Differences in the response of normal oral mucosa, oral leukoplakia, oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and epithelial cells to photodynamic therapy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the variances in transcriptome gene expression of normal oral mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cell (OM-MSC), oral leukoplakia-derived MSC (OLK-MSC) and oral squamous cell carcinoma-derived MSC(OSCC-MSC). as Additionally, the study aims to compare the in vitro proliferation, migration, invasion ability, and response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) of these three MSC, HOK, DOK, leuk1, and Cal27 cell lines.

METHODS

HOK, DOK, leuk1, Cal27 cells were cultured in vitro. 3 MSC cells were obtained from OM, OLK, OSCC tissue (n = 3) and identified through flow cytometry. They were also cultured in vitro for osteogenic and lipogenic-induced differentiation. Based on the Illumina HiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform, OM-MSC, OLK-MSC, OSCC-MSC (n = 3) were subjected to transcriptome sequencing, functional annotation, and enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes and related genes. CCK8 assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were performed to compare the proliferation, migration, and invasion of the seven types of cells. The 7 cells were incubated with 0, 0.125 mM, 0.25 mM, 0.5 mM, 1 mM, and 2 mM of the photosensitizer (5-aminolevulinic acid, 5-ALA) in vitro. Subsequently, they were irradiated with a 150 mM, 635 nm laser for 1 min, and the cell activity was detected using the CCK8 assay after 24 h. The mitochondrial changes in the 7 cells before and after the treatment of PDT were detected using the JC-10 probe, and the changes in ATP content were measured before and after the PDT treatment.

RESULTS

OM-MSC, OLK-MSC, and OSCC-MSC expressed positive MSC surface markers. After osteogenic and lipogenic-induced differentiation culture, stained calcium nodules and lipid droplets were visible, meeting the identification criteria of MSC. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of OSCC-MSC compared to OLK-MSC were primarily associated with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and tumor-related pathways. OSCC-MSC exhibited stronger migratory and invasive abilities compared to Cal27. The IC50 values required for OM, OLK, and OSCC-derived MSC were lower than those required for epithelial cells treated with PDT, which were 1.396 mM, 0.9063 mM, and 2.924 mM, respectively. Cell membrane and mitochondrial disruption were observed in seven types of cells after 24 h of PDT treatment. However, HOK, DOK, leuk1, and Cal27 cells had an ATP content increased.

CONCLUSIONS

OLK, OSCC epithelial cells require higher concentrations of 5-ALA for PDT treatment than MSC of the same tissue origin. The concentration of 5-ALA required increases with increasing cell malignancy. Differences in the response of epithelial cells and MSC to PDT treatment may have varying impacts on OLK recurrence and malignancy.

Fermented soybean meal increases nutrient digestibility via the improvement of intestinal function, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function of weaned pigs

The nutritional components of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) vary because of the complex process of microbial fermentation. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional value of FSBM from two sources and explore the mode of actions of FSBM on the improvement of nutrient digestibility with the measurements of digestive enzymes and serum biomarkers. Eight weaned barrows (initial BW: 14.12 ± 0.24 kg) equipped with T-cannula in the distal ileum were allotted to a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin-square design with four experimental diets and four periods. Four experimental diets included a soybean meal control diet, two FSBM diets, and a nitrogen-free diet. The two sources of FSBM increased the contents of CP, amino acid and lactic acid, while decreased the levels of anti-nutritional factors, including glycinin, β-conglycinin and trypsin inhibitors. Compared to soybean meal control diet, both FSBM diets significantly increased the apparent and standardised ileal digestibility of CP and amino acids (P < 0.05), increased the activities of lipase, maltase and invertase in digesta (P < 0.05), increased total antioxidant capacity, activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, the levels of interleukin-4, IgA, IgG and IgM in serum (P < 0.05), while decreased the levels of diamine oxidase, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, and interleukin-2 in serum (P < 0.05). Additionally, the standardised ileal digestibility of amino acids were highly correlated with the aforementioned digestive enzymes and health-related serum biomarkers. In summary, FSBM diets showed an improved nutritional value evidenced by the higher nutrient digestibility, which may be partially derived from its beneficial effects on intestinal integrity, anti-oxidative capacity and immune function.

Chitosan-tripolyphosphate nanoparticles-mediated co-delivery of MTHFD1L shRNA and 5-aminolevulinic acid for combination photodynamic-gene therapy in oral cancer

BACKGROUND

Rationally designed nanostructured materials can produce improved drug carriers that play an increasingly important role in cancer treatment. In comparison with conventional drug combination approaches, using co-delivery systems of multiple drugs achieves sophisticated targeting strategies and multifunctionality.

METHODS

First, a nano-co-delivery of chitosan/tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP) was synthesized and characterized combining 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) with methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1-like (MTHFD1L) shRNA. In this report, we investigated the efficacy of the simultaneous delivery of shRNA/photosensitizer on the gene expression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. The efficacy of CS-TPP-(shMTHFD1L-ALA)-PDT in inducing apoptosis and in generating of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro was then assessed by Annexin V-PI and DCFH-DA assays respectively. In vivo therapeutic experiments were conducted in well-established orthotopic animal models of HNSCC.

RESULTS

The results showed that the CS-TPP-(shMTHFD1L-ALA) nanoparticles (NPs) were approximately 145 nm in size. The cytotoxicity of OSCC cells was significantly increased by co-delivery of MTHFD1L shRNA and ALA-PDT compared with other groups. Furthermore, individual and combined therapies revealed remarkable pro-apoptotic, ROS and anti-tumorigenesis effects, and CS-TPP-(shMTHFD1L-ALA)-PDT had additive effects in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

These observations indicate that CS-TPP-(shMTHFD1L-ALA) NPs may be an ideal candidate for gene/photosensitizer delivery.

NAD-dependent methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Construction of a pH-responsive, ultralow-dose triptolide nanomedicine for safe rheumatoid arthritis therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronicautoimmune disease, marked by joint swelling and pain, articular synovial hyperplasia, as well as cartilage and bone destruction. Triptolide (TP) is an anti-inflammatory molecule but its use to treat RA is limited due to poor solubility and extremely high toxicity. In this study, by encapsulating TP into a star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer, POSS-PCL-b-PDMAEMA, we engineered a pH-sensitive TP-loaded nanomedicine (TP@NPs) to simultaneously reduce the toxicity of TP and improve its therapeutic efficacy. TP@NPs shows a uniform spherical structure with a hydrodynamic diameter of ~92 nm and notable pH-responsiveness. In vitro TP@NPs showed reduced cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis of treated RAW264.7 cells compared to free TP. And in vivo intravenous injection of indocyanine green-labeled NPs into a collagen-induced arthritis model in mice showed that the engineered compound had potent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, while exhibiting significant cartilage-protective and anti-inflammatory effects with a better efficacy and neglible systemic toxicity even at an ultralow dose compared to free TP. These results suggest that TP@NPs may be a safe and effective therapy for RA and other autoimmune diseases.

Differential in vitro sensitivity of oral precancerous and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines to 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy

OBJECTIVES

The clinical effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) may be correlated with the degree of dysplasia of cancer tissues, but much is still unknown regarding the differences in its effectiveness, especially in oral cancer and precancerous lesions. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of ALA-PDT on a human oral precancerous cell line (DOK) and an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line (CAL-27).

METHODS

First, we explored the dose- and time-dependent responses of DOK and CAL-27 cells to ALA-PDT. DOK and CAL-27 cells were incubated with various concentrations of ALA (from 0.25 to 2 mM), followed by PDT using laser irradiation at 635 nm. The resulting photocytotoxicity was assessed in both cell lines using MTT assays. Further, apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated with 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH2-DA), and the response to treatment was examined via RT-qPCR and Western blotting to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9.

RESULTS

ALA-PDT inhibited the proliferation of DOK and CAL-27 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dose-effect and inhibition-time relationships were also found. The rates of DOK and CAL-27 cell apoptosis when the ALA dose was 1 mM were 30.66 ± 3.10% and 75.40 ± 1.29%, respectively (P < 0.01). Following PDT, compared with DOK cells, the ROS level in CAL-27 cells was significantly increased and was correlated with an increase in the ALA concentration. Mechanistically, both the mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were found to be regulated in both cell types after ALA-PDT.

CONCLUSION

ALA-PDT effectively killed DOK and CAL-27 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro. However, under the same conditions, the susceptibilities of these cell lines to ALA-PDT were different. Further studies are necessary to confirm whether this difference is present in clinical oral cancer and precancerous lesions.

[Study on the oral mucosal diseases in patients with cerebrovascular diseases]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of oral mucosal diseases (OMD) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: A total of 182 patients with cerebrovascular disease and 166 controls were examined for OMD to compare the differences of prevalence rates. Results: The prevalence of OMD in patients with cerebrovascular disease appeared higher than that in the control group. Oral candidiasis was most commonly seen (11.1%, 20/182), followed by fissured tongue (5.0%, 9/182), traumatic ulcer (2.8%, 5/182), herpes labialis (2.2%, 4/182), recurrent oral ulcer (1.6%, 3/182), chronic cheilitis (1.6%, 3/182) and oral leukokeratosis (1.6%, 3/182). Conclusion: Patients with cerebrovascular diseases were susceptible to OMDs, especially to oral candidiasis that called for more attention.

Oral mucosal mesenchymal stem cell‑derived exosomes: A potential therapeutic target in oral premalignant lesions

Emerging evidence indicates that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) serve an indispensable role in the tumor microenvironment. However, whether MSCs participate in the development of oral carcinogenesis remains unclear. The present study isolated MSCs from clinical tissues and investigated the differences of MSCs derived from normal oral mucosa (N-MSC), oral leukoplakia with dysplasia (LK-MSC) and oral carcinoma (Ca-MSC). The results revealed that the LK-MSCs exhibited reduced proliferation and migration, compared with the N-MSCs and Ca-MSCs. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the exosomes secreted by LK-MSCs have significant roles in promoting proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, which was similar to the Ca-MSC-derived exosomes. The promoting effect was also demonstrated in a 3D coculture model. When the secretion of exosomes was blocked, the promoting effect of LK-MSCs was reversed. Based on a microarray analysis of MSC-derived exosomes, microRNA-8485 (miR-8485) was identified to be ectopically expressed. The exosomal miR-8485 was capable of promoting the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells. Therefore, the present study highlights the significance of MSC-derived exosomes and exosomal miR-8485 in premalignant lesions and carcinogenesis. Intervention with the secretion of MSC-derived-exosomes may be an innovative strategy to retard the carcinogenesis.

Primary Clinical Evaluation of Photodynamic Therapy With Oral Leukoplakia in Chinese Patients

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has demonstrated promising results in the treatment of oral leukoplakia. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and side effects of PDT in the treatment of Chinese patients with oral leukoplakia.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with oral leukoplakia were enrolled in this study, including patients with both homogenous and non-homogenous lesions and various dysplastic tissues. All patients received PDT using a 632 nm laser at 500 mW/cm² power density at a dosage of 90–180 J/cm² and with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) used as a photosensitizer. A fixing and restricting complex as well as high laser power density for PDT in oral cavity was applied.

Results: An overall response rate of 86.2% was achieved in this study, including 55.2% complete remission and 31.0% partial remission. The only adverse events observed in subjects were transient local ulcer and pain. It is observed the PDT utilizing ALA showed strong effectiveness in patients with moderate to severe dysplasia, as less treatment time per cm² of lesion is required.

Conclusion: Topic ALA-PDT is effective to treat oral leukoplakia, especially for that with the presence of dysplasia. A fixing and restricting complex as well as high laser power density for PDT in oral cavity should be considered as an optimal choice.

Synthesis of POSS-functionalized liquid crystalline block copolymers via RAFT polymerization for stabilizing blue phase helical soft superstructures

A study of the phase transition behaviors of blue phase liquid crystals containing different amounts of POSS-functionalized LC BCPs.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from normal gingival tissue inhibit the proliferation of oral cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

The interplay between tumor cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within tumor microenvironment plays a significant role in tumor development, and thus might be exploited for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we isolated MSCs from normal gingival tissue (GMSCs), and detected the effect of GMSCs on oral cancer cells via direct co-culture and indirect co-culture systems. The cell proliferation assay of direct co-culture showed that GMSCs could inhibit the growth of oral cancer cells. Conditioned medium derived from GMSCs (GMSCs-CM) also exerted an anticancer effect, which indicates that soluble factors in GMSCs-CM played a dominant role in GMSCs-induced cancer cell growth inhibition. To investigate the mechanism, we performed apoptosis assay by flow cytometry, and confirmed that cancer cell apoptosis induced by GMSCs could be a reason for the effect of GMSCs on the growth of oral cancer cells. Western blotting also confirmed that GMSCs could upregulate expression of pro-apoptotic genes including p-JNK, cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3, Bax expression and downregulate proliferation- and anti-apoptosis-related gene expression such as p-ERK1/2, Bcl-2, CDK4, cyclin D1, PCNA and survivin. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of GMSCs on cancer cells can partially be restored by blockade of JNK pathway. Moreover, animal studies showed that GMSCs exerted an anticancer effect after oral cancer cells and GMSCs were co-injected with oral cancer cells. Taken together, our data suggest that GMSCs can suppress oral cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo via altering the surrounding microenvironment of oral cancer cells, which indicates that GMSCs have a potential use in the management of oral dysplasia and oral cancer in future.

[Determination of human papillomavirus in oral leukoplakia,oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possibility for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection to be a predictable signal for the carcinogenesis of oral mucosa by comparing the prevalences of HPV in each stage of oral mucosal carcinogenesis and to compare the sensitivity differences of the two methods in detecting HPV infection in oral cavity.

METHODS

The hybrid capture (HC-II) was used to detect infection of HPV in 255 samples taken from 12 cases of healthy oral mucosa, 211 cases of patients with pathological diagnosis and 32 cases of patients with clinical diagnosis. The diagnosed cases included 8 cases of benign lesions of the oral mucosa, precancerous lesions [74 cases of oral leukoplakia (OLK) with hyperplasia and 42 cases of OLK with oral epithelial dysplasia (OED)], 91 cases of precancerous condition [oral lichen planus (OLP)] and 28 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). And in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to detect infection of HPV in 33 cases of OSCC and 76 cases of OLK, including 30 cases of hyperplasia, 15 cases of mild OED, 15 cases of moderate OED and 16 cases of severe OED.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HPV in OLP samples was higher (12.12%, 8/66) than that of OLK (2.59%, 3/116) (χ(2)=4.666, P=0.031) and OSCC(7.14%, 2/28, χ(2)=0.513, P=0.474). The prevalence of HPV in OSCC (7.14%, 2/28) was higher than that of OLK (2.59%, 3/116), and no significant difference was found. There was only one case of smoke spot and statistical analysis was not carried out. ISH was used to detect type 16/18 and type 31/33 HPV DNA in 109 cases of oral mucosal lesions in paraffin sections and only one case of OSCC was HPV positive. Thirty-seven cases were detected by HC-II and ISH methods at the same time. The same negative results by the two methods were found in 94.6% samples (35/37). In the other two samples, one was OSCC with early infiltration and the other was OLK with hyperplasia, The HC-II results were positive while the ISH results were negative. The patients with OLP and HPV testing results were followed up and the average follow-up period was (36.2 ± 10.5) months. It was found that three of them had a malignant transformation, and the malignant transformation rate of HPV positive patients was 12.50% (1/8), which was higher than that of HPV negative patients (3.45%, 2/58), and the difference was not statistically significant, P=0.249.

CONCLUSION

HC-II assay was more sensitive in detecting HPV infection of oral mucosal lesions than ISH. The results of this study showed that there was insufficient evidence for taking HPV infection as a predictor of OLK carcinogenesis. Patients suffering from OLP were in a precancerous condition. The prevalence of HPV in OLP patients of this study was higher than that in OLK and OSCC patients, suggesting that for some reason, OLP patients were susceptible to HPV. HPV testing can be considered as routine in patients with OLP, and HC-II assay was recommended. And patients with OLP and HPV positive should be followed up regularly.

[Levels of interlukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in saliva of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and oral lichen planus]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and oral lichen planus (OLP) by detecting the level of salivary tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interlukin-6 (IL-6).

METHODS

Subjects were divided into 4 groups: T2DM/OLP group 29 patients, T2DM group 39 patients, OLP group 21 patients, and control group 43 individuals. The salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

(1) The level of salivary IL-6 in patients with T2DM/OLP [(12.30 ± 16.03) ng/L] was significantly higher than those in T2DM [(6.29 ± 5.91) ng/L] and OLP groups [(3.64 ± 4.47) ng/L], P<0.05. The level of salivary IL-6 was significantly lower in OLP group [(3.64 ± 4.47) ng/L] than in control group [(7.91 ± 4.05) ng/L], P<0.001. The level of salivary TNF-α in T2DM group [(8.80 ± 8.41) ng/L] was significantly lower than those in OLP [(14.02 ± 9.65) ng/L] and control groups [(15.02 ± 6.13) ng/L], P<0.05. (2) The level of salivary TNF-α is significantly negative correlated with pH value of saliva in T2DM/OLP group(r=-0.593, P<0.01);The level of salivary TNF-α and IL-6 are significantly positive correlated with waistline in control group(r=0.312,P=0.05).(3) The levels of salivary IL-6 and TNF-α were positively related to OLP clinical type, P<0.05. (4)When OLP played an overlying role on T2DM, the level of TNF-α was weakened and that of IL-6 was strengthened.

CONCLUSION

When T2DM and OLP are in concurrence,there is a synergistic effect,and the secretion of IL-6 increases markedly; The level of salivary TNF-α is associated with local oral environment.

[Correlation between the quantity of oral mucosal micronucleus cells and cancerization]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between micronuclei and malignant development of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED).

METHODS

Oral exfoliated cells were smeared from 30 control subjects, 46 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), 78 patients with oral leukoplakia (OLK) and hyperplasia, 30 patients with OLK and mild OED, 29 patients with OLK and moderate OED, 15 patients with OLK and severe OED and 22 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

RESULTS

Micronucleus rates declined according to the order of OSCC, OLK and severe OED, OLK and moderate OED, OLK and mild OED, OLK and hyperplasia, OLP and control groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Micronuclei may reflect the progression of oral epithelial malignant changes. It could be used in monitoring cancerization in following up cases regularly.

Effect of SOD and NaHCO3 on the vascular hyporeactivity of rats after severe hemorrhagic shock

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of SOD and NaHCO3 on the vascular hyporeactivity after severe hemorrhagic shock in rats.

METHODS

Twenty eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 groups of 7 each: SOD-treated group, NaHCO3-treated group, SOD+NaHCO3-treated group and normal saline-treated control group. The responses of arterioles to norepinephrine (NE), the effects of dopamine on blood pressure, blood flow velocity in arterioles, the mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the survival time within 24 h were measured.

RESULTS

Two hours after shock, the arteriolar vasoreactivity was significantly reduced and threshold concentration of NE was increased by 24 to 27 folds. After beting treated separately with SOD, NaHCO3 and SOD+NaHCO3, arteriolar vasoreactivity was restored to some extent, among which the SOD+NaHCO3 group obtained a most significant effect with decreased threshold concentration of NE to 21% of its normal level. In SOD+NaHCO3-treated group, injection of dopamine indicated a most significant effect on MAP with 1.9 times more than that in control group, and the enhanced MAP was maintained at a level of more than 13.33 kPa after reinfusion of shed blood. The blood flow in arteriole was 2.54-fold higher than that in control group after 2 h resuscitation. The average survival time in SOD+NaHCO3- treated group was 2.9 times longer than that in control group.

CONCLUSIONS

SOD and NaHCO3 could both recover the lower vasoreactivity and increase the enhancing effect of dopamine on blood pressure of rats in severe hemorrhagic shock, suggesting that coadministration of SOD and NaHCO3 could be a new approach to the treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock.

New approach to treatment of shock--restitution of vasoreactivity

Our objective was to observe the therapeutic effect of restituting vasoreactivity agent in severe shock. A hemorrhagic shock (HS) model was reproduced in rat and the response of arterioles of spinotrapezius muscle to norepinephrine (NE) in HS was tested. The diameter, blood velocity, and volumetric flow in arteriole, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. The therapeutic effect was observed after the treatment of restituting vasoreactivity agent (glybenclamide--an inhibitor of ATP sensitive potassium channel, and tiron--an oxygen free radical scavenger). The arteriolar vasoreactivity was significantly reduced with 15 fold increase of NE threshold 2 h post HS. After treated with restituting agent (RA), the vascular hyporeactivity of rat was apparently recovered, and the increased level of MAP following injection of dopamine was 1.8 times and 1.9 times more than that in NS-treated and DMSO-treated group respectively. After reinfusion of shed blood, the value of systemic blood pressure maintained more than 100 mmHg and volumetric flow in arterioles in RA group were 2 times more than those in NS treated group within the 2 h observation periods. The average survival time in RA treated group was also 1.8 times and 1.6 times longer than that in NS-treated and DMSO-treated group respectively. The restituting vasoreactivity agent is able to recover the lower vasoreactivity with excellent anti-shock effect in severe hemorrhagic shock.

Anti-AIDS agents--XIX. Neotripterifordin, a novel anti-HIV principle from Tripterygium wilfordii: isolation and structural elucidation

A new kaurane type diterpene lactone, neotripterifordin (1), has been isolated from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, which included the concerted application of a number of 2-D NMR techniques including 1H-1H COSY, phase-sensitive NOESY, HETCOR, and long-range HETCOR. Compound 1 showed potent anti-HIV replication activity in H9 lymphocyte cells with an EC50 of 25 nM and TI of 125.

Anti-AIDS agents, 4. Tripterifordin, a novel anti-HIV principle from Tripterygium wilfordii: isolation and structural elucidation

A new kaurane-type diterpene lactone, tripterifordin [1], has been isolated from the roots of Tripterygium wilfordii. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including the concerted application of a number of 2D nmr techniques that involved the 1H-1H COSY, heteronucleus-detected variants of the heteronuclear chemical shift correlation (HETCOR), phase-sensitive NOESY, and long-range HETCOR. Compound 1 shows anti-HIV replication activity in H9 lymphocyte cells with an EC50 of 1 microgram/ml.

Effect of high-velocity missile injury on plasma cortisol concentration in dogs

Plasma cortisol concentrations were measured in nine dogs after high-velocity missile injury induced by spherical steel bullets. All nine dogs sustained soft-tissue wounds in the thighs without damage to large vessels, femur, or nerves. When the dogs were considered as one group the mean plasma cortisol concentration increased promptly 10 min after injury (p less than 0.05) and reached its peak at 1 hour and then decreased. The mean concentration at 6 hours after injury was still higher than that before injury (p less than 0.05). Even though the severities of the injuries varied rather much there was a significant difference (p less than 0.01) between the plasma cortisol concentrations at 1 hour of the two groups into which the dogs were divided according to the severity of their injuries. The changes of the plasma cortisol concentrations may be parallel with the extent of the injuries and there was a positive correlation with the dimensions of the entrance wounds.