the UALTG and ALTG were significantly lower than in the CG.Conclusions EA intervention at an early stage of focal cerebral ischemia can improve the expression of IGF-1 mRNA and protein levels in the ischemic cortex.Treating the unaffected limb can evoke more IGF-1 mRNA expression earlier and with relatively longer duration,and generate relatively longer protein increases.EA administered to the unaffected limb was more effective in the early stage of stroke.

Near-infrared (NIR) was used as rapid analysis method to identify the sulfur fumigated Puerariae Lobatae Radix. NIR spectra of the cross-sectional and longitudinal selection of samples were acquired. Principal component analysis was conducted. The samples were randomly selected. The different pretreatment methods were compared. Discriminant models were established for every type of spectra to calculate the recognition rate. The orthogonal test and nonparametric test were used to test data normality. The result showed that absorbance values of different sections were different due to the different structure, and the raw spectra were analyzed by PCA method. The result founded that the cumulative contribution rate was arrived at 99.2% while the PC numbers were arrived at 3. The pretreatment method based on the MSC + 1D + Savitzky-Golay was the best to establish the model. For the 50 models constructed with cross-section and longitudinal spectra and total spectra, the recognition rate were (94.4 ± 0.66)%, (94.4 ± 0.66)%, (95.3 ± 0.65)%, respectively, and no difference was observed. The NIR method could be used to identify the sulfur fumigated Puerariae Lobatae Radix.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Discriminant Analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fumigation ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Sulfur ; chemistry

Twelve flavonoids were isolated from an ethanol extract of Machilus wangchiana by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase flash chromatography and HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis (IR, MS, and NMR) as (+)-catechin (1), (-)-epicatechin (2), 3'-O-methyl-(+)-catechin (3), 3'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin (4), 3, 5, 7, 2', 5'-pentahydroxy flavan (5), (-)-naringenin (6), (-)-eriodictyol (7), (-)-liquiritigenin (8), (2R,3R)-(+)-dihydrokaempferol (9), (2R,3S)-(-)-dihydro- kaempferol (10), (2R, 3R)-(+)-taxifolin (11), and quercetin (12). Compounds 1-10 are isolated from the genus Machilus for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Lauraceae ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the functional and histological changes in aging gerbil bladders.MethodsTwelve male gerbils were randomly divided into control group and aging bladder group,with 6 in each group.Experiment was conducted in gerbils of control group and aging bladder group 6 months and 24 months after normal feeding,respectively.Urodynamic examinations including irrigation volume,compliance and filling pressure of bladder were performed,bladder weight was obtained,bladder weight index was calculated,morphological observation was conducted with HE staining,ratio of amount of smooth muscle to collagen was obtained with double immunohistochemical staining,and electron microscope was used to evaluate the ultrastructure of bladder.ResultsCompared with those in control group,the irrigation volume and compliance of bladder significantly decreased in aging bladder group(P0.05).However,the bladder weight index was significantly lower in aging bladder group(P0.05).There existed degeneration in smooth muscle cells and organelles in aging bladder group.ConclusionThe function of aging bladder in gerbils is impaired,which may be related to the degeneration of bladder tissues.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has a wide range of biological functions in epigenetic, cell cycle, cell differentiation and other life activities, and that affect the development and differentiation of immune cells and the maintenance of homeostasis in the immune system. CD4⁺ T cell subsets are heterogeneous cells with different functions, including promoting the proliferation and differentiation of T cells, B cells and other immune cells, and coordinating related functions between immune cells. Autoimmune disease (AID) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by an autoantigen immune reaction. lncRNA and CD4⁺ T cell subsets are involved in the occurrence and progression of the disease. This article reviews the relationship between lncRNA and the differentiation of AID CD4⁺ T cell subsets.