Objective To silence the expression of CTGF by small interfering RNA technology,to observe the influence on fibroblast?like synovial cell apoptosis and several apoptosis?related genes,and to explore the mechanism of action of CTGF in rheumatoid arthritis synovial lesions. Methods Effective CTGF siRNA was screened through real?time PCR. The influence of CTGF siRNA on FLS apoptosis was detected with FITC?PI double staining by flow cytometry. bax,bcl?xl and survivin were detected using real?time PCR when CTGF mRNA has been silenced. Results Compared with other 2 groups of oligo and NC oligo,H1 oligo exhibited the strongest interfering action to CTGF(inhibition ratio>70%),so that it is selected as the effective target gene sequence for the following experiment. Apoptosis of FLS induced by serum deprivation was significantly decreased in the presence of exogenous CTGF. When expression of the CTGFgene was knocked down in FLS,FLS apoptosis was significantly increased,and expres?sion levels of survivin mRNA were decreased significantly(P<0.01). Conclusion FLS survival is positively regulated by CTGF,which may through the sustaining the expression of survivin.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,safety and impact of recombinant human cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA)-4 fusion proteins (rhCTLA-4Ig) on serum human tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and CX3CL1 in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods Forty-four RA patients were treated with rhCTLA-4Ig and placebo.Clinical response was assessed by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28).The levels of serum TNF-α and CX3CL1 were determined in 44 RA patients and 20 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Comparisons between groups were performed by t-test or x2 test.Results At week 12,ACR20,ACR50and ACR70 responses in RA patients with rhCTLA-4Ig were achieved by 95％(20/21 ),76％( 16/21 )and 19％(4/21) respectively,but no patient with placebo achieved ACR20,ACRS0 and ACR70 responses.There were significantly statistical differences in ACR20 and ACR50 responses (x2=39.17,26.69,P＜0.01 ).At week 12,the mean DAS28 in the rhCTLA4Ig group was 3.1±1.3 versus 6.2±1.1 at baseline (P＜0.01).Similarly,health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) improved significantly,declining from 1.4±0.5 at baseline to 0.4±0.5 at week 12 (P＜0.01).However,the mean DAS28 in the placebo group was 5.8±1.2 versus 6.0±0.7 at baseline (P＞0.05),HAQ declined from 1.6±0.4 to 1.6±0.6 (P＞0.05).In addition,there were higher levels of TNF-α and CX3CL1 in the active RA patients than those of the healthy controls (P＜0.01).After 12 weeks therapy,Serum TNF-α and CX3CL1 levels in the rhCTLA-4Ig group decreased significantly (P＜0.01).There weren't decline in the placebo group (P＞0.05).Conclusion This study has shown that rhCTLA-4Ig is very effective in reducing disease activity,improving function during the 12 weeks treatment.rhCTLA-4Ig therapy for 12 weeks can lead to significant decrease of serum TNF-α and CX3CL1.

To study the difference of changes on apoptosis, necrosis and respiratory burst of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in endotoxemia rat model. LPS (O(55)B(5), 5 mg/kg) was injected into abdominal cavity of 20 random normal Wistar rat. 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours after injection, the changes of apoptosis, necrosis and respiratory burst of the rats between PMN from the peripheral blood and from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were observed using the flow cytometer. At the same time, 5 uninjected rats were taken as control. The results demonstrated that the quantity proportions of apoptosis of PMN between the peripheral blood PMN and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PMN in rat's endotoxemia were similar. However, comparison with the uninjected LPS rat, the necrosis of peripheral blood PMN obviously increased and the respiratory burst capacity was clearly inhibited. Contrarily, the necrosis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid PMN obviously decreased and the respiratory burst obviously increased in the injecting LPS rat. It was concluded that the necrosis and apoptosis displayed differently between the pulmonary and peripheral blood PMNs in endotoxemia. Under state of inflammation, the surviving PMN in tissue increased and kept the activated state due to tissue injury.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Endotoxemia ; blood ; Necrosis ; Neutrophils ; physiology ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Respiratory Burst

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of circulating type II pre-dendritic cells (pDC2) and evaluate its role in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

METHODSThe quantitative alterations of pDC2 in 27 chronic HBV-infected patients as treated group and 15 healthy individuals as a control group were analyzed by using flow cytometry based on the comparison of CD4+/CD8+ ratios of T lymphocyte subsets between the two groups. The IFN-alpha-producing ability of pDC2 after incubation was determined by ELISA.

RESULTSThe percentage of pDC2 (0.096 +/- 0.086) from the peripheral blood in chronic HBV-infected patients were significantly lower than that (0.304 +/- 0.093) from the normal controls (P less than 0.001) while the CD4+/CD8+ ratios were higher than those in normal controls (P less than 0.01). The values of IFN-alpha-producing function and IL-12 of circulating pDC2 in chronic HBV-infected patients group were significantly lower than those in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The percentage of pDC2 and CD4+/CD8+ ratios were higher in the patients positive for HBV DNA in sera than those in patients negative for HBV DNA in sera (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe decreased number of circulating pDC2 and IFN-alpha-producing function from peripheral blood in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection may result in the decline of host immune response, which may partially contribute to the disease progress of HBV infection and existence of viral genomic DNA in patient's sera.

Adolescent ; Adult ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Cell Count ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; growth & development ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; immunology ; virology ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; cytology ; immunology ; Young Adult

The article summarized the general situation of the study on the renal toxicity caused by aristolochic acids (AAs) and Chinese herbs containing AAs. The renal lesion induced by AAs and Chinese herbs containing AAs locates mainly in renal tubules, and glomeruluses have no obvious histological change. The short term administration of large doses causes acute renal epithelia denaturalization and tubular necrosis, but the long-term administration may result in chronically progressive interstitial fibrosis of the kidney. Renal failure may occur following both acute and chronic renal lesion. The renal function should be strictly monitored while one is using the Chinese herbs containing AAs, and the dosage and duration for the treatment must be limited to prevent renal toxicity.
Animals ; Aristolochiaceae ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Tubules ; pathology ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Renal Insufficiency ; chemically induced

Objective To explore the protective effect of gallic acid in Phyllanthus emblica on high glucose－induced apoptosis of pancreatic islet β cells, and to provide a reference for the discovery of natural compounds for the treatment of diabetes. Methods In vivo experimental model, wistar male rats were used as in vivo subjects and 50 mg/kg STZ was injected intraperitoneally. After the model was successfully established, 25 mg/kg of gallic acid was given orally, and the positive drug was Sitagliptin. After 4 weeks of administration, the blood was taken and the pancreas was removed for HE staining. Western blot was used to measure the expression of NLRP3 and TXNIP in pancreatic tissue in high sugar state. In vitro model, insulinoma cell line INS－1 cells were used as in vitro targets to establish high levels. In sugar－induced apoptosis model, INS－1 cells were cultured in glucose－free RPMI 1640 complete medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L glucose. Gallic acid was used as the test sample. Experiments were divided into normal controls, high－sugar models, and low, medium and high levels of gallic acid groups. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The mRNA expression of NLRP3 and TXNIP in INS－1 cells was detected by QPCR and Western blot, and the expression of NLRP3 and TXNIP protein was detected.Results (1) INS－1 cells were cultured in a medium with glucose concentration of 25mmol/L for 48h, and the apoptosis rate was increased compared with the control group (P＜0.01), indicating that the apoptosis model was established successfully under high glucose conditions. (2) 10, 5, and 2.5 μmol/L GA were used to treat the control group and the high glucose model group cells respectively. The survival rate of the control group did not change significantly (P＞0.05) . Compared with the control group, the expression of NLRP3 and TXNIP in INS－1 cells in the high glucose model group was significantly different (P＜0.05);the protein expression level was significantly downregulated after GA treatment, and there was a statistical difference (P＜0.05) . Compared with the control group, the expression of NLRP3 protein in INS－1 cells in the high glucose model group was statistically different (P＜0.01), and the protein expression level was significantly downregulated after GA treatment (P＜0.01) ; The protein expression level was up－regulated (P＜0.05);the protein expression level after GA treatment was significantly down－regulated (P＜0.05); (4) The expression of NLRP3 and TXNIP mRNA in INS－1 cells was increased in the high glucose model group compared with the control group (P＜0.01) ; The expression of protein was significantly down－regulated after GA treatment (P＜0.01) . Conclusion The cells were cultured for 48 h in glucose－free RPMI 1640 complete medium supplemented with 25 mmol/L glucose. GA has no effect on the proliferation of normal INS－1 cells. GA protects INS－1 cells from apoptosis under high glucose conditions. The mechanism may be related to GA down－regulation of NLRP3 and TXNIP gene expression.

OBJECTIVEThe acute toxic effects of Aristolochia manshuriensis (GMT) and the total aristolochic acids (TA) were compared in mice with aristolochic acid A (AA) as the dose standard. The dose relationship of the renal toxicity induced by Aristolochia manshuriensis was determined.

METHODA single dose of GMT extract or TA was given intragastrically to mice at different doses. LD50 values, the blood levels of BUN, Cr and ALT were measured. A histomorphological study was also performed in livers and kidneys of mice.

RESULTLD50 value of GMT extract was 4.4 g x kg(-1) which was equivalent to 40 mg x kg(-1) as calculated by the content of AA in GMT extract, and this value was comparable with LD50 obtained from TA given intragastrically in mice (equivalent to 33 mg x kg(-1) of AA for male and 37 mg x kg(-1) for female). GMT extract caused a significant increase in blood BUN and Cr and an obvious morphological change in kidney in a dose-dependent manner at doses of AA 4.5 mg x kg(-1) and above. Liver damage, characterized by both an increase in blood level of AST and histomorphological change, was observed at doses of AA 25 mg x kg(-1) and above. All changes were in proportion to the doses of AA.

CONCLUSIONGMT causes both renal and liver toxicity. The dose leading to nephrotoxicity is much lower than that inducing hepatatoxicity. Aristolochic acids existed in GMT are the main toxic components to cause renal toxicity which is a crucial cause to result in death. The lethality and nephrotoxicity of GMT is in proportion to the doses of AA.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aristolochia ; chemistry ; Aristolochic Acids ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Female ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Liver ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Random Allocation

Objective To investigate nutrition status and its influencing factors of patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) in rural area. Methods A total of 72 rural-home-care patients with continuous ambulatory PD were recruited and investigated with a self-designed demographic data questionnaire, Subjective Global Assessment(SGA), somatometry, biochemical test, Charlson Comorbidity Index(CCI), method of peritoneal dialysis adequacy in Nephrology Department of a Class Ⅲ Grade A hospital from February to June 2015 by convenient sampling. Influencing factors of patients' nutrition status were analyzed by single factor analysis and multiple factors Logistic regression. Results Incidence of malnutrition in PD patients was 79.17%. Single factor analysis showed that a total of 12 factors were related to malnutrition: complications index, dialysis adequacy, TSF, Alb, Hb, Rbc, nPCR, eGFR, TG, BUN, Scr and Kt/v. Logistic regression analysis showed that peritoneal dialysis inadequacy, complication and low serum albumin were the influencing factors of malnutrition for patients undergoing PD in rural area (OR=6.995,0.075,1.050;P<0.05). Conclusions The results indicate that paying more attention and assessing nutrition timely may maintain good effect of dialysis and promote the quality of life for patients receiving PD in rural area.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, on experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in Balb/C mice and discuss the therapeutic mechanism induced by apoptosis.

METHODSThirty male Balb/C mice were divided into normal control group, model control group and experimental group randomly (n = 10). Model control group and experimental group were created into EAM by injection of porcine cardiac myosin subcutaneously in double groin and axilla and pertussis toxin intraperitoneally on day 0 and 7 respectively. Model control group was intraperitoneally administered 5 mg/(kg x day) of physiological saline after infective myosin and pertussis toxin. Experimental group was intraperitoneally given 5 mg/(kg x day) of L-NAME on day 1-21. The hearts and blood were processed after sacrificed on day 21. Cardiac inflammation score was measured by HE staining. Heart weight / body weight (HW/BW), serum nitric oxide (NO) level, activity of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and mRNA expression of iNOS in heart were measured in each group. Degree of heart apoptosis were evaluated by cardiac apoptotic index through TUNEL, immunohistochemical examination and real time PCR of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9.

RESULTSCompared with normal control group, cardiac inflammation score, HW/BW level of NO and activity of iNOS, mRNA expression of iNOS, the levels of mRNA and protein of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 and cardiac apoptotic index were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in model control group, and those of model control group were higher than those of experimental group (P < 0.01). HW/BW was only a little elevation in model control group compared with that in the experiment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe development of EAM is related with the NO catalyzed by iNOS. L-NAME protects cardiac myocyte via suppressing the activity of iNOS and further decreased production of NO in EAM. The mechanism might be that L-NAME alleviated myocardial inflammation through inhibited the apoptosis of cardiac myocyte.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; therapeutic use ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDPolymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), one of the most important inflammatory cells, functions throughout the initiation, progression and resolution of inflammation. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between PMN apoptosis and the lung injury after chest impact trauma.

METHODSPMNs were purified from rabbits subjected to the chest impact trauma and their apoptosis, necrosis, survival and respiratory burst were detected by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, lactate dehydrogenase and (LDH) [Ca2+]i were measured.

RESULTSThe delayed apoptosis of PMNs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was observed from 2 hours to 12 hours after trauma, and viable cells increased. Respiratory burst of PMNs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was increased significantly from 2 hours with the peak at 8 hours. Meanwhile, lactate dehydrogenase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was higher than that in control (P < 0.05) from 4 hours to 24 hours, and intracellular free Ca2+ in PMN was increased temporarily.

CONCLUSIONSRetention of PMN in tissues and the abnormality in apoptotic pathway inevitably generate persistent activation of PMN and excessive release of toxic substances, resulting in tissue injury. The temporary increase of intracellular free Ca2+ may be responsible for the delayed apoptosis of PMN.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Lung Injury ; Neutrophils ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Respiratory Burst ; physiology ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications