Density and row spacing of short-season cotton suitable for machine picking in the cotton region of Yellow River Basin.

To determine the suitable planting density and row spacing of short-season cotton suitable for machine picking in the Yellow River Basin of China, we conducted a two-year field experiment in Dezhou during 2018-2019. The experiment followed a split-plot design, with planting density (82500 plants·hm-2 and 112500 plants·hm-2) as the main plots and row spacing (equal row spacing of 76 cm, wide-narrow row spacing of 66 cm+10 cm, equal row spacing of 60 cm) as the subplots. We examined the effects of planting density and row spacing on growth and development, canopy structure, seed cotton yield and fiber quality of short-season cotton. The results showed that plant height and LAI under high density treatment were significantly greater than those under low density treatment. The transmittance of the bottom layer was significantly lower than under low density treatment. Plant height under 76 cm equal row spacing was significantly higher than that under 60 cm equal row spacing, while that under wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm +10 cm) was significantly smaller than that under 60 cm equal row spacing in peak bolling stage. The effects of row spacing on LAI varied between the two years, densities, and growth stages. On the whole, the LAI under the wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm) was higher, with the curve declining gently after the peak, and it was higher than that in the two cases of equal row spacing in the harvest time. The change in transmittance of the bottom layer presented the opposite trend. Density, row spacing, and their interaction had significant effects on seed cotton yield and its components. In both years, seed cotton yield was the highest (3832 kg·hm-2 in 2018, 3235 kg·hm-2 in 2019) under wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm), and it was more stable at high densities. Fiber quality was less affected by density and row spacing. To sum up, the optimal density and row spacing of short-season cotton were as follows: density with 112500 plants·hm-2 and wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm).

High-Efficiency Carbon-based CsPbI2 Br Perovskite Solar Cells from Dual Direction Thermal Diffusion Treatment with Cadmium Halides.

In recent years, carbon-based CsPbI2 Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted more attention due to their low cost and good stability. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of carbon-based CsPbI2 Br PSCs is still no more than 16%, because of the defects in CsPbI2 Br or at the interface with the electron transport layer (ETL), as well as the energy level mismatch, which lead to the loss of energy, thus limiting PCE values. Herein, a series of cadmium halides are introduced, including CdCl2 , CdBr2 and CdI2 for dual direction thermal diffusion treatment. Some Cd2+ ions thermally diffuse downward to passivate the defects inside or on the surface of SnO2 ETL. Meanwhile, the energy level structure of SnO2 ETL is adjusted, which is in favor of the transfer of electron carriers and blocking holes. On the other hand, part of Cd2+ and Cl- ions thermally diffuse upward into the CsPbI2 Br lattice to passivate crystal defects. Through dual direction thermal diffusion treatment by CdCl2 , CdI2 and CdBr2 , the performance of devices has been significantly improved, and their PCE has been increased from 13.01% of the original device to 14.47%, 14.31%, and 13.46%, respectively. According to existing reports, 14.47% is one of the highest PCE of carbon-based CsPbI2 Br PSCs with SnO2 ETLs.

Microstructures of Starch Granules with Different Amylose Contents and Allomorphs as Revealed by Scattering Techniques.

In this study, as-is (ca. 12% moisture by mass) and hydrated (50% water by mass) granules of waxy potato (WP), waxy wheat (WW), waxy maize, normal maize, and high-amylose maize (HAM) starches were investigated by using small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering (SANS and SAXS), wide-angle X-ray scattering, and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering. The SANS and SAXS data were fitted using the two-phase stacking model of alternating crystalline and amorphous layers. The partial crystalline lamellar structures inside the growth rings of granules were analyzed based on the inter-lamellar distances, thicknesses of the crystalline lamellae and amorphous layers, thickness polydispersities, and water content in each type of layer. Despite having a longer average chain length of amylopectin, the WP and HAM starches, which had B-type allomorph, had a shorter inter-lamellar distance than the other three starches with A-type allomorph. The WP starch had the most uniform crystalline lamellar thickness. After hydration, the amorphous layers were expanded, resulting in an increase of inter-layer distance. The low-angle intensity upturn in SANS and SAXS was attributed to scattering from interfaces/surfaces of larger structures, such as growth rings and macroscopic granule surfaces. Data analysis methods based on model fitting and 1D correlation function were compared. The study emphasized─owing to inherent packing disorder inside granules─that a comprehensive analysis of different parameters was essential in correlating the microstructures with starch properties.

Environmental Behaviors of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Insecticidal Proteins and Their Effects on Microbial Ecology.

Bt proteins are crystal proteins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in the early stage of spore formation that exhibit highly specific insecticidal activities. The application of Bt proteins primarily includes Bt transgenic plants and Bt biopesticides. Transgenic crops with insect resistance (via Bt)/herbicide tolerance comprise the largest global area of agricultural planting. After artificial modification, Bt insecticidal proteins expressed from Bt can be released into soils through root exudates, pollen, and plant residues. In addition, the construction of Bt recombinant engineered strains through genetic engineering has become a major focus of Bt biopesticides, and the expressed Bt proteins will also remain in soil environments. Bt proteins expressed and released by Bt transgenic plants and Bt recombinant strains are structurally and functionally quite different from Bt prototoxins naturally expressed by B. thuringiensis in soils. The former can thus be regarded as an environmentally exogenous substance with insecticidal toxicity that may have potential ecological risks. Consequently, biosafety evaluations must be conducted before field tests and production of Bt plants or recombinant strains. This review summarizes the adsorption, retention, and degradation behavior of Bt insecticidal proteins in soils, in addition to their impacts on soil physical and chemical properties along with soil microbial diversity. The review provides a scientific framework for evaluating the environmental biosafety of Bt transgenic plants, Bt transgenic microorganisms, and their expression products. In addition, prospective research targets, research methods, and evaluation methods are highlighted based on current research of Bt proteins.

Dissolution of waxy maize pyrodextrin granules in mixtures of glycerol and water, separating loss of crystallinity from loss of birefringence.

Pyrodextrins were prepared by heating waxy maize starch for 4 h at pH 3 & 150 °C, pH 3 & 170 °C, and pH 2 & 150 °C. Those pyrodextrins were soluble in water at 25 °C, but insoluble in glycerol. The objectives of this study were to investigate dissolution of the pyrodextrins in glycerol/water mixtures, and to determine how crystallinity and birefringence of the pyrodextrins were affected by swelling. Pyrodextrins prepared at pH 3 & 170 °C and pH 2 & 150 °C either dissolved or swelled little in glycerol/water mixtures at 25 °C. In contrast, the pyrodextrin prepared at pH 3 & 150 °C, which showed the least depolymerization, swelled in 40% glycerol to increase granule diameter ~80%. Despite that significant swelling, those swollen granules still displayed a Maltese cross pattern but were amorphous, demonstrating the separation of loss of crystallinity from loss of birefringence.

Structure, birefringence and digestibility of spherulites produced from debranched waxy maize starch.

The objectives of this study were to debranch waxy maize starch by pullulanase, produce spherulites with different crystalline structures and birefringent properties by controlling crystallization conditions and determine how their structures were correlated with their digestibilities. The spherulites formed in water or 50% ethanol at 4 °C without mixing had a B-type crystalline structure. The birefringence sign was not uniform for the spherulites formed in water at 4 °C; some spherulites displayed negative birefringence. However, positive birefringence was observed for the spherulites formed in 50% ethanol at 4 °C, indicating starch chains were radially arranged. The spherulites crystallized in water at 50 °C followed by further crystallization at 4 °C had a predominate A-type crystalline pattern with positive birefringence in some particles, the highest resistant starch content (73.0%) and the highest degree of crystallinity (76%).

Improved in vitro assay of resistant starch in cross-linked phosphorylated starch.

In the AOAC Method 2002.02 assay for resistant starch (RS), the enzyme-resistant starch is solubilized by cold 2 M KOH, so that it can be converted enzymatically to glucose. However, cross-linked phosphorylated (CLP) starch is not soluble in cold 2 M KOH and therefore cannot be assayed directly. In this study, the enzyme-resistant starch from CLP starch was treated by 1) the directions in AOAC Method 996.11for total starch assay using hot DMSO or cold KOH; 2) two back-to-back incubations with thermal-stable α-amylase in a boiling water bath; and 3) a KOH treatment followed by two back-to-back incubations with thermal-stable α-amylase in a boiling water bath. In the last approach, the alkaline was neutralized with HCl, and the salt was removed by centrifugation. More than 95% of the RS from the CLP starch was converted to glucose. This improved method is recommended to directly determine RS in CLP starch.

The response of dominant and rare taxa for fungal diversity within different root environments to the cultivation of Bt and conventional cotton varieties.

BACKGROUND: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops have been cultivated at a large scale over the past several decades, which have raised concern about unintended effects on natural environments. Microbial communities typically contain numerous rare taxa that make up the majority of community populations. However, the response of dominant and rare taxa for fungal diversity to the different root environments of Bt plants remains unclear. RESULTS: We quantified fungal population sizes and community composition via quantitative PCR of ITS genes and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of, respectively, that were associated with Bt and conventional cotton variety rhizosphere soils from different plant growth stages. qPCR analyses indicated that fungal abundances reached their peak at the seedling stage and that the taproots and lateral root rhizospheres of the Bt cotton SGK321 were significantly different. However, no significant differences in population sizes were detected between the same root zones from Bt and the conventional cotton varieties. The overall patterns of fungal genera abundances followed that of the dominant genera, whereas overall patterns of fungal genera richness followed those of the rare genera. These results suggest that the dominant and rare taxa play different roles in the maintenance of rhizosphere microhabitat ecosystems. Cluster analyses indicated a separation of fungal communities based on the lateral roots or taproots from the three cotton varieties at the seedling stage, suggesting that root microhabitats had marked effects on fungal community composition. Redundancy analyses indicated that pH was more correlated to soil fungal community composition than Bt protein content. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these results indicate that dominant and rare fungal taxa differentially contribute to community dynamics in different root microhabitats of both Bt and conventional cotton varieties. Moreover, these results showed that the rhizosphere fungal community of Bt cotton did not respond significantly to the presence of Bt protein when compared to the two conventional cotton varieties.

Structural changes and digestibility of waxy maize starch debranched by different levels of pullulanase.

Pullulanase is able to debranch amylopectin and result in higher resistant starch (RS) content in waxy maize starch. Different levels of pullulanase have been used to debranch waxy maize starch in the literature, but the changes of structure during debranching are unknown. In this study, waxy maize starch (25% solids) was cooked and debranched with different levels of pullulanase. The structure of waxy maize starch during debranching was investigated and the digestibility of the debranched products was measured. When pullulanase activity was increased, more amylopectin was debranched in same debranching time, and the degree of crystallinity and the RS content were increased. With longer debranching time, more linear chains were cleaved and crystallized to B-type crystalline structure at 25 °C. More than 80% of waxy maize starch could be debranched by pullulanase. After the debranched starches were crystallized at 25 °C for 24 h, the RS content was increased to 70.7%.

Impact of transgenic Cry1Ac + CpTI cotton on diversity and dynamics of rhizosphere bacterial community of different root environments.

The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity and dynamics of rhizosphere bacterial community, especially the response of dominant and rare bacterial taxa to the cultivation of Bt cotton for different root environments at different growth stages. qPCR analyses indicated that bacterial abundances of the taproots and lateral root rhizospheres of the Bt cotton SGK321 were significantly different at seedling and bolling stages. But no significant differences were detected between the same root zones from Bt and the conventional cotton varieties. Total bacterial genera had similar pattern with dominant genera in abundance, and with rare genera in richness to the changes of bacterial community, respectively. Although the rhizosphere bacterial diversity of the three cotton varieties changed in taproot and lateral root, no significant differences were detected in the same root environments between Bt and conventional cotton. Moreover, Soil pH was more correlated with variations in the bacterial community composition than Bt proteins. In conclusion, these results revealed no indication that rhizosphere bacterial community of Bt cotton had different response to increased Bt protein regarding the same root environment. In particular, dominant and rare bacterial taxa showed the variation in diversity and community composition in different root microhabitats.

Hypoglycemic Effects of Pyrodextrins with Different Molecular Weights and Digestibilities in Mice with Diet-Induced Obesity.

Pyrodextrin shares some properties of resistant starch, which is metabolically beneficial, and has potential applications as a functional food. In this study, we report that the oral administration of pyrodextrin (50 mg/kg/d for 7 weeks) decreased blood glucose (from 9.18 ± 1.47 to 7.67 ± 0.42 mmol/L), serum HbA1c, triglycerides, adipocyte size, and body weight (from 24.4 ± 1.2 to 22.5 ± 1.2 g) in mice with high-fat-diet-induced obesity. Western-blotting analysis suggested that pyrodextrins decreased intestinal SGLT-1 and GLUT-2 expression to ∼70 and ∼60% of the obese control, respectively, which slowed down glucose transportation from the gut into the blood and tentatively improved hepatic metabolism. Moreover, the pyrodextrin with a lower molecular weight of 44 kDa, a more branched structure, and increased nondigestible starch of 46.2 ± 0.3% showed stronger hypoglycemic activity. This work provides important information for developing pyrodextrins as a functional food and dietary supplement for the management of obesity and diabetes.

Efficacy and safety of pectin-supplemented enteral nutrition in intensive care: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Enteral nutrition (EN) can improve clinical outcomes as an important treatment in critically ill patients. However, when patients suffer from gastrointestinal function disorders, intestinal intolerance occurs and EN administration may be delayed and even fails to perform. Pectin, a structural heteropolysaccharide, could protect gastrointestinal function from disorders in many gastrointestianl diseases. The present study aimed to determine whether pectin-supplemented EN was safe and improved clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Patients enrolled in ICU from August 2014 to January 2015 were randomized to EN group and pectin-supplemented EN group (PEC/EN group). Both group received isonitrogenous, isocaloric EN support within 36 hours after ICU admission, and last for 6 days. The primary endpoints were 30-day mortality and gastrointestinal intolerance. RESULTS: There were 125 patients included in this study (63 in EN group, and 62 in PEC/EN group). The results showed that the 30-day mortality was 4.8% in EN group and 1.61% in PEC/EN group (p=0.317). PEC/EN group had a smaller gastrointestinal intolerance rate than EN group (41.3% vs 27.4%, p=0.04). Furthermore, there were shorter times to reach full EN (13.0±5.12 vs 9.99±1.91, p=0.05), length of ICU stay (17.9±9.72 vs 13.8±8.59, p<0.001), and length of hospital stay (32.9±19.0 vs 23.4±13.2, p<0.001) in EN group than those in PEC/EN group. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed that pectin- supplemented EN was safe, and could improve clinical outcomes in ICU patients.

Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction with Feeding Intolerance in Critically Ill Patients: A Study according to Gut Wall Analysis.

Objective. To compare the differences between acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) with and without acute gut wall thickening. Methods. ACPO patients with feeding tolerance were divided into ACPO with no obvious gut wall thickening (ACPO-NT) group and ACPO with obvious acute gut wall thickening (ACPO-T) group according to computed tomography and abdominal radiographs. Patients' condition, responses to supportive measures, pharmacologic therapy, endoscopic decompression, and surgeries and outcomes were compared. Results. Patients in ACPO-T group had a significantly higher APACHE II (11.82 versus 8.25, p = 0.008) and SOFA scores (6.47 versus 3.54, p < 0.001) and a significantly higher 28-day mortality (17.78% versus 4.16%, p = 0.032) and longer intensive care unit stage (4 versus 16 d, p < 0.001). Patients in ACPO-NT group were more likely to be responsive to supportive treatment (62.50% versus 24.44%, p < 0.001), neostigmine (77.78% versus 17.64%, p < 0.001), and colonoscopic decompression (75% versus 42.86%, p = 0.318) than those in ACPO-T group. Of the patients who underwent ileostomy, 81.25% gained benefits. Conclusions. ACPO patients with gut wall thickening are more severe and are less likely to be responsive to nonsurgical treatment. Ileostomy may be a good option for ACPO patients with gut wall thickening who are irresponsive to nonsurgical treatment.

The Addition of Dexmedetomidine to Analgesia for Patients After Abdominal Operations: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain and anxiety are two common factors influencing patient's recovery. Benefits and safety in the use of sedative agents after abdominal operations to improve recovery are not well known. The present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine use in this population. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial of 145 patients undergoing abdominal operations was conducted in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of Jinling Hospital between October and December 2015. Thirty-two patients were excluded, and 113 were included and divided into the experimental group (59 patients) receiving dexmedetomidine and analgesics for 72 h after abdominal operations, and the control group (54 patients) receiving only analgesics. Postoperative pain, inflammatory response, recovery of gastrointestinal function, adverse events, and sedation level were analyzed. RESULTS: Pain scores, assessed by Prince Henry Pain Scale (PHPS), in the experimental group were significantly lower than in the control group on the first (1.53 vs. 2.07, p ≤ 0.01), second (1.07 vs. 1.63, p ≤ 0.01), and third day (1.08 vs. 1.82, p = 0.01). Time to defecation was 0.60 days shorter in the experimental group than the control group (2.51 vs. 3.11, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between inflammatory responses in the two groups (p > 0.05). Both groups had similar blood pressure, heart rate, prevalence of bradycardia, and hypotension requiring interventions (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of dexmedetomidine to analgesia after abdominal operations is safe and could enhance gastrointestinal function recovery and pain control when monitored carefully. The capacity of dexmedetomidine to attenuate inflammatory responses requires further investigation.

Evaluation of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block in Hernia Surgery: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block reduces opiate requirements and pain scores in abdominal surgery, but the effect has not been evaluated in hernia surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of TAP block in hernia surgery. METHODS: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of TAP block in adults undergoing hernia surgery was performed. The primary outcomes were morphine requirements 24 hours after surgery and the number of rescue analgesia patients. Secondary outcomes were pain scores on rest and on movement at 24 hours after surgery, postoperative nausea and vomiting and general postoperative complications. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 231 articles after duplicates have been removed, and finally 8 RCTs with a total of 791 patients were included. In patients who received a TAP block, the cumulative morphine utilization was significantly reduced at 24 hours (weighted mean difference [WMD] -11.40 mg, -22.41 to -0.39; P=0.04). The number of patients needing a rescue analgesia (relative risk: 0.35, 0.22 to 0.55; P<0.001), the pain scores on rest 24 hours after surgery (WMD: -0.29, -0.55 to -0.04; P=0.02) and the pain scores on movement or coughing 24 hours after surgery (WMD: -0.70, -1.33 to -0.06; P=0.03) were all lower in patients who received a TAP block. There was also significant reduction in the postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the general postoperative complications in TAP block group. CONCLUSIONS: Within a heterogeneous group of RCTs, TAP block reduces postoperative morphine requirements and the severity of pain after hernia surgery.

Hypothalamic activation is essential for endotoxemia-induced acute muscle wasting.

Growing evidence suggests acute skeletal muscle wasting is a key factor affecting nutritional support and prognosis in critical patients. Previously, plenty of studies of muscle wasting focused on the peripheral pathway, little was known about the central role. We tested the hypothesis whether central inflammatory pathway and neuropeptides were involved in the process. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated rats, hypothalamic NF-κB pathway and inflammation were highly activated, which was accompanied with severe muscle wasting. Central inhibition of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway activation by infusion of an inhibitor (PS1145) can efficiently reduce muscle wasting as well as attenuate hypothalamic neuropeptides alteration. Furthermore, knockdown the expression of anorexigenic neuropeptide proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression with a lentiviral vector containing shRNA can significantly alleviate LPS-induced muscle wasting, whereas hypothalamic inflammation or NF-κB pathway was barely affected. Taken together, these results suggest activation of hypothalamic POMC is pivotal for acute muscle wasting caused by endotoxemia. Neuropeptide POMC expression may have mediated the contribution of hypothalamic inflammation to peripheral muscle wasting. Pharmaceuticals with the ability of inhibiting hypothalamic NF-κB pathway or POMC activation may have a therapeutic potential for acute muscle wasting and nutritional therapy in septic patients.

The influence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy on intestinal mucosal barrier in a porcine model for post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear at present whether extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy can improve intestinal mucous barrier function through increased perfusion. The present study establishes an animal model for post-traumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and evaluates the effect of v-vECMO treatment on the intestinal mucosal barrier. METHOD: Pulmonary contusion combined with ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced in 30 piglets. The animals were randomly divided into control, model, and ECMO groups. Serum I-FABP, D-lactate, and endotoxin were measured over a 24-h period. The jejunum and colon were collected post-mortem and evaluated histopathologically. The tissue was also examined using electron microscopy, and intestinal tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin) were measured after 24 h of ECMO therapy. Mortality rate and cause of death were also recorded. RESULTS: The serum markers evaluating the intestinal mucosal barrier deteriorated in the model group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). At 2 h, serum I-FABP, D-lactate, and endotoxin were significantly increased in the ECMO group compared to the model group (p < 0.05). At 12 h, I-FABP and D-lactate in the ECMO group dropped to model group levels. Serum D-lactate was slightly lower in the ECMO group (p > 0.05) and serum I-FABP was significantly lower than in the model group (p < 0.05) at 24 h. Similarly, serum endotoxin was slightly lower in the ECMO group than in the model group (p > 0.05) at 24 h. After 24 h of ECMO therapy, the occludin and ZO-1 protein concentrations in jejunum and colon mucosa increased moderately compared to that in the model group (p < 0.05). Morphologic structure of the jejunum and colon did not improved significantly after ECMO therapy. Finally, we observed that ECMO therapy moderately decreased mortality (25% vs. 50%). CONCLUSION: Intestinal mucosal barrier continued to deteriorate in the model group. Although early ECMO therapy aggravates intestinal mucosal injury, the damage gradually improves later during therapy. The results show that ECMO therapy has a protective effect on the intestinal mucosal barrier in the later treatment stage.

Berberine ameliorates intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure.

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid derived from many medicinal plants, has been extensively used to treat various gastrointestinal diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether berberine could ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure for 3 h. Peritoneal air-exposure rats received 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg berberine orally via gavage four times before and after surgery. Blood and terminal ileum samples were collected 24 h after surgery. The serum D-lactate levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Intestinal permeability was determined by measuring the intestinal clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (FD4). Intestinal inflammation was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Intestinal histopathology was also assessed. The results revealed that berberine decreased the serum D-lactate level, intestinal FD4 clearance, and myeloperoxidase activity. Edema and inflammation were reduced by berberine in the intestinal mucosa and submucosa, and the Chiu's scores, indices of intestinal mucosal injury, also decreased in the berberine-treated group. In addition, berberine exerted these protective effects in a dose-dependent manner, with a significant difference from the control group at doses of 150 and 200 mg/kg. The results suggest that berberine could ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier damage induced by peritoneal air exposure, which is linked to its anti-inflammatory activity. Berberine may be a promising treatment for intestinal mucosal barrier damage in open abdominal surgery.

Anti-inflammatory effect of ginsenoside Rb1 contributes to the recovery of gastrointestinal motility in the rat model of postoperative ileus.

Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), one of the principle active components of Panax ginseng, has been reported to reduce inflammation in various diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether GRb1 has an anti-inflammatory effect on postoperative ileus (POI) and further contributes to the recovery of gastrointestinal motility. POI was induced in rats by intestinal manipulation. The POI rats received 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg GRb1 orally via gavage four times before and after surgery. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed by charcoal transport. Systemic inflammation was assessed by serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations, whereas intestinal inflammation was assessed by the activity of myeloperoxidase, and concentrations and gene expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-10 in the ileum tissue. The results revealed that GRb1 increased rat gastrointestinal transit with POI. The increased levels of systemic and intestinal inflammatory parameters in POI rats were also reduced by GRb1. In addition, GRb1 reduced systemic and intestinal inflammation and increased the gastrointestinal transit of POI rats in a dose-dependent manner, and with significance at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg. These results suggest that GRb1 has a potent anti-inflammatory effect on POI and further contributes to the recovery of gastrointestinal motility. GRb1 may be a promising treatment for POI prophylaxis.