Targeting DUSP16/TAK1 signaling alleviates hepatic dyslipidemia and inflammation in high fat diet (HFD)-challenged mice through suppressing JNK MAPK.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is featured by hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, lipid deposition and inflammation. However, the pathogenic mechanism of NAFLD is still poorly understood. Dual-specificity phosphatase 16 (DUSP16), a c-Jun N-terminal kinase-specific phosphatase, has been reported to negatively modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling, and it has never been investigated in NAFLD progression. In the study, we identified that DUSP16 could directly interact with TAK1 in human hepatocytes. DUSP16 knockdown in the isolated primary hepatocytes stimulated by palmitate (PA) showed accelerated lipid deposition and inflammatory response, along with the exacerbated activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), Transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß)-activated kinase (TAK1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways; however, the opposite results were detected in PA-treated hepatocytes with DUSP16 over-expression. The in vivo experiments confirmed that DUSP16 knockout significantly aggravated the metabolic disorder and insulin resistance in high fat diet (HFD)-challenged mice. In addition, HFD-provoked hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation were further promoted in mice with DUSP16 knockout through the same molecular mechanism as detected in vitro. Herein, these findings demonstrated that DUSP16 could directly interact with TAK1 and negatively regulate JNK signaling to alleviate metabolic stress-induced hepatic steatosis, and thus could be considered as a promising new molecular target for NAFLD treatment.

[Study on optimal harvest period of Lonicera Flos (Lonicera macranthoides)].

To ascertain the optimal harvest period of Lonicera Flos (Lonicera macranthoides) the configuration yield and quality of L. macranthiodes bloom verity and bud verity flower at different develop periods were Observed. The quality of L. macranthiodes which harvested at different times of the day was Compared. The configuration was significant difference between different develop period of L. macranthiodes flower. As bud growth, yield increased. Bloom verity of L. macranthoides chlorogenic acid content was significantly lower after opening (silver flower stage, golden flower stage), before opening (young bud stage, green-white stage) have no significant difference of the quality. Bud verity of L. macranthoides macranthoidin B is significant lower at yellow-white stage, young bud stage and green-white stage have no significant difference of the quality. The chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A content is significant difference between L. macranthoides harvested at different time of the day. The optimal harvest period of bloom verity is the white stage, picking time for 10:00 before and after 18:00. The optimal harvest period is the green-white stage, picking time is 8:00 before and after 18:00.

[Effect of fibrous root extract of Coptis chinensis on soil microbes and enzyme activities].

Coptis chinensis is widely used as Chinese medicine herbs and serious soil problems occur after continual cultivation of this medicinal plant. In the preset experiment, fibrous root extract of C. chinensis (REC) was added into soil to study the effect of REC on microbes and enzyme activity in soil. The results showed that both bacteria and actinomycetes decreased by about 2 times in contrast to fungi, which increased by about 3 folds. Phosphorus bacteria, potassium bacteria, azotobacter, ammonia bacteria, and nitrifying bacteria were also reduced significantly by REC, suggesting the inhibition of nitrogen biofixation and supply, mobilization of phosphorus and potassium, ad plant growth promotion as REC added into soil. There were multiple influences of REC on soil enzyme activities. Invertase activity was stimulated, while urease was inhibited and dehydrogenase unchanged by REC, indicating the interference of biochemical reactions in soil. In addition, type and total content of phosphorus lipid fatty acids (PLFAs) , the signature of microbes, decreased while the ratio of bacterium to fungus PLFAs increased as REC increased in soil, which suggested that fungi increased relatively with bacteria decreased thereby leading to easy occurrence of crop fungus diseases following cultivation of C. chinensis. The decrease in diversity and evenness indexes of microbial community in soil by REC indicated soil ecosystem deterioration and reduction of microbial groups and densities in soil. Therefore, allelopathic chemicals released from the roots of C. chinensis could change microbial community structure and resulted in serious soil problems by continual cropping of this medicinal plant.

[Effect of fertilization on phenolic components and antioxidant activities of Artemisia annua].

OBJECTIVE: A pot experiment with variable fertilizer treatments was carried out to study the influence of fertilization on the concentration and accumulation of polyphenols, scopoletin, chrysosplenol-D and chrysosplenetin in roots, stems and leaves and their antioxidant activities. The main aims were to fertilize scientifically in cultivation of Artemisia annua and improve the quality of the harvest organs. METHOD: These active components in leaves, stems and roots in the squaring stage were analyzed by HPLC and antioxidant activities of the extracts were evaluated by ultraviolet visible light colorimetric method. RESULT: The result showed the highest concentration of polyphenols, scopoletin, chrysosplenol-D and chrysosplenetin was in leaves, followed by stems and the lowest in roots. The antioxidant activities of the leaf extracts correlated positively with the concentrations of polyphenols, scopoletin, chrysosplenol-D and chrysosplenetin. Furthermore, fertilization promoted significantly the growth of A. annua, the biomass was increased by 57.37% (chemical fertilizer), 91.63% (mixture of chemical fertilizer and manure) and 92.27% (manure), respectively, compared to the blank control (without fertilizer). Fertilization, particularly mixture fertilization of chemical fertilizer and manure, increased generally the concentration and accumulation of polyphenols, scopoletin, chrysosplenol-D and chrysosplenetin as well as DPPH x scavenging ratio. CONCLUSION: Scopoletin, chrysosplenol-D and chrysosplenetin could be synthesized and stored mainly in leaves. The leaves might thus be the chief organ of A. annua for medical treatment. Finally, the mixture fertilization of chemical fertilizer and manure should be used to increase the yield and quality of A. annua.

[Allelopathic effect of artemisinin on green algae].

To study the growth effects of differing concentrations of artemisinin on green algae and to evaluate the ecological risk. The effects of artemisinin on the growth and the content change of chlorophyll, protein, oxygen, conductivity, SOD, CAT, MDA in Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus oblique were studied through 96 h toxicity tests. Artemisinin accelerated the growth of algae at a lower concentration ( <40 microg . L-1) with content increase of chlorophyll or protein and so on, and it inhibited the growth of algae at higher concentration ( >80 microg . L-1). The content of chlorophyll or protein in algae cells reduced with the increasing concentration of artemisinin, exhibiting the good concentration-effect relationship. SOD and CAT activity was stimulated at low concentrations ( <40 microg . L-1 ) and inhibited at high concentrations ( >80 microg . L- 1). However, MDA content increased significantly with the increase of concentration. According to the seven kinds of indicators changes, the time-response and dose-response suggested that the surfactant first hurt in Ch. pyrenoidosa was damaging membrane by changing membrane lipid molecules soluble. And primary mechanism on Chlorophyta cells might be related to the oxidation damage of lipid and other biological large molecules caused by artemisinin. The large-scale intensive planting of Artemisia annua may reduce the surrounding water productivity.

[Allelopathic effects of extracts from fibrous roots of Coptis chinensis on two leguminous species].

An experiment was carried out to study the allelopathic effects of Coptis chinensis fibrous root extracts (CRE) on the germination and seedling growth of Vicia faba and Pisum sativum in order to alleviate the allelopathic effects and increase land productivity. The seeds of both garden pea (P. sativum) and broad been (V. faba) were germinated in CRE solution of various concentrations, the germination rate, seedling growth and related physiological indexes were measured. The result indicated that there were no significant effects of CRE in low concentrations on seed germination, including both the rate and index, and seed vitality and membrane permeability. With the increment of CRE concentrations, however, the high seed membrane permeability and germination inhibition were observed. For example, the germination rates were reduced by 23.4% (P. sativum) and 9.5% (V. faba), respectively, in CRE solution with 800 mg . L-1. Simultaneously, soluble sugars and the free amino acids in the seeds were lower than those in the control (without CRE) after soaking seeds in CRE solutions. In addition, the seedling growth and nitrate reductase activity were stimulated by CRE at low concentrations in contrast to high concentrations which behaved otherwise and inhibited the nutrient utilization in endosperm. Therefore, the large amount of allelochemicals released from the roots and remains of C. chinensis in soils could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of legumes, which may lead to decrease even fail crop yields after growing this medical plant.

[Interspecific association of companion species in Artemisia annua community in southwest of China].

The interspecific association of companion species in Artemisia annua community in 48 region of southwest China was analyzed by variance analysis, chi2-test and association indices. The total related variance ratio among species in A. annua community was 2.05. Among 45 species pairs of 10 main species in the community, only 4 pairs showed significant negative correlations. Chi2 test, PC, OI, DI and AC values indicated pairs 1-8 (A. annua- A. lactiflora), 1-9 (A. annua- Setaria viridis) and 1-10 (A. annua- Bidens pilosa) showed a high correlations, and common utilization to non-restrictive resources. The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation among species,and the community was at a stable stage, showed strong ability to human interference.

[Research on population dynamics of Lonicera macranthoides aphid and natural enemy in Xiushan and evolution of pesticides].

OBJECTIVE: To study the population dynamics of aphid on Lonicera macranthoides and their natural enemy in Xiushan and control method of pesticide so as to provide scientific basis for its integrated pests management (IPM). METHOD: The field investigation and the field controlling trial were carried out for the research. RESULT: Semiaphis heraclei was the dominant species among L. macranthoides aphids. The population dynamics of apterous aphids went through five consecutive stages: initial, fluctuating, rising, peak and declining. The population dynamics of alate aphids was 4-7 days later than that apterous aphid's. Significant positive correlations were found between the population size of spiders and ladybugs which were natural enemies and number of aphids. The result of pesticides against aphids in field trial showed that 25% thiamethoxam WG, 70% imidacloprid WG and 20% acetamiprid WP had well controlling effect. CONCLUSION: Aphids on L. macranthoides could be well controlled while 25% thiamethoxam WG, 70% imidacloprid WG and 20% acetamiprid WP are sprayed during the period of aphid population raising, the early April to the mid May.

Dysfunctional Rhbdf2 of proopiomelanocortin mitigates ambient particulate matter exposure-induced neurological injury and neuron loss by antagonizing oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.

Ambient particulate matter (PM2.5)-induced metabolic syndromes is a critical contributor to the pathological processes of neurological diseases, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The rhomboid 5 homolog 2 (Rhbdf2), an essential regulator in the production of TNF-α, has recently been confirmed to exhibit a key role in regulating inflammation-associated diseases. Thus, we examined whether Rhbdf2 contributes to hypothalamic inflammation via NF-κB associated inflammation activation in long-term PM2.5-exposed mice. Specifically, proopiomelanocortin-specific Rhbdf2 deficiency (Rhbdf2Pomc) and corresponding littermates control mice were used for the current study. After 24 weeks of PM2.5 inhalation, systemic-metabolism disorder was confirmed in WT mice in terms of impaired glucose tolerance, increased insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. Markedly, PM2.5-treated Rhbdf2Pomc mice displayed a significantly opposite trend in these parameters compared with those of the controls group. We next confirmed hypothalamic injury accompanied by abnormal POMC neurons loss, as indicated by increased inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and oxidative-stress levels and decreased antioxidant activity. These results were further supported by blood routine examination. In summary, our findings suggest that Rhbdf2 plays an important role in exacerbating PM2.5-stimulated POMC neurons loss associated hypothalamic injury, thus providing a possible target for blocking pathological development of air pollution-associated diseases.