Iron overload promotes the progression of MLL-AF9 induced acute myeloid leukemia by upregulation of FOS.

Systemic iron overload is a common clinical challenge leading to significantly serious complications in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which affects both the quality of life and the overall survival of patients. Symptoms can be relieved after iron chelation therapy in clinical practice. However, the roles and mechanisms of iron overload on the initiation and progression of leukemia remain elusive. Here we studied the correlation between iron overload and AML clinical outcome, and further explored the role and pathophysiologic mechanism of iron overload in AML by using two mouse models: an iron overload MLL-AF9-induced AML mouse model and a nude xenograft mouse model. Patients with AML had an increased ferritin level, particularly in the myelomonocytic (M4) or monocytic (M5) subtypes. High level of iron expression correlated with a worsened prognosis in AML patients and a shortened survival time in AML mice. Furthermore, iron overload increased the tumor load in the bone marrow (BM) and extramedullary tissues by promoting the proliferation of leukemia cells through the upregulation of FOS. Collectively, our findings provide new insights into the roles of iron overload in AML. Additionally, this study may provide a potential therapeutic target to improve the outcome of AML patients and a rationale for the prospective evaluation of iron chelation therapy in AML.

The effects of electroacupuncture treatment on the postoperative cognitive function in aged rats with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

Many literatures have proven that postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was very common in old patients after the injury of acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (AMIR) clinically such as the off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) without definite mechanism; however, reports on the animal experiments were rarely seen. We hypothesized that AMIR could contribute to cognitive dysfunction, and this severe injury might be impeded by EA via hindering neuroinflammation and oxidative stress response as well as modulating the balance of the autonomic nervous system. The aged male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three experimental groups: sham (sham operation), AMIR, and EA (electroacupunture treatment, acupoints GV20 and ST36+AMIR) groups. The survival rate, heart rate variability analysis, examination of pathology within the hippocampal CA1, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and the behavior testing were evaluated by their corresponding methods. The results showed that the rats subjected to AMIR had lower survival rates, higher malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, more microglial activation, and presented evidence of severe brain injury and cognitive dysfunction on the 1st, 3rd, 7th days after reperfusion compared to sham-operated controls. Most important of all, the above damages induced by the AMIR were significantly improved by the EA treatment. Our findings indicated that EA treatment could be a neuroprotective therapy for the cognitive dysfunction induced by the AMIR event, which might be attributablefor balancing the autonomic nervous system, inhibiting the neuronic apoptosis, hindering microglial activation, attenuating oxidative stress and restraining the central and peripheral inflammation reactions.

Association of blood lead with calcium, iron, zinc and hemoglobin in children aged 0-7 years: a large population-based study.

Lead exposure in children has received increasing attention from scientists and public health institutions worldwide. Deficiencies of nutritional essential metals can increase the hazard from lead exposure by enhancing absorption and toxicity of dietary lead. Lead, as a ubiquitous toxicity metal, may interact metabolically with nutritional essential metals. A large population-based study was conducted to investigate blood lead, calcium, iron, zinc and hemoglobin levels in healthy children aged 0-7 years. Based on the records, 158 (3.57 %) of 4,429 children had a blood lead levels (BLLs) ≥ 10 µg/dl, and 1,324 (30.30 %) children had a BLL ≥ 7 µg/dl. BLLs in children aged less than 3 years was lower than those in older children. BLLs had a negative correlation with blood calcium and iron level (r = -0.357 and r = -0.070, P < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis also showed that BLLs had a negative correlation with blood calcium and iron. BLLs can be influenced by the status of some essential trace metals in children. Supplement of nutritional elements may help reduce lead absorption. Children with elevated BLLs (≥ 10 µg/dl) were controlled well in recent years in Chengdu. But the burden of reducing BLLs remains extremely arduous, which requires the joint efforts of both government agencies and the public.

Preparation of corn (Zea mays) peptides and their protective effect against alcohol-induced acute hepatic injury in NH mice.

CPS [corn (Zea mays) peptides] were prepared from corn gluten meal by proteolysis with alcalase, an alkaline protease. The molecular-mass distribution of CPS is from 200 to 1000 Da as determined by MS. The amino acid composition of CPS was also analysed by HPLC. CPS contains almost no free amino acids. The protective effect of CPS against acute hepatic injuries induced by alcohol was verified in NH mice that were fed with different dosages of CPS for 30 days and subsequently given an acute dose of alcohol orally. As a result, CPS reduced both hepatic malondialdehyde and triacylglycerol levels, along with enhanced hepatic GSH (glutathione) levels, relative to the control. Hepatic histological changes were also observed. The result indicates that CPS is capable of attenuating ethanol-induced hepatic injury. The effect of CPS on removing superoxide anion in vitro was also studied as an additional proof that CPS is capable of abating hepatic superoxidant stress.

Clinical observation on treatment of chronic aplastic anemia by Shengxuening and cyclosporin A.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapy to further elevate the efficacy of the treatment of chronic aplastic anemia (CAA). METHODS: Forty-five patients with CCA were assigned into two groups, the 26 patients in the treated group were treated by Shengxuening (a Chinese herbal preparation) and cyclosporin A (CsA), and the 19 patients in the control group were treated with androgen alone, with the therapeutic course lasting for over 3 months. Changes of peripheral blood picture, and the colony productivity of burst forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E), colony forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) and colony forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) in bone marrow were observed before and after 3 months treatment. The amount of erythrocyte and platelet infusion, frequency of infection, condition of hemorrhage and relevant death were also observed. The follow-up study was conducted for over half a year. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the treated group was 84.6%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (52.6%, P < 0.05). Levels of hemoglobin, reticulocyte, neutrophil and platelet increased after treatment in the treated group, as compared with those before treatment, with significant difference (P < 0.05), and the colony productivity of BFU-E, CFU-E and CFU-GM in bone marrow also got significantly increased (P < 0.01), and showed significant difference from those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Shengxuening-assisting CsA therapy is an effective measure for treatment of CAA.