De novo full length transcriptome analysis and gene expression profiling to identify genes involved in phenylethanol glycosides biosynthesis in Cistanche tubulosa.

BACKGROUND: The dried stem of Cistanche, is a famous Chinese traditional medicine. The main active pharmacodynamic components are phenylethanol glycosides (PhGs). Cistanche tubulosa produces higher level of PhGs in its stems than that of Cistanche deserticola. However, the key genes in the PhGs biosynthesis pathway is not clear in C. tubulosa. RESULTS: In this study, we performed the full-length transcriptome sequencing and gene expression profiling of C. tubulosa using PacBio combined with BGISEQ-500 RNA-seq technology. Totally, 237,772 unique transcripts were obtained, ranging from 199 bp to 31,857 bp. Among the unique transcripts, 188,135 (79.12%) transcripts were annotated. Interestingly, 1080 transcripts were annotated as 22 enzymes related to PhGs biosynthesis. We measured the content of echinacoside, acteoside and total PhGs at two development stages, and found that the content of PhGs was 46.74% of dry matter in young fleshy stem (YS1) and then decreased to 31.22% at the harvest stage (HS2). To compare with YS1, 13,631 genes were up-regulated, and 15,521 genes were down regulated in HS2. Many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified to be involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, phenylalanine metabolism pathway, and tyrosine metabolism pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of transcriptome study of C. tubulosa which provided the foundation for understanding of PhGs biosynthesis. Based on these results, we proposed a potential model for PhGs biosynthesis in C. tubulosa.

The protective role and mechanism of liriodendrin in rats with myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Liriodendrin is a therapeutic constituent of sargentgloryvine stem which is a famous Chinese traditional medicine. Previous studies have suggested liriodendrin could inhibit different pathways to treat inflammation in lung and intestinal tract. But whether it can treat myocardial infarction (MI) is unknown. We investigated the protective effect of liriodendrin on acute MI in rats and explored the specific mechanisms to expand the use of this traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: The rats were randomized into the sham group (sham operation), control group (ligation of the left anterior descending artery), and liriodendrin group. The liriodendrin group was intragastrically administered with a liriodendrin solution (100 mg/kg). The control group and the sham group were intragastrically administered with normal saline. Before all rats were euthanized, echocardiography was used to detect their cardiac function. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method were performed. Further quantitative detection of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in tissues were also detected. Western Blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the apoptosis and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway in tissues. H9C2 cells were used to detect the related mechanisms in vitro. RESULTS: Echocardiography showed that, compared to control group, the cardiac function of the liriodendrin group was significantly improved. histopathological staining of the control group showed that the myocardial tissue was severely damaged, and inflammatory cells were infiltrated. Compared to the control group, the apoptosis index of the liriodendrin group was significantly lower (P<0.05). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that the levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in the control group were higher than those in the liriodendrin group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, apoptosis and the NF-κB pathway were inhibited after liriodendrin administration (P<0.05). Moreover, the mRNA transcriptional activity in the control group was also higher than that in the liriodendrin group (P<0.05). Because of the effect of liriodendrin, NF-κB pathway and apoptosis were downregulated in H9C2 cells which were exposed to ischemia-hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: Liriodendrin may protect myocardial cells after myocardial infarction in rats by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors, activation of the NF-κB pathway, and apoptosis.

Atriplex canescens: A new host for Cistanche deserticola.

Cistanche deserticola has been historically used in traditional Chinese medicine for supplementing kidney (yang) function, benefiting blood and essence, and moistening intestines in order to pass stool. Its host, Haloxylon ammodendron, is an important pioneer plant used for windbreaks and sand dune fixation, which are strategies used for the control desertification. For a long time, it has been considered that C. deserticola can only parasitize H. ammodendron. In this study, morphological identification, gene barcoding identification and inoculation experiment were carried out, we finally found that C. deserticola can also parasitize Atriplex canescens. A. canescens is a species of Chenopodiaceae with a wide range of adaptability. Compared with H. ammodendron, it has more biomass and a wider range of ecological adaptability, making it more suitable for the industrial production of C. deserticola. In addition, we also found that the concentration of active components was higher in C. deserticola parasitized on A. canescens than in those parasitized on H. ammodendron; this finding further suggests that the application of C. deserticola on a larger scale warrants further exploration.

Quercetin Relieves the Excised Great Saphenous Vein Oxidative Damage and Inflammatory Reaction.

OBJECTIVE: The patency and quality of transplanted great saphenous vein (GSV) can seriously influence the physical state and life quality of patients who accepted the coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Quercetin is known for antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. In this study, we examined the protection of quercetin to the great saphenous vein from oxidative and inflammatory damage. METHODS: The GSVs were collected from 15 patients undergoing CABG and cultured. Treated the veins by H2O2 and detected the NO, SOD, and MDA content by the relevant kits to explore the quercetin protection against oxidative damage. Then, for another group of GSVs, sheared them and detected the inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, TNFα, CCL20, PCNA, and VEGF. Collect the veins for H&E staining and PCNA and VEGF immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: Pretreatment by quercetin reduced the production of NO and MDA induced by H2O2, and increased SOD activity. Quercetin also supressed the mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNFα after mechanical damage and had no influence on CCL20 and VEGF. Consistent with the lower expression of PCNA treated by quercetin, the vein intima was thinner. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that quercetin protects GSVs by reducing the oxidative damage and inflammatory response and also suppresses the abnormal thickening of venous endothelium by inhibiting cell proliferation. It reminded that, to some extent, quercetin has the potential to release the great saphenous vein graft damage.

Effects of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma on Intraoperative Transfusion and Short-Term Outcomes in Total Arch Replacement (Sun's Procedure): A Prospective, Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of collecting and retransfusing autologous platelet rich plasma (aPRP) on the amount of allogeneic blood usage in total arch replacement (Sun's surgery) and the outcomes 30 days after surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized trial. SETTING: A tertiary university hospital specialized in cardiovascular diseases. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 120 patients undergoing Sun's surgery for Stanford type A acute aortic dissection. INTERVENTIONS: aPRP was harvested before incision and was re-transfused after heparin neutralization for patients in the treatment group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative demographic data between the 2 study groups. Intraoperative transfusions of erythrocyte (p = 0.009), plasma (p = 0.017), cryoprecipitate (p = 0.002), and platelets (p < 0.001) in the treatment group were reduced significantly. In addition, less blood loss was observed in the treatment group (p = 0.002). The durations of postoperative mechanical ventilation (p = 0.029) and hospitalization (p = 0.002) of the treatment group were significantly shorter. There were no statistically significant differences in the length of intensive care unit stay, the incidence of complications, and mortality 30 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: In total arch replacement (Sun's surgery), collecting and retransfusing aPRP reduced intraoperative transfusions of erythrocyte, plasma, and cryoprecipitate and decreased the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and hospitalization. This technique had no significant effect on the incidence of complications and mortality 30 days postoperatively.