Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment Through the Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Regulating Melatonin-Mediated Mitophagy in Stroke Rats.

Previous studies found that electroacupuncture (EA) at the Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) acupoints alleviates cognitive impairment in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury rats. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of EA are unclear. Cerebral I/R injury was induced in rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Following I/R injury, the rats underwent EA therapy at the Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) acupoints for seven successive days. The Morris water maze test, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and molecular biology assays were utilized to assess the establishment of the rat stroke model with cognitive impairment and the therapeutic effect of EA. EA treatment of rats subjected to MCAO showed a significant reduction in infarct volumes accompanied by cognitive recovery, as observed in Morris water maze test outcomes. The possible mechanisms by which EA treatment attenuates cognitive impairment are by regulating endogenous melatonin secretion through aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase gene (AANAT, a rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin) synthesis in the pineal gland in stroke rats. Simultaneously, through melatonin regulation, EA exerts neuroprotective effects by upregulating mitophagy-associated proteins and suppressing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation after I/R injury. However, melatonin receptor inhibitor (luzindole) treatment reversed these changes. The findings from this research suggested that EA ameliorates cognitive impairment through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by regulating melatonin-mediated mitophagy in stroke rats.

Temperature-insensitivity gas pressure sensor based on inflated long period fiber grating inscribed in photonic crystal fiber.

We demonstrated an inflated long period fiber grating (I-LPFG) inscribed in a pure-silica photonic crystal fiber (PCF) for high-sensitivity gas pressure sensing applications. The I-LPFG was inscribed by use of the pressure-assisted CO2 laser beam-scanning technique to inflate periodically air holes of a PCF along the fiber axis. Such an I-LPFG with periodic inflations exhibits a very high gas pressure sensitivity of 1.68 nm/MPa, which is one order of magnitude higher than that, i.e., 0.12 nm/Mpa, of the LPFG without periodic inflations. Moreover, the I-LPFG has a very low temperature sensitivity of 3.1 pm/°C due to the pure silica material in the PCF so that the pressure measurement error, resulting from the cross-sensitivity between temperature and gas pressure, is less than 1.8 Kpa/°C in the case of no temperature compensation. So the I-LPFG could be used to develop a promising gas pressure sensor, and the achieved pressure measurement range is up to 10 MPa.

Simultaneous measurement of strain and temperature by employing fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

We demonstrated a novel fiber in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with a large fringe visibility of up to 17 dB, which was fabricated by misaligned splicing a short section of thin core fiber between two sections of standard single-mode fiber. Such a MZI could be used to realize simultaneous measurement of tensile strain and temperature. Tensile strain was measured with an ultrahigh sensitivity of -0.023 dB/µÉ› via the intensity modulation of interference fringes, and temperature was measured with a high sensitivity of 51 pm/°C via the wavelength modulation of interference fringe. That is, the MZI-based sensor overcomes the cross-sensitivity problem between tensile strain and temperature by means of different demodulation methods. Moreover, this proposed sensor exhibits the advantages of low-cost, extremely simple structure, compact size (only about 10 mm), and good repeatability.

High-sensitivity strain sensor based on inflated long period fiber grating.

We demonstrated a high-sensitivity strain sensor based on an inflated long period fiber grating (I-LPFG). The I-LPFG was inscribed, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, by use of the pressure-assisted CO(2) laser beam scanning technique to inflate periodically air holes of a photonic crystal fiber. Such periodic inflations enhanced the sensitivity of the LPFG-based strain sensor to -5.62 pm/µÎµ. After high temperature annealing, the I-LPFG achieved a good repeatability and stability of temperature response with a sensitivity of 11.92 pm/°C.

High-sensitivity strain sensor based on in-fiber improved Fabry-Perot interferometer.

We demonstrated a high-sensitivity strain sensor based on an in-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) with an air cavity, which was created by splicing together two sections of standard single-mode fibers. The sensitivity of this strain sensor was enhanced to 6.0 pm/µÎµ by improving the cavity length of the FPI by means of repeating arc discharges for reshaping the air cavity. Moreover, such a strain sensor has a very low temperature sensitivity of 1.1 pm/°C, which reduces the cross sensitivity between tensile strain and temperature.

Effects of Salidroside on cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia damage and mTOR signaling repression in PC12 cells.

Salidroside (SA), a phenylpropanoid glycoside isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., has been documented to exert a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, including protective effects against neuronal death induced by various stresses. To provide further insights into the neuroprotective functions of SA, this study examined whether SA can attenuate cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced hypoxia damage and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling repression in PC12 differentiated cells. Differentiated PC12 cells were exposed to CoCl2 for 12 h to mimic hypoxic/ischemic conditions and treated with SA at the same time, followed by electron microscopy and analysis of cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) level, and the regulated in development and DNA damage responses (REDD1)/mTOR/ p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) signaling pathway. Our data indicated that SA can dramatically attenuate the ultrastructural damage of mitochondria induced by CoCl2 and significantly decrease CoCl2-induced ROS production. Moreover, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) was significantly reduced by CoCl2, and this inhibition was relieved by the treatment of SA in PC12 cells, as evidenced by immunoblot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses. The SA effects were blocked by pretreatment of RAD001. The results indicate that SA can rescue CoCl2-induced repression of REDD1/mTOR/ p70S6K signal transduction in PC12 cells. Our data demonstrate that SA is able to attenuate CoCl2-induced hypoxia damage and mTOR signaling repression, suggesting that SA may protect brain neurons from ischemic injury through mTOR signaling, and provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemic.

Tunable phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating based on femtosecond laser fabricated in-grating bubble.

We present a type of phase-shifted fiber Bragg gratings based on an in-grating bubble fabricated by femtosecond (fs) laser ablation together with a fusion-splicing technique. A microchannel vertically crossing the bubble is drilled by fs laser to allow liquid to flow in or out. By filling different refractive index (RI) liquid into the bubble, the phase-shift peak is found to experience a linear red shift with the increase of RI, while little contribution to the change of phase shift comes from the temperature and axial strain. Therefore, such a PS-FBG could be used to develop a promising tunable optical filter and sensor.

Quantitative Assessment of Horizontal Ecological Compensation for Cultivated Land Based on an Improved Ecological Footprint Model: A Case Study of Jiangxi Province, China.

Cultivated land horizontal ecological compensation is an essential means of reconciling agricultural ecosystem protection and regional economic development. It is important to design a horizontal ecological compensation standard for cultivated land. Unfortunately, there are some defects in the existing quantitative assessments of horizontal cultivated land ecological compensation. In order to raise the accuracy of ecological compensation amounts, this study established an improved ecological footprint model based on the ecosystem service function, focused on estimating the value of ecosystem service function, ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity, ecological balance index and ecological compensation values of cultivated land in all cities of Jiangxi province. It then analyzed the rationality of ecological compensation amounts in Jiangxi province, which is one of the 13 provinces of major grain-producing areas in China. The results show the following: (1) The total value of soil conservation service function, carbon sequestration and oxygen release service function and ecosystem service function in Jiangxi province showed a spatial distribution trend of "gradually increasing around Poyang Lake Basin". (2) The cultivated land ecological deficit areas in Jiangxi province are Nanchang City, Jiujiang City and Pingxiang City; ecological surplus areas are Yichun City, Ji'an City and eight other cities; and there is an obvious "Spatial Agglomeration" phenomenon in ecological deficit and ecological surplus areas where ecological deficit areas are mainly concentrated in the northwest region of Jiangxi. (3) The amount needed to attain fair ecological compensation for cultivated land is 5.2 times the payment amount for cultivated land; this indicated there is larger arable land, a favorable condition for agricultural cultivation, and better supply capacity of ecosystem services in most of the cities of Jiangxi. (4) The compensation amount for cultivated land ecological surplus areas in Jiangxi province is generally higher than the cost of ecological protection, and its proportion in GDP, fiscal revenue and agriculture-related expenditure is significantly higher than that in ecological deficit areas; this indicated that the compensation value of cultivated land could play the driving role in the protective behavior for cultivated land. The results provide a theoretical and methodological reference for the construction of horizontal ecological compensation standards for cultivated land.

[Electroacupuncture alleviates cerebral ischemia injury in rats by regulating melatonin-NLRP3 and inhibiting pyroptosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture in alleviating cerebral ischemia injury in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats by regulating melatonin - NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) mediated pyroptosis. METHODS: A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, electroacupuncture (EA) group and EA +Luz group, with 12 rats in each group. The focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury model was established by middle cerebral artery embolization. Rats of the EA group was treated with EA stimulation (4 Hz/20 Hz, 0.5 mA,20 min) at "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24) once a day for 7 consecutive days; rats of EA+Luz group were given the same EA treatment and intraperitoneally administered melatonin receptor antagonist (luzindole, 30 mg/kg), once a day for 7 consecutive days. The neurological impairment was evaluated by Zea Longa score. The level of serum melatonin content at 12:00 and 24:00 was detected by ELISA. The percentage of cerebral infarction volume was evaluated by MRI of small animals. The apoptosis rate of nerve cells in cerebral cortex of infarct side was detected by TUNEL staining. The activation of microglia cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 and interleukin (IL) -1ß were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the neural function score was significantly increased (P<0.01); the melatonin content was significantly decreased at 24:00 (P<0.01); the percentage of cerebral infarction volume, apoptosis rate of nerve cells in cerebral cortex area of infarction side, the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1ß proteins were significantly increased (P<0.01); and microglia cells were significantly activated in the model group.Compared with the model and EA +Luz groups, the nerve function score was significantly decreased (P<0.05); the percentage of cerebral infarction volume, the nerve cell apoptosis rate, the activation level of microglia cells, the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1ß were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA group. Compared with the model and EA+Luz groups, the melatonin content at 24:00 was significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA at GV20 and GV24 can reduce the neurolo-gical injury in cerebral ischemia reperfusion model rats, which may be related to regulating the expression of endogenous melatonin, inhibiting cell scorchification and reducing cerebral ischemia injury.

Electroacupuncture alleviates neurological function via activating the Yap-OPA1 axis and mitochondrial fusion in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. / 电针通过Yesç›¸å ³è›‹ç™½-视神经萎缩蛋白1ä¿¡å·è½´æ¿€æ´»çº¿ç²’ä½“èžåˆåŠŸèƒ½å‡è½»å¤§é¼ è„‘ç¼ºè¡€å†çŒæ³¨æŸä¼¤çš„æœºåˆ¶ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in alleviating cerebral ische-mia injury by activating the Yap-OPA1 signaling axis. METHODS: A total of 48 male SD rats were used in the present study. The focal CIRI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and reperfusion (MCAO/R), followed by dividing the CIRI rats into model group, EA group and EA+Ver (Verteporfin, Yap antagonist) group (n=12 in each group). And another 12 normal rats were used as the sham operation group. For rats of the EA group, EA (4 Hz/20 Hz, 0.5 mA) was applied to "Baihui"(GV20) and "Shenting"(GV24) for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. The neurological deficit score (0 to 4 points) was given according to Longa's method. The infarct volume of rats in each group was assessed by TTC method, and the expression levels of Yes associated protein (Yap), Optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1), mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) proteins and mRNAs in cerebral cortex of infarcted side, as well as Bax (proapoptotic factor) and Bcl-1 (anti-apoptotic protein) proteins were detected by Westernblot, and real-time PCR, and the immunoactivity of Yap and OPA1 was detected by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: After modeling, the infarct volume, neurological deficit score and the expression of Bax were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expressions of Yap, OPA1, Mfn2, Mfn1, and Bcl-2 were significantly down-regulated in the model group relevant to the sham operation group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the neurological deficit score, infarct volume and the expression of Bax were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the expression levels of Yap, OPA1, Mfn2, Mfn1 proteins and mRNAs and Bcl-2 protein, Yap and OPA1 immunofluorescence intensify were considerably up-regulated in the EA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). Following administration of Ver, the effects of EA in down-regulating the neurological score, infarct volume, and Bax expression and up-regulating the expressions of Yap, OPA1, Mfn1, Mfn2 proteins and mRNAs and Yap and OPA1 immunofluorescence intensify were eliminated. CONCLUSIONS: EA of GV20 and GV24 can improve the neurological function in rats with CIRI, which may be associated with its functions in activating mitochondrial fusion function and up-regulating Yap-OPA1 signaling axis.

[Electroacupuncture promotes the repair of neurological function in ischemic stroke rats by inhi-biting cofilin rod formation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on modified neurological severity score (mNSS), cerebral infarction volume, expression of Lim domain kinase-1 (LIMK1) and slingshot homolog-1 (SSH1) proteins, Cofilin rod formation and neural cell apoptosis in rats with ischemic stroke (IS), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of IS. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model and EA groups, with 13 rats in each group. The IS model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) according to Zea Longa's method. EA was applied to "Quchi" (LI11) and "Zusanli" (ST36) for 30 min, once a day for 7 consecutive days. The behavioral changes of mNSS were observed before and after modeling. The volume of cerebral infarction was measured by using a small animal magnetic resonance imaging. The protein expressions of LIMK1 and SSH1 in the cerebral ischemic tissues were detected by Western blot. The density of Cofilin rod and neural cell apoptosis in cerebral ischemic area were determined by immunofluorescence staining and TUNEL staining, separately. RESULTS: After modeling, the mNSS score, cerebral infarction volume ratio, expression level of SSH1, density of Cofilin rod and the number of apoptotic cells were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the expression level of LIMK1 protein was obviously decreased in the model group relevant to the normal group (P<0.01). After 7 days' treatment, all the increased and decreased levels of the indexes mentioned above were reversed in the EA group relevant to the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA of LI11 and ST36 can improve neurological function and reduce infarction range in MCAO rats, which may be related to its action in regulating the expression of LIMK1 and SSH1, inhibiting the formation of Cofilin rod and reducing apoptosis of neural cells.

[Electroacupuncture ameliorates ischemic injury in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats by regulating endogenous melatonin and inhibiting the activation of astrocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at "Baihui"(GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24) on the expression of melatonin synthesis rate-limiting enzyme-arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase(AANAT)in pineal gland of rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, so as to explore the mechanism of EA underlying improving ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Forty-eight SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model, EA and non-acupoint groups, with 12 rats in each group. The focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury rat model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Rats of the EA group received EA at GV20 and GV24, while those in the non-acupoint group received EA at non-acupoints below the costal margins on both sides for 20 min, once daily for 7 days. The neurological deficit score (0 to 4 points) was given after successful modeling according to Longa's method. Morris water maze test was used to assess the cognitive function of rat. ELISA was used to detect the plasma melatonin content, and PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of AANAT in the pineal gland, separately. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the activation of astrocytes and neuronal injury in the hippocampus. RESULTS: After focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and compared with the sham operation group, the neurological deficit score, the escape latency, and the expression of GFAP were significantly increased (P<0.01)，while the times of platform quadrant crossing, the secretion of melatonin at 24:00，AANAT mRNA and protein expression levels and NeuN protein expression were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01). After EA at GV20 and GV24, the above-mentioned indexes all reversed in the EA group relative to the model group, and there were significant differences between the two groups(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the changes of the abovementioned indexes in the non-acupoint group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA at GV20 and GV24 can alleviate neurological deficit and improve cognitive function in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats，which may be related to its effects in up-regulating endogenous melatonin levels, inhibiting the activation of astrocytes and protecting damaged neurons in the hippocampus.

Evaluation of eight-style Tai chi on cognitive function in patients with cognitive impairment of cerebral small vessel disease: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a critical factor that causes cognitive decline and progresses to vascular dementia and acute cerebrovascular events. Tai chi has been proven to improve nerve plasticity formation and directly improve cognitive function compared with other sports therapy, which has shown its unique advantages. However, more medical evidence needs to be collected in order to verify that Tai chi exercises can improve cognitive impairment due to CSVD. The main purposes of this study are to investigate the effect of Tai chi exercise on neuropsychological outcomes of patients with cognitive impairment related to CSVD and to explore its mechanism of action with neuroimaging, including functional MRI (fMRI) and event-related potential (P300). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The design of this study is a randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups in a 1:1 allocation ratio with allocation concealment and assessor blinding. A total of 106 participants will be enrolled and randomised to the 24-week Tai chi exercise intervention group and 24-week health education control group. Global cognitive function and the specific domains of cognition (memory, processing speed, executive function, attention and verbal learning and memory) will be assessed at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks after randomisation. At the same time, fMRI and P300 will be measured the structure and function of brain regions related to cognitive function at baseline and 24 weeks after randomisation. Recruitment is currently ongoing (recruitment began on 9 November 2020). The approximate completion date for recruitment is in April 2021, and we anticipate to complete the study by December 2021. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was given by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated People's Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval number: 2019-058-04). The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2000033176; Pre-results.

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Ischemic Brain Injury and Cellular Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Translocation of Cofilin.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential mechanisms of electroacupuncture (EA) to prevent ischemic stroke. METHODS: The method of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was employed to establish a rat model of ischemic stroke. Seventy-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham group, MCAO + EA control (EC) group, and MCAO + EA (EA) group according to a random number table (n=26 per group). EA was applied to the acupoints of Baihui (DU 20) and Shenting (DU 24) 5 min and 6 h, respectively after the onset of MCAO. Rats in the sham and EC groups received only light isoflurane anesthesia for 30 min after MCAO. The neuroprotective effects of EA were evaluated by rota-rod test, neurological deficit scores and infarct volumes. Additionally, Nissl staining and immunostaining were performed to examine brain damage, rod formation, cellular apoptosis, and neuronal loss induced by ischemia. The activities of caspase-3, and expression levels of cofilin and p-cofilin in mitochondria and cytoplasm after ischemic injury were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the EC group, EA significantly improved neuromotor function and cognitive ability after ischemic stroke (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Therapeutic use of EA also resulted in a significant decrease of cofilin rod formation and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) degradation in the cortical penumbra area compared with the EC rats (P<0.01). Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that EA stimulation significantly inhibited mitochondrial translocation of cofilin and caspase-3 cleavage (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Additionally, brain damage (infarct volume and neuropathy), cellular apoptosis and neuronal loss induced by ischemia were remarkably suppressed by EA in the cortical penumbra of rats (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA treatment after ischemic stroke may attenuate ischemic brain injury and cellular apoptosis through the regulation of mitochondrial translocation of cofilin, a novel mechanism of EA therapy.

Inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway by Qianliening capsules suppresses the growth and induces the apoptosis of human prostate cells.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway is one of the main growth factor­mediated signal transduction pathways and is closely associated with the occurrence and development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Qianliening capsules (QC) have significant therapeutic effects on BPH; however, the precise mechanism underlying its anti­BPH activity remains to be elucidated. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effect of QC on BPH, the present study used epidermal growth factor (EGF), which has a role in the pathogenesis of BPH, to stimulate the growth of human prostate WPMY­1 cells and activate the STAT3 pathway in the WPMY­1 cells. The cell viability was determined using an MTT assay and the cell morphology was observed by phase­contrast microscopy. Fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis with Annexin­V/propidium iodide (PI) staining and PI staining were performed to examine cell apoptosis and the cell cycle. The activation of caspase­9 and ­3 were evaluated by colorimetric assay. STAT3 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity were detected by western blot analysis and the luciferase gene reporter, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of B­cell lymhoma 2 (Bcl­2), Bcl­2­associated X protein (Bax), cyclin D1, cyclin­dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and p21 were measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. In the present study, QC was found to significantly and dose­dependently inhibit the EGF­stimulated growth of WPMY­1 cells, as evidenced by QC­induced cell -morphological changes and a reduction in cell viability. In addition, QC treatment markedly induced the activation of caspase­9 and ­3. QC treatment also inhibited the EGF­mediated increase of STAT3 phosphorylation levels and transcriptional activity in WPMY­19 cells, accompanied by downregulation of the expression of Bcl­2, cyclin D1 and CDK4 and upregulation of the expression of Bax and p21. These results suggested that QC effectively inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of human prostate cells via modulation of the STAT3 signaling pathway and its target genes, which is likely to be one of the mechanisms underlying its activity in BPH treatment.

Anti-proliferative effects of qianliening capsules on prostatic hyperplasia in vitro and in vivo.

Previous studies by our group showed that Qianliening capsules (QC), a clinically proven effective traditional Chinese formulation that has long been used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is capable of inhibiting BPH in vivo and in vitro via the promotion of apoptosis, suppression of the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway and regulating the expression of sex hormones as well as their receptors. However, the mechanism of its anti-BPH activity has remained to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of QC in vivo and in vitro. Castrated male Sprage-Dawley (SD) rats where subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate and the WPMY-1 cell line was stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor in order to generate BPH in vivo and in vitro separately, both of which were then subjected to QC treatment. Finasteride was used as a positive control drug for the in vivo study. In the present study, it was found that treatment with QC or finasteride significantly reduced the prostatic index (PI=prostate wet weight/body weight x 100) in a rat model of BPH (P<0.05). In addition, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analyses showed that QC or finasteride treatment significantly inhibited model construction-induced upregulation of expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 in prostatic tissues of rats with BPH (P<0.05). The in vitro study further proved that QC exhibited anti-proliferative properties via G1/S cell cycle arrest in the WPMY-1 cell line, as evidenced by colony formation, flow cytometric cell cycle, immunoblot and RT-PCR analyses. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that inhibition of cell proliferation via G1/S cell cycle arrest may be one of the underlying mechanisms of the effect of QC on BPH.

miRNA Regulation Network Analysis in Qianliening Capsule Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the molecular mechanism by which Qianliening capsule (QC) treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods. Benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell line BPH-1 was treated with 0, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL QC for 48 h, respectively. Evaluation of cell viability and observation of morphologic changes of BPH-1 cell gene expression and miRNA expression profiles were analyzed. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm changes in miRNA and gene expression. GO and KEGG pathway-based approaches were used to investigate biological functions and signaling pathways affected by differentially expressed mRNAs. Results. QC inhibited BPH-1 cell proliferation. Differential expression of 19 upregulated and 2 downregulated miRNAs was observed in QC-treated BPH-1 cells compared to untreated control cells. 107 upregulated and 71 downregulated genes were identified between the two groups. Significantly enriched signaling pathways based on deregulated mRNAs were mainly involved in regulation of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and so on. Additionally, miRNA-mRNA network analysis integrated these miRNAs and genes by outlining interactions of miRNA and related genes. Conclusion. The study was the first report of differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA in QC-treated BPH-1 cells.

Inhibition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Total Alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir Involves Suppression of Hedgehog Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of total alkaloids of Rubus alceifolius Poir (TARAP) on the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and furthermore investigated the possible molecular mechanisms mediating its anticancer activity. METHODS: We implanted nude mice with human HCC HepG2 cells and fed them with vehicle (physiological saline) or 3 g/kg/day dose of TARAP 5 days per week for 21 days. We determined the in vitro effect of TARAP on the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells by transwell assay. We evaluated SHH signaling components' (SHH, PTCH, SMO, and Gli1) expression levels by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Activity of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in supernatants was analyzed by zymography. The expression of the MMPs and their specific tissue inhibitor (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases, TIMP-1, 2) in HCC tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We discovered that TARAP inhibited hepatocellular migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In addition, TARAP decreased the expression of SHH, PTCH, SMO, and Gli1 in HCC mouse tumors at both transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, TARAP inhibited the activity of MMP2 and MMP9. We found that TARAP reduced the expression of MMP2 and MMP9, as well as the tissue inhibitor of MMPs. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that TARAP inhibits HCC migration and invasion likely through suppression of the hedgehog pathway. This may, in part, explain its anticancer properties. These results suggest that total alkaloids in Rubus alceifolius may have potential as a novel antimetastasis drug in the treatment of HCC.

Bear bile powder inhibits angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on angiogenesis, and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: A chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to evaluate the angiogensis in vivo. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/mL of BBP for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the viability of HUVECs. Cell cycle progression of HUVECs was examined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with propidium iodide staining. HUVEC migration was determined by wound healing method. An ECMatrix gel system was used to evaluate the tube formation of HUVECs. The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in both HUVECs and HepG2 human cells were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, BBP inhibited angiogenesis in vivo in the CAM model (P< 0.01). In addition, treatment with 0.25-1 mg/mL of BBP for 24, 48, or 72 h respectively reduced cell viability by 14%-27%, 29%-69% and 33%-91%, compared with the untreated control cells (P< 0.01). Additionally, BBP inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs via blocking the cell cycle G to S progression, compared with the S phase of untreated cells 48.05%± 5.00%, 0.25-0.75 mg/mL BBP reduced S phase to 40.38%± 5.30%, 36.54± 4.50% and 32.13± 3.50%, respectively (Pglt; 0.05). Moreover, BBP inhibited the migration and tube formation of HUVECs, compared with the tube length of untreated cells 100%± 12%, 0.25-0.75 mg/mL BBP reduced the tube length to 62%± 9%, 43%± 5% and 17%± 3%, respectively (p< 0.01). Furthermore, BBP treatment down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of VEGF-A in both HepG2 cells and HUVECs. CONCLUSION: BBP could inhibit the angiogenesis by reducing VEGF-A expression, which may, in part, explain its anti-tumor activity.