Effects of Replacement of Fish Meal by Soy Protein Isolate on the Growth, Digestive Enzyme Activity and Serum Biochemical Parameters for Juvenile Amur Sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii)

An 8-wk experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing fish meal (FM) with soy protein isolate (SPI) on the growth, digestive enzyme activity and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii). SPI was used to replace 0, 25, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5, 100% of dietary FM and 100% replacement supplemented crystalline amino acid. Healthy sturgeon with an average initial weight of 26.38±0.24 g were randomly assigned to 24 aquaria (8 treatments with triplicates each) at an initial stocking density of 11 fish per aquarium and cultured for 8 wks. The results showed that 75.00% or more substitution resulted in a poor weight gain rate, feed conversion ratio and survival rate compared to that of fish fed the control diet (p<0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between diets of 25.00% to 62.50% substitution. Protease, lipase and amylase activity in foregut, mid-gut and hindgut were significantly (p<0.05) decreased by diets where SPI replacement levels were 62.50% or more. Levels of serum total protein (TP) and globulin decreased significantly from 21.03, 10.34 to 14.05, 5.63 g/L with the increasing dietary SPI (p<0.05), but alkaline phosphatase activity significantly increased (p<0.05). In addition, supplemental crystalline amino acid in the FM absence diet did not improve growth performance, intestine digestive enzyme activities and serum biochemical parameters. In conclusion, the results from this study showed adverse effects of inclusion of SPI in diets on growth performance, feed utilization and serum biochemical parameters in juvenile Amur sturgeon. Based on WGR and replacement ratio presented in this report, a 57.64% replacement level was recommended.

Chronopharmacology of analgesic effect and tolerance induced by six narcotic analgesics in mice

Narcotic analgesics, especially morphine, exert significantly different effects depending on the time within one day. The objective of this study was to observe whether the dosing time of 6 narcotic analgesics in mice affected their efficacy, pain tolerance and recovery of tolerance. The chronopharmacology of these 6 narcotics was evaluated using a hot-plate model. Maximum possible effect (MPE) of morphine showed a significant 24 h rhythm, which was higher during the dark phase and lower during the light phase (P<0.05). Conversely, MPEs of fentanyl and bucinnazine groups during the light phase exceeded those during the dark phase (P<0.05). Pain tolerance developed after drug administration at 9:00 am or 9:00 pm for 5 days, of which bucinnazine produced lower tolerance at 9:00 am. After a 2-day washout period, the mice rapidly recovered from tolerance at 3:00 pm for 5-day morphine dosing at 9:00 pm, and for fentanyl dosing at 9:00 am. Not all narcotic analgesics displayed significant circadian variations, and the dosing time-dependent effects also depended on the types of narcotics. Therefore, the time of administration is crucial in clinical pain treatment. Chronotherapy may be more effective to relieve pain while reducing side effects.

High concentraction of taurocholic acid induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells via overexpression of ERp29 and activation of p38

INTRODUCTION

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a pregnancy-specific disease associated with a significant risk of fetal complications. Our previous study using an iTRAQ-based proteomics approach showed that ERp29 was overexpressed in the placenta tissue of ICP patients, which was an apoptosis-related protein and has not been investigated in the pathogenesis of ICP. The aim of this study was to explore the role of ERp29 in the mechanism of apoptosis in the placenta of ICP.

METHODS

HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of taurocholic acid (TCA) (0, 10, 50 and 100 μM). The apoptotic index and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry; furthermore, the expression levels of ERp29 and p-p38 were detected by western blot. The ERp29-siRNA was also used to confirm the role of ERp29 in TCA induced-apoptosis.

RESULTS

ERp29 expression and the apoptotic index were significantly increased in HTR-8/SVneo cells exposed to 100 μM TCA; so were p-p38 and caspase-3 activity, compared with the 50 μM, 10 μM TCA groups and negative control group (P < 0.05, respectively). The induction of apoptosis by TCA and the expression of p-p38 were reduced in HTR-8/SVneo cells after treatment with ERp29-siRNA, compared with controls (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that overexpression of ERp29 may play a key role in TCA-induced apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells via activation of p38, which may participate in the pathogenesis of ICP and may represent a novel target for ICP treatment.

Identification of a new HLA allele, HLA-B*13:70, in a Chinese individual

HLA-B*13:70 differs from HLA-B*13:02:01 by one nucleotide (A to G) at nucleotide position 329 in exon 2.

In vivo detection of severity of optic nerve crush using manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in rats

BACKGROUND

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is one of the reasons for permanent vision loss. Currently, the clinical practices may not be sufficient for direct assessments and comprehensively determining the location and extent of the patients with optic nerve injury in traumatic optic neuropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a non-invasive option. However, rare reports have found whether the differentdegree of injury of the optic nerve can be detected by manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI). This study aimed to explore the efficacy of MEMRI in the visual pathway for different severity of opitic nerve injury in rats.

METHODS

The different injuries of mild, moderate, and heavy damages were created by modified reverse tweezer and were evaluated by counting retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and VEP ananlysis. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were intravitreally injected with 2 l of 25 mmol/L MnCl2, which has been confirmed as a safe injection concentration. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MEMRI for optic nerve enhancement at different injury levels was measured.

RESULTS

The location of the significantly decreased signal point on optic nerve (ON) was corresponding to the location we made. However, similar findings are not obvious, or even have not been observed in 28 days in each group and also in 14 days at F100 group, indicating that MEMRI could be directly intuitive positioned in the early stage on the optic nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONS

The possibility of using MEMRI in optic nerve injury in a safe injection concentration of 25 mmol/L is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to detect the severity of the optic nerve by MEMRI examination.

Comparative study of photodynamic therapy with 5%, 10% and 20% aminolevulinic acid in the treatment of generalized recalcitrant facial verruca plana: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Generalised recalcitrant facial verruca plana responds poorly to current therapeutic options, including cryotherapy, topical drugs and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) laser. Case reports and uncontrolled studies suggested that topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective choice of treatment free from potential complications associated with invasive therapies.

AIMS

To investigate the efficacy and safety of PDT with different concentrations of photosensitiser in the treatment of verruca plana.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The two sides of a subject's face were separately randomized to receive aminolevulinic acid (ALA) of 5%, 10% or 20% concentration. All patients were irradiated with 633-nm red light for 339 J/cm(2) total dose. Complete response (CR) rate was assessed on Week 4, 8, and 16 respectively.

RESULTS

The mean overall clearance rate was 74.1%, 68.8%, and 64.6% on Week 4, 8, and 12, respectively, in the 110 treated sides. The CR rate was lower in the 5%-ALA group than in the 10%-ALA group (14.3% vs. 33.3%, p < 0.05) and 20%-ALA group (14.3% vs. 26.3%, p < 0.05) after 12 weeks. The mean severity of pain measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring was 3.8 (range: 2 to 10, depending on the lesion location). The overall recurrence rate was 16.7% (4/24) on Week 12. Hyperpigmentation was observed in 61% (67/110) of all treated sides. On Week 4, 8, and 16, hyperpigmentation was more developed in the 20%-ALA group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

In terms of complete clearance rate, the 5% ALA-PDT group was significantly inferior to the 10% and 20% ALA-PDT groups at each follow-up. In contrast, the 20% ALA group showed a higher incidence rate of transient hyperpigmentation than the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This randomised clinical trial suggests that PDT with ALA of 10% concentration offers better efficacy and safety than 5% or 20% concentration for generalised recalcitrant facial verruca plana.

The epigenetic modifier trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, suppresses proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells

Proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelium cells (LECs) may contribute to anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO), which are important causes of visual impairment. Histone deacetylases (HDACs)-mediated epigenetic mechanism has a central role in controlling cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation and differentiation in a variety of cells and the pathogenesis of some diseases. However, whether HDACs are involved in the regulation of proliferation and EMT in LECs remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the expression profile of HDAC family (18 genes) and found that class I and II HDACs were upregulated in transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2)-induced EMT in human LEC lines SRA01/04 and HLEB3. Tricostatin A (TSA), a class I and II HDAC inhibitor, suppressed the proliferation of LECs by G1 phase cell cycle arrest not only through inhibition of cyclin/CDK complexes and induction of p21 and p27, but also inactivation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt, p38MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways. Meanwhile, TSA strongly prevented TGFβ2-induced upregulation of fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type IV, N-cadherin, Snail and Slug. We also demonstrated that the underlying mechanism of TSA affects EMT in LECs through inhibiting the canonical TGFβ/Smad2 and the Jagged/Notch signaling pathways. Finally, we found that TSA completely prevented TGFβ2-induced ASC in the whole lens culture semi-in vivo model. Therefore, this study may provide a new insight into the pathogenesis of ASC and PCO, and suggests that epigenetic treatment with HDAC inhibitors may be a novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of ASC, PCO and other fibrotic diseases.

Polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene associated with recurrent miscarriage

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is an enzyme that influences placental human chorionic gonadotropin production during gestation. Previous studies have indicated an association between eNOS activity, implantation, and maintenance of pregnancy, but proposed associations between polymorphisms of the eNOS gene and recurrent miscarriage (RM) are controversial. To identify markers contributing to the genetic susceptibility to RM, we examined the potential association between RM and 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs1799983, rs2070744, rs11771443, rs3918188, rs2853796, rs7830, rs1541861, and rs2853792) of the eNOS gene using the MassARRAY system (Sequenom, USA). The enrolled participants included 192 RM patients and 201 women with normal fertility as controls. The results showed that rs1799983 at exon 7 of the eNOS gene was significantly associated with RM (genotype: chi-square = 15.071, P = 0.001; allele: chi-square = 6.250, P = 0.016). Another significant association was observed for rs11771443 in the promoter (genotype: chi-square = 6.259, P = 0.044; allele: chi-square = 7.076, P = 0.008). Furthermore, strong linkage disequilibrium was observed in 3 blocks (D' > 0.9), and significantly fewer T-T-G haplotypes (chi-square = 5.981, P = 0.015) residing in block 1 were found in RM patients. These findings point to a role for eNOS gene polymorphisms in RM in the Chinese Han population and may be informative for future genetic or neurobiological studies of RM.

The neuroprotective role and mechanisms of TERT in neurons with oxygen-glucose deprivation

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is reported to protect neurons from apoptosis induced by various stresses including hypoxia-ischemia (HI). However, the mechanisms by which TERT exerts its anti-apoptotic role in neurons with HI injury remain unclear. In this study, we examined the protective role and explored the possible mechanisms of TERT in neurons with HI injury in vitro. Primary cultured neurons were exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) for 3h followed by reperfusion to mimic HI injury in vivo. Plasmids containing TERT antisense, sense nucleotides, or mock were transduced into neurons at 48h before OGD. Expression and distribution of TERT were measured by immunofluorescence labeling and western blot. The expression of cleaved caspase 3 (CC3), Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by western blot. Neuronal apoptosis was measured with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL). The mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by MitoSOX Red staining. Fluorescent probe JC-1 was used to measure the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). We found that TERT expression increased at 8h and peaked at 24h in neurons after OGD. CC3 expression and neuronal apoptosis were induced and peaked at 24h after OGD. TERT inhibition significantly increased CC3 expression and neuronal apoptosis after OGD treatment. Additionally, TERT inhibition decreased the expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and enhanced ROS production and ΔΨm dissipation after OGD. These data suggest that TERT plays a neuroprotective role via anti-apoptosis in neurons after OGD. The underlying mechanisms may be associated with regulating Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio, attenuating ROS generation, and increasing mitochondrial membrane potential.

Skeletal muscle evaluation by MRI in a rabbit model of acute ischaemia

OBJECTIVE

To assess rhabdomyolysis-associated skeletal muscle changes induced by complete ischaemia in rabbits using MRI.

METHODS

Acute ischaemia was induced in the right hind limb of 34 New Zealand white rabbits by arterial ligation. MRI of vastus lateralis was carried out pre-operatively and every hour post-operatively up to 7 h. T1 weighted images, T2 weighted images with fat suppression, T2 maps and diffusion tensor scans were obtained. The correlation of MRI findings with histopathological changes in biopsies of vastus lateralis was examined.

RESULTS

Histopathology demonstrated early cellular oedema 1 h post ischaemia and irreversible injuries by 7 h, including loss of striation and broken muscle fibres. T2 weighted images with fat suppression showed inhomogeneous high signal intensity of vastus lateralis, which progressively increased from 2 h following ischaemia. The T2 relaxation rate of ischaemic vastus lateralis was significantly greater than normal muscle (p<0.001) and demonstrated a linear increase with time following ischaemia. A similar linear increase was also found in the ischaemic vastus lateralis apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) 1-5 h post ischaemia (p=0.006). Both the T2 ADC and fractional anisotropy (FA) were significantly higher on the ischaemic side 7 h post ischaemia (for T2, p=0.02; for ADC, p=0.004).

CONCLUSION

Muscle oedema is detectable on MR images and is reflected well by T2, ADC and FA values. MRI may have value in clinical evaluation of rhabdomyolysis.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Ischaemic changes detected by MRI may have value in the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis.

RNA interference suppression of A100A4 reduces the growth and metastatic phenotype of human renal cancer cells via NF-kB-dependent MMP-2 and bcl-2 pathway

BACKGROUND AND AIM

S100A4 is a well established marker and mediator of metastatic disease, but the exact mechanisms responsible for the metastasis promoting effects are less well defined. We tested a hypothesis that the S100A4 gene plays a role in the proliferation and invasiveness of human renal cancer cells (RCC) and may be associated with its metastatic spread.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The small interference RNA vector pcDNA3.1-S100A4 siRNA was transfected in to the human renal cancer cell lines ACHN, Ketr-3, OS-RC-2, CaKi-2 and HTB-47, then treated with ABT-737 or BB94. Cell apoptosis and cell viability was detected by flow cytometry and MTT assay. Matrigel was used for cell motility and invasion assay. MMP-2, bcl-2 and S100A4 was detected by RT-PCR and western blot assay. NF-kB subunit p65 activity was detected by confocal microscopy assay. We then determine the effect S100A4 sliencing on tumor growth, lung metastasis development in vivo. Immunohistochemistry was used to detected the expression of S100A4, bcl-2, MMP-2, p65 and CD31.

RESULTS

S100A4 silencing in ACHN cells by RNA interference significantly inhibited NF-kB and NF-kB-mediated MMP-2 and bcl-2 activation and cellular migration, proliferation, and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, re-expression of S100A4 in S100A4-siRNA-transfected ACHN cells by transient S100A4 cDNA transfection restored the NF-kB and NF-kB-mediated MMP-2 and bcl-2 activation and their high migratory and cellular proliferative ability. An inhibitor ABT-737 (the Bcl-2 antagonist targets Bcl-2) against Bcl-2 suppressed cellular proliferation and promoted apoptosis induced by S100A4 re-expression in S100A4-siRNA-transfected ACHN cells. A inhibitor BB94 against MMPs to neutralize MMP-2 protein suppressed cellular invasion and migration induced by S100A4 re-expression in S100A4-siRNA-transfected ACHN cells. In the prevention model, S100A4 silencing inhibited primary tumor growth by (tumor weight) (76 ± 8%) and (tumor volum) (78 ± 4%) respectively and promoted apoptosis and the formation of lung metastases was inhibited by 89% (p < 0.01). Microvascular density was reduced by 70% (p < 0.01). In addition, S100A4 sliencing inhibited the expression of S100A4 in vivo, followed by the NF-kB, MMP-2 and bcl-2 suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that S100A4 plays a crucial role in proliferation and migratory/invasive processes in human RCC by a mechanism involving activation of NF-kB-bcl-2 and NF-kB-MMP-2 pathway.

Novel EDA p.Ile260Ser mutation linked to non-syndromic hypodontia

Hypodontia, a tooth developmental disease, can affect chewing and pronunciation. Mutations in the ectodysplasin-A (EDA) gene can lead to both X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) and non-syndromic hypodontia (NSH). However, the mechanism by which these 2 related but different disorders are caused by the distinct mutations in EDA is unknown. In this study, we identified a novel missense mutation (c.779 T>G) in a Chinese family with NSH via a direct sequencing approach. This mutation results in an Ile260Ser substitution in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) homology domain. Homology modeling suggests that this alteration may induce a conformational change in the hydrophobic center of the TNF homology domain. Furthermore, by exploring systematic 3D conformation analysis and calculation of residue relative solvent accessibility (RSA) for all the reported mutated amino acid sites on EDA's TNF homology domain, we found that the site mutations at the interior may be linked to XLHED, while those at the surface are more likely to be associated with NSH. These findings may aid in the discovery of unidentified functionally significant mutation sites in the EDA gene and provide a new way to clarify the mechanisms by which the XLHED and NSH phenotypes arise from mutations in the same gene.

Abstract P2-09-06: The structure design and biological activities of inhibitory peptides, which block the interactions among polycomb repressive complex 2

Polycomb repressive complex (PRC2) contains several proteins, including embryonic ectoderm development (EED), suppressor of zeste 12 (SUZ12) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). Excessive EZH2 concentrations have been reported as a marker of aggressive breast cancer and associated with invasion and cancer progression. EZH2 levels were elevated in patients with invasive breast carcinoma relative to normal or atypical hyperplasia. Except for the C-terminal SET domain, which functions as a histone-lysine N-methyltransferases, EZH2 has an N-terminal alpha helix region, which forms tight complex with EED protein. The in vivo enzymatic activity of EZH2 relies on and be tightly regulated by the interaction with EED. We designed series of artificial peptides trying to block the interaction between EZH2 and EED. By using label-free surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, the dynamic binding capacities of these peptides were tested. There were 3 leading structures standing out from the screening of more 80 peptides. After several round of co-crystal structure based optimization, the binding capacity of one inhibitor was reached to several nM levels, which indicated the availability for being a drug candidate. Finally, the biological activities of the inhibitory peptides were tested in several breast cancer cell lines. The PRC2 inhibitory peptides in this study are the first time reported PRC2 targeting epigenetic molecules with biological activity in breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-06.

Manganese-enhanced MRI optic nerve tracking: effect of intravitreal manganese dose on retinal toxicity

The aim of this study was to provide data on the dose dependence of manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) in the visual pathway of experimental rats and to study the toxicity of MnCl₂ to the retina. Sprague-Dawley rats were intravitreally injected with 2 μL of 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 300 mM MnCl₂, respectively. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of MEMRI for optic nerve enhancement was measured at different concentrations of MnCl₂. Simultaneously, the toxicity of manganese was evaluated by counting retinal ganglion cells and by retinal histological examination using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The CNR increased with increasing concentration of MnCl₂ up to 75 mM. Retinal ganglion cell densities were reduced significantly when the concentration of MnCl₂ in the intravitreal injection was equal to or greater than 75 mM. Increasing numbers of ribosomes in retinal ganglion cells were first detected at 25 mM of MnCl₂. The retinal toxicity of MnCl₂ at higher concentration also included mitochondrial pathology and cell disruption of retinal ganglion cells, as well as abnormalities of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium cells. It can be concluded that intravitreal injection of MnCl₂ induces retinal cell damage that appears to start from 25 mM. The concentration of MnCl₂ should not exceed 25 mm through intravitreal injection for visual pathway MEMRI in the rat.