Hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of lycopene on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rat.

AIM: To evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of lycopene (Ly) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rat. METHODS: A rat model of NAFLD was first established by feeding a high-fat diet for 14 wk. Sixty-five rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and Ly treatment groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) in serum and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), free fatty acid (FFA), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue were evaluated, respectively. While the hepatoprotective effect was also confirmed by histopathological analysis, the expression levels of TNF-α and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 in rat liver were determined by immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS: A significant decrease was observed in the levels of serum AST (2.07-fold), ALT (2.95-fold), and the blood lipid TG (2.34-fold) and TC (1.66-fold) in the dose of 20 mg/kg Ly-treated rats (P < 0.01), compared to the model group. Pretreatment with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of Ly significantly raised the levels of antioxidant enzyme SOD in a dose-dependent manner, to 90.95 ± 9.56, 109.52 ± 11.34 and 121.25 ± 10.68 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), as compared with the model group. Similarly, the levels of GSH were significantly increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) after the Ly treatment. Meanwhile, pretreatment with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of Ly significantly reduced MDA amount by 30.87, 45.51 and 54.49% in the liver homogenates, respectively (P < 0.01). The Ly treatment group showed significantly decreased levels of lipid products LDL-C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), improved HDL-C level and significantly decreased content of FFA, compared to the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the Ly-treated group also exhibited a down-regulated TNF-α and CYP2E1 expression, decreased infiltration of liver fats and reversed histopathological changes, all in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Ly has a protective effect on NAFLD, down-regulates expression of TNF-α, and that CYP2E1 may be one of the action mechanisms for Ly.

Determination and validation of chikusetsusaponin IVa in rat plasma by UPLC-MS/MS and its application to pharmacokinetic study.

A novel, sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantification of chikusetsusaponin IVa (CHS-IVa) in rat plasma was established and validated. Plasma samples were pre-treated by precipitation of protein with acetonitrile and chromatographed on a Waters Symmetry C18 analytical column (4.6 × 50 mm, i.d., 3.5 µm) using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water containing 0.05% formic acid (55:45, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The deprotonated molecular ions [M - H](-) were employed in electrospray negative ionization mode and selected reaction monitoring transitions were performed for detection. The calibration curves exhibited good linearity (r > 0.99) over the range of 0.5-1000 ng/mL for CHS-IVa. The recoveries of CHS-IVa were >92.5% and exhibited no severe matrix effect. This method was successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic study of CHS-IVa in rats. For oral administration, the plasma concentrations of CHS-IVa increased to a peak value at 0.35 ± 0.14 h, followed by a gradual decrease to the lower limit of quantitation in 24 h. For intravenous administration, the plasma concentrations of CHS-IVa decreased quickly (t1/2 , 1.59 ± 0.25 h). The absolute bioavailability of CHS-IVa in rats was 8.63%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

No association between Y chromosomal haplogroups and severe acne in the Han Chinese population.

Severe acne presents sexual dimorphism in its incidence in Chinese population. It is more prevalent in males. To assess the possible Y chromosomal contribution to severe acne risk in Han Chinese males, we analyzed 2041 Y chromosomal SNPs (Y-SNPs) in 725 severe acne cases and 651 controls retrieved from our recent genome-wide association study data. After data filtering, we assigned 585 cases and 494 controls into 12 Y chromosomal haplogroups based on 307 high-confidence Y-SNPs. No statistically significant difference in the distribution of Y chromosomal haplogroup frequencies was observed between the case and control groups. Our results showed a lack of association between the incidence of severe acne and the different Y chromosomal haplogroup in the Han Chinese population.

In vitro extraction of intra-corneal iron using reverse iontophoresis and vitamin C.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to optimize reverse iontophoretic (RI) extraction of ferric/ferrous ions from the cornea. METHODS: Group I consisted of the right eye corneas from 20 normal rabbits. Corneal blood staining was induced in 60 right eyes. The corneal depths from the endothelium to the epithelium layers were divided into three groups by slit-lamp examination: Group II, one-third corneal thickness; Group III, one-half corneal thickness; Group IV, full corneal thickness. RI was performed using vertical diffusion cells. The lower chamber was loaded with glutathione bicarbonate Ringer's buffer (GBR; pH 7.0) or vitamin C (12.5 mg/mL) and GBR (pH 7.0), while the upper chamber was filled with 1 mL GBR. Progress of corneal blood staining removal was evaluated. RESULTS: Application of 1.5 mA to the cornea increased flux by 1.72- and 2.19-fold in Groups III and IV, respectively, but not in Groups I or II, compared to the control. When vitamin C was included, we observed significant flux increases in the controls (1.5-, 2.06-, 2.60-, and 4.59-fold) for Groups I, II, III, and IV, and under RI conditions for Groups III and IV. Following RI, the corneal endothelia appeared similar to corneas from untreated control rabbits, while Draize scores were zero. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that extracellular ferric/ferrous ions could be extracted from the cornea in vitro by RI, and that vitamin C reduced Fe(3+) to Fe(2+) in the cornea and altered its permselectivity, thus increasing the RI contribution to iron extraction.

A new method of kidney biopsy using low dose CT-guidance with coaxial trocar and bard biopsy gun.

BACKGROUND: To explore a new method of kidney biopsy with coaxial trocar and bard biopsy gun under low dose computed tomography (CT)-guidance and evaluate its accuracy, safety, and efficacy. METHODS: Sixty patients underwent renal biopsy under CT-guidance. They were randomly divided into two groups: group I, low dose CT-guided (120 kV and 25 or 50 mAs) and group II, standard dose CT-guided (120 kV and 250 mAs). For group I, the coaxial trocar was accurately placed adjacent to the renal capsule of the lower pole, the needle core was removed, and samples were obtained with a bard biopsy gun. For group II, the coaxial trocar was not used. Total number of passes, mean biopsy diameter, mean glomeruli per specimen, mean operation time, mean scanning time, and mean radiation dose were noted. Dose-length product (DLP) was used to calculate the radiation doses. After 24 hours of the biopsy, ultrasound was repeated to identify any subcapsular hematoma. RESULTS: Success rate of biopsy in group I was 100% while using low dose CT-guidance along with coaxial trocar renal. There was no statistic differences bewteen group I and II in the total number of passes, mean biopsy diameter, mean glomeruli per specimen and mean time of operation and CT scanning. The average DLP of group I was lower as compared to the value of group II (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Kidney biopsy using coaxial trocar and bard biopsy gun under low dose CT was an accurate, simple and safe method for diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. It can be used for repeat and multiple biopsies, particularly suitable for obese and renal atrophy patients in whom the kidneys are difficult to image.