Research progress of Paris polyphylla in the treatment of digestive tract cancers.

Cancer has become one of the most important causes of human death. In particular, the 5 year survival rate of patients with digestive tract cancer is low. Although chemotherapy drugs have a certain efficacy, they are highly toxic and prone to chemotherapy resistance. With the advancement of antitumor research, many natural drugs have gradually entered basic clinical research. They have low toxicity, few adverse reactions, and play an important synergistic role in the combined targeted therapy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A large number of studies have shown that the active components of Paris polyphylla (PPA), a common natural medicinal plant, can play an antitumor role in a variety of digestive tract cancers. In this paper, the main components of PPA such as polyphyllin, C21 steroids, sterols, and flavonoids, amongst others, are introduced, and the mechanisms of action and research progress of PPA and its active components in the treatment of various digestive tract cancers are reviewed and summarized. The main components of PPA have been thoroughly explored to provide more detailed references and innovative ideas for the further development and utilization of similar natural antitumor drugs.

Greenhouse gas emission during swine manure aerobic composting: Insight from the dissolved organic matter associated microbial community succession.

Greenhouse gas emissions during aerobic composting is unavoidable, but good practices can minimize emission. Therefore, to explore the key factors influencing the release of greenhouse gas emissions during composting, the inaction of organic matter conversion, greenhouse gas emissions and bacterial community structure during co-composting with different ratio (pig manure and corn straw) over a 6-week period was studied. The excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy with the parallel factor was used to identify that dissolved organic matter associated microbial community succession mainly influenced greenhouse gas emissions. Protein-like fractions of dissolved organic matter were more likely to decompose and promote CH4 and CO2 emissions, while the humic-like fractions of dissolved organic matter positively affected N2O emissions. The largest of greenhouse gas emissions was appeared in MR2 with 12.7 kg CO2-eq, and the MR3 and MR4 reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 26.8 % and 11.4 %, respectively.

Anatomical Study of the Accessory Tendon of the Extensor Hallucis Longus Muscle and Its Clinical Application.

BACKGROUD: The accessory tendon of the extensor hallucis longus (ATEHL) muscle is a common abnormal structure, and its clinical significance remains debatable. In this study, we provide the incidence of the ATEHL and characterize its morphological types in Asian cadavers and investigate its clinical applications. METHODS: The tendons from 50 adult cadaveric feet, fixed in 10% formalin, were analyzed. We measured the length and width of both the ATEHL and the extensor hallucis brevis (EHB). RESULTS: All dissected specimens had an ATEHL. The first metatarsophalangeal joint was surrounded by an accessory tendon that inserted onto the joint capsule and the dorsal base of the proximal phalanx. We classified the ATEHL into 3 types based on their directions. Differences in ATEHL type based on sex were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found an ATEHL in all cadaveric specimens in this study. We surmise that the ATEHL acts as an antagonist with the EHB when the toe is extending, which might help prevent the occurrence of hallux valgus deformity.

Therapeutic efficacy of Schistosoma japonicum cystatin on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy in a mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial dysfunction is one of the most common complications of multiple organ failure in septic shock and significantly increases mortality in patients with sepsis. Although many studies having confirmed that helminth-derived proteins have strong immunomodulatory functions and could treat inflammatory diseases, there is no report on the therapeutic effect of Schistosoma japonicum-produced cystatin (Sj-Cys) on sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. METHODS: A model of sepsis-induced myocardial injury was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice. Upon CLP operation, each mouse was intraperitoneally treated with 10 µg of recombinant Sj-Cys (rSj-Cys). Twelve hours after CLP, the systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricular were examined by echocardiography. The levels of myoglobin (Mb), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in sera, and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in cardiac tissues were examined as biomarkers for heart injury. The heart tissue was collected for checking pathological changes, macrophages and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. To address the signaling pathway involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of rSj-Cys, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) was determined in heart tissue of mice with sepsis and LPS-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocytes. In addition, the therapeutic effects of rSj-Cys on LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis were also detected. The levels of M1 biomarker iNOS and M2 biomarker Arg-1 were detected in heart tissue. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß were measured in sera and their mRNA levels in heart tissue of rSj-Cys-treated mice. RESULTS: After rSj-Cys treatment, the sepsis-induced heart malfunction was largely improved. The inflammation and injury of heart tissue were significantly alleviated, characterized as significantly decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells in cardiac tissues and fiber swelling, reduced levels of Mb, cTnI and NT-proBNP in sera, and MPO activity in heart tissue. The therapeutic efficacy of rSj-Cys is associated with downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and upregulated regulatory inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß), possibly through inhibiting the LPS-MyD88 signal pathway. CONCLUSIONS: RSj-Cys significantly reduced sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of sepsis associated cardiac dysfunction.

Effect of pectin oligosaccharides and zinc chelate on growth performance, zinc status, antioxidant ability, intestinal morphology and short-chain fatty acids in broilers.

A 42-day trial was conducted to investigate the effect of pectin oligosaccharides (POS) and zinc chelate (Zn-POS) on growth performance, antioxidant ability, zinc status, intestinal morphology and short-chain fatty acids in broilers. A total of 324 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to three treatments with six cages of 18 chicks. Treatments were: (a) Control, 80 mg/kg Zn from ZnSO4 ; (b) POS, 80 mg/kg Zn from ZnSO4 + 482 mg/kg POS (the same amount of POS as treatment 3); and (c) Zn-POS, 80 mg/kg zinc from Zn-POS. Compared to the Control, both POS and Zn-POS supplementation increased average daily gain and reduced the mortality during day 22-42, and only Zn-POS supplementation decreased the ratio of feed to gain during day 22-42 and 1-42. Moreover, both POS and Zn-POS supplementation improved Zn status and gut function as evidenced by increased metallothionein concentrations in the pancreas, villus height in the duodenum and isobutyrate concentrations in the caecal digesta. Additionally, Zn-POS supplementation increased gene expressions of metallothionein, Zn transporter 1, Zn transporter 2 in the pancreas, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 in the liver, the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate and total SCFA in the caecal digesta and the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum and jejunum, whereas decreased the crypt depth in these two tissues. Altogether, our results revealed that dietary POS or Zn-POS supplementation benefited growth performance, Zn status, antioxidant ability and gut function of broilers. Supplementing Zn-POS in the form of chelate was more effective than feeding POS or ZnSO4 separately.

First identification of Gordonia sputi in a post-traumatic endophthalmitis patient - a case report and literatures review.

BACKGROUND: We present a case of post-traumatic endophthalmitis with relatively good prognosis caused by Gordonia sputi, which, to our knowledge is the first case in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 24 year old man, who underwent an intraocular foreign body extraction half a month before presentation in the left eye, was referred to us complaining of blurred vision and slight pain for 5 days. His first presentation showed moderate intracameral and intravitreous purulent inflammation with a best corrected vision of counting fingers. After gram staining of the intravitreous samples revealed a gram-positive bacilli infection, a combination of amikacin and vancomycin was initially injected intravitreously. The left eye kept stable for three days but deteriorated on the 4th day. On the 5th day after presentation conventional culture characterized the bacterium as an Actinomyces sp. while 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing confirmed it as Gordonia sputi. Thereby a complete pars plana vitrectomy combined with lensectomy and silicone oil tamponade was performed. During the surgery an intraocular irrigation with penicillin G was adopted, followed by administration of intravenous penicillin G twice one day for a week. A relatively normal fundus with slight intracameral inflammation was observed a week after the operation, and the best corrected vision recovered to 0.15. One year later his vision remained 0.1. CONCLUSION: Gordonia sputi should be taken into consideration in patients with post-traumatic endophthalmitis especially due to foreign body penetration. Compared to conventional laboratories, molecular methods are recommended for an accurate diagnosis. A comprehensive strategy of antimicrobial agents and vitrectomy may render a satisfactory result.

Bioactivity assay of porcine relaxin based on cAMP accumulation in THP-1 cells quantified by LC-MS/MS.

This study describes a reliable bioactivity assay of porcine relaxin (pRLX) based on cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in the human monocyte cell-line quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). As a result, the LC-MS/MS was based on a positive selected reaction monitoring of cAMP with a stable internal standard, 8-Br-cAMP and a protein precipitation procedure by HClO4. The standard curve of cAMP was linear from 5.0 ng mL(-1) to 992.0 ng mL(-1), with lower limits of detection and quantification of 0.5 ng mL(-1) and 5.0 ng mL(-1), respectively. The satisfactory validation data including stability assay were obtained. When measured by the LC-MS/MS, the pRLX sample showed a time- and dose-dependent stimulation of cAMP with the concentration for 50% of the maximal effect (EC50) of 40.6 ng mL(-1). The developed method indicated higher precision and selectivity than the commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits, which showed EC50 of 66.6 ng mL(-1).

[Clinical research of minimal extracorporeal circulation in perioperative blood conservation of coronary artery bypass graft].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effect of minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) in blood conservation perioperatively coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). METHODS: The data of 120 cases received simple CABG since August 2006 to October 2009 was analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were divided to three groups according to the mode of circulation support in-operation: MECC, conventional extracorporeal circulation (cECC) or off-pump, 40 cases in each group. Jostra MECC system with normal temperature was used in MECC group, and common membrane oxygenator with moderate hypo-temperature was used in cECC group. Collect the data of coagulation and the blood cytological examination perioperatively, the draining volume during the first 24 h after operation, and consumption of blood products perioperatively. RESULTS: Standard and logistic EuroSCORE were higher in MECC group than the others (P < 0.01). The operative time and the number of distal anastomosis of off-pump group were less than MECC and cECC groups (P < 0.05), while no difference between MECC group and cECC group. Intrinsic coagulation (activated partial thromboplastin time) were much more prolonged early postoperatively in cECC group, and higher than in MECC group and off-pump group at 2 h, 6 h and 12 h postoperatively (P < 0.05), but no difference in extrinsic coagulation (prothrombin time) among three group. Adjusted by hematocrit of the same sample, free hemoglobin level rose up during the ECC procedure and reached the maximum at the end of ECC in cECC group and MECC group, but the levels were more higher in cECC group than in MECC group (P < 0.05). The draining volume during the first 24 h after operation of cECC group was larger than MECC group and off-pump group (P < 0.05). Although the decreased platelet count perioperatively and more consumed of the blood products in cECC group, but no difference among the three groups. CONCLUSION: MECC could reduce the ruin to blood cell and interfere to coagulation function during the conventional ECC procedure, decrease the postoperative draining volume and requirement of blood products.

[Clinical results of ultrasound biometry in silicone oil-filled eye].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method of ultrasound biometry in silicone oil-filled eye and its clinical results. METHODS: This was a series case study. According to the principle of measuring a distance with ultrasound, we compared the measured distance between a space filed with balanced salt solution and silicone oil at same height, to calculate a conversion factor (0.674) between them. A formula for corrective axial length in silicone oil-filled eye was established. The formula = ab + 0.674 x bc (a, b and c standing for the apex of the cornea, the posterior pole of the lens or the center of the capsular membrane and the anterior surface of the macular, respectively). The axial lengths of 150 silicone oil-filled eyes in 150 cases were then measured before and after silicone oil removal with Vivid 7 Dimension ultrasound. According to the axial length, they were divided into two groups, namely group 1 (the length < 25 mm) and group 2 (the length > or = 25 mm). In 76/150 eyes, before combined silicone oil removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, the SRKT formula was used for intraocular lens calculation; the post-operative actual refraction was compared with the pre-operative predicted refraction and statistics analysis was made. RESULTS: The retinal condition of 150 silicone oil-filled eyes in 150 cases after 3 months' follow-up was stable after surgery. The results of the biometry were as follows. In the first group, the mean corrective axial lengths of 111 silicone oil-filled eyes before silicone oil removal was (22.77 +/- 1.00) mm (ranging from 21.10 to 24.90 mm); the mean axial lengths after silicone oil removal was (22.76 +/- 0.99) mm (ranging from 21.00 to 24.70 mm). The difference between them was not statistically significant (t = 0.518, P > 0.05). The vitreous cavity depth before and after silicone oil removal was (26.57 +/- 2.14) mm and (17.90 +/- 1.38) mm, respectively. The ratio of the latter to the former was 0.673 78. In the second group, the mean corrective axial lengths of 39 silicone oil-filled eyes before silicone oil removal was (26.52 +/- 1.31) mm (ranging from 25.00 to 30.58 mm); the mean axial lengths after silicone oil removal was (26.53 +/- 1.29) mm (ranging from 25.00 to 30.59 mm). The difference between them was not statistically significant (t = 0.109, P > 0.05). The vitreous cavity depth before and after silicone oil removal was (32.01 +/- 2.90) mm and (21.57 +/- 2.04) mm, respectively. The ratio of the latter to the former was 0.673 95. In 76 eyes with IOL, the post-operative actual refraction after at least 3 months follow-up was compared with the pre-operative predicted refraction (-1.50 DS) in both groups. The differences between them were not statistically significant (t(1) = 0.253, P(1) > 0.05; t(2) = 0.209, P(2) > 0.05) in each group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound biometry in silicone oil-filled eye is accurate and simple, and has good results in clinical measurement.

Berberine exerts neuroprotective actions against in vitro ischemia-induced neuronal cell damage in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures: involvement of B-cell lymphoma 2 phosphorylation suppression.

In this study we elucidated the effects of berberine, a major alkaloid component contained in medicinal herbs, such as Phellodendri Cortex and Coptidis Rhizoma, on ischemic neuronal damage in mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) caused by oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) -type glutamate receptor stimulation. Hippocampal slices obtained from 7-d-old ICR mice were cultured for 10 d before the experiments. Ischemia-related damage was induced by OGD (5, 15, 45 min) or NMDA (10 microM) treatment, and was evaluated by measuring propidium iodide (PI) uptake. Levels of apoptotic marker proteins, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and phosphorylated-Bcl-2 (p-Bcl-2), in the OHSCs were measured as indices of biochemical neuronal cell damage by Western blotting. Berberine (5, 25 microM) or the NMDA antagonist MK-801 (25 microM) was added to the medium 30 min before OGD or NMDA treatment. OGD time-dependently increased PI uptake of the OHSCs. Both berberine (5, 25 microM) and MK-801 (25 microM) significantly inhibited PI uptake at 24 h after 45-min OGD treatment and PI uptake in OHSCs exposed to NMDA for 24 h. OGD treatment also significantly increased the level of p-Bcl-2 but not that of Bcl-2 or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in OHSCs. Berberine (5-25 microM) significantly suppressed the OGD-induced increase of p-Bcl-2 level in OHSCs when tissue was exposed to the alkaloid prior to OGD or simultaneously with OGD. These findings suggest that berberine has protective effects against ischemic damage in mouse OHSCs and that the effects are at least partly mediated by suppression of Bcl-2 phosphorylation.

[Analysis in primary clinic outcomes of minimal extracorporeal circulation in the coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: To analysis comparatively the primary clinic outcomes between minimal extracorporeal circulation (MECC) and conventional extracorporeal circulation (cECC). METHODS: Forty cases accepted coronary artery bypass grafting from August to October at 2006 were divided into MECC group and cECC group at random, 20 cases for each group. Record and analysis of the general information, clinic data perioperatively, and complications postoperatively for each group were performed. RESULTS: There were no deference between groups in gender, anamnesis and preoperative cardiac function, while age (P < 0.05), standard EuroSCORE and logistic EuroSCORE were much more higher in MECC group than in cECC group (P < 0.01). Similarly, there were no deference in operative time, bypass time, ischemic time and graft number between two groups. Contrasted with cECC group, the values of cTNI were lower in MECC group at 2 h, 6 h and 12 h post-ECC (P < 0.01), oxygen index were higher post-operatively and there was a statistic deference at 12 h post-ECC (P < 0.05). The valves of ALT and TBIL in cECC group were higher abnormally at early post-ECC, and significant higher than in MECC group at 2 h, 6 h post-ECC of ALT (P < 0.05), and at termination, 2 h post-ECC of TBIL (P < 0.05). The values of activated partial thromboplastin time were almost at physiological status in MECC group, but were significantly prolonged in cECC group at early post-ECC, and were statistically longer than in MECC group at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h post-ECC (P < 0.05). The concentration of free hemoglobin in cECC group were higher than in MECC group peri-operative, and there was a statistic deference at 2 h post-ECC (P < 0.05). There were no deference between the two group in Cr, PLT and WBC. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with cECC, MECC carries more biocompatibility, more safe and credible. MECC system can alleviate the organ injury postoperatively and decrease the incidence of complications, especially in high-risk patients.

[Relative factors of recent discovered atrial fibrillation following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relative factors of recent discovered atrial fibrillation (AF) following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Classified the 649 cases undergoing isolated CABG from January 2005 to December 2006 to two groups according to whether AF appeared after operation. Collected the peri-operative data and operative strategy, then analyzed with single-factor analysis and Logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence of AF was 8.0% (52 cases), and 84.6% (44 cases) recovered sinus-rhythm leaving hospital. Age, standard European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE), ratio of high-operative-risk, left atrium diameter and ratio of left coronary artery dominance were higher in AF group than in non-AF group. Age, eject fraction, left atrium diameter, operative risk evaluation, left coronary artery dominance and anastomosis on right coronary artery were the relative factors of recent discovered AF following isolated CABG. But off-pump operation, prescription of adrenergic beta-antagonists pre-operatively and degree of coronary artery stenosis had no influence to AF. CONCLUSIONS: AF following CABG is a result of common influence by many factors. EuroSCORE might forecast partially the incidence of AF following CABG. Improve the myocardial protection and reduce the surgical damage during operative progress maybe the mostly approach to decrease the incidence of AF following CABG.

A cholinergic agonist attenuates endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats.

PURPOSE: Investigation of physiological anti-inflammatory mechanisms can contribute to the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of nicotine, a selective cholinergic agonist, on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats and the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) and nicotine were injected intraperitoneally. Clinical scores were evaluated by slit lamp. Intracameral protein content and the number of cells were determined. Immunohistochemical reactivity of alpha7 nicotine acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR) was examined in the iris and ciliary body (ICB). mRNA and protein levels of cytokines and chemokines were measured by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: After LPS injection, clinical scores, as well as protein content and number of cells in the aqueous humor increased during 18 to 36 hours. Nicotine inhibited the endotoxin-induced elevation of these levels. mRNA and protein of alpha7nAChR expression levels were significantly increased by LPS and/or nicotine injection. Nicotine showed no effects on endotoxin-induced elevation of mRNA levels in ICB. However, nicotine decreased the endotoxin-induced elevation of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC)-1, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, but did not affect IL-10 in the serum and aqueous humor. CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine attenuated endotoxin-induced uveitis through directly decreasing the levels of multiple cytokines and chemokines in the aqueous humor, but did not affect the mRNA levels of these factors. The findings suggest that the nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of EIU.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis in rats.

PURPOSE: In this study we investigated the in vivo effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis in rats. METHODS: To induce uveitis, LPS (100 microg) was injected into subcutaneous tissue of Wistar rats (170-190 g). NAC was injected intraperitoneally. Intracameral levels of protein, cells, nitrite, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined by spectrophotometry, hemocytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: LPS injection elevated intracameral protein and cells, and the elevation was inhibited by NAC. LPS injection induced expression of TNF-alpha, IL-6, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 mRNA in the iris/ciliary body at 3 h, and iNOS mRNA at 6 h. The LPS-induced elevation of the mRNA levels was inhibited by NAC. NAC inhibited LPS-induced intracameral elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and nitrite. CONCLUSION: NAC decreased LPS-induced uveitis in vivo by reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules.

Effect of berberine on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 expression in rat lipopolysaccharide-induced uveitis.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to examine the in vivo effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) expression in rat lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced uveitis. METHODS: LPS was injected intraperitoneally. Berberine was orally administered. MCP-1 mRNA and CINC-1 mRNA were measured by semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction. MCP-1 and CINC-1 protein concentration in the aqueous humor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathologic study was performed in the anterior ocular segments. RESULTS: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited LPS-induced MCP-1 mRNA and CINC-1 mRNA expression of the iris-ciliary body. The alkaloid inhibited chemokines, protein and cell levels in the aqueous humor in rats stimulated with LPS. On histopathologic study, the inflammatory cell infiltration was diminished by the berberine treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that berberine dose-dependently inhibited the expression of MCP-1 and CINC-1 induced by LPS and diminished the anterior uveitis.

Effect of berberrubine on interleukin-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

We examined the effects of berberrubine, a protoberberine alkaloid, on interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberrubine and IL-1beta or TNF-alpha were added to the medium. IL-8 and MCP-1 protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by real time polymerase chain reaction. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) translocation was examined by immunofluorescent staining/microscopy. Berberrubine dose-dependently inhibited IL-8 and MCP-1 protein levels in the media and mRNA expression of the cells stimulated with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. Immunofluorescent staining/microscopy of NF-kappaB in the nucleus of unstimulated cells was faint (51+/-14 arbitrary units). Fluorescein was dense (215+/-42 or 170+/-24 arbitrary units, respectively) 30 min after stimulation with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha and was decreased to 62+/-18 or 47+/-16 arbitrary units, respectively, by berberrubine. Berberrubine dose-dependently inhibited IL-8 and MCP-1 expression and protein secretion induced by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. Possibly, the effect on chemotactic factors may be via suppression of NF-kappaB translocation.

Effect of berberine on interleukin 8 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to examine the effects of berberine, an alkaloid isolated from some medicinal herbs, on interleukin 8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) expression in a human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were cultured to confluence. Berberine and IL-1beta or TNF-alpha were added to the medium. IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction. IL-8 and MCP-1 protein concentrations in the media were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Berberine dose-dependently inhibited IL-8 mRNA and MCP-1 mRNA expression of the cells and protein levels in the media stimulated with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that berberine dose-dependently inhibited the expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 induced by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha.

Effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

PURPOSE: To examine pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2) mRNA and the effect of PACAP on interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cell line (ARPE-19) stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). METHODS: Expression of PACAP receptor mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PACAP and IL-1beta were added to serum-free medium. IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 mRNA were measured by real-time PCR. IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 protein concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) translocation was examined by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: PAC1 and VCAP1 receptors mRNA were expressed in unstimulated cells. VCAP2 mRNA was expressed in cells stimulated with IL-1beta. IL-1beta stimulated IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 mRNA expression and protein levels. PACAP (10(- 7) to 10(- 6) M) inhibited IL-1beta -stimulated IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 mRNA and protein levels. Immunofluorescence of NF-kappaB in the nucleus was dense 30 min after stimulation with IL-1beta, and it was decreased by PACAP. CONCLUSIONS: ARPE-19 cells had PACAP receptors mRNA. PACAP inhibited IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression and protein secretion. Possibly, the effect on cytokines may be via suppression of NF-kappaB translocation.