Towards the modulation of oxidative damage, apoptosis and tight junction protein in response to dietary leucine deficiency: A likely cause of ROS-induced gill structural integrity impairment.

The current study explored the protective effect of leucine on antioxidant status, apoptosis and tight junction damage in the gill of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.). The trial was conducted by feeding grass carp with six graded level of leucine (7.1, 8.9, 11.0, 13.3, 15.2 and 17.1 g kg-1 diet) for 8 weeks. The fish were fed to apparent satiation 4 times per day. The results indicated that compared with the leucine deficiency group, 8.9-11.3 g leucine kg-1 diet supplementations decreased protein carbonyl (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS contents, which may be partially attributed to the improvement of antioxidant status in the gill by increasing hydroxyl radical capacity and anti-superoxide radicals, glutathione contents and the activities and mRNA levels of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR), that referring to the up-regulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression. Moreover, leucine deficiency induced DNA fragmentation via the up-regulation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 expressions and down-regulation of target of rapamycin and ribosomal S6 protein kinase 1 expressions. Furthermore, leucine deficiency increased interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA expression and decreased IL-10 and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß), which was partly related to nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and its inhibitor (IκB). In contrast, the relative mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α was down-regulated with 8.9-11.3 g leucine kg-1 diet supplementations. Finally, the relative mRNA expression of tight junction protein, including occludin, zonula occludens-1, claudin b, claudin 3 and claudin 12 was up-regulated with leucine diet supplementations. Our results indicate that leucine protected the fish gill structural integrity partially because of the inhibition of apoptosis, the improvement of antioxidant status, the regulation of tight junction protein and related signalling molecules mRNA expressions in the fish gill.

[Clinical observation of cholestatic liver disease caused by cytomegalovirus infection treated by lidan mixture: a case report of 120 infants].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of Linda Mixture (LM) on cholestatic liver diseases caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. METHODS: Totally 240 CMV infected cholestatic liver diseases infants, who were hospitalized at the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 2008 to June 2011, were randomly assigned to the treatment group (120 cases) and the control group (120 cases). Patients in the treatment group were treated by LM combined ganciclovir, while those in the control group were treated by ganciclovir alone. The therapeutic course was 2 months. The patients were assigned to 3 sub-groups according to the quantification standards of symptoms and signs, i. e., the No. 1 treatment group (mild, 30 cases), the No. 1 control group (mild, 30 cases), the No. 2 treatment group (moderate, 30 cases), the No. 2 control group (moderate, 30 cases), the No. 3 treatment group (severe, 30 cases), the No. 1 control group (severe, 30 cases). The clinically cured rate and the total effective rate, the jaundice subside time, the retraction time for Gan and Pi, the body weight growth, the indices of the liver function, and lab indices of CMV infection were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment the cured rate was 77.50% and the total effective rate was 88.33% in the treatment group, while they were 60.83% and 76.67% in the control group. There was statistical difference between the two group (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was some improvement in the jaundice subside time, the retraction time for Gan and Pi, the body weight growth, the indices of the liver function in the two groups. Better results were obtained in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05, P<0.01). The lab indices of CMV infection showed negative to some degrees. The negative rates of serum IgM (83.54% in the treatment group and 63. 64% in the control group) and the serum CMVDNA (84.52% in the treatment group and 67.47% in the control group) were better in the treatment group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (P<0.01). There was no obvious difference in the negative rate of CMV antigen in urine between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LM combined ganciclovir therapy showed definite effects in treating cholestatic liver diseases caused by CMV infection. Early treatment for severe infants might change their prognosis. LM also could alleviate adverse reactions during the therapeutic course.

[Macroscopic and microscopic identification of Memorialis hirta].

OBJECTIVE: To provide the scientific basis for identification and utilization of Memorialis hirta ( BL) Wedd. METHODS: Macroscopical identification and microscopic identification. RESULTS: To make system pharmacognostical studies on stalk and fine powder of Memorialis hirta (BL) Wedd. CONCLUSION: These characteristic can provide the scientific basis for identification of Memorialis hirta (BL) Wedd.