Effect of Bletillae Rhizoma Polysaccharide on PI3K/Akt in Gastric Tissue of GU Model Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the effect of Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide on the expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt) gene protein and its mediated cytokines interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in gastric tissue of rats with gastric ulcer (GU). Method::Sixty SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group and model group.The GU model was replicated by direct acetic acid cauterization in model group.The GU model rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, positive control group, and large, medium and small-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide groups, with 10 rats in each group.Rats in blank group and GU model group were given 10 mL·kg-1·d-1 distilled water by gavage, rats in large, medium and small-dose groups were given 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 g·kg-1·d-1 Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide by gavage, while rats in positive control group were given 0.3 g·kg-1·d-1 ranitidine by gavage for 15 days.Serum nitric oxide (NO) content, pepsinase activity and cytokines IL-2R and IL-4 levels in rats of each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), PI3K and Akt mRNA expressions were detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and PI3K and Akt protein expressions were detected by Western blot. Result::Compared with the blank group, the contents and gene expressions of cytokines IL-2R and IL-4 in gastric tissue were significantly increased, and the PI3K and Akt genes and protein expressions were significantly increased, with statistical significance (P<0.01). Compared with GU model group, the content and gene expressions of IL-2R and IL-4 in large, medium and small-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide groups were decreased significantly, and the PI3K and Akt gene and protein expressions were decreased significantly in large-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide group, while those in large and medium-dose Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide groups were decreased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Bletillae Rhizoma polysaccharide can protect gastric mucosa by down-regulating PI3K and Akt gene and protein expressions and inhibiting abnormal secretion of cytokines IL-2R and IL-4.

Effect of a Novel Intracycle Motion Correction Algorithm on Dual-Energy Spectral Coronary CT Angiography: A Study with Pulsating Coronary Artery Phantom at High Heart Rates

OBJECTIVE: Using a pulsating coronary artery phantom at high heart rate settings, we investigated the efficacy of a motion correction algorithm (MCA) to improve the image quality in dual-energy spectral coronary CT angiography (CCTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronary flow phantoms were scanned at heart rates of 60–100 beats/min at 10-beats/min increments, using dual-energy spectral CT mode. Virtual monochromatic images were reconstructed from 50 to 90 keV at 10-keV increments. Two blinded observers assessed image quality using a 4-point Likert Scale (1 = non-diagnostic, 4 = excellent) and the fraction of interpretable segments using MCA versus conventional algorithm (CA). Comparison of variables was performed with the Wilcoxon rank sum test and McNemar test. RESULTS: At heart rates of 70, 80, 90, and 100 beats/min, images with MCA were rated as higher image scores compared to those with CA on monochromatic levels of 50, 60, and 70 keV (each p < 0.05). Meanwhile, at a heart rate of 90 beats/min, image interpretability was improved by MCA at a monochromatic level of 60 keV (p < 0.05) and 70 keV (p < 0.05). At a heart rate of 100 beats/min, image interpretability was improved by MCA at monochromatic levels of 50 keV (from 69.4% to 86.1%, p < 0.05), 60 keV (from 55.6% to 83.3%, p < 0.05) and 70 keV (from 33.3% to 69.3%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-keV monochromatic images combined with MCA improves image quality and image interpretability in CCTAs at high heart rates.

Inhibition of Store-Operated Calcium Entry Protects Endothelial Progenitor Cells from H₂O₂-Induced Apoptosis

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), a major mode of extracellular calcium entry, plays roles in a variety of cell activities. Accumulating evidence indicates that the intracellular calcium ion concentration and calcium signaling are critical for the responses induced by oxidative stress. The present study was designed to investigate the potential effect of SOCE inhibition on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are the predominant cells involved in endothelial repair. The results showed that H₂O₂-induced EPC apoptosis was reversed by SOCE inhibition induced either using the SOCE antagonist ML-9 or via silencing of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), a component of SOCE. Furthermore, SOCE inhibition repressed the increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ameliorated the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by H₂O₂. Our findings provide evidence that SOCE inhibition exerts a protective effect on EPCs in response to oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ and may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy against vascular endothelial injury.

Study on effect of coptidis rhizoma on red blood cells of normal mice and its antioxidant property / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) on hemolysis and antioxidant system of normal mice and its impact on the functions, while evaluating the oxidation reduction property of CR and berberine.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>In the whole animal experiment, normal mice were orally administered with CR at the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1) for three days. Their blood were collected to detect the hemoglobin in plasma, the content of serum bilirubin, the number of peripheral blood reticulocytes, the T-AOC in whole blood, measure the contents of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) of RBC membrane, determine the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase, fluidity, and observe its impact on the liquidity and deformability of RBCs. According to the electrical and biochemical experiment, the voltammetric behaviors of CR and berberine on glassy carbon electrode were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry. In the RBC in vitro experiment, the impact of Coptidis Rhizoma on autoxidation hemolysis rate of RBCs of normal mice was observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There was no significant effect on hemoglobin, serum bilirubin, and reticulocyte count in normal mice administrated with CR at the dose of 1.2 g x kg(-1), and so is on RBC membrane SOD, G6PD, MDA, GSH and whole blood T-AOC activity. In addition, CR had also no significant effect on Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase activity, and no notable impact on the fluidity and deformability of RBCs. There were two oxidation peaks at -0.27 V and 0.60 V induced by CR and one oxidation peak induced by berberine at 0.56 V, with no reduction peak at fly-back. CR could significantly inhibit oxidative hemolysis in RBCs at the dose of 0.125-2 g x L(-1) in vitro.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The normal dose of Coptidis Rhizoma can not cause hemolysis of RBC, and also can not change antioxidant system and functions of RBC, CR and berberine show antioxidant (reducing) properties.</p>