[Efficacy and safety of VRD regimen of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma]

Objective: To explore the stem cell collection rate and efficacy and safety of patients aged 70 and below with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) treated with the VRD (bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone) regimen followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Methods: Retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 123 patients with newly diagnosed MM from August 1, 2018, to June 30, 2020, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Hopes Hematology Hospital, who were eligible for VRD regimen sequential ASCT, were collected. The clinical characteristics, efficacy after induction therapy, mobilization regimen of autologous stem cells, autologous stem cell collection rate, and side effects and efficacy of ASCT were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of the 123 patients, 67 were males. The median patient age was 56 (range: 31-70) years. Patients with IgG, IgA, IgD, and light-chain types accounted for 47.2% (58/123), 23.6% (29/123), 3.2% (4/123), and 26.0% (32/123) of patients, respectively. In addition, 25.2% (31/123) of patients had renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance rate<40 ml/min). Patients with Revised-International Staging System (R-ISS) Ⅲ accounted for 18.2% (22/121) of patients. After induction therapy, the rates of partial response and above, very-good partial response (VGPR) and above, and complete response (CR)+stringent CR were 82.1% (101/123), 75.6% (93/123), and 45.5% (56/123), respectively. Overall, 90.3% (84/93) of patients were mobilized with cyclophosphamide+granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and 8 patients with G-CSF or G-CSF+plerixafor due to creatinine clearance rate<30 ml/min and one of them was mobilized with DECP (cisplatin, etoposide, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone)+G-CSF for progressive disease. The rate of autologous stem cell collection (CD34⁺cells≥2×10⁶/kg) after four courses of VRD regimen was 89.1% (82/92), and the rate of collection (CD34⁺cells≥5×10⁶/kg) was 56.5% (52/92). Seventy-seven patients treated with the VRD regimen sequential ASCT. All patients had grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Among the nonhematologic adverse events during ASCT, the highest incidence was observed for gastrointestinal reactions (76.6%, 59/77), followed by oral mucositis (46.8%, 36/77), elevated aminotransferases (44.2%, 34/77), fever (37.7%, 29/77), infection (16.9%, 13/77) and heart-related adverse events (11.7%, 9/77). Among the adverse events, grade 3 adverse events included nausea (6.5%, 5/77), oral mucositis (5.2%, 4/77), vomiting (3.9%, 3/77), infection (2.6%, 2/77), elevated blood pressure after infusion (2.6%, 2/77), elevated alanine transaminase (1.3%, 1/77), and perianal mucositis (1.3%, 1/77); there were no grade 4 or above nonhematologic adverse events. The proportion of patients who achieved VGPR and above after VRD sequential ASCT was 100% (75/75), and the proportion of patients who were minimal residual disease-negative (<10^-4 level) was 82.7% (62/75). Conclusion: In patients aged 70 and below with newly diagnosed MM treated with VRD induction therapy, the collection rate of autologous stem cells was good, and good efficacy and tolerability were noted after follow-up ASCT.

[Genomic epidemiology of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from acute diarrheal patients in Shenzhen City from 2013 to 2021]

Objective: To characterize the prevalence and genomic epidemiology of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from acute diarrheal patients in Shenzhen City from 2013 to 2021. Methods: Based on the Shenzhen Infectious Diarrhea Surveillance System, acute diarrheal patients were actively monitored in sentinel hospitals from 2013 to 2021. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates was performed, and the genomic population structure, serotypes, virulence genes and multilocus sequence typing were analyzed. Outbreak clusters from 2019 to 2021 were explored based on single-nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Results: A total of 48 623 acute diarrhea cases were monitored in 15 sentinel hospitals from 2013 to 2021, and 1 135 Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains were isolated, with a positive isolation rate of 2.3%. Qualified whole-genome sequencing data of 852 isolates were obtained. Eighty-nine serotypes, 21 known ST types and 5 new ST types were identified by sequence analysis, and 93.2% of strains were detected with toxin profile of tdh+trh-. 8 clonal groups (CGs) were captured, with CG3 as the absolute predominance, followed by CG189. The CG3 group was dominated by O3:K6 serotype and ST3 sequence type, while CG189 group was mainly O4:KUT, O4:K8 serotypes and ST189a and ST189 type. A total of 13 clusters were identified, containing 154 cases. About 30 outbreak clusters with 29 outbreak clusters caused by CG3 strains from 2019 to 2021. Conclusion: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major pathogen of acute infectious diarrhea in Shenzhen City, with diverse population structures. CG3 and CG189 have been prevalent and predominant in Shenzhen City for a long time. Scattered outbreaks and persistent sources of contamination ignored by traditional methods could be captured by WGS analysis. Tracing the source of epidemic clone groups and taking precise prevention and control measures are expected to significantly reduce the burden of diarrhea diseases caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in Shenzhen City.

[The expression level of secretory mature B cell surface antigen in primary diagnosed multiple myeloma and its clinical significance]

Objective: To explorer Secretory mature B cell surface antigen (sBCMA) expression level, changes during treatment and clinical significance in newly diagnosed MM patients. Methods: Clinical data of 158 MM patients admitted to the Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from August 2018 to September 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The concentration of sBCMA in the patients was determined by BCMA ELISA and compared with the normal range. The results were compared with clinical efficacy, age, type, R-ISS stage, renal impairment, and humoral immune function. Results: The median age of the patients was 57 (31-73 years old), 86 (54.5%) males and 72 (45.5%) females, mainly IgG type, 81 patients(51.2%). SBCMA value M(Q₁,Q₃) was 76.50 (55.50, 94.40) μg/L, 100% higher than the upper limit of normal value. According to the efficacy evaluation, the patients were divided into complete remission(CR) group, very good partial remission(VGPR) group, partial remission(PR) group and ineffiecacy group, the results showed the level of sBCMA in CR group[80.10 (58.05, 96.90) vs 15.70 (9.85, 28.65) μg/L] and VGPR group[74.60 (52.20, 93.00) vs 17.20 (13.30, 38.80) μg/L]was significantly higher than that before treatment(all P<0.001), and there was no significant difference in PR group and ineffective group before and after treatment (all P>0.05).The amount of serum intact protein M protein was positively correlated with the level of sBCMA expression in newly diagnosed patients (r=0.22, P=0.040), and there was no correlation between the proportion of bone marrow plasma cells and sBCMA expression (r=0.07, P=0.449).The correlation between sBCMA levels at initial diagnosis and MM type[IgG type, IgA type vs light chain type:(78.6±3.5), (72.4±5.4) vs (83.8±6.9)μg/L], age[≥65 vs<65 years: (73.6±5.5)vs (79.3±3.1)μg/L], R-ISS stage[stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ vs Ⅲ:(80.2±3.1) vs (69.4±6.1)μg/L], renal impairment [Creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) ≤30 vs>30 ml/min:(81.6±4.8) vs (76.5±3.4)μg/L], and high-risk karyotype[high-risk vs standard-risk:(73.6±5.7) vs (80.2±3.2)μg/L] were not associated (all P>0.05). Expression levels of sBCMA were negatively correlated with IgM levels in MM patients (r=-0.39, P=0.002) and after treatment (r=-0.25, P=0.015). Conclusions: The expression of sBCMA in MM patients is a reliable indicator of the clinical efficacy of MM and is related to the occurrence of MM immune deficiency and recovery after treatment. sBCMA can be used as a new independent marker for monitoring and predicting the efficacy of MM patients.

Antihypertensive effects of exercise involve reshaping of gut microbiota and improvement of gut-brain axis in spontaneously hypertensive rat

Exercise (Ex) has long been recognized to produce beneficial effects on hypertension (HTN). This coupled with evidence of gut dysbiosis and an impaired gut-brain axis led us to hypothesize that reshaping of gut microbiota and improvement in impaired gut-brain axis would, in part, be associated with beneficial influence of exercise. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were randomized into sedentary, trained, and detrained groups. Trained rats underwent moderate-intensity exercise for 12 weeks, whereas, detrained groups underwent 8 weeks of moderate-intensity exercise followed by 4 weeks of detraining. Fecal microbiota, gut pathology, intestinal inflammation, and permeability, brain microglia and neuroinflammation were analyzed. We observed that exercise training resulted in a persistent decrease in systolic blood pressure in the SHR. This was associated with increase in microbial α diversity, altered β diversity, and enrichment of beneficial bacterial genera. Furthermore, decrease in the number of activated microglia, neuroinflammation in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, improved gut pathology, inflammation, and permeability were also observed in the SHR following exercise. Interestingly, short-term detraining did not abolish these exercise-mediated improvements. Finally, fecal microbiota transplantation from exercised SHR into sedentary SHR resulted in attenuated SBP and an improved gut-brain axis. These observations support our concept that an impaired gut-brain axis is linked to HTN and exercise ameliorates this impairment to induce antihypertensive effects.

Chronic Blockade of NMDAR Subunit 2A in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Alleviates Hypertension Through Suppression of MEK/ERK/CREB Pathway

BACKGROUND

N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays critical roles in regulating sympathetic outflow. Studies showed that acute application of the antagonists of NMDAR or its subunits would reduce sympathetic nerve discharges. However, little is known about the effect of long-term management of NMDAR in hypertensive animals.

METHODS

PEAQX, the specific antagonist of NMDAR subunit 2A (GluN2A) was injected into both sides of the PVN of two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renal hypertensive rats and control (normotensive rats) for 3 weeks.

RESULTS

Three weeks of PEAQX infusion significantly reduced the blood pressure of the 2K1C rats. It managed to resume the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neural transmitters, reduce the level of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species in the PVN, and reduce the level of norepinephrine in plasma of the 2K1C rats. PEAQX administration also largely reduced the transcription and translation levels of GluN2A and changed the expression levels of NMDAR subunits 1 and 2B (GluN1 and GluN2B). In addition, NMDAR was known to function through activating the extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathways. In our study, we found that in the PVN of 2K1C rats treated with PEAQX, the phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), ERK1/2, and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) significantly reduced, while the phosphorylation level of PI3K did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic blockade of GluN2A alleviates hypertension through suppression of MEK/ERK/CREB pathway.

Central Blockade of E-Prostanoid 3 Receptor Ameliorated Hypertension Partially by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Hypertension, as one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, significantly affects human health. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the E3-class prostanoid (EP3) receptor have previously been demonstrated to modulate blood pressure and hemodynamics in various animal models of hypertension. The PGE2-evoked pressor and biochemical responses can be blocked with the EP3 receptor antagonist, L-798106 (N-[(5-bromo-2methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]-3-[2-(2-naphthalenylmethyl) phenyl]-2-propenamide). In the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), sympathetic excitation can be introduced by PGE2, which can activate EP3 receptors located in the PVN. In such a case, the central knockdown of EP3 receptor can be considered as a potential therapeutic modality for hypertension management. The present study examined the efficacy of the PVN infusion of L-798106, by performing experiments on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs). The rats were administered with chronic bilateral PVN infusion of L-798106 (10 μg/day) or the vehicle for 28 days. The results indicated that the SHRs had a higher mean arterial pressure (MAP), an increased Fra-like (Fra-LI) activity in the PVN, as well as a higher expression of gp91phox, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and proinflammatory cytokines in the PVN compared with the WKYs. Additionally, the expression of Cu/Zn-SOD in the PVN of the SHRs was reduced compared with the WKYs. The bilateral PVN infusion of L-798106 significantly reduced MAP, as well as plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels in the SHRs. It also inhibited Fra-LI activity and reduced the expression of gp91phox, proinflammatory cytokines, and MAPK, whereas it increased the expression of Cu/Zn-SOD in the PVN of SHRs. In addition, L-798106 restored the balance of the neurotransmitters in the PVN. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that the PVN blockade of EP3 receptor can ameliorate hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy partially by attenuating ROS and proinflammatory cytokines, and modulating neurotransmitters in the PVN.

Chronic Infusion of Astaxanthin Into Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Modulates Cytokines and Attenuates the Renin-Angiotensin System in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

ABSTRACT

Oxidative stress, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and inflammation are some of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The aim of this study is to examine the protective effect of the chronic administration of astaxanthin, which is extracted from the shell of crabs and shrimps, into hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Animals were randomly assigned to 2 groups and treated with bilateral PVN infusion of astaxanthin or vehicle (artificial cerebrospinal fluid) through osmotic minipumps (Alzet Osmotic Pumps, Model 2004, 0.25 μL/h) for 4 weeks. Spontaneously hypertensive rats had higher mean arterial pressure and plasma level of norepinephrine and proinflammatory cytokine; higher PVN levels of reactive oxygen species, NOX2, NOX4, IL-1β, IL-6, ACE, and AT1-R; and lower PVN levels of IL-10 and Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, ACE2, and Mas receptors than Wistar-Kyoto rats. Our data showed that chronic administration of astaxanthin into PVN attenuated the overexpression of reactive oxygen species, NOX2, NOX4, inflammatory cytokines, and components of RAS within the PVN and suppressed hypertension. The present results revealed that astaxanthin played a role in the brain. Our findings demonstrated that astaxanthin had protective effect on hypertension by improving the balance between inflammatory cytokines and components of RAS.

Effects of seawater immersion on open traumatic brain injury in rabbit model

We emulated instances of open traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in a maritime disaster. New Zealand rabbit animal models were used to evaluate the pathophysiological changes in open TBI with and without the influence of artificial seawater. New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Control group consisted of only normal animals. Animals in TBI and TBI + Seawater groups underwent craniotomy with dura mater incised and brain tissue exposed to free-fall impact. Afterward, only TBI + Seawater group received on-site artificial seawater infusion. Brain water content (BWC) and permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) were assessed. Reactive oxygen species levels were measured. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were employed to detect: apoptosis-related factors Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2; angiogenesis-related factors CD31 and CD34; astrogliosis-related factor glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); potential neuron injury indicator neuron-specific enolase (NSE). Hematoxylin & eosin, Masson-trichrome and Nissl stainings were performed for pathological observations. Comparing to Control group, TBI group manifested abnormal neuronal morphology; increased BWC; compromised BBB integrity; increased ROS, Bax, CD31, CD34, Caspase-3 and GFAP expressions; decreased Bcl-2 and NSE expression. Seawater immersion caused all changes, except BWC, to become more significant. Seawater immersion worsens the damage inflicted to brain tissue by open TBI. It aggravates hypoxia in brain tissue, upregulates ROS expression, increases neuron sensitivity to apoptosis-inducing factors, and promotes angiogenesis as well as astrogliosis.

Carbon Monoxide Attenuates High Salt-Induced Hypertension While Reducing Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Oxidative Stress in the Paraventricular Nucleus

Carbon monoxide (CO) presents anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities as a new gaseous neuromessenger produced by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the body. High salt-induced hypertension is relevant to the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) and oxidative stress in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). We explored whether CO in PVN can attenuate high salt-induced hypertension by regulating PICs or oxidative stress. Male Dahl Salt-Sensitive rats were fed high-salt (8% NaCl) or normal-salt (0.3% NaCl) diet for 4 weeks. CORM-2, ZnPP IX, or vehicle was microinjected into bilateral PVN for 6 weeks. High-salt diet increased the levels of MAP, plasma norepinephrine (NE), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expressions of COX2, IL-1β, IL-6, NOX2, and NOX4 significantly in PVN (p < 0.05), but decreased the expressions of HO-1 and Cu/Zn-SOD in PVN (p < 0.05). Salt increased sympathetic activity as measured by circulating norepinephrine, and increased the ratio of basal RSNA to max RSNA, in part by decreasing max RSNA. PVN microinjection of CORM-2 decreased the levels of MAP, NE, RSNA, ROS and the expressions of COX2, IL-1β, IL-6, NOX2, NOX4 significantly in PVN of hypertensive rat (p < 0.05), but increased the expressions of HO-1 and Cu/Zn-SOD significantly (p < 0.05), which were all opposite to the effects of ZnPP IX microinjected in PVN (p < 0.05). We concluded that exogenous or endogenous CO attenuates high salt-induced hypertension by regulating PICs and oxidative stress in PVN.

Inhibition of Hypothalamic Inhibitor κB Kinase β/Nuclear Transcription Factor κB Pathway Attenuates Metabolism and Cardiac Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

Inflammation and oxidative stress play important roles in energy imbalance and its complications. Recent research indicates that hypothalamic inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and cardiac dysfunction, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that suppression of the proinflammatory IKKβ/NF-κB pathway in the hypothalamus can improve energy balance and cardiac function in type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats.

METHODS

Normal and T2D rats received bilateral hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) infusions of the IKKβ inhibitor SC-514 or vehicle via osmotic minipump. Metabolic phenotyping, immunohistochemical analyses, and biochemical analyses were used to investigate the outcomes of inhibition of the hypothalamic IKKβ. Echocardiography and glucometer were used for measuring cardiac function and blood glucose, respectively. Blood samples were collected for the evaluation of circulating proinflammatory cytokines. Heart was harvested for cardiac morphology evaluations. The ARC was harvested and analyzed for IKKβ, NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and NAD(P)H (gp91phox, p47phox) oxidase activity levels and neuropeptides.

RESULTS

Compared with normal rats, T2D rats were characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, cardiac dysfunction, as well as higher ARC levels of IKKβ, NF-κB, proinflammatory cytokines, ROS, gp91phox, and p47phox. ARC infusion of the IKKβ inhibitor SC-514 attenuated all these changes in T2D rats, but not in normal rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the hypothalamic IKKβ/NF-κB pathway plays a key role in modulating energy imbalance and cardiac dysfunction, suggesting its potential therapeutic role during type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Exercise Training Attenuates Hypertension Through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus

Exercise training (ExT) is beneficial for cardiovascular health, yet the central mechanism by which aerobic ExT attenuates the hypertensive responses remains unclear. Activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is important for the sympathoexcitation and hypertensive response. We thus hypothesized that aerobic ExT can decrease the blood pressure of hypertensive rats by reducing the levels of PICs through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling within the PVN. To examine this hypothesis, two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats were assigned to two groups: sedentary or exercise training and examined for 8 weeks. At the same time, bilateral PVN infusion of vehicle or TAK242, a TLR4 inhibitor, was performed on both groups. As a result, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI) were found significantly increased in 2K1C hypertensive rats. These rats also had higher levels of Fra-like activity, NF-κB p65 activity, TLR4, MyD88, IL-1β and TNF-α in the PVN than SHAM rats. Eight weeks of ExT attenuated the RSNA and SBP, repressed the NF-κB p65 activity, and reduced the increase of plasma levels of NE, EPI, and the expression of Fra-like, TLR4, MyD88, IL-1β and TNF-α in the PVN of 2K1C rats. These findings are highly similar to the results in 2K1C rats with bilateral PVN infusions of TLR4 inhibitor (TAK242). This suggests that 8 weeks of aerobic ExT may decrease blood pressure in hypertensive rats by reducing the PICs activation through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling within the PVN, and thus delays the progression of 2K1C renovascular hypertension.

[Analysis of positive rate of sinusitis in children with head and pituitary MRI]

Objective: To investigate the incidence of asymptomatic sinusitis in children by magnetic resonance imaging. Method: Collected the head MRI of 1-12 years old children. According to the examination site,the MRI group and the pituitary MRI group (both sinus level) were included.The nasal-sinusitis-like changes in the field were used as positive criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted on the test results. Result: In 3 900 children with MRI, the positive rate of sinusitis was 30.21%. The positive rate increased from 2 years old to 3 years old and remained at the age of 11 years.The higher positive rate was slightly decreased at 12 years old; 1 228 cases of pituitary MRI examination, the positive rate of nasal-sinusitis was 38.27%, the positive rate increased significantly from the age of 2, reached the peak at 6 years old, and then fell back, still kept high positive rate, the lowest to 12 years old. The positive rate of total sinusitis was 32.14%. No obvious difference was found between two groups. Conclusion: Children's skull and pituitary MRI imaging suggests that the positive rate of nasal-innocuous sinusitis is related to age, peaking at 3 to 8 years old, and then gradually decreasing.

Chronic infusion of berberine into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus attenuates hypertension and sympathoexcitation via the ROS/Erk1/2/iNOS pathway

BACKGROUND

Berberine (BBR), a Chinese traditional herbal medicine, has many pharmacologic benefits such as anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. It is widely used in clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. However, the mechanism of how BBR attenuates hypertension through affecting central neural system is not clear.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to determine whether chronic infusion of BBR into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) attenuates hypertension and sympathoexcitation via the ROS/Erk1/2/iNOS pathway.

METHODS

Two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats were randomly assigned and treated with bilateral PVN infusion of BBR (2μg/h) or vehicle (artificial cerebrospinal fluid) via osmotic minipumps for 28 days.

RESULTS

2K1C rats showed higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and PVN Fra-like activity, plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE), PVN levels of NOX2, NOX4, Erk1/2 and iNOS, and lower PVN levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD). Chronic infusion of BBR reduced MAP, PVN Fra-like activity and plasma levels of NE, reduced NOX2, NOX4, Erk1/2, iNOS and induced Cu/Zn-SOD in the PVN.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that BBR attenuates hypertension and sympathoexcitation via the ROS/Erk1/2/iNOS pathway in 2K1C renovascular hypertensive rats.

[Polymorphisms of mTORC1 genes and risk of primary colorectal adenocarcinoma in Chinese populations]

Objective: To study the associations between variants of mTORC1 of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and colorectal cancer. Methods: In this hospital-based case-control study, at the First Affiliated Hospital, Xinjiang Medical University from 2000 to 2013, 665 primary colorectal cancer cases and 695 cancer-free controls were genotyped at 10 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) loci of mTORC1 (mTOR: rs1034528, rs2295080; Raptor: rs1062935, rs3751934; mLST8: rs3160, rs26865; DEPTOR: rs2271900, rs4871827; AKT1S1: rs2290774, rs2353005) to assess their associations with risk of colorectal cancer by Logistic regression analysis. Results: In single-locus analysis, found a significantly decreased risk of colorectal cancer associated with mLST8 rs26865 by recessive genetic model, especially in populations of ≤68 years of age (OR=0.64; 95%CI=0.43-0.96, P=0.031), female (OR=0.61; 95%CI=0.38-0.99, P=0.046), non-smoking (OR=0.55; 95%CI=0.35-0.87, P=0.010). mTOR rs1034528 CC genotypes were associated with higher risk of colorectal cancer in >68-year-old populations (OR=3.34; 95%CI=1.12-9.91, P=0.030). Raptor rs3751934 CA/AA genotypes were associated with lower colorectal cancer risk in population of body mass index(BMI)>25 kg/m(2) (OR=0.68; 95%CI=0.47-0.98, P=0.038); and AKT1S1 rs2290774 CC genotypes were associated with lower colorectal cancer risk in non-smoking population (OR=0.67; 95%CI=0.45-0.99, P=0.048). Furthermore, found that populations carrying more than two low-risk genotypes were associated with lower colorectal cancer risk, compared with that of populations carrying less than two low-risk genotypes (OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.58-0.95, P=0.017), especially in population of ≤68 years of age, male and BMI>25 kg/m(2,) and non-smoking. Conclusions: SNPs of mTORC1-related genes individually or jointly contribute to colorectal cancer susceptibility in Chinese. Further studies of larger cohorts are needed to validate the findings.

Clinical significance of fibrotic, haemostatic and endotoxic changes in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

To investigate the relationship among fibrotic, haemostatic and endotoxic changes in patients with different degrees of liver cirrhosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Liver fibrotic markers, including hyaluronic acid (HA), Ccollagen IV (Col-IV), laminin (LN), and N-terminal pro-peptide of collagen type III (PIIINP), were determined by radioimmunoassay. A series of haemostatic tests, including prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, antithrombin-III, thrombin time, fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation product and D-dimer were determined using an automatic coagulation analyszer. Plasma levels of endotoxin were detected quantitatively using an endotoxin detection kit. Correlation analysis of the data was performed.

RESULTS

Based on Child-Pugh classification, statistically significant differences in fibrotic markers and haemostatic parameters were found in 249 patients with liver cirrhosis, while no significant differences in endotoxin levels were observed. Based on ascites classification, statistically significant differences in fibrotic markers (such as HA, Col-IV and PIIINP, except for LN) and haemostatic parameters were found. As for endotoxin levels, there were significant differences between the ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and no-ascites groups, while no significant differences were observed between the ascites and SBP groups. Correlation analysis demonstrated some correlation among fibrotic markers, haemostatic parameters and endotoxin.

CONCLUSIONS

A close relationship exists between the severity of cirrhosis and fibrotic changes, as well as haemostatic changes. Endotoxin may be an important contributing factor to the development of ascites in cirrhosis. Some correlation may exist between fibrosis, haemostatic and endotoxin.

Tert-butylhydroquinone attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in high salt-induced hypertension

Excessive oxidative stress and inflammation in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. It is reported that tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)-inducer, has a variety of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effect. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tBHQ in high salt induced hypertension and to identify whether the beneficial effects were induced by inhibiting PVN oxidative stress and inflammation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with high salt diet (HS, 8% NaCl) or normal salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl). These rats were administration of tBHQ (150mg/kg/d) by oral gavage for 16 weeks. Our results showed that high salt intake resulted in higher mean arterial pressure, cardiac hypertrophy as well as increased plasma level of norepinephrine and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 compared with NS rats. It increased PVN level of reactive oxygen species, gp91^phox, IL-1β, IL-6, p-IKKβ and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity, decreased PVN level of Nrf2 and Cu/Zn-SOD. Chronic administration of tBHQ significantly attenuated these changes in HS rats. These data suggest that the protective effects of tBHQ in salt induced hypertension are partly due to inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation in PVN.

PVN Blockade of p44/42 MAPK Pathway Attenuates Salt-induced Hypertension through Modulating Neurotransmitters and Attenuating Oxidative Stress

The imbalance of neurotransmitters and excessive oxidative stress responses contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. In this study, we determined whether blockade of p44/42 MAPK pathway in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) ameliorates the development of hypertension through modulating neurotransmitters and attenuating oxidative stress. Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats received a high-salt diet (HS, 8% NaCl) or a normal-salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl) for 6 weeks and were treated with bilateral PVN infusion of PD-98059 (0.025 μg/h), a p44/42 MAPK inhibitor, or vehicle via osmotic minipump. HS resulted in higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and Fra-like (Fra-LI) activity, and plasma and PVN levels of norepinephrine (NE), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), NOX2 and NOX4, lower PVN levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and the 67-kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67), as compared with NS group. PD-98059 infusion reduced NE, TH, NOX2 and NOX4 in the PVN, and induced Cu/Zn-SOD and GAD67 in the PVN. It suggests that PVN blockade of p44/42 MAPK attenuates hypertension through modulating neurotransmitters and attenuating oxidative stress.

Targeting Interleukin-1 beta to Suppress Sympathoexcitation in Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats

Findings from our laboratory indicate that expressions of some proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6 and oxidative stress responses are increased in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and contribute to the progression of salt-sensitive hypertension. In this study, we determined whether interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) activation within the PVN contributes to sympathoexcitation during development of salt-dependent hypertension. Eight-week-old male Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats received a high-salt diet (HS, 8 % NaCl) or a normal-salt diet (NS, 0.3 % NaCl) for 6 weeks, and all rats were treated with bilateral PVN injection of gevokizumab (IL-1β inhibitor, 1 μL of 10 μg) or vehicle once a week. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and plasma norepinephrine (NE) were significantly increased in high-salt-fed rats. In addition, rats with high-salt diet had higher levels of NOX-2, NOX-4 [subunits of NAD (P) H oxidase], IL-1β, NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3), Fra-LI (an indicator of chronic neuronal activation) and lower levels of IL-10 in the PVN than normal-diet rats. Bilateral PVN injection of gevokizumab decreased MAP, HR and NE, attenuated the levels of oxidative stress and restored the balance of cytokines. These findings suggest that IL-1β activation in the PVN plays a role in salt-sensitive hypertension.

Paraventricular Nucleus Infusion of Epigallocatechin-3-O-Gallate Improves Renovascular Hypertension

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenol present in green tea and is known for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we hypothesize that EGCG attenuates oxidative stress in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN), thereby decreasing the blood pressure and sympathetic activity in renovascular hypertensive rats. After renovascular hypertension was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by the two-kidney one-clip (2K-1C) method, the rats received bilateral PVN infusion of EGCG (20 μg/h) or vehicle via osmotic minipump for 4 weeks. Our results were shown as follows: (1) Hypertension induced by 2K-1C was associated with the production of reactive oxygen species in the PVN; (2) chronic infusion of EGCG in the PVN decreased stress-related NAD(P)H oxidase subunit gp91(phox) and NOX-4 and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1), also balanced the content of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and MCP-1) in the PVN, and attenuated the level of norepinephrine in plasma of 2K-1C rats. Our findings provide strong evidence that PVN infusion of EGCG inhibited renovascular hypertension progression through its potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activity in the PVN.

Exercise training attenuates renovascular hypertension partly via RAS- ROS- glutamate pathway in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Exercise training (ExT) has been reported to benefit hypertension; however, the exact mechanisms involved are unclear. We hypothesized that ExT attenuates hypertension, in part, through the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and glutamate in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats were assigned to sedentary (Sed) or treadmill running groups for eight weeks. Dizocilpine (MK801), a glutamate receptor blocker, or losartan (Los), an angiotensin II type1 receptor (AT1-R) blocker, were microinjected into the PVN at the end of the experiment. We found that 2K1C rats had higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). These rats also had excessive oxidative stress and overactivated RAS in PVN. Eight weeks of ExT significantly decreased MAP and RSNA in 2K1C hypertensive rats. ExT inhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), AT1-R, and glutamate in the PVN, and angiotensin II (ANG II) in the plasma. Moreover, ExT attenuated ROS by augmenting copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and decreasing p^47phox and gp^91phox in the PVN. MK801or Los significantly decreased blood pressure in rats. Together, these findings suggest that the beneficial effects of ExT on renovascular hypertension may be, in part, through the RAS-ROS-glutamate pathway in the PVN.

[Primary central nervous system diffuse large B cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic and molecular study]

Objective: To investigate clinicopathologic characteristics, immunophenotype and EB virus-related molecular genetic alterations in primary central nervous system diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) along with correlation with clinical prognosis. Methods: A total of 30 cases of primary central nervous system DLBCL were retrospectively studied by retrieving clinical data, histological evaluation and immunophenotyping by EnVision two steps methods. The expression of EBER mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization and bcl-2, bcl-6 and C-MYC gene abnormalities were analyzed by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results: The cases included 18 males and 12 females (sex ratio of 1.5∶1.0) with an age ranging from 24 to 78 years (average age of 52 years, the median age of 53 years). The single primary clinical presentation was focal neurologic deficits. Tumor locations were supratentorial (21 cases), subtentorial (7 cases), involving both locations in 2 cases. Diffuse growth pattern was observed with large lymphoid cells mostly resembling centroblasts with abundant basophilic cytoplasm with oval to round, vesicular nuclei containing fine chromatin. An angiocentric and angiodestructive growth pattern was also present. Other features included perivascular space invasion. Immunohistochemical staining using a panel of CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1, six cases were germinal center-like (GCB) and 24 cases were non-germinal central-like (non-GCB). The positive rates of bcl-2, bcl-6 and C-MYC were 53.3% (16/30), 80.0% (24/30) and 20.0% (6/30), respectively. Genetic alterations were detected by FISH and the gene arrangement rates of bcl-2, bcl-6 and C-MYC were 3.3% (1/30), 16.7% (5/30) and 3.3% (1/30), respectively. There were 19 cases in stage 0-1 disease and 11 cases had stage 2-3 disease. Postoperative follow-up for average 13.6 months showed the median survival of 10 months, one-year survival of 46.7% and 16 patients died within a year. Conclusions: The clinical prognosis of primary central nerve system DLBCL depends on age, clinical performence status score, IPI score, immune classification and treatment. Patients typically progress rapidly with the high mortality within one year of diagnosis. Surgical resection combined with high-dose methotrexate or cytarabine chemotherapy offer the best treatment option.

Chronic infusion of epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus attenuates hypertension and sympathoexcitation by restoring neurotransmitters and cytokines

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), one of the active compounds in green tea, has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and vascular protective properties. This study was designed to determine whether chronic infusion of EGCG into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) attenuates ROS and sympathetic activity and delays the progression of hypertension by up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokines, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) and decreasing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity, as well as restoring the neurotransmitters balance in the PVN of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Adult normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR received bilateral PVN infusion of EGCG (20μg/h) or vehicle via osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks. SHR showed higher mean arterial pressure, plasma proinflammatory cytokines and circulating norepinephrine (NE) levels compared with WKY rats. SHR also had higher PVN levels of the subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase (gp91^phox), ROS, tyrosine hydroxylase, and PICs; increased NF-κB activity; and lower PVN levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and 67kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67) than WKY rats. PVN infusion of EGCG attenuated all these changes in SHR. These findings suggest that SHR have an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, as well as an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the PVN. Chronic inhibition of ROS in the PVN restores the balance of neurotransmitters and cytokines in the PVN, thereby attenuating hypertensive response and sympathetic activity.

[Role of neutrophils in treatment of rats with D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells]

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation on D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, as well as the mechanism of neutrophils in this process. Methods: A total of 39 male SD rats were divided into control group (8 rats, intraperitoneal injection of isotonic saline), model group (10 rats, intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine), solvent group (9 rats, tail vein injection of isotonic saline at 2 hours after intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine), and treatment group (12 rats, tail vein injection of MSCs at 2 hours after intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine). The rats were sacrificed at 24 hours after the model of D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure was established, and the blood and liver tissue were harvested. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) were measured, and blood analysis was performed to measure the number and percentage of neutrophils in peripheral blood. Immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression of the neutrophil marker Ly6g in the liver, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) kit was used to measure the activity of MPO in liver, and RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the liver, i.e., tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interferon-γ(IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), CXC chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), and CXC chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2). Another 64 male SD rats were randomly divided into groups, and the survival rates of rats in each group were observed for 7 days. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison between any two groups (Levene homogeneity test of variance, and the corrected t-test was used for a P value of < 0.05), and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rates between any two groups. Results: At 24 hours after acute liver failure was induced by D-galactosamine in the SD rats, there were significant increases in the liver function parameters (ALT: 2884.1±541.0 U/L vs 45.4±11.0 U/L,P< 0.001; AST: 3634.9±755.9 U/L vs 143.9±23.7 U/L,P< 0.001; TBil: 44.4±8.4μmmol/L vs 0.9±0.2μmmol/L,P< 0.001) and the number and percentage of peripheral blood neutrophils [number: (4.7±1.1)×109 vs (1.4±0.4)×109,P< 0.001; percentage: 44.9%±8.0% vs 18.3%±4.4%,P< 0.001]. A large number of neutrophils aggregated in the liver tissue, and there were significant increases in the MPO activity (4.72±1.09 U/g vs 1.13±0.24 U/g,P< 0.001), inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Compared with the model group, the treatment group showed significant improvements in liver function (ALT: 1 823.9±389.2 U/L vs 2 884.1±541.0 U/L,P< 0.001; AST: 2173.0±567.3 U/L vs 3634.9±755.9 U/L,P< 0.001; TBil: 30.9±6.5μmmol/L vs 44.4±8.4μmmol/L,P< 0.001) and survival rate (50% vs 12.5%,P= 0.023). Meanwhile, the treatment group also showed significant reductions in the number and percentage of peripheral blood neutrophils [number: (3.5±1.0)×109 vs (4.7±1.1)×109,P= 0.012; percentage: 35.9%±8.9% vs 44.9%±8.0%,P= 0.021], number of neutrophils in the liver, and MPO activity (3.52±1.03 U/g vs 4.72±1.09 U/g,P= 0.040), as well as significantly inhibited expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (TNF-α: 2.458±0.762 vs 3.778±1.046, P = 0.005; IL-1β: 2.498±0.547 vs 4.065 ± 0.953,P= 0.002; IFN-γ: 3.977±1.039 vs 5.418±1.255, P = 0.025; IL-10: 6.056±1.542 vs 3.368±0.952,P= 0.001; CXCL1: 7.988±1.911 vs 10.366±1.239,P= 0.010; CXCL2: 3.441±1.005 vs 4.847±1.113,P= 0.019). Conclusion: BMSC transplantation has a therapeutic effect on D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure in rats, and this process is accompanied by reduced aggregation and activity of neutrophils in peripheral blood and liver. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines may be involved in the mechanism of regulation of these two aspects.

Modifications of the Method for Calculating Absolute Drug Bioavailability

PURPOSE

Absolute bioavailability (F) is calculated as the ratio of the area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC) between extravascular administration and intravenous injection. However, as distribution of a drug after intravenous administration does not reach an equilibrium in the body during the distribution phase, the plasma drug concentration at this phase does not reflect the total amount of drug in the body. The goal of this paper was to analyze the insufficiencies of the method for calculating on absolute bioavailability and to propose a modification to improve the calculation.

METHODS

Literature reporting absolute bioavailability published during 1983-2014 was searched for ten drug candidates. Plasma drug concentrations representing the amount of drug in the body were then calculated at each time point during the distribution phase according to the plasma drug concentration-time relationship during the elimination phase.

RESULTS

The AUC values based on the distribution equilibrium drug concentrations following intravenous injection were 75%±11% of the actually measured drug concentrations in the literature. The absolute bioavailability values in the literature were 76%±12% of the actual bioavailability based on the AUCs from distribution-equilibrium drug concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

The present method underestimates the absolute drug bioavailability and should be modified to represent the data more accurately. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Oral CoQ10 attenuates high salt-induced hypertension by restoring neurotransmitters and cytokines in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

High salt intake leads to an increase in some proinflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The purpose of this work was to know if oral administration of anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenger CoQ10 may attenuate high salt-induced hypertension via regulating neurotransmitters and cytokines in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with a normal salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl) or a high salt diet (HS, 8% NaCl) for 15 weeks to induce hypertension. These rats received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg/day) dissolved in olive oil was given by gavage (10 mg/kg/day) for 15 weeks. HS resulted in higher mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). These HS rats had higher PVN levels of norepinephrine (NE), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), interleukin (IL)-1β, NOX2 and NOX4, lower PVN levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), IL-10, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and the 67-kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67), as compared with NS group. CoQ10 supplementation reduced NE, TH, IL-1β, NOX2 and NOX4 in the PVN, and induced IL-10, Cu/Zn-SOD and GAD67 in the PVN. These findings suggest that CoQ10 supplementation restores neurotransmitters and cytokines in the PVN, thereby attenuating high salt-induced hypertension.

SET8 expression is associated with overall survival in gastric cancer

SET8, a member of the SET domain-containing methyl-transferase, has been implicated in various biological processes. In this study, SET8 was immunostained in 100 samples of gastric cancer tissues and semi-quantified using the HSCORE method to determine the predictive value of SET8 expression levels for gastric cancer outcome. The relationship between SET8 expression and the 5-year survival rate of gastric cancer patients was assessed. High expression of SET8 was associated with a shorter survival time in gastric cancer patients, and the level of SET8 expression was found to be an independent predictor of gastric cancer outcome (relative risk = 1.939; 95% confidence interval = 1.025-3.668; P = 0.042). Analysis of SET8 levels may help in the identification of patient subgroups that are at high risk for poor disease outcomes.

Anti-platelet and anti-thrombosis characteristics of Z4A5, a novel selective platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, compared with eptifibatide under long-term infusion

Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are approved for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes and percutaneous coronary interventions due to their effects on the final common pathway of platelet aggregation. Z4A5 is a new hexapeptide IIb/IIIa inhibitor with antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects. This study was performed to assess the characteristics of Z4A5 compared with another IIb/IIIa inhibitor eptifibatide. Light-transmission aggregometry was used to measure platelet aggregation to assess the antiplatelet efficacy of Z4A5 in vitro and ex vivo in beagles. The time course of platelet inhibition and bleeding time prolongation during i.v. bolus plus infusion and after infusion of the Z4A5 were evaluated in beagles following two 2 x 2 Latin square designs. We also compared the antithrombotic activity of Z4A5 with eptifibatide in arterial thrombosis and arteriovenous shunt thrombosis model in beagles. Our data showed that Z4A5 completely inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, thrombin- and arachidonic acid-induced in vitro platelet aggregation with values of IC50 of 260 nM, 128.6 and 56.4 n respectively. Z4A5 also markedly and stably prevented ADP-induced ex vivo platelet aggregation and prolonged the bleeding time throughout the 8-hour infusion. Both platelet function and bleeding time returned to normal sooner after cessation of Z4A5 infusion than after eptifibatide. Z4A5 inhibited thrombosis and had the same potent antithrombotic activity as eptifibatide. In conclusion, Z4A5 has the same potent antiplatelet effect and antithrombotic activity with the advantage of a faster on and off time compared to eptifibatide.

Weak cation magnetic separation technology and MALDI-TOF-MS in screening serum protein markers in primary type I osteoporosis

We investigated weak cation magnetic separation technology and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in screening serum protein markers of primary type I osteoporosis. We selected 16 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and nine postmenopausal women as controls to find a new method for screening biomarkers and establishing a diagnostic model for primary type I osteoporosis. Serum samples were obtained from controls and patients. Serum protein was extracted with the WCX protein chip system; protein fingerprints were examined using MALDI-TOF-MS. The preprocessed and model construction data were handled by the ProteinChip system. The diagnostic models were established using a genetic arithmetic model combined with a support vector machine (SVM). The SVM model with the highest Youden index was selected. Combinations with the highest accuracy in distinguishing different groups of data were selected as potential biomarkers. From the two groups of serum proteins, 123 cumulative MS protein peaks were selected. Significant intensity differences in the protein peaks of 16 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were screened. The difference in Youden index between the four groups of protein peaks showed that the highest peaks had mass-to-charge ratios of 8909.047, 8690.658, 13745.48, and 15114.52. A diagnosis model was established with these four markers as the candidates, and the model specificity and sensitivity were found to be 100%. Two groups of specimens in the SVM results on the scatterplot were distinguishable. We established a diagnosis model, and provided a new serological method for screening and diagnosis of osteoporosis with high sensitivity and specificity.

Alpha lipoic acid supplementation attenuates reactive oxygen species in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and sympathoexcitation in high salt-induced hypertension

AIMS

High salt-induced oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of hypertension. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is extensively recognized as having a powerful superoxide inhibitory property. In this study, we determined whether ALA supplementation attenuates oxidative stress in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), decreases the sympathetic activity and arterial pressure in high salt-induced hypertension by cross-talking with renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs).

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were administered a normal-salt diet (NS, 0.3% NaCl) or a high-salt diet (HS, 8.0% NaCl) for 8 weeks. These rats received ALA (60mg/kg) dissolved in vehicle (0.9% saline) or an equal voleme of vehicle, by gastric perfusion for 9 weeks.

RESULTS

High salt intake resulted in higher renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). These rats also had higher levels of superoxide, gp91(phox), gp47(phox) (subunits of NAD(P)H oxidase), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type1 receptor (AT1-R), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and lower levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) than control animals. Treatment with ALA significantly attenuated the levels of superoxide, gp91(phox), gp47(phox), ACE, AT1-R, IL-1β and IL-6, increased the levels of IL-10 and Cu/Zn-SOD, and decreased MAP and RSNA compared with high-salt induced hypertensive rats. The mRNA expression of gp47(phox) and gp91(phox) are in accordance with their protein expression.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that supplementation of ALA obviously decreases the sympathetic activity and arterial pressure in high salt-induced hypertension by improving the superoxide inhibitory property, suppressing the activation of RAS and restoring the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the PVN.

Opg/Rankl mRNA dynamic expression in the bone tissue of ovariectomized rats with osteoporosis

We established animal models of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats to detect osteoprogerin (Opg)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (Rankl) mRNA expression levels in the tibias and serum estradiol concentrations at different time points. Sixty Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly selected and divided into an ovariectomized (OVX) group and sham-operated (SHAM) group. In the SHAM group, only a small amount of abdominal fat and tissues was removed from the rats. Ten rats in each group were sacrificed at 0, 6, and 12 months after establishing the animal models (12 weeks). Opg mRNA expression and serum estradiol concentration in the OVX group were significantly lower than those in the SHAM group (P < 0.05). In contrast, Rankl mRNA expression in the OVX group was significantly higher than that in the SHAM group (P < 0.05). In the OVX group, Opg mRNA expression and serum estradiol concentrations decreased significantly from 0 to 12 months (P < 0.05), whereas Rankl mRNA expression increased significantly (P < 0.05). Opg mRNA expression and serum estradiol concentrations in the OVX group continually decreased, whereas Rankl mRNA expression continually increased. The Opg/Rankl ratio showed a decrease. The OPG/RANKL ratio may be a key factor affecting the osteoblast-mediated reaction.

Possible anticipation in familial epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma with the p.R163W mutation of Keratin 9

Epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by diffuse hyperkeratosis of the epidermis of the palm and sole with an erythematous margin. The Keratin 9 (KRT9) and Keratin 1 genes are responsible for EPPK. Several previous studies have focused on the genetic basis of EPPK; however, genetic anticipation has not yet been reported. We described a four-generation family with EPPK and identified a p.R163W mutation of KRT9. We observed a decrease in the age of onset in three consecutive generations in the family of the proband, indicating possible genetic anticipation in this familial EPPK. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of anticipation in EPPK.

Inhibition of adjuvant-induced arthritis by nasal administration of novel synthetic peptides from heat shock protein 65

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease mediated by T cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of synthetic peptides (HP-R1, HP-R2 and HP-R3), derived from the sequence of 65-kD mycobacterial heat shock protein (HSP), in the treatment of RA using adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) animal model.

Methods

AA was induced by a single intradermal injection Freund’s complete adjuvant in male Lewis rats. At the first clinical sign of disease, rats were administered nasally by micropipette of peptides or phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Disease progression was monitored by measurement of body weight, arthritis score and paw swelling. The changes of histopathology were assessed by hematoxylin eosin staining. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - alpha and interleukin (IL)-4 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

The peptides efficiently inhibited the footpad swelling and arthritic symptoms in AA rats. The synthetic peptides displayed significantly less inflammatory cellular infiltration and synovium hyperplasia than model controls. This effect was associated with a suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha production and an increase of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 production after peptides treatment.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the synthetic peptides derived from HSP65 induce highly effective protection against AA, which is mediated in part by down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines, and support the view that the synthetic peptides is a potential therapy for RA that may help to diminish both joint inflammation and destruction.

Drynaria total flavonoids decrease cathepsin K expression in ovariectomized rats

This study investigated the effects of Drynaria total flavonoids on cathepsin K serum concentrations and gene expression, biomechanics and bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibial shaft in ovariectomized rat models of osteoporosis, and mechanism in the prevention and cure of osteoporosis. Seventy-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups. The rats in each group were subjected to gastric lavage after the model was established. The tibial shaft of the right hindlimb was obtained to measure the BMD. Serum cathepsin K concentrations were determined. The cathepsin K mRNA expression was also determined using fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The three-point bending method was performed to measure the maximum bending load of the tibial shaft. The total flavonoid and normal groups had significant differences in serum cathepsin K concentrations compared with that in the estrogen group (P<0.05). The total flavonoid and sham-operated groups also showed significant differences in cathepsin K mRNA expression compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01). The maximum bending load of the rats in the total flavonoid group was significantly different from that in the estrogen group (P<0.05) and the sham-operated and normal groups (P<0.01). The high-dose total flavonoid group elicited a better effect on BMD than that by the medium- and low-dose groups (P<0.05). Thus, Drynaria total flavonoids inhibited the serum cathepsin K concentration and increased the maximum bending load of the tibial shaft in ovariectomized rats.

Review of chromium (VI) apoptosis, cell-cycle-arrest, and carcinogenesis

Hexavalent chromium combines with glutathione in chloride intracellular channel carrier to form tetravalent and pentavalent chromium in plasma and organelle membranes. It also combines with NADH/NADPH to form pentavalent chromium in mitochondria. Tetravalent- and pentavalent- chromium (directly and indirectly) mediated DNA double strand breaks activate DNA damage signaling sensors: DNA-dependent-protein-kinase signals p53-dependent intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis, and ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated and ataxia-telangiectasia-Rad3-related signal cell-arrest for DNA repair. Tetravalent chromium may be the most potent species since it causes DNA breaks and somatic recombination, but not apoptosis. Upon further failure of apoptosis and senescence/DNA-repair, damaged cells may become immortal with loss-of-heterozygosity and genetic plasticity.

Effect of reflux ratio on COD and nitrogen removals from coke plant wastewaters

A laboratory-scale anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic-moving bed biofilm reactor (A1-A2-O-MBBR) system was undertaken to treat coke plant wastewaters from two different factories (wastewater A and B). Wastewater B had higher BOD5/COD ratio and COD/TN ratio than wastewater A. The effects of reflux ratios on COD, TN and NH3-N removals were studied. Results indicated that, with the reflux ratio increased from 2 to 5, COD removals of wastewater A and wastewater B increased from 57.4% to 72.6% and 78.2% to 88.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, TN removals were also increased accompanying reflux ratio rise, from 53.1% to 74.4% for wastewater A and 64.2% to 83.5% for wastewater B. At the same reflux ratio, compared with wastewater A, higher COD and TN removal efficiencies were observed in wastewater B, which had higher BOD5/COD and COD/TN ratio. Reflux ratio had no significant influence on NH3-N removal; 99.0% of the overall NH3-N removal efficiency was achieved by the system for both coke plant wastewaters at any tested reflux ratio. MBBR was effective in NH3-N removal, and about 95% of the NH3-N was removed in the MBBR.

Mutation L437P in the 2B domain of keratin 1 causes diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma in a Chinese pedigree

Diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma (DPPK) is an autosomal dominant genodermatosis characterized by uniform hyperkeratosis of the palm and sole epidermis. This disorder can be caused by mutations in the genes keratin 1, keratin 9, keratin 16, desmoglein 1 and plakoglobin. Here we present a DPPK Chinese pedigree and identify the aetiology as a novel missense mutation, L437P, located in a highly conserved helix motif in domain 2B of KRT1. Functional analysis shows that overexpression of the L437P mutant in cultured cells leads to abnormal intermediate filament networks and filament aggregation. This gain-of-function mutation highlights the role of domain 2B in mediating filament assembly.

Down-regulation of CD40 gene expression and inhibition of apoptosis with Danshensu in endothelial cells

Danshen is commonly used in China for the treatment of atherosclerosis-related disorders such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Research shows that it also has immunostimulation properties. The present study evaluates the protective effect of danshensu, an active water-extractable component isolated from danshen, on an endothelial cell line (CRL-1730) treated with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Danshensu significantly inhibited endothelial cell viability induced by H(2)O(2). The treatment of endothelial cells with danshensu resulted in most cells being arrested in the S and G(2)/M phases of the cell cycle. The fraction of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase was markedly decreased by danshensu treatment compared to the control groups. The apoptosis was also markedly decreased after danshensu treatment. Additionally, danshensu restrains decreased nitric oxide level, increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase and expression of cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) significantly. These results suggest that danshensu protects endothelial cells from the damage induced by H(2)O(2) through its CD40 anti-inflammatory approach and cell apoptosis inhibition.

Alteration of Volume-Regulated Chloride Movement in Rat Cerebrovascular Smooth Muscle Cells During Hypertension

The cerebrovascular remodeling is a prominent feature of hypertension and considered a major risk factor for stroke. Cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells meet volume challenge during this pathophysiological process. Our previous studies suggest that volume regulated chloride channels may be critical to the cell cycle of vascular smooth muscle cells. However, it is unknown whether the volume-regulated chloride movement is altered in hypertension. Therefore, we directly measured the concentration of intracellular chloride ([Cl − ] i ) in rat basilar arterial smooth muscle cells isolated from control rats and rats that were made hypertensive for 1 to 12 weeks after partial renal artery constriction (2-kidney, 2-clip method) using a 6-methoxy- N -ethylquinolinium iodide fluorescence probe. The [Cl − ] i in isotonic solution showed no difference in all of the groups. After hypotonic perfusion, the reduction in [Cl − ] i was more prominent in hypertensive cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells than in sham control cells. Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, inhibited hypotonic-induced reduction in [Cl − ] i , whereas sodium orthovanadate, a protein–tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, enhanced hypotonic-induced reduction in [Cl − ] i in both groups. The percentage inhibition of reduction in [Cl − ] i by genistein on volume-regulated chloride movement has a positive correlation with blood pressure levels in the 2-kidney, 2-clip hypertensive group, as is the case for the percentage increase of reduction in [Cl − ] i by sodium orthovanadate. Antihypertensive therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril completely reversed abnormal volume-regulated chloride movement in hypertensive rats. We conclude that volume-regulated chloride movement is augmented in rat cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells in proportion to the severity of hypertension.

[Study on analysis of concentration of surfactant PS in injected-produced liquor used in ASP flooding with HPLC]

Ion exchanger and ODS bonded silica gel for HPLC packing were prepared. An HPLC method for the analysis of surfactant PS concentration in injected-produced liquor has been established to meet the need of ASP flooding developed in Gudao West Block of Shengli Oilfield, with a minimum detectable limit of 0.4 mg/L, a linear range of 50 mg/L-1,000 mg/L and recoveries of 95.7%-99.8%. This method has provided great technical support in a variety of fields to the design of the prescription for ASP flooding, the regulation of injection measurement, the quality control of products and the study on the mechanism of oil flooding etc.

Silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in rats: activation of NF-kappa B and its suppression by dexamethasone

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship of the transcriptional regulatory factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B) to the early inflammatory events involved with silica exposure. Male F-344 rats received an intratracheal (i.t.) instillation of silica (100 mg/kg in a volume of 1 ml/kg) of saline. At 1, 3, 6, and 18 h postinstillation, and the rats were sacrificed and underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for functional analysis of inflammation. Beginning at 1 h postinstillation, the silica-instilled (Si) rats displayed significant increases in neutrophils in BAL fluid compared to the saline controls. BAL cells from the Si group displayed a significant increase in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) compared to the controls. NF-kappa B activation was measurable at 3 h postinstillation, and this activation continued throughout the 18-h time course. Treatment with dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) at -3 h prior to silica instillation, at the time of instillation (0 h), and +1.5 h postinstillation resulted in both a reduction in NF-kappa B expression (by 70%) at 3 h postinstillation and corresponding reductions in LDCL, BAL cell count, and BAL neutrophils. These results show that activation of NF-kappa B is associated with silica-induced pulmonary inflammation, and the inhibition of its activation correlates temporally with suppression of inflammation.

Mutations in the gene encoding gap junction protein beta-3 associated with autosomal dominant hearing impairment

Hearing impairment is the most commonly occurring condition that affects the ability of humans to communicate. More than 50% of the cases of profound early-onset deafness are caused by genetic factors. Over 40 loci for non-syndromic deafness have been genetically mapped, and mutations in several genes have been shown to cause hearing loss. Mutations in the gene encoding connexin 26 (GJB2) cause both autosomal recessive and dominant forms of hearing impairment. To study the possible involvement of other members of the connexin family in hereditary hearing impairment, we cloned the gene (GJB3) encoding human gap junction protein beta-3 using homologous EST searching and nested PCR. GJB3 was mapped to human chromosome 1p33-p35. Mutation analysis revealed that a missense mutation and a nonsense mutation of GJB3 were associated with high-frequency hearing loss in two families. Moreover, expression of Gjb3 was identified in rat inner ear tissue by RT-PCR. These findings suggest that mutations in GJB3 may be responsible for bilateral high-frequency hearing impairment.

Synergistic activation of transcription by CBP and p53

The tumour suppressor p53 is a transcriptional regulator whose ability to inhibit cell growth is dependent upon its transactivation function. Here we demonstrate that the transcription factor CBP, which is also implicated in cell proliferation and differentiation, acts as a p53 coactivator and potentiates its transcriptional activity. The amino-terminal activation domain of p53 interacts with the carboxy-terminal portion of the CBP protein both in vitro and in vivo. In transfected SaoS-2 cells, CBP potentiates activation of the mdm-2 gene by p53 and, reciprocally, p53 potentiates activation of a Gal4-responsive target gene by a Gal4(1-147)-CBP(1678-2441) fusion protein. A double point mutation that destroys the transactivation function of p53 also abolishes its binding to CBP and its synergistic function with CBP. The ability of p53 to interact physically and functionally with a coactivator (CBP) that has histone acetyltransferase activity and with components (TAFs) of the general transcription machinery indicates that it may have different functions in a multistep activation pathway.