Mechanism of Salvianolate in Inducing Autophagy in Podocytes of Rats with Membranous Nephropathy via AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of salvianolate on the protein expressions of adenosine monophosphate （AMP）-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， autophagy and apoptosis in kidney tissue of rats with membranous nephropathy （MN）， and to explore its possible molecular mechanism against MN. MethodEighty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， benazepril hydrochloride group （10 mg·kg-1）， and salvianolate low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （16.7， 33.3 and 66.7 mg·kg-1）. The rats were modeled by injection of cationized bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） into the tail vein. After successful modeling， rats in the administration groups were given corresponding doses of drugs for 4 consecutive weeks， and then 24-hour urine， serum and kidney tissue were collected for the detection of 24-hour urinary protein （UTP）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， C reactive protein （CRP）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and malondialdehyde （MDA）. The pathological changes of kidneys were observed by light microscope， electron microscope and immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of phospho-AMPK （p-AMPK）， AMPK， phospho-SIRT1 （p-SIRT1）， SIRT1 and PGC-1α in rat kidney tissue. The protein expressions of autophagy-specific gene （Beclin-1）， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） Ⅱ， ubiquitin-binding protein （p62）， B cell lymphoma （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X （Bax）， and cysteine aspartic protease-7 （Caspase-7） in rat kidney tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultCompared with the conditions in the normal group， the levels of UTP， IL-6， TNF-α， CRP and MDA in the model group were increased （P<0.05） while the levels of SOD and GSH-Px were decreased （P<0.05）， and there was no difference in BUN and SCr. Compared with the model group， the administration groups had lowered UTP， IL-6， TNF-α， CRP and MDA （P<0.05） while elevated SOD and GSH-Px （P<0.05）. It could be seen from hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， immunofluorescence and electron microscopy that the pathological damage of rat kidney tissue in the model group was significant， but after treatment with benazepril hydrochloride and salvianolate， the pathological damage of kidney cells was gradually improved. The expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK， p-SIRT1/SIRT1， PGC-1α， Bcl-2， Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ in rat kidney in the model group were lower than those in the normal group （P<0.05） while the expressions of Bax， Caspase-7 and p62 were higher （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， benazepril hydrochloride group and salvianolate groups had an up-regulation in the expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK， p-SIRT1/SIRT1， PGC-1α， Bcl-2， Beclin-1 and LC3Ⅱ in the kidney （P<0.05） while a down-regulation in the expressions of Bax， Caspase-7 and p62 （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe protective effect of salvianolate on the kidneys of MN rats may be related to the activation of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway， the up-regulation of autophagy and the reduction of apoptosis.

Effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo Prescription on Inflammation and SOCS3/TLR4 Pathway in Rats with Chronic Renal Failure / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the intervention effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription （DHXZ） on inflammation and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 （SOCS3）/Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） pathway in rats with chronic renal failure （CRF）， and to explore its molecular mechanism in alleviating renal inflammatory response. MethodThe 90 male SD rats， 15 were randomly selected as sham group， and the remaining 75 were used as modeling group to replicate CRF rat model by 5/6 nephrectomy. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into model group， DHXZ low-， medium-， high-dose groups （6.825， 13.65， 27.3 g·kg-1） and Niaoduqing Granules group （2.6 g·kg-1）. The drug intervention groups received corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 consecutive weeks. After administration， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the morphological changes of rat renal tissue， and blood creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and blood uric acid （UA） were tested. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the serum contents of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and C-reactive protein （CRP）. The mRNA expressions of SOCS3 and TLR4 in renal tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the protein expressions of SOCS3， TLR4， nuclear transcription factor （NF-κB） and myeloid differentiation factor （MyD88） were detected by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the protein expressions of NF-κB， MyD88， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） and melanoma deficiency factor 2 （AIM2）. ResultCompared with the sham group， the model group had a significant inflammatory response in renal tissue， and an increase in blood SCr， BUN， UTP， IL-6， TNF-α and CRP （P<0.05）. The protein and mRNA expressions of SOCS3 in renal tissue of rats in the model group were lower while the protein expressions of TLR4， NF-κB， MyD88， NLRP3 and AIM2 and the mRNA expression of TLR4 were higher than those in the sham group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， DHXZ and Niaoduqing granules groups presented markedly reduced inflammatory response in renal tissue and decreased blood SCr， BUN， UTP， IL-6， TNF-α and CRP （P<0.05）. Additionally， DHXZ and Niaoduqing granules up-regulated the protein and mRNA expressions of SOCS3 in renal tissue while down-regulated the protein expressions of TLR4， NF-κB， MyD88， NLRP3 and AIM2 and the mRNA expression of TLR4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionDHXZ can reduce the release and expression of inflammatory factors， inhibit the inflammatory response and improve renal function， and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of SOCS3/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo Prescription on Renal Interstitial Fibrosis of Rats with 5/6 Nephrectomy by Regulating ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription on the changes in renal pathology and reactive oxygen species （ROS）/thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway expression in the kidney tissues of rats with 5/6 nephrectomy， and to explore the mechanism of Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription in protecting renal function and delaying renal interstitial fibrosis and the possibility. MethodNinety healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， low， medium， and high-dose （6.825， 13.65， 27.30 g·kg-1） Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription groups， and a Niaoduqing granule group （2.60 g·kg-1）. Except the sham operation group， 5/6 nephrectomy was used to replicate the rat model of chronic renal failure （CRF）. After modeling， each administration group was given the corresponding dose of drug suspension by intragastric administration， once a day for consecutive 8 weeks. After administration， serum creatinine （SCr） and urea nitrogen （BUN） levels and 24 h urinary protein quantification （UTP） levels were detected. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expressions of thioredoxin （TRX）， TXNIP， and NLRP3. The protein expressions of TRX， TXNIP， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， transformation growth factor-β （TGF-β）， Collagen Ⅳ， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， and fibronectin （FN） were detected by immunohistochemistry. ResultAs compared with the sham operation group， serum levels of SCr， BUN， and UTP in the model group were increased （P<0.05）， TRX， TXNIP， NLRP3， ASC， TGF-β， Collagen Ⅳ， α-SMA， and FN proteins were increased （P<0.01）， and renal interstitial fibrosis significantly occurred. As compared with the model group， the levels of SCr， 24 h BUN， and UTP in the low， medium， and high-dose Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription groups and the Niaoduqing granule group were decreased to varying degrees （P<0.05）， TRX， TXNIP， NLRP3， ASC， TGF-β， Collagen Ⅳ， α-SMA， and FN were decreased （P<0.01）， and renal interstitial fibrosis was improved to varying degrees. ConclusionDahuang Xiezhuo prescription can protect renal function and delay renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with CRF.

Modified Shengjiangsan Inhibits Necroptosis by Mediating RIP1/RIP3/MLKL Signaling Pathway and Reduces Renal Fibrosis in Rats with Diabetic Nephropathy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the mechanism of modified Shengjiangsan in necroptosis and renal fibrosis of rats with diabetic nephropathy based on receptor-interacting protein （RIP）1/RIP3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein （MLKL） signaling pathway. MethodSeventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into a model group， a normal group， three high， medium， and low-dose modified Shengjiangsan groups （4.365， 8.73， 17.46 g·kg-1）， and an irbesartan group （0.013 5 g·kg-1）. After 4 weeks of intragastric administration， the levels of 24 h urine protein （UTP）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） of rats in each group were determined， as well as the changes in degree of renal pathology. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）， transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1）， and nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） in kidney tissues of rats. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of key proteins in the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway. ResultAs compared with the normal group， the renal interstitial fibrosis in the model group was obvious， and the 24 h UTP， IL-1β， TNF-α levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）. In the model group， the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， MCP -1， TGF-β1， and NF-κB in the kidney tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05）， and protein expression levels of RIP1， RIP3， p-MLKL， and MLKL were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， all modified Shengjiangsan groups and the irbesartan group improved the levels of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats to varying degrees. As compared with the model group， the 24 h UTP levels in all modified Shengjiangsan groups and the irbesartan group were decreased to varying degrees （P<0.05）， the content of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum were decreased （P<0.05）， the mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， MCP-1， TGF-β1， and NF-κB in renal tissues was down-regulated （P<0.05）， and the protein expression levels of RIP1， RIP3， p-MLKL， and MLKL were down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Shengjiangsan ameliorates renal injury of rats with diabetic nephropathy， and the mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway， the prevention of renal tissue necroptosis， and the inhibition of renal fibrosis.

Effect and Mechanism of Yishen Tongluo Prescription on miR-514a-5p/TNFSF15 Signaling Pathway in MN Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of Yishen Tongluo prescription in inhibiting the apoptosis of glomerular podocytes in rats with membranous nephropathy （MN） based on the miR-514a-5p/tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 15 （TNFSF15） signaling pathway. MethodEighty SD rats were pre-immunized and injected with cationized bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） into the tail vein for inducing MN， and the successfully modeled MN rats were randomly divided into the model group， high-， middle-， and low-dose （26.44， 13.22， 6.61 g·kg-1） Yishen Tongluo prescription groups， and benazepril （10 mg·kg-1） group， with 10 rats in each group， and another 20 healthy rats were classified into the normal group. Rats in each group were gavaged with the corresponding drugs， once a day， for four successive weeks. After the administration， the 24-hour urine total protein （UTP） level， serum total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， albumin （ALB）， creatinine （SCr）， and urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were measured. The miR-514a-5p and TNFSF15 mRNA expression levels in the rat kidney tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and the expression levels of podocyte marker proteins Nephrin， Podocin， Podocalyxin， Synaptopodin， TNFSF15， and podocyte apoptosis-related proteins B lymphocytoma-2 （Bcl-2）-related X protein （Bax）， Bcl-2-associated death promoter （BAD） protein， and B-cell lymphoma-extra large （Bcl-XL） by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of TNFSF15， Bax， BAD， Bcl-2， and BCL-XL in the rat kidney tissue. The apoptosis rate of rat kidney tissue was measured using the in situ end labeling method （Tunnel）. ResultCompared with the normal group， the level of miR-514a-5p in the kidney tissue was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the TNFSF15 mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.05）. The expression levels of podocyte marker proteins Nephrin， Podocin， Podocalyxin， and Synaptopodin were down-regulated （P<0.05）. The protein expression levels of TNFSF15， Bax， and BAD were increased （P<0.05）， whereas the Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL protein expression levels were decreased （P<0.05）. The number of apoptotic cells diminished significantly （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the level of miR-514a-5p in the kidney tissue was significantly increased （P<0.05）， while the level of TNFSF15 mRNA was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. The expression levels of podocyte marker proteins Nephrin， Podocin， podocalyxin， and Synaptopodin were up-regulated （P<0.05）， whereas the TNFSF15， Bax， and BAD protein expression levels were down-regulated （P<0.05）. Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL protein expression levels rose （P<0.05）. The number of apoptotic cells significantly decreased （P<0.05）. ConclusionYishen Tongluo prescription reduces the apoptosis of rat kidney podocytes and alleviates the kidney injury of MN rats through the miR-514a-5p/TNFSF15 signaling pathway.

Jiangzhi Tongluo Soft Capsules Regulate SIRT1/FoxO3 Pathway to Affect Cell Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Jiangzhi Tongluo soft capsule on the protein levels of silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 （SIRT1） and forkhead transcription factor FoxO3 and podocyte apoptosis in the renal tissue of rats with membranous nephropathy and to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms for the treatment of MN. MethodSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned into 6 groups with 10 rats each. The six groups included a normal group， a model group， benazepril hydrochloride group， and Jiangzhi Tongluo soft capsule groups of low， medium and high doses （25， 50， 100 mg·kg-1， respectively）. The model rats were established by injection with cationized bovine serum albumin into the tail vein. After modeling， the rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage for 4 weeks. At the end of the 4th week， an electron microscope was used to observe the pathological changes in the kidney. Western blot was employed to detect the protein levels of SIRT1 and FoxO3 protein in rat kidney， and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of B lymphocytoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， Bcl-2-associated death promoter （Bad）， and podocyte split diaphragm proteins nephrin and podocin. ResultCompared with normal group， the expression of pro-apoptotic factors Bax， Bad， and FoxO3 in the kidney was up-regulated （P<0.05）， while that of anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2， SIRT1， nephrin， and podocin was down-regulated （P<0.05） after modeling. Compared with the model group， the treatments down-regulated the expression of Bax， Bad， and FoxO3 （P<0.05） and up-regulated that of Bcl-2， SIRT1， nephrin， and podocin （P<0.05）. ConclusionJiangzhi Tongluo soft capsule may regulate the SIRT1/FoxO3 pathway to reduce podocyte apoptosis and maintain podocyte structure stability， thereby exerting the renal protection effect.

Meta-analysis of perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted pyloric sparing gastrectomy for early gastric cancer / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To conduct a Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy(LPPG) and laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy(LDG) in early gastric cancer(EGC).Methods:Searched Web of Science, Cochrane library, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Medical Database, CNKI, Wanfang Database to identify all qualified studies comparing LPPG and LDG in EGC. The retrieval time was from the database establishment to October 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as ( Mean± SD). Comparing two groups by mean difference(MD) with 95% confidence interval(CI) for contious outcomes and odds ratio(OR) with 95% CI for dichotomous data.The RevMan software was used to analyze the perioperative outcome. Results:A total of 10 studies were included, with a total of 1613 patients, 624 in the LPPG group and 989 in the LDG group. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative anal exhaust time, hospital stay, and overall complication rate of LPPG were similar to LDG.Compared with the LDG group, the LPPG group had fewer lymph node dissections ( MD=-2.51, 95% CI: -4.31~-0.71, P=0.006), longer postoperative gastric tube indwelling time ( MD=1.05, 95% CI: 0.31~1.80, P=0.006), and a higher incidence of delayed gastric emptying ( P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of other perioperative complications. Conclusion:LPPG is a safe and feasible surgical method for the treatment of EGC, and can be used as an alternative to LDG.

Effect of moxibustion on renal function and hypercoagulable state in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy of low to medium risk with spleen-kidney deficiency and blood stasis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect of moxibustion combined with basic treatment and simple basic treatment on the clinical symptoms, renal function and hypercoagulable state in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) of low to medium risk with spleen-kidney deficiency and blood stasis.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with IMN of low to medium risk with spleen-kidney deficiency and blood stasis were randomized into an observation group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (30 cases, 1 case dropped off). In the control group, the conventional basic treatment of anti-hypertension, regulating blood lipid and anti-coagulation was adopted. On the basis of the control group, moxibustion was applied at Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the observation group, once a day, 5 days a week continuously with 2 day interval. The treatment of 6 months was required in the both groups. Before treatment and 3 and 6 months into treatment, the total TCM syndrome score, the renal function indexes (24-hour urinary protein quantity [UTP], albumin [ALB], urea nitrogen [BUN] and creatinine [Scr]), the blood coagulation indexes (fibrinogen [FIB], D-Dimer [D-D], p-selection and von Willebrand factor [vWF]), total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) levels were observed, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated on 3 and 6 months into treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The effective rates of 3 and 6 months into treatment were 78.6% (22/28) and 89.3% (25/28) in the observation group, which were higher than 62.1% (18/29) and 75.9% (22/29) in the control group respectively (@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion combined with basic treatment can effectively improve the clinical symptoms, renal function and renal microcirculation in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy of low to medium risk with spleen-kidney deficiency and blood stasis, the therapeutic effect is superior to the simple basic treatment.

Renal Protection of Yishen Tongluo Prescription in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy and Its Influence on AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effects of Yishen Tongluo prescription （YTP） on autophagy-related proteins in rats with membranous nephropathy （MN） and explore its possible molecular mechanism in protecting the kidney. Method:Twenty of 80 Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly selected as the normal control， and the rest rats were pre-immunized and injected with cationized bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） through the tail vein to induce MN. The SD rats that were successfully modeled were randomized into the model group， benazepril hydrochloride group （10 mg·kg^-1）， and low- （6.61g·kg^-1）， medium- （13.22 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose （26.44 g·kg^-1） YTP groups， and administered with the corresponding drugs by gavage， once a day， for four consecutive weeks. Then the changes in such quantitative indicators as plasma albumin （ALB）， triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， serum creatinine （SCr）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， and 24-hour urinary total protein （UTP） were detected， followed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， Masson's trichrome staining， and periodic Schiff-methenamine （PASM） staining for observing the pathological changes in kidney under the transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The deposition of immunoglobulin G （IgG） and complement 3 （C3） in the glomerulus was detected by fluorescence immunoassay. The expression levels of autophagy marker proteins Beclin-1， microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ）， and p62 were measured by immunohistochemistry （IHC）， and those of related proteins in the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase / mechanisic target of rapamycin/Unc-51-like kinase 1 （AMPK/mTOR/ULK1） signaling pathway were determined by Western blot assy. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited significantly increased UTP （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and serum TG and TC （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， decreased ALB （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， disordered glomerular structure， enlarged volume， thickened basement membrane， vacuolated renal tubules， excessively deposited collagen fibers and fuchsinophilic proteins， extensively fused podocyte foot processes， and diffusely deposited IgG and C3 in glomerular capillary loops. Besides， the expression levels of Beclin-1， LC3II， and phosphorylated AMPK （p-AMPK） decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while those of p62， phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR）， and phosphorylated ULK1 （p-ULK1） increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The comparison with the model group revealed that the TG， TC， and UTP levels in the low-， medium-， and high-dose YTP groups and the benazepril hydrochloride group were reduced to varying degrees （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， whereas the ALB level was increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in SCr or BUN level. The pathological damages were alleviated. The expression levels of Beclin-1， LC3Ⅱ， and p-AMPK were up-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， while those of p62， p-mTOR， and p-ULK1 were down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:YTP protects the kidney of rats with MN possibly by regulating related proteins in the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway and activating the autophagy.

Effect of Modified Shengjiangsan on Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in MN Rats via Regulating HIF-1α/NOX4 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the intervention effect of modified Shengjiangsan on hypoxia-inducible factor-1<italic>α </italic>（HIF-1<italic>α</italic>）/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 （NOX4） signaling pathway in membranous nephropathy （MN） rats and to explore its mechanism to reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal tissues. Method:Cationized bovine serum albumin （C-BSA） was injected into the tail vein of rats to replicate the MN model. Rats were randomly divided into a model group， a modified Shengjiangsan group， and a benazepril group after modeling， and administered by gavage once a day accordingly. At the end of the 4^th week， the 24-h urine total protein （UTP）， urea nitrogen （BUN）， and serum creatinine （SCr） levels of each group were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in renal tissues of rats. In situ end labeling（TUNEL） staining was used to detect the cell apoptosis rate. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1<italic>α</italic> and NOX4 were detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）and Western blot， respectively. The immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphomas -2 （Bcl-2）， B-cell lymphomas xl （Bcl-xl）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， Bcl-2 cell death regulator antibody （Bim）. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased UTP （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， decreased SOD， elevated MDA and ROS （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1<italic>α</italic> and NOX4 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， enhanced protein expression of Bax and Bim， declining protein expression of Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and increased cell apoptosis in renal tissues. Compared with the model group， the modified Shengjiangsan group and the benazepril group displayed declining UTP （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， up-regulated SOD， decreased MDA and ROS （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1<italic>α</italic> and NOX4 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， diminished protein expression of Bax and Bim， elevated protein expression of Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， and reduced cell apoptosis in renal tissues （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:The protective effect of modified Shengjiangsan on the kidney is presumedly achieved by reducing the oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal tissues of MN rats via inhibiting the HIF-1<italic>α</italic>/NOX4 signaling pathway.

Advances and prospects in metabolic engineering for the production of amino acids / 生物工程学报

Fermentative production of amino acids is one of the pillars of the fermentation industry in China. Recently, with the fast development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology technologies, the metabolic engineering for production of amino acids has been flourishing. Conventional forward metabolic engineering, reversed metabolic engineering based on omics data and in silico simulation, and evolutionary metabolic engineering mimicking the natural evolution, have shown increasingly promising applications. A series of highly efficient and robust amino acids-producing strains have been developed and applied in the industrial production of amino acids. The increasingly fierce market competition has put forward new requirements for strain breeding and selection, such as developing high value-added amino acids, dynamic regulation of cellular metabolism, and adapting to the requirements of new process. This review summarizes the advances and prospects in metabolic engineering for the production of amino acids.

Discussion on Analysis of Artemisinin and Piperaquine Tablets by Infrared Spectroscopy / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was employed to identify the Artemisinin and Piperaquine Tablets. Artemisinin and piperaquine was extracted separately by different solvents, and IR spectra were collected. IR absorption spectrum of the extract was concordant with the reference spectrum recorded in the Atlas of Infrared Spectra of Drugs, except for a group of small absorptions at 1 574 cm-1 for the artemisinin extract. It was concluded that IR method is stable and accurate, which can be used to identify the Artemisinin and Piperaquine Tablets.

Effects of high natural background radiation on chromosome aberration frequency of peripheral blood lymphocytes of long-term exposed inhabitants: a Meta analysis / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To quantitatively analyze the effects of high background radiation area (HBRA) on the frequencies of translocation and unstable chromosome aberrations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.Methods Based on the data from 9 published articles retrieved from 7 electronic databases,the Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of high natural background radiation (HNBR) on the frequencies of chromosome aberrations in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in 17 777 persons from HBRA and 10 386 from the control area (CA).Cochrane's Q and I2 statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity among studies and pooling odds ratio (OR) with 95％ confidence intervals (95％ CI) were calculated using random-effect models.Publication bias was also calculated by funnel plot,Egger linear regression test and Begg rank correlation test.Results The pooling OR of translocation [OR(95％ CI) =1.57(1.10-2.24)] and unstable chromosome aberration [OR(95％ CI) =2.04(1.32-3.14)] of long-term exposed inhabitants living in HBRA were higher than control.The subgroup analysis showed that,fortranslocation,the OR (95％ CI) were 1.24 (1.09-1.42,I2 =0.00) for male,1.37 (1.17-1.60,I2 =0.00) for female,1.17 (1.05-1.30,I2 =69.50％) for adults,and 1.38 (1.25-1.51,I2 =0.00) for Chinese.For unstable chromosome aberration,the OR (95％ CI) were 3.78 (2.40-5.97,I2 =0.00) for female,2.60 (2.25-3.00,I2 =69.60％) for adults,1.03(0.85-1.24,I2 =0.00) for children,3.19 (2.46-4.13,I2 =21.60％) for Iranian,and 1.64 (1.33-2.02,I2 =0.00) for Chinese.HBRA,age and sex differences were the reasons of above heterogeneity.Conclusions To the inhabitants living in HBRA,the frequencies of translocation and unstable chromosome aberration of peripheral blood lymphocytes are higher than those in control area.More comprehensive analysis should be performed to assess the health risk in HBRA inhabitants,which may arise new stragety in radiation protection.

Isoflurane preconditioning decreases the plasma concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and protects myocardium against cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac valve replacement / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of isoflurane preconditioning on the plasma concentration of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and myocardial ultramicrostructure in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients undergoing elective cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly assigned to a control group (ný15) and an isoflurane group (ný15). In the isoflurane group, isoflurane of 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration end-tidal( 1.1% approximately 1.2%) was administered for 30 min followed by a 15 min washout period before the CPB. The control group did not inhale isofurane, and there was no difference in the other drugs in the 2 groups. Blood samples for MMP-9 were obtained before incision(T(0)) and at 30 min (T(1)),6 h (T(2)),12 h (T(3)), and 24 h (T(4)) after the reperfusion. Right atrial biopsies were collected before and after the CPB to observe the myocardial ultramicrostructure.@*RESULTS@#Compared with T(0), the mean MMP-9 level significantly increased at T(1), T(2) and T(3) in the control group(P<0.01), while the MMP-9 level only at T(1) significantly increased in the isoflurane group (P<0.01). The mean MMP-9 level was significantly reduced in the isoflurane group at T(2) compared with each time point in the control group. The difference in MMP-9 levels between T(1), T(2), T(3) and T(0) was significantly lower in the isoflurane group than that in the control group (P<0.01). The ultramicrostructure injury of myocardium under electron microscope in the control group was worse than that in the isoflurane group.@*CONCLUSION@#The plasma concentration of MMP-9 is inhibited by isoflurane preconditioning in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement after CPB, which might be part of its protective mechanism against myocardium injury after CPB.