The effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on chronic stress induced depression-like behaviors, BDNF expression and the phosphorylation of PKA and CREB in rats

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder which has been associated with a wide range of structural and functional changes within specific brain regions. Ginsenoside Rg1 has been shown to exert a number of neuroprotective effects as demonstrated in various in vivo and in vitro studies. However, little information is available regarding the site and mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg1 in promoting antidepressant effects. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective and ameliorating effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on depression-like behavior as induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS was effective in producing depression-like behaviors in rats as indicated by decreased responses in sucrose preference and forced swim tests which were associated with ultrastructural changes in neurons within the amygdala. Moreover, levels of PKA and CREB phosphorylation and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were decreased in the amygdala of CUMS rats. Remarkably, chronic ginsenoside Rg1 (40 mg/kg, i.p., 5 weeks) treatment significantly ameliorated these behavioral and biochemical alterations associated with CUMS-induced depression. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate that ginsenoside Rg1 exhibits antidepressant-like effects against CUMS-induced depression. This amelioration of depression-like behaviors by ginsenoside Rg1 appears to be mediated, at least in part, by a CREB-regulated increase of BDNF expression in the amygdala of rats. Therefore, these findings reveal the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rg1 for use in clinical trials in the treatment of depression.

Mutational analysis of HOXA10 gene in Chinese patients with cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies and affects 2-4% of full-term new born boys. Its aetiology is poorly understood at present. HOXA10 plays a pivotal role in regulation of testicular descent. Male mice mutant for Hoxa10 exhibit unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism as a result of impaired development of the gubernaculums. In this study, we performed mutation analysis of HOXA10 gene in a cohort of 98 cryptorchid patients. And we found a mutation (N27K) in a boy with unilateral cryptorchidism. The mutation was not detected in 106 healthy controls. Both in silico analyses and functional studies showed that the mutation affected the function of HOXA10. The results demonstrated that mutation in HOXA10 gene contributes to the pathogenesis of cryptorchidism, but may not be a common cause.

ARHGAP10, downregulated in ovarian cancer, suppresses tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells

Rho GTPase-activating proteins (RhoGAPs) are implicated in the development and progression of ovarian cancer. ARHGAP10 is a member of RhoGAP proteins and inactivates Cdc42 by converting GTP-bound form to GDP-bound form. Here, we aimed to evaluate ARHGAP10 expression profile and functions in ovarian cancer. The decreased expression of ARHGAP10 was found in 77.3% (58/75) of ovarian cancer tissues, compared with their non-tumorous counterparts. Furthermore, overall survival in ovarian cancer patients with higher expression of ARHGAP10 was longer than those with lower expression. Ectopic expression of ARHGAP10 in two ovarian cancer cell lines with lower expression of ARHGAP10 (A2780 and HO-8910) dramatically suppressed cell proliferation in vitro. In nude mice, its stable overexpression significantly inhibited the tumorigenicity of A2780 cells. We further demonstrated that overexpression of ARHGAP10 significantly inhibited cell adhesion, migration and invasion, resulted in cell arrest in G1 phase of cell cycle and a significant increase of apoptosis. Moreover, ARHGAP10 interacted with Cdc42 and overexpression of ARHGAP10 inhibited the activity of Cdc42 in A2780 cells. Gene set enrichment analysis on The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset showed that KEGG cell cycle, replication and base excision repair (BER) pathways were correlatively with the ARHGAP10 expression, which was further confirmed in ovarian cancer cells by western blotting. Hence, ARHGAP10 may serve as a tumor suppressor through inactivating Cdc42, as well as inhibiting cell cycle, replication and BER pathways. Our data suggest an important role of ARHGAP10 in the molecular etiology of cancer and implicate the potential application of ARHGAP10 in cancer therapy.

Tumor-suppressive function of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 in glioma cells by downregulation of MMP2 and inactivation of ERK/MAPK signaling

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a type of long noncoding RNA. It is associated with metastasis and is a favorable prognostic factor for lung cancer. Recent studies have shown that MALAT1 plays an important role in other malignancies. But, little is known about the role of MALAT1 in glioma. In this study, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to demonstrate that the expression of MALAT1 was lower than that in normal brain tissues. Stable RNA interference-mediated knockdown of MALAT1 in human glioma cell lines (U87 and U251) significantly promoted the invasion and proliferation of the glioma cells by in vitro assays. Conversely, overexpression of MALAT1 caused significant reduction in cell proliferation and invasion in vitro, and tumorigenicity in both subcutaneous and intracranial human glioma xenograft models. Furthermore, MALAT1-mediated tumor suppression in glioma cells may be via reduction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) signaling activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). In conclusion, overall data demonstrated the tumor-suppressive role of MALAT1 in glioma by attenuating ERK/MAPK-mediated growth and MMP2-mediated invasiveness.

No influence of CYP2D6*10 genotype and phenotype on the pharmacokinetics of nebivolol in healthy Chinese subjects

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Nebivolol, a clinically important antihypertensive drug, mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, shows wide interindividual variability in pharmacokinetics. The CYP2D6*10 allele (100C>T; rs1065852), present at a high frequency in the Chinese population, is associated with alteration in the pharmacokinetics of many drugs, but its effect on the pharmacokinetics of nebivolol is unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the CYP2D6*10 genotype and phenotype are associated with changes in the pharmacokinetics of nebivolol in Chinese subjects.

METHODS

Twenty-four healthy subjects were divided into three groups according to CYP2D6*1/*1 (n = 7), CYP2D6*1/*10 (n = 5) and CYP2D6*10/*10 (n = 12) genotypes. The *1/*1 homozygotes and *1/*10 heterozygotes were C allele carriers. All subjects received oral single dose of nebivolol and dextromethorphan. Blood and urine samples were gathered at various times.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of nebivolol between the three CYP2D6*10 genotypes, and no gene-dose effect was seen. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CYP2D6*10/*10 subjects were also similar to those of CYP2D6*1 carriers. A weak relationship between CYP2D6 phenotype and nebivolol clearance was found.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

The CYP2D6*10 genotype and phenotype were not associated with significant alterations in the pharmacokinetics of nebivolol. CYP2D6*10 alone does not account for the large interindividual differences observed in the disposition of nebivolol among Chinese healthy subjects.

Effect of oleic acid supplementation on prostaglandin production in maternal endometrial and fetal allantochorion cells isolated from late gestation ewes

INTRODUCTION

Elevated circulating non-esterified fatty acids including oleic acid (OA) are associated with many pregnancy related complications. Prostaglandins (PGs) play crucial roles during parturition. We investigated the effect of OA supplementation on PG production using an in vitro model of ovine placenta.

METHODS

Maternal endometrium (ME) and fetal allantochorion (FC) were collected in late pregnancy (day 135). Confluent cells were cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with 0, 20 or 100 μM OA and challenged with control medium, oxytocin (OT, 250 nM), lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 μg/ml) or dexamethasone (DEX, 5 μM). Spent medium was harvested at 2 and 24 h after challenge for quantifying PGs.

RESULTS

In ME cells OA increased PGE2 production moderately but attenuated PGF2α production leading to a doubling of the PGE2:PGF2α ratio (E:F) (P < 0.01). Without OA, both OT and LPS stimulated PG production for about 3-fold (P < 0.01) without changing the E:F ratio. In the ME cells challenged with OT, OA decreased both PGE2 and PGF2α production by up to 70% (P < 0.01) whereas in LPS treated cells OA increased the E:F ratio. In FC cells PGE2 production at 2 h was stimulated by 100 μM OA (P < 0.05). In these cells LPS caused a 3-fold increase in PGE2 (P < 0.01), an effect which was completely inhibited by DEX.

DISCUSSION

OA supplementation favours basal PGE2 production in both ME and FC. In ME OA increased E:F ratios and antagonized the stimulatory effect of OT on PG production. This suggests that raised circulating OA may affect both the initiation and progression of parturition.

Caesarean Sections in Beijing, China - Results from a Descriptive Study

OBJECTIVE

Caesarean section rates are increasing dramatically in China. The predominant contributor to the increase in China was the unnecessary Caesarean section. The objective of this study was to estimate the excess economic burden caused by unnecessary Caesarean sections vs. vaginal delivery for Beijing and all China.

METHODS

The 33 476 obstetric medical case files from randomly selected 17 hospitals of Beijing in 2011 were taken for our descriptive approach. Based on the individual medical files and on a definition of what necessary and unnecessary Caesarean sections are, we sampled also the data for costs and length of stay for comparisons with vaginal deliveries. The Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson chi-square test statistics were used to test for significant difference in the analysis.

RESULTS

The Caesarean section rate was 58.5% among all deliveries and that rate of unnecessary Caesarean sections was 71.5% among all the Caesarean sections but 41.8% among all deliveries in Beijing. The hospitalisation expenses of unnecessary Caesarean sections were 472 US$ higher than that of a vaginal delivery on average. The total excess economic burden caused by unnecessary Caesarean sections can be estimated to 38.97 million US$ for Beijing and to 3.29 billion US$ all over China in 2011. This is equivalent to the annual health expenditure of over 139 575 residents in Beijing and of 11 783 120 residents in China, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Socio-economic factors are possible reasons for the increase of unnecessary Caesarean section in China and more analytical attention should be paid to that problem in order to propose fitting practical reactions.

Progesterone-induced cyclin G1 inhibits the proliferation of endometrial epithelial cell and its possible molecular mechanism

Under normal conditions, progesterone inhi-bits the estrogen-induced proliferation of endometrial epithelium. Our previous studies have shown that cyclin G1 was progesterone-dependent in mouse endometrial epithelium at peri-implantation, and exogenous cyclin G1 suppressed the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells. The objectives of this study are to determine whether cyclin G1, as a negative regulator of the cell cycle, is involved in the antiproliferative action of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cells, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of cyclin G1 inhibition. The siRNA-mediated elimination of cyclin G1 attenuated the antiproliferative action of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cells. Immunoprecipitation showed that progesterone-induced cyclin G1 could interact with PP2A to mediate its phosphatase activity. The block of PP2A activity also attenuated the antiproliferative action of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cells and increased the phosphorylated Rb. In conclusion, progesterone-induced cyclin G1 mediates the inhibitory effect of progesterone on endometrial epithelial cell proliferation possibly through the recruitment of PP2A to dephosphorylate Rb.

Effects of the modified Huanglian Jiedu decoction on the disease resistance in grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) to Lactococcus garvieae

Lactococcosis is prevalent on grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) in Hong Kong aquaculture resulting in serious economic loss. A compound formulation of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) (modified Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD)) comprising Rhizoma coptidis, Radix scutellaria, Cortex phellodendri, Fructus gardeniae, Fructus forsythiae and Flos lonicerae japonicae (in a ratio of 3:2:2:3:3:5) were applied as feed supplements to deal with the disease. The Nitroblue tetrazolium activity in blood, bactericidal activity and total immunoglobulin in plasma were significantly enhanced after feeding 1% of this TCM for 28 days. The disease resistances to Lactococcus garvieae in 1% and 2% TCM feeding groups were significantly enhanced. In the in vitro study, the modified HLJDD also activated the plasma bactericidal activities (p<0.01). Based on this study, 1% modified HLJDD feeding for 28 days may be an optimal dose to prevent L. garvieae infection and could be used in aquaculture industries.

Predicting flow in aortic dissection: comparison of computational model with PC-MRI velocity measurements

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening process in which the weakened wall develops a tear, causing separation of wall layers. The dissected layers separate the original true aortic lumen and a newly created false lumen. If untreated, the condition can be fatal. Flow rate in the false lumen is a key feature for false lumen patency, which has been regarded as one of the most important predictors of adverse early and later outcomes. Detailed flow analysis in the dissected aorta may assist vascular surgeons in making treatment decisions, but computational models to simulate flow in aortic dissections often involve several assumptions. The purpose of this study is to assess the computational models adopted in previous studies by comparison with in vivo velocity data obtained by means of phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI). Aortic dissection geometry was reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) images, while PC-MRI velocity data were used to define inflow conditions and to provide distal velocity components for comparison with the simulation results. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation incorporated a laminar-turbulent transition model, which is necessary for adequate flow simulation in aortic conditions. Velocity contours from PC-MRI and CFD in the two lumens at the distal plane were compared at four representative time points in the pulse cycle. The computational model successfully captured the complex regions of flow reversal and recirculation qualitatively, although quantitative differences exist. With a rigid wall assumption and exclusion of arch branches, the CFD model over-predicted the false lumen flow rate by 25% at peak systole. Nevertheless, an overall good agreement was achieved, confirming the physiological relevance and validity of the computational model for type B aortic dissection with a relatively stiff dissection flap.

Regulatory effect of iron regulatory protein-2 on iron metabolism in lung cancer

Iron metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gene silencing of iron regulatory protein-2 (IRP2) on mRNA and protein expression of transferrin (Tf), transferrin receptor (TfR), and ferritin (Fn) in A549 lung cancer cells. A549 cells were cultured and divided into a liposome control group, a liposome + oligonucleotide (SCODN) control group, and a Lipofectamine + antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) group. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of Tf, TfR, and Fn. We found no significant change in Tf mRNA expression among the 3 groups (P = 0.078). TfR and Fn mRNA expressions in the ASODN group notably decreased compared to the liposome and SCODN groups (P < 0.01). IRP2 and TfR protein expressions in the ASODN group were significantly lower than in the liposome or SCODN groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant change in Tf protein expression was observed between the 3 groups (P = 0.088). Fn protein expression in the ASODN group was significantly higher than in the liposome or SCODN group (P < 0.05). IRP2 can regulate the expression of TfR and Fn by changing its own protein expression and thereby regulate iron metabolism.

Effects of chromium picolinate on the viability of chick embryo fibroblast

Chromium picolinate (CrPic), which is used as a nutritional supplement and to treat type 2 diabetes, has gained much attention because of its cytotoxicity. This study evaluated the effects of CrPic on the viability of the chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, morphological detection, and flow cytometry. The results show that lower concentrations of CrPic (8 and 16 μM) did not damage CEF viability (p > 0.05). However, higher CrPic concentrations (400 and 600 μM) indicated a highly significant effect on the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular calcium ion concentration, and the apoptosis rate (p < 0.01), contrary to lower CrPic concentrations (8 and 16 μM) and control group. Moreover, apoptotic morphological changes induced by these processes in CEF were confirmed using Hoechst 33258 staining. Cell death induced by higher concentrations of CrPic was caused by an apoptotic and a necrotic mechanism, whereas the main mechanism of oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction was apoptotic death.