Bradykinin contributes to immune liver injury via B2R receptor-mediated pathways in trichloroethylene sensitized mice: A role in Kupffer cell activation

We have previously shown trichloroethylene (TCE) induced occupational medicamentosa-like dermatitis due to TCE (OMLDT) with immune liver injury, and kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) activation as a probably mechanism underlying the immune damage. Bradykinin (BK) is an important active component of KKS system function, but the specific role of BK in the immune liver injury has never been examined. The present study aimed to explore the important role of BK and mechanisms of action in immune liver injury induced by TCE. TCE sensitization significantly increased the expression of BK receptor (B2R) in the liver. Compared to blank and vehicle control group, TCE sensitization positive mice developed exacerbated liver injury evidenced by elevated AST, ALT levels and hepatocyte damage. TCE sensitization also stimulated MAPK and STAT3 activation in liver tissue. B2R antagonist HOE140 ameliorated these changes. Kupffer cells (KCs) of the liver were also activated following TCE sensitization; both CD68⁺ KCs and CD16/CD32⁺ M1 type KCs were increased in TCE positive group. Further experiments isolated the KCs from the liver in each group and showed that TCE sensitization resulted activation of MAPK signal pathway which in turn caused release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, in KCs; the antagonist HOE140 again decreased these changes in KCs. These results uncover a novel role of BK and B2R cross-talk in KCs activation in TCE sensitized mice, mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokine release via MAPK and STAT3 activation, contributing to the immune liver injury.

Trace Element Levels in the Elders over 80 from the Hainan Province of China

Trace elements are key regulators of metabolism and physiological pathways, and their levels change during aging. Hair, as a biological sample, has attracted much attention due to its ease of collection and slow substance metabolism. Also, trace elements in hair can reveal the distribution of essential nutrients and toxic elements in the body pools. Therefore, we investigated the lifestyle and dietary status by questionnaire and measured 8 trace elements in hair and 6 elements in blood of a sample of elders over 80 residing in Hainan province of China. Our data showed that the concentration of Se, Fe and Pb dropped as people grow older, but Mn rose. Changes in trace elements may affect enzyme activity and biological pathways, and are associated with many diseases, including cancer and chronic diseases. In addition, association between age-related diseases and trace elements are increasingly being reported, suggesting that approaches of combining nutrition with longevity studies in the further study will help us to identify the mechanisms whereby trace elements affect the aging process.

Sex, Residence and Fish Intake Predict Vitamin D Status in Chinese Centenarians

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Chinese centenarians and to identify the factors associated with vitamin D deficiency.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional population-based study.

SETTING

Hainan province in the south of China.

PARTICIPANTS

943 subjects aged 100 years old and older.

METHODS

Details on sociodemographics and lifestyle characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometrics and blood samples were obtained. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 20ng/mL (50nmol/L).

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among these 943 centenarians was 39.9% (376 subjects) and the mean serum vitamin D concentrations were 22.7±9.5 (ng/mL). Female centenarians had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency than male (44.0% vs. 21.7%, P <0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that being female, urban residency, lower body mass index, higher serum parathyroid hormone levels, no fish consumption, and less sun exposure time were all significant and independent determinants of vitamin D deficiency. No significant associations of vitamin D deficiency with ethnic, education, geographic location, tea drinking, alcohol use, or smoking were found in this study.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency was common in Chinese centenarians, especially in women. Given that vitamin D deficiency is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, dietary, outdoor activities and other intervention measures are needed to correct vitamin D deficiency in this population.

NF-κB signaling pathway-enhanced complement activation mediates renal injury in trichloroethylene-sensitized mice

Both NF-κB pathway and complement activation appear to be involved in kidney damage induced by trichloroethylene (TCE). However, any relationship between these two systems has not yet been established. The present study aimed to clarify the role of NF-κB in complement activation and renal injury in TCE-sensitized BALB/c mice. Mice were sensitized by an initial subcutaneous injection and repeated focal applications of TCE to dorsal skin at specified timepoints. NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) was injected (intraperitoneal) before the final two focal TCE challenges. In the experiments, mice had their blood and kidneys collected. Kidney function was evaluated via blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) content; renal histology was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Kidney levels of phospho-p65 were assessed by Western blot and kidney mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and p65 by real-time quantitative PCR. Presence of C3 and C5b-9 membrane attack complexes in the kidneys was evaluated via immunohistochemistry. The results showed there was significant swelling, vacuolar degeneration in mitochondria, shrinkage of microvilli, disappearance of brush borders, segmental foot process fusion, and glomerular basement membrane thickening (or disrobing) in kidneys from TCE-sensitized mice. In conjunction with these changes, serum BUN and Cr levels were increased and IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and TNFα mRNA levels were elevated. Levels of p65 and phospho-p65 protein were also up-regulated, and there was significant C3 and C5b-9 deposition. PDTC pretreatment attenuated TCE-induced up-regulation of p65 and its phosphorylation, complement deposition, cytokine release, and renal damage. These results provide the first evidence that NF-κB pathway has an important role in TCE-induced renal damage mediated by enhanced complement activation in situ.

Cesarean section and risks of overweight and obesity in school-aged children: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Obesity puts a great health burden in the world. Previous studies suggest that caesarean section (CS) may increase the risk of obesity in children, but it is still uncertain whether this association is causal or due to residual confounding by medical indication.

AIM

To assess the association between CS, CS without medical indications in particular and the risk of overweight and obesity in school-aged children.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

The 2014 Shanghai Child Health, Education and Lifestyle Evaluation was a large population-based survey with cluster random probability sampling in 26 primary schools in Shanghai, China, in 2014. The mode of delivery was reported by parents. The height, weight and waist circumference of the children were measured. Logistic regression models with SURVEYLOGISTIC procedure were used to estimate the risk of childhood obesity. Pupils delivered vaginally were served as the reference group.

RESULTS

A total of 17 571 pupils completed this survey, and 13 724 of them who were singleton, born term and between 5 and 13 years old were included in our analysis. CS was associated with increased risks of overweight and obesity (BMI: adjusted OR = 1.28 [95%CI 1.13-1.45] and 1.44 [1.26-1.66], respectively; weight for height ratio [WHtR] >0.46: 1.33 [1.20-1.48]). Similar results were found in CS without medical indication (BMI: overweight = 1.24 [1.05-1.47], obesity = 1.43 [1.19-1.72]; WHtR > 0.46: 1.30 [1.13-1.50]).

CONCLUSIONS

CS overall and CS without medical indications were associated with increased risks of overweight and obesity in primary school children.

Sex-specific aortic root anatomy in patients with bicuspid aortic valve undergoing TAVR in a Chinese cohort

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the sex-specific aortic root anatomy in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).

Patients and methods

This retrospective study includes 73 consecutive patients with BAV who underwent CT evaluation before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) between July 2013 and April 2017 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University.

Result

The size of the annulus, diameter and height of the sinotubular junction (STJ), height of the coronary artery ostia, and dimension of the aorta were measured. Women had significantly smaller annulus parameters (mean diameter: 23.4 ± 1.8 vs. 26.1 ± 2.1 mm; area: 425.3 ± 59.4 vs. 527.4 ± 84.6 mm²; perimeter: 74.3 ± 5.2 vs. 83.2 ± 6.4 mm), and STJ diameter (29.7 ± 3.1 vs. 32.6 ± 4.5 mm) than men (p < 0.01 for all), even after adjustment for their smaller body surface area (BSA). Dimension of aorta and height of right coronary artery were also significantly smaller in women, although not when indexing for the BSA. The left ventricular ejection fraction of women is significantly higher than that of men before discharge (60.2 ± 9.7% vs. 53.7 ± 13.6%, p = 0.01). There were no differences between women and men in the all-cause 30-day and 1‑year mortality.

Conclusion

Women with BAV had smaller annulus and STJ diameter after indexing for BSA, reflecting a sex-specific difference. There were no differences in 30-day and 1‑year mortality between the two groups.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00059-018-4740-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Effects of IL-17 antibody on inflammation of adipose tissue in obese mice induced by bisphenol A]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of IL-17 antibody on adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage accumulation in obese mice induced by BPA.

METHODS

4-week-old male C57 BL/6 mice were fed with high fat diet( HFD) and were randomly divided into solvent control group, IgG treatment group, IL-17 antibody treatment group, 1000 nmol/L BPA group, IgG + 1000 nmol/L BPA group, IL-17 antibody + 1000 nmol/L BPA group, with 8 mice in each group. The BPA exposed group administered 1000 nmol/L BPA by drinking water. The mice in IL-17 treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μg IL-17 antibody and the mice in IgG treatment group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μg IgG each week. Mice were sacrificed and epididymal fat pad was obtained after 16 weeks. Histopathological section was used to observe the cells morphological changes and inflammation in epididymal adipose tissue. Immunohistochemistry( IHC) was used to detect the expression of IL-17、TNF-α and IL-1β in epididymal adipose tissue. Immunofluorescence( IF) was used to detect the location of macrophage in the epididymal adipose tissue. One-Way ANOVA was used to compare the mean values of the two groups, and the Tukey method was used for pairwise comparison.

RESULTS

The obesity rate [( 40. 68 ± 9. 43) %]and body weight [( 41. 95 ±2. 81) g]of mice in 1000 nmol/L BPA group higher than the mice in solvent control group( body weight [( 38. 44 ± 4. 23) g], the obesity rate [( 28. 90 ± 14. 19) % ]), the difference was statistically significant( body weight F = 5. 895, P < 0. 05, the obesity rate F = 5. 895, P < 0. 05). Epididymal adipose tissue inflammatory cell infiltration increased. The expression of IL-17( F = 28. 225, P < 0. 05) and IL-1β( F = 57. 878, P < 0. 05) were upregulated. And the macrophage accumulation was increased( F = 90. 829, P < 0. 05). Compared with the 1000 nmol/L BPA group, IgG treatment groups( the obesity rate[( 35. 98 ± 10. 73) % ]) had less effect on the mice. IL-17 treatment( the obesity rate[( 23. 03 ± 12. 50) % ]) inhibited BPA-induced increased in obesity rate of mice. Also, the inflammatory infiltration and macrophage accumulation of the adipose tissue were reduced( F = 90. 829, P < 0. 05). And the expression of IL-17( F = 28. 225, P < 0. 05), TNF-α( F = 4. 199, P < 0. 05) and IL-1β( F = 57. 878, P < 0. 05) inflammatory factors were decreased.

CONCLUSION

IL-17 antibody can improve BPA-induced mice obesity by reducing adipose tissue macrophage accumulation and reducing adipose tissue inflammation.

Associations between knee structural measures, circulating inflammatory factors and MMP13 in patients with knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate cross-sectional associations between serum level of Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)13 and knee structural measures and circulating inflammatory factors in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DESIGN

A total of 149 subjects with symptomatic knee OA were included. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) volume, IPFP signal intensity alternation, cartilage volume and cartilage defects. Knee radiography was used to assess radiographic OA using the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading system. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum levels of inflammatory factors and MMP13.

RESULTS

In multivariable analyses, serum MMP13 was negatively associated with cartilage volume at patellar site (β: -32.94 mm³ per 10 ng/ml, P < 0.05), and positively associated with cartilage defect at medial femoral site (OR: 1.13 per 10 ng/ml, P < 0.05). Also, MMP13 was positively associated with K-L grading and IPFP signal intensity alteration (OR: 1.14 and 1.15 per 10 ng/ml, respectively, both P < 0.05), and negatively associated with IPFP volume (β: -0.34 cm³ per 10 ng/ml, P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum level of adiponectin was negatively associated serum MMP13 quartiles (OR: 0.66 per 10 μg/ml, P < 0.05), and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-18 were positively associated with serum MMP13 quartiles (ORs: 1.01-1.18 per 10 pg/ml, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum level of MMP13 was associated with knee structural abnormalities as well as serum inflammatory factors. These suggest that systemic MMP13 may play a role in knee OA, and could be regulated by inflammatory factors.

Dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum helps to improve the intestinal barrier function of weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

AIMS

The objective of this study was twofold: (i) to examine the effect of Clostridium butyricum on intestinal barrier function and (ii) to elucidate the mechanisms involved in enhanced intestinal barrier function.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-eight weaned piglets were assigned randomly to either a basal diet or a C. butyricum-supplemented diet. On day 15, all pigs were orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88 or saline. Clostridium butyricum decreased serum diamine oxidase activity and d-lactic acid concentration, as well as increased intestinal tight junction proteins (ZO-1, claudin-3 and occludin) expression in ETEC K88-infected pigs. Moreover, C. butyricum decreased IL-1β and IL-18 levels in serum and gut, whereas it increased IL-10 levels. Furthermore, C. butyricum downregulated NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression in ETEC K88-challenged pig gut, but did not affect apoptosis-associated speck-like protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Clostridium butyricum enhanced intestinal barrier function and inhibited apoptosis-associated speck-like protein-independent NLRP3 inflammasome signalling pathway in weaned piglets after ETEC K88 challenge.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The novelty of this study lies in the beneficial effects of C. butyricum on intestinal health, likely by improving intestinal barrier function and alleviating inflammatory reactions.

Histopathological and immunophenotypic features of ipilimumab-associated colitis compared to ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Use of the immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab is sometimes complicated by ipilimumab-associated colitis (Ipi-AC), an immune-mediated colitis that mimics inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to characterize the histopathologic and immunophenotypic features of Ipi-AC and to directly compare these features to ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of 22 patients with Ipi-AC, 12 patients with treatment-naïve UC and five controls with diarrhoea but normal endoscopic findings. Immunohistopathologic features were described, and quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for CD4, CD8, CD20, CD138 and FOXP3.

RESULTS

Endoscopic findings in both the Ipi-AC and UC groups included ulcerated, oedematous and erythematous mucosa. Involvement of the GI tract was more diffuse in Ipi-AC. As compared to UC, a smaller proportion of Ipi-AC biopsies had basal plasmacytosis (14% for Ipi-AC vs. 92% for UC, P < 0.0001) and crypt distortion (23% for Ipi-AC vs. 75% for UC, P = 0.003), whereas Ipi-AC biopsies had more apoptotic bodies in the left colon (17.6 ± 15.3 for Ipi-AC vs. 8.2 ± 4.2 for UC, P = 0.011). Cryptitis, ulcerations and crypt abscesses were common in both groups. Biopsy specimens from Ipi-AC had a lower density of CD20-positive lymphocytes than UC (275.8 ± 253.3 cells mm^-2 for Ipi-AC vs. 1173.3 ± 1158.2 cells mm^-2 for UC, P = 0.022) but had a similar density of CD4, CD8, CD138 and FOXP3-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Ipi-AC is a distinct pathologic entity with notable clinical and histopathological differences compared to UC. These findings provide insights into the pathophysiology of immune-related adverse events (iAEs) from ipilimumab therapy.

Grain boundary phases in bcc metals

We report a computational discovery of novel grain boundary structures and multiple grain boundary phases in elemental body-centered cubic (bcc) metals represented by tungsten, tantalum and molybdenum. While grain boundary structures created by the γ-surface method as a union of two perfect half crystals have been studied extensively, it is known that the method has limitations and does not always predict the correct ground states. Herein, we use a newly developed computational tool, based on evolutionary algorithms, to perform a grand-canonical search of high-angle symmetric tilt and twist boundaries, and we find new ground states and multiple phases that cannot be described using the conventional structural unit model. We use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to demonstrate that the new structures can coexist at finite temperature in a closed system, confirming that these are examples of different grain boundary phases. The new ground state is confirmed by first-principles calculations.

[Study on sleep quality and related determinants among centenarians in Hainan province]

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality and related determinants among centenarians in Hainan. Methods: A cross-sectional study of centenarians from 16 cities/counties was carried out in Hainan province between June 2014 and June 2016. Data related to demography, chronic diseases and lifestyles of the centenarians were collected. Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess the quality of sleep while multivariable logistic Regression model was used to determine the risk factors on the quality of sleep. Results: Of the 730 centenarians in this study, 225 suffered from sleep disorders (30.8%). The average score of PSQI was (6.44±3.05), with the top three problems related to sleep as sleep inefficiency (48.5%), sleep latency (35.5%), and daytime dysfuntion (20.6%) among the centenarians. Results from the multivariate logistic analysis showed that incontinence, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain were risk factors, while habitual afternoon nap, and regular diet appeared as protective factors (P<0.05), related to sleep disorder. Conclusions: Quality of sleep had been a problem to the centenarians in Hainan. Intervention on risk factors of sleep disorder should be helpful on these centenarians.