Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Objective To characterize a species of the genus Tricula and parasitized trematodes in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province using a molecular analysis, so as to understand their taxonomic positions. Methods Tricula spp. and Oncomelania snails were collected from Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province, and cercaria parasitizing snails were observed using crushing followed by microscopy. Cercaria parasitizing Tricula snails at various morphologies were sampled using a shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from snail soft tissues and cercariae, and the 16S rRNA, COI, 28S rDNA genes in snails and the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes in cercariae were amplified using a PCR assay and sequenced. The species of Tricula snails and their parasitized trematodes was characterized using sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Results Among 382 Tricula snails detected, there were three types of trematode cercariae found, including the non-forked (20.94%, 80/382), double-forked (3.40%, 13/382) and swallow shapes (7.07%, 27/382). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the 16S rRNA, COI and 28S rDNA gene sequences of this species of Tricula had high homology to those in Delavaya dianchiensis, and were clustered in a branch. Sequencing analysis of the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes revealed that the non-forked cercariae belonged to the family Pleu- rogenidae, the swallow-shaped cercariae belonged to the family Opecoelidae, and the double-forked cercariae belonged to another species of the genus Schistosoma that was different from S. sinensium and S. ovuncatum. Conclusion The species and taxonomy of Triculla spp. and their parasitized trematodes are preliminarily determined in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province; however, further studies are required to investigate the more definite taxonomy and pathogenicity.

Objective: To observe the effect of an active fraction of Polyrhachis vicina (AFPV) on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its possible mechanism based on animal and cell models. Method: Totally 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, prednisone acetate group (5 mg·kg^-1), and high, medium and low-dose AFPV groups (400, 200, 100 mg·kg^-1). SLE model was replicated with bovine serum albumin-Freund's complete (incomplete) adjuvant. Arthus reaction was observed to study the effect of AFPV on the diameter of back skin redness in rats with SLE. The expressions of anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody, complements 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), immunoglobulin M (IgM), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-31 (IL-31) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CD4⁺T cells were isolated from the spleens of MRL/lpr and C57BL/6J mice at the age of 16 to 18 weeks by immunomagnetic beads method. The expressions of miR-200a and miR-155 and the levels of zinc-finger-enhancer binding protein 1(ZEB1) and suppressor of cytokine signaling1(SOCS1) in CD4⁺T cells were observed to explore the effect of AFPV on SLE and its possible mechanism. Result: Compared with the normal group, the diameter of back skin swelling in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high and medium-dose AFPV groups significantly reduce the skin redness on the back of SLE rats (P<0.05, P<0.01); Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of IgM, IL-6 and IL-33 were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of IgM, IL-6 and IL-33 were significantly decreased after the intervention of AFPV (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the expression of miR-200a was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and its target protein ZEB1 was significantly increased (P<0.01) in the CD4⁺T cells of MRL/lpr lupus mice. Compared with the model group, the expression of microRNA-200a increased significantly, the expression of microRNA-155 decreased significantly (P<0.01), the level of ZEB1 decreased significantly, and the expression of SOCS1 increased significantly after AFPV intervention(P<0.01). Conclusion: AFPV has therapeutic effect on rats with SLE, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-200a/ZEB1 and miR-155/SOCS1.

Objective To observe the effect of oridonin on the Th1/Th2 balance induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in a mice model of asthma.Methods Balbc female mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group, model group, and experimental-low, experimental-high groups, each group had 10 mice. The acute asthma model was induced by OVA. After the model was successfully established, the experimental group was injected with oridonin 20, 40 mg · kg-1, qd for 14 d. The normal group and the model group were given normal saline. The airway hyperresponsiveness of mice was detected by airway hyperresponsiveness instrument. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were detected by enzyme-linked adsorption assay. The percentage of Th1, Th2 cells in spleen were detected by flow cytometry. Results The airway hyperresponsiveness values when the concentration of methacholine was 100 μg·m L-1 in model, experimental-low, experimental-high groups were 2. 99 ± 0. 56, 2. 72 ± 0. 68 and 2. 58 ± 0. 43, respectively.The serum IgE levels (OD values) in the three groups were 1. 13 ± 0. 17, 0. 76 ± 0. 21 and 0. 59 ± 0. 19, respectively. The serum IL-4 levels in the three groups were (66. 3 ± 2. 1) , (56. 7 ± 2. 5) and (42. 7 ± 2. 5) pg·m L-1. The Th1/Th2 in spleen of the three groups were 0. 67 ± 0. 04, 0. 99 ± 0. 04 and 1. 47 ± 0. 06, respectively.Comparison between experimental-low, experimental-high groups with model group, the differences of the factors were significant (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01) . Conclusion Oridonin can reduce the level of serum IgE and regulate the differentiation of Th1/Th2, improvingthe inflammatory response of acute asthma model.

Objective:This study aims to characterize the bacterial profile presenting in peripheral blood of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients and investigate the potential role of circulating microorganisms in the development of systemic infection.Methods:A total of 30 patients with SAP were recruited in this study and divided into three groups:infected,sepsis and Septic shock (n =10 for each group).The peripheral blood was collected sterilely for extraction of DNA,which was subsequently amplified using the universe primers targeted the V6-V8 region of 16S ribosomal RNA genes.The amplicons were separated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE),and then the gels were stained and photographed.The bands were cut out and sequenced to determine the closest bacterial relatives.Results:As shown in DGGE profile,multiple DNA bands (3 to 8 bands) were detected in peripheral blood from all (100％) of SAP patients complicated with septic shock.The microorganisms most frequently presenting in the blood of these cases included Escherichia coli,Bacillus coagulans,Pseudomonas putida,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Klebsiella pneumonia,with an incidence of 40 ％ or higher.In patients with sepsis,bacterial DNA consisting of 2 to 4 bands was observed in 90％ of the blood samples.The most common bacterial species was Pseudomonas putida (60％),followed by Shigella flexneri (40％),Staphylococcus aureus (30％) and Enterococcusfaecium (20％).By contrast,the positive rate of blood bacterial DNA was relatively lower in infected patients (70 ％).Of them,single bacterial species was commonly found in the blood samples.Conclusions:Our data showed that the bacterial profiles presenting in peripheral blood are distinct among SAP patients with different manifestations.Polymicrobial translocation could contribute to the development of systemic infection,offering novel insights into the pathogenesis of sepsis in SAE The findings are helpful for the prevention and treatment for bacterial infection and complications of SAP.

Objective To investigate the effect of cysteine protease inhibitor derived from S chistosoma japonicum(SjCys-tatin)on dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced acute ulcerative colitis in mice.Methods Eighteen C57BL/6 mice were ran-domly divided into three groups:a control group treated with PBS(Group A),a DSS-induced-colitis group treated with PBS(Group B),and a DSS-induced-colitis group treated with SjCystatin(Group C).Colitis was induced in mice by giving 3％DSS orally for 7 days.During this period,the mice were daily injected with 10μg of SjCystatin or PBS only as a control intraperitone-ally.The mice were monitored daily for their clinical manifestations and given scores based on disease activity index(DAI).The severity of colonic inflammation was monitored by the macroscopic score and pathological change.The cytokine profile including TNF-α,IL-4,IL-6 and IL-10 in the supernatants of colon homogenate was detected by ELISA.Results Compared with Group A(0.50 ± 0.28),the DAI score increased significantly in Group B(9.30 ± 1.30)(F=86.86,P<0.01),with remarkable path-ological damages seen in colon tissues.and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were(321.33±67.01)and(403.58 ±180.51)pg/mL.The DAI score significantly reduced in Group C(6.67±1.57)as compared to Group B(F=86.86,P<0.01),with improve-ments in the macroscopic and microscopic pathology in mouse colon specimens.As compared to Group B,the levels of TNF-α [(188.14 ± 40.14)pg/mL] and IL-6 [(209.71 ± 48.47)pg/mL] significantly decreased(F=17.46 and 9.89,both P<0.01).Con-clusion SjCystatin has a significantly inhibitory effect for alleviating DSS-induced acute ulcerative colitis in C57BL/6 mice.