Effects of sources and levels of liquor distiller's grains with solubles on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum parameters of Cherry Valley ducks.

Liquor distiller's grains with solubles (LDGS) is high in yield and rich in crude fiber and crude protein, which suggests that LDGS might be developed and used as unconventional feedstuff for ducks. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sources and levels of LDGS on growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum parameters, and intestinal morphology of Cherry Valley ducks from 15 to 42 D of age. A total of 3,300 15-day-old male ducks were randomly assigned into a 1 plus 2 × 5 factorial design including 2 different sources of LDGS (unfermented LDGS [ULDGS] and fermented LDGS [FLDGS]) at 5 levels (4, 8, 12, 16, and 20%) for 4 wk. Each treatment group included 6 pens with 50 ducks per pen. Levels of dietary LDGS and the interaction between sources and levels of LDGS had no effect on final body weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain, or feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) of ducks from day 15 to 42 (P > 0.05). Compared with dietary ULDGS, dietary FLDGS increased final body weight (P < 0.05) and ADFI (P < 0.05) and decreased the F:G (P = 0.03). The levels of LDGS and interaction effect between levels and sources of LDGS had no effect on carcass characteristics (P > 0.05). Regardless of the inclusion level, ducks fed with diets containing FLDGS had a higher percentage of thigh muscle (P < 0.01) than birds fed with diets containing ULDGS. Sources of dietary LDGS, levels of dietary LDGS, and their interaction had no effect on serum biochemistry parameters (P > 0.05) and intestinal morphology, including villus height, crypt depth, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the inclusion of LDGS in the diet at levels up to 20% had no negative effect on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, serum parameters, and intestinal morphology of ducks. Compared with ULDGS, FLDGS increased final body weight, ADFI, and thigh muscle yield and decreased the F:G of ducks. Therefore, LDGS, especially with fermentation, could be developed as an unconventional feedstuff resource for ducks from 15 to 42 D of age.

Red photon treatment inhibits apoptosis via regulation of bcl-2 proteins and ROS levels, alleviating hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.

Therapeutic options for hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) are scarce and inefficient. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that red photon plays an important role in anti-inflammatory processes as well as apoptosis, the main trait of HIBD. In this study, we investigated whether red photon can protect from HIBD in SD rats and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in PC12 cells. Apoptosis, mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) rates were assessed in PC12 cells. We found that 6-h irradiation resulted in decreased MMP, ROS and apoptosis rates, although these changes were reversible with prolonged irradiation. Importantly, these effects were sustained for 2-8h upon quenching of the red photon. Similar trends were observed for protein and mRNA expression of bax and bcl-2, with short-term irradiation (6h) inhibiting apoptosis in PC12 Cells. However, long-term (>6h) irradiation caused cell damage. In vivo experiments, bax mRNA and protein levels were reduced after 7days in HIBD model rats treated with red photon, in contrast to bcl-2. Furthermore, we found that bax and bcl-2 were mainly expressed in pyramidal cells of the hippocampus CA1 and CA3. Importantly, Morris Water Maze test results revealed an improvement in learning ability and spatial memory in rats after irradiation. Overall, our data showed that short-term irradiation with red photon in the acute phase inhibits the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway via regulation of bcl-2-related proteins and reduction of ROS levels, thereby decreasing apoptosis in nerve cells and improving the neurological prognosis of HIBD.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract sensitizes MG63 cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) is a new plate-derived biotechnology product that is frequently used, but occasionally reported, in the field of chemotherapy. In this study, we assessed the antitumor activity and related mechanisms of MTE by various biotechnological methods. The survival rates of MG63 osteosarcoma cells treated with MTE and doxorubicin were measured, individually or jointly, and the changes in cellular shape, apoptotic rates, and Fas expression were observed. The results indicated that combination of MTE and doxorubicin up-regulated Fas expression and induced apoptosis. The survival rate of combined application of 50 mg/mL MTE and 1 µg/mL doxorubicin was significantly lower than that of the individual application (P < 0.01). Other biotechnology methods also showed an apoptosis-inducing effect of combined application that was much stronger than individual application. All of these results suggested that MTE may promote the effects of doxorubicin chemotherapy, perhaps related to the up-regulation of Fas expression in tumor cells.

α-Tocopherol treatment ameliorates chronic pancreatitis in an experimental rat model induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of α-tocopherol on pancreatic fibrosis and survival in rats with experimental chronic pancreatitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). METHODS: Chronic pancreatitis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by infusion of TNBS into the pancreatic duct. α-Tocopherol (300, 600 or 900 mg/kg) was orally administered to rats with experimental pancreatitis (treatment group) daily for 4 weeks. The relative pancreatic weight, pancreatic pseudocyst and death rate were observed. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples were sliced, stained by hematoxylin-eosin and histopathologically examined. RESULTS: α-Tocopherol administration significantly ameliorated the pancreatic weight loss induced by TNBS in chronic pancreatitis rats compared to the control group. There were pancreatic pseudocysts in 69% of the α-tocopherol group, and in 100% of the control group. α-Tocopherol administration led to a significant increase of the survival rate. The histopathologic scores were higher in the control group than in the α-tocopherol group. Subgroup analysis of histopathologic scores revealed that a high dose of α-tocopherol results in less pancreatic injuries. CONCLUSION: α-Tocopherol treatment elevates survival rate, extenuates fibrosis and increases relative pancreatic weight in the chronic pancreatitis model. α-Tocopherol therapy in chronic pancreatitis is now required to confirm these findings and establish the role of this treatment in the management of this disabling condition. and IAP.

A new lignan glycoside from Eleutherococcus senticosus.

A new lignan glycoside, named eleutheroside E(2) (1), has been isolated from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (known as "Siberian ginseng"), along with isomaltol 3-O-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (2), eleutherosides B, E and E(1), and thymidine. The structure of 1 was established by spectral interpretations as episyringaresinol 4"-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Compound 2 is described here for the first time as a naturally occurring compound.

Phenolic compounds from Miconia myriantha inhibiting Candida aspartic proteases.

Assay-guided fractionation of the ethanol extract of the twigs and leaves of Miconia myriantha yielded two new compounds, mattucinol-7-O-[4' ',6' '-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and mattucinol-7-O-[4' ',6' '-di-O-galloyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), along with mattucinol-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), ellagic acid (4), 3,3'-di-O-methyl ellagic acid-4-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, and gallic acid. Complete (1)H and (13)C NMR assignments of compound 1, which possesses a hexahydroxydiphenoyl unit, were achieved using the HMBC technique optimized for small couplings to enhance the four-bond and two-bond H/C correlations. Compounds 1 and 4 showed inhibitory effects against Candida albicans secreted aspartic proteases, with IC(50) of 8.4 and 10.5 microM, respectively.

Antimalarial (+)-trans-hexahydrodibenzopyran derivatives from Machaerium multiflorum.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of Machaerium multiflorum yielded the hitherto unreported (+)-trans-hexahydrodibenzopyrans machaeriol A (1) and machaeriol B (2), as well as the known guaiane sesquiterpene (-)-kessane. Structure elucidation was based on (1)H and (13)C NMR data, mainly 2D NMR (1)H-(1)H COSY, (1)H-(13)C HMQC, (1)H-(13)C HMBC, and (1)H-(1)H NOESY experiments. This is the first report of the hexahydrodibenzopyrans from a higher plant other than the genus Cannabis. The cannabimimetic activity was thus evaluated by radioligand binding assay for cannabinoid receptor CB1, which indicated, notably, that both 1 and 2 were inactive. In addition, the cross reactivity of 1 and 2 toward antibodies designed for urinary metabolites of cannabinoids was evaluated with the EMIT and On Line cannabinoids assays. Both compounds showed no response at 100 000 ng/mL in both assays. Machaeriol B (2) demonstrated in vitro antimalarial activity (IC(50) = 120 ng/mL) against Plasmodium falciparum W-2 clone.

A new naphthopyrone derivative from Cassia quinquangulata and structural revision of quinquangulin and its glycosides.

A novel naphthopyrone derivative, named quinquangulone (1), has been isolated from Cassia quinquangulata, along with the known compounds quinquangulin (2) and its two glycosides (3 and 4), rubrofusarin (5) and its two glycosides (6 and 7), nor-rubrofusarin (8) and its 6-O-glucoside (9), and three stilbenes (10-12). The structure of quinquangulone was established by spectral interpretation as 5,9-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-6-oxo-4H,6H,9H-naphtho-[2,3-b]pyran-4-one. Reinvestigation of the NMR spectra of quinquangulin led to revision of its structure as 5,6-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-4H-naphtho[2,3-b]pyran-4-one (2a). The structures of two quinguangulin glycosides, 3 and 4, were also revised accordingly. Compound 2a exhibited activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MIC, 3.125 and 6.25 microg/mL, respectively).

An antagonist IL-15/Fc protein prevents costimulation blockade-resistant rejection.

IL-15 is a powerful T cell growth factor (TCGF) with particular importance for the maintenance of CD8(+) T cells. Because costimulation blockade does not result in universal tolerance, we hypothesized that "escape" from costimulation blockade might represent a CD8(+) and IL-15/IL-15R(+)-dependent process. For this analysis, we have used an IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a protein, a potentially cytolytic protein that is also a high-affinity receptor site specific antagonist for the IL-15Ralpha receptor protein, as a therapeutic agent. The IL-15-related fusion protein was used as monotherapy or in combination with CTLA4/Fc in murine islet allograft models. As monotherapies, CTLA4/Fc and an IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a were comparably effective in a semiallogeneic model system, and combined treatment with IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a plus CTLA4/Fc produced universal permanent engraftment. In a fully MHC-mismatched strain combination known to be refractory to costimulation blockade treatment, combined treatment with both fusion proteins proved to be highly effective; >70% of recipients were tolerized. The analysis revealed that the IL-15 mutant/Fc treatment confers partial protection from both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell graft infiltration. In rejections occurring despite CTLA4/Fc treatment, concomitant treatment with the IL-15 mutant/Fcgamma2a protein blocked a CD8(+) T cell-dominated rejection processes. This protection was linked to a blunted proliferative response of alloreactive T cells as well silencing of CTL-related gene expression events. Hence, we have demonstrated that targeting the IL-15/IL-15R pathway represents a new and potent strategy to prevent costimulation blockade-resistant CD8(+) T cell-driven rejection.

Dihydrochalcones from Piper longicaudatum.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of an ethanolic extract of the leaves and twigs of Piper longicaudatum Trelease & Yunker (Piperaceae) resulted in the isolation of one new (1) and three known (2-4) dihydrochalcones. The known compounds are: 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (2), 2',6',4-trihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (asebogenin) (3), and 2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-2'-[1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl]-2",3"-dihy- drofurano[4",5":5',6"]-3"-[2-hydroxy-5-methoxycarbonylphe- nyl]dihydrochalcone (piperaduncin B) (4). The new compound is 2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-2"-[2-hydroxy-5-methoxycarbonyl- phenyl]-furano[4",5":5',6']-dihydrochalcone (longicaudatin) (1). Compounds 1-4 were tested for antibacterial activity against S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA); only compound 3 showed inhibitory activity (IC50 of 10 and 4.5 micrograms/ml, respectively).

Isolation and characterization of cytotoxic saponin chloromaloside A from Chlorophytum malayense.

A cytotoxic steroidal glycoside was isolated from Chlorophytum malayense Ridley and its structure was characterized as a known compound, neohecogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (chloromaloside A). The structural identification was performed using 2D-NMR and LC/MS/MS analysis. The previous, erroneously assigned 1H-NMR spectral data were revised whereas the published 13C-NMR spectral assignments were confirmed. This compound showed in vitro cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines.

Effects of corticotrophin on pain behavior and BDNF, CRF levels in frontal cortex of rats suffering from chronic pain.

AIM: To investigate the effects of corticotrophin (Cor) on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and its functional receptor trkB in the frontal cortex of complete Freud's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats. METHODS: The chronic pain rat model was modified and pain behaviour scores were assessed. BDNF-immunoreactivity (IR), trkB-IR, and CRF mRNA-positive neurons were measured by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods. RESULTS: Compared with control rats, pain behavior scores, BDNF-IR, CRF mRNA-positive, trkB-IR, and BDNF/CRF mRNA double-labeling neurons in the contralateral frontal cortex of the arthritic rats increased significantly at 24 h after injection of CFA (P < 0.05), and these effects were decreased markedly by i.p. injection of Cor (P < 0.05). The decrease in pain behavior and BDNF-IR, CRF mRNA levels in frontal cortex of arthritic rats due to Cor were partly prevented by adrenalectomy (ADX). CONCLUSION: The increment in BDNF and CRF levels in the contralateral frontal cortex of arthritic rats may be inhibited by corticotrophin.

Two auronols from Pseudolarix amabilis.

Two new auronols, amaronols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bark of Pseudolarix amabilis, along with pseudolaric acid B (3), pseudolaric acid C (4), demethoxydeacetoxy-pseudolaric acid B (5), pseudolaric acid B-beta-D-glucoside (6), pseudolaric acid A-beta-D-glucoside (7), and myricetin (8). The structures of amaronols A and B were established by spectral data interpretation as 2,4,6-trihydroxy-2-[(3',4',5'-trihydroxyphenyl) methyl]-3(2H)-benzofuranone and 2,4,6-trihydroxy-2-[(3', 5'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyphenyl) methyl]-3(2H)-benzofuranone, respectively. Antimicrobial testing results of the eight compounds indicated that only pseudolaric acid B was active against Candida albicans (MIC, 3.125 microg/mL; MFC, 6.25 microg/mL), while myricetin was marginally active against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (MIC, 50 microg/mL).

Antimicrobial compounds from Ceanothus americanus against oral pathogens.

During the search for antimicrobial compounds from higher plant sources, a methanol extract of Ceanothus americanus demonstrated antimicrobial activity against selected oral pathogens. Through further bioassay-guided fractionation and purification, three triterpenes (ceanothic acid, 27-hydroxy ceanothic acid and ceanothetric acid) and two flavonoids (maesopsin and maesopsin-6-O-glucoside) were identified. Among these, ceanothetric acid and maesopsin-6-O-glucoside were new compounds. Ceanothic acid and ceanothetric acid demonstrated growth inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia with MICs ranging from 42 to 625 micrograms ml-1. Maesopsin, its glucoside, and 27-hydroxy ceanothic acid, were inactive below the concentration of 500 micrograms ml-1.

[Clinical and experimental studies on composite divitriol infusion in treating tinea manum].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Composite Divitriol Infusion (CDI) in treating tinea manum and studying its antimycotic action. METHODS: CDI was used to treat 139 patients with tinea manum. The experimental study in vivo was done, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the therapeutical effect of CDI. RESULTS: One hundred and four cases among the 139 patients were cured, 21 were markedly effective, 10 improved and 4 ineffective, the effective rate being 89.9%. Between CDI group and the control group, there was a very significant difference (chi 2 > 12.84, P < 0.005). The antimycotic action of CDI was studied in vitro. Its minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CDI were about 0.25% for Trichophyton rubrum, and 0.5% for Trichophyton gypseum and Microsporum gypseum. Trichophyton rubrum immersed with CDI show that the mycelia became roughened, deformed and macroconidum became smaller under SEM. CONCLUSION: CDI is valuable in treating tinea manum.

[Somatostatin and electroacupuncture inhibited c-fos expression in spinal cord of arthritic rats].

AIM: To observer the effect of intrathecal injection of somatostatin (Som) associated with electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji" points on c-fos protein expression of spinal cord in pain rats. METHODS: Rats with adjuvant arthritis were used as pain model and the c-fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The c-fos protein expression induced by arthritis were found in all of the I-X laminae of ipsilateral spinal cord of rats, and most of the labeled cells were located in the laminae I-II and V-VI. Som and EA suppressed the c-fos expression and the lessening of FLI cells in the spinal cord. CONCLUSION: Pathological pain following arthritis activated pain sensitive neurons (PSN) and evoked c-fos expression in spinal cord, Som and EA suppressed activities of these PSN, producing the effect of analgesia.

Inhibitory effects of some steroidal saponins on human spermatozoa in vitro.

Twenty-nine C-27 steroidal saponins were tested for the inhibitory effects on human spermatozoa in vitro by means of a modified Sander-Cramer method. Twelve of them are responsible for this activity. The structure-activity relationship is discussed.

Spirostanol glycosides from Peliosanthes sinica.

Three new spirostanol glycosides, peliosanthosides A--C, were isolated from the whole plants of Peliosanthes sinica, along with two known ones. Their structures were elucidated by means of chemical and spectral evidence.