Impact of Saccharomyces boulardii on jaundice in premature infants undergoing phototherapy

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on jaundice in premature infants undergoing phototherapy. Methods In this article, the authors reviewed 100 hospitalized jaundiced premature infants under 35 weeks of gestational age. All infants were assigned to a control group (n= 45) and a treatment group (n= 55) randomly. The infants in the treatment group received S. boulardii supplementation by undergoing phototherapy and the infants in the control group were only treated by phototherapy. The total serum bilirubin levels were detected before and at the end of phototherapy, and transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured on the 1st, 4th, 8th and 15th day of treatment. The duration of jaundice resolution and phototherapy, stool frequency, and characteristics were compared after phototherapy. Results The duration of jaundice resolution and phototherapy were shortened. Total serum bilirubin level was lower than the control group at the end of phototherapy (p < 0.05). Transcutaneous bilirubin levels decreased more significantly on the 8th and 15th day of treatment (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences on the post-treatment 1st and 4th day (p > 0.05). In addition, bowel movements including stool frequency and Bristol Stool Form Scale ratings of stools also improved after treatment. Conclusions S. boulardii in combination with phototherapy is effective and safe in reducing bilirubin levels and duration of phototherapy, accelerating jaundice resolution in premature infants with jaundice. The procedure also provided an ideal therapeutic effect of diarrhea induced by phototherapy to promote compliance and maternal-infant bonding.

Impact of Saccharomyces boulardii on jaundice in premature infants undergoing phototherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on jaundice in premature infants undergoing phototherapy. METHODS: In this article, the authors reviewed 100 hospitalized jaundiced premature infants under 35 weeks of gestational age. All infants were assigned to a control group (n = 45) and a treatment group (n = 55) randomly. The infants in the treatment group received S. boulardii supplementation by undergoing phototherapy and the infants in the control group were only treated by phototherapy. The total serum bilirubin levels were detected before and at the end of phototherapy, and transcutaneous bilirubin levels were measured on the 1st, 4th, 8th and 15th day of treatment. The duration of jaundice resolution and phototherapy, stool frequency, and characteristics were compared after phototherapy. RESULTS: The duration of jaundice resolution and phototherapy were shortened. Total serum bilirubin level was lower than the control group at the end of phototherapy (p < 0.05). Transcutaneous bilirubin levels decreased more significantly on the 8th and 15th day of treatment (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences on the post-treatment 1st and 4th day (p > 0.05). In addition, bowel movements including stool frequency and Bristol Stool Form Scale ratings of stools also improved after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: S. boulardii in combination with phototherapy is effective and safe in reducing bilirubin levels and duration of phototherapy, accelerating jaundice resolution in premature infants with jaundice. The procedure also provided an ideal therapeutic effect of diarrhea induced by phototherapy to promote compliance and maternal-infant bonding.

Rubia cordifolia L. ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice through dual inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathways.

The aerial part of â€‹Rubia cordifolia â€‹L. has been used as an herbal medicine for a long time with various pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial activities. The most notable usage of these was that this herbal medicine had good therapeutic effects on diarrhea caused by various factors. However, the mechanism for the ethanolic extract of â€‹R. cordifolia â€‹L. (RCEE) to treat Ulcerative colitis (UC) effectively is still unclear. In this study, DSS successfully induced UC mice and then intervene using different polar parts of RCEE. The results indicated that RCEE-treatment inhibited colonic combination NLRP3 inflammasome formation and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 activation in vivo, significantly ameliorating the clinical symptoms, including alleviating colonic mucosal damage and infiltration of macrophages, suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines, and reducing mortality. Taken together, this study suggests that dual inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathways activation using RCEE may be a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing the progression of UC.

Pharmacological effects of indole alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. on pulmonary fibrosis in vivo.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (Apocynaceae) is a Dai folk medicine for the treatment of lung diseases in China. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study investigated the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects of total alkaloids (TA) and the potential active ingredients and its possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (BLM, 5 mg/kg), mice were divided into ten groups, and orally treated with the corresponding samples once daily for 28 days. The effect of indole alkaloids was determined through analysis of cytokines, as well as histopathological examinations and gene expressions. RESULTS: Severe lung fibrosis was observed in the BLM-treated mice on day 28. However, the administration of TA significantly ameliorated the pathological changes in the lungs, decreased the content of Krebs von den Lungen-6, lactate dehydrogenase, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), hydroxyproline, type I collagen, and malonaldehyde, and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase in the serum and lung tissues. In addition, the enhanced TGF-ß and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expressions in BLM-induced mice were obviously weakened by indole alkaloids, as well as the ratio of matrix metalloproteinase-1 to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 was decreased. Moreover, picrinine and scholaricine yielded markedly better values in the aforementioned indices than those in other samples, indicating that they may be the active ingredients of alkaloids. CONCLUSIONS: TA exerted protective effects against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis by reducing collagen deposition through TGF-ß/MMP-1 pathway.

Red-Light (670 nm) Therapy Reduces Mechanical Sensitivity and Neuronal Cell Death, and Alters Glial Responses after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) often develop debilitating neuropathic pain, which may be driven by neuronal damage and neuroinflammation. We have previously demonstrated that treatment using 670 nm (red) light irradiation alters microglia/macrophage responses and alleviates mechanical hypersensitivity at 7 days post-injury (dpi). Here, we investigated the effect of red light on the development of mechanical hypersensitivity, neuronal markers, and glial response in the subacute stage (days 1-7) following SCI. Wistar rats were subjected to a mild hemi-contusion SCI at vertebra T10 or to sham surgery followed by daily red-light treatment (30 min/day; 670 nm LED; 35 mW/cm2) or sham treatment. Mechanical sensitivity of the rat dorsum was assessed from 1 dpi and repeated every second day. Spinal cords were collected at 1, 3, 5, and 7 dpi for analysis of myelination, neurofilament protein NF200 expression, neuronal cell death, reactive astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]+ cells), interleukin 1 ß (IL-1ß) expression, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production in IBA1+ microglia/macrophages. Red-light treatment significantly reduced the cumulative mechanical sensitivity and the hypersensitivity incidence following SCI. This effect was accompanied by significantly reduced neuronal cell death, reduced astrocyte activation, and reduced iNOS expression in IBA1+ cells at the level of the injury. However, myelin and NF200 immunoreactivity and IL-1ß expression in GFAP+ and IBA1+ cells were not altered by red-light treatment. Thus, red-light therapy may represent a useful non-pharmacological approach for treating pain during the subacute period after SCI by decreasing neuronal loss and modulating the inflammatory glial response.

Sex, but not skin tone affects penetration of red-light (660 nm) through sites susceptible to sports injury in lean live and cadaveric tissues.

Red-light treatment is emerging as a novel therapy for promoting tissue recovery but data on red-light penetration through human tissues are lacking. We aimed to: (1) determine the effect of light irradiance, tissue thickness, skin tone, sex and bone/muscle content on 660 nm light penetration through common sites of sports injuries, and (2) establish if cadaver tissues serve as a useful model for predicting red-light penetration in live tissues. Live and cadaver human tissues were exposed to 660 nm light at locations across the skull, spinal cord and upper and lower limbs. Red-light was produced by a light emitting diode array of various irradiances (15-500 mW/cm2 ) and measured by a light-probe positioned on the tissue surface opposite to the light emitting diodes. 100 mW/cm2 successfully penetrated tissue <50 mm thick; a disproportionate irradiance increase was required to achieve deeper penetration. Penetration was unaffected by skin tone, increased with irradiance and relative bone/muscle composition, and decreased with greater tissue thickness and in males. Live and cadaveric tissue penetration did not differ statistically for tissues <50 mm but cadavers required more red-light to penetrate >50 mm. These results assist clinicians and researchers in determining red-light treatment intensities for penetrating human tissues.

ATAD3A oligomerization causes neurodegeneration by coupling mitochondrial fragmentation and bioenergetics defects.

Mitochondrial fragmentation and bioenergetic failure manifest in Huntington's disease (HD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease. The factors that couple mitochondrial fusion/fission with bioenergetics and their impacts on neurodegeneration however remain poorly understood. Our proteomic analysis identifies mitochondrial protein ATAD3A as an interactor of mitochondrial fission GTPase, Drp1, in HD. Here we show that, in HD, ATAD3A dimerization due to deacetylation at K135 residue is required for Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation. Disturbance of ATAD3A steady state impairs mtDNA maintenance by disrupting TFAM/mtDNA binding. Blocking Drp1/ATAD3A interaction with a peptide, DA1, abolishes ATAD3A oligomerization, suppresses mitochondrial fragmentation and mtDNA lesion, and reduces bioenergetic deficits and cell death in HD mouse- and patient-derived cells. DA1 treatment reduces behavioral and neuropathological phenotypes in HD transgenic mice. Our findings demonstrate that ATAD3A plays a key role in neurodegeneration by linking Drp1-induced mitochondrial fragmentation to defective mtDNA maintenance, suggesting that DA1 might be useful for developing HD therapeutics.

Red LED photobiomodulation reduces pain hypersensitivity and improves sensorimotor function following mild T10 hemicontusion spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: The development of hypersensitivity following spinal cord injury can result in incurable persistent neuropathic pain. Our objective was to examine the effect of red light therapy on the development of hypersensitivity and sensorimotor function, as well as on microglia/macrophage subpopulations following spinal cord injury. METHODS: Wistar rats were treated (or sham treated) daily for 30 min with an LED red (670 nm) light source (35 mW/cm(2)), transcutaneously applied to the dorsal surface, following a mild T10 hemicontusion injury (or sham injury). The development of hypersensitivity was assessed and sensorimotor function established using locomotor recovery and electrophysiology of dorsal column pathways. Immunohistochemistry and TUNEL were performed to examine cellular changes in the spinal cord. RESULTS: We demonstrate that red light penetrates through the entire rat spinal cord and significantly reduces signs of hypersensitivity following a mild T10 hemicontusion spinal cord injury. This is accompanied with improved dorsal column pathway functional integrity and locomotor recovery. The functional improvements were preceded by a significant reduction of dying (TUNEL(+)) cells and activated microglia/macrophages (ED1(+)) in the spinal cord. The remaining activated microglia/macrophages were predominantly of the anti-inflammatory/wound-healing subpopulation (Arginase1(+)ED1(+)) which were expressed early, and up to sevenfold greater than that found in sham-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that a simple yet inexpensive treatment regime of red light reduces the development of hypersensitivity along with sensorimotor improvements following spinal cord injury and may therefore offer new hope for a currently treatment-resistant pain condition.

Structure-activity relationship study of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis on lipopolysaccharide-induced microglia activation.

To explore the relationship of the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schisandra chinensis to their anti-inflammatory activities, series of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans were isolated and assessed by testing their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV2 mouse microglia. It was found, for the first time, that dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans which have S-biphenyl and methylenedioxy groups strongly inhibited LPS-induced microglia activation. The methoxy group on the cyclooctadiene introduced more effectiveness, but the presence of an acetyl group on the cyclooctadiene or hydroxyl group on C-7 decreased the inhibitory activity.

Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schisandra chinensis and their inhibitory activity on NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia cells.

Four dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, schisanchinins A-D, and 10 known compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract of fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. Structures of compounds 1-4 were elucidated using a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including MS, UV and IR, NMR ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC). The stereochemistry of the chiral centers and the biphenyl configuration were determined using NOESY, as well as analysis of CD spectra. In vitro activity assays showed that 11 of the 14 compounds exhibited inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO release in primary murine BV2 microglia cells.

[Compositions and residual properties of petroleum hydrocarbon in contaminated soil of the oilfields].

The aims of this study were to determine the compositions and residual properties of petroleum hydrocarbon in soil, as well as to identify the source and weathering degree of the pollution. A total of 5 producing wells in Gudao and Hekou oil producing region of Shengli oilfields were analyzed. More than 50 individual target compounds including straight-and branched-chain alkanes( n-alkanes, pristine and phytane) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil samples and crude oil were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The percentages of chain alkanes and PAHs in total solvent extractable matters(TSEM) of soil samples were both much lower than those in the crude oil samples. The compositions of petroleum hydrocarbon in soil samples differed from those in crude oil, which indicated the n-alkanes with carbon numbers <12 were much easier to lose in contrast to the n-alkanes with high carbon numbers. With n-octadecane/phytane as index for the weathering rate of oil contaminated soils, the relationship between the index and petroleum hydrocarbon compounds was analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that the n-alkanes with carbon numbers > 33 and the PAHs with rings between 3 and 5 were much harder to degrade. PCA of 4 indexes for source identification revealed more than 50% of the soil samples were polluted by crude oil, which needs more attention during remediation.

Schizandrin, an antioxidant lignan from Schisandra chinensis, ameliorates Aß1-42-induced memory impairment in mice.

In the present study, we examined the effect of schisandrin (SCH) of Schisandra chinensis on the amyloid-beta(1-42)- (Aß(1-42)-) induced memory impairment in mice and elucidated the possible antioxidative mechanism. Mice were intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injected with the aggregated Aß(1-42) and then treated with SCH (4, 12, and 36 mg/kg body weight) or donepezil (DPZ), a reference drug (0.65 mg/kg) by intragastric infusion for 14 days. Noncognitive disturbances and cognitive performance were evaluated by locomotor activity test, Y-maze test, and water maze test. Antioxidative enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice were measured to elucidate the mechanism. Our results showed that SCH significantly improved Aß(1-42)-induced short-term and spatial reference memory impairments in Y-maze test and water maze test. Furthermore, in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice, SOD and GSH-px activities, GSH level, and GSH/GSSG ratio were increased, and levels of MDA and GSSG were decreased by the treatment of SCH. These results suggest that SCH is a potential cognitive enhancer against Alzheimer's disease through antioxidative action.

Deoxyschizandrin isolated from the fruits of Schisandra chinensis ameliorates Aß1₋42-induced memory impairment in mice.

In the present study, we examined the effects of deoxyschisandrin (DS) from Schisandra chinensis on the amyloid-beta1₋42 (Aß1₋42)-induced memory impairment in mice and investigated the possible antioxidative mechanism. Mice were given an intracerebroventricular (i. c. v.) injection with the aggregated Aß1₋42 and then treated with DS (4, 12, and 36 mg/kg body weight) or donepezil (DPZ), a positive control drug (0.65 mg/kg), by intragastric infusion for 14 days. Non-cognitive disturbances and cognitive performance were evaluated by the locomotor activity, Y-maze, and water maze tests. Antioxidative enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice were measured to investigate the mechanism. Our results showed that DS significantly improved Aß1₋42-induced short-term and spatial memory impairments in the Y-maze and water maze tests. Furthermore, in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice, the reduced activities of SOD and GSH-px, the GSH level, and the GSH/GSSG ratio were increased, and increased levels of MDA and GSSG were reduced following treatment with DS, although the improvement of GSH and the reduction of GSSG levels were not marked. These results suggest that DS is a potential cognitive enhancer in Alzheimer's disease through its antioxidative action.

Clinical treatment of the stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum by micro-wound technique using hooked needle-shaped surgical knife.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of using the hooked needle-shaped knife to treat the stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum. METHODS: Sixty outpatients were divided into a treatment group of 30 cases treated by using the hooked needle-shaped knife, and a control group of 30 cases treated by block therapy. 6 months later, the alleviation of pain in the affected finger during movement, under pressure, traction and finger-bending anti-resistance was compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The alleviation of pain during movement, under pressure, traction and finger-bending anti-resistance was much better in the treatment group than that of the control group (P < 0.01), with a effective rate of 93.3% in the treatment group and 80.0% in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The micro-wound technique using the hooked needle-shaped knife has definite effect and safety for stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum.

[Case control study of hook needle knife for the treatment of stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and safety of the hook needle knife for the treatment of stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum. METHODS: From September 2007 to September 2008, 60 outpatients with stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum were randomized divided into the treatment group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. Among the patients, 44 patients were female and 16 patients were male, aged from 34 to 69 years, averaged 56 years, the duration of disease ranged from 1 month to 1 year, averaged 3 months. All the patients were treated with hook needle knife and local-blocking respectively. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and the relief of moving-pain, tender-pain, stretching-pain and resist-ing--pain were observed respectively. All the patients were evaluated by the symptoms with numerical rating scale. RESULTS: The relief of moving-pain, tender-pain, stretching-pain and resisting-pain in the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group; and the therapeutic effects of treatment group were better than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: The method for treating stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum with hook needle knife has advantages of definite effects, micro-invasion and safety.