OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of wheat-grain moxibustion at "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in bone marrow cell in mice with bone marrow inhibition, and to explore the possible mechanism of wheat-grain moxibustion in treating bone marrow inhibition. METHODS: Forty-five SPF male CD1(ICR) mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and a wheat-grain moxibustion group, 15 mice in each group. The bone marrow inhibition model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 80 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CTX). The mice in the wheat-grain moxibustion group were treated with wheat-grain moxibustion at "Dazhui" (GV 14), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), 3 moxa cones per acupoint, 30 s per moxa cone, once a day, for 7 consecutive days. The white blood cell count (WBC) was measured before modeling, before intervention and 3, 5 d and 7 d into intervention. After intervention, the general situation of mice was observed; the number of nucleated cells in bone marrow was detected; the serum levels of interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were measured by ELISA; the protein and mRNA expression of β-catenin, cyclinD1 and C-Myc in bone marrow cells was measured by Western blot and real-time PCR method. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the mice in the model group showed sluggish reaction, unstable gait, decreased body weight, and the WBC, number of nucleated cells in bone marrow as well as serum levels of IL-3, IL-6, GM-CSF were decreased (P<0.01), and the protein and mRNA expression of β-catenin, cyclinD1 and C-Myc was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mice in the wheat-grain moxibustion group showed better general condition, and WBC, the number of nucleated cells in bone marrow as well as serum levels of IL-3, IL-6, GM-CSF were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression of β-catenin, cyclinD1 and C-Myc was increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Wheat-grain moxibustion shows therapeutic effect on bone marrow inhibition, and its mechanism may be related to activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in bone marrow cells, improving bone medullary hematopoiesis microenvironment and promoting bone marrow cell proliferation.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Bone Marrow/physiopathology* ; Bone Marrow Cells/physiology* ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism* ; Interleukin-3/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Moxibustion/methods* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Triticum ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; Hematopoiesis

The shivering and nonshivering thermogenesis in skeletal muscles is important for maintaining body temperature in a cold environment. In addition to nervous-humoral regulation, adipose tissue was demonstrated to directly respond to cold in a cell-autonomous manner to produce heat. However, whether skeletal muscle can directly respond to low temperature in an autoregulatory manner is unknown. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels TRPM8 and TRPA1 are two important cold sensors. In the current study, we found TRPM8 was expressed in mouse skeletal muscle tissue and C2C12 myotubes by RT-PCR. After exposure to 33 °C for 6 h, the gene expression pattern of C2C12 myotubes was significantly changed which was evidenced by RNA-sequencing. KEGG-Pathway enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes showed that low temperature changed several important signaling pathways, such as IL-17, TNFα, MAPK, FoxO, Hedgehog, Hippo, Toll-like receptor, Notch, and Wnt signaling pathways. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed that IL-6 gene was a key gene which was directly affected by low temperature in skeletal muscle cells. In addition, both mRNA and protein levels of IL-6 were increased by 33 °C exposure in C2C12 myotubes. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that skeletal muscle cells could directly respond to low temperature, characterized by upregulated expression of IL-6 in skeletal muscle cells.
Animals ; Cold Temperature ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Mice ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology* ; Temperature

Hypertrophic scar is a pathological repair result of excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix after skin damage, which affects the appearance and function of patients with varying degrees. The degree of scar formation is directly related to the strength of inflammatory reaction during wound healing, and excessive or prolonged inflammatory response increases the incidence of hypertrophic scars. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is involved in regulating the fibrotic network composed of fibroblasts, macrophages, keratinocytes, and vascular endothelial cells, and is closely related to the formation of hypertrophic scars. This article reviews the role of IL-6 and its signaling pathway in hypertrophic scar formation.
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic/pathology* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; Skin/pathology* ; Wound Healing/physiology*

AIMS: To investigate the association of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-6 gene with osteoporosis (OST) susceptibility. METHODS: PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was carried out for SNPs detection. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model and logistic regression model were used to examine the interaction between SNP and obesity on OST. RESULTS: Logistic regression model revealed that G allele of rs1800796 and the T allele of rs2069849 were associated with increased OST risk, compared to those with wild genotype. However, no significant correlations were found when analyzing the association of rs1800795 and rs1554606 with OST risk. GMDR analysis suggested that the interaction model composed of the rs1800796 and obesity was the best model with statistical significance (P value from sign test [P] = 0.012), indicating a potential gene-environment interaction between rs1800796 and obesity. Overall, the two-locus models had a cross-validation consistency of 10/10 and had the testing accuracy of 0.641. We also conducted stratified analysis for rs1800796 genotype and obesity, and found that obese subjects with CG or GG genotype have the highest OST risk, compared to subjects with CC genotype, and normal BMI OR (95% CI) = 2.21 (1.52-3.49), after adjustment for age, smoke, and alcohol consumption status. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested that the C allele of rs1800796 and the C allele of rs2069849 of IL-6 gene interaction between rs1800796 and abdominal obesity were all associated with increased OST risk.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Osteoporosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Postmenopause ; genetics ; physiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnostic value of P2X7 receptor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its role in the inflammatory response. METHODS: With the synovial tissues from 25 patients with bone and joint replacement as the control,the synovial tissues of 25 RA patients were examined for the relative expression of P2X7 receptor mRNA using qRT-PCR.In an immortalized RA synovial cell line (MH7A),the effect of P2X7 receptor knockdown via a small interfering RNA were examined on the productions of the inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,and IL-8 using ELISA. RESULTS: The RA patients showed significantly higher levels of P2X7 receptor mRNA expression in the synovial tissue than the control patients.P2X7 receptor had a good diagnostic value for RA.The expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and IL-8 were positively correlated with the levels of P2X7 receptor in the synovial tissues of RA patients (<0.001).In MH7A cells,P2X7 receptor knockdown obviously reduced the secretion of IL-1β and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS RA patients show elevated P2X7 receptor level in the synovial tissue, which has a good diagnostic value for RA.Blocking P2X7 receptor can inhibit inflammatory factor secretion and suppress inflammatory reactions.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Line ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 ; physiology ; Synovial Membrane ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of simulated 100 m Trimix conventional diving on tissue inflammatory cytokines in rabbits. METHODS: Eight New Zealand rabbits were performed a simulated 100 m Trimix conventional diving program which was established according to the Haldane theory. The expression levels of interferon-gamma(IFN-), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), myeloperoxidase(MPO) and matrix metallo proteinase-9 (MMP-9) in rabbits lung and brain tissues were detected by Elisa after diving decompression. The tissue wet/dry ratio was calculated. The serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione(GSH), catalase(CAT), malondiadehyde(MDA) and lipid peroxide(LPO) were detected by Elisa method in rabbits before and after diving. RESULTS: The expressions of IFN-, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MPO and MMP-9 in simulated diving group rabbits were significantly increased compared with the intact group(<0.05, <0.01); the simulated diving rabbits tissues wet/dry ratio had no significant changes compared with the intact group. After diving, the activities of SOD and GSH were decreased significantly (<0.01), while the contents of CAT, MDA and LPO were increased significantly (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The simulated 100 m Trimix conventional diving had significant impact on oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in rabbits, the results of wet/dry ratio showed that the diving rabbits had no tissue edema after decompression.
Animals ; Catalase ; Diving ; physiology ; Glutathione ; Helium ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Malondialdehyde ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Nitrogen ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen ; Peroxidase ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUNDAlthough obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications and its clinical features are well characterized, it is difficult to replicate the OSA hypoxic model in humans. We aimed to establish an experimental rabbit model for chronic OSA and to explore its application to measure blood pressure (BP), myocardial systolic function, and oxidative stress.

METHODSThe rabbit model for OSA was established by repeatedly closing the airway and then reopening it. A tube specially designed with a bag that could be alternately inflated and deflated according to a predetermined time schedule, resulting in recurrent airway occlusions and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) imitating OSA patterns in humans, was used. Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into obstruction, sham, and control groups, and their upper airways were alternately closed for 15 s and then reopened for 105 s in a 120-s-long cycle, for 8 h each day over 12 consecutive weeks. Before and after the experiment, the BP of each rabbit was monitored. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, as well as Na+-K+-ATPase/Ca2+-ATPase activities in cardiac muscle were examined. In addition, cardiac functional parameters were measured using echocardiography.

RESULTSAfter 3 months, all rabbits in the obstruction group manifested sleepiness performance similar to that observed in OSA patients. Traces of airflow and SpO2showed that this model mimicked the respiratory events involved in OSA, including increased respiratory effort and decreased oxygen saturation. Gradually, the BP rose each month. CIH led to obvious oxidative stress and injured myocardial systolic performance. The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α increased significantly (64.75 ± 9.05 pg/ml vs. 147.00 ± 19.24 pg/ml and 59.38 ± 8.21 pg/ml vs. 264.75 ± 25.54 pg/ml, respectively, both P < 0.001). Compared with the sham and the control groups, myocardial activities of Na+-K+-ATPase/Ca2+-ATPase and SOD in the obstruction group decreased markedly, while ROS and MDA content increased.

CONCLUSIONSThese results show that the rabbit model for OSA simulates the pathophysiological characteristics of OSA in humans, which implies that this animal model is feasible and useful to study the mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular consequences of OSA.

Airway Obstruction ; blood ; pathology ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Hypoxia ; blood ; pathology ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; blood ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

BACKGROUNDVulvovaginal candidiasis is caused by Candida albicans. The vaginal epithelium, as the first site of the initial stage of infection by pathogens, plays an important role in resisting genital tract infections. Moreover, lactobacilli are predominant members of the vaginal microbiota that help to maintain a normal vaginal microenvironment. Therefore, Lactobacillus crispatus was explored for its capacity to intervene in the immune response of vaginal epithelial cells VK2/E6E7 to C. albicans.

METHODSWe examined the interleukin-2 (IL-2), 4, 6, 8, and 17 produced by VK2/E6E7 cells infected with C. albicans and treated with L. crispatus in vitro. The capacity of L. crispatus to adhere to VK2/E6E7 and inhibit C. albicans growth was also tested by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and adhesion experiments.

RESULTSCompared with group VK2/E6E7 with C. albicans, when treated with L. crispatus, the adhesion of C. albicans to VK2/E6E7 cells decreased significantly by 52.87 ± 1.22%, 47.03 ± 1.35%, and 42.20 ± 1.55% under competition, exclusion, and displacement conditions, respectively. SEM revealed that the invasion of C. albicans into VK2/E6E7 cells was caused by induced endocytosis and active penetration. L. crispatus could effectively protect the cells from the virulence of hyphae and spores of C. albicans and enhance the local immune function of the VK2/E6E7 cells. The concentrations of IL-2, 6, and 17 were upregulated significantly (P < 0.01) and that of IL-8 were downregulated significantly (P < 0.01) in infected VK2/E6E7 cells treated with L. crispatus. The concentration of IL-4 was similar to that of the group VK2/E6E7 with C. albicans (24.10 ± 0.97 vs. 23.12 ± 0.76 pg/ml, P = 0.221).

CONCLUSIONSL. crispatus can attenuate the virulence of C. albicans, modulate the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, and enhance the immune response of VK2/E6E7 cells in vitro. The vaginal mucosa has a potential function in the local immune responses against pathogens that can be promoted by L. crispatus.

Candida albicans ; pathogenicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Epithelial Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Lactobacillus crispatus ; physiology ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Vagina ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore the formation of pre-metastatic niche in the mouse lung and to study the underlying molecular mechanisms whereby primary breast carcinoma-derived factors mediate recruitment of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) and affect the formation of pre-metastatic lung environment before the arrival of tumor cells.

METHODSMammary carcinoma 4T1 cells were inoculated into the mammary gland to construct mouse model of breast cancer. Confocal microscopy was used to detect the recruitment of BMDCs in the pre-metastatic lungs. The expression of factors in the mouse sera and 4T1 cell culture media was assayed using RayBio Custom mouse cytokine antibody array kit. The mice were injected daily with recombinant VEGF for 7 consecutive days to observe the effect of VEGF on BMDCs recruitment in the mouse lung.

RESULTSNo BMDCs were observed in the lungs of control and 4T1-tumor-bearing mice on day 0. On day 7 and 14, clusters of BMDCs observed in the lungs of 4T1-tumor-bearing mice were 8.7±2.2/objective field and 48.8±3.2/objective field, respectively, significantly higher than those in the control mice (1.1±0.8/objective field and 3.1±1.7/objective field) (P<0.05 for both). Confocal microscopic observation found that metastatic breast cancer cells preferentially facilitate BMDCs recruitment sites in the pre-metastatic mouse lungs. The levels of VEGF, GM-CSF, and IL-6 in the serum of 4T1-tumor-bearing mice were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (P<0.05 for all). However, VEGF was detected only in the culture media of 4T1 cells. The amount of BMDCs in the mouse lung tissue was (22.8±3.6)/objective field in the VEGF group and (3.1±0.4)/objective field in the control group (P<0.05). There were 36.8±5.4 metastatic foci in the lung tissue of VEGF group and 12.6±2.2 in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study demonstrate that primary breast cancer cells can alter the lung microenvironment during the pre-metastatic phase and induce the formation of pre-metastatic niche. Primary tumor cell-derived VEGF may be a crucial factor responsible for the formation of pre-metastatic niche.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Mice ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Time Factors ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; administration & dosage ; physiology ; secretion

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of limb remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury and the underlying mechanisms.
 METHODS: Rats were subjected to partial hepatic IR (60 min ischemia followed by 24 hours reperfusion) with or without RIPC, which was achieved by 3 cycles of 10 min-occlusion and 10 min-
reperfusion at the bilateral femoral arteries interval 30 min before ischemia. Some rats were treated with a new PPAR-γ inhibitor, T0070907, before RIPC.
 RESULTS: At the end of reperfusion, liver injury was significantly increased (increases in Suzike's injury score, AST and ALT release), concomitant with elevated oxidative stress (increases in MDA formation, MPO activity, as well as the decrease in SOD activity) and inflammation (increases in TNF-α and IL-6 levels, decrease in IL-10 content). RIPC improved liver function and reduced histologic damage, accompanied by the increased PPAR-γ activation and autophagosome formation as well as the reduced autophagosome clearance. The beneficial effects of RIPC were markedly attenuated by T0070907, an inhibitor of PPAR-γ.
 CONCLUSION RIPC exerts the protective effects on liver by activation of autophagy via PPAR-γ.
Animals ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Extremities ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Liver ; injuries ; Liver Diseases ; prevention & control ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; PPAR gamma ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism