OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of puerarin for alleviating synovitis in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of puerarin at low, moderate and high doses (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks, with tripterygium glycosides (GTW, 10 mg/kg) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb joints regions evaluated by arthritis index scoring. Mass fraction of the liver of the rats was calculated, and pathologies in joint synovial membrane were observed with HE staining. The expressions of transforming growth factor β‑activated kinase-1 (TAK1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and nuclear factor kappa-Bp65 (NF‑κB p65) at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using Real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the rats in GTW group and high-dose puerarin group showed significantly reduced mass fraction of the liver. Treatment with GTW and puerarin at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, and improved synovitis in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of puerarin showed an obvious dose dependence. Both GTW and puerarin treatments significantly lowered TAK1, TLR4, and NF‑κB p65 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovium of CIA rats. CONCLUSIONS Puerarin alleviates synovium damages in CIA rats possibly by suppressing the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway via downregulating TAK1 expression.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Isoflavones/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the repair effect and JNK/NF-κB,SOX9 mechanisms of vibration exercise with different frequencies on articular cartilage in rats with early knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Forty-eight adult male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(n=8):model control group(MC),high frequency vibration group 1 (GP₁,60 Hz),high frequency vibration 2 group (GP₂,40 Hz),medium frequency vibration group (ZP,20 Hz),minor frequency group(DP,10 Hz)and normal control group(NC). Except for NC group,the rats in each group were made into early knee osteoarthritis model after six weeks of knee joint cavity injection of papain solution and 2% mixture l-cysteine on the 1^st,4 ^th and 7^th day. Each exercise group was subjected vibration to 40 minutes a day with amplitude of 2～5 mm and 5 days a week. Four weeks later, the articular cartilage of the lateral femoral condyle of the both back leg knee joints were detected by HE staining,serine O staining and Mankin scores for morphological observation. The expression levels of JNK,NF-κB p65 and Sox9 mRNA in articular cartilage of the medial femoral condyle were detected by RT-qPCR,and the protein expressions of JNK,NF-κB p65 and Sox9 were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the NC group,the Mankin score in other groups was significantly higher (P＜0.01). Compared with the MC group,the Mankin score of each vibration group was significantly lower(P＜0.05),the mRNA and protein expressions of JNK and NF-κB p65 in each vibration training group were significantly lower (P＜0.01),the expressions of Sox9 mRNA and protein in vibration training group were increased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with the higher frequency group,the Mankin score,the mRNA and protein expressions of JNK and NF-κB p65 of lower frequency group were significantly lower (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). But the expressions of Sox9 mRNA and protein were significantly higher (P＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01). Conclusion: Vibration exercise of different frequencies may present varying degrees of cartilage repair impact in rats with early knee osteoarthritis,and the cartilage repair by low-frequency vibration training is better than that by high-frequency vibration. This can be one of the mechanisms on controlling collagen synthesis by down-regulating JNK/NF-κB expression and increasing SOX9 activity of OA articular cartilage.
Animals ; Cartilage, Articular/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; Male ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; Vibration

A stable hepatoma cell line(Hep G2 cell) insulin resistance model was established and used to analyze the effect of effective components of Mori Folium in alleviating insulin resistance,and preliminary explore the mechanism for alleviating insulin resistance. The Hep G2 insulin action concentration and the duration of action were investigated using the glucose oxidase method(GOD-POD method) to establish a stable Hep G2 insulin resistance model. Normal control group,model group,Mori Folium polysaccharide group,Mori Folium flavonoid group and rosiglitazone group were divided to determine the glucose consumption. The effect of Mori Folium effective components on Hep G2 insulin resistance was analyzed. The mRNA expressions of JNK,IRS-1 and PDX-1 in each group were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR). The protein expressions of p-JNK,IRS-1 and PDX-1 were detected by Western blot. And the mechanism of effective components of Mori Folium in alleviating insulin resistance was investigated. The results showed that the glucose consumption was significantly decreased in the insulin resistance cells after incubation with 25. 0 mg·L-1 insulin for 36 h(P<0. 01),and the model was relatively stable within 36 h. Mori Folium polysaccharides and flavonoids all alleviated insulin resistance,among which Mori Folium flavonoids had better effect in alleviating Hep G2 insulin resistance(P<0. 05). The qRT-PCR analysis showed that Mori Folium polysaccharides and flavonoids could inhibit JNK and IRS-1 mRNA expressions,while enhancing PDX-1 mRNA expression. Western blot analysis displayed that Mori Folium polysaccharides and flavonoids could inhibit p-JNK and IRS-1 protein expressions,while enhancing PDX-1 protein expression. Mori Folium polysaccharides and flavonoids can alleviate insulin resistance in Hep G2 cells,and its mechanism may be the alleviation of insulin resistance by inhibiting JNK signaling pathway.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; Hep G2 Cells ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Morus ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress on lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced myocardial injury in mice. METHODS: Forty healthy SPF male C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups randomly (=10):sham operation group (Sham group), lung I/R group (I/R group), endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway agonist Tunicamycin group (TM) and ERS inhibitor 4-phenyl butyric acid group (4-PBA). The model of lung I/R injury was established by clamping the left hilum of lung for 30 min followed by 180 min of reperfusion. In sham group, only sternotomy was performed, the hilum of lung was not clamped, and the mice were mechanically ventilated for 210 min. In TM and 4-PBA groups, TM 1mg/kg and 4-PBA 400 mg/kg were injected intraperitoneally, respectively, at 30 min before establishment of the model. At 180 min of reperfusion, blood samples were collected from the orbit for determination of myocardial enzyme. The animals were then sacrificed, and hearts were removed for determination of light microscope, TUNEL, Caspase 3 enzymatic activity, real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with sham group, the cardiomyocytes had obvious damage under light microscope, and the serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, apoptosis index and Caspase 3 enzymatic activity were increased significantly, the expressions of p-Jun N-terminalkinase(p-JNK), Caspase 12, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78) protein and mRNA were up-regulated in I/R, TM and 4-PBA groups (<0.01). Compared with I/R group, the cardiomyocytes damage was obvious under light microscope, and the serum CK-MB and LDH activities, apoptosis index and Caspase 3 enzymatic activity were increased significantly, the expressions of p-JNK, Caspase 12, CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA were up-regulated in group TM; while all above changes were relieved in group 4-PBA (<0.01). Compared with TM group, the cardiomyocytes damage was relieved under light microscope, and the serum CK-MB and LDH activities, apoptosis index and Caspase 3 enzymatic activity were decreased significantly, the expressions of p-JNK, Caspase 12,CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA were down-regulated in group 4-PBA. CONCLUSIONS The excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress participates in myocardial injury induced by lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and inhibit excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress response can relieved myocardial injury.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 12 ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Heart Injuries ; physiopathology ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Lung ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism

The present study aimed to identify which mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 or Jun amino-terminal kinase [JNK]) was involved in cavernosal apoptosis during the acute phase after cavernosal nerve crush injury (CNCI) in rats to ameliorate apoptosis of cavernosal tissue, such as smooth muscle (SM). A total of twenty 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into two groups: sham surgery (S) and CNCI (I). The I group approximated the clinical situation of men undergoing radical prostatectomy using two 60-second compressions of both CNs with a microsurgical vascular clamp. At 2-week postinjury, erectile response was assessed using electrostimulation. Penile tissues were harvested for immunohistochemistry analysis of alpha-SM actin (α-SMA), western blot analysis, and double immunofluorescence analysis of α-SMA and phosphorylated p38 or JNK, as well as double immunofluorescent of TUNEL and phosphorylated p38 or JNK. At 2-week postinjury, the I group had a significantly lower intracavernous pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) and a lower area under the curve (AUC)/MAP than the S group. The I group also exhibited decreased immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA, an increase in the number of SM cells positive for phosphorylated JNK, an increased number of apoptotic cells positive for phosphorylated JNK, and increased JNK phosphorylation compared with the S group. However, there was no significant difference in p38 phosphorylation expression or the number of SM cells positive for phosphorylated p38 between the two groups. In conclusion, our data suggest that JNK, not p38, is involved in cavernosal apoptosis during the acute phase after partial CN damage.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electric Stimulation ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4/metabolism* ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis/pathology* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/pathology* ; Phosphorylation ; Prostatectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 (MAP2K4) with the pathological features, prognosis and expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in patients with breast cancer.

METHODSThe expression of MAP2K4 was detected immunohistochemically in 102 breast cancer tissues. Chi square test was used to analyze the correlation of MAP2K4 expression with the clinicopathological features of the patients. Kaplan-Meier and log rank test were used for survival analysis of the patients. Multivariate survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazard regression model. The correlation between the expressionsof MAP2K4 and ER was investigated using Spearman rank correlation test.

RESULTSImmunohistochemical analysis revealed low MAP2K4 expression in 55.9%(57/102) and high MAP2K4 expression in 44.1%(45/102) of the breast cancer tissues. The expression of MAP2K4 was significantly correlated with the pathological grades of breast cancer (P=0.011). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with a high expression of MAP2K4 had a shorter overall survival rate than those with low MAP2K4 expressions (P=0.009). Multivariate analysis identified high expression of MAP2K4 as the independent predictor of a poor outcome of patients with breast cancer. The expressions of MAP2K4 and ER were not significantly correlated, but ER-negative patients with a high MAP2K4 expressionshowed the shortest overall survival time.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of MAP2K4 promotes the progression in breast cancer and is associated with a poor outcome of the patients. TheER-negativepatients with a high MAP2K4 expression have the shortest overall survival time, suggestingthe value of combined examination of MAP2K4 and ER in accurate estimation of the prognosis of breast cancer patients.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Survival Analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the expression of MAP2K4 and vimentin in human endometrial carcinoma (EC) and their association with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients.

METHODSMAP2K4 and vimentin expressions were detected immunohistochemically in paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 128 patients with EC, and the correlation of MAP2K4 and vimentin expressions with the clinicopathological factors of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSMAP2K4 and vimentin proteins were positively expressed in 49 (38.3%) and 83 (64.8%) of the patients, respectively. A positive expression of MAP2K4 was negatively correlated with FIGO stage of the tumor (P=0.010) and lymph node status (P=0.016); a positive expression of vimentin was positively correlated with FIGO stage of the tumor (P=0.025), histological grades (P=0.017), depth of myometrial invasion (P=0.044) and lymph node status (P=0.032). MAP2K4 was inversely associated with vimentin expression in EC(r=-0.598, P<0.001). Patients positive for MAP2K4 tended to have a higher overall survival rate (P=0.002), and those positive for vimentin tended to have a lower overall survival rate (P=0.007); patients positive for MAP2K4 but negative for vimentin had the longest survival time, while those negative for MAP2K4 and positive for vimentin had lowest survival rate (P=0.004).

CONCLUSIONDetection of MAP2K4 and vimentin might help in early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of patients with EC.

Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Vimentin ; metabolism

27-O-(E)-p-coumaric acyl ursolic acid( DY-17) from Ilex latifolia is a compound of the monomer. To investigate the DY-17 inducing apoptosis in the human breast cancer cell line, the MDA-MB-231 cells were used as research object in this experiment. The proliferation activity of the MDA-MB-231 cells stimulated with the different concentrations of DY-17 (20, 40 µmol · L(-1)) was detected at different time( 12, 24, 36, 48, 60,72 h) . We surveyed the DY-17 inducing apoptosis of the MDA-MB-231 cells with the fluorescent staining technology. The rate of MDA-MB-231 cells apoptosis and necrosis was determined by flow cell cytometry (FCC). Moreover, expression of JNK, phosphorylated JNK, Bax, PARP shear and caspase-3 shear related to JNK/SAPK pathways were investigated in every group ( control group, EGF group, EGF + DY-17 40 µmol · L(1) group and EGF + SP600125 group) with Western blot. The MTT results showed that, in the presence of DY-17, the proliferation activity of MDA-MB-231 cells decreased in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The apoptosis and necrosis rates of MDA-MB-231 cells with DY-17(20, 40 µmol · L(-1)) groups was respectively 31.86%, 49.91% by flow cytometry and significantly increased compared with control group under Fluores- cence microscopy. Up-regulation of the JNK phosphorylation protein expression was observed in EGF group compared with control group. In addition, markedly decreased the expression of JNK phosphorylation protein were also surveyed in EGF + DY-17 40 µmol · L(-1) group compared with EGF group. The expression of Bax, shear PARP and shear caspase-3 protein in EGF + DY-17 40 µmol · L(-1) group were significantly increased in comparison with EGF group. The results showed DY-17 induced apoptosis of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line related to down-regulating JNK/SAPK signal pathways.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway in the regulation of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression in cultured astrocytes after scratch-injury.

METHODSThe scratch-injury model was produced in cultured astrocytes of rat by a 10-μL plastic pipette tip. The morphological changes of astrocytes and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakages were observed to assess the degree of scratch-injury. AQP4 expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot, and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) expression was determined by Western blot. To explore the effect of ERK1/2 pathway on AQP4 expression in scratch-injured astrocytes, 10 µmol/L U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) was incubated in the medium at 30 min before the scratch-injury in some groups.

RESULTSIncreases in LDH leakage were observed at 1, 12, and 24 h after scratch-injury, and AQP4 expression was reduced simultaneously. Decrease in AQP4 expression was associated with a significant increase in ERK1/2 activation. Furthermore, pretreatment with U0126 blocked both ERK1/2 activation and decrease in AQP4 expression induced by scratch-injury.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that ERK1/2 pathway down-regulates AQP4 expression in scratch-injured astrocytes, and ERK1/2 pathway might be a novel therapeutic target in reversing the effects of astrocytes that contribute to traumatic brain edema.

Animals ; Aquaporin 4 ; metabolism ; Astrocytes ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Butadienes ; administration & dosage ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Enzyme Activation ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Nitriles ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; injuries

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK) signaling pathway in regulating the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the substantia nigra (SN) of a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSC57BL/6N mice were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) to establish an subacute PD model, and the behavioral changes of the mice were observed. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were employed to detect the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), NF-κB, iNOS and phosphorylated P38 (p-P38) in the midbrain before and after treatment with SB203580.

RESULTSCompared with the control mice, the PD mouse models presented with typical symptoms of PD and showed significantly increased number of p-P38-, NF-κB-, and iNOS-positive cells in the SN area (P<0.01) with significantly reduced number of TH-positive neurons (P<0.01). After SB203580 treatment, the number of p-P38-, NF-κB-, and iNOS-positive cells was reduced obviously (P<0.01) and the number of TH-positive neurons in the SN increased significantly in the PD model mice (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONP38 MAPK signaling pathway may play an important role in modulating NF-κB and iNOS expression in the SN in the early stage of MPTP-induced subacute PD, and SB203580 can inhibit P38 signaling pathway to protect the DA neurons in PD model mice.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Imidazoles ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Pyridines ; Substantia Nigra ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism