Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of glaucocalyxin A(GLA)on airway inflammation in a mouse mod- el of ovalbumin(OVA)-induced asthma and whether the mechanism is associated with the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Methods: Forty BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups(8 mice in each group):control group, OVA model group, GLA-L group (10 mg/kg), GLA-H group(40 mg/kg)and dexamethasone group(1 mg/kg). HE and PAS staining were used to observe the inflammatory infiltration and the number of goblet cells in mouse lung tissue;Diff-Quick staining was used to count various cell types in mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF);ELISA was used to detect the content of inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse BALF;Western blotting(WB)was used to detect the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB(nuclear)and NF-κB(cytosol)in lung tissue;immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression level of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 protein in mouse lung tissue. Results: GLA reduced inflammatory cell exudation and goblet cell proliferation in OVA-induced asthmatic model;GLA treatment significantly decreased eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes in BALF of asthmatic mice, and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines(P<0.05);WB results showed that GLA inhibited the protein expression of HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB(nuclear)(P<0.05);immunohistochemistry results showed that GLA reduced the expression of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB p65 protein in lung tissue(P<0.05). Conclusion: GLA could ameliorate the OVA-induced airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, possibly via interfering in the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo compare the digestibility of main nutrients in genetically modified rice with double antisense starch-branching enzyme gene and parental rice.

METHODSSeven Wuzhishan healthy adult barrows were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the terminal ileum. After surgery, seven pigs were randomly divided into two groups, and fed genetically modified rice and parental rice by a crossover model. Ileal digesta were collected for analysis of main nutrient digestibility.

RESULTSThe apparent digestibility levels of protein in genetically modified rice and parental rice were 69.50% ± 4.50%, 69.61% ± 8.40%, respectively (t = 0.01, P = 0.994); true digestibility levels of protein were 87.55% ± 4.95%, 87.64% ± 9.40%, respectively (t = 0.01, P = 0.994); fat digestibility levels were 72.86% ± 0.34%, 77.89% ± 13.09%, respectively (t = 0.95, P = 0.378); carbohydrate digestibility levels were 72.92% ± 7.43%, 92.35% ± 5.88%, respectively (t = 4.27, P = 0.005). The apparent and true digestibility of 17 amino acids had no significant difference in the two rice.

CONCLUSIONCarbohydrate digestibility in genetically modified rice was significantly lower than that in non-genetically modified rice, other main nutrients digestibility in the two rice have substantial equivalence.

1,4-alpha-Glucan Branching Enzyme ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Digestion ; Food ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Oryza ; chemistry ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; chemistry ; Starch ; metabolism ; Swine ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate quinalizarin-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells in vitro and explore the molecular mechanisms.

METHODSMTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effects of quinalizarin on human gastric cancer AGS, MKN-28 and MKN-45 cells. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry were used to assess quinalizarin-induced apoptosis in AGS cells and its effect on intracellular ROS levels; the expression levels of apoptotic proteins in the cells were determined with Western blotting.

RESULTSQuinalizarin dose-dependently reduced the cell viabilities of the 3 gastric cancer cells (P<0.05). The ICvalues of quinalizarin in AGS, MKN-28 and MKN-45 cells were 7.07 µmol/L, 22.55 µmol/L and 14.18 µmol/L, respectively. Quinalizarin time-dependently induced apoptosis of AGS cells and potentiated the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Pretreatment with NAC, a scavenger of ROS, inhibited quinalizarin-induced apoptosis (P<0.001). Western blotting results showed that quinalizarin also up-regulated the expression levels of the apoptotic proteins including p-p38, p-JNK, Bad, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP-1 (P<0.05), and down-regulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins p-Akt, p-ERK, and Bcl-2 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONQuinalizarin inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells in vitro through regulating intracellular ROS levels via the MAPK and Akt signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVETo accurately calculate the protein requirements in Chinese young adults using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

METHODSNine women and ten men received a restricted daily level of protein intake (0.75, 0.82, 0.89, 0.97, and 1.05 g/kg), along with L-[1-13C]-leucine. Subjects' protein requirement was determined by a biphasic linear regression crossover analysis of F13CO2 data. In doing so, a breakpoint at the minimal rate of appearance of 13CO2 expiration specific to each level of dietary protein was identified. This trial was registered with the Chinese clinical trial registry as ChiCTR-ONC-11001407.

RESULTSThe Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) of protein for healthy Chinese young adults were determined to be 0.87 and 0.98 g/(kg•d), respectively, based on the indicator amino acid oxidation technique.

CONCLUSIONThe EAR and RNI of mixed protein are 5% and 16% that are lower than the current proposed EAR and RNI (0.92 and 1.16 g/(kg•d), respectively), as determined by the nitrogen balance method. The respective EAR and RNI recommendations of 0.87 and 0.98 g/(kg•d) of mixed protein are estimated to be reasonable and suitable for Chinese young adults.

Adult ; Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Breath Tests ; Carbon Dioxide ; analysis ; Dietary Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Requirements ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Young Adult

Aim To investigate the efficacy of arctigenin on airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma and the mechanism related to the SIRT1/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Methods Forty female BALB/c mice of clean grade were selected and divided into control group, OVA model group and ATG group (5, 10 and 20 mg · kg

The study is to investigate the effect of glaucocalyxin A (GLA) on mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis. The animal welfare and experimental process of this experiment followed the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Yanbian University. BALB/c mice were used in the animal experiment and randomly divided into five groups, control group, model group, and GLA low, medium, and high dose groups (10, 20, and 40 mg·kg^-1). Mice were sensitized by intradermal injection of anti-dinitrophenyl-immunoglobulin E (DNP-IgE) into the ears and challenged with a mixture of DNP-human serum albumin (HSA) and 4% evans blue into the tail veins to prepare an animal skin passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model, which was collected from both ears for measurement of dye staining and histology. Rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) were used in the cell experiment and divided into control, IgE + antigen (Ag), and IgE + Ag + GLA groups to determine histamine release as well as calcium influx levels. High-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI)-mediated signaling pathway proteins and HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB (high mobility group box 1/toll like receptor 4/nuclear transcription factor kappa B) signaling proteins were detected by Western blot. The results of animal experiments suggest that GLA inhibits PCA, reduces evans blue dye exudation, and reduces ear inflammation and ear thickness in mice. The results of cellular experiments suggested that GLA could reduce histamine release and calcium influx, and inhibit tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and IL-1β production; Western blot results showed that GLA inhibited FcεRI-mediated phosphorylation levels of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), Lck/Yes novel tyrosine kinase (Lyn), tyrosine kinase Fyn (Fyn), growth-factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Gab2), and phospholipase C (PLC) γ1, while GLA inhibited HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway to limit NF-κB p65 nuclear metastasis. The results indicate that GLA inhibits mast cell degranulation and attenuates allergic inflammation through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo observe wet cupping therapy (WCT) on local blood perfusion and analgesic effects in patients with nerve-root type cervical spondylosis (NT-CS).

METHODSFifty-seven NT-CS patients were randomly divided into WCT group and Jiaji acupoint-acupuncture (JA) group according a random number table. WCT group (30 cases) was treated with WCT for 10 min, and JA group (27 cases) was treated with acupuncture for 10 min. The treatment efficacies were evaluated with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Blood perfusion at Dazhui (GV 14) and Jianjing (GB 21) acupoints (affected side) was observed with a laser speckle flowmetry, and its variations before and after treatment in both groups were compared as well.

RESULTSIn both groups, the VAS scores significantly decreased after the intervention (P<0.01), while the blood perfusion at the two acupoints significantly increased after intervention (P<0.05); however, the increasement magnitude caused by WCT was obvious compared with JA (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWCT could improve analgesic effects in patients with NT-CS, which might be related to increasing local blood perfusion of acupunct points.