Isoacteoside attenuates acute kidney injury induced by severe acute pancreatitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a common acute abdominal disease accompanied by systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which may be complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI). Isoacteoside (ISO) is the active ingredient of Monochasma savatieri Franch. ex Maxim and has been reported to have anti­inflammatory activities. The present study detected the effects of ISO on AKI induced by SAP in rat models, and the underlying mechanism. The optimum dose of ISO for treatment of AKI induced by SAP was determined. The serum levels of TNF­α and IL­6 were estimated using an ELISA. Kidney injury was evaluated by histopathological examination, and the expression levels of nitric oxide were also detected. The expression levels of Toll­like receptor 4 (TLR4) and NF­κB p65 were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The results revealed that ISO may serve a critical role in ameliorating AKI induced by SAP. These effects may be associated with the TLR4/NF­κB signaling pathway.

MnO2 nanotubes assembled on conductive graphene/polyester composite fabric as a three-dimensional porous textile electrode for flexible electrochemical capacitors.

A three-dimensional (3D) electrode material was successfully synthesized through a facile ZnO-assisted hydrothermal process in which vertical MnO2 nanotube arrays were in situ grown on the conductive graphene/polyester composite fabric. The morphology and structure of MnO2 nanotubes/graphene/polyester textile electrode were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The 3D electrode structure facilitates to achieve the maximum number of active sites for the pesudocapacitance redox reaction, fast electrolyte ion transportation and short ion diffusion path. The electrochemical measurements showed that the electrode possesses good capacitance capacity which reached 498F/g at a scan rate of 2mV/s in Na2SO4 electrolyte solution. The electrode also showed stable electrochemical performances under the conditions of long-term cycling, and mechanical bending and twisting.

Effects of ω-3 Fatty Acids on Toll-like Receptor 4 and Nuclear Factor κB p56 in the Pancreas of Rats With Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the effects of ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3FAs) on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor κB p56 (NF-κBp56) signaling pathway in the pancreas of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Sixty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control, SAP-saline, SAP-soybean oil, and SAP-ω-FA groups. Severe acute pancreatitis was induced by the retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp56 in the pancreas was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in the pancreas were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Toll-like receptor 4, NF-κBp56, and inflammatory cytokine expression in the pancreas was increased significantly in the SAP group compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05), but was significantly decreased in the ω-3FA group compared with that in the soybean oil group at 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that during the initial stage of SAP ω-3FAs could efficiently lower the inflammatory response by activating the TLR4/NF-κBp56 signaling pathway.

Fabrication of Polyaniline/Graphene/Polyester Textile Electrode Materials for Flexible Supercapacitors with High Capacitance and Cycling Stability.

Vertical polyaniline (PANI) nanowire arrays on graphene-sheet-coated polyester cloth (RGO/PETC) were fabricated by the in situ chemical polymerization of aniline. The 3D conductive network that was formed by the graphene sheets greatly enhanced the conductivity of PANI/RGO/PETC and improved its mechanical stability. PANI nanowire arrays increased the active surface area of PANI, whilst the hierarchically porous structure of the PANI/RGO/PETC electrode facilitated the diffusion of the electrolyte ions. Electrochemical measurements showed that the composite electrode exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 1293 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1) . Capacitance retention was greater than 95 %, even after 3000 cycles, which indicated that the electrode material has excellent cycling stability. Moreover, the electrode structure endowed the PANI/RGO/PETC electrode with a stable electrochemical performance under mechanical bending and stretching.

Effects of ω-3 fatty acids on toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB p56 in lungs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To determine the effects of ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3FA) on the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor κB p56 (NF-κBp56) signal pathway in the lungs of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: A total of 56 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, SAP-saline group, SAP-soybean oil group and SAP-ω-3FA group. SAP was induced by the retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp56 in the lungs was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the lungs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp56 in lungs and of inflammatory cytokines in serum significantly increased in the SAP group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), but was significantly decreased in the ω-3FA group compared with the soybean oil group at 12 and 24 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: During the initial stage of SAP, ω-3FA can efficiently lower the inflammatory response and reduce lung injury by triggering the TLR4/NF-κBp56 signal pathway.

[ERK activation effects on GABA secretion inhibition induced by SDF-1 in hippocampal neurons of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of extracellular regulating kinase (ERK) signaling pathway on the secretion of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons induced by stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1). METHODS: The hippocampal neurons of newborn SD rats were cultured and identified in vitro; the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 was examined by Western blot; ELISA was used to detect the effect of PD98059, a ERK1/2 specific blocker on GABA secretion of cultured hippocampal neurons and Western blot were adopted to measure the protein expression levels of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65/67) and gamma aminobutyric acid transporter (GAT); after blocking ERK1/2 signaling pathway with PD98059; RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of GAT-1 and GAD65 after treated with PD98059. RESULTS: The levels of ERKl/2 phosphorylation were increased significantly by SDF1 acting on hippocampal neurons, and CX-CR4 receptor blocker AMD3100, could inhibit SDF-1 induced ERK1/2 activation; SDF-1 could inhibit the secretion of GABA in cultured hippocampal neurons, and ERK1/2 specific inhibitor PD98059, could partly reverse the inhibition of GABA secretion by SDF-1. The effects of SDF-1 on cultured hippocampal neurons was to decrease the mRNA genesis of glutamic acid decarboxylase GAD65 and GABA transporter GAT-1, besides, ERK inhibitor PD98059 could effectively flip the effect of SDF-1. The results of Western blot showed that SDF-1 could inhibit the protein expression of GAT-1 and GAD65/67 in hippocampal neurons and the inhibition of GAT-1 and GAD65/67 protein expression could be partially restored by ERK1/2 blocker. CONCLUSION: SDF-1 acts on the CXCR4 of hippocampal neurons in vitro, and inhibits the expression of GAD by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and this may represent one possible pathway of GABA secretion inhibition.

Caspase-1 inhibition alleviates acute renal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To assess the effect of inhibition of caspase-1 on acute renal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). METHODS: Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: healthy controls (HC, n = 6), SAP rats treated with saline (SAP-S, n = 18), or SAP rats treated with a caspase-1/interleukin (IL)-1ß-converting-enzyme (ICE) inhibitor (SAP-I-ICE, n = 18). SAP was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate into the bile-pancreatic duct. HC rats were subjected to identical treatment and surgical procedures without sodium taurocholate. Rats received an intraperitoneal injection of isotonic saline (SAP-S) or the inhibitor (SAP-ICE-I) at 2 and 12 h after induction of acute pancreatitis. Surviving rats were sacrificed at different time points after SAP induction; all samples were obtained and stored for subsequent analyses. The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were measured using automatic methods, and serum IL-1ß concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intrarenal expression of IL-1ß, IL-18 and caspase-1 mRNAs was detected by RT-PCR. IL-1ß protein expression and the pathologic changes in kidney tissues were observed by microscopy after immunohistochemical or hematoxylin and eosin staining, respectively. RESULTS: The serum levels of BUN and Cr in the SAP-S group were 12.48 ± 2.30 mmol/L and 82.83 ± 13.89 µmol/L at 6 h, 23.53 ± 2.58 mmol/L and 123.67 ± 17.67 µmol/L at 12 h, and 23.60 ± 3.33 mmol/L and 125.33 ± 21.09 µmol/L at 18 h, respectively. All were significantly increased compared to HC rats (P < 0.01 for all). Levels in SAP-ICE-I rats were significantly decreased compared to SAP-S rats both at 12 and 18 h (P < 0.01 for all). Serum IL-1ß levels in the SAP-S group were 276.77 ± 44.92 pg/mL at 6 h, 308.99 ± 34.95 pg/mL at 12 h, and 311.60 ± 46.51 pg/mL at 18 h; all significantly higher than those in the HC and SAP-ICE-I groups (P < 0.01 for all). Intrarenal expression of IL-1ß mRNA was weak in HC rats, but increased significantly in SAP-S rats (P < 0.01). ICE inhibition significantly decreased the expression of IL-1ß and IL-18 mRNAs (P < 0.05 for all vs SAP-S), whereas caspase-1 mRNA expression was not significantly different. Weak IL-1ß immunostaining was observed in HC animals, and marked staining was found in the SAP-S group mainly in renal tubular epithelial cells. IL-1ß immunostaining was significantly descended in SAP-ICE-I rats compared to SAP-S rats (P < 0.05). Caspase-1 inhibition had no effect on the severity of kidney tissue destruction. CONCLUSION: The expression of caspase-1-activated cytokines IL-1ß and IL-18 plays a pivotal role in acute renal injury in rats with experimental SAP. Caspase-1 inhibition improves renal function effectively.

Increased expression of chymase in inflammatory polyps in elderly patients with functional bowel disorder.

Chymase, a chymotrypsin-like protease, is a non-angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) angiotensin II (Ang II)-generating enzyme. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether chymase activity was increased in inflammatory polyps of elderly patients with functional bowel disorder (FBD). This study enrolled 45 elderly patients with FBD and 44 healthy control individuals. Expression of chymase in intestinal mucosa was assessed using fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC showed an increased number of chymase-positive mast cells in inflammatory polyps than in healthy intestinal mucosa (P<0.05). Compared with healthy mucosa, expression of chymase at the mRNA and protein level was significantly higher in inflammatory polyps. The frequencies of the chymase GG genotype and the G allele type were higher in the intestinal mucosa of patients with FBD compared with healthy controls (66.67 versus 40.91%, 81.11 versus 63.63%, both P<0.05). The frequency of the G allele type in the intestinal mucosa of the C4 subgroup of FBD was higher than that in the control group. However, in other FBD subgroups, there was no difference between patients and controls. Based on the fact that enhanced chymase expression was observed in inflammatory polyps of elderly patients with FBD relative to those in healthy controls, it was concluded that chymase has a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory polyps in elderly patients with FBD.

[Effects of root exudates of clover (Trifolium repens) on PAH microbial degradation and dioxygenase].

To demonstrate rhizospheric effect on the mechanism of (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) PAH degradation, and to establish a proper joint phyto-microbial remediation mode, microcosms containing microorganisms and PAHs (pyrene and benzo[a]Pyrene) were added with clover (Trifolium repens) root exudates to study their effects on PAH degradation. Dioxygenase gene and 16S rDNA gene copy number changes during the biodegradation process were analyzed, and the microorganism with a good ability for degrading PAHs was identified. The results showed that Mycobacterium M1 had the capability to degrade PAHs. When total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of clover root exudates was 35.5 mg · L(-1), pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene degradation rates increased significantly, and the proportion of dioxygenase gene to 16S rDNA of Mycobacterium M1 increased. In the biodegradation process, dioxygenase gene copy number increased significantly, whereas 16S rDNA copy number increase was not so obvious, showing that the former was related to degradation process, but the latter was related to microbial numbers. It was concluded that the clover root exudates promoted the dioxygenase gene copy number of Mycobacterium M1, which contributed to the degradation of PAHs.

Toxicity Assessment of Cadinene Sesquiterpenes from Eupatorium adenophorum in Mice.

This study evaluated toxic efficacy of Eupatorium adenophorum extracts, against the Kunming mice. In acute study, we firstly tested median lethal dose (LD50) in mice of three cadinene sesquiterpenes 2-deoxo-2-(acetyloxy)-9-oxoageraphorone (DAOA), 9-oxo-agerophorone (OA) and 9-oxo-10,11-dehydro-agerophorone (ODA) from Eupatorium adenophorum (Ea). DAOA (215-4640 mg/kg BW, given orally) showed lowest LD50 at 926 mg/kg BW for male mice in contrast with OA (1470 mg/kg BW) and ODA (1470 mg/kg BW). In sub-acute study, repeated doses (75-300 mg/kg BW, for 7 days) of DAOA/OA increased blood parameters, liver and spleen index in dose dependent relationship, along with decrease in thymus index. The blood biochemical and histopathological examination showed that DAOA/OA dose 300 mg/kg BW significantly causes pathological changes of hepatic lobules and hepatocytes, which are consistent with cholestasis and hepatic injury. 75 mg/kg dose of DAOA/OA was found to be approximately/totally safe over the span of 7 days treatment showing no change in all above described parameters. Cadinene sesquiterpenes guarantee low risk to environment as a type of low toxic botanical components, which may find potential application in biopesticides development field.

[Assessment of bioaccessibility of PAHs in microbial degradation process using solid phase micro extraction and solid phase extraction].

In order to demonstrate the variation of bioaccessibility of PAHIs in microbial degradation process, PAH contaminated coking plant soil was remediated using microbial agent, and the bioaccessibility of PAHs was assessed using solid phase micro extraction (SPME) and solid phase extraction (SPE), difference and correlation between PAH degradation and PAH bioaccessbility variation were also analyzed. Results showed that the dominant PAHs in the coking plant soil and its pore water were low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs, and 68.3% of total PAH was degraded by the microbial agent, which was mainly due to the LMW PAH degradation. Decrease of PAH concentration in soil pore water was also contributed by LMW PAHs, however, individual PAH reductions in soil pore water were lower than those PAH degradations. Fast desorption fraction was calculated from Tenax-TA extraction, and those fractions for LMW PAHs decreased, while those for high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs did not change significantly. Strong correlation between PAH degraded and PAH concentration in soil pore water or fast desorption fraction of Tenax-TA extraction was observed. The results above demonstrated that PAH concentration in soil pore water and fast desorption fraction of Tenax-TA extraction can be used to predict PAH degradation in soil, which provided some theoretical basis for the remediation of PAH contaminated soil from coking plant.

Evaluation of the combination of 1,3-dichloropropene and dazomet as an efficient alternative to methyl bromide for cucumber production in China.

BACKGROUND: The combination of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and dazomet (DZ) offers a potential alternative to methyl bromide (MB) for soil disinfection. MB is scheduled to be withdrawn from routine use by 2015 in developing countries. Combination treatments of 1,3-D + DZ were evaluated in a laboratory study and in two commercial cucumber fields. RESULTS: Laboratory studies found that nearly all of the tested combinations of 1,3-D and DZ displayed positive synergistic activity on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), two major soilborne fungi (Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp.) and the seeds of two major weed species (Digitaria sanguinalis and Abutilon theophrasti). Field trials revealed that the combination of 1,3-D and DZ (at 10 + 25 g m(-2) ) successfully suppressed Meloidogyne spp. root galling, sharply reduced Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp. and maintained high cucumber yields. The combination treatment of 1,3-D + DZ was more effective than 1,3-D or DZ alone and provided results similar to methyl bromide with respect to pest control, plant mortality, plant height, yield and income. All of the treatments were significantly better than the non-treated control. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the tested combination of 1,3-D and DZ offers an efficient alternative to methyl bromide for cucumber production.