Metformin (MET), an antidiabetic agent, also has antioxidative effects in metabolic-related hypertension. This study was designed to determine whether MET has anti-hypertensive effects in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats by inhibiting oxidative stress in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Salt-sensitive rats received a high-salt (HS) diet to induce hypertension, or a normal-salt (NS) diet as control. At the same time, they received intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of MET or vehicle for 6 weeks. We found that HS rats had higher oxidative stress levels and mean arterial pressure (MAP) than NS rats. ICV infusion of MET attenuated MAP and reduced plasma norepinephrine levels in HS rats. It also decreased reactive oxygen species and the expression of subunits of NAD(P)H oxidase, improved the superoxide dismutase activity, reduced components of the renin-angiotensin system, and altered neurotransmitters in the PVN. Our findings suggest that central MET administration lowers MAP in salt-sensitive hypertension via attenuating oxidative stress, inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, and restoring the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the PVN.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Arterial Pressure ; drug effects ; Hypertension ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Infusions, Intraventricular ; Male ; Metformin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; drug effects ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; pharmacology

Adult ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; urine ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnancy ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; Urinalysis ; methods

Bamboo salt (BS) is a traditional Korean food, and has been reported to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-metastatic effects. However, the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) activity of BS has not been described yet. In the present study, we examined the preventive effect of BS on AD. The effect of oral administration of BS was tested in a 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD animal model, by histological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, caspase-1 assay, and Western blotting analysis. BS administration reduced the total clinical severity and scratching frequencies, compared with the AD group. In the serum of DNFB-induced AD mice, the levels of IgE, histamine, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-13 were significantly reduced by BS treatment. BS significantly reduced the protein and mRNA expression of TSLP, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the AD skin lesions. BS markedly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, the activation of caspase-1 was reduced by BS in the AD skin lesions. Our results suggested that BS should be considered as a candidate treatment for allergic inflammatory diseases including AD.
Animals ; Caspase 1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Dinitrofluorobenzene ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Histamine ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Interleukin-13 ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-5 ; genetics ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; administration & dosage

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) pretreatment on cognitive decline and neuronal damage in an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into three groups: normal saline (NS), AD, and HBO+AD. In the AD group, amyloid β peptide (Aβ)₁₋₄₀ was injected into the hippocampal CA1 region of the brain. NS rats received NS injection. In the HBO+AD group, rats received 5 days of daily HBO therapy following Aβ₁₋₄₀ injection. Learning and memory capabilities were examined using the Morris water maze task. Neuronal damage and astrocyte activation were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Dendritic spine density was determined by Golgi-Cox staining. Tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-10 production was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neuron apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. Protein expression was examined by western blotting. RESULTS: Learning and memory dysfunction was ameliorated in the HBO+AD group, as shown by significantly lower swimming distances and escape latency, compared to the AD group. Lower rates of neuronal damage, astrocyte activation, dendritic spine loss, and hippocampal neuron apoptosis were seen in the HBO+AD than in the AD group. A lower rate of hippocampal p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was observed in the HBO+AD than in the AD group. CONCLUSION: HBO pretreatment improves cognition and reduces hippocampal damage via p38 MAPK in AD rats.
Alzheimer Disease/*therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/*administration & dosage ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; *Cognition/drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Hippocampus/*enzymology ; *Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Interleukin-10/biosynthesis ; Interleukin-1beta/biosynthesis ; Learning/drug effects ; Male ; Memory/drug effects ; Neurons ; Peptide Fragments/*administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Chloride/administration & dosage ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/*metabolism

Objective To preliminarily investigate and optimize the saline flush effects to the image quality (IQ)and effective scan rate of high-pitch CT coronary angiography (CCTA)using ultra-low contrast media (CM)protocols on third-generation dual-source CT (DCST). Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD)were recruited and underwent prospective high-pitch CCTA on third-generation DSCT with automatic tube voltage selection (70-80 kV)based ultra-low CM protocols:18 ml(3.0 ml/s) for 70 kV and 21 ml (3.0 ml/s) for 80 kV. All the patients were randomly divided in to two groups:Group A(n=31)with the saline flush of 3.0 ml/s(40 ml) and Group B (n=37)with the saline flush of 4.0 ml/s(40 ml). The baseline data,risk factors,quantitative image quality (IQ),qualitative IQ results,and effective dose (ED)were evaluated and compared. Results There was no significant difference in ED between two groups [(0.36±0.12)mSv vs. (0.37±0.13)mSv;t=-0.40,P=0.70]. The average ED in all patients was (0.43±0.28)mSv. However,the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) of right coronary artery distal segment in Group A was significantly higher than that in Group B(76.04±62.46 vs. 43.96±26.94;t=2.67,P=0.01) and the CNR of left circumflex artery proximal segment in Group A was significantly higher than that in Group B(69.60±43.13 vs. 44.08±24.08;t=2.96,P=0.01). No other significant difference was found in terms of baseline characteristics,and objective image quality (all P>0.05). Subjective IQ showed no significant difference between these two groups (χ=2.53,P=0.47). Conclusion Under high-pitch CCTA using ultra-low CM protocols [18-21 ml (3.0 ml/s)]on third-generation DCST,the saline flush at a flow rate of 3.0 ml/s can achieve satisfactory IQ and effective scan rate.
Computed Tomography Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Sodium Chloride ; administration & dosage

PURPOSE: Appropriate animal models of atherosclerotic plaque are crucial to investigating the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, as well as for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of vascular devices. We aimed to develop a novel animal model that would be suitable for the study of advanced atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Atherosclerotic plaque was induced in 24 iliac arteries from 12 rabbits by combining a high cholesterol diet, endothelial denudation, and injection into the vessel wall with either saline (n=5), olive oil (n=6), or inflammatory proteins [n=13, high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) n=8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α n=5] using a Cricket™ Micro-infusion catheter. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed to detect plaque characteristics after 4 weeks, and all tissues were harvested for histological evaluation. RESULTS: Advanced plaque was more frequently observed in the group injected with inflammatory proteins. Macrophage infiltration was present to a higher degree in the HMGB1 and TNF-α groups, compared to the oil or saline group (82.1±5.1% and 94.6±2.2% compared to 49.6±14.0% and 46.5±9.6%, p-value<0.001), using RAM11 antibody staining. On OCT, lipid rich plaques were more frequently detected in the inflammatory protein group [saline group: 2/5 (40%), oil group: 3/5 (50%), HMGB1 group: 6/8 (75%), and TNF-α group: 5/5 (100%)]. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that this rabbit model of atherosclerotic lesion formation via direct injection of pro-inflammatory proteins into the vessel wall is useful for in vivo studies investigating atherosclerosis.
Animals ; Cholesterol, Dietary/administration & dosage ; *Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelium/surgery ; HMGB1 Protein/*adverse effects ; Iliac Artery/diagnostic imaging/pathology/surgery ; Injections, Intra-Arterial ; Macrophages ; Male ; Olive Oil/adverse effects ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/*chemically induced/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Rabbits ; Sodium Chloride/adverse effects ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*adverse effects

This study was aimed to evaluate the agreement between the self-reported sodium intake level and 24-h urine sodium excretion level in Chinese. The 24-h urine collection was conducted among 2112 adults aged 18-69 years randomly selected in Shandong Province, China. The subjects were asked whether their sodium intake was low, moderate, or high. The weighted kappa statistics was calculated to assess the agreement between 24-h urine sodium excretion level and self-reported sodium intake level. One third of the subjects reported low sodium intake level. About 70% of the subjects had mean 24-h sodium excretion>9 g/d, but reported low or moderate sodium intake. The agreement between self-reported sodium intake level and 24-h urine sodium excretion level was low in both normotensive subjects and hypertensive subjects. These findings suggested that many subjects who reported low sodium intake had actual urine sodium excretion>9 g/d. Sodium intake is often underestimated in both hypertensive and normotensive participants in China.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Awareness ; China ; epidemiology ; Diet Records ; Diet Surveys ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Rural Population ; Sodium ; urine ; Sodium Chloride ; adverse effects ; Sodium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of nasal endoscope negative pressure cleaning and sinupret drops to treat radiation nasosinusitis (RNS). METHOD: One hundred and fifty-three patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were randomly divided into treatment group A, B, C . Group A using nasal endoscope negative pressure cleaning and sinupret drops, group B using nasal endoscope negative pressure cleaning and normal saline spray washing, group C using saline nasal irrigation through nasal catheter. All patients with sinusitis condition were evaluated at the end of radiotherapy, three months and six months after radiotherapy. RESULT: Comparison between groups, three periods of RNS incidence, moderate to severe RNS incidence are A < B < C. Six months after radiotherapy, group A compared with group C, there are significant difference (P < 0.01), group A and group C compared with group B respectively, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Nasal endoscope negative pressure cleaning and sinupret drops can significantly reduce the long-term incidence of RNS, especially obviously reduce the incidence of moderate to severe RNS,which is a practical and effective method to treat RNS.
Carcinoma ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Lavage ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Sinusitis ; therapy ; Sodium Chloride

Metabolic acidosis is a cause of renal disease progression, and alkali therapy ameliorates its progression. However, there are few reports on the role of renal acid-base transporters during alkali therapy. We evaluated the effect of sodium bicarbonate therapy and the role of acid-base transporters on renal disease progression in rats with a remnant kidney. Sprague-Dawley rats consumed dietary sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or sodium chloride (NaCl) with 20% casein after a 5/6 nephrectomy. After being provided with a casein diet, the NaHCO3-treated group had higher levels of serum bicarbonate than the control group. At week 4, the glomerular filtration rate in the NaHCO3 group was higher than that in the NaCl group, and the difference became prominent at week 10. The glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage indices in the NaHCO3 group were less severe compared with controls at week 4 and 10. The expression of the Na/H exchanger (NHE) was decreased, and apical reactivity was decreased in the NaHCO3 group, compared with the NaCl group. Endothelin-1 levels in the kidney were also decreased in the NaHCO3 group. Dietary sodium bicarbonate has the effects of ameliorating renal disease progression, which may be related to the altered expression of NHE in the remaining kidney.
Acidosis/*drug therapy ; Alkalies/*therapeutic use ; Animals ; Caseins/administration & dosage ; Disease Progression ; Glomerular Filtration Rate/drug effects ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental/drug therapy ; Kidney/injuries ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Nephritis, Interstitial/drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Insufficiency/*drug therapy ; Sodium Bicarbonate/*therapeutic use ; Sodium Chloride/administration & dosage ; Sodium-Hydrogen Antiporter/*antagonists & inhibitors

In traditional Chinese medicine, Nitraria sibirica Pall. (Nitrariaceae) is used to treat hypertension. This study determined the effects of the total alkaloids of the leaves of Nitraria sibirica (NSTA) on blood pressure and albuminuria in mice treated with angiotensin II and a high-salt diet (ANG/HS). Adult mice were divided into three groups: control; infused with angiotensin II and fed a diet containing 4% NaCl (ANG/HS; and ANG/HS plus injection of NSTA (1 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), i.p.). After treatment of these regimens, daily water and food intake, kidney weight, blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion, renal concentrations of inflammatory markers, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and the expression of renal fibrosis markers were determined. Compared to the control group, the ANG/HS group had higher blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion. Treatment with NSTA in ANG/HS mice for three weeks significantly reduced blood pressure and urinary albumin excretion. ANG/HS treatment caused elevated levels of sICAM-1 and MCP-1, as well as increased fibrosis markers. Concurrent treatment with ANG/HS and NSTA attenuated the levels and expression of renal inflammatory and fibrosis markers. Treatment with NSTA effectively reduces hypertension-induced albuminuria through the reduction of renal inflammatory and fibrosis markers.
Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; adverse effects ; metabolism