Investigating the mechanism of interactive regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2/Beclin 1 through electroacupuncture intervention during reperfusion in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.

To observe the regulation of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)/Beclin 1 interaction through electroacupuncture (EA) intervention during reperfusion and to investigate the EA mechanism of apoptosis-autophagy interactive regulation against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). A total of 48 adult Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group (group Sham), the model group (group Model), the EA group (group EA), and the JNK inhibitor (SP600125) group (group JNK), with 12 rats in each group. Biospecimens were collected randomly from six rats in each group four hours after reperfusion. Evans Blue and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride double-staining were applied to observe each group's myocardial damage area and risk area. We collected 4 ml of blood by abdominal aortic method to detect serum troponin cTnI level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the remaining six in each group, a part of myocardial tissue below the ligation line was stored in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining; the other amount of myocardial tissue was detected by Western blotting to determine the expression levels of Bcl-2, Beclin1, and the phosphorylation levels of Thr69, Ser70, and Ser87 in Bcl-2. In results: electroacupuncture (EA) intervention during reperfusion significantly reduced the myocardial infarction area, cTnI level, and myocardial apoptosis, upregulated Bcl-2 expression, downregulated Beclin 1 expression and inhibited phosphorylation levels of Thr69, Ser70, and Ser87 in Bcl-2. We concluded that EA effectively inhibited apoptosis by upregulating Bcl-2 expression and inhibiting the phosphorylation of Thr69, Ser70, and Ser87 in Bcl-2. This reduced the separation of Bcl-2 and Beclin 1, restrains excessive autophagy, alleviates MIRI, and has a protective effect on myocardial tissue.

Meta-analysis indicates that resistant starch lowers serum total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol.

The effects of resistant starch (RS) on serum cholesterol levels have been previously investigated. However, the results of those studies are inconsistent. The purpose of our meta-analysis was to determine if RS affects blood lipids based on the current literature. The methods included searching databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) up to September 2017, as well as hand-searching reference lists of articles published in English. The initial search yielded 1228 articles. Of these, 14 articles (20 trials) were included in our investigation focusing on the effects of RS on total cholesterol (TC; 19 trials), triglycerides (TG; 19 trials), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 16 trials), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (17 trials). Methodological quality was assessed using TC, LDL-C, TGs, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Pooled effects were calculated using a random-effects model. The meta-analysis of these data showed that RS supplementation has an effect on lowering TC and LDL-C (TC: mean difference, -7.33mg/dL [95% confidence interval -12.15 to -2.52mg/dL]; LDL-C: mean difference: -3.40mg/dL [95% confidence interval, -6.74 to -0.07mg/dL]). Subgroup meta-analysis revealed that a longer time (>4weeks) of RS supplementation can generate more obvious effects on TC and LDL-C levels, and higher dose (>20 g/d) of RS also had a lowering effect on TG level. Future research should focus on the relationship between RS type and cholesterol-lowering effects, and the effects on subjects of different health status or those with different baseline levels of serum lipids. Moreover, the mechanism for the cholesterol-lowering effects of RS should be further explored. In conclusion, RS can reduce serum TC and LDL-C levels, particularly when administered for a duration longer than 4 weeks.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women. Thus, we systematically reviewed the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids by conducting a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Scopus were searched in December 2016. The standardized mean difference (SMD) or weighted mean difference (WMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effects model. RESULTS: Eight trials were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled findings did not identify significant decreases in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (SMD -0.08, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.12, p = 0.429) and collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide (WMD 0 ng/ml, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.04, p = 0.899). There was a significant decrease in osteocalcin (WMD -0.86 ng/ml, 95% CI -1.68 to -0.04, p = 0.040) as compared with control. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 fatty acids reduced postmenopausal women's serum osteocalcin. Further well-designed studies are needed to verify the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on bone mass density and other bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016053219 ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ).

Molecular cloning and expression pattern of oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) nitric oxide synthase.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) produces nitric oxide (NO) by catalyzing the conversion of l-arginine to l-citrulline, with the concomitant oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. Recently, various studies have verified the importance of NOS invertebrates and invertebrates. However, the NOS gene family in the oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense is poorly understood. In this study, we cloned the full-length NOS complementary DNA from M. nipponense (MnNOS) and characterized its expression pattern in different tissues and at different developmental stages. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed the MnNOS gene to be expressed in all investigated tissues, with the highest levels observed in the androgenic gland (P < 0.05). Our results revealed that the MnNOS gene may play a key role in M. nipponense male sexual differentiation. Moreover, RT-qPCR revealed that MnNOS mRNA expression was significantly increased in post-larvae 10 days after metamorphosis (P < 0.05). The expression of this gene in various tissues indicates that it may perform versatile biological functions in M. nipponense.

Folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake, and risk of preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Folic acid supplementation has been suggested to reduce the risk of preeclampsia. However, results from few epidemiologic studies have been inconclusive. We investigated the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake before conception and during pregnancy reduce the risk of preeclampsia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A birth cohort study was conducted in 2010-2012 at the Gansu Provincial Maternity & Child Care Hospital in Lanzhou, China. A total of 10,041 pregnant women without chronic hypertension or gestational hypertension were enrolled. RESULTS: Compared with nonusers, folic acid supplement users had a reduced risk of preeclampsia (OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.43-0.87). A significant dose-response of duration of use was observed among women who used folic acid supplemention during pregnancy only (P-trend=0.007). The reduced risk associated with folic acid supplement was similar for mild or severe preeclampsia and for early- or late-onset preeclampsia, although the statistical significant associations were only observed for mild (OR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.30-0.81) and late-onset (OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.86) preeclampsia. The reduced risk associated with dietary folate intake during pregnancy was only seen for severe preeclampsia (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.31-0.87, for the highest quartile of dietary folate intake compared with the lowest). CONCLUSIONS: Our study results suggest that folic acid supplementation and higher dietary folate intake during pregnancy reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Future studies are needed to confirm the associations.

Effects of dietary supplementation of fulvic acid on lipid metabolism of finishing pigs.

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of fulvic acid on lipid metabolism of finishing pigs. One hundred eighty crossbred barrows (Landrace × Yorkshire, 60 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments (36 pigs/treatment) and fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% fulvic acid for 42 d. Thirty pigs (6 pigs/treatment) were slaughtered at the end of the experiment. Blood samples and adipose tissue were collected for determination of blood parameters and lipid metabolic enzymes. The results showed that compared with the control group, dietary supplementation of 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% fulvic acid significantly reduced mean backfat thickness of pigs (P < 0.05). The serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, leptin, growth hormone, insulin, and triiodothyronine were significantly increased by adding fulvic acid in diets (P < 0.05). With the raised concentration of dietary fulvic acid, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in adipose tissue. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of fulvic acid reduced the mean backfat thickness of pigs. This change related to the increased activity of HSL and the decreased activity of LPL in adipose tissue.

Schoepfin A, B, C: three new chalcone C-glycosides from Schoepfia chinensis.

Three new chalcone C-glycosides named schoepfin A, B, C (1-3), together with three known compounds 4,2',4'-trihydroxy-3'-C-beta-D-glucosylchalcone (4), nothofagin (5) and hemiphloin (6) were isolated from ethanolic extract of the bark of Schoepfia chinensis Gardn. et Champ (Olacaceae). Their structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic techniques including 2D-NMR (HMBC, HMQC) and MS experiments.

Effects of acupuncture on humoral immunologic function and trace elements in 20 cases of Behcet's disease.

Acupuncture therapy could normalize both increased light chain K value of IgM and lowered trace element Zn content in patients with Behcet's disease with statistically significant differences, suggesting that acupuncture therapy can elevate humoral immunologic function and improve metabolism of the trace element in these patients.

[The effect of melatonin on enhancing immune function and inhibiting the ability of NO over-release in morphine dependent mice].

AIM: To observe the effects and mechanism of melatonin (MT) on the immune function of morphine dependent mice. METHODS: A physical dependent mice model was established by repeated subcutaneous injection of morphine. The intensity of morphine withdrawal syndrome was evaluated according to the weight of immune organs, the proliferation reaction of stimulated splenic lymphocytes by Con A, the phagoindex of blood primed macrophages and the content of NO induced in the peritoneal macrophage (pM phi). RESULTS: MT reversed the inhibitory effect of morphine on the proliferation ability of splenic lymphocytes and enhanced the phagocytosis of macrophages of morphine dependent mice obviously and prevented the over-release of NO from pM phi. The enhancing effects of MT on the phagocytosis can be prevented by naloxon. CONCLUSION: MT can significantly enhance the immune function of morphine dependent mice and inhibit NO excessive release from pM phi.

[Mechanism of selenium protecting against free radical damages during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of selenium (Se) protecting against free radical damages during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. METHODS: All rats were separated into three groups: control, organic Se and inorganic Se supplemented groups. Myocardial I/R was established by operation in all three groups. Biochemical assays, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, RT-PCR and cDNA sequence scanning were performed to examine the changes in myocardial MDA level, GSH-Px activity and gene expression, GSH-Px cDNA nucleotide sequence, as well as Se and Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations in the heart muscle during I/R. RESULTS: The administration of Se for 7 days did not significantly change the content of Se in the plasma and blood cells. In the two Se-supplemented groups, after reperfusion for 30 minutes, myocardial Se concentration and GSH-Px activity were increased significantly, and GSH-Px expression was elevated with a normal cDNA sequence, and at the same time, MDA contents in the two Se-supplemented groups were lower than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Se supplementation can protect against free radical damages during myocardial I/R by increasing myocardial Se content and improving both the expression and activity of GSH-Px.

Neuroprotectants in Honghua: glucose attenuates retinal ischemic damage.

PURPOSE: This study examined the neuroprotective properties of Honghua, an extract of safflower used as an herbal medicine in China, in several experimental models of retinal ischemia. METHODS: Honghua and other agents were tested (1) in the ex vivo chick embryo retina assay (CER) for anti-excitotoxin efficacy and against simulated ischemia (30 min glucose/oxygen deprivation); and (2) in the in vivo adult rat retina dye-photothrombosis assay. Active components of Honghua were purified by conventional chromatographic techniques. RESULTS: In the CER, Honghua protected against excitotoxicity of glutamate, N-methyl-D-aspartate, kainate, and quisqualate, and against neuronal degeneration caused by simulated ischemia. Honghua more potently protected against simulated ischemia than against the agonists. In the in vivo adult rat retina, ischemic damage was reduced greatly by intravitreal injection of Honghua. An approximately 100-fold purification of an active principle was achieved chromatographically. The purest fractions were rich in glucose, so the effects of glucose in the ischemia models were determined. Many neuroprotective effects of Honghua were mimicked by pure solutions of equivalent glucose concentration. Glucose (> 3.2 mmol/l) in the CER-ischemia assay provided protection. Glucose did not protect against the lesions induced by direct application of the excitotoxic agonists. Intravitreal injection of glucose provided highly significant neuroprotection in the adult rat retina dye-photothrombosis model. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that retinal excitotoxic damage in vivo can occur secondary to depletion of cellular energy reserves, and therefore may be prevented by simple procedures that maintain the availability of energy sources.

Isolation and identification of a cytotoxic principle from Chrysosplenium grayanum Maxim. (Saxifragaceae) and its antitumor activities.

A cytotoxic principle was newly isolated from Chrysosplenium grayanum Maxim. (Saxifragaceae) and identified as beta-peltoboykinolic acid (1) on the basis of spectral data. Cytotoxicity of compound 1 was tested against various human cancer cell lines in vitro, and antitumor effect of this compound was demonstrated on Meth.A mouse fibrosarcoma. The experiment of combined treatment with compound 1, mitomycin C, and OK-432 resulted in enhancing the antitumor effect against B16-BL6 mouse melanoma in C57BL/6 mice.

Isolation and cytotoxicity of two new flavonoids from Chrysosplenium grayanum and related flavonols.

In view of the observation that a CHCl3-soluble fraction of the MeOH extract of Chrysosplenium grayanum has shown cytotoxic activity in the KB cell in vitro system, the fraction has been further fractionated to furnish five known flavonoids (chrysosplenols B, D, and E, retusin, and brickellin), 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid methyl ester, and two new flavonoids named chrysosplenols F [1] and G [2]. The structures of the new flavonoids have been elucidated to be 5,4',5'-trihydroxy-3,7,2'-trimethoxyflavone [1] and 5,5'-dihydroxy-3,7,2',4'-tetramethoxyflavone [2] on the basis of spectral data. Certain of the isolated compounds and related flavonol aglycones showed marginal activities against KB cells in vitro.