Hypoglycaemic activity of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice through ameliorating metabolic function and regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycaemia causing changes in plasma lipoproteins, which leads to insulin resistance, secretion defects or both. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxy-cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) isolated from Averrhoa carambola L. roots to lower hyperglycaemia and to investigate its potential mechanism in diabetic mice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

DMDD was isolated using a column chromatographic technique. Experimental mice were fed with a high-fat diet for a month and were intravenously injected with streptozotocin (80 mg/kg, single dose). Diabetic mice were orally administered DMDD (12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg) and 50 mg/kg pioglitazone for 15 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting blood insulin (FINS), pancreatic insulin content, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) were determined. Adipose tissue was assessed by histological examination, immunohistochemistry, western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction methods.

RESULTS

DMDD significantly increased the insulin level (all p < 0.05). In contrast, FBG, IL-6, TNF-α, TC, TG and FFA were significantly decreased (all p < 0.05). However, DMDD induced the activation of adipocyte peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), confirmed by increased protein and mRNA expression of PPAR-γ.

CONCLUSIONS

DMDD possessed hypoglycaemic activity due to its potential mechanism involving PPARγ-mediated adipocyte endocrine regulation.

Local structure and defects in ion irradiated KTaO3

The modification of the local structure in cubic perovskite KTaO₃ irradiated with 3 MeV and 1.1 GeV Au ions is studied by Raman and x-ray absorption spectroscopy, complemented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In the case of irradiation with 3 MeV Au ions where displacement cascade processes are dominant, the Ta L₃-edge x-ray absorption measurements suggest that a peak corresponding to the Ta-O bonds in the TaO₆ octahedra splits, which is attributed to the formation of Ta_K antisite defects that are coupled with oxygen vacancies, V _O. This finding is consistent with the DFT calculations. Under irradiation with 1.1 GeV ions, the intense ionization and electronic energy deposition lead to a blue shift and an intensity reduction of active Raman bands. In the case of sequential irradiations, extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements reveal a decrease in concentration of coupled Ta_K-V _O defects under subsequent irradiation with 1.1 GeV Au ions.

Effect of Yulangsan Polysaccharide on the Reinstatement of Morphine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Sprague-Dawley Rats

We previously reported that Yulangsan polysaccharide (YLSP), which was isolated from the root of Millettia pulchra Kurz, attenuates withdrawal symptoms of morphine dependence by regulating the nitric oxide pathway and modulating monoaminergic neurotransmitters. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanism of YLSP on the reinstatement of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats. A CPP procedure was employed to assess the behavior of rats, and indicators of serum and four brain regions (nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex) were determined to explore its underlying mechanism. YLSP inhibited priming morphine-induced reinstatement of CPP in a dose-dependent manner. YLSP markedly reduced nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase levels in the brain. Moreover, YLSP significantly decreased the dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the serum and brain. Furthermore, YLSP significantly decreased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations, inhibited the expression of dopamine D1 receptors and cAMP response element binding protein mRNA, and improved the expression of dopamine D2 receptor mRNA in the four brain regions. Our findings indicated that YLSP could inhibit the reinstatement of morphine-induced CPP possibly by modulating the NO-cGMP and D1R-cAMP signaling pathways.

Venous thromboembolic prophylaxis after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: aspirin versus warfarin

Aims

The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of two agents, aspirin and warfarin, for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA), and to elucidate the risk of VTE conferred by this procedure compared with unilateral TKA (UTKA).

Patients and Methods

A retrospective, multi-institutional study was conducted on 18 951 patients, 3685 who underwent SBTKA and 15 266 who underwent UTKA, using aspirin or warfarin as VTE prophylaxis. Each patient was assigned an individualised baseline VTE risk score based on a system using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Symptomatic VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), were identified in the first 90 days post-operatively. Statistical analyses were performed with logistic regression accounting for baseline VTE risk.

Results

The adjusted incidence of PE following SBTKA was 1.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86 to 1.2) with aspirin and 2.2% (95% CI 2.0 to 2.4) with warfarin. Similarly, the adjusted incidence of VTE following SBTKA was 1.6% (95% CI 1.1 to 2.3) with aspirin and 2.5% (95% CI 1.9 to 3.3) with warfarin. The risk of PE and VTE were reduced by 66% (odds ratio (OR) 0.44, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.78) and 38% (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.0), respectively, using aspirin. In addition, the risk of PE was 204% higher for patients undergoing SBTKA relative to those undergoing UTKA. For each ten-point increase in baseline VTE risk, the risk of PE increased by 25.5% for patients undergoing SBTKA compared with 10.5% for those undergoing UTKA. Patients with a history of myocardial infarction or peripheral vascular disease had the greatest increase in risk from undergoing SBTKA instead of UTKA.

Conclusion

Aspirin is more effective than warfarin for the prevention of VTE following SBTKA, and serves as the more appropriate agent for VTE prophylaxis for patients in all risk categories. Furthermore, patients undergoing SBTKA are at a substantially increased risk of VTE, even more so for those with significant underlying risk factors. Patients should be informed about the risks associated with undergoing SBTKA.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B(1 Supple A):68–75.

[Prevalence and trend of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Guangdong province, 2002-2012]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and trend of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years between 2002 and 2012 in Guangdong province. Methods: A total of 7 075 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years were selected in Guangdong for nutritional survey in 2002 and a total of 2 319 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years were selected in nine counties/districts of Guangdong for nutritional survey during 2009-2012 through multi-stage random cluster sampling. The body height and weight of all the children and adolescents were measured. Results: The result of 2009-2012 survey indicated the average prevalence of overweight and obesity in the children and adolescents surveyed were 7.3% and 4.5%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher in boys (8.9% and 6.5%) than in girls (5.3% and 2.2%), in rural area (9.3% and 5.6%) than in urban area (4.7% and 3.2%). Children and adolescents aged 9-11 years had a higher overweight and obesity rates compared with other age groups. Compared with 2002, except for obesity rate in urban girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents obviously increased. The increase rate was higher in rural area than urban area and in boys than in girls. Conclusions: Compared with 2002, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in Guangdong obviously increased. The prevalence was much higher in boys, those living in rural area and those aged 9-11 years, thus more attention should be paid to them.

Comparison of Kaposi Sarcoma Risk in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Adults Across 5 Continents: A Multiregional Multicohort Study

BACKGROUND

We compared Kaposi sarcoma (KS) risk in adults who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) across the Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Europe, Latin, and North America.

METHODS

We included cohort data of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adults who started ART after 1995 within the framework of 2 large collaborations of observational HIV cohorts. We present incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs).

RESULTS

We included 208140 patients from 57 countries. Over a period of 1066572 person-years, 2046 KS cases were diagnosed. KS incidence rates per 100000 person-years were 52 in the Asia-Pacific and ranged between 180 and 280 in the other regions. KS risk was 5 times higher in South African women (aHR, 4.56; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 2.73-7.62) than in their European counterparts, and 2 times higher in South African men (2.21; 1.34-3.63). In Europe, Latin, and North America KS risk was 6 times higher in men who have sex with men (aHR, 5.95; 95% CI, 5.09-6.96) than in women. Comparing patients with current CD4 cell counts ≥700 cells/µL with those whose counts were <50 cells/µL, the KS risk was halved in South Africa (aHR, 0.53; 95% CI, .17-1.63) but reduced by ≥95% in other regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite important ART-related declines in KS incidence, men and women in South Africa and men who have sex with men remain at increased KS risk, likely due to high human herpesvirus 8 coinfection rates. Early ART initiation and maintenance of high CD4 cell counts are essential to further reducing KS incidence worldwide, but additional measures might be needed, especially in Southern Africa.

A regulatory circuit HP1γ/miR-451a/c-Myc promotes prostate cancer progression

Heterochromatin protein 1γ (HP1γ) has been implicated in carcinogenesis of various cancer types. However, the role of HP1γ in prostate cancer (PCa) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. We found that HP1γ is upregulated in PCa and elevated levels of HP1γ in PCa predict poor outcome. In addition, depletion of HP1γ in PCa cells not only repressed proliferation and induced apoptosis but also impaired tumorigenicity. We also found that c-Myc was capable of upregulating HP1γ by directly binding to the E-box element in the first intron of HP1γ gene, and the upregulated HP1γ, in turn, repressed the expression of miR-451a by enhancing H3K9 methylation at the promoter region of miR-451a. Furthermore, reduction of miR-451a significantly reversed HP1γ loss-induced PCa cell apoptosis, whereas miR-451a overexpression repressed cell survival by targeting and downregulating c-Myc. The association among c-Myc, HP1γ and miR-451a was further confirmed in human clinical samples. Therefore, we propose that an HP1γ/miR-451a/c-Myc regulatory circuitry exists in PCa cells and this circuit has a crucial role in PCa progression.

Hepatoprotective effects of Yulangsan flavone against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND

Yulangsan flavone (YLSF) was extracted from the root of Millettia pulchra Kurz var-laxior (Dunn) Z. Wei, which has been widely used for liver disease treatment in the Guangxi province of China.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

The study was conducted to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effects of YLSF against CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, meanwhile revealing the potential mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups: hepatic fibrosis group and normal control (NC) group. The rats in the hepatic fibrosis group were given 1 ml/kg 50% CCl₄ (1:1 mixed with peanut oil), while those in the NC group were given 1 ml/kg normal saline (NS), both via intragastric administration. The established experimental rat model from the hepatic fibrosis group was confirmed by pathological inspection and randomly divided into five groups: three YLSF groups (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg), a colchicine group (0.20 mg/kg) and a model group (10 ml/kg NS). All rats were treated with corresponding drugs or NS once a day for four consecutive weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, blood serum and hepatic tissue were collected.

METHODS

The activities of ALT and AST in the serum and the levels of SOD, MDA, GSH and GSH-Px in hepatic tissue were analysed, the indexes of liver, spleen and thymus were counted, the degree of hepatic injury was examined using HE and Masson staining, and the mRNA expression of Col-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 in hepatic tissues was detected.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, experimental results showed that YLSF and colchicine could reduce the levels of AST, ALT and MDA, increase the levels of SOD, GSH and GSH-Px, enhance rat survivability, decrease the liver, spleen and thymus index, significantly lessen collagen deposition and tissue damage and down-regulate the mRNA expression of Col-1, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm that YLSF has a certain curative effect on rats with liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄, and its mechanism may include attenuating free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and accelerating extracellular matrix degradation by down-regulating expression of related genes.

Cytokine expression profile in hospitalized children with herpes simplex virus-1 infection

Aim: We aim to demonstrate the cytokine expression profile of children with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection. Methods: One hundred eighty three children with acute encephalitis were enrolled in this study. Out of those with HSV-1, multiple cytokines were measured. Results: Cytokine analysis of 13 HSV-1-infected patients revealed that IL-8 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor accumulated at significantly higher levels than macrophage inflammatory protein-1β in the cerebrospinal fluid. Additionally, IFN-γ in serum and cerebrospinal fluid was positively correlated with course of illness, while IL-10 in cerebrospinal fluid was negatively correlated with course of illness. Conclusion: Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, IFN-γ and IL-10 are involved in the HSV-1 immune response and pathogenesis.

Antitumor activity of yulangsan polysacchrides in mice bearing S180 sarcoma tumors

Sarcoma is one of the most prevalent pediatric tumors and the therapeutic role of chemotherapy has yet to be elucidated. It has been reported that extracts of Longyanshen (Yulangsan) may enhance the sensitivity of drug-resistant cancer cell lines, and improve the immune dysfunction induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) in mice. The present in vivo study investigated the antitumor effects of Yulangsan polysaccharides (YLSPS) and their interaction with CTX in murine sarcoma 180 (S180)-bearing mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. The ultrastructure of sarcoma cells was examined by transmission electron microscopy and the tumor growth rate was determined by measuring the tumor weight. A dose-dependent inhibition of sarcoma growth was observed in S180-bearing mice following administration of YLSPS. In combination with CTX, an additive antitumor effect was obtained, which was accompanied by amelioration of immune function. YLSPS also potentiated the tumor suppression effect of CTX while avoiding cytotoxicity against immune cells. YLSPS inhibited sarcoma growth in S180-bearing mice through the induction of apoptosis in S180 sarcoma cells. YLSPS also attenuated CTX-induced cytotoxicity to the immune system while potentiating the tumor suppression effect. These results provide additional information regarding combination therapy with YLSPS and chemotherapy for the treatment of sarcoma.

2-Dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione inhibits the growth and metastasis of breast carcinoma in mice

Metastasis causes approximately 90% of breast cancer-related deaths in women. Previously, we have demonstrated that 2-dodecyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2,5-diene- 1,4-dione (DMDD) remarkably inhibited the growth of human breast cancer cells with little toxicity. In this study, we investigated the toxicity and efficacy of DMDD to treat metastatic breast tumors using an in vivo mouse model of the 4T1 mammary carcinoma. DMDD caused no observable toxicity and significantly extended the survival of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. DMDD effectively inhibited the growth of 4T1 cells in vitro, and suppressed the growth and metastasis of mammary tumor in vivo. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, TGF-β, and VEGF) were down regulated by DMDD. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis was associated with activation of Bax, cleaved caspases-3 and -9, and down-regulation of Bcl-2, MMP-2 and -9, NF-κB and IκBα. We speculate that DMDD inhibits cytokine production in the tumor cells in mice, which leads to deactivation of NF-κB pathway, and consequently inhibits the expression of many anti-apoptosis and metastasis-promoting genes, such as Bcl-2 and MMPs. Collectively, our results demonstrate the potential of DMDD as a safe and effective antitumor agent in the treatment of late-stage breast cancer.

Local Structure and Short-Range Order in a NiCoCr Solid Solution Alloy

Multielement solid solution alloys are intrinsically disordered on the atomic scale, and many of their advanced properties originate from the local structural characteristics. The local structure of a NiCoCr solid solution alloy is measured with x-ray or neutron total scattering and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) techniques. The atomic pair distribution function analysis does not exhibit an observable structural distortion. However, an EXAFS analysis suggests that the Cr atoms are favorably bonded with Ni and Co in the solid solution alloys. This short-range order (SRO) may make an important contribution to the low values of the electrical and thermal conductivities of the Cr-alloyed solid solutions. In addition, an EXAFS analysis of Ni ion irradiated samples reveals that the degree of SRO in NiCoCr alloys is enhanced after irradiation.