Cumulative effects of excess high-normal alanine aminotransferase levels in relation to new-onset metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in China

BACKGROUND

Within the normal range, elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are associated with an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

AIM

To investigate the associations between repeated high-normal ALT measurements and the risk of new-onset MAFLD prospectively.

METHODS

A cohort of 3553 participants followed for four consecutive health examinations over 4 years was selected. The incidence rate, cumulative times, and equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of excess high-normal ALT levels (ehALT) were measured. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyse the association between the cumulative effects of ehALT and the risk of new-onset MAFLD.

RESULTS

A total of 83.13% of participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels. The incidence rate of MAFLD showed a linear increasing trend in the cumulative ehALT group. Compared with those in the low-normal ALT group, the multivariate adjusted hazard ratios of the equally and unequally weighted cumulative effects of ehALT were 1.651 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.199-2.273] and 1.535 (95%CI: 1.119-2.106) in the third quartile and 1.616 (95%CI: 1.162-2.246) and 1.580 (95%CI: 1.155-2.162) in the fourth quartile, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Most participants with MAFLD had normal ALT levels. Long-term high-normal ALT levels were associated with a cumulative increased risk of new-onset MAFLD.

Association of the triglyceride-glucose index with the occurrence and recurrence of colorectal adenomas: a retrospective study from China

BACKGROUND

Resection of colorectal adenoma (CRA) prevents colorectal cancer; however, recurrence is common. We aimed to assess the association of the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index with CRA occurrence and recurrence.

METHODS

Data from 3392 participants at a hospital in China from 2020 to 2022 were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A restricted cubic spline was used to fit TyG index dose‒response curves to recurrent adenomas. The discriminatory power of TyG index for predicting later recurrence was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in 170 patients with a TyG index at initial adenoma diagnosis.

RESULTS

One thousand five hundred ninety-six adenoma and 1465 normal participants were included in the occurrence analysis, and 179 recurrent and 152 nonrecurrent participants were included in the recurrence analysis. The TyG mutation was an independent risk factor for CRA occurrence and recurrence. After adjusting for confounders, the risk of adenoma in the participants in Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups of TyG was 1.324 (95% CI 1.020-1.718), 1.349 (95% CI 1.030-1.765), and 1.445 (95% CI 1.055-1.980) times higher than that of the Q1, respectively, and the risk of recurrence in the Q3 and Q4 groups was 2.267 (95% CI 1.096-4.691) and 2.824 (95% CI 1.199-6.648) times in Q1 group. Multiple logistic regression showed that the highest quartile of the TyG index was associated with a greater risk of advanced adenoma recurrence (OR 4.456, 95% CI 1.157-17.164), two or more adenomas (OR 5.079, 95% CI 1.136-22.714 [after removal of TyG index extreme values]), and proximal colon or both adenomas (OR 3.043, 95% CI 1.186-7.810). Subgroup analysis revealed that the association was found to be present only in participants of all age groups who were either male or without obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, or dyslipidemia (p < 0.05). ROC curves illustrated that the TyG index had good predictive efficacy for identifying recurrence, especially for patients with two or more adenomas (AUC 0.777, 95% CI 0.648-0.907).

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in the TyG index is associated with an increased risk of adenoma occurrence and recurrence, with a stronger association with the latter.

Emodin disrupts the Notch1/Nrf2/GPX4 antioxidant system and promotes renal cell ferroptosis

Emodin has been demonstrated to possess multiple pharmacological activities. However, emodin has also been reported to induce nephrotoxicity at high doses and with long-term use, and the underlying mechanism has not been fully disclosed. The current study aimed to investigate the roles of oxidative stress and ferroptosis in emodin-induced kidney toxicity. Mice were intraperitoneally treated with emodin, and NRK-52E cells were exposed to emodin in the presence or absence of treatment with Jagged1, SC79, or t-BHQ. Emodin significantly upregulated the levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, malondialdehyde, and Fe2+ , reduced the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and induced pathological changes in the kidneys in vivo. Moreover, the viability of NRK-52E cells treated with emodin was reduced, and emodin induced iron accumulation, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and lipid peroxidation and depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). In addition, emodin treatment downregulated the activity of neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1), reduced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), and decreased glutathione peroxidase 4 protein levels. However, Notch1 activation by Jagged1 pretreatment, Akt activation by SC79 pretreatment, or Nrf2 activation by t-BHQ pretreatment attenuated the toxic effects of emodin in NRK-52E cells. Taken together, these results revealed that emodin-induced ferroptosis triggered kidney toxicity through inhibition of the Notch1/Nrf2/glutathione peroxidase 4 axis.

Matrine disrupts Nrf2/GPX4 antioxidant system and promotes hepatocyte ferroptosis

Matrine (MT) is an alkaloid isolated from Sophora flavescens with various bioactivities and is widely used clinically. However, the broader its clinical use, the greater its toxicity concerns. We investigate the role of ferroptosis in MT-induced liver injury caused by an imbalance in the antioxidant pathway. Our results showed that MT could cause pathological changes in liver tissues and lead to a significant reduction in L02 cell viability. MT also reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), increased malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation levels, and disrupted iron homeostasis, leading to ferroptosis. In addition, MT decreased the protein levels of FTH, Nrf2, xCT, GPX4, HO-1 and ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) and increased the protein levels of TRF1 and DMT1, characteristic indicators of ferroptosis. Interestingly, the cytotoxic effects of MT were alleviated by ferroptosis inhibitor, Nrf2 agonist, or selenium supplementation. These results revealed that MT triggers hepatocyte ferroptosis by inhibiting the Nrf2/GPX4 antioxidant system.

[Analysis of fast-growing culturable bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in the surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China]

Objective: To obtain the diversity and abundance of fast-growing bacteria in the surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China, different cultivation methods were employed. This study also aims to provide a reference for isolating bacterial samples from seawater sources and preventing marine-derived pathogens. Methods: Based on the principles of taxonomic design, surface seawater samples were collected from six locations along the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China in March, June, October, and December 2021. Then, bacterial enrichment was performed based on traditional cultivation methods for Salmonella, Vibrio, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Actinomycetes, and general marine bacteria. After that, bacterial species identification was conducted by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Results: A total of 1 151 fast-growing cultivable bacteria belonging to 66 genera and 213 species were identified using five different culture protocols. In different cultivation protocols, Bacillus and Klebsiella demonstrated extensive discriminatory advantages and ranked among the top genera in terms of abundance. Protocol 1 had Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter as dominant genera. Pathogenic bacteria detected by protocol 1 included Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, with 37 and 29 strains respectively, while Salmonella enterica was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Proteus, Enterococcus, and Providencia were the dominant genera in protocol 2, and Proteus mirabilis was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 66 isolates. Vibrio cholerae was uniquely detected with six isolates at a higher abundance. Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Acinetobacter were the dominant genera in protocol 3, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 53 isolates, while Acinetobacter nosocomialis was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas were the dominant genera in protocol 4, and they showed advantages in isolating and cultivating Marine-derived Vibrio. Exiguobacterium, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus were the dominant genera in protocol 5. Bacillus cereus and Lactococcus lactis were the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 20 and 15 isolates, respectively, while Lactococcus lactis was uniquely detected at higher abundance. Metagenomic sequencing showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly dominant with a gene abundance of 51.11%, followed by Alcanivorax sp. at 12.57%. Conclusion: The surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China exhibits a rich diversity of bacteria, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being highly abundant in the studied area. Different cultivation methods demonstrate distinct selective advantages in culturing bacterial genera and pathogens. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize cultivation conditions for specific marine bacteria.

Exchange bias and Verwey transition in Fe5C2/Fe3O4 core/shell nanoparticles

This report presents new findings of exchange bias and related structural and magnetic properties in iron carbide/magnetite (Fe₅C₂/Fe₃O₄) core/shell nanoparticles. The exchange bias emerges from an energetic landscape, namely a first-order phase transition-the Verwey transition at 125 K, during which the Fe₃O₄ shell changes from the cubic to monoclinic structure. The phase transition leads to the exchange bias because it results in abrupt changes in magnetocrystalline anisotropy and exchange coupling. Another unique phenomenon identified in this composite system is enhanced magnetic coercivity due to the uniaxial anisotropy of the monoclinic phase. An analysis of the correlations between the observed phenomena is given based on the temperature dependence of the coercivity, the exchange bias field values, and the Verwey transition temperature.

[Serological study of Lyme disease antibody in 2 311 patients with arthritis symptoms in Hainan Province]

Objective: To understand the infectious status of Lyme disease among patients with arthritis symptoms in Hainan Province, and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention and control of Lyme disease. Methods: From 2013 to 2018, sampling surveys had been conducted in medical institutions in 8 cities in Hainan Province(Haikou, Sanya, Danzhou, Dongfang, Wenchang, Qionghai, Qiongzhong, Wuzhishan), 2 311 patients serum samples were collected with arthritis symptoms, and descriptive research were conducted base on the collected clinical data. The Indirect Fluorescent-Antibody Test (IFA) method was used for preliminary screening of Lyme disease antibody, the Western Blot (WB) method was used for IFA positive samples confirmation. Statistical analysis using χ² test. Results: 2 311 serum samples were tested by IFA, and 166 were positive with the positive rate of 7.18%. Further confirmed by WB method, 62 samples were positive, the positive rate of Lyme disease antibody was 2.68%(62/2 311). The positive rate of Lyme disease antibody among patients with arthritis in different regions of Hainan was statistically significant (χ²=40.636,P<0.001), and the positive rate in Qiongzhong city was the highest (8.81%, 14/159). Danzhou's positive rate was the second highest, 5.62%(5/89). Dongfang city had the lowest positive rate (0.51%, 2/394). The positive rates of Lyme disease serum antibody in men and women were 2.79% (33/1 182) and 2.57% (29/1 129), respectively; the positive rates of antibodies between each age groups were in the range of 1.74% to 3.64%. The antibody positive rate of Lyme disease showed no significant difference between gender and age (χ²=0.110,P=0.740 ;χ²=1.938,P=0.747). Conclusion: Patients with arthritis symptoms caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection were found in 8 cities in Hainan province, but the Lyme disease antibody positive rate was different among cities, with Qiongzhong County being the highest.

Magnetic-field-induced self-assembly of FeCo/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanoparticles with tunable collective magnetic properties

Self-assembly of nanoparticles into ordered patterns is a novel approach to build up new consolidated materials with desired collective physical properties. Herein, nanoparticle assemblies of composition-modulated bimagnetic nanoparticles have been produced via slow evaporation of their colloidal suspension in the absence or presence of magnetic fields. The assemblies obtained in the presence of the magnetic fields exhibit oriented nanoparticle chains in face-centered cubic superlattice structures, compared with the hexagonal closed-packed superlattice obtained without the magnetic field. The oriented structure has an alignment of the easy magnetization axis along the chains. This alignment leads to enhanced intra-superlattice interactions. As a result, the field-induced assembly displays collective magnetic properties with significantly enhanced magnetic anisotropy, remanent magnetization and coercivity. It is also found that the bimagnetic FeCo/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanostructure enhances the intra-particle interaction and thus is beneficial for the growth of oriented assembly of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the collective magnetic behavior is evidenced by the observation of a superferromagnetic-like magnetization relaxation in the ac-susceptibility curves.

Thalidomide inhibits proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by modulating CD133 expression in pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer is a solid malignancy with a high mortality rate, on account of the high incidence of metastasis at the time of detection. The aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer may be partly driven by cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are characterized by the ability to self-renew and recapitulate tumors in the ectopic setting. However, although a number of drugs targeting CSCs are currently under clinical investigation, few effective drugs have been developed. The present study demonstrated that thalidomide inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cell lines through the inhibition of epithelial mesenchymal transition. The effect of thalidomide was more pronounced in cluster of differentiation 133 (CD133)⁺ SW1990 cells than in Capan-2 cells, in which CD133 expression was almost undetectable. The results revealed that CD133 is likely to serve a role in the antitumor effect of thalidomide and indicated that thalidomide could be developed as a CSC-specific adjuvant chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

[Cross-sectional study of family drug stockpile and children medication in China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the current situation of family medicine stockpile and children medication in China, analyze the existing problems and provide the rationalized suggestions.

METHODS

The questionnaire was designed and convenient sampling survey was performed in 20 children hospitals in China. Descriptive analysis was conducted on the survey results.

RESULTS

A total of 13 940 completed questionnaires were returned, 98.33% of the families had medicine stockpile, the top three types of the medicine for children were cold medicine(73.95%), oral paregoric/febrifuge(48.01%)and external used drugs for skin disease(wound)(41.10%). The medicine was bought according to physician's prescription and guide(71.18%). Drug poisoning occurred in children of 238 families(1.71%), overdose use was the first cause(44.96%). 22.33% of the parents didn't read the specification carefully before medicine use. The non-appropriate medication for children were mainly the use of adult medicine(32.70%), untimely medication(30.90%), non-rational or unneeded use of febrifuge(26.35%).

CONCLUSIONS

In China, the families mainly store common medicine for their children. The parents bought medicine mainly according to physician' s prescription and paid attention to the safety and efficiency of the medicine, but non-appropriate use of medicine was still common. It is necessary to improve the rational use of medicine for children through expert counsel and guidance.

Retinoic Acid Ameliorates Pancreatic Fibrosis and Inhibits the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Mice with Experimental Chronic Pancreatitis via Suppressing the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Pancreatic fibrosis, a prominent feature of chronic pancreatitis (CP), induces persistent and permanent damage in the pancreas. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) provide a major source of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition during pancreatic injury, and persistent activation of PSCs plays a vital role in the progression of pancreatic fibrosis. Retinoic acid (RA), a retinoid, has a broad range of biological functions, including regulation of cell differentiation and proliferation, attenuating progressive fibrosis of multiple organs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of RA on fibrosis in experimental CP and cultured PSCs. CP was induced in mice by repetitive cerulein injection in vivo, and mouse PSCs were isolated and activated in vitro. Suppression of pancreatic fibrosis upon administration of RA was confirmed based on reduction of histological damage, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and mRNA levels of β-catenin, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-Rβ transforming growth factor (TGF)-βRII and collagen 1α1 in vivo. Wnt 2 and β-catenin protein levels were markedly down-regulated, while Axin 2 expression level was up-regulated in the presence of RA, both in vivo and in vitro. Nuclear translation of β-catenin was significantly decreased following RA treatment, compared with cerulein-induced CP in mice and activated PSCs. Furthermore, RA induced significant PSC apoptosis, inhibited proliferation, suppressed TCF/LEF-dependent transcriptional activity and ECM production of PSC via down-regulation of TGFβRII, PDGFRβ and collagen 1α1 in vitro. These results indicate a critical role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in RA-induced effects on CP and PSC regulation and support the potential of RA as a suppressor of pancreatic fibrosis in mice.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances spatial learning and synaptic plasticity via the VEGF and BDNF-NMDAR pathways in a rat model of vascular dementia

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on learning and memory in a rat model of vascular dementia (VaD) and to analyze the associated mechanisms. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (2-VO) was used to establish a rat model of VaD. High-frequency (5Hz) rTMS was performed on rats for four weeks. Spatial learning and memory abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM), and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus was assessed via long-term potentiation (LTP). Hippocampal expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and three subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR), NR1, NR2A and NR2B, was analyzed by Western blotting. Compared with the VaD group, escape latency was decreased (P<0.05) and the time spent in the target quadrant and the percentage of swimming distance within that quadrant were increased (P<0.05) in the rTMS group. LTP at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses was enhanced by rTMS (P<0.05). VEGF expression was up-regulated following 2-VO and was further increased by rTMS (P<0.05). BDNF, NR1 and NR2B expression was decreased in the VaD group and increased by rTMS (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in NR2A expression among the three groups. These results suggest that rTMS improved learning and memory in the VaD model rats via the up-regulation of VEGF, BDNF and NMDARs. In addition, NR2B may be more important than NR2A for LTP induction in the hippocampus during rTMS treatment of VaD.

Rosmarinic Acid Attenuates Sodium Taurocholate-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats by Inhibiting Nuclear Factor-κB Activation

Rosmarinic Acid (RA), a caffeic acid ester, has been shown to exert anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant and antiallergic effects. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of RA in sodium taurocholate ( NaTC )-induced acute pancreatitis, both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, RA (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 2 h before sodium taurocholate injection. Rats were sacrificed 12 h, 24 h or 48 h after sodium taurocholate injection. Pretreatment with RA significantly ameliorated pancreas histopathological changes, decreased amylase and lipase activities in serum, lowered myeloperoxidase activity in the pancreas, reduced systematic and pancreatic interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and inhibited NF-κB translocation in pancreas. In vitro, pretreating the fresh rat pancreatic acinar cells with 80 μ mol/L RA 2 h before 3750 nmol/L sodium taurocholate or 10 ng/L TNF-α administration significantly attenuated the reduction of isolated pancreatic acinar cell viability and inhibited the nuclear activation and translocation of NF-κB. Based on our findings, RA appears to attenuate damage in sodium taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis and reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB. These findings might provide a basis for investigating the therapeutic role of RA in managing acute pancreatits.

Role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in L-arg-induced acute pancreatitis: effects and possible mechanisms

OBJECTIVES

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown an obvious protective effect on systemic inflammation. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect and possible mechanism of bone marrow MSCs (bmMSCs) on acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS

BmMSCs of SD rats were isolated and cultured in vitro. L-Arginine-induced acute pancreatitis was used as AP model in vivo. Pancreatic injury was assessed by serum amylase, lipase, cytokines and pancreatic histology. RT-PCR was applied to investigate mRNA expression of pancreas tissue. Western-blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were applied to test the role of NF-κB p65 signaling pathway. Tracking and Positioning of CM-Dil labeled bmMSCs in vivo was further studied.

RESULTS

Treatment with bmMSCs attenuated acute pancreatic injury and AP-associated lung injury obviously, with decreased serum IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, down-regulated expressions of IL-1α, IL-6, TNFα in pancreas tissue and reduced nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in AP. Localization of bmMSCs in vivo was due to being passively trapped in related organs, but not actively homing to inflammatory sites of pancreas during the early phase of AP.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the results showed that bmMSCs played a protective role in AP in many aspects, which might protect against experimental pancreatitis partly by regulating release of inflammatory cytokines by an exocrine secretion.

Mating system patterns of natural populations of Pinus koraiensis along its post-glacial colonization route in northeastern China

To understand the genetic mechanisms underlying the endangerment of Pinus koraiensis, we studied the mating system of 49 families of this species in 3 natural populations along its post-glacial colonization route across ~1500 km in northeastern China using the chloroplast simple sequence repeat technique. We analyzed 11 polymorphic loci with clear and repeating bands, and we calculated the multi-locus outcrossing rate (tm), single-locus outcrossing rate, inbreeding index, and fixation index (F). Intra-population variation was not observed, but a large inter-population variation was observed in the outcrossing rate, and the tm increased from 0.767 (the south population) to 0.962 (the north population) along the post-glacial colonization route. The tm values within a population did not change with time over 2 consecutive years. The F values for the 3 populations were <0, which indicates an excess of heterozygotes. The mean effective number of alleles, Shannon diversity index, and Nei's genetic diversity index did not show a south-north pattern. The north population had the highest outcrossing rate but the lowest genetic diversity. The average genetic differentiation of P. koraiensis populations was 0.1251, which was within the average range of woody plants with outcrossing and wind pollination. This study suggests that the current endangerment of P. koraiensis is not related to its genetic structure; perhaps it is mainly caused by man-made and natural disturbances such as deforestation and fire. Therefore, reducing disturbances and enhancing habitats, rather than the genetic aspects, play more important roles in the long-term protection of P. koraiensis.

Astragaloside IV ameliorates acute pancreatitis in rats by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-κB

This study aimed to investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV; 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcycloastragenol), which has been reported to have comprehensive pharmacological functions, on sodium taurocholate (NaTc)/L-arginine (L-Arg)-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats in vivo and in rat pancreatic acinar cells in vitro. NaTc-induced experimental AP was induced in rats by injecting 4% NaTc (0.1 ml/100 g) in the retrograde direction of the biliopancreatic duct. L-Arg-induced experimental AP was induced in rats by 2 intraperitoneal injections of 20% L-arg (3 g/kg), with an interval of 1 h between the injections. The rats were pre-treated AS-IV (50 mg/kg) or the vehicle (DMSO) 2 h prior to the induction of AP. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, H&E staining, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the effects of AS-IV on AP. The results revealed that treatment with AS-IV significantly reduced serum amylase and lipase levels, pancreatic pathological alterations, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, MPO activity, and the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in vivo. Moreover, pre-treatment with AS-IV significantly increased the expression levels of manganese superoxide dismutase and cuprum/zinc superoxide dismutase. In the in vitro experiment, treatment of the cells with AS-IV aslo reduced rat pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and nuclear NF-κB activity, and enhanced the protein expression of superoxide dismutase. In conclusion, this study indicates that the protective effects of AS-IV on experimental AP in rats may be closely related to the inhibition of NF-κB. In addition, our results indicate that AS-IV may exert potential antioxidant effects on AP. Therefore, AS-IV may be an effective therapeutic agent for AP.

Mussel-inspired nanofibrous sheet for suture-less stomach incision surgery

We report a dopamine-based crosslinker-conjugated gelatin/polycaprolactone nanofibrous sheet. The nanosheet was then employed to treat stomach incisions without sutures during surgery.

Tetraspanin CD9 is involved in pancreatic damage during caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

OBJECTIVE

Pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and subsequent inflammatory response aggravate acute pancreatitis (AP). Tetraspanin CD9 has been reported to mediate inflammatory signaling by regulating molecular organization at the cell surface. This study aimed to investigate the role of CD9 in caerulein-induced AP (CIP) in mice.

METHODS

The expression of CD9 was detected in CIP in mice in vivo and cholecystokinin (CCK)/recombinant mouse tumor necrosis factor (rmTNF)-α induced pancreatic acinar cell death in vitro by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunofluorescence. The roles of CD9 in pancreatic acinar cell death and inflammatory response were further studied through the deletion of CD9 expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA).

RESULTS

CD9 was markedly upregulated in pancreatic tissues in mice during the early onset of CIP and was located mainly at the pancreatic acinar cell surface, which was associated with pancreatic damage. Additionally, incubation with CCK or rmTNF-α directly increased the expression of CD9 in isolated mice pancreatic acinar cells in vitro. The deletion of CD9 expression partially reversed both pancreatic acinar cell death induced by CCK and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines produced by damaged acinar cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that increased CD9 expression may be involved in pancreatic injury, possibly via the promotion of cytokine expressions in CIP in mice.

Imbalance of Wnt/Dkk negative feedback promotes persistent activation of pancreatic stellate cells in chronic pancreatitis

The role of persistent activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the fibrosis associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) is increasingly being recognized. Recent studies have shown that Wnt signaling is involved in the development of fibrosis in multiple organs, however, the role of specific Wnts in pancreatic fibrosis remains unknown. We investigated the role of Wnt signaling during PSC activation in CP and the effect of β-catenin inhibition and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk1) restoration on the phenotype of PSCs. CP was induced in mice by repetitive caerulein injection and mouse PSCs were isolated and activated in vitro. The expression of Wnts, β-catenin, secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) and Dkks was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway was examined by immunofluorescence and western blot detection of nuclear β-catenin expression. The effect of recombinant mouse Dkk-1 (rmDkk-1) on cell proliferation and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis. The expression of β-catenin, collagen1α1, TGFβRII, PDGFRβ and α-SMA in PSCs treated with different concentrations of rmDkk-1 or siRNA against β-catenin was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. Wnt2 was the only Wnt whose expression was significantly upregulated in response to PSC activation, and Wnt2 and β-catenin protein levels were significantly increased in the pancreas of CP mice, whereas Dkk-1 expression was evidently decreased. Nuclear β-catenin levels were markedly increased in activated PSCs, and rmDkk-1 suppressed the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of PSCs through the downregulation of PDGFRβ and TGFβRII. Upregulation of Dkk-1 expression increased apoptosis in cultured PSCs. These results indicate that Wnt signaling may mediate the profibrotic effect of PSC activation, and Wnt2/Dkk-1 could be potential therapeutic targets for CP.

Diosmetin ameliorates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor-κB

Diosmetin (3', 5, 7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone), the aglycone part of the flavonoid glycosides diosmin occurs naturally in citrus fruit, was considered to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of diosmetin in a murine model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). Experimental AP was induced in mice by seven intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (50 ug/kg) at hourly intervals. Diosmetin (100 mg/kg) or vehicle was pretreated 2 h before the first cerulein injection. After 6 h, 9 h, 12 h of the first cerulein injection, the severity of acute pancreatitis was evaluated biochemically and morphologically. Pretreatment with diosmetin significantly reduced serum levels of amylase and lipase; the histological injury; the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) level, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation in cerulein-induced AP. This study showed that administration of diosmetin demonstrated a beneficial effect on the course of cerulein-induced AP in mice. Therefore, diosmetin may become a new therapeutic agent in future clinical trials for treatment of AP.

Radiological and clinical characterization of the lysosomal storage disorders: non-lipid disorders

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a large group of genetic metabolic disorders that result in the accumulation of abnormal material, such as mucopolysaccharides, glycoproteins, amino acids and lipids, within cells. Since many LSDs manifest during infancy or early childhood, with potentially devastating consequences if left untreated, timely identification is imperative to prevent irreversible damage and early death. In this review, the key imaging features of the non-lipid or extralipid LSDs are examined and correlated with salient clinical manifestations and genetic information. Disorders are stratified based on the type of excess material causing tissue or organ dysfunction, with descriptions of the mucopolysaccharidoses, mucolipidoses, alpha-mannosidosis, glycogen storage disorder II and cystinosis. In addition, similarities and differences in radiological findings between each of these LSDs are highlighted to facilitate further recognition. Given the rare and extensive nature of the LSDs, mastery of their multiple clinical and radiological traits may seem challenging. However, an understanding of the distinguishing imaging characteristics of LSDs and their clinical correlates may allow radiologists to play a key role in the early diagnosis of these progressive and potentially fatal disorders.

Involvement of interleukin-17A in pancreatic damage in rat experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Interleukin (IL)-17A is a proinflammatory cytokine, which has recently attracted much interest due to its pathogenic role in various inflammatory conditions such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases, but the role of IL-17A in acute pancreatitis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of IL-17A in experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). We analyzed the expression of IL-17A during the pathogenesis of ANP in vivo induced by 3 % sodium taurocholate (NaTc), by microarray test, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry. The effects of IL-17A on pancreatic acinar cells and pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) were further investigated in vitro using recombinant rat IL-17A (rIL-17A). Expression of IL-17A was significantly increased following experimental acute pancreatitis. In addition, rIL-17A induced rat pancreatic acinar cell necrosis and promoted expression of several target genes, including IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL5, in acinar cells and PSCs. These findings suggest that IL-17A may be involved in pancreatic damage by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines during experimental acute pancreatitis.