Current advances in the detection and removal of organic arsenic by metal-organic frameworks.

Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic heavy metal and has been widely concerned for its hazardous environmental impact. Aromatic organic arsenic (AOCs) has been frequently used as an animal supplement to enhance feed utilization and prevent dysentery. The majority of organic arsenic could be discharged from the body and evolve as highly toxic inorganic arsenic that is hazardous to the environment and human health via biological conversion, photodegradation, and photo-oxidation. Current environmental issues necessitate the development and application of multifunctional porous materials in environmental remediation. Compared to the conventional adsorbent, such as activated carbon and zeolite, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit a number of advantages, including simple synthesis, wide variety, simple modulation of pore size, large specific surface area, excellent chemical stability, and easy modification. In recent years, numerous scientists have investigated MOFs related materials involved with organic arsenic. These studies can be divided into three categories: detection of organic arsenic by MOFs, adsorption to remove organic arsenic by MOFs, and catalytic removal of organic arsenic by MOFs. Here, we conduct a critical analysis of current research findings and knowledge pertaining to the structural characteristics, application methods, removal properties, interaction mechanisms, and spectral analysis of MOFs. We summarized the application of MOFs in organic arsenic detection, adsorption, and catalytic degradation. Other arsenic removal technologies and conventional substances are also being investigated. This review will provide relevant scientific researchers with references.

Curcumol Exerts Antitumor Effect via Inhibiting EGFR-Akt-Mcl-1 Signaling.

Dysfunction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling plays a critical role in the tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In the present study, the data analysis results of immunohistochemistry and the TCGA database verified that the expression of EGFR is significantly upregulated in OSCC tumor tissues, and depletion of EGFR inhibits the growth of OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, these results showed that the natural compound, curcumol, exhibited a profound antitumor effect on OSCC cells. Western blotting, MTS, and immunofluorescent staining assays indicated that curcumol inhibited cell proliferation and induced intrinsic apoptosis in OSCC cells via downregulating myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1). A mechanistic study revealed that curcumol inhibited the EGFR-Akt signal pathway, which activated GSK-3[Formula: see text]-mediated Mcl-1 phosphorylation. Further research showed that curcumol-induced Mcl-1 Ser159 phosphorylation is required to disrupt the interaction between deubiquitinase JOSD1 and Mcl-1 and eventually induce Mcl-1 ubiquitination and degradation. In addition, curcumol administration can effectively inhibit CAL27 and SCC25 xenograft tumor growth and is well-tolerated in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated that Mcl-1 is upregulated and positively correlates with p-EGFR and p-Akt in OSCC tumor tissues. Collectively, the present results provide new insights into the antitumor mechanism of curcumol, identifying it as an attractive therapeutic agent that reduces Mcl-1 expression and inhibits OSCC growth. Targeting EGFR/Akt/Mcl-1 signaling could be a promising option in the clinical treatment of OSCC.

[Meta-analysis and GRADE evaluation of Guanxinning Tablets in treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease].

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Guanxinning Tablets+conventional western medicine in the treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease, and provide evidence-based references for clinical medication. Retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, randomized controlled trial(RCT) about Guanxinning Tablets for the treatment of angina pectoris of coronary heart disease from the inception to April 2022 were collected. After literature screening and data extraction, the bias risk assessment tool recommended by the Cochrane evaluation manual handbook 5.1.0 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literature, and RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used for Meta-analysis. Eighteen RCTs were finally included, involving 2 281 patients. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with conventional western medicine treatment alone, Guanxinning Tablets+conventional western medicine significantly improved angina pectoris efficacy(RR=1.33, 95%CI[1.13, 1.57], P=0.000 8), electrocardiogram efficacy(RR=1.32, 95%CI[1.02, 1.71], P=0.03), and exercise duration(MD=59.53, 95%CI[39.16, 79.90], P<0.000 01) and reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events(MACE)(RR=0.43, 95%CI[0.30, 0.61], P<0.000 01), high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)(MD=-2.75, 95%CI[-3.71,-1.79], P<0.000 01), and endothelin-1(ET-1) levels(MD=-9.34, 95%CI[-11.36,-7.32], P<0.000 01). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups(RR=0.91, 95%CI[0.68, 1.22], P=0.52). Subgroup analysis showed that Guanxinning Tablets may have better short-term efficacy(less than 6 months) in the treatment of heart-blood stasis syndrome. GRADE grading showed that angina pectoris efficacy, electrocardiogram efficacy, MACE, and ET-1 were in the medium grade, hs-CRP and adverse reactions were in the low grade, and exercise duration was in the extremely low grade. In conclusion, the efficacy of Guanxinning Tablets+conventional western medicine is better than conventional western medicine treatment alone, with good safety. Therefore, it is recommended for the short-term treatment of patients with heart-blood stasis syndrome. However, the evidence quality of some results is low, and more rigo-rous RCT is still needed to enhance the reliability of evidence.

LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA Network Analysis Reveals the Potential Biomarkers in Crohn's Disease Rats Treated with Herb-Partitioned Moxibustion.

Background: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is receiving growing attention in Crohn's disease (CD). However, the mechanism by which herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) regulates the expression and functions of lncRNAs in CD rats is still unclear. The aim of our study is to identify lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network potential biological functions in CD. Methods: RNA sequencing and microRNA (miRNA) sequencing were carried out to analyze lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA expression profiles among the CD rats, normal control rats, and CD rats after HPM treatment and constructed the potential related lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks. Then, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to explore potentially important genes in ceRNA networks. Results: A total of 189 lncRNAs, 32 miRNAs and 463 mRNAs were determined as differentially expressed (DE) genes in CD rats compared to normal control rats, and 161 lncRNAs, 12 miRNAs and 130 mRNAs were identified as remarkably DE genes in CD rats after HPM treatment compared to CD rats. GO analysis indicated that the target genes were most enriched in cAMP and in KEGG pathway analysis the main pathways included adipocytokine, PPAR, AMPK, FoxO and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Finally, qRT-PCR results confirmed that lncRNA LOC102550026 sponged miRNA-34c-5p to regulate the intestinal immune inflammatory response by targeting Pck1. Conclusion: By constructing a ceRNA network with lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA, PCR verification, and KEGG analysis, we revealed that LOC102550026/miRNA-34c-5p/Pck1 axis and adipocytokine, PPAR, AMPK, FoxO, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways might regulate the intestinal immune-inflammatory response, and HPM may regulate the lncRNA LOC102550026/miR-34c-5p/Pck1 axis and adipocytokine, PPAR, AMPK, FoxO, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, thus improving intestinal inflammation in CD. These findings may be novel potential targets in CD.

Deep Sequencing, Nested PCR, and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis Reveal a Wider Distribution of Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes), in Native Soil Types.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis appears as stroma emerging from underground sclerotium enclosed by the skeleton of Thitarodes moth larvae. However, the actual distribution of the fungus in soil still remains unclarified. In this study, 40 soil samples were used for detection of O. sinensis to confirm its distribution in native habitats using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, nested internal transcribed spacer (ITS) PCR, and 454 pyrosequencing methods. The soil samples included six types: Os, where both stromata and host moth larvae were found; NL, representing no signs of stromata, but where moth larvae were found; NOs, where neither stroma nor moth larvae were found; BS, with bare soil without the presence of stroma of O. sinensis or moth larvae; AF, from soil surrounding the stroma; and MP, soil particles firmly wrapping the sclerotium of O. sinensis. Of 40 samples tested, 36 showed positive detection of O. sinensis by at least one of the three detection methods, with positive detection in all six sample types at all five sites. The results showed that traces of O. sinensis can be detected in locations with no macroscopically visible evidence of the fungus or its host and at least 100 m away from such locations.

A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Controlled Trial on Salvianolate for Treatment of Unstable Angina Pectoris in A Chinese Elderly Population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvianolate in elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). METHODS: A prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial in elderly patients with UAP from 13 third-grade class-A hospitals in China was performed. A total of 318 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to an experimental group (160 patients) and a control group (158 patients). The experimental group was treated with salvianolate for 14 days on the basis of conventional medicine, and the control group was given a placebo for 14 days with the same criteria. Follow-up was lasted 28 days in both groups. The primary endpoint was biweekly frequency of angina pectoris attacks. The secondary endpoints included biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, angina pectoris severity and duration, myocardial injury markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Safety was assessed according to adverse events and serious adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. Compared with those in the control group, the frequency of biweekly angina attacks (2.92 vs . 4.08, P=0.025), the biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, as well as the severity and duration of angina attacks (P<0.01) were reduced by salvianolate. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire score was also significantly improved in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to the incidence of MACEs. Salvianolate was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Salvianolate appear to have efficacy and well tolerated for elderly patients with UAP. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03037047].

Berberine alleviates nonalcoholic fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet in mice by activating SIRT3.

Berberine (BBR) shows promising effects in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by influencing various metabolic aspects. Inhibition of mitochondrial ß-oxidation (ß-OX) participates in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (SIRT3) has been reported to regulate mitochondrial ß-OX by deacetylating its substrate, long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (LCAD). This study aimed to explore whether BBR can promote mitochondrial ß-OX and the role of SIRT3 as well as the mechanisms underlying the effects of BBR on hepatic lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). BBR can significantly improve systematic and hepatic lipid metabolism in HFD-fed mice. Metabolomics analysis revealed that ß-OX was inhibited in HFD-induced mice, as indicated by the reduced production of short and medium carbon chain acyl-carnitines, the activated form of free fatty acids, via ß-OX, which was reversed by BBR intervention. Exploration of the mechanism found that BBR intervention reversed the down-regulation of SIRT3 and decreased the LCAD hyperacetylation level in HFD-fed mice. SIRT3 knockout (KO) mice were used to identify the role of SIRT3 in the BBR's influence of ß-OX. The beneficial effects of BBR on systemic and hepatic metabolism were profoundly attenuated in KO mice. Moreover, the promotive effect of BBR on ß-OX in HFD-induced mice was partially abolished in KO mice. These results suggested that BBR alleviates HFD-induced inhibition of fatty acid ß-OX partly through SIRT3-mediated LCAD deacetylation, which may provide a novel mechanism and support BBR as a promising therapeutic for NAFLD.-Xu, X., Zhu, X.-P., Bai, J.-Y., Xia, P., Li, Y., Lu, Y., Li, X.-Y., Gao, X. Berberine alleviates nonalcoholic fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet in mice by activating SIRT3.

Artemisinin enhances the anti-tumor immune response in 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a prominent cause of death among women worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that artemisinin (ART) displays anti-tumor activity. Using a mouse breast cancer model, we investigated the effects of ART in vitro and in vivo to determine how it influences the anti-tumor immune response. METHODS: We measured the proliferation and apoptosis of 4T1 cells in vitro after ART treatment by MTT assay and FACS. To examine the effects of ART in vivo, tumor volumes and survival rates were measured in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. FACS was used to determine the frequencies of Tregs, MDSCs, CD4+ IFN-γ+ T cells, and CTLs in the tumors and spleens of the mice. mRNA levels of the transcription factors T-bet and FOXP3 and cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, TGF-ß, and IL-10 were also determined by real-time RT-PCR. ELISA was used to measure TGF-ß protein levels in the cell culture supernatants. RESULTS: ART supplementation significantly increased 4T1 cell apoptosis and decreased TGF-ß levels in vitro. ART also impeded tumor growth in 4T1 TB mice and extended their survival. MDSC and Treg frequencies significantly decreased in the 4T1 TB mice after ART treatment while CD4+ IFN-γ+ T cells and CTLs significantly increased. ART significantly increased T-bet, IFN-γ, and TNF-α mRNA levels within the tumor and significantly decreased TGF-ß mRNA levels. CONCLUSION: ART supplementation hindered 4T1 tumor growth in vivo by promoting T cell activation and quelling immunosuppression from Tregs and MDSCs in the tumor.

Breaking down barriers: enabling care-by-parent in neonatal intensive care units in China.

BACKGROUND: Denying parents access to their infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a standard practice in most hospitals across China. Visitation is not usually permitted or may be strictly limited, and NICU care for most neonates is provided by health-care professionals with little participation of the parents. An exception to this rule is the level 2 "Room-In" ward in Qilu Children's Hospital, Shandong University, where parents have 24-hour access to their infants and participate in providing care. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study compared the outcomes of infants who were admitted to the NICU and remained there throughout their stay (NICU-NICU group, n=428), admitted to the NICU and then transferred to the Room-In ward (NICU-RIn group, n=1018), or admitted straight to the Room-In ward (RIn only group, n=629). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the rates of nosocomial infection, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and retinopathy of prematurity between the NICU-NICU and NICU-RIn groups. The rate of necrotizing enterocolitis was significantly lower in the NICU-RIn group (P=0.04), while weight gain and duration of hospital stay were significantly higher (both P<0.001). Rates of adverse outcomes were lower in RIn-only infants due to their low severity of illness on admission. CONCLUSIONS: Allowing parents access to their infant in the NICU is feasible and safe in China, and may result in improvements in infant outcomes. Further studies are required to generate stronger evidence that can inform changes to neonatal care in China.

The effectiveness of zinc supplementation in men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

A multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled superiority trial with 18 months of follow-up was conducted to investigate whether oral zinc supplementation could further promote spermatogenesis in males with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) receiving sequential purified urinary follicular-stimulating hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (uFSH/hCG) replacement. Sixty-seven Chinese male IHH patients were recruited from the Departments of Endocrinology in eight tertiary hospitals and randomly allocated into the sequential uFSH/hCG group (Group A, n = 34) or the sequential uFSH plus zinc supplementation group (Group B, n = 33). In Group A, patients received sequential uFSH (75 U, three times a week every other 3 months) and hCG (2000 U, twice a week) treatments. In Group B, patients received oral zinc supplementation (40 mg day-1 ) in addition to the sequential uFSH/hCG treatment given to patients in Group A. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a sperm concentration ≥1.0 × 106 ml-1 during the 18 months. The comparison of efficacy between Groups A and B was analyzed. Nineteen of 34 (55.9%) patients receiving sequential uFSH/hCG and 20 of 33 (60.6%) patients receiving sequential uFSH/hCG plus zinc supplementation achieved sperm concentrations ≥1.0 × 106 ml-1 by intention to treat analyses. No differences between Group A and Group B were observed as far as the efficacy of inducing spermatogenesis (P = 0.69). We concluded that the sequential uFSH/hCG plus zinc supplementation regimen had a similar efficacy to the sequential uFSH/hCG treatment alone. The additional improvement of 40 mg day-1 oral zinc supplementation on spermatogenesis and masculinization in male IHH patients is very subtle.

Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for the rehabilitation of moderate-to-severe COPD: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Patients with COPD often experience skeletal muscle dysfunction. For those who are unable or unwilling to undertake physical training, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may provide an alternative method of rehabilitation. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the controversial topic of whether this therapy is effective in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We pooled data from nine trials published between January 9, 2002 and January 4, 2016 across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Google Scholar, and relevant websites for randomized controlled trials. In these trials, patients with moderate-to-severe COPD were randomly allocated to receive NMES. Primary outcomes were quadricep strength and exercise capacity. The secondary outcome was health-related quality of life. RESULTS: We extracted data from 276 patients. NMES contributed to statistically improved quadricep strength (standardized mean difference 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-1.59, I2=54%; P<0.00001) and exercise capacity, including longer exercise distance (weighted mean difference 51.53, 95% CI 20.13-82.93, I2=90%; P=0.001), and longer exercise endurance (standardized mean difference 1.11, 95% CI 0.14-2.08, I2=85%; P=0.02). There was no significant difference in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores (weighted mean difference -0.07, 95% CI -2.44 to 2.30, I2=56%; P=0.95). CONCLUSION: NMES appears an effectual means of enhancing quadricep strength and exercise capacity in moderate-to-severe COPD patients. Further research is demanded to clarify its effect on other outcomes and determine the optimal parameters for an NMES program.

[Development and Evaluation of GS-SF for Gastric Stuffiness (Wei PI) Patients Based on Item Response Theory, Computerized Adaptive Testing, and Data Simiuation].

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate the short version of patient reported outcomes (PROs) questionnaire for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients with modern test theory and technologies, hoping to provide testing tools for related clinical practice and scientific researches with higher quality and less administrative and response burdens. METHODS: Using descriptive study design, clinical data were collected with sociological questionnaire and previous developed full items version of PROs instrument for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients via field and online surveys between Sep 2011 and Mar 2012. The statistical analysis group identified the termination parameters firstly, and then selected items with discrimination, fitting residual, item information curve (IIC) , item characteristic curve (ICC), and the rank of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) select proportion, etc. After assumption evaluation of item response theory (IRT), IIC, ICC, difficulty coefficient distribution, items-response relation and thresholds, etc. were used for psychometric evaluation of instrument. RESULTS: A total of 331 patients [Ages: 31.99 +/- 10.29 yrs; Male: 186 (56.3%)] were enrolled in statistical analysis. The test termination criterion was Max SE = 0.2 or Max items number =16. After items selection, a 15-item short version of instrument, which contains symptoms facet (8 items) and impact facet (7 items) was generated. With good unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity, the IC and ICC in IRT analysis showed good working capability of the questionnaire. The difficulty coefficient distribution and items-response relation were also rational, as well as response thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: The short version of PROs instrument for adult gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients was successfully developed and assessed. The instrument with good methodological and reporting quality could be used in clinical and scientific evaluating their symptoms and impact.

Short-term effects of fish-oil supplementation on heart rate variability in humans: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The effects of fish oil on heart rate variability in humans remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to investigate the influence of fish oil on heart rate variability. DESIGN: Human intervention studies were identified by systematic search of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and references of related reviews and studies. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled results. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included. Results of the meta-analysis showed that the SD of normal-to-normal interval [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.10, P = 0.35] and square of successive differences (SMD = 0.05, P = 0.35), 2 of the time-domain parameters of heart rate variability, were not significantly influenced by fish-oil supplementation. For the frequency-domain parameters, the high-frequency power (HF), a surrogate of vagal function, was significantly increased by fish-oil supplementation (SMD = 0.30, P = 0.005), the low-frequency power (LF) was not significantly affected (SMD = 0.03, P = 0.79), and the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) showed a trend of reduction (SMD = -0.22, P = 0.08). The trend for a treatment effect on LF/HF became significant at P = 0.01 when the 2 studies with a dose <1000 mg/d were omitted. Subgroup analyses according to predefined study characteristics showed no significant results. CONCLUSION: Short-term fish-oil supplementation may favorably influence the frequency domain of heart rate variability, as indicated by an enhanced vagal tone, which may be an important mechanism underlying the antiarrhythmic and other clinical effects of fish oil.

Advising on Preferred Reporting Items for patient-reported outcome instrument development: the PRIPROID.

OBJECTIVE: The reporting of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) instrument development is vital for both researchers and clinicians to determine its validity, thus, we propose the Preferred Reporting Items for PRO Instrument Development (PRIPROID) to improve the quality of reports. METHODS: Abiding by the guidance published by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network, we had performed 6 steps for items development: identified the need for a guideline, performed a literature review, obtained funding for the guideline initiative, identified participants, conducted a Delphi exercise and generated a list of PRIPROID items for consideration at the face-to-face meeting. RESULTS: Twenty three items subheadings under 7 topics were included: title and structured abstract, rationale, objectives, intention, eligibility criteria, conceptual framework, items generation, response options, scoring, times, administrative modes, burden assessment, properties assessment, statistical methods, participants, main results, and additional analysis, summary of evidence, limitations, clinical attentions, and conclusions, item pools or final form, and funding. CONCLUSIONS: The PRIPROID contains many elements of the PRO research, and this assists researchers to report their results more accurately and to a certain degree use this instrument to evaluate the quality of the research methods.

Genipin stimulates glucose transport in C2C12 myotubes via an IRS-1 and calcium-dependent mechanism.

Genipin, a compound derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruits, has been used over the years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular basis for its antidiabetic effect has not been fully revealed. In this study, we investigated the effects of genipin on glucose uptake and signaling pathways in C(2)C(12) myotubes. Our study demonstrates that genipin stimulated glucose uptake in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The maximal effect was achieved at 2 h with a concentration of 10 µM. In myotubes, genipin promoted glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the cell surface, which was observed by analyzing their distribution in subcellular membrane fraction, and increased the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), AKT, and GSK3ß. Meanwhile, genipin increased ATP levels, closed K(ATP) channels, and then increased the concentration of calcium in the cytoplasm in C(2)C(12) myotubes. Genipin-stimulated glucose uptake could be blocked by both the PI3-K inhibitor wortmannin and calcium chelator EGTA. Moreover, genipin increases the level of reactive oxygen species and ATP in C(2)C(12) myotubes. These results suggest that genipin activates IRS-1, PI3-K, and downstream signaling pathway and increases concentrations of calcium, resulting in GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake increase in C(2)C(12) myotubes.

GnRH secretion is inhibited by adiponectin through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Adipokines produced from adipose tissues participate in regulation of reproduction, energy homeostasis, food intake, and neuroendocrine function in the hypothalamus. We have previously reported that adiponectin significantly reduced GnRH secretion from GT1-7 hypothalamic GnRH neuron cells. In this study, we further investigated the inhibition of GnRH secretion by adiponectin in vivo and found that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was inhibited and AMPK activated. Furthermore, we found that activated AMPK by adiponectin reduced ERK phosphorylation, which possibly impaired GnRH secretion in GT1-7 cells.

[Antioxidants inhibit the oxidative modification of high density lipoproteins].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role and mechanism of antioxidants on inhibiting oxidative modification of high density lipoproteins (HDL). METHODS: Freshly prepared human plasma HDL was treated by incubation with copper ion, hyperchlorite or arterial wall cells. Compared to control, the test groups were treated with addition of different concentration of butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), vitamin C and vitamin E. Then, the relative electrophoretic mobility (REM), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), ratio of lysolecithin to lecithin (LPC/PC), and lipoprotein moieties were investigated. RESULTS: BHT, vitamin C and vitamin E can significantly inhibit the increasing REM, TBARS, LPC/PC ratio and lipoprotein variation that induced by copper ion and hyperchlorite and arterial wall cells. But these antioxidants act on different manner. CONCLUSION: BHT, vitamin C and vitamin E can inhibit the oxidative modification of HDL and hence could be potential nutrients to prevent atherosclerosis.

Globular adiponectin inhibits GnRH secretion from GT1-7 hypothalamic GnRH neurons by induction of hyperpolarization of membrane potential.

Reproduction is accurately regulated by metabolic states in mammals. Adiponectin regulates luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the pituitary and energy homeostasis in the hypothalamus. We further investigated the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion regulation by adiponectin and its related molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms. The results showed that adiponectin receptors (AdipR1 and 2) were expressed in GT1-7 cells derived from hypothalamus neurons. GnRH secretion was inhibited via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Moreover, we revealed that hyperpolarization of plasma membrane potentials and reduction of calcium influx was also caused by adiponectin.

[Serum hyaluronic acid, tumor necrosis factor -alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, NO, and Se levels in adult patients with Kashin-Beck disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of serum levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), NO, and Se with the clinical manifestations in adult patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). METHODS: Total 216 adults were selected for KBD screening from the KBD-prevalent areas in Yongshou county and the non-KBD areas of Chang'an county, Xi'an city, ShaanXi Province. According to the National Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin-Beck Disease in China, the diagnoses of KBD was established in 25 adult patients (11 men and 14 women, average age of 47.88+/-11.16 years), and 20 healthy control subjects from the KBD areas (8 men and 12 women, average age of 47.85+/-12.05 years) and 20 from the non-KBD areas (8 men and 12 women, average age of 47.45+/-11.24 years) were also selected to serve as controls. There was no significant difference in the average age and gender distribution between the 3 groups. The serum levels of HA, TNF-alpha, VEGF, NO and Se were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, nitrate reductase method and griphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: Serum NO level was significantly higher in KBD group (41.7+/-21.89 micromol/L) than in the health controls from KBD areas (17.1+/-13.01 micromol/L) and non-KBD areas (17.58+/-11.48 micromol/l, F=13.11, df=2, P<0.001). Serum TNF-alpha level in KBD group (32.7+/-3.55 pg/ml) was significantly higher than that in the control subjects from the non-KBD areas (30.95+/-2.22 pg/ml, F=3.672, df=2, P=0.031), but similar with the control subjects from the KBD areas (32.7+/-3.55 pg/ml). Serum TNF-alpha and NO levels were identified as the indices that differed between adult KBD patients and the controls from both KBD and non-KBD areas by differential analysis (the function of differentiation was 0.062xNO+0.173xTNF -7.218). CONCLUSION: Serum TNF-alpha and NO levels are significantly increased in adult KBD patients and are associated with the clinical manifestations of KBD.

[Study on drug release in vitro and rat intestinal absorption of resveratrol nanoliposomes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the release feature of Res-nanoliposomes in vitro and clarify the difference in absorption of Res-nanoliposomes from varied intestinal segments and the absorptive mechanism in vivo. METHOD: Dialytic method was used to determine resveratrol release rate of Res-nanoliposomes in vitro. An in situ rat perfusion method was used to investigate the intestinal absorption of Res-nanoliposomes. RESULT: Resveratrol release from nanoliposomes in vitro fitted the log-normal distribution equation and had a property of sustained release. Compared with other intestinal segments, significantly high percentage of Res-nanoliposomes was absorbed in ileum (P < 0.001). The absorption rate constants (ka) of Res-nanoliposomes in intestine were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Res-nanoliposomes could sustain to release drug in vitro. The absorption was a first-order process with the passive diffusion mechanism. The Res-nanoliposomes could promote the absorption of Res in rat small intestine.