Immune response regulation by transduced mesenchymal stem cells with decorin gene on bleomycin-induced lung injury, fibrosis, and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis is a pathological hallmark of lung injury. It is an aggressive disease that replaces normal lung parenchyma by fibrotic tissue. The transforming growth factor-beta-mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (TGF-ß1-Smad3) signaling pathway plays a key role in regulating lung fibrosis. Decorin (DCN), a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, has a modulatory effect on the immune system by reversibly binding with TGF-ß and reducing its bioavailability. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a new strategy that has an immune-modulatory capacity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to introduce a new therapeutic approach to harness remodeling in injured lung. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bone marrow MSCs were isolated and transduced by decorin gene. Lung injury was induced by bleomycin and mice were treated with MSCs, MSCs-decorin, and decorin. Then, oxidative stress biomarkers, remodeling biomarkers, bronchoalveolar lavage cells, and histopathology study were conducted. RESULTS: Reduced catalase and superoxide dismutase increased due to treatments. Elevated malondialdehyde, hydroxyproline, TGF-ß levels, and polymorphonuclear cells count decreased in the treated groups. Additionally, the histopathology of lung tissues showed controlled inflammation and fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Transfected decorin gene to MSCs and used cell therapy could control remodeling and bleomycin-induced lung injury.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Biological Activities of 1,3,4- Thiadiazole Derivatives Containing Sulfonylpiperazine Structures.

To develop novel bacterial biofilm inhibiting agents, a series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives containing sulfonylpiperazine structures were designed, synthesized, and characterized using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, their biological activities were evaluated, and the ensuing structure-activity relationships were discussed. The bioassay results showed the substantial antimicrobial efficacy exhibited by most of the compounds. Among them, compound A24 demonstrated a strong efficacy with an EC50 value of 7.8 µg/mL in vitro against the Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) pathogen, surpassing commercial agents thiodiazole copper (31.8 µg/mL) and bismerthiazol (43.3 µg/mL). Mechanistic investigations into its anti-Xoc properties revealed that compound A24 operates by increasing the permeability of bacterial cell membranes, inhibiting biofilm formation and cell motility, and inducing morphological changes in bacterial cells. Importantly, in vivo tests showed its excellent protective and curative effects on rice bacterial leaf streak. Besides, molecular docking showed that the hydrophobic effect and hydrogen-bond interactions are key factors between the binding of A24 and AvrRxo1-ORF1. Therefore, these results suggest the utilization of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives containing sulfonylpiperazine structures as a bacterial biofilm inhibiting agent, warranting further exploration in the realm of agrochemical development.

Facile Benzylic Alkylation of Arenes with Alcohols by Catalysis with Spirocyclic NHC IrIII Pincer Complex.

A facile benzylic alkylation of indenes and other arenes was developed from readily available primary and secondary alcohols using our newly investigated CCC pincer IrIII catalyst (SNIr-H). Excellent regioselectivity and yield (89 %) of the C3-alkylated indenes were obtained. Additionally, the challenging sp2 C-alkylation was readily accomplished. This method could be utilized for the synthesis of the analogs of a histamine H1 receptor antagonist and the functional material template molecule, indeno[2,1-a]indene. A hemilabile IrIII -dihydride intermediate was proposed based on control experiments and previous density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the borrowing hydrogen mechanism and is key to the success of this IrIII catalyst in the reduction of unactivated multi-substituted olefin intermediates.

Sulfonate derivatives bearing an amide unit: design, synthesis and biological activity studies.

Pest disasters which occurs on crops is a serious problem that not only cause crop yield loss or even crop failure but can also spread a number of plant diseases.Sulfonate derivatives have been widely used in insecticide and fungicide research in recent years. On this basis, a series of sulfonate derivatives bearing an amide unit are synthesized and the biological activities are evaluated. The bioassay results showed that compounds A8, A13, A16, B1, B3, B4, B5, B10, B12 - 20, C3, C5, C9, C10, C14, C15, C17 and C19 showed 100% activity at a concentration of 500 µg/mL against the Plutella xylostella (P. xylostella). Among them, B15 which contains a thiadiazole sulfonate structure still shows 100% activity at 50 µg/mL concentration against P. xylostella and had the lowest median lethal concentration (LC50) (7.61 µg/mL) among the target compounds. Further mechanism studies are conducted on compounds with better insecticidal activity. Molecular docking results shows that B15 formed hydrophobic interactions π-π and hydrogen bonds with the indole ring of Trp532 and the carboxyl group of Asp384, respectively, with similar interaction distances or bond lengths as those of diflubenzuron. Moreover, chitinase inhibition assays are performed to further demonstrate its mode of action. In addition, the anti-bacterial activity of the series of compounds is also tested and the results showed that the series of compounds has moderate biological activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), with inhibition rates of 91%, 92% and 92%, 88% at the concentration of 100 µg/mL, respectively. Our study indicates that B15 can be used as a novel insecticide for crop protection.

Gut commensal Christensenella minuta modulates host metabolism via acylated secondary bile acids.

A strong correlation between gut microbes and host health has been observed in numerous gut metagenomic cohort studies. However, the underlying mechanisms governing host-microbe interactions in the gut remain largely unknown. Here we report that the gut commensal Christensenella minuta modulates host metabolism by generating a previously undescribed class of secondary bile acids with 3-O-acylation substitution that inhibit the intestinal farnesoid X receptor. Administration of C. minuta alleviated features of metabolic disease in high fat diet-induced obese mice associated with a significant increase in these acylated bile acids, which we refer to as 3-O-acyl-cholic acids. Specific knockout of intestinal farnesoid X receptor in mice counteracted the beneficial effects observed in their wild-type counterparts. Finally, we showed that 3-O-acyl-CAs were prevalent in healthy humans but significantly depleted in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our findings indicate a role for C. minuta and acylated bile acids in metabolic diseases.

[Minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis for the treatment of 53 patients with complex ankle fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the surgical method and its clinical effects of minimally invasive osteosynthesis on the treatment of complex ankle fractures. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2011, 53 patients with complex ankle fractures were treated with minimally invasive osteosynthesis. There were 31 males and 22 females, with an average age of 38.2 years old (ranged, 18 to 65). According to the system of Lauge-Hansen, 32 fractures were supination external rotation injury (grade WV), 13 fractures were pronation external rotation (grade III or IV), 5 fractures were pronation abduction (grade III); and 3 fractures can not be classified due to serious comminution fracture of fibula. According to the system of Denis-Weber, there were 4 cases with type A, 34 cases with type B and 15 cases with type C. Seven cases were open fractures. The duration from injuries to operation ranged from 2 hours to 14 days with an average of 5 days. The sequence of reduction and fixation of ankle fractures was firstly posterior malleolus, then medial malleolus and lateral malleolus, and inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis lastly. The fractures of posterior malleolus were reduced and fixed through anterior ankle approaches; the fractures of medial and lateral malleolus were percutaneously fixed with bolts or blade plate or tensile force band; and inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis were firmly fixed if necessary. Baird-Jackson scoring system was used to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were followed up from 10 to 36 months with an average of 13 months. The fractures got healing with an average time of 12 weeks (ranged, 10 to 18). According to the Baird-Jackson scoring system, the mean score of ankle function was 94.7 +/- 4.2, and 28 cases obtained excellent results, 15 good, 3 fair and 2 poor. One case experienced superficial infections and was cured by changing dressings, 2 cases experienced fixed syndesmosis screw breakage. CONCLUSION: The surgical method of minimally invasive osteosynthesis can ensure the anatomical join restoration, protect the blood supply of fracture end, rebuild the function of ankle joint, obtain satisfactory clinical results in treating complex ankle fractures.

In vitro evaluation of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine ester analogues, a series of anti-HBV structures with improved plasma stability and liver release.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, but few drugs are available for its treatment. Acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) have remarkable antivirus activities but are not easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and accumulate in the kidneys, resulting in nephrotoxicity. Therefore, there is a need to find effective liver site-specific prodrugs. The dipivaloyloxymethyl ester of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA)-adefovir dipivoxil (ADV)-is a first-line therapy drug for chronic hepatitis B with a low therapeutic index because of renal toxicity and low hepatic uptake. In this study, a series of PMEA derivatives were synthesized to enhance plasma stability and liver release. The metabolic stability of ADV (Chemical I) and its two analogues (Chemicals II and III) was evaluated in rat plasma and liver homogenate in vitro. An ion-pair reverse-phase HPLC-UV method and a hybrid ion trap and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT-TOF-MS) were used to evaluate the degradation rate of the analogues and to identify their intermediate metabolites, respectively. Chemicals I and II were hydrolyzed by cleavage of the C-O bond to give monoesters. Sufficient enzymatic activation in the liver homogenate through a relatively simple metabolic pathway, in addition to a favorable stability profile in rat plasma, made Chemical II an optimal candidate. Next, six analogues based on the structure of Chemical II were synthesized and evaluated in plasma and liver homogenate. Compared to Chemical II, these compounds generated less active PMEA levels in rat liver homogenate. Therefore, chemical modification of Chemical II may lead to new promising PMEA derivatives with enhanced plasma stability and liver activation.

Simultaneous determination of triptolide and its prodrug MC002 in dog blood by LC-MS/MS and its application in pharmacokinetic studies.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tripterygium wilfordii HOOK F (TWHF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and skin diseases. Triptolide (TP) is one of the main active ingredients of this traditional Chinese medicine. MC002 is a novel semi-synthetic derivate of TP which is highly water soluble, acts as a prodrug and is converted to TP in vivo. AIM OF THIS STUDY: A sensitive, rapid method for the simultaneous determination of TP and its chemo-unstable prodrug MC002 in dog blood was developed and validated using electrospray ionization (ESI) liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Using this method, a pharmacokinetic study of MC002 and TP following an intravenous drip infusion of 0.2mg/kg MC002 in dogs was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chemo-degradation of the prodrug in blood samples was inhibited by the addition of a small amount of sodium fluoride solution before using liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The concentrations of MC002 and TP in dog blood were determined using the LC-MS/MS method. RESULTS: The quantitative method showed good precision and stability and is suitable for the assay of biological samples. The pharmacokinetic study showed that the elimination of MC002 was faster than that of TP, and the concentrations and AUC0-t values of TP were higher than MC002. MC002 can rapidly convert to TP in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: This validated method was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic study of MC002 following an intravenous drip infusion in dogs. With the development of this new prodrug of TP as a promising anti-cancer drug, this method is suitable for its further analysis in clinical studies.

Sodium aescinate ameliorates liver injury induced by methyl parathion in rats.

Methyl parathion, a highly cytotoxic insecticide, has been used in agricultural pest control for several years. The present study investigated the protective effect of sodium aescinate (SA, the sodium salt of aescin) against liver injury induced by methyl parathion. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 animals: the control group; the methyl parathion (15 mg/kg) poisoning (MP) group; and the MP plus SA at doses of 0.45, 0.9 and 1.8 mg/kg groups. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the plasma were assayed. Nitric oxide (NO) and antioxidative parameters were measured. Histopathological examination of the liver was also performed. The results revealed that SA had no effect on AChE. Treatment with SA decreased the activities of ALT and AST, and the levels of malondialdehyde and NO. Treatment with SA also increased the level of glutathione and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. SA administration also ameliorated liver injury induced by methyl parathion poisoning. The findings indicate that SA protects against liver injury induced by methyl parathion and that the mechanism of action is related to the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of SA.