Background and purpose: Plumbagin is the main active components of traditional Chinese medicine of plumbago zeylanica. The present studies show that plumbagin has a killing effect on tumor cells. This study aimed to investigate the function and primary mechanism of plumbagin on invasion and metastasis of human liver cancer SK-hep-1 cells. Methods:With the treatment of plumbagin in vitro, cell proliferation and adhesion of SK-hep-1 cells were detected by MTS staining, cell cycle of SK-hep-1 cells were detected by lfow cytometry, the self-renewal and propagation abilities of SK-Hep-1 cells were conducted by colony formation assay , invasion in cells were performed using transwell invasion assay, and the p21 and MMP-2/9 mRNA levels were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Results:With the treatment of plumbagin, SK-Hep-1 cells proliferation was decreased with plumbagin concentration-dependency and the IC50 value of plumbagin in SK-Hep-1 cells was 22.04 mmol/L. The colony formation ability of SK-Hep-1 cells was decreased and the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was increased in a dose-dependent manner, as compared to control. The cell adhesion and invasion abilities were decreased. The real-time RT-PCR showed that p21 mRNA expression was increased and the MMP-2/9 mRNA was decreased. Conclusion:Plumbagin could suppress the proliferation and invasiveness of human liver cancer SK-hep-1 cells in vitro, and these effects may be by up-regulation of p21 and down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Objective To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of nicorandil on lung injury of the collapsed lung in one-lung ventilation.Methods Twenty-four clean Japanese big-ear rabbits were randomly divided into sham group (group S) (two-lung ventilation + thoracotomy),negative control group (group C) (one-lung ventilation + thoracotomy + saline),nicorandil group (group N) (one-lung ventilation+thoracotomy+nicorandil) and antagonist group (group J) (onelung ventilation+ thoracotomy+ nicorandil+ glyburide) equally.Mechanical ventilation was implemented through self-made double-lumen endotracheal tube after intravenous induction through ear marginal vein.Intravenous maintenance medicine was infused by trace injection pump after anesthesia induction.Thoracic surgery was simulated through one-lung or two-lung ventilation determined by auscultation,bubble test and direct observation.Then wet and dry weight ratio (W/D) and content of MDA were measured after non-ventilatory lung was processed and preserved.The expression of Akt,p-Akt and NF-κB protein in non-ventilatory lung tissue were detected by Western-blot in all groups.Results In respects of W/D and content of MDA,the other three groups had significant differences compared with group S (P ＜ 0.05).It was significantly lower in group N than in group C (P ＜0.05),and it was significantly higher in group J than in group N (P＜0.05).The expressions of pAkt protein and p-Akt/Akt in group N were significantly higher than those in group S and group C (P＜0.05).Those of group J were significantly lower than group N (P＜0.05).Compared with group S,the expression of NF-κB protein in group C was significantly higher (P＜0.05).That of group N was significantly lower than that of group C (P＜0.05).But that in group J was higher than that in group N (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Nicorandil has a protective effect on the collapse and inflation of non-ventilatory lung in rabbits under one-lung ventilation,acting on mitoKATP through PI3K/Akt,and down-regulating NF-κB to reduce IR-induced lung injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of nicorandil on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α mRNA and protein in lung tissue of one-lung ventilation.Methods Twenty-four clean New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into sham group (group S) (two-lung ventilation+thoracotomy),negative control group (group C) (one-lung ventilation + thoracotomy + saline),nicorandil group (group N) (one-lung ventilation+ thoracotomy+ nicorandil) and antagonist group (group J) (one-lung ventilation + thoracotomy + nicorandil + glibenclanide) equally.The implementation of mechanical ventilation depended on self-made double-lumen endotracheal tube after intravenous induction through ear marginal vein.Intravenous maintenance medicine was infused by trace injection pump after anesthesia induction.The implementation of thoracic surgery was simulated through one-lung and two-lung ventilation by auscultation,bubble test and direct observation.Group S was given anaesthesia only,no one-lung ventilation group S,the other three groups had single lung ventilation,and the drug was injected before the operation.Group N was infused nicorandil 100 ptg· kg-1 · h-1 before the implementation of single lung ventilation for 1 h.Group C was injected with the same amount of normal saline.Group J was intravenous infusion of glibenclamide 75 μg· kg-1 · h-1 and nieorandil 100μg · kg-1 · h-1 the implementation of single lung ventilation for 1 h.Then wet and dry weight ratio(W/D) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured after non-ventilatory lung was processed and preserved.The expression of HIF-1α protein of non ventilatory lung tissue was detected by Western-blot in the four groups.The transcription of HIF-1α mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in all groups.Results W/D in groups C and J were significantly higher compared with that of groups S and N (P＜0.05).The activity of SOD in groups C and J was significantly lower compared with groups S and N (P＜0.05).The expression of HIF1α protein and transcription of HIF-1α mRNA in groups C,N and J were significantly higher than those in group S,and that of group N was significantly higher than those of groups C and J (P＜0.05).Conclsion Nicorandil has a protective effect on the collapse and inflation of non-ventilatory lung in rabbit with one-lung ventilation,reducing oxidative stress by SOD,acting on mito KATP and coming into play by up-regulation of HIF-1α.

Objective To investigate the role of interleukin-22 (IL-22)-regulated autophagy in hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced hepatocarcinoma cell damage. Methods HepG2 cells were transfected with pEGFP-LC3 and then cultured in RPMI 1640 medium free of fetal bovine serum (FBS) or containing 1％ or 10％ FBS. These cells were pretreated with rapamycin or an autophagy inhibitor (3-MA) and then stimulated with recombinat human IL-22 (rhIL-22). GFP-LC3 puncta formation and autophagy signaling ac-tivation were measured. MTT assay was performed to detect cell viability. Results rhIL-22 significantly promoted GFP-LC3 puncta formation and LC3-Ⅱ expression in HepG2 cells treated with different stimulation protocols. The autophagy pathway inhibitor, 3-MA, dramatically suppressed the rhIL-22-activated autophagy signals. rhIL-22 attenuated H2 O2-mediated HepG2 cell death and that could be inhibited by 3-MA. Conclu-sion IL-22 promoted the activation of autophagy signaling pathways and alleviated H2 O2-mediated HepG2 cell damage.

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of sphingosine kinase-2 (SphK2) on the function of activated astrocytes and the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice.Methods:Primary mouse astrocytes were isolated from wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and sphk2 gene knock-out ( sphk2 -/-) mice and stimulated in vitro with interleukin 17 (IL-17). Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at mRNA levels. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3). An EAE mouse model was constructed using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG 35-55) polypeptide. Western blot was used to detect the expression of GFAP and p-STAT3 at protein level and real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines at mRNA level in spinal cords. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) and Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining were used to observe the changes in inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination in spinal cords. Results:Compared with the WT group, the phosphorylation of STAT3 was obviously reduced in in vitro activated mouse astrocytes of sphk2 -/- mice, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), TNF-α and IL-6 at mRNA level was also significantly decreased. Compared with the WT EAE group, changes in the above-mentioned cytokines and relative proteins in sphk2 -/- EAE mice in vivo were similar to those in vitro. Moreover, inflammatory cell infiltration and demyelination were significantly reduced in spinal cords of sphk2 -/- EAE mice. However, no significant difference in in vitro or in vivo GFAP expression was observed between WT and sphk2 -/- mice. Conclusions:SphK2 might regulate the function of reactive astrocytes through STAT3 molecular pathway, thereby regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and participating in the pathological process of EAE.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Shenling Baizhusan on the treatment of oligoasthenospermia with hyperuricemia （HUA）. MethodThirty-two male Kunming （KM） mice were randomly divided into blank group （n=6）， model group （n=6）， high-dose Shenling Baizhusan group （n=7）， low-dose Shenling Baizhusan group （n=7）， and febuxostat group （n=6）. Except for the blank group， all other groups received intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxazinate suspension （600 mg·kg^-1） for 7 days. After modeling， the high-dose Shenling Baizhusan group and the low-dose Shenling Baizhusan group were orally administered with 20.14 g·kg^-1 and 10.07 g·kg^-1 of Shenling Baizhusan， respectively. The Febuxostat group was orally administered with 0.25 g·kg^-1 of Febuxostat， while the blank group and model group were orally administered with the same volume of physiological saline. Oral administration was performed once a day for 14 consecutive days， after which samples were collected. Biochemical methods were used to measure serum uric acid （UA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in testicular tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in testicular tissue and evaluate the spermatogenesis function. Automated sperm analyzer was used to measure sperm density and motility. Single-cell gel electrophoresis （SCGE） was used to assess sperm DNA integrity. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） was used to detect testicular cell apoptosis rate. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and Caspase-3 in testicular tissue. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was conducted to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， and HO-1 in testicular tissue. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed elevated serum UA level （P<0.01）， decreased testicular spermatogenesis function， sperm density， and motility （P<0.01）， and increased sperm trailing rate and testicular cell apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose Shenling Baizhusan group showed significant improvements in the above-mentioned indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Additionally， the expression levels of Keap1， Bax， and Caspase-3 in testicular tissue were reduced， while the expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA level of Keap1 decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShenling Baizhusan can significantly improve HUA oligoasthenospermia， and its mechanism may be related to the Nrf2/antioxidant response element （ARE） signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo explore the anti-inflammatory and analgesia mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) device of point injection (PI) on rats of inflammatory pain.

METHODS48 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into a control group, a model group, an EA+PI group, an EA device of PI (EAPI) group, an EA group and a PI group, eight rats in each one. The rats in the control group were subcutaneously injected with 50 μL of liquid paraffin oil solvent into the dorsum of left hindpaw, while rats in the remaining groups were treated with 50 μL of complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) at identical location to induce the model of inflammatory pain. After model establishment, the rats in the EA+PI group, EAPI group, EA group and PI group were treated with EA+PI,EA device of PI, EA and PI, respectively, once every other day (the 2nd day, 4th day and 6th day). Each treatment was given for 30 min. The mechanical withdrawal threshold, thermal withdrawal threshold and foot swelling before and 1 d to 6 d after model establishment were observed; the western blotting method was applied to measure IL-1β expression in inflammatory tissue of skin.

RESULTSAfter model establishment, compared with the control group, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal threshold were reduced (all<0.05) and the foot swelling was increased in the rest groups (all<0.05). After treatment, the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal threshold in the EAPI group were significantly increased compared with those in the EA+PI group, EA group and PI group (all<0.05), but the foot swelling was reduced (all<0.05). The IL-1β expression in the model group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05); after treatment, the IL-1β expression in the EAPI group was lower than that in the model group, EA group and PI group (all<0.05), but no significantly different from that in the EA+PI group (>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe efficacy of EA device of PI on inflammatory pain is superior to EA combined with PI, EA alone and PI alone, which is suitable for further popularization and application.