Effects of berberine on the growth performance, antioxidative capacity and immune response to lipopolysaccharide challenge in broilers.

This study evaluated the effects of berberine on growth performance, immunity, haematological parameters, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of immune response-related genes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. We assigned 120 one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) to two treatment groups; each group included two subgroups, each of which included six replicates of five birds per replicate. The experiment used a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with berberine treatment (0 or 60 mg/kg dietary) and challenge status [injection of saline (9 g/L w/v) or LPS (1.5 mg/kg body weight)] as the main factors. On days 14, 16, 18 and 20, broilers were intraperitoneally injected with LPS or physiological saline. Blood and liver samples were collected on day 21. Dietary berberine supplementation significantly alleviated the compromised average daily gain and average daily feed intake (p < 0.05) caused by LPS. The LPS challenge led to increased lymphocyte and white blood cell (WBC) counts, malondialdehyde (serum and liver) content, and immunoglobulin G and M, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) expression (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity (p < 0.05). Dietary berberine significantly mitigated the LPS-induced decreases in the mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), TNF-α, IL-1ß, inducible nitrite synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 (p < 0.05) in the liver. In conclusion, berberine supplementation has a positive effect on LPS challenge, which may be related to the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity and inhibition of both NF-κB signalling and the expression of inflammatory mediators.

NADPH oxidase-2 is a key regulator of human dermal fibroblasts: a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of skin fibrosis.

The proliferation of human skin dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is a critical step in skin fibrosis, and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1) exerts pro-oxidant and fibrogenic effects on HDFs. In addition, the oxidative stress system has been implicated in the pathogenesis of skin disease. However, the role of NADPH oxidase as a mediator of TGF-ß1-induced effects in HDFs remains unknown. Thus, our aim was to investigate the role of NADPH in human skin dermal fibroblasts. Primary fibroblasts were cultured and pretreated with various stimulants. Real-time Q-PCR and Western blotting analyses were used for mRNA and protein detection. In addition, siRNA technology was applied for gene knock-down analysis. Hydrogen peroxide production and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) measurement assay were performed. Here, our findings demonstrated that HDFs express key components of non-phagocytic NADPH oxidase mRNA. TGF-ß1 induced NOX2 and reactive oxygen species formation via NADPH oxidase activity. In contrast, NOX3 was barely detectable, and other NOXs did not display significant changes. In addition, TGF-ß1 phosphorylated MAPKs and increased activator protein-1 (AP-1) in a redox-sensitive manner, and NOX2 suppression inhibited baseline and TGF-ß1-mediated stimulation of Smad2 phosphorylation. Moreover, TGF-ß1 stimulated cell proliferation, migration, collagen I and fibronectin expression, and bFGF and PAI-1 secretion: these effects were attenuated by diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, and NOX2 siRNA. Importantly, NOX2 siRNA suppresses collagen production in primary keloid dermal fibroblasts. These findings provide the proof of concept for NADPH oxidase as a potential target for the treatment of skin fibrosis.

[Effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the spatial learning-memory ability in dementia rats after transplanted with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on the spatial learning-memory ability in rats with Alzheimer's disease after transplanted with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Using digital randomization table method, seventy-five male SD rats were divided into the bilateral FF transection model group (as the model group: ambi-hippocampal fimbria-fomix transected), the sham-operative control group (the SOC group: receiving the same modeling process as the model group, but without ambi-hippocampal fimbria-fomix transected), the ginsenoside Rg1 treatment group (as the treatment group: Two weeks after modeling ginsenoside Rg1 was peritoneally injected at the dose of 5 mg/kg, once daily for four weeks in total), the BMSCs transplanted treatment group [as the control group: Two weeks after modeling every rat received transplantation of BMSCs (10 microL, 1 x 10(6) cells)], and the ginsenoside Rg1 + BMSCs treatment group (as the combination group: They received both transplantation of BMSCs and peritoneal injection of ginsenoside Rgl). The spatial learning-memory ability of rats was detected by Morris water maze and the escape latency (s) was recorded, mRNA expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) was detected using Real-time PCR. RESULTS: Six weeks after the hippocampal fimbria-fomix (FF) transection, the escape latency o feach medication group was obviously shorter than that of the model group, and the spatial learning-memory ability of dementia rats was somewhat improved. The spatial learning-memory ability of rats in the combination group was (29.95 +/- 2.03) and the mRNA expression level of NGF was (1.13 +/- 0.15), better than those in the BMSCs group (44.36 +/- 1.43, 0.78 +/- 0.09, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ginsenoside Rg1 could strengthen the spatial learning-memory ability in dementia rats after transplanted with BMSCs. Its mechanism might be possibly correlated with up-regulating mRNA expression of NGF in basal forebrain after BMSCs transplantation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist inhibits transforming growth factor-beta1 and matrix production in human dermal fibroblasts.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonists are increasingly used in patients with diabetes, and some studies have suggested a beneficial effect on organ fibrosis, but their effects on dermal cell growth and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover are unknown. To investigate the effect of the PPAR-gamma agonist troglitazone on cell growth and matrix production in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF), HDF were cultured and grown in a different concentration of troglitazone. PPAR-gamma expression and matrix production were measured in HDF in the presence of troglitazone. The mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, collagen I (Col I) and fibronectin (FN) were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and proteins of Col I and FN were determined by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of TGF-beta1, Col I and FN were significantly decreased in HDF in 15-30 micromol l(-1) troglitazone compared to the control group with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (P<0.01). An obvious decrease of TGF-beta1 protein was found in troglitazone-treated groups as compared to the control group (P<0.05). Exposure of HDF to troglitazone reduced col I secretion (P<0.05), and fibronectin secretion (P<0.05). This study suggests that PPAR-gamma agonist will provide a novel approach with therapeutic potential in dermal fibrosis, such as hypertrophic scar, keloid and so on.

[Free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap techniques for the immediate post modified radial mastectomy reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility and method of immediate breast reconstruction right after modified radical mastectomy in early breast carcinoma patients. METHODS: Deep inferior epigastric artery perforation flaps were immediately applied on patients to reconstruct the breast after the skin-sparing mastectomy. The breasts were shaped after the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein were anastomosed to the thoracodorsal artery and vein. RESULTS: In 10 cases of breast reconstruction by DIEP flaps since 2005, there were completely survival in 8 flaps, distal skin necrosis in 1 flap, adiponecrosis in 1 flap. With the follow-up of 9-28 months, the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped and there were no abdominal complication in dnor sites. Ninety percent patients were satisfied with the results from the good to the best level. CONCLUSION: Most patients were satisfied with the results of mastectomy reconstruction.