Identification of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Proliferative Neolignanamides from Warburgia ugandensis Employing Multi-Target Affinity Ultrafiltration and LC-MS.

Previous reports have illustrated that the incidence and mortality of cancer are increasing year by year worldwide. In addition, the occurrence, development, recurrence and metastasis of cancer are closely related to inflammation, which is a kind of defensive response of human body to various stimuli. As an important medicinal plant in Africa, Warburgia ugandensis has been reported to have certain anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities, but its specific components and mechanisms of action remain elusive. To tackle this challenge, affinity ultrafiltration with drug targets of interest coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (AUF-HPLC-MS/MS) could be utilized to quickly screen out bioactive constituents as ligands against target enzymes from complex extracts of this plant. AUF-HPLC-MS/MS with four drug targets, i.e., cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), topoisomerase I (Top I) and topoisomerase II (Top II) were used to rapidly screen and characterize the anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative natural ligands from W. ugandensis, and the resulting potential active compounds as ligands with specific binding affinity to COX-2, 5-LOX, Top I and Top II, were isolated with modern separation and purification techniques and identified with spectroscopic method like NMR, and then their antiinflammatory and anti-proliferative activities were tested to verify the screening results from AUF-HPLC-MS/MS. Compounds 1 and 2, which screened out and identified from W. ugandensis showed remarkable binding affinity to COX-2, 5-LOX, Top I and Top II with AUF-HPLC-MS/MS. In addition, 1 new compound (compound 3), together with 5 known compounds were also isolated and identified from W. ugandensis. The structure of compound 3 was elucidated by extensive 1D, 2D NMR data and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 were further proved to possess both anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities which are in good agreement with the screening results using AUF-HPLC-MS/MS. This work showcased an efficient method for quickly screening out bioactive components with anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity from complex medicinal plant extracts using AUF-HPLC-MS/MS with target enzymes of interest, and also demonstrated that neolignanamides (compounds 1 and 2) from W. ugandensis would be the active components responsible for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity with the potential to treat cancer and inflammation.

[Bioavailability and Influencing Factors of Soil Cd in the Major Farming Areas of Chongqing].

One-hundred and fifty five large-scale crop rice and root soil samples were collected in Nanchuan District of Chongqing, and some samples of corn, potato, tomato, rapeseed, plum and kiwifruit, and root soil were collected for testing and analysis. The bioavailability of the elements was characterized by bioconcentration factors. The effects of soil physical and chemical properties, soil composition, geological background, and crop types on the bioavailability of Cd were analyzed. The results showed that there was a certain degree of Cd exceeding the standard in rice and root soil in Nanchuan District, and the bioavailability of Cd was relatively low. Soil pH was the main controlling factor of Cd bioavailability, and the bioavailability was higher under acidic conditions. Plum, kiwi, and kiwifruit have weaker ability to enrich Cd. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heavy metal pollution in the soil and improve the quality of agricultural products by artificially regulating the pH of the field or adjusting the planting structure. The method can also be applied to the research of other soil heavy metals or health elements such as Se and provides a scientific basis for the safe use of land and the production of high-quality agricultural products.

[Effects of salidroside on the secretion of inflammatory mediators induced by lipopolysaccharide in the co-culture of rat alveolar macrophages and type II alveolar epithelial cells].

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on inflammatory activation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the co-culture of rat alveolar macrophages (AM) NR 8383 and type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II) RLE-6TN. CCK-8 colorimetric method was used to detect cell proliferation percentage. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the supernatant. Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and total AKT protein. The results showed that pretreatment of RLE-6TN cells or co-culture of RLE-6TN and NR 8383 cells with 32 and 128 µg/mL Sal for 1 h, followed by continuous culture for 24 h, significantly increased the cell proliferation (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, 32 and 128 µg/mL Sal pretreatment significantly increased the ratio of p-AKT/AKT in RLE-6TN cells (P < 0.05). Pretreatment of 32 µg/mL Sal not only inhibited the secretion of TNF-α and MIP-2 by NR 8383 cells induced by LPS (P < 0.05), but also enhanced the inhibitory effect of RLE-6TN and NR 8383 cells co-culture on the secretion of TNF-α and MIP-2 by NR 8383 cells induced by LPS (P < 0.05). In addition, 32 µg/mL Sal pretreatment promoted LPS-induced IL-10 secretion by NR 8383 cells (P < 0.05), and enhanced the promoting effect of co-culture of RLE-6TN and NR 8383 cells on the IL-10 secretion by LPS-induced NR 8383 cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Sal may directly inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory activation of AM (NR 8383), promote the proliferation of AEC II (RLE-6TN) through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and enhance the regulatory effect of AEC II on LPS-induced inflammatory activation of AM.

[Protective effect of synthetic salidroside on acute lung injury in rats].

To study the protective effect and mechanism of synthetic salidroside on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into saline control group, 3 mg/kg LPS model group, different doses of salidroside groups (5, 20 and 80 mg/kg), and 5 mg/kg dexamethasone group. Intratracheal LPS instillation was used to establish the ALI model 0.5 h after intraperitoneal injection of salidroside or dexamethasone, and the rats were sacrificed 6 h later. Lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) was calculated. Lung tissue pathology and lung injury score (LIS) were observed and evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The centrifugal sediment of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was used to count the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) number by Wright's staining, and the centrifugal supernatant of BALF was used to determine the contents of protein and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6). The contents of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in lung tissue were determined. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated and total nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/p65 protein in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with LPS group, the intervention of synthetic salidroside alleviated the pathological damage in lung tissue, decreased the LIS and lung W/D ratio (P < 0.05), reduced the PMN number, the contents of protein and inflammatory factors in BALF (P < 0.05), reduced the contents of MPO and MDA in lung tissue (P < 0.05), and inhibited the expression of p-NF-κB in lung tissue (P < 0.05). The results suggest that synthetic salidroside has a protective effect on ALI induced by LPS, and its mechanism is related to inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-κB and reducing the aggregation of PMN in the lung.

[Effects of salidroside on the secretion of inflammatory mediators induced by lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophage cell line J774.1].

To investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on the inflammatory activation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage cell line J774.1 and its possible mechanism, the cells were treated with PBS, LPS (0.5 µg/mL) or different doses of Sal (5, 25, 125 µg/mL) + LPS (0.5 µg/mL). CCK-8 colorimetric method was used to detect the cell activity. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of TNF-α, MCP-1 and MIP-2 in the supernatant, and the content of NO in the supernatant was determined by nitrate reductase method. The expression levels of iNOS mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of iNOS protein in cytoplasm and NF-kappaB/p65 (NF-κB/p65) protein in both cytoplasm and nucleus, and DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 was detected by using TransAMTM NF-κB/p65 activity assay kit. The results showed that the treatment with 0.5 µg/mL LPS and different doses of Sal (5, 25, 125 µg/mL) for 12 h had no effect on cell viability. Compared with LPS stimulation group, pretreatment with Sal significantly reduced the contents of TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-2 and NO in culture supernatant induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05), downregulated the expression levels of iNOS mRNA and protein (P < 0.05), decreased the expression level of NF-κB/p65 protein in nucleus (P < 0.05) while accordingly increased that in cytoplasm (P < 0.05), and decreased DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). The results suggested that Sal pretreatment can reduce macrophage inflammatory activation induced by LPS, and the mechanism may be through the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the excessive expression and secretion of inflammatory mediators and cytokines.

Posterior pericardiotomy for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Posterior pericardiotomy (PP) has been shown to be effective in patients after cardiac surgery complicated by a reduced the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the role of PP in patients following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) remains ambiguous. We aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of PP in preventing postoperative AF in adult patients after CABG. METHODS: Studies were identified by searching multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) through February, 2016, and by reviewing reference lists of obtained articles. The outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative AF. The meta-analysis was performed with the fixed-effect model or random-effect model according to heterogeneity. RESULTS: Ten randomized trials incorporating 1648 patients were included in this meta-analysis (822 in the PP group and 826 in the control group). The cumulative incidence of AF was 10.6% in the PP group and 24.9% in the control group. Meta-analysis with all studies using a random-effects model suggested that PP had significant effect on the prevention of postoperative AF (I(2) 55%; P<0.00001; OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.23-0.56; RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.31-0.64). Sensitivity analyses by methodological quality and surgical technique yields similar results. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis indicates that PP shows beneficial efficacy in preventing postoperative AF in adult patients after CABG. This finding encourages the use of PP to prevent postoperative AF after CABG, but, more high quality randomized controlled trials are still warranted to confirm the safety.

[Research advances in the role of vitamin D in autism spectrum disorders].

The etiology and pathogenic mechanism of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are still unclear. The relationship between vitamin D and ASD has drawn attention in recent years due to common vitamin D deficiency in children with ASD. This article reviews the peripheral blood levels of vitamin D in children with ASD, the possible reasons for hypovitamin D and its possible roles in the etiology of ASD and the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in ASD.

Sources of Heterogeneity in Trials Reporting Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 or 0.42 Associated Excess Mortality in Septic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: This meta-analysis was to determine the association of the cumulative dose of 130/0.4 or 0.42 (hydroxyethyl starch [HES] 130/0.4*) or delta daily fluid balance (i.e., daily fluid balance in HES group over or below control group) with the heterogeneity of risk ratio (RR) for mortality in randomized control trials (RCTs). METHODS: Three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane) were searched to identify prospective RCTs reporting mortality in adult patients with sepsis to compare HES130/0.4* with crystalloids or albumin. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were used to examine the heterogeneity sources of RR for mortality. RESULTS: A total number of 4408 patients from 11 RCTs were included. The pooled RR showed no significant difference for overall mortality in patients with administration of HES130/0.4* compared with treatment of control fluids (RR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.90-1.17; P = 0.73). Heterogeneity was moderate across recruited trials (I2 = 34%, P = 0.13). But, a significant variation was demonstrated in subgroup with crystalloids as control fluids (I2 = 42%, P < 0.1). Sensitivity analysis revealed that trials with high risk of bias did not significantly impact the pooled estimates for mortality. Meta-regression analysis also did not determine a dose-effect relationship of HES130/0.4* with mortality (P = 0.298), but suggested daily delta fluid balance being likely associated with mortality in septic patients receiving HES130/130/0.4* (P = 0.079). CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate daily positive fluid balance was likely an important source of heterogeneity in these trials reporting HES130/0.4* associated with excess mortality in septic patients.

[Effects of trichostatin A on the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptor 4 and the acetylation of nuclear factor-κB induced by lipopolysaccharide in macrophage].

The present study aims to explore the possible mechanisms that trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylases inhibitor (HDACi), affects the inflammatory signaling pathways of lipopolysaccharide/toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB (LPS/TLR4/NF-κB). Murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were employed. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in culture supernatant were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TLR4 expression and NF-κB/p65 (Lys310) acetylation were examined by Western blotting. DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 was detected by using TransAM(TM) NF-κB/p65 activity assay kit. The results showed that, compared with control group, which was treated by DMSO, the cells treated with TSA (20, 40, 80 ng/mL) showed decreased percentages of cell survival (P < 0.05). The contents of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in culture supernatant were all increased by LPS (100 ng/mL), whereas reduced by 40 ng/mL TSA pretreatment (P < 0.05). TSA pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced up-regulation of TLR4 protein expression. Acetylation of NF-κB/p65(Lys310), which was already increased by LPS, was further enhanced by TSA (P < 0.05). On the contrary, LPS-increased DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65 was decreased by pretreatment with TSA (P < 0.05). The results suggest that TSA-induced anti-inflammation may be attributed to decreases in the expression of TLR4 and DNA binding activity of NF-κB/p65.

[Distribution characteristic of NDRG2 expression in human fetal tissues.].

NDRG2, one of the new N-Myc downstream-regulated gene (NDRG) gene families, is believed to be involved in cell growth event. However, the exact function is still unknown. Identification of the tissue or cell types expressing this gene in vivo will provide clues in clarifying its physiological roles. Using RT-PCR and Western blot, we analyzed the expression level of NDRG2 mRNA and protein in human fetal tissues from different gestational ages. The anti-NDRG2 monoclonal antibody, which has been proved to react specifically with NDRG2 protein, was further used to analyze the cellular location of NDRG2 protein in various human fetal tissues by immunohistochemistry. We found that NDRG2 expression was developmentally dynamic, being generally lower in the early stages of development and markedly increasing during the later stages. NDRG2 mRNA and protein distribution were generally consistent in heart and lung. One of the differences was that NDRG2 protein appeared later than mRNA in kidney. Another unmatched expression was found in liver. NDRG2 mRNA appeared later than protein in liver. In human fetal tissues at sixteen and twenty-eight weeks of gestation, NDRG2 protein immunoreactions could be seen in epithelium of small intestine, epithelium of large intestine, superficial layer of epidermis, whisker follicles, epithelium of small bronchus, hepatocytes, cardiac myocytes, thymus corpuscles and epithelium of renal tubule, and the immunoreactions in those tissues from twenty-eight weeks of gestation was stronger than that from sixteen weeks of gestation. In the present study, we demonstrate the expression pattern and cellular location of NDRG2 protein in a large set of human fetal tissues. This is the first demonstration of NDRG2 protein expression in human fetal tissues. Taken together, the results suggest that NDRG2 protein found in a variety of tissues is not a tissue-specific protein, and may play important roles in histogenesis and organogenesis.

Expression analysis of the NDRG2 gene in mouse embryonic and adult tissues.

N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) is believed to be involved in cell growth events. However, its exact function is still unknown. To elucidate the role of this gene, we used an anti-Ndrg2 monoclonal antibody in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assays to analyze the expression pattern of Ndrg2 protein in mouse embryos at various gestational ages and in a variety of adult mouse tissues. Ndrg2 immunoreactivity was generally localized to the cytoplasm. During mouse development, Ndrg2 expression was observed in many developing tissues and organs including the heart, brain, lung, gut, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, cartilage, chorion, epidermis, and whisker follicles. Ndrg2 expression was developmentally dynamic, being generally lower in the early stages of development and markedly increasing during later stages. Ndrg2 expression was also observed in a variety of adult mouse tissues, particularly in the heart and brain. This is the first demonstration of Ndrg2 protein expression in both embryonic and adult mouse tissues. Our results suggest that NDRG2 plays important roles in histogenesis and organogenesis.

NDRG2 expression and mutation in human liver and pancreatic cancers.

AIM: To investigate the expression of NDRG2 and mutation of the entire coding region of NDRG2 in human liver and pancreatic cancers, and to further discuss the possible causes of NDRG2 distinct expression patterns. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze the expression of NDRG2 mRNA in 37 fresh cancer specimens (including 8 cases of pancreatic cancer and 29 cases of liver cancer) and adjacent normal tissues collected from clinical operation. In addition, mutation analysis of the whole coding region of NDRG2 in these cancers was examined by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). RESULTS: Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the expression levels of NDRG2 mRNA in corresponding cancer tissues reduced significantly (pancreatic cancer: 0.680+/-0.112 vs 2.089+/-0.214, P<0.01) (liver cancer: 0.894+/-0.098 vs 1.345+/-0.177, P<0.05). Using PCR-SSCP, the mutation of the whole coding region of NDRG2 was not found in those cancer tissues where the expression of NDRG2 mRNA reduced markedly. CONCLUSION: NDRG2 gene might express differently between normal tissues and cancer tissues, and might play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer and liver cancer. Low expression of NDRG2 might be unrelated to the mutation of coding region of NDRG2.