Resveratrol Reestablishes Mitochondrial Quality Control in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury through Sirt1/Sirt3-Mfn2-Parkin-PGC-1α Pathway.

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol found in various plants. It has been widely studied on cardiovascular disorders. It is known that resveratrol can activate Sirtuin proteins and participate in cellular energy metabolism through a Sirtuin-dependent pathway. Here, we hypothesized that resveratrol may protect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) through the target of Sirt1/Sirt3 on mitochondrial dynamics, cardiac autophagy, bioenergetics and oxidative damage in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. We observed that resveratrol could activate the Sirt1/Sirt3-FoxO pathway on myocardial mitochondria in H/R cardiomyocytes. Subsequently, we found that resveratrol repaired the fission-fusion balance, autophagic flux and mitochondrial biosynthesis compared by H/R group. These changes were followed by increased functional mitochondrial number, mitochondrial bioenergetics and a better mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme system. Meanwhile, these effects were antagonized by co-treatment with Selisistat (Ex527), a Sirtuin inhibitor. Together, our findings uncover the potential contribution of resveratrol in reestablishing a mitochondrial quality control network with Parkin, Mfn2 and PGC-1α as the key nodes.

Effect of Kushen (Radix Sophorae flavescentis) extract on laryngeal neoplasm Hep2 cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of fermented extract of Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) or non-fermented ESF on laryngeal neoplasms Hep2 cells. METHODS: Use 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay to explore the effect of fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF on Hep2 cells, and detect the mRNA and protein expression level of Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. RESULTS: Both fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF could inhibit laryngeal neoplasm's Hep2 cells, but and the cells did not response to the dilution 1: 320 of fermented ESF, nor to the 1:1280 dilution of non-fermented ESF. As time progressed, the dilution 1:80 of fermented ESF and 1:320 dilution of non-fermented ESF could significantly reduce Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression and down-regulate Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression. Bax mRNA and protein were not expressed in Hep2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Both fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF could inhibit the proliferation of Hep2 cells, and the effect of non-fermented ESF was significantly better than that of the fermented.

[Preparation of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion gel and transdermal characterization in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion and nanoemuls-ion gel, and investigate its content, physical and chemical properties. Their transdermal properties in vitro were studied as well. METHOD: IPM acted as oil phase, EL35 as surfactant, EtOH as cosurfactant, Pheretima aqueous solution was added dropwise to the oil phase to prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion at room temperature using magnetic stirring. HPLC was used to determine the content of matrine and oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion. Transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer was used to determine the shape and size of the nanoemulsion. NP700 was used as substrate to prepare Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion gel. Franz diffusion cell was used for the nanoemulsion and gel transdermal characteristics in vitro. RESULT: The Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion was O/W nanoemulsion, its uniform particle size was 20.6 nm with roundness appearance and stable content. The steady-state permeation rate of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion, nanoemulsion gel, saturated aqueous solution, hydro gel were 0.1484, 0.1183, 0.0306, 0.0321 mg x cm(-2) x h(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION: The 24 h cumulative infiltration and infiltration rate of Kushen-Dilong nanoemulsion and nanoemulsion gel were better than the saturated aqueous solution and hydro gel, which could provide a new dosage form for Kushen-Dilong transdermal drug delivery.

[Physicochemical properties and skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion].

The research aimed at investigating the physicochemical properties, stability and skin penetration in vitro of total alkaloids of Sophora flavescens nanoemulsion. Prepare total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion and detect the determination of matrine and oxymatrine in the nanoemulsion using HPLC method. Transmission electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer were utilized to detect the shape and size of the nanoemulsion respectively. And also the stability of nanoemulsion was studied under the conditions of low temperature (4 degrees C), normal temperature (25 degrees C) and high temperature (60 degrees C). Franz diffusion cell was used to research the transdermal absorption of nanoemulsion in vitro. The results found that the nanoemulsion we prepared presented appearance of rounded, uniform; its average diameter was (15.55 +/- 2.24) nm, and particle size distribution value was 0. 161; the appearance, diameter and percentage determination of total alkaloids of S. flavescens had no variations after 15 d under 4, 25, 60 degrees C respectively. The steady-state permeation rate was 4.564 1 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1), 24 h cumulative amount of penetration was 110.7 microg x cm(-2), which was 1.86 fold of 24 h cumulative amount of aqueous solution (59.41 microg x cm(-2)). All the results demonstrated total alkaloids of S. flavescens nanoemulsion had good permeability, and could provide a new preparation for its clinical application.

Mesoporous Ti4 O7 Nanosheets with High Polar Surface Area for Catalyzing Separator to Reduce the Shuttle Effect of Soluble Polysulfides in Lithium-sulfur Batteries.

In the effort to accelerate adsorption and catalytic conversion of lithium polysulfides (Li-PSs) and suppress the shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs), the Ti4 O7 nanosheets/carbon material-modified separator is successfully fabricated to reducing soluble Li-PSs' crossover from cathode to anode. The catalyst of mesoporous Ti4 O7 nanosheets with O-Ti-O units synthesized at low temperature shows both excellent conductivity and high surface area. The modified separator can serve as a diffusion barrier of Li-PSs and catalyst for converting soluble low-chain sulfides into insoluble ones and then remarkably enhance the sulfur utilization and electrochemical performance of the LSB. This work provides a feasible avenue in both design and synthesis of mesoporous catalyst materials for suppressing the shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur batteries.

OxyR-Like Improves Cell Hydrogen Peroxide Tolerance by Participating in Monocyte Chemotaxis and Oxidative Phosphorylation Regulation in Magnetospirillum Gryphiswaldense MSR-1.

The formation of magnetosomes inside magnetotactic bacteria is a complex process strictly controlled by the intracellular metabolic regulatory system. A series of transcriptional regulators are involved in the biosynthesis of the magnetosome, including OxyR-Like protein, which is indispensable for the maturation of magnetosomes in Magnetospirillum Gryphiswaldense MSR-1. In this study, a new function of the OxyR-Like protein that helps cells resist reactive oxygen species (ROS) was identified. A comparison of expression profile data between wild-type MSR-1 and an oxyR-Like defective mutant demonstrated that seven genes encoding chemotaxis proteins were down-regulated in the latter. On the contrary, the expression levels of numerous genes encoding proteins that are critical for cellular aerobic respiration were up-regulated. Thus, OxyR-Like enhanced the resistance of cells to ROS by increasing their environmental perception and maintaining their oxidative phosphorylation at a reasonable level to avoid the excessive production of endogenous ROS. These results increase our knowledge of the OxyR-Like regulatory network and establish a relationship between the antioxidant metabolic pathway and magnetosome biomineralization in MSR-1.

Three-dimensional layered double hydroxide membranes: fabrication technique, growth mechanism, and enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Novel three-dimensional ZnAl-LDH/AAO and NiAl-LDH/AAO membranes using porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates as a substrate and an Al3+ source were successfully fabricated via a simple precipitant-free in situ growth technique. These membranes with uniform layered double hydroxide (LDH) plates on the outer and inner surfaces exhibit enhanced activities in photocatalysis.

The formation mechanism and photocatalytic activity of hierarchical NiAl-LDH films on an Al substrate prepared under acidic conditions.

NiAl-LDH films with hierarchical morphology have been fabricated by immersion of an Al substrate in Ni(2+)-containing solutions under strong acidic conditions, and the growth processes of the films are discussed in this communication. The as-prepared LDH films exhibit high activity in the photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants.

The stability investigation of compound Danshen injection (a traditional medicine) with a new high-performance liquid chromatography method.

BACKGROUND: Compound Danshen injection (CDSI, a traditional medicine) is an effective drug for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the research about its stability is absent. OBJECTIVE: A new high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to assay its main effective constituents, i.e., propanoid acid (PA), protocatechuic aldehyde (PHA), salvianolic acid B (SAB), salvianolic acid A (SAA), and rosmarinic acid (RA). Through the newly found method, the stability of CDSI was to be investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis was performed by a reverse-phase gradient elution using an aqueous mobile phase (containing 0.1% acetic acid) modified by acetonitrile, and detection was made simultaneously at 280 nm and 325 nm. The method was validated for accuracy, precision and limits of detection. The effects of some environmental storage conditions (light and temperature) on the stability of CDSI were investigated. RESULTS: This method is precise, simple, and convenient. The result showed that illumination and temperature had an obvious effect on CDSI's stability. SAA is the most unstable one among the five components. In the condition of common light, it decomposed rapidly to almost 50% after only 4 h, and 100% after 8 h. PA, RA, and PHA might come from Danshen, was also the transformed products from other components in store process. CONCLUSION: The result indicated that the main active constituents in CDSI suffered from the illumination and temperature greatly. CDSI should be stored at low temperature and kept away from light.