1.Artesunate alleviates hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and inflammatory cytokine secretion.
Yinli CAO ; Yazhou SUN ; Qingyang CUI ; Xiaojing HE ; Zhenzhen LI
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2023;39(5):410-415
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the protective effect of artesunate on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) and its mechanism in neonatal rats. Methods 7-day-old neonatal SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, artesunate 5 mg/kg group, artesunate 10 mg/kg group, artesunate 20 mg/kg group and dexamethasone 6 mg/kg group, with 18 rats in each group. HIBD models were established in groups except for the sham operation group. The sham operation group only needed to separate the left common carotid artery without ligation and nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas ventilation. Each group was injected with drug intraperitoneally right after surgery and the rats in the sham operation group and the model group were injected with an equal volume of normal saline (once a day for a total of 5 times). One hour after the last injection, the rats in each group were scored for neurological defects. After the rats were sacrificed, the brain water content was measured and the pathological changes of the brain tissues of rats were observed. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect the neuronal cell apoptosis, and ELISA was applied to detect the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in brain tissues and peripheral blood of each group of rats. Western blot analysis was adopted to detect the protein expression levels of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC) and caspase-1 in the rats brain tissues of each group. Results Compared with the model group, the neurological deficit score was decreased; the pathological damage of brain tissues was relieved; the brain water content was significantly reduced; the apoptosis number of hippocampal neurons was decreased significantly; the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in brain tissues and peripheral blood were significantly reduced; the protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 were significantly lowered in the middle-dose and high-dose artesunate groups and the dexamethasone group. Conclusion Artesunate can improve the neurological function, relieve the brain damage, and alleviate the brain edema in neonatal rats with HIBD. It can protect the HIBD, which may be related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reduction of inflammatory cytokine secretion.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals, Newborn
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Artesunate/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Brain/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Caspases/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dexamethasone
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Inflammasomes
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Interleukin-6/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water/metabolism*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
2.Dryness-alleviating effect of processed Aurantii Fructus from Lingnan based on correlation of fecal metabolomics and dryness.
Ying-Ying HUANG ; Ting YANG ; Qi-Qi WANG ; Jiang-Ling LONG ; Qin-Ru LI ; Qi-Jian XU ; Ai-Hua HUANG ; Jin-Yu WANG ; Quan XIA
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(1):82-95
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			With the approach of untargeted metabolomics and correlation analysis, this study aimed to explore the mechanism of Aurantii Fructus from Lingnan region in alleviating dryness by analyzing the different effects of raw Aurantii Fructus(RAF) and processed Aurantii Fructus(PAF) on fecal endogenous metabolism in normal rats. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into a control group(C), an RAF group(10 g·kg~(-1)), and a PAF group(10 g·kg~(-1)). After seven days of administration, the effects of RAF and PAF on dryness-related indexes were compared, including water intake, fecal water content, salivary secretion, the expression of AQP5, VIP, and 5-HT in the submandibular gland, as well as the expression of AQP3, VIP, and 5-HT in the colon. The fecal samples in each group were determined by LC-MS. Multivariate statistical analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for screening the differential metabolites and metabolic pathways in alleviating dryness of RAF. The results indicated that both RAF and PAF showed certain dryness, and the dryness of RAF was more significant. Moreover, PAF could alleviate dryness of RAF to a certain extent by reducing the water intake, fecal water content, and the expression of AQP3, VIP, and 5-HT in the colon and increasing the salivary secretion and the levels of AQP5, VIP, and 5-HT in the submandibular gland. According to the analysis of fecal metabolomics, 99 and 58 metabolites related to dryness were found in RAF and PAF respectively, where 16 of them played an important role in alleviating dryness of RAF. Pathway analysis revealed that the mechanism of PAF in alleviating dryness of RAF was presumably related to the regulation of riboflavin metabolism, purine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, alanine metabolism, aspartate metabolism, glutamate metabolism, and retinol metabolism pathways. This study suggested that PAF might alleviate dryness of RAF by affecting the metabolic levels of the body, which provides a new basis for further clarifying the processing mechanism of PAF.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Serotonin
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Metabolomics
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
3.Mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction in improving kidney injury caused by blood stasis syndrome based on metabolomics and network pharmacology.
Lin-Lin FENG ; Si-Qi TANG ; Yun-Yuan NONG ; Ying HE ; Qian-Yi WANG ; Jing-Hua QIN ; Yue GUO ; Zhi-Heng SU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2023;48(24):6730-6739
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			This article analyzed the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction(DSD) in improving kidney injury caused by blood stasis syndrome(BSS) in rats. Firstly, 32 female SD rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: a normal group and a BSS group, both receiving an equal amount of distilled water by gavage; a normal+DSD group and a BSS+DSD group, both receiving 5.103 g·kg~(-1) DSD orally for a total of 14 days. Daily cold water bath was given to establish the BSS model, and on the 14th day, BSS rats were subcutaneously injected with 0.8 mg·kg~(-1) adrenaline. Normal rats were subjected to the water bath at 37 ℃ and injected with an equal volume of distilled water. After the experiment, 24-hour urine, serum, and kidney samples were collected for metabolomic analysis, biochemical measurements, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The study then employed ~1H-NMR metabolomic technology to reveal the metabolic network regulated by DSD in improving BSS-induced kidney injury and used network pharmacology to preliminarily elucidate the key targets of the effectiveness of DSD. Pathological and biochemical analysis showed that DSD intervention significantly reduced inflammation and abnormal levels of blood creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urine protein in the kidneys. Metabolomic analysis indicated that DSD attenuated BSS-induced kidney injury primarily by regulating 10 differential metabolites and three major metabolic pathways(taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, citrate cycle, and acetaldehyde and dicarboxylic acid metabolism). Network pharmacology analysis suggested that the protective effect of DSD against BSS-induced kidney injury might be related to two key genes, ATP citrate lyase(ACLY) and nitric oxide synthase 2(NOS2), and two main metabolic pathways, i.e., arginine biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism. This study, from the perspective of network regulation, provides initial insights and evidence into the mechanism of DSD in improving kidney injury induced by BSS, offering a basis for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Female
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Network Pharmacology
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Metabolomics
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Kidney
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Arginine
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
4.Inhibitory Effects and Mechanisms of Three Benzodiazepines on Helicobacter pylori.
Xu CHEN ; Dong ZHANG ; Li-Hua TANG ; Li-Jun ZHONG ; Juan ZHANG ; Yu-Lan LI
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2023;45(5):783-788
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of benzodiazepines on Helicobacter pylori (Hp).Methods The Hp international standard strain ATCC43504 was treated with benzodiazepines diazepam,midazolam,and remimazolam,respectively.The treatments with amoxicillin and clarithromycin were taken as the positive controls,and that with water for injection as the negative control.The inhibition zone of each drug was measured by the disk diffusion method.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC)of each drug against Hp were determined.Hp suspension was configured and treated with diazepam and midazolam,respectively.The bacterial suspension without drug added was used as the control group.The concentration of K+ in each bacterial suspension was measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer before drug intervention(T0)and 1(T1),2(T2),3(T3),4(T4),5(T5),6(T6),and 7 h(T7)after intervention.Hp urease was extracted and treated with 1/2 MIC diazepam,1 MIC diazepam,2 MIC diazepam,1/2 MIC midazolam,1 MIC midazolam,2 MIC midazolam,1 mg/ml acetohydroxamic acid,and water for injection,respectively.The time required for the rise from pH 6.8 to pH 7.7 in each group was determined by the phenol red coloring method.Results The inhibition zones of diazepam,midazolam,remimazolam,amoxicillin,clarithromycin,and water for injection against Hp were 52.3,42.7,6.0,72.3,60.8,and 6.0 mm,respectively.Diazepam and midazolam showed the MIC of 12.5 μg/ml and 25.0 μg/ml and the MBC of 25 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml,respectively,to Hp.The concentrations of K+ in the diazepam,midazolam,and control groups increased during T1-T7 compared with those at T0(all P<0.01).The concentration of K+ in diazepam and midazolam groups during T1-T4 was higher than that in the control group(all P<0.01).The time of inhibiting urease activity in the 1/2 MIC diazepam,1 MIC diazepam,2 MIC diazepam,1/2 MIC midazolam,1 MIC midazolam,and 2 MIC midazolam groups was(39.86±5.11),(36.52±6.65),(38.58±4.83),(39.25±6.19),(36.36±4.61),and(35.81±6.18)min,respectively,which were shorter than that in the acetohydroxamic acid group(all P<0.01)and had no significance differences from that in the water for injection group(all P>0.05).Conclusion Diazepam and midazolam exerted inhibitory effects on Hp,which may be related to the cleavage of Hp cells rather than inhibiting urease.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Midazolam
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Helicobacter pylori
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Urease
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Clarithromycin/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Benzodiazepines/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Diazepam/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Amoxicillin
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Removal effect of disinfection factors in low concentration on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(10):1620-1624
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Experimental model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was established in vitro by using biofilm reactor. The aim of this study was evaluating the removal effect of two kinds of water flowing through bactericide resin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, and exploring the effectiveness of continuous treatment with low concentration disinfection factor on dental unit waterlines. The experimental group selected 1-2 mg/L iodinated resin (IR) filtered water and bromined hydantoin resin (BHR) filtered water with the control group selecting the sterile distilled water. Biofilms were treated by using the immersion method for 3, 7, 10, 20, and 40 days. Total viable count (TVC) and laser confocal microscopy method (CLSM) were selected to evaluate the biofilm removal effect. The result of TVC showed that in group IR, the bacterial clearance after the treatment of 3, 7, 10, and 20 days was lower than 99.9% and unqualified. The bacterial clearance after the treatment of 40 days was 99.9%,which is qualified. In group BHR, it was lower than 99.9% and unqualified after the treatment of 3, 7, and 10 days. It was and 99.99%, 100.00% after the treatment of 20, 40 days, respectively. The result of CLSM showed that before treatment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm showed a sheet and mass distribution. The bacterial coverage was 19.24%±1.97%. The proportion of viable bacteria was 93.91%±1.39%, and the biofilm matrix coverage was 17.69%±1.11%. After 20 days of treatment, the biofilm was decreased in the IR group, with the biofilm bacterial coverage reducing to 6.77%±1.61%, the proportion of live bacteria reducing to 54.85%±5.65%, and the biofilm matrix coverage reducing to 2.41%±0.85%.There was significant difference from the pre-treatment and the control (F=359.996,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. After 40 days of treatment, there was still a small amount of biofilm matrix residue in the IR group, with no bacterial coverage observed. The biofilm matrix coverage was 0.67%±0.47% (F=1 021.373,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. In conclusion, the continuous application of BHR filter water has more advantages in killing microorganisms in biofilms, removing live and dead bacteria and biofilm matrix in biofilms. Treatment water containing corresponding low concentration disinfection factors can play an important role in the field of biofilm control in dental unit waterlines.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Disinfection/methods*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Pseudomonas aeruginosa
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Biofilms
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water/pharmacology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
6.Removal effect of disinfection factors in low concentration on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2023;57(10):1620-1624
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Experimental model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was established in vitro by using biofilm reactor. The aim of this study was evaluating the removal effect of two kinds of water flowing through bactericide resin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, and exploring the effectiveness of continuous treatment with low concentration disinfection factor on dental unit waterlines. The experimental group selected 1-2 mg/L iodinated resin (IR) filtered water and bromined hydantoin resin (BHR) filtered water with the control group selecting the sterile distilled water. Biofilms were treated by using the immersion method for 3, 7, 10, 20, and 40 days. Total viable count (TVC) and laser confocal microscopy method (CLSM) were selected to evaluate the biofilm removal effect. The result of TVC showed that in group IR, the bacterial clearance after the treatment of 3, 7, 10, and 20 days was lower than 99.9% and unqualified. The bacterial clearance after the treatment of 40 days was 99.9%,which is qualified. In group BHR, it was lower than 99.9% and unqualified after the treatment of 3, 7, and 10 days. It was and 99.99%, 100.00% after the treatment of 20, 40 days, respectively. The result of CLSM showed that before treatment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm showed a sheet and mass distribution. The bacterial coverage was 19.24%±1.97%. The proportion of viable bacteria was 93.91%±1.39%, and the biofilm matrix coverage was 17.69%±1.11%. After 20 days of treatment, the biofilm was decreased in the IR group, with the biofilm bacterial coverage reducing to 6.77%±1.61%, the proportion of live bacteria reducing to 54.85%±5.65%, and the biofilm matrix coverage reducing to 2.41%±0.85%.There was significant difference from the pre-treatment and the control (F=359.996,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. After 40 days of treatment, there was still a small amount of biofilm matrix residue in the IR group, with no bacterial coverage observed. The biofilm matrix coverage was 0.67%±0.47% (F=1 021.373,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. In conclusion, the continuous application of BHR filter water has more advantages in killing microorganisms in biofilms, removing live and dead bacteria and biofilm matrix in biofilms. Treatment water containing corresponding low concentration disinfection factors can play an important role in the field of biofilm control in dental unit waterlines.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Disinfection/methods*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Pseudomonas aeruginosa
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Biofilms
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water/pharmacology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
7.Experimental study on the molluscicidal activity of surfactin against Oncomelania hupensis.
Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control 2023;35(4):394-397
		                        		
		                        			OBJECTIVE:
		                        			To evaluate the molluscicidal activity of surfactin against Oncomelania hupensis, so as to provide the experimental basis for use of Bacillus for killing O. hupensis.
		                        		
		                        			METHODS:
		                        			O. hupensis snails were collected from schistosomiasisendemic foci of Wuhu City on September 2022, and Schistosoma japonicum-infected snails were removed. Then, 60 snails were immersed in surfactin at concentrations of 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 mg/mL and 0.062 5 mg/mL for 24, 48, 72 hours at 26 °C, while ultrapure water-treated snails served as controls. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of surfactin against O. hupensis snails was estimated. O. hupensis snails were immersed in surfactin at a concentration of 24 h LC50 and ultrapure water, and then stained with propidium iodide (PI). The PI uptake in haemocyte was observed in O. hupensis snails using fluorescence microscopy.
		                        		
		                        			RESULTS:
		                        			The mortality of O. hupensis was 5.0% following immersion in surfactin at a concentration of 0.062 5 mg/mL for 24 h, and the mortality was 100.0% following immersion in surfactin at a concentration of 2 mg/mL for 72 h, while no snail mortality was observed in the control group. There were significant differences in the mortality of O. hupensis in each surfactin treatment groups at 24 (χ2 = 180.150, P < 0.05), 48 h (χ2 = 176.786, P < 0.05) and 72 h (χ2 = 216.487, P < 0.05), respectively. The average mortality rates of O. hupensis were 38.9% (140/360), 62.2% (224/360) and 83.3% (300/360) 24, 48 h and 72 h post-immersion in surfactin, respectively (χ2 = 150.264, P < 0.05), and the 24, 48 h and 72 h LC50 values of surfactin were 0.591, 0.191 mg/mL and 0.054 mg/mL against O. hupensis snails. Fluorescence microscopy showed more numbers of haemocytes with PI uptake in 0.5 mg/mL surfactintreated O. hupensis snails than in ultrapure water-treated snails for 24 h, and there was a significant difference in the proportion of PI uptake in haemocytes between surfactin-and ultrapure water-treated snails (χ2 = 6.690, P < 0.05).
		                        		
		                        			CONCLUSIONS
		                        			Surfactin is active against O. hupensis snails, which may be associated with the alteration in the integrity of haemocyte membrane.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Molluscacides/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Snails
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Schistosoma japonicum
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Lethal Dose 50
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
8.The crucial toxic components of ambient fine particles promoted the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes.
Li Ting XU ; Ze ZHANG ; Hai Yi YU ; Xiao Ting JIN ; Yu Xin ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2022;56(9):1314-1322
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To reveal the crucial toxic components of ambient fine particles (PM2.5) that affect the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes. Methods: Human megakaryocytes were exposed to the organic fractions, metallic fractions and water-soluble fractions of PM2.5 at two exposure doses (i.e. actual air proportion concentration or the same concentration), respectively. The cell viability was performed to screen the non-cytotoxic levels of toxic components of PM2.5 using the CCK-8 assay. CellTiter-Blue assay, morphological observation, flow cytometry analysis and WGA staining assay were used to evaluate the cell morphological changes, occurrence of DNA ploidy, alteration in the expressions of biomarkers and platelet formation, which were key indicators of the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes. Results: Compared to the control group, both metallic and organic components of PM2.5 resulted in a lag in megakaryocytes with an increase in cell volume and the onset of DNA ploidy. Flow cytometry analysis showed that CD33 (the marker of myeloid-specific) decreased and CD41a (a megakaryocyte maturation-associated antigen) increased in metallic and organic components of PM2.5 treatment groups. Moreover, compared to the control group, budding protrusions increased in metallic and organic components of PM2.5 treatment groups. The water-soluble components had no effect on the maturation and differentiation of macrophages. Conclusion: Metallic and organic components of PM2.5 are the crucial toxic components that promote the maturation and differentiation of megakaryocytes.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Biomarkers
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			DNA/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Humans
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Megakaryocytes/chemistry*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Particulate Matter/toxicity*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Sincalide/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water/pharmacology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
9.Effect of P311 microspheres-loaded thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel on the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in rats.
Qing Rong ZHANG ; Chang You CHEN ; Na XU ; Da Lun LYU ; Jie Zhi JIA ; Wen Hong LI ; Gao Xing LUO ; Yun Long YU ; Yi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Burns 2022;38(10):914-922
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To explore the effect of P311 microspheres-loaded thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel on the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in rats. Methods: The method of experimental study was adopted. The polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate microspheres (simple microspheres), P311 microspheres, and bovine serum albumin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-BSA) microspheres were prepared by water-in-oil emulsification, and then their morphology was observed under a light microscope/inverted fluorescence microscope. Chitosan solution was prepared, chitosan solution and β-glycerol phosphate disodium hydrate were mixed to prepare simple thermosensitive hydrogels, and thermosensitive hydrogels loaded with simple microspheres or P311 microspheres were prepared by adding corresponding substances in simple thermosensitive hydrogels. The morphological changes of the prepared four liquids in the state of tilt was observed at 37 ℃. After being freeze-dried, the micromorphology of the prepared four liquids was observed under a scanning electron microscope. Eighteen 3-4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group without any treatment, dressing group, chitosan group, hydrogel alone group, simple microspheres-loaded hydrogel group, and P311 microspheres-loaded hydrogel group, which were inflicted with one full-thickness skin defect wound on both sides of the back spine and were dealt correspondingly, with 3 rats in each group. Rats with full-thickness skin defects in the five groups were collected, the wound healing was observed on post injury day (PID) 0 (immediately), 5, 10, and 15, and the wound healing rates on PID 5, 10, and 15 were calculated. The wound and wound margin tissue of rats with full-thickness skin defects in the five groups on PID 15 and normal skin tissue in the same site of rats in normal group were collected, hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to observe the histological changes, immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the expressions of CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Western blotting was conducted to detect the protein expressions of CD31 and VEGF. The number of samples was all three. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, and Bonferroni correction. Results: Simple microspheres were spherical, with loose and porous surface. The surfaces of P311 microspheres and FITC-BSA microspheres were smooth without pores, and the FITC-BSA microspheres emitted uniform green fluorescence. The diameters of the three microspheres were basically consistent, being 33.1 to 37.7 μm. Compared with chitosan solution and simple thermosensitive hydrogel, the structures of the two microspheres-loaded hydrogels were more stable in the state of tilt at 37 ℃. The two microspheres-loaded hydrogels had denser network structures than those of chitosan solution and simple thermosensitive hydrogel, and in the cross section of which microspheres with a diameter of about 30 μm could be seen. Within PID 15, the wounds of rats in the five groups were healed to different degrees, and the wound healing of rats in P311 microspheres-loaded hydrogel group was the best. On PID 5, 10, and 15, the wound healing rates of rats in dressing group and chitosan group were (26.6±2.4)%, (38.5±3.1)%, (50.9±1.5)%, (47.6±2.0)%, (58.5±3.6)%, and (66.7±4.1)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than (59.3±4.8)%, (87.6±3.2)%, (97.2±1.0)% in P311 microspheres-loaded hydrogel group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The wound healing rates of rats in hydrogel alone group on PID 10 and 15, and in simple microspheres-loaded hydrogel group on PID 15 were (76.0±3.3)%, (84.5±3.6)%, and (88.0±2.6)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in P311 microspheres-loaded hydrogel group (P<0.05). The epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands could be seen in the normal skin of rats in normal group, without positive expressions of CD31 or VEGF. The wounds of rats in P311 microspheres-loaded hydrogel group on PID 15 were almost completely epithelialized, with more blood vessels, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and positive expressions of CD31 and VEGF in the wounds than those of rats with full-thickness skin defects in the other four groups, and more protein expressions of CD31 and VEGF than those of rats in the other five groups. Conclusions: The P311 microspheres-loaded thermosensitive chitosan hydrogel can release the encapsulated drug slowly, prolong the drug action time, and promote wound healing in rats with full-thickness skin defects by promoting wound angiogenesis and re-epithelialization.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Male
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hydrogels
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Chitosan/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Serum Albumin, Bovine/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Microspheres
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Polyvinyl Alcohol/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Hematoxylin/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Eosine Yellowish-(YS)/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Rats, Sprague-Dawley
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Wound Healing
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Skin/injuries*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Skin Abnormalities
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Soft Tissue Injuries
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Water/pharmacology*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Alginates/pharmacology*
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
10.Effects and mechanism of water-soluble chitosan hydrogel on infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice.
Meng ZHU ; Yu Zhou CHEN ; Jin Zhao OU ; Zhao LI ; Sha HUANG ; Xiao Hua HU ; Xiao Yan JU ; Ye TIAN ; Zhongwei NIU
Chinese Journal of Burns 2022;38(10):923-931
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective: To explore the effects and mechanism of water-soluble chitosan hydrogel on infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The control hydrogel composed of polyvinyl alcohol and gelatin, and the water-soluble chitosan hydrogel composed of the aforementioned two materials and water-soluble chitosan were prepared by the cyclic freeze-thaw method. The fluidity of the two dressings in test tube before and after the first freeze-thawing was generally observed, and the difference in appearance of the final state of two dressings in 12-well plates were compared. According to random number table (the same grouping method below), the cell strains of L929 and HaCaT were both divided into water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group and control hydrogel group, respectively. After adding corresponding dressings and culturing for 24 h, the cell proliferation activity was measured using cell counting kit 8. Rabbit blood erythrocyte suspensions were divided into normal saline group, polyethylene glycol octyl phenyl ether (Triton X-100) group, water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, and control hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly and incubated for 1 hour, and then the hemolysis degree of erythrocyte was detected by a microplate reader. Twenty-four female db/db mice aged 11-14 weeks were selected, and full-thickness skin defect wounds on their backs were inflicted and inoculated with the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 72 h later, the mice were divided into blank control group, sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, control hydrogel group, and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly. On post injury day (PID) 0 (immediately), 7, 14, and 21, the healing of the wound was observed. On PID 14 and 21, the wound healing rate was calculated. On PID 14, MRSA concentration in wounds was determined. On PID 21, the wounds were histologically analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; the expression of CD31 in the wounds was detected by immunofluorescence method, and its positive percentage was calculated. Raw264.7 cells were taken and divided into interleukin-4 (IL-4) group, blank control group, control hydrogel group, and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, which were treated accordingly. At 48 h of culture, the percentages of CD206 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. The number of samples was all 3. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, least significant difference test, and Dunnett T3 test. Results: Two dressings in test tube had certain fluidity before freeze-thawing and formed semi-solid gels after freeze-thawing for once. The final forms of two dressings in 12-well plates were basically stable and translucent sheets, with little difference in transparency. At 24 h of culture, the cell proliferation activities of L929 and HaCaT in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group were significantly higher than those in control hydrogel group (with t values of 6.37 and 7.50, respectively, P<0.01). At 1 h of incubation, the hemolysis degree of erythrocyte in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly lower than that in Triton X-100 group (P<0.01), but similar to that in normal saline group and control hydrogel group (P>0.05). On PID 0, the traumatic conditions of mice in the 4 groups were similar. On PID 7, more yellowish exudates were observed inside the wound in blank control group and control hydrogel group, while a small amount of exudates were observed in the wound in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group and water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group. On PID 14, the wounds in blank control group and control hydrogel group were dry and crusted without obvious epithelial coverage; in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, the scabs fell off and purulent exudate was visible on the wound; in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group, the base of wound was light red and obvious epithelial coverage could be observed on the wound. On PID 14, the wound healing rate in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (all P<0.01). On PID 21, the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was completely closed, while the wounds in the other 3 groups were not completely healed; the wound healing rate in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (all P<0.01). On PID 14, the concentration of MRSA in the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.01), but similar to that in control hydrogel group and sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group (P>0.05). On PID 21, the new epidermis was severely damaged in blank control group; the epidermis on the wound in control hydrogel group also had a large area of defect; complete new epidermis had not yet being formed on the wound in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group; the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was not only completely covered by the new epidermis, the basal cells of the new epidermis were also regularly aligned. On PID 21, the percentage of CD31 positivity in the wound in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was (2.19±0.35)%, which was significantly higher than (0.18±0.05)% in blank control group, (0.23±0.06)% in control hydrogel group, and (0.62±0.25)% in sulfadiazine silver hydrogel group, all P<0.01. At 48 h of culture, the percentage of CD206 positive Raw264.7 cells in water-soluble chitosan hydrogel group was lower than that in IL-4 group (P>0.01) but significantly higher than that in blank control group and control hydrogel group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: The water-soluble chitosan hydrogel has good biosafety and can induce higher level of macrophage M2 polarization than control hydrogel without water-soluble chitosan, so it can enhance the repair effect of MRSA-infected full-thickness skin defect wounds in diabetic mice and promote rapid wound healing.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Mice
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		                        			Female
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		                        			Animals
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		                        			Rabbits
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		                        			Interleukin-4
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		                        			Hydrogels/pharmacology*
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		                        			Wound Healing
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		                        			Chitosan/pharmacology*
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		                        			Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental
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		                        			Water
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		                        			Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
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		                        			Gelatin
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		                        			Polyvinyl Alcohol
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		                        			Hemolysis
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		                        			Saline Solution
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		                        			Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
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		                        			Hematoxylin
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		                        			Octoxynol
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		                        			Silver
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		                        			Phenyl Ethers
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		                        			Sulfadiazine
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
            
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