Objective:To explore the feasibility of inguinal subcutaneous immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis ( AR ) in mice. Methods:36 female BALB/c mice were divided randomly into six groups( n=6 per group) including the control A,the model A, the treatment A groups,and the control B,the model B,the treatment B groups(inguinal subcutaneous immunotherapy for group A, cervical back subcutaneous immunotherapy for for group B). AR model was established with ovalbumin. At 25 to 55 days,ovalbumin im-munotherapy were performed in treatment groups,once two days,15 times totally. After intranasal rechallenge was performed at 56 to 62 days the AR symptom scores were documented. The eosinophils(EOS)in the nasal mucosa were measured by chromotropic acid 2R staining. Ovalbumin-specific IgE( OVA-sIgE) in the serum and expression of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 in the nasal lavage were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay meanwhile the ratio of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 was calc μlated. SPSS17. 0 software was used to analyze the data. Results:Before treatment ,the AR symptom scores of the model and treatment groups were more than 5. After treatment,the treatment A group were less than 5. The EOS count of the control A,model A,treatment A groups and the control B,model B, treatment B groups was 0. 78 ± 0. 31, 21. 60 ± 2. 90, 10. 43 ± 2. 56, 0. 83 ± 0. 46, 22. 44 ± 3. 39, 23. 40 ± 4. 24, respectively. The EOS count of the treatment A group was significantly lower than those in model A group ( P<0. 05 ) . There was no significant difference between treatment B and model B group ( P>0. 05 ) . OVA-sIgE expressed was negative in control groups and positive in other groups. The ratio of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 was 10. 75 ± 3. 38,10. 38 ± 3. 08,3. 02 ± 0. 69,2. 71 ± 0. 89,2. 52 ± 0. 30,5. 45±1. 41,respectively. The ratio in treatment A group was significantly higher than those in model A group(P<0. 05). There was no significant difference between treatment B and model B group ( P>0. 05 ) . Conclusion: Inguinal subcutaneous immunotherapy has a good effect on this disease. It spends short time ,has simple operation and good feasibility,which is a novel treatment method for AR in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of microRNAs in nasal mucosa after the specific immunotherapy (SIT) for allergic rhinitis (AR) in mice. METHOD: Female BALB/c mice, 6-8 weeks of age, were randomly divided into control group, model group and treatment group. AR model were established by intraperitoneal injection and intranasal challenge of ovalbumin and SIT was performed by inguinal subcutaneous injections. AR symptom scores were documented. The eosinophils (EOS) in the nasal mucosa were measured. Ovalbumin-specific IgE (OVA-sIgE) in the serum and expression of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 in the nasal lavage were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay meanwhile the ratio of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 was calculated. The microRNAs in the nasal mucosa were preliminary screened by microRNA gene microarray. Comparing with model group, the Fold changes of microRNA of the treatment group were ≥ 2.0 and the P < 0.05. MicroRNA target genes were predicted with GeneSpring 12.5 software. We took the intersection between genes in the signal pathway which associated with immune response,inflammation and target genes. The MEV-4-6-0 and Cytoscape_v2. 8. 2. software was applied to perform the cluster analysis and target gene regulatory networks maps. RESULT: The model of AR in mice and its SIT were successful. Comparing with the model group, the Fold changes of 15 microRNAs, of which 9 microRNAs were up-regulated and 6 microRNAs were down-regulated, were ≥ 2.0 in treatment group (P < 0.05). Cluste analysis showed clearly that microRNAs in the treatment group and model group respectively aggregated in two branches. The 15 microRNAs had 5302 target genes, of which, 451 genes were related more with SIT by the intersection. One microRNA can regulate many target genes, and one gene can also be affected by many microRNAs. Their synergistic effects may be involved in the mechanism of SIT. CONCLUSION The expressions of microRNAs are changed in nasal mucosa after SIT for AR in mice and we can speculate that microRNAs are involved in the process of SIT for AR. Bioinformatics methods can diminish the scope of target genes of microRNAs, which will help us studying the effect of changed microRNA on its relative target genes after SIT, and make us better understanding the mechanism of the disease and its SIT.
Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Female ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunotherapy ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-4 ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Ovalbumin ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the expression of GATA-3 and the level of Th1 and Th2 cytokines upon repeated exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin B(SEB) of different concentrations in the maxillary sinus mucosa of rabbits. METHOD: The rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups (24 rabbits per group): low-dose SEB group and high-dose SEB group. The low-dose SEB group and high-dose SEB group received daily injections of 0.6 ng of SEB (2 ml) and 60 ng of SEB (2 ml) into the left maxillary sinus of rabbits for 28 days, respectively. Concurrent treatment of the right maxillary sinus with normal saline was used as a control. Six rabbits chosen randomly in two groups were killed on days 3, 7, 14, and 28, and to obtain the sinus mucosa from the two-side maxillary sinuses for measurement. Mucosal levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-γ were measured using ABC-ELISA. Tissue expression of GATA-3 were examined using Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULT: IFN-γ and IL-2 levels were significantly elevated in the high-dose SEB group compared with the low-dose SEB and control groups on days 7, 14, and 28 (P < 0.05). However, IL-4 and IL-5 levels were markedly enhanced in the low-dose SEB group compared with the high-dose SEB and control groups on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.05). Real-time PCR showed that the expression of GATA-3 mRNA in the low-dose SEB group was markedly enhanced, and immunohistochemical staining illustrated that the number of GATA-3 positive cells was markedly increased in the low-dose SEB group as compared with the high-dose SEB group (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in GATA-3 expression between the high-dose SEB and the control groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION SEB promoted Th1 cytokines production at high concentrations, and enhanced Th2 cytokines expression and Th2 immune response at low concentrations.
Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Enterotoxins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-5 ; metabolism ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Th1 Cells ; Th2 Cells ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the anticancer activities of resveratrol on malignant melanoma cells in vitro and involved mechanisms. Methods A375 human malignant melanoma cells and B16-F1mouse malignant melanoma cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations of resveratrol for different durations. The cell proliferation, apoptosis and cycle of both B16-F1 and A375 cells were detected with MTT assay, Annexin V-F1TC/propidium iodide (PI) double staining flow cytometry and propidium iodide flow cytometry, respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in both cells. Results Resveratroi inhibited the proliferation of A375 and B16-F1 cells in a time- and dose- dependent manner. The apoptosis rate of A375 cells was (16.7±2.1 )%, (17.2±1.7)% and (52.3±4.1 )% after treatment with resveratrol of 25 μmol/L for 24 hours, resveratrol of 100 μmol/L for 12 and 72 hours, respectively;, and resveratrol of 100 μmol/L induced the apoptosis of B16-F1 at a rate of ( 18.4±1.6)%, (39.6±3.3 )% and (56.7±4.5 )% at 12, 24 and 72 hours, respectively. Flow cytometry showed that A375 and B16-F1 cells treated with resveratrol were arrested in the G1 phase of cell cycle, and the blocking effect increased in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of A375 and B16-F1 cells in G1 phase was (40.51±3.97 )% and (41.34±3.12 )%, respectively, after 24-hour treatment with resveratrol of 25 μmol/L,(55.64±4.95)% and (53.93±5.12)%, respectively with resveratrol of 100μmol/L for the same duration.The expression of Bcl-2 protein was decreased in malignant melanoma cells treated with resveratrol,while that of Bax protein increased. Conclusions Resveratrol can effectively inhibit the proliferation of malignant melanoma cells by regulating the cell cycle and inducing cell apoptosis, which seems to be associated with the regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax expressions.

Objective To investigate the effects of simultaneous multi-level surgery for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Methods A retrospective analysis was made on surgical cases of one hundred and thirty seven patients with moderate to severe OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG). They were divided into multi-level group (n = 95) and UPPP group (n = 42). The two groups were compared in terms of postoperative complications as well as the related indicators of PSG , calgary sleep apnea quality of life index (SAQLI), epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), snore scales (SS) before operation and after operation. Results Just one patient in the multi-level group had difficulties in respiration and was rescued by timely tracheotomy. The AHI, LSaO2, TS90%, the total score and the scores on the four dimensions of SAQLI, ESS score, SS score in the multi-level group were significantly improved as compared both to the results after operation (P < 0.01) and to the UPPP group (P < 0.05). But only the AHI, LSaO2 and TS90% in the UPPP group were improved (P < 0.05). Conclusions The multi-level surgery is a safe and feasible therapy or moderate to severe OSAHS. The evaluation in subjective and objective ways can be more accurate in comprehensive reflecting the surgical efficacy and effects of OSAHS on patients′ of life quality.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell line CNE-2.Methods The CNE-2 cells were treated by by different concentrations (0,10,20,40,60 μmol/L) of curcumin.The proliferation activity of CNE-2 cells was detected by MTT assay,the cell cycle and apoptosis rate of CNE-2 were detected by using the flow cytometry (FCM),and the apoptosis was observed by Hoechest33258 fluorescence staining.Results Curcumin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of CNE-2 cells,moreover which was increased with curcumin concentration increase,the inhibitory rate of CNE-2 cells showed an increasing trend (P＜0.05),the half inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of curcumin acting on CNE-2 cells at 24,48,72 h were (23.54 ± 0.36),(18.31 ± 0.42) and (8.56 ± 0.37) μmol/L respectively.Curcumin could significantly inhibit the proliferation effect of CNE-2 cells,showing the apparent concentration and time dependence.The FCM detection results showed that in treating CNE-2 cells by 0,10,20,40,60 μmol/L of curcumin,the apoptosis rate was increased with the curcumin concentration increase;the fluorescence staining results showed that CNE-2 cells without curcumin treatment were round or oval,the cell nucleis were uniform in size,chromatin distribution showed the homogeneous light blue fluorescence;after 24 h of 10 μmol/L curcumin treatment,the CNE-2 cell body was shrunk and cell nuclear chromatin was condensed,showing granular bright blue fluorescence;after 24 h of 20 μmol/L curcumin treatment,the cell body was shrunk,nuclear was condensed,chromatin was uneven,apoptotic bodies appeared,and even the nuclear fragmentation appeared;after 24 h of 40 μmol/L and 60 μmol/L curcumin treatment,the number of apoptotic cells was increased,a large number of nuclear fragmentation appeared.Conclusion Curcumin has a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of NPC cell line CNE-2,moreover promotes the apoptosis of CNE-2 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of simultaneous multi-level surgery intervention on the changes of the oxidative stress and the cognitive function in young and middle-aged patients with moderate-severe OSAHS. METHOD: One hundred and sixteen young and middle-aged patients with moderate-severe OSAHS received simultaneous multi-level surgery. PSG,malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and 8-isoprostaneF2α (8-iso-PGF2α) were tested, together with the evaluation of the questionnaires of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) before and 6 months after surgery. RESULT: (1) The AHI, TS90% and LSaO₂ were all improved significantly 6 months after operation. No severe complications were observed in any patient. (2) The preoperative MoCA and MMSE scores were (23.52 ± 2.64) and (26.54 ± 1.07) respectively. The cognitive impairment were detected in OSAHS patients. MoCA was negatively correlated with AHI, TS90%, MDA, AOPP and 8-iso-PGF2a, while positively correlated with LSaO₂ (P < 0.05, r = -0.233, -0.190, -0.256, -0.247, -0.221 and 0.215, respectively). Cognitive impairment was mainly manifested as disorder in the visual space and execu- tive function, memory and delayed recall (mainly short-term memory). (3) MoCA and MMSE scores were both increased (P < 0.05) after the operation. MoCA showed negative correlations with MDA, AOPP, 8-iso-PGF2α, AHI and TS90%, and positive correlation with LSaO₂ (P < 0.05, r = -0.495, -0.463, -0.397, -0.332, -0.292 and 0.336, respectively). CONCLUSION Oxidative stress and cognitive dysfunction are closely related in young and middle-aged patients with Moderate-severe OSAHS. Oxidative stress may play an important role in cognitive function of young and middle-aged patients with Moderate-severe OSAHS. Multi-level surgery can improve oxidative stress so that to improve cognitive impairment.
Adult ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; complications ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of elemene on the tumor growth of human laryngeal squamous carcinoma (LSCC) and to explore the possible mechanism of its inhibitory effect on LSCC. METHOD: Nude mice model engrafted with laryngocarcinoma was established by using human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line (Hep-2). When the transplantable tumor size is more than 10 mm, the mice were given elemene (120 mg/kg) in the treatment group or PBS in the control group, at the day of 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19 and 22 respectively. The animals were killed three days after the last treatment. The tumor volume, tumor weight,mice net weight and tumor inhibition rate were measured. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) mRNA were quantitated by using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction technique. RESULT: Elemene could inhibit the tumor growth in vivo. The differences were statistically significant for the mice net weight, tumor weight, and tumor volume between the treatment group and the control group. The tumor inhibition percentage was 52.24%. The gene expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 of the treatment group is lower than that of the control group and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Elemene could inhibit the subcutaneous plantation of human laryngeal carcinoma in nude mice and its mechanism may be associated with inhibited expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Phytotherapy ; Sesquiterpenes ; therapeutic use ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and explore its possible mechanisms of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) expression in macrophages on the anti-cancer effect of berberine (BER) on the growth of colorectal cancer.

METHODSMice with EGFR gene defects in macrophages (Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre) and with EGFR gene expression in macrophages (LysM-Cre) (control group) were treated with azoxymethane (AOM) to establish colorectal tumor models. These models were treated with or without berberine (BER) intervention. The number of colorectal tumors and the gut length in the two groups were measured. The proliferation of tumor cells was detected by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and apoptosis was detected by annexin V-FITC fluorescence labeling. Western blot was used to detect the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 protein.

RESULTSAfter treated with AOM, the colorectal tumor number was 10.26 ± 1.43 in the LysM-Cre group and 7.62 ± 1.05 in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group, showing a significant difference (P = 0.021). The gut length was (6.04 ± 1.06) cm in the LysM-Cre group and (6.39 ± 0.92) cm in the gfrfl/flLysM-Cre group, with a non-significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.075). After treated with AOM plus BER intervention, the colorectal tumor number of the LysM-Cre group was 8.35 ± 1.22 and that in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group was 2.66 ± 0.38, showing a very significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.006). The gut length of the LysM-Cre group was (7.34 ± 1.16) cm and that of the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group was (10.01 ± 1.72) cm (P = 0.028). After treated with AOM, the ratio of Ki-67-positive tumor cells in the LysM-Cre group was (78.31 ± 3.43)% and that in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group was (75.85 ± 2.92)% (P = 0.282). After AOM plus BER treatment, the ratio of Ki-67-positive tumor cells in the LysM-Cre group was (42.43 ± 3.09)% and that in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group was significantly lower (29.65 ± 2.47)% (P = 0.018). The ratio of annexin V-positive tumor cells was (0.95 ± 0.13)% in the LysM-Cre group, not significantly different from (1.13 ± 0.16)% in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group (P = 0.175). After AOM plus BER treatment, the ratio of annexin V-positive tumor cells in the LysM-Cre group was (32.10 ± 1.97)%, significantly lower than the (47.08 ± 2.83)% in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group (P = 0.010). The level of cleaved-caspase-3 protein expression was 235.92 ± 19.73 in the Egfr(fl/fl) LysM-Cre group, significantly higher than the 119.71 ± 12.87 in the LysM-Cre group (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONSThe growth of colorectal cancer cells in mice can be inhibited by BER treatment, and this anti-cancer effect of BER can be further enhanced by EGFR gene knockout in macrophages. The mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Caspase 3 ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Genes, erbB-1 ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophages ; metabolism ; Mice

Depression is one of the common and serious complications after stroke. Post-stroke depression (PSD) is associated with poor outcomes and increased mortality. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke recommend that pharmacological therapy should be administered to patients with PSD. This article reviews the pharmacological therapy for PSD.