NMR-based metabolomic analysis for the effects of moxibustion on imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Moxibustion is a traditional medical intervention of traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the direct or indirect application of ignited moxa wool made of mugwort leaves to acupuncture points or other specific parts of the body for either treating or preventing diseases. Moxibustion has been proven to be effective in treating skin lesions of psoriasis. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was performed to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of moxibustion treatment on imiquimod-induced psoriatic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mice (Model) and assessed the effects of moxibustion (Moxi) treatment on skin lesions of psoriatic mice by the PASI scores and expressions of inflammation-related factors relative to normal control mice (NC). We then performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic analysis on the skin tissues of the NC, Model and Moxi-treated mice to address metabolic differences among the three groups. RESULTS: Moxi mice showed reduced PASI scores and decreased expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, IL-17A and IL-23 relative to Model mice. Compared with the Model group, the NC and Moxi groups shared 9 characteristic metabolites and 4 significantly altered metabolic pathways except for taurine and hypotaurine metabolism uniquely identified in the NC group. To a certain extent, moxibustion treatment improved metabolic disorders of skin lesions of psoriatic mice by decreasing glucose, valine, asparagine, aspartate and alanine-mediated cell proliferation and synthesis of scaffold proteins, alleviating histidine-mediated hyperproliferation of blood vessels, and promoting triacylglycerol decomposition. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of moxibustion treatment on the skin lesions of psoriasis, potentially improving the clinical efficacy of moxibustion.

Asparagine attenuates intestinal injury, improves energy status and inhibits AMP-activated protein kinase signalling pathways in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

The intestine requires a high amount of energy to maintain its health and function; thus, energy deficits in intestinal mucosa may lead to intestinal damage. Asparagine (Asn) is a precursor for many other amino acids such as aspartate, glutamine and glutamate, which can be used to supply energy to enterocytes. In the present study, we hypothesise that dietary supplementation of Asn could alleviate bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury via improvement of intestinal energy status. A total of twenty-four weaned piglets were assigned to one of four treatments: (1) non-challenged control; (2) LPS+0 % Asn; (3) LPS+0·5 % Asn; (4) LPS+1·0 % Asn. On day 19, piglets were injected with LPS or saline. At 24 h post-injection, piglets were slaughtered and intestinal samples were collected. Asn supplementation improved intestinal morphology, indicated by higher villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio, and lower crypt depth. Asn supplementation also increased the ratios of RNA:DNA and protein:DNA as well as disaccharidase activities in intestinal mucosa. In addition, Asn supplementation attenuated bacterial LPS-induced intestinal energy deficits, indicated by increased ATP and adenylate energy charge levels, and decreased AMP:ATP ratio. Moreover, Asn administration increased the activities of key enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, including citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. Finally, Asn administration decreased the mRNA abundance of intestinal AMP-activated protein kinase-α1 (AMPKα1), AMPKα2, silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) and PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC1α), and reduced intestinal AMPKα phosphorylation. Collectively, these results indicate that Asn supplementation alleviates bacterial LPS-induced intestinal injury by modulating the AMPK signalling pathway and improving energy status.

Insight into HIV of IFN-induced myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2) expressed by traditional Chinese medicine.

Recently, an important topic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) had been published in 2013. In this report, the expression of the IFN-induced myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2) had been defined the function to kill the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The screening from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database by simulating molecular docking and molecular dynamics could select candidate compounds, which may express MX2 against HIV. Saussureamine C, Crotalaburnine, and Precatorine are selected based on the highest docking score and other TCM compounds. The data from molecular dynamics are helpful in the analysis and detection of protein-ligand interactions. According to the docking poses, hydrophobic interactions, and hydrogen bond with structure variations, this research could assess the interaction between protein and ligand interaction. In addition to the detection of TCM compound efficacy, we suggest that Saussureamine C is better than the others in protein-ligand interaction and the structural variation to express MX2.

[Therapeutic alternatives to native L-asparaginase in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. / Alternatives thérapeutiques à la L-asparaginase native dans le traitement de la leucémie aiguë lymphoblastique de l'adulte.

L-asparaginase is an effective antineoplastic agent, which is an integral part of combination chemotherapy protocols for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Its antitumor effect results from the depletion of asparagine, an amino acid essential to leukemia cells, and subsequent inhibition of protein synthesis leading to cytotoxicity. However, its use has been limited by a high rate of hypersensitivity reactions and development of neutrolizing anti-asparaginase antibodies, and by the need of frequent administration. To overcome these limitations modified versions of L-asparaginase (such as asparaginase from other sources, pegylated formulations, and asparaginase loaded into erythrocytes) have been recently proposed. Advantages of these therapeutic alternatives to native L-asparaginase and their results as part of preliminary clinical trials in adults have been outlined in this review.

[The usefulness of Aspargin for supplementing potassium and magnesium in ethanol dependent patients]. / Przydatnosc Asparginu do suplementacji potasu i magnezu u pacjentów uzaleznionych od alkoholu.

Intoxication with many xenobiotics cause serious electrolyte abnormalities which require intravenous supplementation. In chronic and acute but not very severe intoxication an oral supplementation of ions can be sufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of Aspargin for supplementation of potassium and magnesium in chronic alcoholics suffering from withdrawal syndrome. There were 46 study patients, dependent on ethanol treated at the Detoxification Unit of the Department of Clinical Toxicology in Krak w. A differently intensified symptoms of ethanol withdrawal syndrome were noted according to CIWA-A scale in all the patients. Concentration of potassium and magnesium was monitored through the hospitalisation. Except a basic treatment (fluid supplementation, benzodiazepines) also Aspargin (three times a 2 tablets per day) was administered to each of patient for 7 to 10 days. No respiratory, muscular and gastrointestinal symptoms due to hypopotassemia and hypomagnesemia have been noted while hospitalisation in any patient so it could be suspected, that oral supplementation with Aspargin was sufficient to keep these ions balanced. Administration of Aspargin was beneficial to patient and the treatment outcome.

Medicinal protection with Chinese herb-compound against radiation damage.

Experiments were carried out on mice and the subjects irradiated for cancer therapy to evaluate the protective efficacy of a Chinese medicinal herb-compound (CMHC). The lethality and the degree of leucopenia caused by radiation in mice medicated with CMHC were significantly less in comparison with control mice (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001, respectively). CMHC significantly improved the WBC and the thrombocytes in irradiated workers (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001, respectively). The WBC count of 40 patients under radiotherapy while treated with CMHC recovered from 3450 +/- 77/c.mm to 5425 +/- 264/c.mm (p less than 0.001); whereas, in the control group, without any medication, the WBC count dropped significantly (p less than 0.001). Our results revealed the applicabilities of CMHC in protection against radiation damage in spaceflight and in other fields.

Failure of mineral-vitamin supplements to prevent tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) toxicosis in cattle.

The efficacy of 2 mineral-vitamin supplements in preventing or alleviating initial pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) toxicosis in cattle was tested. Three groups of calves were fed 1 of the 2 supplements plus tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) containing PA and 2 groups of calves were fed tansy ragwort without the supplement. Toxicity comparisons were based on differences in observed clinical signs, serum enzyme changes, survival time of calves, and histopathologic examination of hepatic tissue. Typical tansy ragwort toxicosis terminating in death developed in all calves. There were no marked differences in responses of the groups of calves. Seemingly, the supplements did not afford protection or alleviate tansy ragwort-related PA toxicosis in calves.

Effect of asparagine and arginine on the repair of isoprenaline-damaged myocardium of rat.

The effect of asparagine and arginine on the repair of isoprenaline-damaged myocardium was studied. In group I (treated with isoprenaline) the rats developed large foci of myocardial damage filled by connective tissue after 14 days. Similar changes were observed in group II (isoprenaline + asparagine). In group III of rats treated with isoprenaline and arginine the number of foci of injury and their size were smaller, and only a few small foci fibrosis were found after 14 days. Arginine seems to protect the rat myocardium from isoprenaline-induced damage. The repair by connective tissue is supplemented by compensatory hypertrophy of muscle fibers.