Curcumin regulates the homeostasis of Th17/Treg and improves the composition of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetic mice with colitis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common complications in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Curcumin has a wide range of bioactive and pharmacological properties and is commonly used as an adjunct to the treatment of UC and DM. However, the role of curcumin in UC complicated by DM has not been elucidated. Therefore, this study was conducted to construct a model of UC complicating diabetes by inducing UC in DB mice (spontaneously diabetic) with dextran sodium sulfate. In this study, curcumin (100 mg/kg/day) significantly improved the symptoms of diabetes complicated by UC, with a lower insulin level, heavier weight, longer and lighter colons, fewer mucosal ulcers and less inflammatory cell infiltration. Moreover, compared to untreated DB mice with colitis, curcumin‐treated mice showed weaker Th17 responses and stronger Treg responses. In addition, curcumin regulated the diversity and relative abundance of intestinal microbiota in mice with UC complicated by DM at the phylum, class, order, family and genus levels. Collectively, curcumin effectively alleviated colitis in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus by restoring the homeostasis of Th17/Treg and improving the composition of the intestinal microbiota

Protective effects of andrographis paniculata nees on post-infarction myocardium in experimental dogs

One hour after the development of myocardial infarction by formation of thrombus, watery extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees (APN) was injected intravenously to 7 dogs for observing the protective effect of this drug on ischemic myocardium, 6 dogs served as control group. In the treated group PGI2 increased remarkably, synthesis of TXA2 was inhibited, cAMP in platelets was elevated, CK-MB peak was lowered and appeared earlier, ELT was shortened, release of platelet beta-GT was decreased, platelet maximum aggregation rate was inhibited, the size of ischemic area recorded by epicardial ECG was reduced, the amplitude of ST segment elevation was lower than that in the control group, Q wave appeared in only one dog. Pathologically, the myocardial structure surrounding the initially appearing ischemic area, i.e, the reversibly damaged area, became relatively normal, while the degree of myocardial degeneration and necrosis in the central part of the ischemic area was mild. These data suggest that APN may limit the expansion of ischemic focus, exert marked protective effect on reversibly ischemic myocardium and demonstrate a weak fibrinolytic action.

BRAF mutation correlates with recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma in Chinese patients

PURPOSE

We investigated correlations of somatic BRAF V600E mutation and RET/PTC1 rearrangement with recurrent disease in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (ptc).

METHODS

This prospective study included 214 patients with ptc histologically confirmed between November 2009 and May 2011 at a single institute.

RESULTS

We found somatic BRAF V600E mutation in 68.7% and RET/PTC1 rearrangement in 25.7% of the patients. Although BRAF mutation was not significantly associated with clinicopathologic features such as patient sex or age, multicentric disease, thyroid capsule invasion, tumour stage, or nodal metastasis, it was significantly associated with recurrent disease. Multivariate analysis revealed that BRAF mutation and tumour size were independent risk factors associated with recurrent disease, with odds ratios of 9.072 and 2.387 respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve increased 8.3% when BRAF mutation was added to the traditional prognostic factors, but that effect was statistically nonsignificant (0.663 vs. 0.746, p = 0.124). RET/PTC1 rearrangement and nodal metastasis were significantly associated in all patients (p = 0.042), marginally associated in ptc patients (p = 0.051), but not associated in microptc patients (p = 0.700). RET/PTC1 rearrangement was not significantly associated with recurrent disease.

CONCLUSIONS

BRAF positivity is an independent predictor of recurrent disease in ptc.

Antithrombotic effects of Andrographis paniculata nees in preventing myocardial infarction

In 16 dogs the endothelium of the left anterior descending coronary artery was injured mechanically. Then a copper wire was inserted into the lumen as a choke of flow and the vessel was slightly compressed from outside by a constrictor. Eight dogs had been treated beforehand with a preparation of flavone extracted from the root of the Chinese medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata (TFAP). In the control group, saline solution was given, the epicardially recorded ST segment started to elevate within 15 minutes, the platelet aggregation rate and the plasma levels of TXB2 increased rapidly, whereas the level of 6-k-PGF1 alpha remained stable. Platelet cGMP rose continuously; however, platelet cAMP rose only at 60 minutes. Histological findings confirmed the occurrence of arterial thrombus and myocardial necrosis. Contrariwise, in the pretreated group there was no elevation of the ST segment, plasma 6-k-PGF1 alpha and platelet cAMP were increased, the production of TXB2 and aggregation of platelets were inhibited, and no thrombus or myocardial infarction was induced. All data suggest that TFAP might promote the synthesis of PGI2, inhibit the production of TXA2, stimulate the synthesis of cAMP in platelets, impede aggregation of platelets, and thereby prevent the formation of thrombi as well as the development of myocardial infarction.

The effects of dauricine and verapamil as calcium channel blockers on the plasma concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 during cardiopulmonary bypass

Three groups of ten dogs underwent 80 minutes cardiopulmonary bypass. Two of the three groups were administered dauricine, as a new calcium channel blocker, and verapamil, as a generally recognized calcium channel blocker, respectively, from 15 minutes pre-bypass to the end of the bypass procedure (a period of 95 minutes). By means of radioimmunoassay plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) as the stable metabolites of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 were surveyed. During the aortic clamping the hemodynamic changes were recorded. The dauricine and verapamil groups showed markedly inhibited generation of excessive 6-keto-PGF1 and TxB2, a narrowed ratio of TxB2 to 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, as well as a reduced total systemic peripheral resistance within the perfusion period. These results suggest that dauricine and verapamil have a salutary effect in extracorporeal circulation. The possible mechanisms are discussed.

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty. An observation of 50 patients

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) was successfully performed in 50 selected patients with mitral stenosis by using Inoue pillow-shaped balloon and Inoue technique. The average diameter of balloon used was 26.9 +/- 0.9 mm. 90% (45/50) of cases had either double or single mitral commissura split. Of the rest 5 cases, 1 had a mitral score 13 and 4 had a history of mitral valve commissurotomy. Totally they had a mean mitral valve area increase from 1.13 +/- 0.32 to 2.21 +/- 0.43 cm2, left atrial pressure decrease from 31.8 +/- 9.3 to 14.7 +/- 5.6 mmHg, left atrial diameter reduction from 44.9 +/- 7.7 to 37.4 +/- 4.9 mm, and transmitral gradient decrease from 21.7 +/- 9.8 to 4.0 +/- 5.2 mmHg. Most patients had a obvious cardiac function improvement, especially in patients with mitral score of 8 or less. 30% patients (15/50) had a mild mitral regurgitation, but relieved 3-6 months after procedure. During one year of follow up, the majority of patients (16/20) were found in a good cardiac function, mitral area and the left atrial diameter, except in 4 patients with a high mitral score of more than 10. It is suggested that for patient with lower mitral morphological score and good general health, a larger diameter balloon might be suitable for effectively improving patient's symptom, but for patients with a previous surgical mitral commissurotomy, PBMV should not be selected.

[Effect of paraquat on the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 in A549 cells]

Objective: Construct a paraquat (PQ) cell fibrosis model in vitro, observe the effect of PQ on the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-17 (ADAM17) in A549 cells, and explore the role of ADAM17 in the pulmonary fibrosis induced by PQ poisoning. Methods: A549 cells are divided into normal control group, different concentration of PQ groups, CCK-8 is used to detect cell viability, screening concentration and time of PQ, cell morphology is observed under microscope; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detectes fibrosis markers of collagen type I (Col I) and fibronectin (FN) expression. Establishment of cell model of fibrosis; distribution by immunocytochemical detection of ADAM17 in A549 cells, Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot are used to detect the expression of ADAM17 mRNA and protein. Results: 1. With the increase of PQ concentration and the prolongation of the action time, the activity of A549 cells decreased (P< 0.05) , which is dose-dependent and time dependent. 2.The normal A549 cells fusion is paving stone growth and arranged more closely. After PQ induction, the cell arrangement was loose, the intercellular connection became loose, and some cells dissolved and died. 3.ELISA showed that with the increase of PQ concentration, the expression of Col I and FN increased (P<0.05) , and Col I and FN expression gradually increased with the prolongation of PQ time (P<0.05) , and the fibroblast model is successfully established. 4. Immunocytochemistry showes that ADAM17 is expressed in the cytoplasm of A549 cells. 5. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the expression of ADAM17 mRNA and protein increased significantly with the increase of PQ concentration (P<0.05) , which is most obvious at PQ 200 μmol/L. With the prolonged action of PQ, the expression level of ADAM17 mRNA and protein also increased significantly (P<0.05) , and reached the peak in 24 h. Conclusion: PQ can induce morphological changes of alveolar epithelial cells, cause cell damage, and successfully establish a cell fibrosis model, which has a dose and time dependence on the toxicity of A549 cells. ADAM17 is overexpressed in the A549 cells induced by PQ and may be involved in the process of pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat.