Flow Cytometric Analysis of Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Production in Hyperglycemic Mouse Model.

OBJECTIVE: The sharp increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine becomes a severe problem in some degenerative diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Cherry Leaf Extract (CLE) on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in hyperglycaemic mouse model. A recent patent mentioned that Muntinga calabura is a flavonoid-containing plant which is capable of reinforcing the stomach, appetizing, helping digestion (CN 201611138374), and improving stomach distention (CN106071017A). The efficacy of this miracle plant has inspired this experiment. METHODS: In this study, we induced hyperglycemia with high-fat diet and 20% fructose drink. Hyperglycemic mice were orally administered with CLE with the doses 420, 700, and 28000 mg/kg BW for two weeks. After treatment, the pro-inflammatory molecule was analyzed by flow cytometry from splenic cells. RESULTS: This study showed that CLE decreased the production of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-6, NF-κB, TNF-α, and IFN γ. In hyperglycemic mice, we found CD68+IL-6+, NK1.1+IL- 6+, B220+NFκB+, CD4+TNF-α+, and CD4+IFN γ + increased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to control mice without manipulation. After treatment with 420, 700, or 2800 mg/kg BW of CLE, the pro-inflammatory molecules decreased significantly (p < 0.05), and reached a normal physiology level. CONCLUSION: CLE can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines in hyperglycemic mouse model, suggesting this medicinal herb may be beneficial as a potential strategy for future therapeutic interventions in degenerative diseases or a disease involving cell activation.

In vitro and in vivo degradation evaluation of novel iron-bioceramic composites for bone implant applications.

Biodegradable metals such as magnesium, iron and their alloys have been known as potential materials for temporary medical implants. However, most of the studies on biodegradable metals have been focusing on optimizing their mechanical properties and degradation behavior with no emphasis on improving their bioactivity behavior. We therefore investigated the possibility of improving iron biodegradation rate and bioactivity by incorporating various bioactive bioceramics. The iron-based bioceramic (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate and biphasic calcium phosphate) composites were prepared by mechanical mixing and sintering process. Degradation studies indicated that the addition of bioceramics lowered the corrosion potential of the composites and slightly increased their corrosion rate compared to that of pure iron. In vitro cytotoxicity results showed an increase of cellular activity when rat smooth muscle cells interacted with the degrading composites compared to pure iron. X-ray radiogram analysis showed a consistent degradation progress with that found in vivo and positive tissue response up to 70 days implantation in sheep animal model. Therefore, the iron-based bioceramic composites have the potential to be used for biodegradable bone implant applications.

Proliferation of protease-enriched mast cells in sarcoptic skin lesions of raccoon dogs.

Skin sites, tongue, lung, liver, jejunum and rectum from two raccoon dogs with Sarcoptes scabiei infestation and five normal (control) raccoon dogs were examined in terms of the distribution, proteoglycan properties and protease activity of mast cells. Infestation with S. scabiei caused a significant increase in the number of dermal mast cells. While the number of mast cells (average +/- standard deviation) in specimens of skin from the dorsum, dorsal neck, dorsal hind foot and dorsal fore foot was 40.0 +/- 19.8/mm2 in control animals, it was 236.1 +/- 58.9/mm2 in the skin of mange-infested animals. Histochemical analysis revealed the glycosaminoglycan, heparin, within the mast cells of all organs examined in both control and affected animals. Enzyme-histochemical detection of serine proteases demonstrated an increase in mast-cell-specific protease activity (i.e., chymase and tryptase) in the skin of infested animals. The percentage of mast cells demonstrating chymase activity was 53.0 +/- 27.4% in control animals and 73.8 +/- 19.4% in mite-infested animals. The corresponding results for tryptase activity were 53.5 +/- 25.2% and 89.4 +/- 9.8%. Increases in mast cell chymase or tryptase activity, or both, were also observed within other organs of the infected animals, but the total number of mast cells found at such sites (with the exception of liver and ventrolateral pinna) did not differ from those of control animals.

Detection of anti-borna disease virus antibodies from cats in Asian countries, Japan, Philippines and Indonesia using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

Anti-Borna disease virus (BDV) antibodies were detected from cats in Japan, Philippines and Indonesia by using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Positive rates were 3.1%, 3.8% and 2.0% in Japan, Philippines and Indonesia, respectively. There was no differences in the positive rate of anti-BDV antibodies between male and female cats and among habitats. While, a significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence (6.5%) was found in the oldest age group (more than 6 years) cats.

Distribution and enzyme histochemical characterisation of mast cells in cats.

Mast cells from 15 different cat organs were examined in terms of distribution and protease activity. The number of mast cells in each site was found to vary when visualised by metachromatic staining using Alcian Blue. Enzyme histochemical analysis revealed the existence of two subtypes of mast cells. These were categorised based on protease content, i.e. whether the mast cells contained chymase or tryptase. Tryptase-positive mast cells were clearly identifiable in every organ examined, whereas chymase-containing mast cells were predominantly observed in the ear (skin), tongue, spleen, and submucosa of the stomach and rectum. The chymase-reactive cells were not detected in the heart, or in the muscularis or serosa of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum or rectum. In addition, we suggest the existence of another subtype of mast cell containing both chymase and tryptase and localised within the ear (skin), tongue, spleen and submucosa of the rectum.