Sesquiterpenoids and Cytochalasins with Immunosuppressive Activity from Sonchus wightianus

The plant species, Sonchus wightianus DC., was historically used in China for both medicinal and dietary uses. In present study, seven new guaiane sesquiterpenoids (1-7) and one cytochalasin (8), along with five known guaianes (9-13) and two known cytochalasins (14 and 15), were isolated from the whole plants of S. wightianus. These guaianes showed structural variations in the substituents at C-8 and/or C-15, and compounds 6 and 7 are two sesquiterpenoid glycoside derivatives. Their structures were determined by extensive analysis of spectroscopic, electronic circular dichroism, and X-ray diffraction data, and chemical method. Biological tests revealed that compounds 5 and 8 are potent and selective immunosuppressive reagents.

Reversible SAHH inhibitor ameliorates MIA-induced osteoarthritis of rats through suppressing MEK/ERK pathway

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by gradual articular cartilage degradation, accompanied by persistent low-grade joint inflammation, correlating with radiographic and pain-related progression. The latent therapeutic potential of DZ2002, a reversible inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), holds promise for OA intervention. This study endeavored to examine the therapeutic efficacy of DZ2002 within the milieu of OA. The cytotoxicity of DZ2002 was evaluated using the MTT assay on bone marrow-derived macrophages. The inhibitory impact of DZ2002 during the process of osteoclastogenesis was assessed using TRAP staining, analysis of bone resorption pits, and F-actin ring formation. Mechanistic insights were derived from qPCR and Western blot analyses. Through the intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA), an experimental rat model of OA was successfully instituted. This was subsequently accompanied by a series of assessments including Von Frey filament testing, analysis of weight-bearing behaviors, and micro-CT imaging, all aimed at assessing the effectiveness of DZ2002. The findings emphasized the effectiveness of DZ2002 in mitigating osteoclastogenesis induced by M-CSF/RANKL, evident through a reduction in TRAP-positive OCs and bone resorption. Moreover, DZ2002 modulated bone resorption-associated gene and protein expression (CTSK, CTR, Integrin β3) via the MEK/ERK pathway. Encouragingly, DZ2002 also alleviates MIA-induced pain, cartilage degradation, and bone loss. In conclusion, DZ2002 emerges as a potential therapeutic contender for OA, as evidenced by its capacity to hinder in vitro M-CSF/RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and mitigate in vivo osteoarthritis progression. This newfound perspective provides substantial support for considering DZ2002 as a compelling agent for osteoarthritis intervention.

DZ2002 alleviates corneal angiogenesis and inflammation in rodent models of dry eye disease via regulating STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular disorder with a multifactorial etiology. The pre-angiogenic and pre-inflammatory milieu of the ocular surface plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. DZ2002 is a reversible type III S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, which has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of DZ2002 in rodent models of DED. SCOP-induced dry eye models were established in female rats and mice, while BAC-induced dry eye model was established in female rats. DZ2002 was administered as eye drops (0.25%, 1%) four times daily (20 μL per eye) for 7 or 14 consecutive days. We showed that topical application of DZ2002 concentration-dependently reduced corneal neovascularization and corneal opacity, as well as alleviated conjunctival irritation in both DED models. Furthermore, we observed that DZ2002 treatment decreased the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and the levels of inflammation in the cornea and conjunctiva. Moreover, DZ2002 treatment in the BAC-induced DED model abolished the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways in corneal tissues. We also found that DZ2002 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) while downregulating the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that DZ2002 exerts a therapeutic effect on corneal angiogenesis in DED, potentially by preventing the upregulation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways. Collectively, DZ2002 is a promising candidate for ophthalmic therapy, particularly in treating DED.

Limonoids and alkaloids from Tetradium austrosinense (Hand.-Mazz.) T.G.Hartley

A pair of new enantiomeric indolopyridoquinazoline-type alkaloids, (+)-1,7S,8R- and (-)-1,7R,8S-trihydroxyrutaecarpine (3a and 3b), and a new limonoid-tyrosamine hybrid, austrosinin (8), along with six known alkaloids and limonoids, were isolated from the stems with leaves of Tetradium austrosinense. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of analysis of MS, NMR, ECD and time-dependent density functional theory-based electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations, as well as proposed biosynthetic pathway. An anti-inflammatory bioassay in vitro showed 8 had significant immunosuppressive effect against the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

B-seco Limonoids with anti-inflammatory activity from Tetradium fraxinifolium (Hook.) T.G.Hartley

Fraxinifolines A-F (1-6), six new B-seco limonoids, together with four known A,D-di-seco ones, were isolated from the twigs with leaves of Tetradium fraxinifolium. Their structures with absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of analysis of MS, NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and biogenetic pathway. An anti-inflammatory bioassay in vitro showed limonoids 1-3 had significant immunosuppressive effect against the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and/or TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Sumatranins A-J: Lignans with Immunosuppressive Activity from Cleistanthus sumatranus

Chemical investigation of the twigs of Cleistanthus sumatranus (Phyllanthaceae) led to the isolation of 10 undescribed lignans, sumatranins A-J (1-10). Compounds 1-4 are unprecedented furopyran lignans characterized by a unique 2,3,3a,9a-tetrahydro-4H-furo[2,3-b]chromene heterotricyclic framework. Compounds 9 and 10 are rare 9'-nor-dibenzylbutane lignans. Structures were established based on analyses of spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallographic data, and experimental ECD spectra. Immunosuppressive assays revealed compounds 3 and 9 displayed moderate inhibitory effects with good selectivity indexes against LPS-induced B lymphocyte proliferation.

Cyclobutane-Containing Meroditerpenoids, (+)-Isoscopariusins B and C: Structure Elucidation and Biomimetic Synthesis

(+)-Isoscopariusins B (1) and C (2), two meroditerpenoids containing a 6/6/4 tricyclic carbon skeleton and seven continuous stereocenters, were identified from Isodon scoparius. The structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and concise biomimetic syntheses from readily available alkene 5 in seven and six steps, respectively. An intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition with cooperative catalysis of a Lewis acid and an Ir photocatalyst was used to construct a cyclobutane core with four stereogenic centers.

Baccaramiones A-D, Four Highly Oxygenated and Rearranged Trinorditerpenoids from Baccaurea ramiflora

Baccaramiones A-D (1-4), four highly oxygenated and rearranged trinorditerpenoids, were isolated from Baccaurea ramiflora. Compound 1 is a 1(10 → 5)-abeo-15,16,17-trinor-ent-abietane featuring a unique 5/6/6 spirocyclic scaffold, and 2-4 are the first example of a novel 20(10 → 5)-abeo-15,16,17-trinor-ent-abietane skeleton. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallography, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1-4 was proposed. Interestingly, compounds 3 and 4 exhibited significant immunosuppressive activities against concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation and lipopolysaccharide-induced B cell proliferation in vitro.

Artemisinin derivative SM934 in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases: therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms

Artemisinin and its derivatives are the well-known anti-malarial drugs derived from a traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to antimalarial, artemisinin and its derivatives possess distinguished anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities, but the poor solubility and low bioavailability hinder their clinical application. In the last decades a series of new water-soluble and oil-soluble derivatives were synthesized. Among them, we have found a water-soluble derivative β-aminoarteether maleate (SM934) that exhibits outstanding suppression on lymphocytes proliferation in immunosuppressive capacity and cytotoxicity screening assays with 35-fold higher potency than dihydroartemisinin. SM934 displays significant therapeutic effects on various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and dry eye disease. Here, we summarize the immunomodulatory effects, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-fibrosis activities of SM934 in disease-relevant animal models and present the probable pharmacological mechanisms involved in its therapeutic efficacy. This review also delineates a typical example of natural product-based drug discovery, which might further vitalize natural product exploration and development in pharmacotherapy.

Dolabrane-Type Diterpenoids with Immunosuppressive Activity from Koilodepas hainanense

Thirteen new dolabrane-type diterpenoids, koilodenoids A-M (1-13), including a chlorinated congener (2), along with six known analogues, were isolated from Koilodepas hainanense. The structures were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data, ECD spectra, and X-ray crystallographic studies. The absolute configuration of C-15 in the 15,16-diol unit of compounds 4 and 5 was established by using the dimolybdenum tetraacetate [Mo₂(AcO)₄]-induced ECD method. Compounds 4, 7, 16, 17, and 19 showed moderate to significant immunosuppressive activities against the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in vitro, with compound 16 being the most potent (IC₅₀ 0.86 and 0.29 μM, respectively).

Discovery and biological evaluation of dispirocyclic and polycyclic ent-clerodane dimers from Isodon scoparius as novel inhibitors of Toll-like receptor signaling

Three novel ent-clerodane dimers (1–3) were discovered. 2 and 3 exhibited remarkable immunosuppressive activity on the activation of purified B cells and significantly abrogated the downstream pathway of TLR7 signaling.

A novel tricyclic BTK inhibitor suppresses B cell responses and osteoclastic bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by joint leukocyte infiltration, synovial inflammation and bone damage result from osteoclastogenesis. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key regulator of B cell receptor (BCR) and Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) signaling involved in the pathobiology of RA and other autoimmune disorders. SOMCL-17-016 is a potent and selective tricyclic BTK inhibitor, structurally distinct from other known BTK inhibitors. In present study we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of SOMCL-17-016 in a mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model and underlying mechanisms. CIA mice were administered SOMCL-17-016 (6.25, 12.5, 25 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig), or ibrutinib (25 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig) or acalabrutinib (25 mg·kg-1·d-1, ig) for 15 days. We showed that oral administration of SOMCL-17-016 dose-dependently ameliorated arthritis severity and bone damage in CIA mice; it displayed a higher in vivo efficacy than ibrutinib and acalabrutinib at the corresponding dosage. We found that SOMCL-17-016 administration dose-dependently inhibited anti-IgM-induced proliferation and activation of B cells from CIA mice, and significantly decreased anti-IgM/anti-CD40-stimulated RANKL expression in memory B cells from RA patients. In RANKL/M-CSF-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, SOMCL-17-016 prevented osteoclast differentiation and abolished RANK-BTK-PLCγ2-NFATc1 signaling. In summary, this study demonstrates that SOMCL-17-016 presents distinguished therapeutic effects in the CIA model. SOMCL-17-016 exerts a dual inhibition of B cell function and osteoclastogenesis, suggesting that it to be a promising drug candidate for RA treatment.

The artemisinin analog SM934 alleviates dry eye disease in rodent models by regulating TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder of the tears and ocular surface characterized by manifestations of dryness and irritation. Although the pathogenesis is not fully illuminated, it is recognized that inflammation has a prominent role in the development and deterioration of DED. β-aminoarteether maleate (SM934) is a water-soluble artemisinin derivative with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. In this study, we established scopolamine hydrobromide (SCOP)-induced rodent model as well as benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced rat model to investigate the therapeutic potential of SM934 for DED. We showed that topical application of SM934 (0.1%, 0.5%) significantly increased tear secretion, maintained the number of conjunctival goblet cells, reduced corneal damage, and decreased the levels of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, or IL-1β) in conjunctiva in SCOP-induced and BAC-induced DED models. Moreover, SM934 treatment reduced the accumulation of TLR4-expressing macrophages in conjunctiva, and suppressed the expression of inflammasome components, i.e., myeloid differentiation factor88 (MyD88), Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), and cleaved caspase 1. In LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells, we demonstrated that pretreatment with SM934 (10 μM) impeded the upregulation of TLR4 and downstream NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling proteins. Collectively, artemisinin analog SM934 exerts therapeutic benefits on DED by simultaneously reserving the structural integrity of ocular surface and preventing the corneal and conjunctival inflammation, suggested a further application of SM934 in ophthalmic therapy, especially for DED.

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of pregnane glycosides from the root bark of Periploca sepium Bunge

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Periploca sepium Bunge (P. sepium) is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Periploca sepium periplosides (PePs), isolated from the root bark of P. sepium, characterized as the cardiac glycosides-free pregnane glycosides fraction, is expected to possess therapeutic potential on inflammatory arthritis.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The current study is designed to evaluate the anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities effects of the PePs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-nociceptive activity of PePs was examined in the writhing test and hot-plate test in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity of PePs was determined by the 2, 4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced ear edema model and the carrageenan induced paw edema model in mice. The anti-arthritic activity of PePs was investigated by evaluating the joint inflammation and arthritis pathology in rat adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) and murine collagen induced arthritis (CIA). Phytohaemagglutinin M (PHA-M) -elicited human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were further applied to assess the suppressive activity of PePs on IFN-γ and IL-17 production.

RESULTS

PePs treatment markedly decreased the acetic acid-induced visceral nociceptive response and increased the hot-plate pain threshold. Further, oral administration of PePs exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing DNFB-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Moreover, oral treatment of PePs ameliorated joint swelling and attenuated bone erosion in rodent arthritis, and the therapeutic benefits were partially attributed to the suppression of proinflammatory cytokines such IFN-γ and IL-17. Moreover, PePs suppressed the proliferation as well as IFN-γ and IL-17 secretion in PHA-M-elicited human PBMCs in a concentration dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results justified the traditional use of Periploca sepium Bunge for the treatment of diseases associated with inflammation and pain.

Minor immunosuppressive spiroorthoester group-containing pregnane glycosides from the root barks of Periploca sepium

LC-MS guided chemical investigation of the periploside-rich extract of the root barks of Periploca sepium afforded six new minor pregnane glycosides, named periplosides A1-A6 (1-6). Their structures were characterized on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-6 were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes in vitro, among them, compound 5 exhibited significant inhibitory activities and the most favorite selective index (SI) values against the proliferation of T lymphocyte (IC₅₀ = 0.30 μM, SI = 176) and B lymphocyte (IC₅₀ = 0.55 μM, SI = 97).

Cervus and cucumis peptides ameliorates bone erosion in experimental arthritis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by inflammation and bone loss, leading to joint destruction and deformity. The cervus and cucumis polypeptide (CCP) injection, one of the traditional Chinese medicine injections combined extracts from deer horn and sweet melon seeds, is widely used to treat arthritis and bone fracture in China. The present study investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of CCP on pathological immune cells and bone homoeostasis in rodent experimental arthritis.

METHODS

The effects of CCP (4 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) on clinical arthritis symptoms, bone erosion, proinflammatory cytokines and pathological immune cells induced by complete Freund's adjuvant was evaluated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The impacts of CCP (2 mg/kg) on joint erythema and swelling, production of pathogenic antibodies and the proportion of inflammatory cells were assessed in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. Regulation of osteoclastogenesis by CCP was observed in the murine macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF).

RESULTS

CCP administration significantly prevented disease progression in both adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats and CIA mice. The therapeutic benefits were accompanied by reduction of paw oedema, reversed bone destruction, decreased pathological changes and osteoclast numbers in joints in AIA rats, as well as attenuated clinical manifestation and autoantibodies production in CIA mice. Meanwhile, in vitro supplemented of CCP concentration dependently inhibited RANKL/M-CSF-induced osteoclast differentiation, without showing cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells. Further, the presence of CCP dampened the augmented downstream signalling transduction as well as activation of osteoclast-specific genes and transcription factors induced by RANKL/M-CSF in RAW264.7 cells.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that the therapeutic effects of CCP in experimental arthritis could be attributed to its intervention on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis signalling pathway in osteoclast precursor cells.

The viable circulating tumor cells with cancer stem cells feature, where is the way out?

With cancer stem cells (CSCs) became the research hotspot, emerging studies attempt to reveal the functions of these special subsets in tumorigenesis. Although various approaches have been used in CSCs researches, only a few could really reflect or simulate the microenvironment in vivo. At present, CSCs theories are still difficult to apply for clinical remedy because CSCs subpopulations are always hard to identify and trace. Thus an ideal approach for clinicians and researchers is urgently needed. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), as the method of noninvasive-liquid biopsy, could be detected in the peripheral blood (PB) from many tumors and even could be treated as procurators for CSCs deeper researches from patient-derived sample. However, CTCs, as a diagnostic marker, also raise much controversy over theirs clinical value. Mechanisms causing CTCs to shed from the tumor have not been fully characterized, thus it is unclear whether CTCs represent the entire makeup of cancer cells in the tumor or only a subset. The heterogeneity of CTCs also caused different clinical outcomes. To overcome these unsolved problems, recently, CTC researches are not just depend on enumerations, whereas those CTC subsets that could expand in vitro may play a pivotal role in the metastatic cascade. Here, we retrospect the CTC developmental history and discourse upon the enrichment of viable CTCs in functional assays, probe the further avenue at the crossroad.

Topical administration of reversible SAHH inhibitor ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice via suppression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory response in keratinocytes and T cell-derived IL-17

DZ2002, a reversible S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor with immunosuppressive properties and potent therapeutic activity against various autoimmune diseases in mice. The present study was designed to characterize the potential therapeutic effects of DZ2002 on murine model of psoriasis and reveal the correlated mechanisms. In this report, we demonstrated that in vitro, DZ2002 significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and ICAM-1 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK and JNK in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes. Topical administration of DZ2002 alleviated the imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions and inflammation in mice, the therapeutic effect was comparable with the Calcipotriol. Moreover, the inflammatory skin disorder was restored by DZ2002 treatment characterized by reducing both of the CD3⁺ T cell accumulation and the psoriasis-specific cytokines expression. Further, we found that DZ2002 improved IMQ-induced splenomegaly and decreased the frequency of splenic IL-17-producing T cells. Our finding offered the convincing evidence that SAHH inhibitor DZ2002 might attenuate psoriasis by simultaneously interfering the abnormal activation and differentiation of keratinocytes and accumulation of IL-17-producing T cells in skin lesions.

(5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide ameliorates lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice by preventing infiltration of immune cells

(5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8), a triptolide derivative with low toxicity, was previously reported to have strong immunosuppressive effects both in vitro and in vivo, but it remains unknown whether LLDT-8 has a therapy effect on systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of LLDT-8 on lupus nephritis in MRL/lpr mice, a model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Compared with the vehicle group, different clinical parameters were improved upon LLDT-8 treatment as follows: prolonged life span of mice, decreased proteinuria, downregulated blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, reduced glomerular IgG deposits, and ameliorated histopathology. A decreased expression of the inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α was also observed in the kidney of LLDT-8 treated MRL/lpr mice. Moreover, infiltration of T cells in the kidney was mitigated after LLDT-8 treatment, corresponding with decreased expression of related chemokines IP-10, Mig, and RANTES in the kidney. The proportion of macrophage and neutrophil cells and related chemokines expression was also reduced in kidneys of LLDT-8-treated mice. In the human proximal tubule epithelial cell line and mouse mesangial cell line, consistent with our in vivo experimental results, LLDT-8 suppressed the expression of related chemokines and IL-6. In summary, LLDT-8 has a therapeutic benefit for lupus nephritis via suppressing chemokine expression and inhibiting immune cell infiltration in kidneys of MRL/lpr mice.

Dietary supplementation with glutamine and γ-aminobutyric acid improves growth performance and serum parameters in 22- to 35-day-old broilers exposed to hot environment

This study was designed using 360 21-day-old chicks to determine the influences of diet supplementation with glutamine (5 g/kg), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 100 mg/kg) or their combinations on performance and serum parameters exposed to cycling high temperatures. From 22 to 35 days, the experimental groups (2 × 2) were subjected to circular heat stress by exposing them to 30-34 °C cycling, while the positive control group was exposed to 23 °C constant. The blood of broilers was collected to detect serum parameters on days 28 and 35. Compared with the positive control group, the cycling high temperature decreased (p < 0.05) the feed consumption, weight gain and serum total protein (TP), glucose, thyroxine (T4), insulin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamine, GABA and glutamate levels, while increased (p < 0.05) the serum triglyceride (TG), corticosterone (CS), glucagon (GN), creatine kinase (CK), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels during 22-35 days. However, dietary glutamine (5 g/kg) increased (p < 0.05) the feed consumption, weight gain and serum levels of glutamine, TP, insulin and ALP, but decreased (p < 0.05) the serum TG, CK, GOT, NOS and GPT levels. Diet supplemented with GABA also increased (p < 0.05) weight gain and the serum levels of TP, T4, ALP, GABA and glutamine. In addition, the significant interactions (p < 0.05) between glutamine and GABA were found in the feed consumption, weight gain and the serum ALP, CK, LDH, GABA, T3 and T4 levels of heat-stressed chickens. This research indicated that dietary glutamine and GABA improved the antistress ability in performance and serum parameters of broilers under hot environment.

[Reductive degradation of chlorophenols in aqueous solution by gamma irradiation]

Because chlorine is an electron withdrawing group, the highly chlorinated phenols may react quickly with hydrated electrons rather than with hydroxyl radicals. The process of reactions of four chlorophenols (4-CP, 2-CP, 2,4-DCP, 2,4,6-TCP) with e(aq)(-) was investigated in aqueous solutions by detecting the concentration of CPs, Cl- and intermediates. In the e(aq)(-) reductive system, the experimental results showed that the order of four kinds of chlorophenol degradation and dechlorination was 2,4,6-TCP > 2,4-DCP > 2-CP > 4-CP. The greater the chlorine content was the higher reactivity of hydrated electrons towards chlorophenols was. Furthermore, hydrated electrons may preferentially attack the ortho-position of chlorine atom rather than the para-position of chlorine atom. Phenol and Cl- were detected as the final product of the reductive reaction. Additionally, processes of degradation and dechlorination of CPs were observed as the pseudo-first-order kinetics. The reaction constant of degradation of 4-CP, 2-CP, 2,4-DCP and 2,4,6-TCP were 0.154, 0.253, 0.750 and 1.188 kGy(-1), respectively. Meanwhile, the dechlorination of 4-CP, 2-CP, 2,4-DCP and 2,4,6-TCP were 0.137, 0.219, 0.251 and 0.306 kGy(-1), respectively.

SM934 treated lupus-prone NZB × NZW F1 mice by enhancing macrophage interleukin-10 production and suppressing pathogenic T cell development

Background

Artemisinin and its derivatives were reported to possess strong regulatory effects on inflammation and autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to examine the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of SM934, a water-soluble artemisinin analogue, on lupus-prone female NZB×NZW F₁ mice.

Methodology/Principal Findings

NZB/W F₁ mice were treated orally with SM934 for 3 or 6 months respectively to investigate the effect on clinical manifestations and immunological correlates. To further explore the mechanisms of SM934, ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized or interferon (IFN)-γ-elicited C57BL/6 mice were used. In vivo, treatment with SM934 for 3 or 6 months significantly delayed the progression of glomerulonephritis and increased the survival rate of NZB/W F₁ mice. Clinical improvement was accompanied with decreased Th1-related anti-double-strand DNA (dsDNA) IgG2a and IgG3 Abs, serum interleukin (IL)-17, and increased Th2-related anti-dsDNA IgG1 Ab, serum IL-10 and IL-4. SM934 treatment also suppressed the accumulation of effector/memory T cells, induced the apoptosis of CD4⁺ T cells, while enhancing the development of regulatory T cells in NZB/W F₁ mice. In addition, SM934 treatment promoted the IL-10 production of macrophages from NZB/W F₁ mice, OVA-immunized C57BL/6 mice and IFN-γ-elicited C57BL/6 mice. In vitro, SM934 enhanced IL-10 production from primary macrophages stimulated with IFN-γ.

Conclusions/Significance

The results of this study demonstrated that artemisinin analogue SM934 had therapeutic effects on lupus-prone female NZB/W F₁ mice by inhibiting the pathogenic helper T cell development and enhancing anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production.

Oral administration of artemisinin analog SM934 ameliorates lupus syndromes in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell responses

OBJECTIVE

SM934, an artemisinin derivative, possesses potent antiproliferative and antiinflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and explore the mechanisms of SM934 to treat autoimmune disease in lupus-prone female MRL/lpr mice.

METHODS

In vitro, the effects of SM934 on the activation of polyclonal CD4+ T cells and the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells were examined. In vivo, the preventative or therapeutic effects of SM934 in MRL/lpr mice were investigated. Ex vivo, the mechanisms of treatment were explored according to the immunologic correlates of disease.

RESULTS

In vitro, SM934 inhibited interferon-γ (IFNγ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) production from polyclonal CD4+ T cells activated by T cell receptor engagement and the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into Th1 and Th17 cells, but not Treg cells. In vivo, 12-week-old MRL/lpr mice treated with SM934 for 4 weeks showed significantly ameliorated proteinuria and renal lesion severity; decreased levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum IFNγ, and serum anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies; decreased spleen size; and a lower percentage of CD3+B220+CD4-CD8- T cells; 16-week-old MRL/lpr mice treated with SM934 for 8 weeks avoided severe proteinuria and survived longer. Ex vivo, SM934 treatment elevated the percentage of Treg cells, inhibited the development of Th1 and Th17 cells, and impeded the comprehensive activation of STAT-1, STAT-3, and STAT-5 proteins in splenocytes.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that the artemisinin analog SM934 had therapeutic effects in lupus-prone female MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting both Th1 cell and Th17 cell responses. Moreover, this study indicated that both IFNγ and IL-17 are required for the elicitation and development of murine lupus.

[Contents of serum albumin after surgical operation in children with acute intussusception]

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of serum albumin contents after operation and investigate whether post-operational serum albumin contents are correlated with the disease severity in children with acute intussusception.

METHODS

Serum albumin contents were measured using the automatic biochemistry analyzer in 32 children with mild acute intussusception and 21 children with severe acute intussusception 1 day after surgical operation. After 5 days combined treatment, serum albumin contents were re-examined. Thirty healthy children severed as the control group. The correlation between post-operational serum albumin contents and critical illness scores was evaluated.

RESULTS

Serum albumin contents in the mild (34.2+/-6.5 g/L; P<0.05) and the severe intussusception groups (25.8+/-7.5 g/L; P<0.01) 1 day after operation were significantly lower than those in the control group (37.1+/-4.1 g/L). There were significant differences in serum albumin contents between the mild and the severe intussusception groups (P<0.05). Five days after operation, serum albumin contents in the mild intussusception group significantly increased (37.1+/-11.4 g/L; P<0.05), while serum albumin contents in the severe intussusception group did not differ from those 1 day after operation. There was a positive correlation between serum albumin contents on the 1st day after operation and the critical illness scores (r=0.879, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum albumin contents decreased on the 1st day after operation and were correlated with the disease severity in children with acute intussusception. Hypoalbuminemia lasted for a longer period in severe cases. The post-operational measurement of serum albumin contents may be useful in the evaluation of the severity for children with acute intussusception.

[Risk factors for death in children with septic shock]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the risk factors for death in children with septic shock.

METHODS

Clinical data of 53 children with septic shock admitted to the Yuying Children's Hospital between January 2006 and July 2008 were retrospectively studied. Risk factors for death were assessed using univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Nineteen cases died out of 53 children with septic shock. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis showed that arterial blood pH value<7.0 (OR=89.66), hypotension (OR=84.00), the pediatric critical illness score<70 (OR=60.00), the number of organ dysfunction>or=3 (OR=38.98), incompletion of volume resuscitation within 6 hrs after shock (OR=26.41), and no administration of effective antibiotics within 1 hr after shock (OR=11.43) and of vasoactive drugs (OR=75.68) were risk factors for death in children with septic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

A low arterial blood pH value (<7.0), hypotension, a pediatric critical illness score (<70) and the number of organ dysfunction>or=3 are related to a high mortality in children with septic shock. If the volume resuscitation can be completed within 6 hrs after shock, effective antibiotics can be administered within 1 hr after shock, and vasoactive drugs can be used properly, the outcome of children with septic shock may be improved.

[Improvement of transformation frequency of rice mediated by Agrobacterium]

The factors influencing the frequency of rice transformation mediated by Agrobacterium have been investigated by using 16 commercially important indica and japonica rice cultivars or lines. The main results were as following: For most rice CC medium was the best for both callus initiation and subculture. With supplement of 2.5-5 mg/L ABA the quality of calli can be improved. The concentration of selective agent for Indica rice callus was lower than that for japonica rice callus. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 was more efficient than LBA4404 and AGL1 for rice transformation. The inhibitive effect of cefotaxime to Agrobacterium was better than that of carbenicillin. The partial desiccation treatment after co-cultivation was beneficial to inhibit the growth of Agrobacterium and increase transformation efficiency. A stable and efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system has been established in ten different rice cultivars and fertile transgenic plants have been obtained.

Bombyx mori silk fibroin liquid crystallinity and crystallization at aqueous fibroin-organic solvent interfaces

A banded morphology has been observed for Bombyx mori silk fibroin films obtained from an aqueous hexane interface; the period of the banding is approximately 1 microm. Morphology and diffraction from different regions of the banded structure suggest that it is a free surface formed by a cholesteric liquid crystal. Truncated hexagonal lamellar crystallites of B. mori silk fibroin have been observed in films formed in the surface excess layer of fibroin at the interface between aqueous fibroin and hexane or chloroform. Based on initial crystallographic evidence, a three-fold helical conformation has been ascribed to the fibroin chains within the crystals. The chain conformation and crystalline habit appear to be similar to the silk III structure previously observed at the air-water interface (Valluzzi R, Gido SP. Biopolymers 1997;42:705-717; Valluzzi R, Gido S, Zhang W, Muller W, Kaplan D. Macromolecules 1996;29:8606-8614) but the crystalline packing is different. Diffraction data obtained for the crystallites are similar to diffraction behavior for a collagen-like model peptide. Diffraction patterns obtained from crystallized regions of the banded morphology can be indexed using the same unit cell as the hexagonal lamellar crystallites. Surfactancy of fibroin and subsequent aggregation and mesophase formation may help to explain the liquid crystallinity reported for silk, which is long suspected to play a role in the biological silk spinning process (Valluzzi R, Gido SP. Biopolymers 1997;42:705-717; Willcox, P. J.; Gido, SP, Muller W, Kaplan DL. Macromolecules 1996:29:5106-5110; Magoshi J, Magoshi Y, Nakamura S. In: Kaplan D, Adams W, Farmer B, Viney C, editors, Mechanism of Fiber Formation of Silkworm. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society 1994:292-310; Magoshi J, Magoshi Y, Nakamura S. J Appl Polym Sci Appl Polym Symp 1985;41:187-204; Magoshi J, Magoshi Y, Nakamura S. Polym Commun 1985;26:309.).

Silk I structure in Bombyx mori silk foams

Single crystals of Bombyx mori silk fibroin in the metastable silk I polymorph have been produced using a new foaming technique. Foams of silk protein are generated by bubbling pure nitrogen gas through an aqueous solution of regenerated silk fibroin. The foamed material is collected, dried, and then sonicated to yield individual crystals which were examined using transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. It is found that slightly acidic conditions in the solution from which the foam was generated favor the formation of silk II while neutral to slightly basic solutions favor silk I formation. More dilute solutions favor the formation of silk II while more concentrated solutions (about 7 wt.% or greater) favor the formation of silk I. X-ray powder diffraction patterns from the dried silk I foams displayed features highly indicative of silk I. We also report the first single crystal electron diffraction patterns of silk I. These patterns indicate a large unit cell, possibly 22.66 x 5.70 x 20.82 A. with six chains of six residues, Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ser. Although we have not fully characterized this complex structure it appears that the chain is nearly fully extended and thus our data is consistent with models possessing general features similar to those proposed by Fossey SA, Nemethy G, Gibson KD, Scheraga HA. (Biopolymers 1991;31:1529-1541).

Correlative factors of left ventricular hypertrophy in end-stage renal disease

The correlative factors of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 287 end-stage renal disease (ESRD), admitted from 1983 to 1992, were analyzed. 52% of patients had LVH including 54% of patients on hemodialysis, 75% of patients with peritoneal dialysis and 38% of transplanted patients. Single factor analysis indicated that age, blood pressure, serum creatinine and BUN, hemoglobin, serum alkaline phosphatase, aortic valve disease and present DSRD therapy were related to LVH. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the most important factors which independently related to LVH in all patients studied, were management of present ESRD treatment, age, hypertension and high serum alkaline phosphatase. In a subset of patients with severe LVH, high serum alkaline phosphatase level, high systolic blood pressure and age were the predictive factors. In patients on dialysis, the most important variable were age and high serum alkaline phosphatase. Hypertension was the sole predictor of LVH in the transplant group.

Census and survey of wild black-crested gibbons (Hylobates concolor concolor) in Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China

Black-crested gibbons (Hylobates concolor concolor) inhabit the subtropical forests of Southern China and Northern Vietnam, and have never previously been the subject of any systematic behavioral or ecological study. This report presents the findings of a three-month census and survey of black-crested gibbons in the Wuliang and Ailao Mountain Game Reserves in Yunnan province, China. The censusing methods used here were similar to those techniques used during other census studies of gibbons. The sites visited were subtropical broadleaf evergreen forests, with trees belonging to the families Fagaceae, Theaceae, Magnoliaceae, Lauraceae and Elaeocarpaceae. A total of 23-25 groups of black-crested gibbons were documented from 4 sites visited, and a group density estimate from all sites averaged 0.82 groups/km2. These gibbons were found to be polygynous with an average family group size of 7-8 animals, comprising 1 adult male, 1-4 adult females and numerous offspring of various ages. Some of the ecological and evolutionary implications of these findings are also presented.