To investigate the intervention effect and mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction on diabetic nephropathy(DN) mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome based on the Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)/IκB kinase(IKK)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) pathway. Ninety-five 7-week-old db/db male mice and 25 7-week-old db/m male mice were fed adaptively for one week. The DN model of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome was induced by Dahuang Decoction combined with hydrocortisone by gavage, and then the model was evaluated. After modeling, they were randomly divided into a model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups(33.8, 16.9, and 8.45 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and an irbesartan group(25 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with at least 15 animals in each group. The intervention lasted for eight weeks. After the intervention, body weight and food intake were measured. Serum crea-tinine(Scr), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), fasting blood glucose(FBG), urinary albumin(uALb), and urine creatinine(Ucr) were determined. The uALb/Ucr ratio(ACR) and 24 h urinary protein(UTP) were calculated. Renal pathological morphology was evaluated by HE staining and Masson staining. The levels of key molecular proteins in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway were detected by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Compared with the blank group, the model group showed increased content of BUN, uALb, and SCr, increased values of 24 h UTP and ACR, decreased content of Ucr(P<0.05), enlarged glomeruli, thickened basement membrane, mesangial matrix proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition. The protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, phosphorylated IKK(p-IKK), phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB), and phosphorylated inhibitor of NF-κB(p-IκB) increased(P<0.05), while the protein expression of inhibitor of NF-κB(IκB) decreased(P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α increased(P<0.05), while the level of IL-10 decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the groups with drug treatment showed decreased levels of BUN, uALb, SCr, 24 h UTP, and ACR, increased level of Ucr(P<0.05), and improved renal pathological status to varying degrees. The high-and medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction groups and the irbesartan group showed reduced protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2, IKK, NF-κB, p-IKK, p-NF-κB, and p-IκB in the kidneys(P<0.05), increased protein expression of IκB(P<0.05), decreased levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α(P<0.05), and increased level of IL-10(P<0.05). Zhenwu Decoction can significantly improve renal function and renal pathological damage in DN mice of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome, and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of inflammatory response by down-regulating the expression of key molecules in the ROCK/IKK/NF-κB pathway in the kidney.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukin-10 ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; I-kappa B Kinase ; Spleen ; Irbesartan ; Uridine Triphosphate ; Yang Deficiency/drug therapy* ; Kidney/pathology*

This study investigated the effect of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW) on renal injury in diabetic kidney disease(DKD) rats through Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1(caspase-1)/gsdermin D(GSDMD) pyroptosis pathway and the mechanism. To be specific, a total of 40 male SD rats were randomized into the normal group(n=8) and modeling group(n=34). In the modeling group, a high-sugar and high-fat diet and one-time intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ) were used to induce DKD in rats. After successful modeling, they were randomly classified into model group, valsartan(Diovan) group, and GTW group. Normal group and model group were given normal saline, and the valsartan group and GTW group received(ig) valsartan and GTW, respectively, for 6 weeks. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine(Scr), alanine ami-notransferase(ALT), albumin(ALB), and 24 hours urinary total protein(24 h-UTP) were determined by biochemical tests. The pathological changes of renal tissue were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-18(IL-18) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related proteins in renal tissue, and RT-PCR to determine the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related genes in renal tissue. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed high levels of BUN, Scr, ALT, and 24 h-UTP and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01), low level of ALB(P<0.01), severe pathological damage to kidney, and high protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD in renal tissue(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, valsartan group and GTW group had low levels of BUN, Scr, ALT, and 24 h-UTP and serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P<0.01), high level of ALB(P<0.01), alleviation of the pathological damage to the kidney, and low protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD in renal tissue(P<0.01 or P<0.05). GTW may inhibit pyroptosis by decreasing the expression of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD in renal tissue, thereby relieving the inflammatory response of DKD rats and the pathological injury of kidney.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-18/metabolism* ; Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Tripterygium ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Pyroptosis ; Uridine Triphosphate/pharmacology* ; Kidney ; Valsartan/pharmacology* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVETo test the different contrctile responses of extracellular nucleotides, such as ATP, UTP and nucleotide uridine adenosine tetraphosphate (Up4A) in gastric longitudinal muscle (LM) and circular muscle (CM). Examined the effect of P2X and P2Y receptor antagonists (in this study, we used IP5I and suramin) and cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) on Up4A induced contractile responses in LM and CM.

METHODSThe rats were sacrificed and the stomachs were opened to gain LM and CM. Using organ bath system to assess contrctile responses of smooth muscle.

RESULTSUp4A could induce contractile responses in both CM and LM, which were similar with ATP and UTP. IP5 did not attenuate Up4A could induce contractions in both LM and CM, but suramin and indomethacin significantly inhibited Up4A contraction in CM, but not in LM.

CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that extracellular nucleosides and their inhibitors induce different responses between LM and CM.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Dinucleoside Phosphates ; pharmacology ; Indomethacin ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Smooth ; physiology ; Nucleotides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Suramin ; Uridine Triphosphate ; pharmacology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nucleotide binding to purinergic P2Y receptors contributes to the regulation of fluid and ion transport in the middle ear epithelial cells. Here, we investigated the regulatory mechanism of the P2Y2 receptor agonist, uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP), on Cl- transport in cultured normal human middle ear epithelial (NHMEE) cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Electrophysiological measurements were performed in monolayers of cultured NHMEE cells. Short circuit currents (Isc) were measured from the cells mounted in Ussing chambers under various conditions. RESULTS: Apical addition of UTP in presence of amiloride evoked a transient rise and a sustained response in Isc due to Cl- efflux. Application of different Cl- channel blockers to the apical side of the cells significantly decreased UTP-induced Isc. Niflumic acid (NFA), a known blocker of Ca(2+)-activated chloride channels (CACC), and CFTRinh172, a selective inhibitor of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), partially inhibited the UTP-induced Cl- secretion, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cl- transport across the airway epithelia plays a predominant role in regulating airway hydration. In this study, UTP is shown to increase both CACC and CFTR-dependent Cl- secretion in NHMEE cells, suggesting their role in fluid and ion transport in the middle ear epithelium.
Amiloride ; Chloride Channels ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; Ear, Middle ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Ion Channels ; Ion Transport ; Niflumic Acid ; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y ; Uridine Triphosphate

OBJECTIVETo study the expression pattern of cd99l2 gene during zebrafish development, the RNA probes for whole-mount in situ hybridization were prepared in this study.

METHODSThe cd99l2 fragment obtained by RT-PCR was cloned into pGM-T Easy, then the plasmids were linearized with the restriction enzymes SacII or SalI. Using Sp6 or T(7) RNA polymerase, the digoxingenin-labeled antisense and sense probes were synthesized and confirmed by whole-mount in situ hybridization.

RESULTSThe plasmid cd99l2/pGM-T was constructed. cd99l2 gene expression pattern during embryogenesis of zebrafish was examined using the antisense probe, and intense expression was detected in the central nervous system during zebrafish development.

CONCLUSIONThe antisense probe can be used for study of the spatial and temporal distribution of cd99l2 during zebrafish development using the sense probe as control.

Animals ; Central Nervous System ; embryology ; Cloning, Molecular ; Digoxigenin ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; RNA Probes ; Uridine Triphosphate ; chemistry ; Zebrafish ; embryology ; genetics ; Zebrafish Proteins ; genetics

This study is to observe the difference in pharmacological characteristics between circular smooth muscles of rat isolated gastric body and gastric fundus, and to investigate the effects of nucleoside and nucleotide on circular smooth muscle of the rat gastric body and the involved receptors. Circular muscle strips of the rat gastric body and gastric fundus were prepared, and contractile responses to agonists were investigated with a technique of drug-receptor interaction in functional system. There was no significant difference between the circular muscle strips of the gastric body and gastric fundus in the responses to KCl, and no difference in EC50 values of contractile responses for 5-HT and His between the two kinds of preparations (P > 0.05). However, Emax values of contractile responses to 5-HT and His [(0.81 +/- 0.26) and (0.88 +/- 0.27) g] in gastric body were significantly smaller than those in gastric fundus [(2.67 +/- 0.61) and (1.90 +/- 0.68) g, P < 0.01], and EC50 value of CCh produced contractile response [(0.45 +/- 0.15) micromol x L(-1)] in gastric body was significantly higher than that in gastric fundus [(0.20 +/- 0.09) micromol x L(-1), P < 0.01]. In precontracted circular muscle strips of the gastric body, ATP (0.1-3000 micromol x L(-1)) produced only a contractile response concentration-dependently, but the same concentration of ATP induced a biphasic response (relaxation followed by a contraction) in precontracted circular muscle strips of the gastric fundus. ATP, UTP, ADP, 2-MeSATP and alpha,beta-MeATP produced contractile responses concentration-dependently in circular muscle strips of the rat gastric body. The EC50 value for 2-MeSATP [(7.2 +/- 5.2) nmol x L(-1)] was about 500 times lower than that for Ach [(3.47 +/- 1.20) micromol x L(-1)]. The rank order of potency for the contraction was 2-MeSATP>ADP>ATP=UTP>alpha,beta-MeATP>adenosine. The contractile responses to ATP and UTP were not significantly affected by phentolamine, propranolol, atropine or tetrodotoxin. In conclusion, there is a significant difference in pharmacological characteristics between the circular smooth muscles of the rat gastric body and gastric fundus and nucleotides might be important mediators responsible for the contraction via a specific P2Y receptor in circular smooth muscle of the rat gastric body.
Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Adenosine Diphosphate ; pharmacology ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Gastric Fundus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; physiology ; Purinergic P2 Receptor Agonists ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Purinergic P2 ; drug effects ; Stomach ; drug effects ; physiology ; Thionucleotides ; pharmacology ; Uridine Triphosphate ; pharmacology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3))-generating agonist UTP on spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs), and explore the role of intracellular Ca(2+) release in the current response mediated by IP(3) in porcine coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs). The coronary artery was excised from the fresh porcine heart and cut into small segments (2 mm × 5 mm) and then transferred to enzymatic dissociation solution for incubation. Single CASMCs were obtained by two-step enzyme digestion at 37 °C. STOCs were recorded and characterized using the perforated whole-cell patch-clamp configuration in freshly isolated porcine CASMCs. The currents were amplified and filtered by patch-clamp amplifier (Axopatch 200B), and then the digitized data were recorded by pClamp 9.0 software and further analyzed by MiniAnalysis 6.0 program. The results were as follows: (1) UTP led to conspicuous increases in STOC amplitude by (57.54±5.34)% and in frequency by (77.46±8.42)% (P<0.01, n=38). (2) The specific blocker of phospholipase C (PLC) - U73122 (5 μmol/L) remarkably reduced STOC amplitude by (31.04±7.46)% and frequency by (41.65±16.59)%, respectively (P<0.05, n=10). In the presence of U73122, UTP failed to reactivate STOCs (n=7). (3) Verapamil (20 μmol/L) and CdCl2 (200 μmol/L), two blockers of L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels, had little effects on STOCs initiated by UTP (n=8). (4) 1 μmol/L bisindolylmaleimide I (BisI), a potent blocker of protein kinase C (PKC), significantly increased STOC amplitude by (65.44±24.66)% and frequency by (61.35±21.47)% (P<0.01, n=12); UTP (40 μmol/L), applied in the presence of 1 μmol/L BisI, could further increase STOC activity (P<0.05, P<0.01, n=12). Subsequent application of ryanodine (50 μmol/L) abolished STOC activity. (5) In the presence of UTP (40 μmol/L), inhibition of IP(3) receptors (IP(3)Rs) by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB, 40 μmol/L) reduced STOC amplitude by (24.08±3.97)% (P<0.05, n=8), but had little effect on STOC frequency (n=8). While application of 2-APB (80 μmol/L) significantly reduced STOC amplitude by (31.43±6.34)% and frequency by (40.59±19.01)%, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01, n=6). Subsequent application of ryanodine (50 μmol/L) completely blocked STOC activity. Pretreatment of cells with 2-APB (40 μmol/L) or ryanodine (50 μmol/L), UTP (40 μmol/L) failed to reactivate STOCs. The results suggest that UTP activates STOCs mainly via PLC and IP(3)-dependent mechanisms. Complex Ca(2+)-mobilization pathways are involved in UTP-mediated STOC activation in porcine CASMCs.
Animals ; Boron Compounds ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Coronary Vessels ; cytology ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Ryanodine ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Swine ; Type C Phospholipases ; metabolism ; Uridine Triphosphate ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of brain injury after ischemia/reperfusion. Recently, it has been reported that endonuclease G (EndoG), a mitochondrial protein, is activated by neuronal excitotoxicity and translocated into nucleus inducing apoptosis. However, it is not elucidated whether ROS are involved in the nuclear translocation of EndoG in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in mice. We investigated whether treatment of manganese tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP) protects against early nuclear translocation of EndoG and reduces cerebral infarction after ischemia/reperfusion in mice METHODS: Adult male mice were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min, followed by reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis for EndoG were performed at various time points after ischemia/reperfusion. Double staining with EndoG and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) was also performed. MnTBAP was used to determine whether the production of ROS could inhibit translocation of EndoG into the nucleus. RESULTS: Western blot analysis and Immunohistochemistry of EndoG showed that nuclear EndoG was detected as early as 4 hrs after reperfusion, and mitochondrial EndoG was significantly reduced at the same time. Double staining with EndoG and TUNEL showed a spatial relationship between EndoG expression and DNA fragmentation. MnTBAP-treated mice showed that the translocation of EndoG was attenuated in comparison with the vehicle- treated mice and decreased infarction volume after ischemia/reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: MnTBAP reduced the generation of ROS, and inhibited the early translocation of EndoG, which was followed by the reduction of infarction volume in the ischemic brain after ischemia/reperfusion.
Adult ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Cerebral Infarction* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Infarction ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; Male ; Manganese ; Mice* ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; Neurons ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reperfusion ; Uridine Triphosphate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Puringeric receptors and their agonists like uridine-5-triphosphate (UTP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), regulate mucin secretion in middle ear epithelial cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of purinergic agonists on Ca2+ influx ([Ca2+]i ) in normal human middle ear epithelial (NHMEE) cells. We also examined the effect of caffeine, an inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate (IP3) inhibitor, on UTP induced [Ca2+]i and mucin secretion in NHMEE cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: NHMEE cells were stimulated with various purinergic agonists, such as UTP, and [Ca2+]i was measured using a miniature double perfusion chamber. UTP-induced mucin secretion was quantitated by immunoblotting assay. RESULTS: The determined order of purinergic agonist potency with respect to [Ca2+]i was ATP=UTP>2-MeSATP>ADP>> adenosine. UTP-induced mucin secretion was inhibited when the intracellular Ca2+ was removed with 2-bis (2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester. Caffeine suppressed UTP-induced [Ca2+]i, and but inhibited UTPinduced and constitutional mucin secretion. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that caffeine may have a therapeutic effect in mucoid otitis media by suppressing mucin secretion.
Adenosine ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Caffeine* ; Calcium ; Ear, Middle* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Immunoblotting ; Inositol ; Mucins* ; Otitis Media ; Perfusion ; Purinergic Agonists ; Uridine Triphosphate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extracellular purines and pyrimidines regulate various physiological responses via cell surface receptors known as purinoreceptors, and may exert autocrine or paracrine effects on ion transport, fluid transport, ciliary beat frequency and mucin secretion. This study aims to investigate the expression patterns of such purinoreceptors found in normal human nasal epithelial (NHNE) cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In RT-PCR, the mRNAs for several P2X (P2X3, P2X4, P2X7) and P2Y (P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11, P2Y12) receptors were identified in NHNE cells. Functional localizations of P2 receptors were investigated by measuring [Ca2+]i increases in a membrane-specific manner using a double-perfusion chamber. Absence of the responses of -Me ATP and 2MeS-ATP excluded functionally active P2X3, P2X4, and P2Y1 receptors as far as [Ca2+]i increase was concerned. RESULTS: Applications with ATP and UTP revealed that luminal membranes of NHNE cells express P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors and basolateral membranes P2Y2 receptors. Expressions of P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors in NHNE cells were further verified by the immunoblotting using specific antibodies. In addition, the results with BzATP indicated that the P2Y11 receptor may be present on the luminal side. CONCLUSION: The NHNE cells express functionally active P2Y2, P2Y6 and P2Y11 receptors in a membrane-specific pattern, which may play an important role in the control of mucin and fluid secretion in NHNE cells.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Antibodies ; Calcium ; Epithelial Cells* ; Humans* ; Immunoblotting ; Ion Transport ; Membranes ; Mucins ; Nasal Mucosa ; Phenobarbital ; Purines ; Pyrimidines ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y1 ; Receptors, Purinergic P2Y2 ; Receptors, Purinergic* ; RNA, Messenger ; Uridine Triphosphate