Perturbation of lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 at different stages of preadipocyte differentiation and new insights into the association between changed metabolites and adipogenesis promoted by TBBPA or TBBPS

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) are widely distributed brominated flame retardants. While TBBPA has been demonstrated to stimulate adipogenesis, TBBPS is also under suspicion for potentially inducing comparable effects. In this study, we conducted a non-targeted metabolomics to examine the metabolic changes in 3T3-L1 cells exposed to an environmentally relevant dose of TBBPA or TBBPS. Our findings revealed that 0.1 µM of both TBBPA and TBBPS promoted the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Multivariate analysis showed significant increases in glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and steroids relative levels in 3T3-L1 cells exposed to TBBPA or TBBPS at the final stage of preadipocyte differentiation. Metabolites set composed of glycerophospholipids was found to be highly effective predictors of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells exposed to TBBPA or TBBPS (revealed from the receiver operating characteristic curve with an area under curve > 0.90). The results from metabolite set enrichment analysis suggested both TBBPA and TBBPS exposures significantly perturbed steroid biosynthesis in adipocytes. Moreover, TBBPS additionally disrupted the sphingolipid metabolism in the adipocytes. Our study presents new insights into the obesogenic effects of TBBPS and provides valuable information about the metabolites associated with adipogenesis induced by TBBPA or TBBPS.

Why Do People Gain Belly Fat in Rural Areas? A Study of Urinary Metal(loid)s and Abdominal Obesity in China

Obesity is prevalent in rural areas of China, and there are inconsistent findings regarding the association between metal(loid) exposure and the risk of obesity. Abdominal obesity (AOB), which reflects visceral fat abnormity, is a crucial factor in studying obesity-related diseases. We conducted a study measuring 20 urinary metal(loid)s, 13 health indicators, and the waist circumference (WC) in 1849 participants from 10 rural areas of China to investigate their relationships. In the single exposure models, we found that urinary chromium (Cr) was significantly associated with the odds of having AOB [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.81 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24, 2.60)]. In the mixture exposure models, urinary Cr consistently emerged as the top contributor to AOB, while the overall effect of mixed metal(loid)s was positive toward the odds of having AOB [adjusted OR: 1.33 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.77)], as revealed from the quantile g-computation model. After adjusting for the effects of other metal(loid)s, we found that the elevation of apolipoprotein B and systolic blood pressure significantly mediated the association between urinary Cr and the odds of having AOB by 9.7 and 19.4%, respectively. Our results suggest that exposure to metal(loid)s is a key factor contributing to the prevalence of AOB and WC gain in rural areas of China.

[Clinical features and prognosis of patients with different types of heart failure in relation to coronary artery disease]

Objective: To analyze whether there is a difference in the influence of coronary artery disease (CAD) on the clinical features and prognosis of three different types of heart failure patients. Methods: Complete clinical data of 1 520 hospitalized patients with heart failure from Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Tianjin Chest Hospital from March 2014 to February 2016 was retrospectively reviewed. According to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the patients were divided into three groups: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction group (HFrEF), heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction group (HFmrEF)and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction group (HFpEF). Each group was further classified into two subgroups according to absence or presence of CAD (No CAD' and 'With CAD'). In the HFrEF group, 197 patients were categorized into 'No CAD' sub-group while 435 patients were into 'With CAD' sub-group. Likewise, 63 patients in HFmrEF group fell into 'No CAD' sub-group while 367 were into 'With CAD' sub-group. Seventy two patients in the HFpEF group were in the 'No CAD' sub-group with 386 in the 'With CAD' sub-group. Clinical features and 2-year prognosis between different subgroups were compared. Results: (1) The relationship between CAD and clinical features of different types of heart failure: the proportions of HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF combined with CAD were 68.8%, 85.3% and 84.3%, respectively (P<0.05). Compared with the 'No CAD' subgroups, patients in the 'With CAD' subgroups were older, and had higher NT-proBNP levels, higher rates of hypertension and diabetes, and lower rates of atrial fibrillation. Also, there were more use of antiplatelet and nitrate drugs in the 'With CAD' sub-groups (P<0.05). (2) Risk of different types of heart failure combined with CAD: after multivariate adjustment, HFrEF had a lower risk of CAD (HFrEF vs HFmrEF: RR=0.389, 95%CI 0.281-0.540; HFrEF vs HFpEF: RR=0.408, 95%CI 0.298-0.560). (3)The influence of CAD on the prognosis of different types of heart failure: CAD increased the risk of mortality in the HFrEF group (HR=1.631, 95%CI 1.119-2.377), and cardiovascular events in all three types of heart failure (HR: HFrEF 1.725, 95%CI 1.325-2.246; HFmrEF 1.815, 95%CI 1.144-2.879; HFpEF 1.900, 95%CI 1.218-2.963). Conclusions: Patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF have a higher prevalence and risk of CAD than patients with HFrEF. CAD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in all types of heart failure and increases the risk of all-cause mortality among HFrEF group. CAD is an important factor influencing the clinical features and prognosis of patients with all types of heart failure.

[Research progress on production districts of Sichuan Dao-di herbs]

Dao-di herbs are the Chinese herbs which have high quality and best clinic effects. Sichuan is one of the proviences most rich in Chinese herb resources,which has 7 290 species of Chinese herbs, such as Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Ophiopogonis Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Gentianae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Rhizoma, Gardeniae Fructus, ect. After textual research on materia medica of the 7 290 Chinese herbs, we find there are 86 Dao-di herbs in Sichuan, such as Chuanxiong Rhizoma from Dujiangyan, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata from Jiangyou, Fritillariae Radix, Notoptergii Rhizoma et Radix, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix from Suining, Ophiopogonis Radix from Santai, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma from Zhongjiang, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex from Pingwu. In China more attention is paid to the production of Dao-di herbs. In 2018, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine launched the "Construction Plan of national production base of genuine medicinal materials". Developing genuine medicinal materials in genuine production areas is one of the effective ways to ensure the quality of medicinal materials. Based on the study of geographical environment and ecological factors(altitude, climate, soil) in Sichuan province. The Dao-di herbs of Sichuan province are divided into 4 districts, including, Sichuan basin medicinal materials production area, mountain and the basin edge medicinal materials production area, Panxi medicinal materials production area, Plateau Mountain Canyon medicinal materials production area. The suitable regions and best suitable regions of the 86 Dao-di herbs in Sichuan are determined by remote sensing and GIS spatial analysis of the suitable environmental indicators of these Dao-di herbs. Our study is beneficial to the rational distribution of the production and to improvement of the quality of traditional Chinese medicine in Sichuan province.

Melittin liposomes surface modified with poloxamer 188: in vitro characterization and in vivo evaluation

Melittin liposomes surface modified with poloxamer 188 were developed, and the effect of poloxamer 188 was investigated with regard to anti-cancer effect and vascular stimulation. Melittin liposomes surface modified with poloxamer 188 at different concentrations (0%, 2%, and 5%) were prepared using the adsorption method, followed by in vitro characterization, including entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, particle size, and morphology. Subsequently, the influence of repeated freeze-thawing on the liposomes was investigated, and the effect of poloxamer 188 on the repeated freeze-thawing process was explored. Vascular stimulation effects of MLT, and MLT liposome that surface coated with or without poloxamer were all studied. Pharmacokinetics of the different MLT preparations were determined and the anticancer activity of the MLT formulations was investigated. The particle size of the liposomes gradually increased with increasing poloxamer 188 content, while the entrapment efficiency did not change significantly. After the first freeze-thaw cycle, size and PDI were both markedly reduced, entrapment efficiency rose, and there was no significant change of zeta potential. The vascular irritation caused by MLT could be reduced to an extent by encapsulation in liposome, but not completely eliminated, while liposomes coated with poloxamer 188 can effectively abolish the phenomenon. Melittin liposomes with surface modified by poloxamer exhibit enhanced bioavailability, effective anticancer activity, and reduced side effects compared with melittin solution. Poloxamer plays an important role in melittin liposomes.

Changes of CSF and spinal pathomorphology after high-concentration ozone injection into the subarachnoid space: an experimental study in pigs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Our aim was to explore the changes of CSF and spinal pathomorphology after high-concentration ozone injection into a pig's subarachnoid space.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight experimental pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=2 in each group). In groups A, B, C, and D, animals were sacrificed for pathology 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the injection, respectively. Ozone (10 mL, 90 microg/mL) was injected along the lumbar 4-5 interspace into the subarachnoid space with a 21-ga Chiba needle under fluoroscopy. CSF collection and CT and MR imaging were performed before injection and 30 minutes, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after injection, respectively. The spinal cords were observed macroscopically and microscopically.

RESULTS

No serious behavior abnormalities were observed in any animals. There were no abnormalities in CSF and spinal cords pathologically and radiologically after injection.

CONCLUSION

Our initial study suggests that high-concentration ozone injection into a pig's subarachnoid space will not cause serious sequelae such as chemical arachnoiditis and necrosis of the spinal cord, and this finding provides evidence of the safety of ozone inadvertently injected into subarachnoid space in the clinical treatment of disk herniation.

[Effect of guizhi decoction on adenyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase in hypothalamus of rats models of fever and hypothermia]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of Guizhi Decoction (GZD) on adenyl cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities in hypothalamus of rat models of fever and hypothermia.

METHODS

The AC and PDE activities in hypothalamus were determined using radio-isotope method.

RESULTS

GZD could lower the AC activity in yeast induced fever rat model (P < 0.05), but cause rise of AC activity in aminopyrine induced hypothermia model (P < 0.05). No significant influence of GZD on PDE activity was shown in both fever or hypothermia models.

CONCLUSION

The bi-directional thermo-regulation effect of GZD might be partially due to influence on AC activity.