OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of action of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction against atherosclerosis （AS）based on macrophage polarization. METHODS Using atorvastatin served as the positive control， the drug-containing serum of the Qingre huatan huoxue decoction was prepared to treat RAW264.7 macrophages. Macrophage viability， apoptosis rate， and the fluorescence intensities of CD86 and CD206 were measured， along with the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Apolipoprotei n E-deficient （ApoE －/－ ） mice （AS model mice） fed with a high-fat diet were randomly assigned to model group， atorvastatin group （2.6 mg/kg）， and low-， medium- and high-dose groups of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction （90， 180， 360 mg/kg）， respectively. C57BL/6J mice fed with a standard diet served as the normal control group， with 10 mice per group. The treatment group mice were administered the corresponding drugs intragastrically， once daily， for 8 consecutive weeks. Serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were measured in all groups. Lipid deposition in the aorta （assessed by the percentage of plaque in the entire aorta and aortic root） and morphological changes in the aortic root were observed. Expression levels of CD86 and CD206 in aortic tissue， as well as the protein expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， arginase-1 （Arg-1）， AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK）， and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPAR-γ） in aortic tissues were all detected. RESULTS Cell experiment results showed that， at concentrations of 5-100 μg/mL， the drug-containing serum of the Qingre huatan huoxue decoction significantly increased RAW264.7 cell viability （ P ＜0.05）. The drug-containing serum of the Qingre huatan huoxue decoction at concentrations of 10， 50， and 100 μg/mL， along with atorvastatin， significantly reduced apoptosis rates， CD86 fluorescence intensity， and TNF-α and IL-1β levels in RAW264.7 cells， while markedly enhancing CD206 fluorescence intensity （ P ＜0.05）. Animal experiment results showed that， compared with the model group， all dosage groups of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction and the atorvastatin group showed significantly reduced/down-regulated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum， along with decreased aortic total and root plaque percentages， CD86 expression， and iNOS protein expression. CD206 expression and Arg-1， p-AMPK/AMPK， PPAR-γ protein expression were significantly up-regulated （ P ＜0.05）. Pathological morphology of the aorta showed varying degrees of improvement. CONCLUSIONS The formula of Qingre huatan huoxue decoction exerts its anti-AS effects by regulating macrophage polarization， increasing the proportion of M2 macrophages， thereby effectively inhibiting AS plaque formation and reducing inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of treatment of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor(rhG-CSF),recombinant human interleukin-11(rhIL-11)and recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2)on hematopoietic injuries induced by 4.5 Gy60 Coγ-ray irradiation in beagles,and to provide experimental evidence for the clinical treatment of extremely severe myeloid acute radiation sickness (ARS).Methods Sixteen beagle dogs were given 4.5 Gy60 Co γ-ray total body irradiation(TBI),then randomly assigned into irradiation control group,supportive care group or cytokines+supportive care (abbreviated as cytokines)group.In addition to supportive care,rhG-CSF,rhlL-11 and rhIL-2 were administered subcutaneously to treat dogs in cytokines group.The percentage of CD34+cells,cell cycle and apoptosis of nucleated cells in peripheral blood were examined by Flow cytometry.Results After 4.5 Gy 60 Co γ-ray irradiation,the CD34+cells in peripheral blood declined obviously(61.3%and 52.1% of baseline for irradiation control and supportive care group separately).The cell proportion of nucleated cells in Go/G1 phase was increased notably(99.27% and 99.49% respectively).The rate of apoptosis(26.93% and 21.29% separately)and necrosis(3.27% and 4.14%,respectively)of nucleated cells were elevated significantly when compared with values before irradiation(P<0.05) 1 d post irradiation.When beagles were treated with cytokines and supportive care,the CD34+cells in peripheral blood were markedly increased(135.6% of baseline).The effect of G0/G1 phase blockage of nucleated cells became more serious(99.71%).The rate of apoptosis(5.66%)and necrosis(1.60%)of nucleated cells were significantly lower than that of irradiation control and supportive care groups 1 d after exposure.Conclusions Cytokines maybe mobilize CD34+cells in bone marrow to peripheral blood,indce cell cycle block at G0/G1 phase and reduce apoptosis,and eventually cure hematopoieticinjuries induced by irradiation.

Objectivc To observe the therapeutic effects of combined cytokines on hematopoietic injuries induced by 4.5 Gy60 Co γ-rays irradiation in beagles,and to provide experimental evidences for the clinical treatment of extremely severe myeloid acute radiation sickness(ARS).Methods 16 beagles were given 4.5 Gy60 Co γ-rays total body irradiation,and then randomly assigned into irradiation control group,supportive care group and cytokines group.In addition to supportive care,recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF),recombinant human interleukin-11(rhIL-11)and recombinant human interleukin-2(rhIL-2)were administered subcutaneouly to dogs in cytokines group.Peripheral blood hemogram was examined once every two days.Bone marrow and peripheral blood were collected to proceed colony cultivation 4 d pre-irradiation and 1 and 45 d post-irradiation.Conventional histopathological sections of sternum were prepared to observe the histomorphology changes. Results After irradiation,the population of all kinds of cells in peripheral blood declined sharply.WBC nadir Was elevated(1.04×109/L,but 0.28×109/L and 0.68×109/L for the irradiation control group and the supportive care group separately),the duration of thrombocytopenia was shortened (24 days,but 33 days for the supportive care groug) and red blood cell counts were maintained in the range of normal values after cytokincs treatment in combination.The colony forming efficiency of haemopoietic stem cells(HSCs)in bone marrow and peripheral blood decreased obviously 1 d post irradiation,but recovered to the level of that before irradiation 45 d post irradiation after supportive care and cytokines treatment.Hematopoietic cells disappeared in bone marrow of animals in irradiation control group,but hematopoietic functions were recovered after cytokines were administrated.Conclusions RhG-CSF.rhIL-11 and rhIL-2 used in combination could elevate WBC nadir,accelerate the recovery of leukocytes,platelets and red blood cells and promote the proliferation,differentiation and maturity of HSPCs left in the body after 4.5 Gy γ-rays total body irradiation,eventually restore the hematopoietic function.Hence,combination of rhG-CSF,rhIL-11 and rhIL-2 could serve as better therapeutic strategy to treat extremely severe myeloid ARS.

Objective To explore the clotting mechanism in beagles irradiated by 4.5 Gy γ-rays after treatment with supportive care,or supportive care and combined cytokines.Methods Sixteen beagles were divided into irradiation control group,Supportive care group and combined cytokines treatment group.Platelet aggregation test,thrombelagtography (TEG) and the time measurement were analyzed in vitro.Results In irradiation group and supportive care group,the platelet aggregation rates in beagles were decreased markedly and the k value of TEG was increased 7 d post-irradiation,while those indexes in combined cytokines treatment group changed little.At 14 d post-irradiation,each parameter of TEG in irradiated group changed obviously.The values of r,k,r+k and M were elevated significantly,clotting time and the maximum coagulation time of thrombus delayed,the Ma value was decreased markedly,and the maximum elasticity amplitude of thrombus was diminished.All parameters in combined cytokines treatment group were better than those in supportive care group.The thrombin time was prolonged obviously in irradiated group 14 d post-irradiation,while the thrombin time was the longest at 2-3 weeks post irradiation in supportive care group and combined cytokines treatment group(P>0.05).Conclusions Cytokines could improve the platelet aggregation and the blood clotting functions of beagles suffering from acute radiation sickness.

Objective To explore the mechanisms of cytokines on acute radiation disease in irradiated beagles.Methods The sera of beagles irradiated with 4.5 Gy γ-rays with cytokines treatment was collected at different time points post irradiation.The two-dimensional gel electrophoresis(2-DE)was used to isolate and compare the differentially expressed proteins in sera.HD-MS was used to analyze the differentially expressed proteins with significance,and the amino acid sequences should be determined. Results High resolution 2-DE gel map was obtained.There were six differentially expressed proteins in sera of irradiated beagles at different time points.Four protein spots were successfully identified by MS.A significant spot was identified as serum amyloid A(SAA)by HD-MS,with relative molecular mass of 13 077 and isoelectfie point of 6.26.Expression of SAA was not found 1 d pre-irradiation and 36 d postirradiation,but increased slightly 1 d(0.2166)and significantly 14 d post-irradiation(0.4577). Conclusions The expression of serum amyloid A was consistent with the process of acute radiation injury,which might indicate the turnover of the disease.

Objective To evaluate the effects of combined administration of recombinant human interleukin-11(rhIL-11),recombinant human G-CSF(rhG-CSF)and recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2)on acute radiation sickness(ARS)beagles.Methods Sixteen beagle were irradiated with 4.5 Gy60 Co γ-rays to establish ARS models,and were divided into irradiation control group,supportive care group and combined cytokines treatment group.After irradiation irradiation control group was given no treatment,the dogs in supportive care group received purely symptomatic treatment,while combined cytokines treatment group received rhIL-11 50μg/(kg·d)and rbG-CSF 10μg/(kg·d)subcutaneously(0-14 d)and rhIL-2 1×1 06 U/d(29-43 d)besides symptomatic treatment.Manifestation and characteristics of ARS beagles were observed,and the survival time were recorded.At last,post-mortem examination and histological examination were performed.Results All animals underwent nausea,diarrhea and fever.After irradiation,all animals in irradiation control group died in two weeks,and the mean survival time was 12.7 d,while only one died at 33 d in supportive care group.All dogs in combined cytokine group survived at 45 day after exposure,and their haematopoiesis and gastrointestinal tract were recovered.Conclusions Combination of rhIL-11 + rhG-CSF + rhIL-2 treatment could be significantly effective on ARS beagles irradiated by 4.5 Gy60 Co γ-rays,which could accelerate injured haemotopoiesis and intestinal tract recovery,increase the survival rate and improve the life quality of animals.

Objective To establish Ad-hLIF transgenic feeder cells for the expansion of umbilical cord blood CD34+ HSPC in vitro and study the SCID mice model of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) transplantation. Methods The expression of objective gene in Ad-hLIF transgenic feeder cells was detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. The purity of umbilical cord blood CD34+ HSPC separated by magnetic-activated cell sorting(MACS) was detected by the flow cytometry. After expanded with various combinant of cytokines and transgenic feeder layer cells for 28 d, the quantity of mono-nuclear cell (MNC) and CD34+ cells rate was detected in different time. MNC after expansion stained by CFDA SE was injected to the sublethally irradiated SCID mice. Humanize gene Alu was detected by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscope. Results The green fluorescence was observed in the transgenic cells infected with 50MOI( multiplicity of infection) Ad-hLIF, and the objective gene was confirmed by RT-PCR and ELISA. The purity of umbilical cord blood CD34+ HSPC separated by MACS could reach 95.60% ±2.58%, Ad-hLIF transgenic feeder cells and various cytokines system increased MNC by 356.95±0.87 fold, and maximal expansion of CD34+ cells was observed during 0-14 d of culture, then down-expansion gradually. Four weeks after transplanted in SCID mice, fluorescently-labeled humanize cells still can be observed. The existence of the humanized gene Alu was confirmed by RT-PCR. Conclusion Ad-hLIF transgenic feeder cells can effectively proliferate umbilical cord blood CD34+ HSPC in vitro and delay it differentiate, what's more, it has high transplant efficacy and haematogenesis activity.