OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of blocking the activation of ERK pathway on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the formation of cerebral edema in SD rats after brain injury. METHODS: Ninety SD rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, including a sham-operated group, modified Feeney's traumatic brain injury model group, and ERK inhibition group where the ERK inhibitor SCH772984 (500 μg/kg) was injected via the femoral vein 15 min before brain trauma. At 2 h and 2 days after brain trauma, the permeability of blood-brain barrier was assessed by Evans blue method, the water content of the brain tissue was determined, and the phosphorylation level of ERK and the expression level of MMP-9 mRNA and protein were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operated group, the rats with brain trauma exhibited significantly increased level of ERK phosphorylation at 2 h and significantly increased expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein 2 days after the injury ( < 0.01). Treatment with the ERK inhibitor significantly decreased the phosphorylation level of ERK after the injury ( < 0.01), suppressed over-expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein 2 days after the injury ( < 0.01). The permeability of blood-brain barrier increased significantly 2 h after brain trauma ( < 0.05) and increased further at 2 days ( < 0.01); the water content of the brain did not change significantly at 2 h ( > 0.05) but increased significantly 2 d after the injury ( < 0.01). Treatment with the ERK inhibitor significantly lowered the permeability of blood-brain barrier and brain water content after brain trauma ( < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Blocking the activation of ERK pathway significantly reduced the over-expression of MMP-9 and alleviates the damage of blood-brain barrier and traumatic brain edema, suggesting that ERK signaling pathway plays an important role in traumatic brain edema by regulating the expression of MMP-9.
Animals ; Brain Edema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Indazoles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

To investigate the effects of genistein (Gen) on the biosynthesis of N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) in rats, 80 4-week-old male SD rats were randomly equally into the control and genistein groups. The rats of control and genistein groups were fed 5% ethanol and 300 mg/(kg·d) genistein respectively by gavage. The contents of Neu5Gc in hind leg muscle, kidney and liver tissues of rats were measured by using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector (HPLC/FLD), and the mechanism of inhibition of Neu5Gc synthesis was investigated by using the molecular docking of Gen and sialyltransferase. On the 15th day, the content of Neu5Gc in hind leg muscle and liver tissues decreased 13.77% and 15.45%, respectively, and there was no significant change in the content of Neu5Gc in kidney tissues. On the 30th day, the content of Neu5Gc in liver tissues decreased 13.35%, however, there was no significant change in the content of Neu5Gc in kidney tissues and Neu5Gc was not detected in hind leg muscle. The content of Neu5Gc in hind leg muscle, kidney and liver tissues decreased respectively 32.65%, 32.78%, 16.80% and 12.72%, 11.42%, 12.30% while rats fed on the 45th and the 60th days. Genistein has formed the hydrogen bond with sialyltransferase activity site residues His319, Ser151, Gly293, Thr328 and formed a hydrophobic interactions with the residues His302, His301, Trp300, Ser271, Phe292, Thr328, Ser325 and Ile274. The results of molecular docking indicated that the weak intermolecular interaction was the main cause of genistein inhibiting sialyltransferase activity. The research results provided an experimental basis for the subsequent reduction of Neu5Gc in red meat before slaughter.
Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Male ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Neuraminic Acids ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transferases ; metabolism

Infrasound widely exists in nature, our living condition, productive and traffic environment. Gastrointestinal tract is relatively sensitive to infrasound. However, the effect of infrasound on gastrointestinal function is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to observe the effects of infrasound on gastric motility and gastric morphology and to assess the expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in gastric antrum after exposure to infrasound of 8 Hz - 130 dB for 2 hours per day for 14 consecutive days. Gastric motility was assessed by gastric fluid-emptying rate. Gastric morphology was evaluated by HE. The expression of NOS was measured by tissue microarray technology. The results would contribute to understand the role of infrasound in gastroenterology, and help to explain the mechanism of infrasound on gastroenterology.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Sound ; adverse effects ; Stomach

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence of antiphospholipid antibody (APA) in Korean infertile women undergoing the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and to evaluate the influence of APA on the subsequent IVF outcomes. METHOD: Two hundred nineteen infertile women who destined the first IVF were prospectively enrolled in 2 infertility centers. Male factor or uterine factor infertility and women with past or current endocrine or immunologic disorders were completely excluded. Plasma concentration of lupus anticoagulant was measured by clot-based method, and anticardiolipin antibody (IgG/IgM), and anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 antibody (IgG/IgM) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method before starting ovarian stimulation for IVF. RESULTS: APA was positive in 13 women (5.9%). Lupus anticoagulant was positive in 2 women (0.9%), anticardiolipin antibody was positive in 7 women (3.2%), and anti-β2-glycoprotein 1 antibody was positive in 4 women (1.8%). In 193 women entering embryo transfer, clinical characteristics and stimulation outcomes were comparable between APA-positive (n=12) and APA-negative group (n=181). The clinical pregnancy rate (66.7% vs. 45.9%), ongoing pregnancy rate (58.3% vs. 37.0%), and miscarriage rate (12.5% vs. 19.3%) were all similar between APA-positive and APA-negative group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of APA is low in Korean infertile women undergoing the first IVF cycle, and the presence of APA appears to neither decrease their first IVF success nor increase abortion rate.
Abortion, Induced ; Abortion, Spontaneous ; Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid* ; Embryo Transfer ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Infertility ; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor ; Male ; Methods ; Ovulation Induction ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies

Dendrobii Caulis (DC), named 'Shihu' in Chinese, is a precious herb in traditional Chinese medicine. It is widely used to nourish stomach, enhance body fluid production, tonify "Yin" and reduce heat. More than thirty Dendrobium species are used as folk medicine. Some compounds from DC exhibit inhibitory effects on macrophage inflammation. In the present study, we compared the anti-inflammatory effects among eight Dendrobium species. The results provided evidences to support Dendrobium as folk medicine, which exerted its medicinal function partially by its inhibitory effects on inflammation. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Dendrobium species, mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was activated by lipopolysaccharide. The nitric oxide (NO) level was measured using Griess reagent while the pro-inflammatory cytokines were tested by ELISA. The protein expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blotting analysis. Among the eight Dendrobium species, both water extracts of D. thyrsiflorum B.S.Williams (DTW) and D. chrysotoxum Lindl (DCHW) showed most significant inhibitory effects on NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. DTW also significantly reduced TNF-α, MCP-1, and IL-6 production. Further investigations showed that DTW suppressed iNOS and COX-2 expression as well as ERK and JNK phosphorylation, suggesting that the inhibitory effects of DTW on LPS-induced macrophage inflammation was through the suppression of MAPK pathways. In conclusion, D. thyrsiflorum B.S.Williams was demonstrated to have potential to be used as alternative or adjuvant therapy for inflammation.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Mice ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a pivotal role in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis through aggressive migration and invasion. Madecassoside (Madec), a triterpenoid saponin present in Centella asiatica herbs, has a potent anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, Madec exerted an obvious therapeutic effect in reversing the histological lesions in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats. To recognize the anti-rheumatoid potentials of Madec, we further investigated whether Madec interfered with FLS invasion and metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. In cultures of primary FLS isolated from the AIA rats, Madec (10 and 30 μmol·L) was proven to considerably inhibit migration and invasion of FLS induced by interleukin 1β (IL-1β), but exhibiting no obvious effect on cell proliferation. Madec repressed IL-1β-triggered FLS invasion by prohibiting the expression of MMP-13. Additionally, Madec suppressed MMP-13 transcription via inhibiting the MMP-13 promoter-binding activity of NF-κB. Our results further showed that Madec down-regulated the translocation and phosphorylation of NF-κB as demonstrated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. In conclusion, our results suggest that Madec exerts anti-RA activity via inhibiting the NF-κB/MMP-13 pathway.
Animals ; Antirheumatic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Experimental ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protein Transport ; drug effects ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Synoviocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Transcriptional Activation ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

To establish rat model of lung ischemia/reperfusion (IR) in vivo, and to explore the effects of acidification pretreatment for respiratory acidosis on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the possible mechanisms.
 Methods: A total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a sham group (S group), a IR group, and an experiment group (RA group) (n=12 in each group). The rat left lung hilum in the S group was dissociated, followed by perfusion without ischemia. After the left lung hilum in the IR group was blocked for 45 min, the rats were followed by reperfusion for 180 min. After left lung hilum in the RA group was dissociated, the respiratory parameters were adjusted so that pressure of end tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) reached 56-65 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) for 5 min, then the rats was subjected to IR. Lung tissue wet/dry (W/D) and lung permeability index (LPI) were calculated, while the lung histopathology was observed and the MMP-9 protein expression were measured.
 Results: Compared with the control group, the W/D and LPI in the IR group and the RA group increased after reperfusion (both P<0.05), and the levels of W/D and LPI in the group RA were lower than that in the IR group (P<0.05). LPI and pathology scores were significantly lower in the RA group than those in the IR group (both P<0.01). After IR, the expression of MMP9 in the lung tissues in the IR group and the RA group increased significantly (both P<0.01). The expression of MMP-9 protein in the RA group was significantly lower than that in the IR group (P<0.01).
 Conclusion: After lung IR injury, the expression of MMP-9 protein, vascular permeability and inflammatory exudation is increased. The acidification pretreatment for respiratory acidosis can inhibit the expression of MMP-9 protein and reduce inflammatory exudation after lung IR, showing a protective effect on lung IR injury.
Acidosis, Respiratory ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Lung ; enzymology ; Lung Injury ; enzymology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; prevention & control

To investigate the effect of sinomenine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages and the underlying mechanisms.
 Methods: The mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with sinomenine and/or LPS with or without heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor Znpp. Real-time PCR, ELISA, immunofluenscence, and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-6, the release of TNF-α and IL-6, the protein expression of HO-1 and autophagy, respectively.
 Results: Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression and release of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were increased, the green fluorescence of autophagy-related protein LC3 was accumulated and the protein expression of HO-1 was increased in RAW264.7 cells after LPS treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, sinomenine treatment could reduce the mRNA expression and release of TNF-α and IL-6, accompanied by increasess in green fluorescence aggregation of LC3 and HO-1 production (P<0.05). HO-1 inhibitor Znpp could weaken the ability of sinomenine through suppressing TNF-α and IL-6 expression and decreasing the aggregation of LC3 green fluorescence (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Sinomenine could alleviate LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 macrophages, which might be related to HO-1 mediated autophagy. This study provides an experimental and theoretical basis for the clinical application of sinomenine in prevention and treatment of inflammation.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; Mice ; Morphinans ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the changes of follicular fluid (FF) and serum levels of cerebellin precursor protein 1 (cbln1) and betatrophin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. METHODS: Twenty infertile women with PCOS and 20 control women diagnosed as poor responders undergoing ovarian stimulation with a GnRH antagonist were included. Blood samples were obtained during ovum pick-up. Follicular fluid from a dominant follicle was collected from the subjects. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, FF and serum levels of cbln1 and betatrophin were measured in both groups of participants. Metabolic and hormonal parameters were also determined and correlated with each other. RESULTS: Both groups of women had similar serum and FF betatrophin levels (55.0±8.9 ng/mL vs. 53.1±10.3 ng/mL, p=0.11). The serum and FF betatrophin levels of poor responders were found to be similar (49.9±5.9 ng/mL vs. 48.9±10.7 ng/mL, p=0.22). Conversely, the FF cbln1 levels of PCOS women were found to be significantly higher than the serum cbln1 levels (589.1±147.6 ng/L vs. 531.7±74.3 ng/L, p<0.02). The FF cbln1 levels of control participants without PCOS were significantly higher than their serum cbln1 levels (599.3±211.5 ng/L vs. 525.3±87.0 ng/L, p=0.01). Positive correlations were detected among body mass index, insulin resistance, serum insulin, total testosterone, and betatrophin levels in the PCOS group. CONCLUSION: Follicular fluid betatrophin and cbln1 concentrations may play a pivotal role on follicular growth in PCOS subjects undergoing IVF/ICSI with an antagonist protocol.
Body Mass Index ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicular Fluid* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Ovulation Induction ; Ovum ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone

BACKGROUND: Rice bran is the outer layer of the rice grain, and contains high amounts of bioactive phytochemicals. Here, we investigated and compared chemopreventive properties of purple and white rice bran extracts. METHODS: Rice bran was extracted with dichloromethane and methanol. Chemical constituents in the extracts were analyzed by colorimetric assay and high performance liquid chromatography. The mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of the extracts were determined via the Salmonella mutation assay. The anticarcinogenic enzyme induction and antioxidant activities of the extracts were examined using Hepa1c1c7 cells and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, respectively. RESULTS: The methanol extracts of rice bran contained high amounts of phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phytic acid, whereas large amounts of γ-oryzanol and vitamin E were presented in the dichloromethane extract. None of the extracts were mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium. All rice bran extracts had strong antimutagenic effects against aflatoxin B1- and 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo [4,5-f]quinoline-induced mutagenesis. The inhibitory effect against 2-aminofluorene-induced mutagenesis was found in the dichloromethane extract, while only the methanol extract of purple rice bran exhibited antimutagenic effects against benzo(a)pyrene. None of the extracts induced quinone reductase activity in Hepa1c1c7 cells. Additionally, the greatest antioxidant capacity was found in the methanol extract of purple rice bran. CONCLUSIONS: The methanol extract of purple rice bran containing high amount of phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phytic acid showed the most effective antioxidant and antimutagenic activities by inhibiting mutagenic metabolizing enzymes and/or scavenging free radicals. These results demonstrate the nutritional and medical value of Thai rice for cancer prevention.
Aflatoxins ; Anthocyanins ; Antimutagenic Agents ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Enzyme Induction ; Flavonoids ; Free Radicals ; Humans ; Methanol ; Methylene Chloride ; Mutagenesis ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; Phenol ; Phytic Acid ; Phytochemicals ; Salmonella ; Salmonella typhimurium ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins