Soil characteristic changes and quality evaluation of degraded desert steppe in arid windy sandy areas.

Grassland degradation has become a serious problem in some areas, making it necessary to quantitatively evaluate this process and its related factors. The study area was the arid windy sandy area in eastern Ningxia. The purpose of this study was to explore how soil properties and quality change during the process of grassland degradation in arid windy sandy areas. We looked at undegraded, lightly degraded, moderately degraded, and severely degraded desert steppe to study the physical, chemical, and biological changes at 0-5 cm, 5-15 cm, and 15-30 cm soil depths at different degradation degrees. We also analyzed the correlations across soil factors, established the minimum data set, and used the soil quality index (SQI) to evaluate the soil quality of grassland at different degradation degrees. The results showed that with grassland degradation, the soil bulk density increased; the soil clay, moisture, organic matter, total nitrogen, and available potassium content decreased; and the number of soil bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, as well as the activity of urease, polyphenol oxidase, protease, phosphatase, and sucrase, decreased. As soil depth increased, soil bulk density increased; the soil moisture, organic matter, available potassium, and available phosphorus content decreased; and soil microorganisms accumulated in the upper soil of undegraded, lightly, and moderately degraded grassland. There was also a positive correlation among the soil clay content, moisture content, organic matter content, total nitrogen content, available potassium content, microorganism quantity, and enzyme activity, while soil bulk density was negatively correlated with the above factors. The minimum data set for the soil quality evaluation of the degraded desert steppe was comprised of soil organic matter content, soil total nitrogen content, soil available phosphorus content, and phosphatase activity. Based on the minimum data set, we calculated the SQI of the grassland at different degradation degrees and found that the ranking based on overall soil quality was undegraded >lightly degraded >moderately degraded >severely degraded grassland. The results showed that the degradation of desert steppe in arid windy sandy areas had relatively consistent effects on the physical, chemical, and biological traits of the soil. The minimum data set can be used to replace the total data set when evaluating the soil quality of the desert steppe at different degrees of degradation.

Cellular and mitochondrial taurine depletion in bile duct ligated rats: a justification for taurine supplementation in cholestasis/cirrhosis.

Taurine (TAU) is a free amino acid abundant in the human body. Various physiological roles have been attributed to TAU. At the subcellular level, mitochondria are the primary targets for TAU function. Meanwhile, it has been found that TAU depletion is associated with severe pathologies. Cholestasis is a severe clinical complication that can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatic failure. Bile duct ligation (BDL) is a reliable model for assessing cholestasis/cirrhosis and related complications. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of cholestasis/cirrhosis on tissue and mitochondrial TAU reservoirs. Cholestatic rats were monitored (14 and 42 days after BDL surgery), and TAU levels were assessed in various tissues and isolated mitochondria. There was a significant decrease in TAU in the brain, heart, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, intestine, lung, testis, and ovary of the BDL animals (14 and 42 days after surgery). Mitochondrial levels of TAU were also significantly depleted in BDL animals. Tissue and mitochondrial TAU levels in cirrhotic animals (42 days after the BDL operation) were substantially lower than those in the cholestatic rats (14 days after BDL surgery). These data indicate an essential role for tissue and mitochondrial TAU in preventing organ injury induced by cholestasis/cirrhosis and could justify TAU supplementation for therapeutic purposes.

Milk selenium content and speciation in response to supranutritional selenium yeast supplementation in cows.

The effects of selenium (Se) yeast supplementation on performance, blood biochemical and antioxidant parameters, and milk Se content and speciation were evaluated. Thirty-six mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 1) control (basal diet containing Se at 0.11 mg/kg DM), 2) basal diet + 0.5 mg supplemental Se/kg DM (SY-0.5), and 3) basal diet + 5 mg supplemental Se/kg DM (SY-5). Selenium was supplemented as Se yeast. The trial consisted of a 1-week pretrial period and an 8-week experimental period. Milk somatic cell score decreased with SY-5 supplementation (P < 0.05), but other performance parameters were not affected (P > 0.05). The serum Se concentration increased with the increasing levels of Se yeast supplementation (P < 0.05), however, blood biochemical parameters showed few treatment effects. The antioxidant capacity of dairy cows was improved with Se yeast supplementation reflected in increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.05) and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.08), and decreased malondialdehyde concentration (P < 0.05). Milk total Se concentration increased with Se dose (P < 0.05). Also, the selenomethionine concentration increased with Se dose from 13.0 ± 0.7 µg/kg in control to 33.1 ± 2.1 µg/kg in SY-0.5 and 530.4 ± 17.5 µg/kg in SY-5 cows (P < 0.05). Similarly, selenocystine concentration increased from 15.6 ± 0.9 µg/kg in control and 18.9 ± 1.1 µg/kg in SY-0.5 to 22.2 ± 1.5 µg/kg in SY-5 cows (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Se yeast is a good organic Se source to produce Se-enriched cow milk with increased Se species including selenomethionine and selenocystine. The results can provide useful information on milk Se species when a high dose Se yeast was supplemented in the cow diet.

Evaluation of the effect of feruloyl esterase-producing Lactobacillus plantarum and cellulase pretreatments on lignocellulosic degradation and cellulose conversion of co-ensiled corn stalk and potato pulp.

The effects of feruloyl esterase-producing Lactobacillus plantarum A1, cellulase, or their combination on the fermentation characteristics, carbohydrate composition, and enzymatic hydrolysis of mixed corn stalk and potato pulp silage were investigated. Two mixture ratios were used: a weight ratio of rehydrated corn stalk to potato pulp of 35:1 (HD) and a weight ratio of dry corn stalk to potato pulp of 5:11 (LD). No advantage was observed with the addition of strain A1 alone for lignocellulosic degradation and cellulose conversion, while its combination with cellulase enhanced the lignocellulosic degradation and preserved more fermentable carbohydrates in co-ensiled corn stalk and potato pulp. The enzymatic hydrolysis results indicated a potential benefit of pretreatment for biogas production, as the co-ensiled HD ratio mixture without additive treatment showed high glucose yield after enzymatic hydrolysis following 60 d of fermentation.

Effects of Transcutaneous Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Swallowing Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation on swallowing disorders. DESIGN: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, Web of science, and PEDro were searched from their earliest record to August 1, 2019. All randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized controlled trial were identified, which compared the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation plus traditional therapy with traditional therapy in swallowing function. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was applied to evaluate the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials and three quasi-randomized controlled trials were included. These studies demonstrated a significant, moderate pooled effect size (standard mean difference = 0.62; 95% confidence interval = 0.06 to 1.17). Studies stimulating suprahyoid muscle groups revealed a negative standard mean difference of 0.17 (95% confidence interval = -0.42, 0.08), whereas large effect size was observed in studies stimulating the infrahyoid muscle groups (standard mean difference = 0.89; 95% confidence interval = 0.47 to 1.30) and stimulating the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle groups (standard mean difference = 1.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.07 to 1.74). Stimulation lasting 45 mins or less showed a large, significant pooled effect size (standard mean difference = 0.89; 95% confidence interval = 0.58 to 1.20). The quality of evidences was rated as low to very low. CONCLUSIONS: There is no firm evidence to conclude on the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on swallowing disorders. Larger-scale and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to reach robust conclusions.

[Mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsules on improving liver injury in hyperlipidemia rats based on MAPK pathway].

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect and preliminary mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsules( DJC) on liver of hyperlipidemic rats. The hyperlipidemia models were successfully made by high-fat diet for 12 weeks in male SD rats,and then divided into model control group and DJC treatment groups( 500 and 1 000 mg·kg~(-1)·d-1) via gavage administration for additional 8 weeks.The levels of serum lipid and liver metabolism indices were detected; HE and oil red O staining were used to observe the pathological changes of liver. Expression levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2( ERK1/2),c-Jun N-terminal kinase( JNK),and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase( p38 MAPK) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction( RT-PCR). Expression of MCP-1,phosphorylated ERK( p-ERK),phosphorylated JNK( p-JNK),and phosphorylated p38 MAPK( p-p38) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The results showed that DJC decreased body weight and serum levels of total cholesterol( TC),triglyceride( TG),alanine aminotransferase( ALT),aspartate aminotransferase( AST),increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol( HDL-C) level,ameliorate injury and lipid deposition in the liver induced by the high-fat diet,decreased mRNA expression of ERK1/2,JNK and p-38 MAPK as well as protein expression of p-ERK,p-JNK,p-p38,and MCP-1,somewhat showing a dose-dependent effect. Therefore,DJC has an obvious protective effect on liver of hyperlipidemic rats with certain dose-dependent effect,and the mechanism may be related with inhibiting MAPK pathways and inflammation.

The Effect of Adjuvant Treatment to Prevent and Treat Intrauterine Adhesions: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) can lead to partial or complete closure of the uterine cavity, which may result in symptoms including abnormal menstruation, infertility, and pelvic pain. A network meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of adjuvant therapy on the prevention and treatment of IUAs. We searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, up to May 5, 2017, without language restrictions. The primary outcomes in the present analysis were the rate of IUAs for prevention and the rate of IUA recurrence for treatment. The secondary outcomes included the IUA score and the rate of severity of IUAs. The treatments were then ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). We included 20 articles that involved a total of 1891 patients in our analysis. In the outcomes of prevention-related studies, an alginate hyaluronate-carboxymethylcellulose membrane (ACH) (n = 10, SUCRA score = 93.3%) was the adjuvant treatment that most effectively reduced IUA incidence. It was followed by intercoat (n = 10, SUCRA score = 74.7%) and misoprostol (n = 10, SUCRA score = 68.6%). In addition, auto-cross-linked hyaluronic acid (ACP) (n = 3, SUCRA score = 83.2%) and intercoat (n = 3, SUCRA score = 66.4%) each corresponded to a relatively high preventive effect against severe IUAs. In the treatment-related studies, ACP plus a balloon (n = 4, SUCRA score = 96.3%) and a freeze-dried amnion graft plus a balloon (n = 4, SUCRA score = 62.7%) most effectively reduced IUA recurrence and had a high probability of most effectively reducing IUA scores. Therefore, according to the prophylactic analysis, ACH and intercoat were most likely to prevent IUA development. In our analysis of agents used to prevent severe IUAs, we found that ACP and intercoat provided significant advantages and had high reliability. In our analysis of treatments, ACP plus a balloon and freeze-dried amniotic agents plus a balloon were most likely to reduce IUA recurrence and IUA scores after adhesiolysis.

[Effect of Active Ingredients of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe on Spatial Learning and Memory Capacities, and Expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and PAPP in Hippocampus of AD Model Rats].

Objective To observe the effects of active ingredients of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe (QKR) , such as saponins, volatile oils, effective compositions of polysaccharides, on expressions of Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) , B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) , cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) , and ß-amyloid precursor protein (pAPP) in hippocampus of Ap1_40-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats. Methods Totally 112 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 7 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the sham-operation group, the model group, the Aricept group, the saponin group, the volatile oil group, the polysaccharide group, 16 in each group. The AD rat model was established by injecting Aß1₋40 from bilateral hippocampus. Equal volume of double distilled water was administered to rats by gastrogavage in the normal control group, the sham-operation group, the model group from the 2nd day after modeling, once per day for 2 successive weeks (at 10:00 am). Aricept (Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablet, 1. 67 mg/kg per day) , saponin (9 mL/kg per day) , benzene (3. 33 mL/kg per day) , and polysaccharides (8. 33 mL/kg per day) was administered to rats by gastro- gavage to the Aricept group, the saponin group, the volatile oil group, the polysaccharides group, re- spectively, once per day for 2 successive weeks (at 10:00 am). By the end of gastrogavage spatial learning and memory capacities were detected using Morris water maze (MWZ). Apoptosis in hippocam- pal CAI region was detected using TUNEL staining. Expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and PAPP were measured via Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results There was no statistical difference in pre-modeling escape latency and times of crossing platforms among groups at the same time point (P >0. 05). Besides, escape latency was gradu- ally shortened as time went by. Compared with the model group, escape latency was shortened, and times of crossing platforms was significantly increased in the Aricept group and the saponin group (P < 0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, the amount of apoptotic cells in hippocampal CA1 re- gion was obviously reduced (P <0. 05, P <0. 01) , expressions levels of Bax, Caspase-3, and pAPP were down-regulated, Bcl-2/Bax ratio was obviously elevated in the saponin group, the volatile oil group, the polysaccharide group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Conclusion Three active ingredients (spaonins, benzene, and polysaccharides) of QKR could improve spatial memory and learning capacities to different degrees, which might be possibly achieved by decreasing expressions of Bax, Caspase-3, PAPP in hippocampal CA1 region, elevating Bcl-2 expression, and inhibiting apoptosis in hippocampus.

The Synergistic Effect of Azoles and Fluoxetine against Resistant Candida albicans Strains Is Attributed to Attenuating Fungal Virulence.

This study evaluated the synergistic effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, in combination with azoles against Candida albicans both in vitro and in vivo and explored the underlying mechanism. MICs, sessile MICs, and time-kill curves were determined for resistant C. albicans Galleria mellonella was used as a nonvertebrate model for determining the efficacy of the drug combinations against C. albicans in vivo For the mechanism study, gene expression levels of the SAP gene family were determined by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, and extracellular phospholipase activities were detected in vitro by the egg yolk agar method. The combinations resulted in synergistic activity against C. albicans strains, but the same effect was not found for the non-albicans Candida strains. For the biofilms formed over 4, 8, and 12 h, synergism was seen for the combination of fluconazole and fluoxetine. In addition, the time-kill curves confirmed the synergism dynamically. The results of the G. mellonella studies agreed with the in vitro analysis. In the mechanism study, we observed that fluconazole plus fluoxetine caused downregulation of the gene expression levels of SAP1 to SAP4 and weakened the extracellular phospholipase activities of resistant C. albicans The combinations of azoles and fluoxetine showed synergistic effects against resistant C. albicans may diminish the virulence properties of C. albicans.

Effect of Qingxinkaiqiao compound on cortical mRNA expression of the apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2, BAX, caspase-3, and Aß in an Alzheimer's disease rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Qingxinkaiqiao (QK) compound in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced with ß-amyloid (Aß) 1-40. METHODS: Fifty-six three months, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: blank control group, surgery group, model group, low-dose QK group, middle-dose QK group, high-dose QK group, and Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) group, with eight rats in each group. Apart from the control and surgery groups, an Alzheimer's disease model was established in all groups by bilateral hippocampal injection of Aß 1-40. The surgery group received an injection of the same volume of physiological saline. Two days after model establishment, rats from the drug groups were administered the corresponding drugs; the control group and model group were administered an equal volume of physiological saline for 14 days. After treatment, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blot assay were employed to confirm mRNA and protein expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, and Aß, respectively. CONCLUSION: QK treatment resulted in significantly up-regulated Bcl-2 expression, down-regulated Bax, caspase-3, and Aß expression, and reduced numbers of apoptotic cells in the cortex.

Development and Characterization of Polymorphic Microsatellite Markers for Sedum sarmentosum (Crassulaceae) and Their Cross-Species Transferability.

Sedum sarmentosum is an important Chinese medicinal herb that exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and anti-nociceptive properties. However, little is known about its genetic background. The first set of 14 microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized for S. sarmentosum using an SSR-enriched library. Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were acquired with satisfactory amplifications and a polymorphic pattern in 48 S. sarmentosum individuals. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 15. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.0833 to 0.8750 and 0.2168 to 0.9063, respectively. Two loci showed significant departure from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Cross-species amplification was carried out in other Sedum species. High rates of cross-species amplification were observed. The transferability value ranged from 85.7% in S. lineare to 64.3% in S. ellacombianum. These markers will be valuable for studying the genetic variation, population structure and germplasm characterization of S. sarmentosum and related Sedum species.

[Study on the Mechanism of Three Kinds Extracts of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe in Improving Learning and Memory Capabilities of AD Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of three kinds extracts (saponins, volatile components, polysaccharide components) of Qingxin Kaiqiao Recipe (QKR) in improving learning and memory capabilities of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. METHODS: A controlled comparison method was used. Totally 56 male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, i.e., the normal control group, the sham-operation group, the model group, the Aricept group, the saponin group, the benzene group, and the polysaccharide group, 8 in each group. AD rat model was established by bilateral hippocampus injection of Aß1-40 (2 µL, 2.5 µg/µL). The next day after modeling rats in the saponin group, the benzene group, and the polysaccharide group, the saponin group, the Aricept group were intragastrically administered with saponin (at the daily dose of 9 mL/kg, 2.1 g/mL) , benzene (at the daily dose of 3.33 mL/kg, 5.7 g/mL) , polysaccharide (at the daily dose of 8.33 mL/kg, 2.28 g/mL), Aricept (at the daily dose of 1.67 mg/kg), respectively, once a day for 2 consecutive weeks from 10 am every day. Equal volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Learning and memory capabilities were detected using water maze 2 weeks later. Expression levels of synaptotagmin-1 (Syt-1), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), glia fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ß-amyloid precursor protein (ßAPP) in the cortex and hippocampus of AD rats were detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Learning and memory capabilities could be improved by three kinds extracts of QKR. There was no statistical difference in the escape latency between the polysaccharide group and the model group (P >0. 05). The escape lacency was shortened in the rest treatment groups (P < 0.05). The escape latency was obviously prolonged in three kinds extracts of QKR groups, when compared with the Aricept group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, times for crossing platforms were significantly increased in the saponin group and the Aricept group (P < 0.05). Compared with the Aricept group, average times for crossing platforms were significantly lessened in three kinds extracts of QKR groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1ß, GFAP, and ßAPP in the cortex and hippocampus were increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of cortical Syt-1 increased in the saponin group and the benzene group; the expression of cortical IL-1ß increased in the benzene group and the polysaccharide group; the expression of hippocampal GFAP increased in the three kinds extracts of QKR groups; expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1ß, GFAP, and ß-APP in the cortex and hippocampus decreased in the rest treatment groups (all P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Aricept group, expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1ß, GFAP, and ßAPP in the cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased in three kinds extracts of QKR groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Three kinds extracts of QKR might play roles in anti-AD possibly by decreasing expression levels of Syt-1, IL-1ß, GFAP, and ßAPP in the cortex and hippocampus.

Mineral and bone disorder in Chinese dialysis patients: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Mineral and bone disorder (MBD) in patients with chronic kidney disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies regarding the status of MBD treatment in developing countries, especially in Chinese dialysis patients are extremely limited. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1711 haemodialysis (HD) patients and 363 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients were enrolled. Parameters related to MBD, including serum phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were analyzed. The achievement of MBD targets was compared with the results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Study (DOPPS) 3 and DOPPS 4. Factors associated with hyperphosphatemia were examined. RESULTS: Total 2074 dialysis patients from 28 hospitals were involved in this study. Only 38.5%, 39.6% and 26.6% of them met the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) defined targets for serum P, Ca and iPTH levels. Serum P and Ca levels were statistically higher (P < 0.05) in the HD patients compared with those of PD patients, which was (6.3 ± 2.1) mg/dL vs (5.7 ± 2.0) mg/dL and (9.3 ± 1.1) mg/dL vs (9.2 ± 1.1) mg/dL, respectively. Serum iPTH level were statistically higher in the PD patients compared with those of HD patients (P = 0.03). The percentage of patients reached the K/DOQI targets for P (37.6% vs 49.8% vs 54.5%, P < 0.01), Ca (38.6% vs 50.4% vs 56.0%, P < 0.01) and iPTH (26.5% vs 31.4% vs 32.1%, P < 0.01) were lower among HD patients, compared with the data from DOPPS 3 and DOPPS 4. The percentage of patients with serum phosphorus level above 5.5 mg/dL was 57.4% in HD patients and 47.4% in PD patients. Age, dialysis patterns and region of residency were independently associated with hyperphosphatemia. CONCLUSIONS: Status of MBD is sub-optimal among Chinese patients receiving dialysis. The issue of hyperphosphatemia is prominent and needs further attention.

Screening Antitumor Compounds Psoralen and Isopsoralen from Psoralea corylifolia L. Seeds.

Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae) is a widely used medical plant in China. This study was designed to screen and identify bioactive compounds with anticancer activity from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. One volatile fraction (fraction I) and three other fractions (fraction II, III, IV) from methanol extraction of P. corylifolia L. were obtained. Bioactivities of these fractions were evaluated by the cytotoxicity on KB, KBv200, K562, K562/ADM cancer cells with MTT assay. Major components in the active fraction were identified by HPLC/MS(n). Fraction IV significantly inhibits the growth of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The IC(50) values were 21.6, 24.4, 10.0 and 26.9, respectively. Psoralen and isopsoralen, isolated from fraction IV, were subject to bioactive assay and presented a dose-dependent anticancer activity in four cancer cell lines (KB, KBv200, K562 and K562/ADM). The IC(50) values of psoralen were 88.1, 86.6, 24.4 and 62.6, which of isopsoralen were 61.9, 49.4, 49.6 and 72.0, respectively. Apoptosis of tumor cell significantly increased after treated with psoralen and isopsoralen. Induction of apoptotic activity was confirmed by flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V/PI. These results suggested psoralen and isopsoralen contribute to anticancer effect of P. corylifolia L.

Distinct effects of naringenin and hesperetin on nitric oxide production from endothelial cells.

Diets rich in citrus and citrus-based products have been negatively correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, but so far no studies have been conducted to determine whether naringenin and hesperetin, two major flavanones in citrus plants, influence endothelium nitric oxide (NO) production. The aim of this study is to clarify estrogenic activities of naringenin and hesperetin and to examine whether they affect endothelial NO production via estrogen receptor (ER) activation. Both naringenin and hesperetin were observed to promote growth of MCF-7 cells under greatly reduced estrogen conditions and to suppress estrogen-induced response. Naringenin activated both ERalpha and ERbeta, whereas hesperetin exhibited stronger potential to activate ERalpha rather than ERbeta. Hesperetin, but not naringenin, increased NO releases from human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Hesperetin-induce responses were suppressed by ICI 182 780 and actinomycin D. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western-blotting analysis revealed that hesperetin up-regulated endothelium nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. These results suggested that hesperetin exerts an antiatherogenic effect, in part, via ER-mediated eNOS expression and subsequent increase of endothelial NO production. Distinct effects of naringenin and hesperetin on NO production also imply that ERalpha might play the major role in estrogen-induced eNOS expression. However, the inefficacy of naringenin on NO production remains to be elaborately studied. Our findings add more proof to the molecular explanations for the health benefits of citrus used to prevent cardiovascular disease, especially for postmenopausal women.

[Effects of yishen huoxue decoction on proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and extracellular matrix in 5/6 nephrectomized rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Yishen Huoxue decoction (YHD) on chronic renal failure (CRF) rats induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. METHODS: The glomerulosclerosis model was established by 5/6 nephrectomy in rats. Experimental animals were allocated into the normal group, the model group, the YHD group and the benazepril group. Urine protein of 24 h (UP) at the 6th and 12th weekend after operation, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (SCr), albumin (Alb) and haemoglobin (HB) at the 12th weekend were measured, renal pathology changes were examined with light microscope, the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and fibronectin (Fn) were examined by immunohistochemistry and mRNA expressions of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) by RT-PCR at the 12th weekend. RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal group, the levels of UP, BUN and SCr, the area of glomerular mesangial matrix, the FN deposition, PCNA expression in glomeruli and tubular interstitium and mRNA expressions of CTGF and PAI-1 were all significantly higher in the model group (P < 0.05). All the above-mentioned indexes were lower in the YHD group than those in the model group (P < 0.05). PCNA positively expressed cells in glomeruli of the normal, model group, YHD group and benazepril group was 7.00 +/- 2.24,34.78 +/- 6.96,15.75 +/- 2.61 and 15.50 +/- 2.57 respectively, positively correlated to the expression of CTGF, PAI-1, FN and SCr level. CONCLUSION: YHD could delay the progression of CRF in 5/6 nephrectomized rats, and the mechanisms were mainly related to the inhibition on renal cell proliferation and it induced over-expression of cytokines, and accumulation of extracellular matrix.

[Spectroscopic analysis of the interaction of ethanol and acid phosphatase from wheat germ].

Conformational and activity changes of acid phosphatase from wheat germ in ethanol solutions of different concentrations were measured by fluorescence spectra and differential UV-absorption spectra. The effect of ethanol on kinetics of acid phosphatase was determined by using the double reciprocal plot. The results indicate the ethanol has a significant effect on the activity and conformation of acid phosphatase. The activity of acid phosphatase decreased linearly with increasing the concentration of ethanol. Differential UV-absorption spectra of the enzyme denatured in ethanol solutions showed two positive peaks at 213 and 234 nm, respectively. The peaks on the differential UV-absorption spectra suggested that the conformation of enzyme molecule changed from orderly structure to out-of-order crispation. The fluorescence emission peak intensity of the enzyme gradually strengthened with increasing ethanol concentration, which is in concordance with the conformational change of the microenvironments of tyrosine and tryptophan residues. The results indicate that the expression of the enzyme activity correlates with the stability and integrity of the enzyme conformation to a great degree. Ethanol is uncompetitive inhibitor of acid phosphatase.