RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of emodin on alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation and neovascularization. METHODS: The ability of emodin to target vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) was predicted by molecular docking. The effects of emodin on the invasion, migration, and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were determined by cell counting kit-8, Transwell, and tube formation assays. Analysis of apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. CD31 levels were examined by immunofluorescence. The abundance and phosphorylation state of VEGFR2, protein kinase B (Akt), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and P38 were examined by immunoblot analysis. Corneal alkali burn was performed on 40 mice. Animals were divided randomly into two groups, and the alkali-burned eyes were then treated with drops of either 10 µM emodin or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) four times a day. Slit-lamp microscopy was used to evaluate inflammation and corneal neovascularization (CNV) in all eyes on Days 0, 7, 10, and 14. The mice were killed humanely 14 d after the alkali burn, and their corneas were removed and preserved at ï¼80 â until histological study or protein extraction. RESULTS: Molecular docking confirmed that emodin was able to target VEGFR2. The findings revealed that emodin decreased the invasion, migration, angiogenesis, and proliferation of HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. In mice, emodin suppressed corneal inflammatory cell infiltration and inhibited the development of corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn. Compared to those of the PBS-treated group, lower VEGFR2 expression and CD31 levels were found in the emodin-treated group. Emodin dramatically decreased the expression of VEGFR2, p-VEGFR2, p-Akt, p-STAT3, and p-P38 in VEGF-treated HUVEC. CONCLUSION: This study provides a new avenue for evaluating the molecular mechanisms underlying corneal inflammation and neovascularization. Emodin might be a promising new therapeutic option for corneal alkali burns.
Assuntos
Queimaduras Químicas , Neovascularização da Córnea , Emodina , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Neovascularização da Córnea/tratamento farmacológico , Neovascularização da Córnea/genética , Neovascularização da Córnea/metabolismo , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Fator A de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Queimaduras Químicas/tratamento farmacológico , Queimaduras Químicas/metabolismo , Queimaduras Químicas/patologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Receptor 2 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/genética , Receptor 2 de Fatores de Crescimento do Endotélio Vascular/metabolismo , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Neovascularização Patológica/tratamento farmacológico , Neovascularização Patológica/genética , Transdução de Sinais , Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana , Inflamação/tratamento farmacológico , Modelos Animais de DoençasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To study the type and drift law of airborne pollen in Wuhan, and its relationship to pollinosis.@*METHOD@#From November 2003 to October 2004, an airborne pollen investigation was performed in three districts of Wuhan using gravity sedimentation technique. Meanwhile, univalent shin prick tests of pollens and the study of invasion season were performed in 1200 cases with pollenosis. Among them, 352 cases underwent the airway responsiveness measurements, and the correlation between airway responsiveness and pollen concentration were analyzed.@*RESULT@#A total of 47 pollen colonies were observed and 75,525 pollens were collected. Every year the the peak time of airborne pollen occurred in two seasons: spring (March and April) and autumn (from August to October). The incidence of pollinosis is consistent to pollen peak time; there was a negative relationship between PD20 (the provocative dose to decrease FEV1 by 20% from baseline) and airborne pollen concentration.@*CONCLUSION@#The study provides useful information for airborne pollen epidemiology in Wuhan. It provides important insights to clinical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pollen related allergic diseases.
Assuntos
Humanos , Alérgenos , China , Epidemiologia , Incidência , Pólen , Rinite Alérgica Sazonal , Epidemiologia , Testes CutâneosRESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effects of zinc and selenium on the sperm quality of oligoasthenozoospermic men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-four cases of oligoasthenozoospermia were treated with Xinxibao (Zinc & Selenium Tablet) three times a day and five tablets at a time for ninety days in succession. The seminal routine analysis was performed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) at the end of each month.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sperm quality was improved significantly sixty days and ninety days after treatment. Five cases (14.7%) showed remarkable effect, 25 (73.5%) improved, and 4 (11.8%) did not respond.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Zinc and selenium can significantly improve the sperm quality of oligoasthenozoospermic men.</p>