Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) in paired maternal and neonatal samples from South China: Placental transfer and potential risks.

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) are attracting more and more attention for the neurodevelopment toxicity effects. We evaluated the concentrations of 15 individual OH-PBDEs and 3 bromophenol (BRP) congeners in 30 mother-newborn paired placenta, breast milk, fetal cord blood, and neonatal urine samples collected from South China. The geometric mean (GM) concentrations of ∑OH-PBDEs were 37.6, 61.3, and 76.8pgg(-1) ww in placenta, breast milk, and cord blood, respectively. The GM concentrations of ∑BRPs were 47.6, 119, and 30.2pgg(-1) ww in placenta, breast milk, and cord blood, respectively. The GM concentrations of ∑OH-PBDEs and ∑BRPs in neonatal urine were 72.0 and 79.8pgml(-1), respectively. Of the 15 OH-PBDE congeners analyzed, the three most frequently detected congeners were 2'-OH-BDE-68 (72.1%), 6-OH-BDE-47 (67.6%), and 2'-OH-BDE-28 (65.8%). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of OH-PBDEs for the breast-fed infants was 9.31±4.00ngkg(-1) bw day. The accumulation of OH-PBDEs in newborns was much lower than the estimated lowest observed-effect concentration (LOEC) of neurotoxicity. The present study provided the first systematic fundamental data that exposure to OH-PBDEs for newborn and their mothers in South China.

Effects of Wenxiao II decoction on the expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 in atherosclerotic rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different doses of wenxiao II decoction on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in an experimental model of atherosclerosis in rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis. METHODS: Sixty 3-4 month-old New Zealand rabbits of both sexes were randomly divided into six groups: simvastain; model; blank; and high-dose, mid-dose, and low-dose wenxiao II decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced injury to the endothelium of the carotid artery in conjunction with consumption of a high-cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all rabbits were killed to evaluate the expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Expressions of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly decreased in all groups except the blank group compared with the model group (P < 0.05). When compared with the simvastain group only variation of MCP-1 expression in low-dose group was not appreciable, and the differences were indistinct (P < 0.05). When comparing among wenxiao II decoction groups, MCP-1 expression in the mid- and high-dose groups was significantly lower than that seen in the low-dose group (P< 0.01), but there were no differences among three dosage groups with respect to VCAM-1 expression (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data suggested that high, mid, and low doses of Wenxiao II Decoction can inhibit the expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1, which may prevent the formation of or stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct relationship between the dosage of wenxiao II decoction and its therapeutic efficacy.

Activation of AMPK/MnSOD signaling mediates anti-apoptotic effect of hepatitis B virus in hepatoma cells.

AIM: To investigate the anti-apoptotic capability of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the HepG2 hepatoma cell line and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Targeted knockdown of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) genes as well as AMPK agonist AICAR and antagonist compound C were employed to determine the correlations of expression of these genes. RESULTS: HBV markedly protected the hepatoma cells from growth suppression and cell death in the condition of serum deprivation. A decrease of superoxide anion production accompanied with an increase of MnSOD expression and activity was found in HepG2.215 cells. Moreover, AMPK activation contributed to the up-regulation of MnSOD. HBx protein was identified to induce the expression of AMPK and MnSOD. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HBV suppresses mitochondrial superoxide level and exerts an anti-apoptotic effect by activating AMPK/MnSOD signaling pathway, which may provide a novel pharmacological strategy to prevent HCC.

Effects of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecular-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different doses of Wenxiao Decoction on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in experimental atherosclerotic rabbits and to explore the mechanism by which it alleviates atherosclerosis. METHODS: Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into six groups: a blank group, a model group, a Simvastatin group, and high-, medium-, and low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction groups. Except for those in the blank group, all rabbits were fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Carotid atherosclerosis was established by balloon-induced carotid artery endothelium injury in conjunction with the high-cholesterol diet. After 8 weeks, all animals were euthanized to evaluate levels of IL-6 and ICAM-1 expressions (by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and of MCP-1 (by immunohistochemistry staining). RESULTS: The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 were significantly increased in all groups except the blank group (P<0.05). However, the rabbits in the Wenxiao Decoction groups and the Simvastatin group showed significantly lower levels of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 expression than those in the model group (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in the highdosage Wenxiao Decoction group and the Simvastatin group were lower than those in the low-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group (P<0.05). The expression of MCP-1 in medium-dosage Wenxiao Decoction group was lower than that in the low-dosage group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High, medium, and low doses of Wenxiao Decoction can inhibit the expressions of IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1, which may prevent and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. There may be a direct relationship between dosage and therapeutic efficacy of Wenxiao Decoction.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in human samples of mother-newborn pairs in South China and their placental transfer characteristics.

There are limited data concerning the placenta transfer characteristics and accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in infants. However, PBDEs received increasing health concerns due to their endocrine disrupt and neurodevelopment toxicity effects. The present study assessed the accumulation of PBDEs in 30 paired placenta, breast milk, fetal cord blood, and neonatal urine samples collected from five major cities of the South China. The age of mothers ranged from 21 to 39 (mean 27.6±4.56). The ∑PBDE concentrations were 15.8±9.88 ng g(-1) lipid in placenta, 13.2±7.64 ng g(-1) lipid in breast milk, 16.5±19.5 ng g(-1) lipid in fetal cord blood, and 1.80±1.99 ng ml(-1) in neonatal urine. BDE-47 was the predominant congener in all types of human sample. Octa-BDEs such as BDE-196/-197 were detected highly in placenta and cord blood while moderately in breast milk and neonatal urine. Significant (p<0.01) correlations were observed for both total and most individual PBDEs in cord blood-maternal placenta and breast milk-urine paired individual samples. The extent of placental transfer of higher brominated BDEs such as BDE-196/-197 was greater than that of BDE-47. The estimated daily intake (EDI) analysis for breast-fed infants revealed that newborns in these areas were exposed to relatively high levels of PBDEs via breast milk. Our study not only provided systematic fundamental data for PBDE distribution but also revealed the placenta transfer characteristics of PBDE congeners in South China.

Involvement of activating ERK1/2 through G protein coupled receptor 30 and estrogen receptor α/ß in low doses of bisphenol A promoting growth of Sertoli TM4 cells.

Sertoli cells play a pivotal role in supporting proliferation of germ cells and differentiation during spermatogenesis in mammals. Nanomolar concentrations of Bisphenol A (BPA) can significantly stimulate the proliferation of mouse immature Sertoli (TM4) cells. However, mechanisms by which BPA caused these effects were still unclear. In the present study, an inverse U-shaped curve was observed when treating TM4 cells with increasing doses of BPA: 1 to 10nM BPA significantly stimulated the proliferation of TM4 cells and increased the proportion of cells in S phase; >1 µM BPA caused lesser proliferation of cells. Exposure of TM4 cells to G15 or ICI 182,780, which are specific antagonists of GPR30 and estrogen receptor α/ß (ERα/ß), respectively, abolished BPA-induced proliferation of cells, which suggests that both GPR30 and ERα/ß were involved in the observed effects of BPA. Furthermore, exposure to BPA caused rapid (5 min) activation of ERK1/2 via both GPR30 and ERα/ß. Blocking the GPR30/EGFR signal transduction pathway by antagonists suppressed both phosphorylation of ERK and BPA-induced cell proliferation. BPA up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of GPR30 in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, the results reported here indicated that activating ERK1/2 through GPR30 and ERα/ß is involved in low doses of BPA that promoted growth of Sertoli TM4 cells. The GPR30/EGFR/ERK signal is the downstream transduction pathway in BPA-induced proliferation of TM4 Sertoli cells.

Morphological characteristics of the cranial base of early Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion in permanent teeth / Características morfológicas de la base de cráneo en la maloclusión temprana clase II división 1 de Angle en dientes permanentes

To investigate the effects of morphological characteristics of cranial base on malocclusion by analyzing characteristics of sagittal and vertical facial types of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion so as to provide theoretical references for clinical diagnosis and correction of early Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion in permanent teeth. We randomly selected lateral radiographs of the skull of 80 patients at the age of 12­14 years old from the Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, China. There were 20 cases of Angle's class I malocclusion with average angle, 20 cases of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion with average angle, 20 cases of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion with low angle, and 20 cases of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion with high angle. Winceph 8.0 software was used to measure 39 hard tissue markers and 13 indicators reflecting the characteristics of cranial base structure. One-way t-test was used in the average-angle class II division 1 group and average-angle class I group. Least significantdifference was utilized in patients with different vertical types of class II division 1 malocclusion.nterior (S-N) and posterior (S-Ba) cranial base lengths,and total cranial base length(Ba-N) were significantly longer in the class II division 1 patients compared with the class I patients. Significant differences in anterior cranial floor base angle (CF-PM), middle cranial floor base angle (Ba-SE-PM), and posterior cranial base inclination (SBa-FH) were determined between class II division 1 malocclusion and class I malocclusion patients. CF-PM angle and SBa-FH were smaller in class II division 1 subjects than in class I subjects. Ba-SE-PM angle and cranial floor base angle (Ba-SE-FMS) were larger in class II division 1 subjects than in class I subjects. No significant difference in cranial base angle (N-S-Ba) and anterior cranial base inclination (SN-FH) was detected between class II division 1 subjects and class I subjects. Morphology of cranial base and cranial floor base has a significant effect on sagittal and vertical facial types of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion. The changes in the length of the posterior skull base and the inclination of the anterior skull base are mainly presented in the sagittal direction. Angle of cranial base and cranial floor base plays a certain role in vertical facial type of Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion.

El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en investigar los efectos de las características morfológicas de la base craneal sobre la maloclusión, a través del análisis de los siferentes tipos faciales de maloclusión Clase II de Angle (sagital y vertical), para proporcionar referencias teóricas para el diagnóstico clínico y la corrección temprana de la maloclusión de clase II división 1 de Angle en dientes permanentes. Se seleccionaron al azar radiografías laterales de cráneo de 80 pacientes, entre 12-14 años de edad, del Departamento de Ortodoncia, Hospital de Estomatología, Universidad Médica de Shanxi, China. Hubo 20 casos de maloclusión clase I de Angle con ángulo promedio, 20 casos de maloclusión clase II de Angle con ángulo promedio, 20 casos de maloclusión Clase II de Angle con ángulo bajo y 20 casos de maloclusión clase 1 de Angle con ángulo alto. Se utilizó el software Winceph 8.0 para medir 39 marcadores de tejido duro y 13 indicadores que reflejan las características de la estructura de la base de cráneo. Se usó la prueba t de una vía en el grupo clase II de división 1 con ángulo promedio y el grupo clase I con ángulo promedio. Se detectaron diferencias mínimas significativas en pacientes con diferentes tipos verticales de maloclusión clase II división 1. Las longitudes de la base de cráneo posterior (SN) y posterior (S-Ba), y la longitud total de la base craneal (Ba-N) fueron significativamente mayores en la clase II, en comparación con los pacientes de la clase I. Se determinaron diferencias significativas en el ángulo de la base del piso craneal anterior (CF-PM), el ángulo de la base del piso craneal medio (Ba-SE-PM) y la inclinación de la base craneana posterior (SBa-FH) entre la maloclusión clase II división 1 y los pacientes con maloclusión de clase I. Los ángulos de CF-PM y SBa-FH fueron más pequeños en la clase II división 1 que en la clase I. El ángulo de Ba-SE-PM y el ángulo de base del piso craneal (Ba-SE-FMS) fueron mayores en sujetos de clase II división 1 que en sujetos de clase I. No se detectaron diferencias significativas en el ángulo de la base craneana (N-S-Ba) y la inclinación de la base craneal anterior (SN-FH) entre los sujetos de la clase II división 1 y los de la clase I. La morfología de la base craneal y de la base del suelo craneal tiene un efecto significativo en los tipos faciales sagital y vertical de maloclusión Clase II división 1 de Angle. Los cambios en la longitud de la base posterior del cráneo y la inclinación de la base anterior del cráneo se presentaron principalmente en la dirección sagital. El ángulo de la base craneal y la base del suelo craneal tiene cierto rol en el tipo facial vertical de la clase II de Angle.