OBJECTIVEAnesthetic isoflurane plus surgery has been reported to induce cognitive impairment. The underlying mechanism and targeted intervention remain largely to be determined. Ginsenoside Rb1 was reported to be neuroprotective. We therefore set out to determine whether ginsenoside Rb1 can attenuate isoflurane/surgery-induced cognitive dysfunction via inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

METHODSFive-months-old C57BL/6J female mice were treated with 1.4% isoflurane plus abdominal surgery for two hours. Sixty mg/kg ginsenoside Rb1 were given intraperitoneally from 7 days before surgery. Cognition of the mice were assessed by Barnes Maze. Levels of postsynaptic density-95 and synaptophysin in mice hippocampus were measured by Western blot. Levels of reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in mice hippocampus were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSHere we show for the first time that the ginsenoside Rb1 treatment attenuated the isoflurane/surgery-induced cognitive impairment. Moreover, ginsenoside Rb1 attenuated the isoflurane/surgery-induced synapse dysfunction. Finally, ginsenoside Rb1 mitigated the isoflurane/surgery-induced elevation levels of reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the mice hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 may attenuate the isoflurane/surgery-induced cognitive impairment by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress pending future studies.

Anesthetics, Inhalation ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Female ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Inflammation ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Isoflurane ; adverse effects ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; adverse effects ; Synapses ; metabolism

Background:PM(aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) is a dominant and ubiquitous air pollutant that has become a global concern as PMexposure has been linked to many adverse health effects including cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Emerging evidence supports a correlation between increased air PMlevels and skin disorders although reports on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are limited. Oxidative stress is the most common mechanism of PM-induced adverse health effects. This study aimed to investigate PM-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in immortalized human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells.

Methods:HaCaT cells were exposed to 0, 25, 50, 100, or 200 μg/ml PMfor 24 h. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation products, antioxidant activity, DNA damage, apoptotic protein expression, and cell apoptosis were measured.

Results:PMexposure (0-200 μg/ml) for 24 h resulted in increased ROS levels (arbitrary unit: 201.00 ± 19.28, 264.50 ± 17.91, 305.05 ± 19.57, 427.95 ± 18.32, and 436.70 ± 17.77) and malondialdehyde production (0.54 ± 0.05 nmol/mg prot, 0.61 ± 0.06 nmol/mg prot, 0.68 ± 0.05 nmol/mg prot, 0.70 ± 0.05 nmol/mg prot, and 0.76 ± 0.05 nmol/mg prot), diminished superoxide dismutase activity (6.47 ± 0.28 NU/mg prot, 5.97 ± 0.30 NU/mg prot, 5.15 ± 0.42 NU/mg prot, 4.08 ± 0.20 NU/mg prot, and 3.76 ± 0.37 NU/mg prot), and increased DNA damage and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HaCaT cells. Moreover, cytochrome-c, caspase-3, and caspase-9 expression also increased proportionately with PMdosing.

Conclusion:PMmight elicit oxidative stress and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis that likely manifests as skin irritation and damage.

BACKGROUNDSingle port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) is an innovative approach that is rapidly gaining recognition worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of SPLS compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of benign adnexal masses.

METHODSIn total, 99 patients who underwent SPLS for benign adnexal masses between December 2013 and March 2015 were compared to a nonrandomized control group comprising 104 conventional laparoscopic adnexal surgeries that were performed during the same period. We retrospectively analyzed multiple clinical characteristics and operative outcomes of all the patients, including age, body mass index, size and pathological type of ovarian mass, operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), duration of postoperative hospital stay, etc.

RESULTSNo significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding preoperative baseline characteristics. However, the pathological results between the two groups were found to be slightly different. The most common pathological type in the SPLS group was mature cystic teratoma, whereas endometrioma was more commonly seen in the control group. Otherwise, the two groups had comparable surgical outcomes, including the median operation time (51 min vs. 52 min, P = 0.909), the median decreased level of hemoglobin from preoperation to postoperation day 3 (10 g/L vs. 10 g/L, P = 0.795), and the median duration of postoperative hospital stay (3 days vs. 3 days, P = 0.168). In SPLS groups, the median EBL and the anal exsufflation time were significantly less than those of the conventional group (5 ml vs. 10 ml, P < 0.001; 10 h vs. 22 h, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSSPLS is a feasible and safe approach for the treatment of benign adnexal masses. Further study is required to better determine whether SPLS has significant benefits compared to conventional techniques.

Adnexal Diseases ; surgery ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Dermoid Cyst ; surgery ; Endometriosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Operative Time ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of exendin-4 on the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) in human mesangial cells (HMC) cultured in the presence of high glucose and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSHuman mesangial cells (HMC) were treated with exendin-4 under high glucose conditions. The cell proliferation was observed using CCK8 assay, and the expressions of collagen type I, fibronectin, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) expression and extracellular signal- regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway activity were assessed using Western blotting.

RESULTSExendin-4 inhibited cell proliferation and the expressions of collagen type I, fibronectin and TGFβ1 and reversed ERK phosphorylation in high glucose-induced HMC.

CONCLUSIONExendin-4 can regulate ECM metabolism in HMC cultured in high glucose by inhibiting TGFβ1/ERK pathway, suggesting the beneficial effects of exendin-4 in preventing and treating diabetic nephropathy.

Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Culture Media ; chemistry ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Glucose ; chemistry ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Signal Transduction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Venoms ; pharmacology

Abortion, Induced ; adverse effects ; Adult ; Device Removal ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Intrauterine Devices ; Pregnancy ; Uterine Artery ; Uterine Rupture ; etiology

BACKGROUNDDysfunctional spinal circuit may play a role in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The purpose of this study was to use F waves for assessment of segmental motoneuronal excitability following upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunctions in ALS.

METHODSWe studied the F waves of 152 ulnar nerves recorded from abductor digiti minimi in 82 patients with ALS. Two groups of hands were defined based on the presence or absence of pyramidal signs in the same upper limb. The group with pyramidal signs in the upper limbs was designated as the P group, and the group without pyramidal signs in the upper limbs was designated as the NP group.

RESULTSThe mean (P < 0.001), median (P < 0.001) and maximum (P = 0.035) F wave amplitudes, mean (P < 0.001), median (P < 0.001) and maximum (P = 0.003) F/M amplitude ratio, index repeating neuron (P < 0.001) and index repeater F waves (P < 0.001) of the P group were significantly increased compared with the NP group. No significant differences were identified for F wave chronodispersion (P = 0.628), mean F wave latency (P = 0.151), minimum F wave latency (P = 0.211), maximum F wave latency (P = 0.199), F wave persistence (P = 0.738), F wave duration (P = 0.152), F wave conduction velocity (P = 0.813) and number of giant F waves (P = 0.072) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSIn this study, increased F wave amplitude, F/M amplitude ratio and number of repeater F waves reflected enhanced segmental motoneuronal excitability following UMN dysfunctions in ALS.

Adult ; Aged ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Neuron Disease ; physiopathology ; Motor Neurons ; physiology ; Neural Conduction ; physiology ; Ulnar Nerve ; physiology

The changes of serum cyclophilin A (CyPA), its receptor CD147 and the downstream signaling pathway during the process of cardiac hypertrophy remain unknown. The present study aims to investigate the relationships between CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2 signaling pathway and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Left ventricular hypertrophy was prepared by 2-kidney, 2-clip in Sprague-Dawley rats and observed for 1 week, 4 and 8 weeks. Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by ratio of left ventricular heart weight to body weight (LVW/BW) and cardiomyocyte cross sectional area (CSA). CyPA levels in serum were determined with a rat CyPA ELISA kit. Expressions of CyPA, CD147, phospho-ERK1/2 and cyclin D2 in left ventricular myocytes were determined by Western blot and immunostaining. Compared with sham groups, systolic blood pressure reached hypertensive levels at 4 weeks in 2K2C groups. LVW/BW and CSA in 2K2C groups were significantly increased at 4 and 8 weeks after clipping. ELISA results indicated a prominent increase in serum CyPA level associated with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. Western blot revealed that the expressions of CyPA, CD147, phospho-ERK1/2 and cyclin D2 in left ventricular tissues were also remarkably increased as the cardiac hypertrophy developed. The results of the present study demonstrates that serum CyPA and CyPA-CD147-ERK1/2-cyclin D2 signaling pathway in ventricular tissues are time-dependently upregulated and activated with the process of left ventricular hypertrophy. These data suggest that CyPA-CD147 signaling cascade might play a role in the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy, and CyPA might be a prognosticator of the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Animals ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; Cyclin D2 ; Cyclophilin A ; metabolism ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Up-Regulation

Chinese traditional patent medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis(PBCRBS) originated from traditional Chinese medicine theory and had approved efficacy and safety standards. However, its compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism is not clear. To analyze the compatibility regularity and anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS, a statistical and bioinformatics analysis was carried out using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TICMISS, V2.0) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). The compatibility regularity analysis shows that the most commonly used herb combinations are Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.) and Honghua (Carthamustinctorius L.). The anti-thrombotic mechanism analysis reveals that 25 ingredients have an effect on 29 thrombosis related molecules which 23 molecules are related to inflammation response. Furthermore, there are 5 inflammation molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF, IL1β) served as major targets. At the same time, Danshen, Chuangxiong and Honghua mainly used as sovereign herb or minister herb in the application of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS probably has an effect on anti-thrombotic activity through inhibiting the inflammatory response. In summary, the most commonly used herb combinations of Chinese traditional patent medicine for PBCRBS are Danshen, Chuanxiong and Honghua. Inhibiting inflammatory response, especially inflammation related molecules (NOS2, PTGS2, IL6, TNF and IL1β), is probably a new starting point to clarify the anti-thrombotic mechanism of Chinese patent medicine for PBCRBS.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Carthamus tinctorius ; Computational Biology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVEThe inhalation anesthetic isoflurane has been shown to induce mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, which may lead to learning and memory impairment. Ginsenoside Rg1 is reported to be neuroprotective. We therefore set out to determine whether ginsenoside Rg1 can attenuate isoflurane-induced caspase activation via inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction.

METHODSWe investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 at concentrations of 12.5, 25, and 50 μmol/L and pretreatment times of 12 h and 24 h on isoflurane-induced caspase-3 activation in H4 naïve and stably transfected H4 human neuroglioma cells that express full-length human amyloid precursor protein (APP) (H4-APP cells). For mitochondrial dysfunction, we assessed mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels. We employed Western blot analysis, chemiluminescence, and flowcytometry.

RESULTSHere we show that pretreatment with 50 µmol/L ginsenoside Rg1 for 12 h attenuated isoflurane-induced caspase-3 activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in H4-APP cells, while pretreatment with 25 and 50 µmol/L ginsenoside Rg1 for 24 h attenuated isoflurane-induced caspase-3 activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in both H4 naïve and H4-APP cells.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 may ameliorate isoflurane-induced caspase-3 activation by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction. Pending further studies, these findings might recommend the use of ginsenoside Rg1 in preventing and treating isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Ionomycin ; pharmacology ; Isoflurane ; pharmacology ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism