The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has recently been proposed as a key player in the representation of itch stimuli. However, to date, little is known about the contribution of specific ACC interneuron populations to itch processing. Using c-Fos immunolabeling and in vivo Ca²⁺ imaging, we reported that both histamine and chloroquine stimuli-induced acute itch caused a marked enhancement of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing interneuron activity in the ACC. Behavioral data indicated that optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of these neurons reduced scratching responses related to histaminergic and non-histaminergic acute itch. Similar neural activity and modulatory role of these neurons were seen in mice with chronic itch induced by contact dermatitis. Together, this study highlights the importance of ACC VIP⁺ neurons in modulating itch-related affect and behavior, which may help us to develop novel mechanism-based strategies to treat refractory chronic itch in the clinic.
Animals ; Pruritus/physiopathology* ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide/metabolism* ; Interneurons/metabolism* ; Gyrus Cinguli/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Histamine ; Chloroquine ; Optogenetics ; Mice, Transgenic

Scaffold hopping refers to computer-aided screening for active compounds with different structures against the same receptor to enrich privileged scaffolds, which is a topic of high interest in organic and medicinal chemistry. However, most approaches cannot efficiently predict the potency level of candidates after scaffold hopping. Herein, we identified potent PDE5 inhibitors with a novel scaffold via a free energy perturbation (FEP)-guided scaffold-hopping strategy, and FEP shows great advantages to precisely predict the theoretical binding potencies ΔG _FEP between ligands and their target, which were more consistent with the experimental binding potencies ΔG _EXP (the mean absolute deviations | Δ G FEP - Δ G EXP |  < 2 kcal/mol) than those ΔG _MM-PBSA or ΔG _MM-GBSA predicted by the MM-PBSA or MM-GBSA method. Lead L12 had an IC₅₀ of 8.7 nmol/L and exhibited a different binding pattern in its crystal structure with PDE5 from the famous starting drug tadalafil. Our work provides the first report via the FEP-guided scaffold hopping strategy for potent inhibitor discovery with a novel scaffold, implying that it will have a variety of future applications in rational molecular design and drug discovery.

BACKGROUNDPatients on hemodialysis have a high-mortality risk. This study analyzed factors associated with death in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). While some studies used baseline data of MHD patients, this study used the most recent data obtained from patients just prior to either a primary endpoint or the end of the study period to find the characteristics of patients preceding death.

METHODSParticipants were selected from 16 blood purification centers in China from January 2012 to December 2014. Patients' data were collected retrospectively. Based on survival status, the participants were divided into two groups: survival group and the death group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with all-cause mortality.

RESULTSIn total, 4104 patients (57.58% male, median age 59 years) were included. Compared with the survival group, the death group had more men and more patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and hypertensive nephropathy. The patients preceding death also had lower levels of diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, serum albumin, serum calcium, serum phosphate, Kt/V, and higher age. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex (odd ratio [OR]: 1.437, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.094-1.886), age (OR: 1.046, 95% CI: 1.036-1.057), and presence of DN (OR: 1.837, 95% CI: 1.322-2.552) were the risk factors associated with mortality. High serum calcium (OR: 0.585, 95% CI: 0.346-0.989), hemoglobin (OR: 0.974, 95% CI: 0.967-0.981), albumin (OR: 0.939, 95% CI: 0.915-0.963) levels, and dialysis with noncuffed catheter (OR: 0.165, 95% CI: 0.070-0.386) were protective factors based on a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONSHemodialysis patients preceding death had lower hemoglobin, albumin, and serum calcium levels. Multivariate analysis showed that male sex, age, DN, low hemoglobin, low albumin, and low serum calcium were associated with death in hemodialysis patients.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Renal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Rh2 on HepG2 cells and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods: We used lentivirus carrying β-catenin to infect HepG2 cell, and detected expression of β-catenin using fluorescence microscopy.The effect of Rh2 on proliferation of HepG2-β-catenin and HepG2 cells was measured by CKK-8 assay,and flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis.The activity of Gsk-3βwas checked by ELISA kit.The expression of Gsk-3β,β-catenin,Bax,Bcl2,CyclinD1,MMP3 genes were measured by qRT-PCR.In order to checked the relationship between β-catenin and TCF4,CHIP assay kit was used,the expression of Bax,Bcl2,CyclinD1,MMP3 genes were measured by PCR.The expressions of Gsk-3β,β-catenin,Bax,Bcl2,CyclinD1,MMP3 proteins were examined by Western blot.Results:HepG2 cells were successfully infected by pLOV-EF1a-MCS-3FLAG-β-catenin lentivirus,named HepG2-β-catenin.CCK-8 showed that ginsenoside Rh2 could effectively inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 and HepG2-β-catenin cells in vitro,which exhibits a dose-dependent manner at range of 10-160 μmol/L Rh2.The IC50 of Rh2 exposure on HepG2 cell for 48,72 h were 100 μmol/L and 58.12 μmol/L,but the IC50 of Rh2 exposure on HepG2-β-catenin for 48,72 h were 129.2 μmol/L,83.33 μmol/L,respectively.The IC50 of Rh2 exposure on HepG2-β-catenin cell was higher than HepG2 cell, compared with HepG2 group the differences was statistically significant ( P<0.01 ).Flow cytometry indicated that Rh2 could arrest HepG2 and HepG2-β-catenin cells in G0/G1 phase;the cell population in G0/G1 phase of HepG2+Rh2 group was(64.57±0.65)%,HepG2-β-catenin+Rh2 group was(58.61±2.01)%.Flow cytometry indicated that Rh2 could induced early apoptosis in HepG2 and HepG2-β-catenin cells.The apoptosis rate of HepG2 +Rh2 group was (17.27 ±2.77)%,HepG2-β-catenin +Rh2 group(9.02 ±1.76)%.The ELISA results indicated that HepG2 cells was induced by Rh2 for 12,24,48,72 h,the activity of Gsk-3βgradually increased,peak in 48 h,then decreased.Compared with control group,Rh2 induced HepG2 and HepG2-β-catenin cells for 48 hours, Gsk-3βactivity were increased, and their activity reduced after adding Bio, there were no significant differences between HepG2+Rh2 and HepG2-β-catenin+Rh2 groups.The PCR,CHIP and WB results showed that the expression of Gsk-3β,Bax gene and proteins increased,while theβ-catenin,CyclinD1,Bcl2,MMP3 gene and proteins down-regulation in HepG2 and HepG2-β-catenin cell induced by Rh2.Compared with HepG2-β-catenin +Rh2 group, the expression of other gene and proteins changed significantly,however,Gsk-3βwas no significant difference.Conclusion:Over-expression of β-catenin may weaken the phar-macological effects of ginsenoside Rh2 on HepG2 cells.The activity of Gsk-3βwas increased by ginsenoside Rh2 to degradeβ-catenin, affecting the expression of downstream genes,promoting apoptosis of liver cancer cells and inhibiting metastasis.

Ketamine (KTM), a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, was found to has an anti-inflammatory effect, but some patients suffered from exacerbated pro-inflammatory reactions after anesthesia with KTM. The present study was aimed to examine the underlying mechanism of pro-inflammatory effects of KTM. In this study, RAW264.7 cells were exposed to KTM and NMDA alone or combined for 30 min before lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, and those of NMDA receptors by RT-PCR in RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, the TLR4 expression was determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. The results showed that in RAW264.7 cells, KTM alone promoted the TLR4 expression, but did not increase the expression of IL-6 or TNF-α. In the presence of LPS, KTM caused a significantly higher expression of IL-6 and TNF-α than LPS alone. NMDA could neither alter the IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression, nor reverse the enhanced expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA by KTM in LPS-challenged cells. After TLR4-siRNA transfection, RAW264.7 cells pretreated with KTM no longer promoted the IL-6 and TNF-α expression in the presence of LPS. In conclusion, KTM accelerated LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells by promoting TLR4 expression, independent of NMDA receptor.
Anesthetics, Dissociative ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Inflammation Mediators ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; Ketamine ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; N-Methylaspartate ; pharmacology ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

Objective:To study the mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 inhibiting HepG2 cells migration.Methods:HepG2 cells in logarithmic growth phase were cultured in 96-well plates,which were induced by different concentration Rh2,respectively for 24,48,72 hours.The cell inhibition was detected by Cell Counting Kit.Transwell chambers was used to checked HepG2 cell migration ability;luciferase was tested by Luciferase Reporter Assay system reagent;The expressions of P-ERK,ERK,P-P38,P-38,P-JUK,JUK,MMP3 proteins were detect by Western blot;the expression of AP1,MMP3 gene were detected by Quantitative PCR;The expression of AP1, MMP3 fluorescence protein were observed by fluorescence microscopy.Results:Administrated with different concentration of Rh2 after 24 ,48 ,72 h,the proliferation of HepG2 cells were inhibited ( P<0.05) ,and in dose-and time-dependent manner.Transwell assay showed Rh2 could significantly inhibited migration of HepG2 cells.The expressions of P-ERK , MMP3 proteins were significantly decreased,the expressions of P-JUK, P-P38 proteins were significantly increased, expression levels of ERK, P-38, JUK were no significant difference.Expression of AP1,MMP3 gene were significantly decreased,the expressions of AP1,MMP3 fluorescence proteins were significantly decreased.Conclusion:Ginsenoside Rh2 can activate MAPK pathway to inhibit the migration of HepG2 cells.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of sitagliptin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes and its effect on glucose trans-porter-4 ( GLUT4).Methods Sixty four patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly divided into two groups , and patients in the observation group (n=32) were given sitagliptin 100 mg qd orally, and those in the control group ( n=32 ) were given acarbose 50 mg tid within meals.The treatment lasted for 12 weeks.The data of the clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared before and after treatment.While 30 healthy controls were selected , only given health education.Data of the expre-ssion of GLUT4 in serum of three groups were detected.Results In ob-servation group , the data of fasting blood glucose ( FBG) , 2 h postprandi-al blood glucose(2 h PG)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) were ob-viously better than those in the control group [(6.32 ±0.44 ),(8.76 ± 0.93),(6.85 ±0.37)mmol· L-1 vs(6.44 ±0.46),(9.15 ±0.94), (6.98 ±0.28)mmol· L-1],(P<0.05).The islet beta cell function index in observation group was improved significantly compared with the control group [(2.59 ±0.22),(66 ±18) vs(2.78 ±0.39),(62 ±13)], (P<0.05).The data of serum levels of GLUT4 in the observation group was significantly higher than that in control group [(6.07 ±0.59)vs(2.58 ±0.45)μg· L-1](P <0.05).Conclusion Sitagliptin can effectively control the level of blood sugar , improve islet beta cell function , and the effect may be related to the up -regulation of GLUT4 ex-pression.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on the proliferation of HepG2 cells and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODSHepG2 cells exposed to different concentrations of TSA for 24, 48, or 72 h were examined for cell growth inhibition using a cell counting kit, changes in cell cycle distribution with flow cytometry, cell apoptosis with annexin V-FTIC/PI double staining, and cell morphology changes under inverted microscope. The expressions of beta-catenin, HDAC1, HDAC3, H3K9, cyclinD1 and Bax proteins in the exposed cells were detected by Western blotting, and the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC3 mRNAs by quantitative fluorescent PCR.

RESULTSExposure to TSA caused significant dose- and time-dependent inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation (P<0.05) and resulted in increased cell percentage in G0/G1 and G2/M phases and decreased cell percentage in S phase. The apoptotic index in the control group was (6.22 ± 0.25)%, which increased to (7.17 ± 0.20)% and (18.14 ± 0.42)% after exposure to 250 and 500 nmol/L TSA, respectively. Exposure to 250 and 500 nmol/L TSA also caused cell morphology changes with numerous floating cells. The expressions of beta-catenin, H3K9 and Bax proteins were significantly increased and CyclinD1, HDAC1, and HDAC3 protein expressions decreased in TSA-treated cells, but the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC3 mRNAs showed no significant changes.

CONCLUSIONSTSA can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting HDAC activity, promoting histone acetylation, and activating Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

Acetylation ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; drug effects ; Histone Deacetylase 1 ; metabolism ; Histone Deacetylases ; metabolism ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; pharmacology ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on the proliferation of HepG2 cells and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods HepG2 cells exposed to different concentrations of TSA for 24, 48, or 72 h were examined for cell growth inhibition using a cell counting kit, changes in cell cycle distribution with flow cytometry, cell apoptosis with annexin V-FTIC/PI double staining, and cell morphology changes under inverted microscope. The expressions of beta-catenin, HDAC1, HDAC3, H3K9, cyclinD1 and Bax proteins in the exposed cells were detected by Western blotting, and the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC3 mRNAs by quantitative fluorescent PCR. Results Exposure to TSA caused significant dose-and time-dependent inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation (P<0.05) and resulted in increased cell percentage in G0/G1 and G2/M phases and decreased cell percentage in S phase. The apoptotic index in the control group was (6.22 ± 0.25)%, which increased to (7.17 ± 0.20)%and (18.14 ± 0.42)%after exposure to 250 and 500 nmol/L TSA, respectively. Exposure to 250 and 500 nmol/L TSA also caused cell morphology changes with numerous floating cells. The expressions of beta-catenin, H3K9 and Bax proteins were significantly increased and CyclinD1, HDAC1, and HDAC3 protein expressions decreased in TSA-treated cells, but the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC3 mRNAs showed no significant changes. Conclusion TSA can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting HDAC activity, promoting histone acetylation, and activating Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on the proliferation of HepG2 cells and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods HepG2 cells exposed to different concentrations of TSA for 24, 48, or 72 h were examined for cell growth inhibition using a cell counting kit, changes in cell cycle distribution with flow cytometry, cell apoptosis with annexin V-FTIC/PI double staining, and cell morphology changes under inverted microscope. The expressions of beta-catenin, HDAC1, HDAC3, H3K9, cyclinD1 and Bax proteins in the exposed cells were detected by Western blotting, and the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC3 mRNAs by quantitative fluorescent PCR. Results Exposure to TSA caused significant dose-and time-dependent inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation (P<0.05) and resulted in increased cell percentage in G0/G1 and G2/M phases and decreased cell percentage in S phase. The apoptotic index in the control group was (6.22 ± 0.25)%, which increased to (7.17 ± 0.20)%and (18.14 ± 0.42)%after exposure to 250 and 500 nmol/L TSA, respectively. Exposure to 250 and 500 nmol/L TSA also caused cell morphology changes with numerous floating cells. The expressions of beta-catenin, H3K9 and Bax proteins were significantly increased and CyclinD1, HDAC1, and HDAC3 protein expressions decreased in TSA-treated cells, but the expressions of HDAC1 and HDAC3 mRNAs showed no significant changes. Conclusion TSA can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells and induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by inhibiting HDAC activity, promoting histone acetylation, and activating Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.