Different metabolic profiles of K1 serotype and non-serotype K1 and K2 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in oral infection mice model.

K1 or K2 serotype Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate caused clinical pyogenic liver abscess (KLA) infection is prevalent in many areas. It has been identified that K1 or K2 serotype K. pneumoniae isolates caused KLA infection in mice by oral inoculation. In our study, K1 serotype K. pneumoniae isolate Kp1002 with hypermucoviscosity (HV)-positive phenotype caused KLA infection in C57BL/6 mice by oral inoculation. Simultaneously, non-serotype K1 and K2 isolate Kp1014 with HV-negative phenotype failed to cause KLA infection in the same manner. It seems that gastrointestinal tract translocation is the pathway by which K1 or K2 serotype K. pneumoniae caused KLA infection. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to further analyze metabolic profile changes in mice with KLA infection. Data showed that after Kp1002 or Kp1014 oral inoculation, serum Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) levels significantly changed in mice. Some PC and LPC molecules showed changes both in the Kp1002 KLA group and the Kp1014 no-KLA group compared with the control group. The level of 18:1/18:2-PC significantly changed in the Kp1002 KLA group compared with the control group, but showed no change between the Kp1014 no-KLA group and the control group. The level of 18:1/18:2-PC might have been particularly affected by KLA infection caused by K1 serotype K. pneumoniae Kp1002. It may be a potential biomarker for KLA infection.

Improved myocardial function with supplement of levosimendan to Celsior solution.

Levosimendan is a calcium-sensitizing agent shown to prevent myocardical contractile depression in various heart diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of levosimendan on cardiac dysfunction and apoptosis in hypothermic preservation rat hearts. Isolated rat hearts were preserved in Celsior solution with or without levosimendan. The left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) recovery rate of isolated rat heart significantly decreased, and the apoptosis index increased after 9 hours of hypothermic preservation. Supplement Celsior solution with levosimendan (10 and 10 mole/L) enhanced the LVDP recovery rate and reduced apoptosis. Levosimendan inhibited the hypothermic preservation-induced calpain activation and cleavage of Bid. Levosimendam induced increased myocardial inducible nitric oxide synthase but not endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression. A selective inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 1400W, and a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate but not a sarcolemmal KATP channel blocker HMR-1098 prevented improvement effect of levosimendam on LVDP recovery rate, abolished the inhibitory effect of levosimendan on hypothermic preservation-induced activation of calpain, cleavage of Bid, and apoptosis. These data suggested that Celsior solution supplement with levosimendan improved cardiac function recovery and reduced myocyte apoptosis in hypothermic preservation rat hearts.

Identification of autophagy-associated circRNAs in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy of mice.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a role in sepsis-related autophagy. However, the role of circRNAs in autophagy after sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM) is unknown, so we explored the circRNA expression profiles associated with autophagy in an acute sepsis mouse model. At a dose of 10 mg/kg, mice were intraperitoneally administered with lipopolysaccharides. The myocardial tissue was harvested after 6 h for microarray analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were evaluated, and a competing endogenous RNA network was constructed, to evaluate the role of circRNAs related to autophagy in SICM. In total, 1,735 differently expressed circRNAs were identified in the LPS-treated group, including 990 upregulated and 745 downregulated circRNAs. The expression level of the autophagy-specific protein p62 decreased, while the ratio of LC3 II to LC3 I increased. Additionally, 309 mRNAs and 187 circRNAs were correlated with autophagy in myocardial tissue after SICM. Of these, 179 circRNAs were predicted to function as "miRNA sponges". Some distinctive circRNAs and mRNAs found by ceRNA analysis might be involved in autophagy in SICM. These findings provide insights into circRNAs and identified new research targets that may be used to further explore the pathogenesis of SICM.

An Apriori Algorithm-Based Association Analysis of Analgesic Drugs in Chinese Medicine Prescriptions Recorded From Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain.

Chronic pain, a common symptom of people with rheumatoid arthritis, usually behaves as persistent polyarthralgia pain and causes serious damage to patients' physical and mental health. Opioid analgesics can lead to a series of side effects like drug tolerance and addiction. Thus, seeking an alternative therapy and screening out the corresponding analgesic drugs is the key to solving the current dilemma. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy has been recognized internationally for its unique guiding theory and definite curative effect. In this study, we used the Apriori Algorithm to screen out potential analgesics from 311 cases that were treated with compounded medication prescription and collected from "Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University" in Hangzhou, China. Data on 18 kinds of clinical symptoms and 16 kinds of Chinese herbs were extracted based on this data mining. We also found 17 association rules and screened out four potential analgesic drugs-"Jinyinhua," "Wugong," "Yiyiren," and "Qingfengteng," which were promised to help in the clinical treatment. Besides, combined with System Cluster Analysis, we provided several different herbal combinations for clinical references.

Macrophages induce cardiomyocyte ferroptosis via mitochondrial transfer.

INTRODUCTION: Mitochondrial transfer is a new cell-to-cell communication manner. Whether the mitochondrial transfer is also involved in the macrophage infiltration-induced cardiac injury is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether macrophage mitochondria can be transferred to cardiomyocytes, and to investigate its possible role and mechanism. METHODS: Mitochondrial transfer between macrophages and cardiomyocytes was detected using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Cellular metabolites were analyzed using LC-MS technique. Differentially expressed mRNAs were identified using RNA-seq technique. RESULTS: (1) After cardiomyocytes were cultured with macrophage-conditioned medium (COND + group), macrophage-derived mitochondria have been found in cardiomyocytes, which could be blocked by dynasore (an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis). (2) Compared with control (CM) group, there were 545 altered metabolites found in COND + group, most of which were lipids and lipid-like molecules. The altered metabolites were mainly enriched in the ß-oxidation of fatty acids and glutathione metabolism. And there were 4824 differentially expressed mRNAs, which were highly enriched in processes like lipid metabolism-associated pathway. (3) Both RNA-seq and qRT-PCR results found that ferroptosis-related mRNAs such as Ptgs2 and Acsl4 increased, and Gpx4 mRNA decreased in COND + group (P < 0.05 vs CM group). (4) The levels of cellular free Fe2+ and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation were increased; while GSH/GSSG ratio, mitochondrial aspect ratio, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP production were decreased in cardiomyocytes of COND + group (P < 0.05 vs CM group). All the above phenomena could be blocked by a ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Macrophages could transfer mitochondria to cardiomyocytes. Macrophage-derived mitochondria were internalized into cardiomyocytes through clathrin- and/or lipid raft-mediated endocytosis. Uptake of exogenous macrophage mitochondria induced cardiomyocyte injury via triggering ferroptosis.

Hydrogen peroxide regulates glucose-regulated protein 78 expression via a cyclooxygenase-2 dependent mechanism.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide on the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress marker glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in endothelial cells and reveals the possible role of cyclooxygenase in this effect. The porcine endothelial cell line was cultured in 1640 medium. Western blot and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of GRP78. The caspase-12 activity was analyzed with the immune fluorescence method. The results showed that after the endothelial cells were incubated with 250 µM of hydrogen peroxide for 12 h, apoptosis increased, which was antagonized by the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor nimesulide or the nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor aspirin, but not by the cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor piroxicam. The expression of GRP78 was induced in endothelial cells after exposure to hydrogen peroxide for 12 h. The overexpression of GRP78 was inhibited by nimesulide and aspirin, but not by piroxicam. There are no significant differences in caspase-12 activity among all groups. The present study provides evidence that hydrogen peroxide induced GRP78 overexpression in endothelial cells by a mechanism involving cyclooxygenase-2-dependent pathway.

RGFP966 inactivation of the YAP pathway attenuates cardiac dysfunction induced by prolonged hypothermic preservation.

Oxidative stress and apoptosis are the key factors that limit the hypothermic preservation time of donor hearts to within 4-6 h. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) inhibitor RGFP966 could protect against cardiac injury induced by prolonged hypothermic preservation. Rat hearts were hypothermically preserved in Celsior solution with or without RGFP966 for 12 h followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Hemodynamic parameters during reperfusion were evaluated. The expression and phosphorylation levels of mammalian STE20-like kinase-1 (Mst1) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) were determined by western blotting. Cell apoptosis was measured by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Addition of RGFP966 in Celsior solution significantly inhibited cardiac dysfunction induced by hypothermic preservation. RGFP966 inhibited the hypothermic preservation-induced increase of the phosphorylated (p)-Mst1/Mst1 and p-YAP/YAP ratios, prevented a reduction in total YAP protein expression, and increased the nuclear YAP protein level. Verteporfin (VP), a small molecular inhibitor of YAP-transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) interaction, partially abolished the protective effect of RGFP966 on cardiac function, and reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity and malondialdehyde content. RGFP966 increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase gene and protein expression, which was abolished by VP. RGFP966 inhibited hypothermic preservation-induced overexpression of B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3, increased Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression, and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of RGFP966 were cancelled by VP. The results suggest that supplementation of Celsior solution with RGFP966 attenuated prolonged hypothermic preservation-induced cardiac dysfunction. The mechanism may involve inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis via inactivation of the YAP pathway.

Dimethyl fumarate attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced mitochondrial injury by activating Nrf2 pathway in cardiomyocytes.

AIMS: To determine whether dimethyl fumarate (DMF) can protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced myocardial injury. MAIN METHODS: H9c2 cells pretreated with or without DMF were stimulated with LPS. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated. Nrf2 and HO-1 expression were detected using Western blotting. Mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial superoxide production were observed using confocal microscope. Mitochondrial respiration function was measured using Seahorse bioanalyzer. KEY FINDINGS: (1) The cell viability decreased, LDH release and apoptosis increased in LPS- challenged H9c2 cells. DMF pretreatment brought a higher cell viability, and a lower LDH leakage and apoptosis than those of LPS group (P < 0.01). (2) DMF pretreatment resulted in an increased Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, and enhanced nuclear Nrf2 level in LPS-challenged cells (P < 0.01). (3) Nrf2-siRNA could inhibit DMF-induced enhancement of HO-1 expression and cell viability, and partly abolish DMF-induced reduction of LDH leakage and apoptosis. (4) ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 could not only prevent the DMF-induced enhancement of nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1, but also inhibit DMF-induced increase in cell viability. (5) Compared with LPS-challenged cells, DMF pretreatment caused a lower production of mitochondrial superoxide and a higher mitochondrial membrane potential, which could be abolished by Nrf2-siRNA. (6) DMF could attenuate LPS-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and improve mitochondrial respiration function by enhancement of the oxygen consumption rate of basal respiration and ATP production in LPS-challenged cells (P < 0.01). SIGNIFICANCE: DMF protects cardiomyocytes against LPS-induced damage. ERK1/2-dependent activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway is responsible for DMF-induced cardioprotection via reduction of oxidative stress, improvement of mitochondrial morphology and energy metabolism.

[Effects of diazoxide on Fas/FasL protein expressions in rat myocardium suffered from long-term hypothermic preservation].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)) opener, diazoxide (DE), on Fas/FasL protein expressions in rat heart suffered from long-term hypothermic preservation. The Langendorff isolated rat heart model was used. The hearts were stored in 4 °C Celsior solution with or without (control) DE for 8 h followed by 60 min of reperfusion. The recovery of rate-pressure product (RPP) was observed. Apoptotic cardiomyocytes were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The expressions of Fas/FasL proteins were also analyzed by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that compared with the control group, DE (30 mmol/L) increased the recovery of RPP during reperfusion, reduced the percentage of apoptotic cells and the expressions of Fas and FasL proteins in rat hearts suffered from 8 h of hypothermic preservation. The above effects of DE were attenuated by a mitoK(ATP) channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). These results indicate that DE could alleviate rat myocardial injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion through reducing the expressions of Fas and FasL proteins via opening of mitoK(ATP)channel.

TNF-α induces Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation during inflammatory cardiomyocyte injury.

Dynamin-related peptide 1 (Drpl)-mediated mitochondrial fission is an important process associated with cardiac dysfunction under different pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of Drpl during inflammatory myocardial injury. Sprague­Dawley rats were treated intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Furthermore, cultured H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with LPS, interleukin­6 (IL­6) and tumor necrosis factor­α (TNF­α). Total and mitochondrial proteins were isolated from the heart tissue of rats and from the H9C2 cardiomyocytes. Expression levels of Drp1 and RhoA were analyzed by western blotting. Mitochondrial morphology was determined using confocal laser microscopy. The levels of mitochondrial Drp1 and phosphorylated­Drp1 (p­Drp1) Ser616 were revealed to be increased in rats 6 h after injection with LPS (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg). Furthermore, treatment with LPS and IL­6 did not demonstrate a significant effect on the expression of total and mitochondrial Drp1 in H9C2 cardiomyocytes in vitro; however, treatment with TNF­α (20 ng/ml) significantly enhanced the levels of mitochondrial Drp1 and p­Drp1 Ser616. Following TNF­α treatment, the expression of Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) was also revealed to increase. Treatment with both Y­27632 and fasudil, [Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors], was demonstrated to attenuate the otherwise TNF­α­induced increase in p­Drp1 Ser616 and mitochondrial Drp1. In addition, it was revealed that Y­27632 and fasudil may also attenuate the TNF­α­induced increase in mitochondrial fragmentation and cell viability. Therefore, the findings of the present study suggest that TNF­α is the predominant inducer of Drp1 S616 phosphorylation during sepsis. The results of the present study also suggest that the RhoA/ROCK pathway may be involved in the phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of Drp1, which leads to mitochondrial fragmentation.

Linagliptin improved myocardial function recovery in rat hearts after a prolonged hypothermic preservation.

AIMS: To determine whether linagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, can promote the recovery of cardiac function after hypothermic preservation. MAIN METHODS: Rat hearts were preserved in cold Celsior solution with or without linagliptin for 9 h. Cardiac function was evaluated at 60 min of reperfusion after hypothermic preservation. Cardiac mitochondrial morphology was observed using transmission electron microscope. The expression of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) were detected using Western blot. KEY FINDINGS: Compared with Celsior group, supplement of Celsior solution with linagliptin (0.25-0.75 nM) could significantly prevent hypothermic preservation-induced cardiac dysfunction. The expression of NOX2 protein, ROS level and MDA content in cardium were increased after hypothermic preservation, which was inhibited by linagliptin. Although the mitofusin1, 2, optic atrophy type 1, and total Drp1 expression in myocardium did not change, the level of p-Drp1 S616 and mitochondrial Drp1 were enhanced after hypothermic preservation. Linagliptin supplement could inhibit the hypothermic preservation-induced increase in p-Drp1 S616 and mitochondrial Drp1 protein, and mitigate the mitochondrial fragmentation. Level of p-CaMKII protein enhanced after hypothermic preservation, which could be prevented by linagliptin or a NOX2 inhibitor Phox-I2. Both Phox-I2 and a CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 could reduce the hypothermic preservation-induced increase in p-Drp1 S616 and mitochondrial Drp1 protein. SIGNIFICANCE: Supplement Celsior solution with linagliptin could improve cardiac function recovery in 9-h hypothermic preserved rat hearts. The cardioprotective effect of linagliptin might be due to the inhibition of Drp1 phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation by preventing NOX2-mediated CaMKII activation.

[Effect of postconditioning on rat hearts suffered from long-term hypothermic preservation].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of postconditioning on cardiac protection of rat hearts suffered from long-term hypothermic preservation. METHODS: The Langendorff model of isolated rat heart was used. After 30 min of stabilization, the hearts were stored in 4 degrees C Celsior solution for 3 or 5 h followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Postconditioning was initiated by 3 cycles of 30 s ischemia followed by 30 s reperfusion at the beginning of subsequent persistent reperfusion. The recovery of cardiac contractile function and arrhythmia score were observed. RESULTS: (1) Compared with control group, postconditioning increased the recovery of heart rate (HR), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVDP), maximal rise/fall rate of ventricular pressure (dP/dt(max)) and coronary flow (CF) and rate-pressure product (RPP) during reperfusion after 3 h of hypothermic preservation. However, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and the cardiac arrhythmia score during the first 10 min of reperfusion was significantly lower in 3 h postconditioning group than that in 3 h control group. (2) The rat hearts treated by postconditioning with 5-HD(100 micromol/L) abolished the amelioration of contract function induced by postconditioning. And it could also increase the cardiac arrhythmia score. (3) Compared with 5 h control group, the HR, LVDP,dP/dt(max), CF, LVEDP, RPP and the cardiac arrhythmia score were not significantly different in postconditioning treated hearts during reperfusion after 5 h of hypothermic preservation. CONCLUSION: Postconditioning could provide the cardiac protection on 3 h hypothermic preserved rat hearts,but not on 5 h hypothermic preserved rat hearts. The cardiac protection effect might be partly associated with activation of selective mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

Resveratrol Attenuates Subacute Systemic Inflammation-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment via Inhibition of Astrocyte Activation and Enhancement of Synaptophysin Expression in the Hippocampus.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of resveratrol on subacute systemic inflammation-induced dysfunction of cognitive memory in mice and its underlying mechanism. Male ICR mice were trained in a water maze for four days of acquisition training and one day of probe trial. Subacute treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for 5 days was used to establish a systemic inflammatory model. All mice were sacrificed after probe testing, then the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), synaptophysin, and sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in hippocampi were determined using immunohistochemistry or western blot analysis. Morris water maze tests indicated that hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory were impaired in LPS-treated group. Resveratrol attenuated LPS-induced memory deficit in dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis revealed that LPS increased hippocampal GFAP expression and inhibited synaptophysin expression, which were prevented by resveratrol treatment. Treatment with LPS declined the SIRT1 protein expression in the hippocampus, which could be prevented by resveratrol. The protective effect of resveratrol could be abolished by a specific SIRT1 inhibitor. Our findings add new experimental data for potential therapeutic effects of resveratrol in the brain in a model of subacute systemic inflammation-induced astrocyte activation, synaptic alteration and cognitive decline.

Resveratrol attenuates inflammatory hyperalgesia by inhibiting glial activation in mice spinal cords.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of resveratrol on inflammatory pain. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 5 consecutive days to induce subacute systemic inflammation. Acetic acid­induced writhing tests and tail­flick tests were performed following the final LPS injection. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; an astrocyte­specific activation marker), ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba­1; a microglia­specific activation marker) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) protein expression levels were detected using immunohistochemistry analysis or western blotting. Following administration of LPS for 5 days, the number of writhes increased and the tail­flick latency decreased. Resveratrol (10 or 20 mg/kg) partly inhibited LPS­induced hyperalgesia and prevented the increase in tumor necrosis factor­α and interleukin 6 levels induced by LPS. LPS injection reduced the SIRT1 protein expression and increased the number of GFAP­positive and Iba­1­positive cells in the spinal cord. Resveratrol increased the SIRT1 protein expression levels and decreased the number of GFAP­positive and Iba­1­positive cells in LPS­treated mice. The protective effect of resveratrol was partly blocked by a selective SIRT1 inhibitor, EX­257. Results from the present study suggest that subacute treatment with LPS induced the activation of glial cells and hyperalgesia. Resveratrol was demonstrated to inhibit the activation of glial cells and attenuate inflammatory hyperalgesia in a SIRT1­dependent manner.

Mechanism of uncoupling protein 2­mediated myocardial injury in hypothermic preserved rat hearts.

In the present study, the alterations in uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression following hypothermic preservation in rat hearts were investigated. Isolated rat hearts were preserved in Celsior solution for 3­12 h followed by 60 min of reperfusion. The cardiac function was evaluated using the Langendorff perfusion system. UCP2 and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) proteins were detected by western blot analysis. The ATP production and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed. Subsequent to preservation in ice­cold Celsior solution for 3­12 h, the UCP2 protein expression in rat hearts was observed to increase in a time­dependent manner. The UCP2 inhibitor genipin inhibited the hypothermic preservation­induced cardiac dysfunction, prevented a decline in ATP production induced by 9 h of preservation, however had no effect on the hypothermic preservation­induced increase in mitochondrial ROS levels. Compared with the control group, the SIRT1 protein expression in rat hearts reduced following hypothermic preservation. Compared with the 9­h preservation group, Celsior solution supplemented with the SIRT1 activator resveratrol (20 or 40 µmol/l) inhibited UCP2 protein overexpression, prevented the decline in ATP production and resulted in an improvement cardiac function. The SIRT1 inhibitor EX­527 abolished the resveratrol­induced inhibition of UCP2 overexpression and cardiac protection in the hypothermic preserved rat heart. These observations suggest that downregulation of UCP2 expression in the hypothermic preserved rat heart in part initiated the protective mechanism via the SIRT1 pathway.

Curcumin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced vasoconstriction dysfunction via inhibition of thrombospondin-1 and transforming growth factor-ß1.

Sepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by the development of progressive dysfunction in multiple organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vasoconstrictive dysfunction, and to investigate the possible underlying mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: Control, sepsis and curcumin. A sepsis model was established by an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 5 mg/kg LPS. Thoracic aortic rings obtained from the rats were mounted in an organ bath and the vasoconstriction of the rings was recorded. In addition, the serum E-selectin levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of thrombospondin (TSP)-1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 in the aortic tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Vasoconstriction of the aortic rings was found to significantly decrease in the sepsis rats when compared with the control group. However, curcumin (10 or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented the vasoconstrictive dysfunction induced by LPS. The serum level of E-selectin and the expression levels of TSP-1 and TGF-ß1 significantly increased in the sepsis rats when compared with the control group rats; however, the levels decreased significantly following treatment with curcumin (10 or 20 mg/kg). Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that curcumin alleviated the LPS-induced damage in the aortic tunica intima and tunica media. Therefore, the results indicated that curcumin alleviates LPS-induced vasoconstrictive dysfunction in the thoracic aorta of rats. In addition, the inhibition of TSP-1 and TGF-ß1 expression may be involved in the mechanism underlying this protective effect.

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase activity protects against lipopolysaccharide­induced cardiac dysfunction in rats.

Myocardial dysfunction in sepsis is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) enzyme is crucial for protecting the heart from ischemic injury. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of ALDH2 in cardiac dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male rats were treated intraperitoneally with LPS, and their stroke volume and cardiac output were evaluated using an M­mode echocardiograph. The expression levels and activity of ALDH2, nitric oxide content and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, and the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) were also evaluated. Treatment with LPS (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) resulted in a steady decrease in cardiac output and stroke volume. The ALDH2 activity was decreased in a dose­dependent manner; however, the ALDH2 protein expression levels remained unchanged. Alda­1, a specific activator of ALDH2, increased the activity of ALDH2 and lessened LPS­induced cardiac dysfunction. A marked opening of the MPTP was observed 12 h following treatment with LPS, which was prevented by Alda­1. The improvement in cardiac function in response to treatment with Alda­1, was partially prevented by treatment with the MPTP inhibitor atractyloside. LPS treatment induced an increase in iNOS activation and inhibition of ALDH2 activity. The iNOS selective inhibitor, aminoguanidine, partially reversed the LPS­induced ALDH2 activity decrease and MPTP opening. These results indicate that ALDH2 activity may have a role in protecting against LPS­induced cardiac dysfunction. The potential mechanism may involve inhibition of MPTP opening and iNOS expression.

[Light transmission measurement of focal ischemic cerebral infarction in mice]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of light transmission to measure focal cerebral ischemia in mice. METHODS: Persistent focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artey occlusion (MCAO) in mice. The brain were removed 24 h after MCAO and coronally dissected into 1 mm sections. Using a stereomicroscope, the brain section was illuminated with a halogen lamp and computerized images were stored. Next the brain sections were stained for 30 minutes with 0.5% TTC (2, 3, 5-triphenylterzolim chloride) at 37 degrees C. Using an image analyzer (AnalyPower 1.0), the infarct volumes obtained by light transmittance and TTC staining were calculated. Integrated gray scales of sections of both hemispheres were calculated by Photoshop 5.0. RESULTS: A close correlation existed between cerebral infarct volume measured by light transmission and TTC staining (r=0.81). The mean gray scales measured by both techniques of the ischemic hemispheres as well as those of the cortex, subcortex and hippocampus were siginificantly higher than those of non-ischemic hemispheres and of control mouse hemispheres (P <0.001). Further there were no significant difference between the two hemispheres of control mice and between hemispheres of control mice and non-ischemic hemispheres of the MCAO mice. CONCLUSION: Light transmission can be used for qualitative analysis of focal cerebral ischemia.

[Protection of hypothermic preserved isolated rat hearts by resveratrol and its underlying mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether resveratrol (RES) plays a protective role in hypothermic preserved isolated rat hearts and whether it is mediated by regulation of silent information regulator protein-1 (Sirt-1) expression. METHODS: The Langendorff model of isolated rat heart was used. After stored in different Celsior solution at 4 degrees C for 9 h, SD rat hearts were randomly divided into 7 groups: blank control group;9 h group (soley hypothermic preservation for 9 h); RES group (3, 10, 30 micromol/L RES treatment plus hypothermic preservation for 9 h ), niacinamide (NAM) group (40 micromol/L NAM added in Celsior solution plus hypothermic preservation for 9 h), RES + NAM group (30 micromol/L RES and 40 micromol/L NAM were added in Celsior solution plus hypothermic preservation for 9 h). The morphological changes of cardiomyocytes were detected by the HE staining with the light microscope. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Sirt-1 were detected by Real-Time PCR and Western blot respectively. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the blank control group, myocardiocytes were injured remarkably in the 9 h group and the Sirt-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased significantly (P < 0.01); (2) Compared with the 9 h group, rat myocardial injury was alleviated gradually in 3, 10, 30 micromol/L RES group and the Sirt-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were increased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05); (3) The above protective effects of RES were attenuated by Sirt-1 inhibitor NAM. CONCLUSION: RES can protect myocardiocytes from injury caused by long range hypothermic preservation and this protective effect maybe mediated by upregulation of Sirt-1 expression.