Incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals to improve the physicochemical and bioactive properties of pectin-konjac glucomannan composite films containing clove essential oil.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) isolated from cotton in augmenting pectin (PEC)/konjac glucomannan (KGM) composite films containing clove essential oil (CEO) for food packaging application. The effects of CNC dosage on film properties were examined by analyzing the rheology of film-forming solutions and the mechanical, barrier, antimicrobial, and CEO-release properties of the films. Rheological and FTIR analysis revealed the enhanced interactions among the film components after CNC incorporation due to its high aspect ratio and abundant hydroxyl groups, which can also prevent CEO droplet aggregation, contributing to form a compact microstructure as confirmed by SEM and 3D surface topography observations. Consequently, the addition of CNC reinforced the polysaccharide matrix, increasing the tensile strength of the films and improving their barrier properties to water vapor. More importantly, antibacterial, controlled release and kinetic simulation experiments proved that the addition of CNC could further slow down the release rate of CEO, prolonging the antimicrobial properties of the films. PEC/KGM/CEO composite films with 15 wt% CNC was found to have relatively best comprehensive properties, which was also most effective in delaying deterioration of grape quality during the storage of 9 days at 25 °C.

Analysis of the hospitalization costs of surgical patients with congenital heart disease in the plateau region of western China, 2010-2019.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most common birth defects and consumes a substantial amount of health care resources. CHD leads to heavy economic burdens for families. However, there are limited data regarding the utilization of healthcare resources for CHD. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the composition, changing trends, and factors affecting hospitalization costs for patients with CHD in the western highlands area of China over a 10-year period. Methods: We conducted a study using the International Quality Improvement Collaborative for Congenital Heart Surgery (IQIC) database and information management system of The First Hospital of Lanzhou University between January 2010 and December 2019. Results: Among 3,087 patients hospitalized for CHD surgery, annual CHD hospitalization costs saw an increasing trend over the 10-year period, with an average growth rate of 4.6% per year. The major contributors to the hospitalization costs were surgery, surgical material, and drug costs. Length of stay (ß=0.203; 0.379; 0.474, P<0.01), age at hospitalization (ß=0.293, P<0.01), proportion of surgery (ß=0.090; -0.102; -0.122; -0.110, P<0.01) and drug costs (ß=-0.114; -0.147; -0.069, P<0.01), and use of traditional Chinese medicine (ß=0.141, P<0.01) were independent factors affecting average hospitalization costs. Conclusions: The financial burden of patients with CHD in the Chinese western highland region is high. Independent of inflation, CHD hospitalization costs are increasing. Measures taken by medical institutions to control the increase in drug costs, and to shorten the length of stay may be expected to have positive effects on reducing the financial burden of individuals with CHD and their families.

Evaluation of community basic public health service effect in a city in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region--based on entropy weight TOPSIS method and RSR fuzzy set.

BACKGROUND: By analyzing 23 evaluation indicators included in 14 national basic public health service programs in a region of Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, the performance of basic public health services in the region in 2021 were analyzed to clarify the implementation and conduct of relevant programs. We also use this study as a basis to radiate the work of municipal basic public health services centered on the region and the outstanding problems reflected and to provide theoretical contents and suggestions that can be referred to for the same regions in central and western China as well as worldwide. METHODS: Using the TOPSIS method as the basis for the data analysis method, the evaluation indexes are ranked in terms of their proximity to the idealized target, and combined with the entropy value method, Technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) and rank-sum ratio (RSR) were used to rank 14 basic health care providers by grade. A comprehensive evaluation of the performance of basic public health services in a region of Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2021 was conducted through a joint model of entropy -weighted TOPSIS and RSR, making full use of the characteristics and advantages of the fuzzy joint, and conducting a comprehensive analysis from the perspective of the ratio weight and the method of graded calculation, making the study more distinguishable and measureable. RESULTS: In this study, for the regional basic public health services, a total of 23 evaluation indicators of basic public health service projects were included, among which the top three indicators with the weight of the entropy value method indicators were found to include the rate of Chinese medicine health management for the elderly, the rate of health management for the elderly, and the BCG vaccination rate after the analysis of the weight of the indicators; After the entropy-weighted TOPSIS evaluation showed that the Ci values of the regions were found to be between 0.378 and 0.715 through the calculation of the positive and negative ideal values of each indicator; RSR staging method evaluation showed that three community health centers (X2, X10, X12) had excellent evaluations of basic public health services; The number of evaluations as poor and moderate are 2 (X3, X9) and 9 (X1, X4, X5, X6, X7, X8, X11, X13, X14), respectively; Finally, the results of the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method and the fuzzy joint model of RSR staging method are basically consistent with the overall trend of the above two methods, and the reliability and credibility of the research results are high. CONCLUSION: The entropy-weighted TOPSIS and RSR joint model can evaluate the effectiveness of basic public health services in a more comprehensive and holistic way. The results of the RSR staging results and the related weight ratio analysis show that the basic public health service programs in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are relatively balanced, but there are some differences; The same genus of elderly Chinese medicine health management rate, health management rate of the elderly, BCG vaccination rate several indicators accounted for a higher weight, its correlation with the key population-related items is high, suggesting that the future key population health service items should be focused on, and future research should be suggested from two key research.

A novel fasting regimen revealed protein reservation and complement C3 down-regulation after 14-day's continual dietary deprivation.

Objectives: The aim is to evaluate the effect of a novel 14-day fasting regimen on the balance between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue composition which might associate with inflammatory factors. Our analysis includes basic physical examinations, clinical laboratory analysis, bioelectrical impedance and biochemical analytic assessments of healthy volunteers. Methods: Eight healthy subjects were randomly selected from a pool of volunteers to undergo a continual dietary deprivation (CDD) regimen. Individuals were assigned to take Flexible Abrosia (FA, prebiotic combination) plus appropriate mineral supplement of potassium and magnesium at 3 mealtime every day to prevent potential injury from starved intestinal flora and avoid spasms of smooth muscle due to hunger. Physical and medical examinations were conducted and blood samples were collected at following timepoints: before CDD as self-control (0D), day 7 and day 14 during fasting, and 7-21days and/or 2~3mo after refeeding. Results: The combination of FA and mineral supplements significantly decreased self-reported physical response of starvation, with tolerable hunger-mediated sensations experienced during CDD. Bioelectrical and biochemical results indicated significant reduction in both muscle lean and fat mass on day 7. Meanwhile, markers related to fat composition consistently decreased during and after CDD. In addition, most biochemical marker levels, including serum proteins, reached their inflection points at the 7th day of CDD as compared to the control measurements. Levels of these factors started to show a relative plateau, or reversed direction upon the 14th day of CDD. The exceptions of above factors were myostatin and complement protein C3, which remained at lower concentrations in the blood throughout CDD, and were unable to fully recover toward baseline levels even after 3 months' refeeding. Conclusion: Our results indicated that human subjects undergoing prolonged dietary restriction were well protected by FA and mineral ions from gut injury or physical discomfort of starvation. Most factors showed a relative plateau response at the end of 14D-CDD. The muscle tissues were well preserved during prolonged fasting, and an improved protein/lipid ratio was observed. Upon refeeding, constant lower levels of myostatin and complement C3 were maintained after CDD implies a long-term beneficial effect in dealing with anti-aging and inflammation.

Prediction of the Active Components and Mechanism of Forsythia suspensa Leaf against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Based on Network Pharmacology.

Objective: Forsythia suspensa leaf (FSL) has been used as a health tea in China for centuries. Previous experiments have proved that FSL extract has a good effect on the antirespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro, but its exact mechanism is not clear. Therefore, this study aims to determine the active components and targets of FSL and further explore its anti-RSV mechanism. Methods: UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS was used to analyze the main chemical components of FSL. The compound disease target network, PPI, GO, and KEGG were used to obtain key targets and potential ways. Then, the molecular docking was verified by Schrödinger Maestro software. Next, the cell model of RSV infection was established, and the inhibitory effect of each drug on RSV was detected. Finally, western blotting was used to detect the effect of the active components of FSL on the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related protein. Results: UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS analysis showed that there were 67 main chemical constituents in FSL, while network pharmacological analysis showed that there were 169 anti-RSV targets of the active components in FSL, involving 177 signal pathways, among which PI3K/AKT signal pathway played an important role in the anti-RSV process of FSL. The results of molecular docking showed that cryptochlorogenic acid, phillyrin, phillygenin, rutin, and rosmarinic acid had higher binding activities to TP53, STAT3, MAPK1, AKT1, and MAPK3, respectively. In vitro experiments showed that phillyrin and rosmarinic acid could effectively improve the survival rate of RSV-infected cells, increase the expression level of PI3K, and decrease the expression level of AKT. Conclusion: The active ingredients of FSL, phillyrin, and rosmarinic acid can play an anti-RSV role by inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study provides reliable theoretical and experimental support for the anti-RSV treatment of FSL.

Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate prevents cadmium-induced activation of JNK and apoptotic hepatocyte death by reversing ROS-inactivated PP2A.

OBJECTIVES: Cadmium (Cd) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis and consequential liver disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG) on Cd-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS: L02 and AML-12 cells were used to study MgIG hepatoprotective effects. Cd-evoked apoptosis, ROS and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) cascade disruption were analysed by cell viability assay, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining, ROS imaging and Western blotting. Pharmacological and genetic approaches were used to explore the mechanisms. KEY FINDINGS: We show that MgIG attenuated Cd-evoked hepatocyte apoptosis by blocking JNK pathway. Pre-treatment with SP600125 or ectopic expression of dominant-negative c-Jun enhanced MgIG's anti-apoptotic effects. Further investigation found that MgIG rescued Cd-inactivated PP2A. Inhibition of PP2A activity by okadaic acid attenuated the MgIG's inhibition of the Cd-stimulated JNK pathway and apoptosis; in contrast, overexpression of PP2A strengthened the MgIG effects. In addition, MgIG blocked Cd-induced ROS generation. Eliminating ROS by N-acetyl-l-cysteine abrogated Cd-induced PP2A-JNK pathway disruption and concurrently reinforced MgIG-conferred protective effects, which could be further slightly strengthened by PP2A overexpression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that MgIG is a promising hepatoprotective agent for the prevention of Cd-induced hepatic injury by mitigating ROS-inactivated PP2A, thus preventing JNK activation and hepatocyte apoptosis.

Association between Oral vitamin C supplementation and serum uric acid: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Results from recent trials assessing the effect of oral vitamin C supplementation on serum uric acid (SUA) have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between oral vitamin C supplementation and serum uric acid. METHODS: PUBMED, EMBASE, CNKI, Web of Science, and CENTRAL of Cochrane library databases were searched to identify relevant articles published up to February 2020. Heterogeneity was evaluated using I-square (I2) statistics. Random-effects model was used to pool weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) as summary effect sizes. RESULTS: The total sixteen eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) containing 1,013 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled findings showed that vitamin C supplementation had a significant effect of lowering SUA. The subgroup analyses showed that the effect of vitamin C supplementation on SUA has positive association with mean age of participants <65 years old, the use of placebo or blank control, duration of trials <1 month and high-quality studies. In addition, sensitivity analysis showed that the results of this study were stable. Both Egger's test and Begg's test demonstrated that no evidence of significant publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The results of present meta-analysis have demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation could make a reduction of SUA. The use of placebo, duration of intervention, age of the subjects and study quality have an impact on the effect of oral vitamin C, but the baseline of SUA not.

Protective effects of irigenin against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced neurotoxicity through regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

The rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis possesses antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, the effect of irigenin, isolated from the rhizome of B. chinensis, on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+ )-induced neurotoxicity is unknown. MTT assay showed that MPP+ exposure dose dependently inhibited the viability of mouse microglia BV-2 cells, whereas irigenin suppressed MPP+ -induced viability reduction. The production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 were increased by MPP+ treatment, which were abolished by irigenin treatment. Irigenin-attenuated MPP+ -induced increase of malondialdehyde content and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in BV-2 cells. Irigenin treatment also repressed apoptosis, caspase-3/7 activity and Cytochrome C expression in MPP+ -challenged BV-2 cells. Interestingly, irigenin activated the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in MPP+ -induced BV-2 cells. Nrf2 knockdown attenuated the effects of irigenin on MPP+ -induced viability reduction, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in BV-2 cells. In conclusion, irigenin alleviated MPP+ -induced neurotoxicity in BV-2 cells through regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

The influence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on fasting plasma glucose, insulin levels and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index: A systematic review and dose response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: The effect of DHEA supplementation on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin levels (IN) and the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in humans has not been assessed so far. Thus, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCT) which assessed the effects of DHEA supplementation on FPG, IN and the HOMA-IR index in humans. METHODS: An extensive search was performed in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Web of Science from inception to June 2020. Data was combined using the random effects model. RESULTS: 14 publications were included in this study. Overall results demonstrated that FPG was significantly altered after DHEA consumption (WMD: -2.185 mg/dl, P = 0.029). DHEA administration did not result in any significant changes in IN (WMD: 0.057 µU/mL, P = 0.067), and the HOMA - IR index (WMD: 0.174, P = 0.060). In the subgroup analyses, FPG significantly decreased in the subgroup who received DHEA supplementation in dosages of ≤50 mg/day (WMD: -2.29 mg/dl), when the treatment duration was <12 weeks (WMD: -5.25 mg/dl), and in subjects aged ≥60 years (WMD: -2.94 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: This systematic review evaluated the association between FPG and DHEA, revealing that the administration of DHEA reduces FPG levels. However, we found no association between DHEA administration and IN levels or insulin resistance.

Berberine ameliorates obesity-induced chronic inflammation through suppression of ER stress and promotion of macrophage M2 polarization at least partly via downregulating lncRNA Gomafu.

BACKGROUND: Berberine has been established as a potential drug for inflammation and metabolic disorder. Here, we aimed to explore the effects and the underlying mechanisms of berberine on obesity-induced chronic inflammation. METHODS: Mice were fed with high-fat diet to induce obesity. Inflammation in adipocytes were induced with treatment of free fatty acids. The expression of IL-4, CD206, ARG1 and other markers were used to identify M1 and M2 polarization. The expression of GPR78 and CHOP were used to evaluate endoplasmic reticulum stress. H&E staining was used to reveal the adipose tissue macrophage and adipocytes enlargement. RESULTS: Berberine treatment attenuated endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in obese mice and free fatty acids-treated adipocytes. Overexpression of lncRNA Gomafu partially blocked the protective effects of berberine in free fatty acids-treated adipocytes by increasing endoplasmic reticulum stress. Moreover, Gomafu overexpression partly reversed berberine-induced enhancement of M2 polarization in macrophages. Finally, Gomafu overexpression induced ER stress and inflammation in mice, which were improved by berberine administration. CONCLUSIONS: Berberine improves obesity-induced chronic inflammation by alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress and consequently promoting macrophage M2 polarization. And these protective effects were mediated at least partly by the suppression of lncRNA Gomafu.

Characterization of a polysaccharide with antioxidant and anti-cervical cancer potentials from the corn silk cultivated in Jilin province.

Corn silk polysaccharides (CSPs) were extracted from the corn silk cultivated in Jilin province, China, where is one of the golden corn belts worldwide. Three fractions (CSP-1, CSP-2 and CSP-3) were obtained by DEAE-52 cellulose and the former two fractions were further purified by Sephadex G-150 column chromatography to obtain CSP-S-1 and CSP-S-2. The molecular weights of CSP-S-1 and CSP-S-2 were calculated to be 586 kDa and 813 kDa, respectively. CSP-S-1 was composed of galactose, arabinose, xylose and rhamnose at a molar ratio of 4.16:1.00:1.01:6.32 and CSP-S-2 was composed of galactose, arabinose, glucose and rhamnose at a molar ratio of 8.71:3.58:0.169:1.00. CSP-S-2 outperformed CSP-S-1 in scavenging DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals, and significantly inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells. IR and NMR analysis indicated that CSP-S-2 was pyranose. CSP-S-2 consisted of 1 → 4 and 1 → 6 linkages and exhibited a triple helix configuration. In summary, CSP-S-2 possesses high potential to be developed as a novel antioxidant and anti-cervical cancer agent.

Adaptation of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 to phosphate starvation by glycolipid accumulation and membrane lipid remodeling.

Organisms use various adaptive strategies against phosphate stress, including lipid remodeling. Here, the response of major membrane lipids to phosphate stress was analyzed in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942. Unlike plants and eukaryotic microalgae, no significant increases in neutral lipids were found, whereas glycolipids content increased to as high as 6.13% (of dry cell weight, DCW) and phospholipids decreased to 0.34% (of DCW) after 16 days of cultivation without phosphate. Glycolipids accumulation were mainly attributed to the significant increase of digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) by 50% and sulfoquinovosyldiaclglycerol (SQDG) by 90%, both of which acted as complementary lipids for phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in the cyanobacterial membrane. Also, a notable increase in content (by 48%) of C18 fatty acids (especially C18:1) was observed in all glycolipids at the expense of C12 and C14 (72%). These changes may contribute to membrane fluidity and photosynthetic activity for basic cell metabolism and phosphate stress adaptation. Lipidomic analyses showed the reduction of PG 18:1/16: 0 (by 52%) with the increase of DGDG 18:1/16:0 (133%) and SQDG 18:1/16:0 (245%), strongly suggesting a direct conversion of PG to DGDG and SQDG. Moreover, the decreasing amount of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) 16:1/16:0 (22%) was consistent with the increase of free fatty acids (125%) on day 2 of phosphate absence, which suggested that MGDG is more likely to provide a pool of fatty acids for de novo synthesis of glycolipids. This study provides valuable insight into cyanobacteria adaptation strategies to phosphate stress by membrane lipid remodeling and unveils the underlying acyl chain fluxes into glycolipids.

[A new lignan from rhizome of Stellera chamaejasme].

To investigate the chemical compounds from the rhizome of Stellera chamaejasme, nine lignans, including stellerachamin A (1), 8-hydroxypluviatolide (2), wikstromol (3), pinoresinol (4), matairesinol (5), dextrobursehernin (6), hinokinin(7), (-)-glaberide I (8) and （-） medioresinol (9) were isolated by various chromatographic methods. Their structures were extensively determined on basis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data analysis. Among them, compound 1 was a new lignan, and compounds 2 and 7 were isolated from Thymelaeaceae for the first time.

An unusual racemic C12-norabietane diterpene and a new abietane diterpene alkaloid from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.

A rare C12-norabietane diterpene racemate (1) and a new abietane diterpene alkaloid (2) were isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and 1 was successfully resolved by chiral HPLC, demonstrating that 1 is racemic. The absolute configurations of 1a [(+)-miltiorolide A], 1b [(-)-miltiorolide A], and 2 were determined using TDDFT-ECD calculations. 1a and 1b are the first examples of enantiomeric C12-norabietane diterpenes featuring an isobutylene with a tetrahydronaphthalene-butyrolactone ring system. The cytotoxic activities of the isolates (1 and 2) were evaluated against three human cancer cell lines BEL-7402, HT-29 and PANC-28. A plausible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.

Identification of isoliquiritigenin as an activator that stimulates the enzymatic production of glycyrrhetinic acid monoglucuronide.

Glycyrrhetinic acid monoglucuronide (GAMG) is a great value-added and has considerable commercial interest due to its strong pharmacological activities and functional low-calorie sweetener. However GAMG is quite rare in natural plants, and it must be prepared from glycyrrhizin (GL) by hydrolysing one terminal glucuronic acid. ß-Glucuronidase is the key enzyme in the biotransformation of GL to GAMG, but its activities need to be enhanced to facilitate the industrial large-scale production of GAMG. In this study, we identified that isoliquiritigenin (ISL), as one of chemical compositions from the total flavonoids glycyrrhiza (TFG), can significantly enhance ß-glucuronidase activity in vitro. Measurements using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the activity of ß-glucuronidase could be increased by 2.66-fold via the addition of ISL to a ß-glucuronidase solution that contained GL at a 3:10 molar ratio of ISL to GL. ISL was concluded to be an activator because ISL could reduce the Km and Ea of ß-glucuronidase reacting with GL. This study sheds new light on the mechanism of ß-glucuronidase and helps to make industrial production of GAMG through fermentation feasible.

Intestinal Absorption of Triterpenoids and Flavonoids from Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma in the Human Caco-2 Monolayer Cell Model.

Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Triterpenoids and flavonoids from the plant have many beneficial effects and their chemical structures are modified in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. However, absorption of these triterpenoids and flavonoids still needs to be defined. Here, the uptake and transepithelial transport of the selected major triterpenoids, glycyrrhizin (1), glycyrrhetic acid-3-O-mono-ß-d-glucuronide (2), and glycyrrhetinic acid (3); and the selected major flavonoids, licochalcone A (4), licochalcone B (5), licochalcone C (6), echinatin (7), isoliquiritin apioside (8), liquiritigenin (9), liquiritin apioside (10) isolated from Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma, were investigated in the human intestinal epithelium-like Caco-2 cell monolayer model. Compounds 3, 5-7, and 9 were designated as well-absorbed compounds, 2 and 4 were designated as moderately absorbed ones, and 1, 8, and 10 were assigned for the poorly absorbed ones. The absorption mechanism of well and moderately absorbed compound was mainly passive diffusion to pass through the human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayer. These findings provided useful information for predicting their oral bioavailability and the clinical application.

Four new iridoid glucosides containing the furan ring from the fruit of Cornus officinalis.

Four new and rare iridoid glucosides, cornusfuroside A-D (1-4), containing the furan ring were identified from water extract of the fruit of Cornus officinalis. These new chemical structures were determined through extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, IR, HRESIMS, experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Notably, this study is the first report on the isolation of four iridoid glucoside structures with acetal functions in the sugar moiety. The neuroprotective effects of these compounds were also evaluated in vitro.

[Flavanoids Extracted from Onion Inhibited Activation of Microglia and Release of Proinflammatory Factors around the Hematoma in ICH Model Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study flavanoids extracted from onion (FEO) on the number of activated microglia and the release of proinflammatory factors in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model rat at different time points, and to explore its possible mechanism for treating ICH. METHODS: Totally 100 Wistar rats were used for preparing ICH model, and ICH model was successfully established in 90 of them. The 90 rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =10) , the ICH group (n =40) , the FEO group (n =40). Totally 100 [L autoblood was injected from fixed position to rats in the ICH group and the FEO group during modeling. Meanwhile, FEO at 0. 2 mL/10 g was given to rats in the FEO group, twice daily. No drug intervention was given to rats in the ICH group and the sham-operation group. Each group was further sub-divided into 5 sub-groups according to different time points such as 6, 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 days. There were 8 rats in each sub-group of the ICH group and the FEO group, 10 groups in total. There were 2 rats in each subgroup of the sham-operation group, 5 groups in total. Neurological functions at different time points were observed by Garcia JH. The injury degree of brain tissue was observed at dif- ferent time points using HE staining. Activated microglia around hematoma were observed at different time points after ICH by using immunohistochemical staining. Expressions of TNF-α and IL-1 ß at different time points after ICH was detected using ELISA. RESULTS: In the ICH group, degenerated and necrotic zone occurred around hematoma after injecting autoblood, cells were untidily arranged with irregular nucleus, partial nucleus were shrunken with lamellar interstitial edema of the medulla. As time went by, degenerated and necrotic zone was dilated; vacant zone occurred around cells; cells were unevenly distributed with reduced neuron numbers. Meanwhile, infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils occurred. In the FEO group after FEO intervention, necrotic cells were lesser, cell arrangement and nucleus morphology were obviously alleviated, and infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced at corresponding time points. Compared with the sham-operation group, behavioral scores at 5 time points all decreased, the number of activated microglia was added, and expressions of TNF-α and IL-1 ß in hematoma tissue increased in the ICH group (P <0. 01). Compared with the ICH group, behavioral scores at 48 and 72 h, as well as day 7 all increased, the number of activated microglia was reduced, and expressions of TNF-α and IL-1ß in hematoma tissue decreased in the FEO group (P <0. 01). CONCLUSION: FEO using the ethanol reflux method could improve symptoms of ICH model rats possibly by inhibiting activation of microolia and the release of proinflammatory factors around the hematoma.

Serum metabolomics reveals that arsenic exposure disrupted lipid and amino acid metabolism in rats: a step forward in understanding chronic arsenic toxicity.

Chronic arsenic exposure through drinking water threatens public health worldwide. Although its multiorgan toxicity has been reported, the impact of chronic arsenic exposure on the metabolic network remains obscure. In this study, male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to 0.5, 2 or 10 ppm sodium arsenite for three months. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry based metabolomics approach was utilized to unveil the global metabolic response to chronic arsenic exposure in rats. Distinct serum metabolome profiles were found to be associated with the doses. Eighteen differential metabolites were identified, and most of them showed dose-dependent responses to arsenic exposure. Metabolic abnormalities mainly involved lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. The metabolic alterations were further confirmed by hepatic gene expression. Expressions of cpt2, lcat, cact, crot and mtr were significantly elevated in high dose groups. This study provides novel evidence to support the association between arsenic exposure and metabolic disruption, and it contributes to understanding the mechanism of chronic arsenic toxicity.

Rapid detection and characterization of major phenolic compounds in Radix Actinidia chinensis Planch by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Radix Actinidia chinensis Planch is a traditional Chinese herb, and its decotion had been widely used clinically to treat several types of cancer. In our study, the phenolic compounds constituting the major water soluble components of Radix A. chinensis were profiled and characterized by ultraperformance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 50 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized, including caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, 29 catechin derivatives, 12 quinic acid derivatives and 7 coumarin derivatives. Most of the identified compounds were firstly reported from A. chinensis. Among them, scopoletin, scoplin, isofraxoside and quinic acid derivatives have not ever been reported from genus Actinidia previously. These phenolic compounds might be responsible for the antitumor activity of the water extract of radix A. chinensis, and the established analytical method could be applied to further study of quality evaluation and active components of Radix A. chinensis.