Protective effect of isoliquiritigenin against cerebral injury in septic mice via attenuation of NF-κB.

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted to scrutinize the outcome of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) against cerebral injury in septic mice. METHODS: The sepsis was introduced using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method in experimental mice. The effect of ISL was quantified using the content of brain water and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability. The effect on the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in brain homogenates was also determined. The effect of ISL on the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 in serum was also estimated. The levels of various inflammatory biomarkers (COX-2 and PGE2) were also studied. The expression of NF-κB signalling cascade and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was estimated by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with CLP group, the brain water content was found to be reduced significantly together with the enhanced BBB integrity in ISL treated group. The level of MDA was reduced together with enhanced level of SOD and GSH in the ISL treated group. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 were also found to be modulated in ISL group. The level of COX-2 and PGE2 was reduced to near normal after ISL administration together with increase in the IκBα expression and reduction of p65 and p-p65 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of iNOS was also found to be reduced in ISL group. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that ISL causes protection of CLP-induced sepsis in experimental mice via multiple pathways.

Hyperhomocysteinemia as a Risk Factor for Saccular Intracranial Aneurysm: A Cohort Study in a Chinese Han Population.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the possible relationships between serum total homocysteine and folate and Vitamin B12 in patients with intracranial aneurysm. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients with intracranial aneurysm from the Han population who were admitted to the hospital, as well as control subjects who received medical examination on an outpatient basis. The serum total homocysteine, folate, and Vitamin B12 levels were measured in patients with intracranial aneurysm and the control group, and the associations between those factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients with intracranial aneurysm and 140 control subjects were enrolled from July 2014 to December 2015. The mean serum total homocysteine level in the patient group (19.98 ± 10.84 µmol/L) was significantly higher than that in the control group (15.13 ± 5.55 µmol/L, P < .001). The serum total homocysteine level was negatively correlated with folate and Vitamin B12 levels (r = -.349, P < .001; r = -.531, P < .001, respectively) in the patient group. Homocysteine had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.196 (95% confidence interval: 1.188-4.057, P = .012) for the development of intracranial aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence regarding the association between serum total homocysteine and folate and Vitamin B12 in patients with intracranial aneurysm. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for intracranial aneurysm, and folate and Vitamin B12 are protective against intracranial aneurysm due to their roles in regulating the metabolism of homocysteine.

A novel method for precise implantation of tracheal Y-shaped stent.

The tracheal Y-shaped stent is mainly used for the treatment of critical patients with airway stenosis or esophagotracheal fistula near carina. A novel method for precise implantation of Y-shaped tracheal stents was developed using double-lumen endotracheal intubation and flexible bronchoscopy. This approach aims to address the limitations associated with X-ray or rigid bronchoscopy guidance, such as operational difficulties and the risk of inaccurate stent placement leading to implantation failure or suffocation. With this new technique, 13 tracheal Y-shaped stents were successfully implanted. This method shows promise in reducing the complexity of stent implantation and facilitating timely treatment for patients in need. Additionally, it has the potential to update current operating standards and guidelines for this procedure.

[Local injection of gentamycin for female urethral syndrome: a clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of local antibiotic injection into the female prostate on female urethral syndrome (FUS), and search for an effective treatment for this disease. METHODS: This study included 163 FUS patients treated in the out-patient department between July 2009 and December 2010. According to the visiting order, the patients were randomly assigned to Groups A (n = 58), B (n = 55) and C (n = 50). All underwent routine treatment. Inaddition Group A received local injection of 2 ml of 80 000 U gentamycin + 2 ml of lidocaine, and Group B 2 ml of normal saline + 2 ml of lidocaine, both injected into the distal segment of the urethral back wall where the female prostate is located, twice a week for 3 weeks. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to the changes of the patients' independent symptom scores at 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment. Disappearance of the symptoms was considered as "curative" , > 1/2 reduction in the symptom score as "obviously effective", 1/2 - > 1/4 reduction in the symptom score as "effective", and < 1/4 reduction or increase in the symptom score as "ineffective". RESULTS: At 2 weeks after the treatment, the total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in Group A (77.5%) than in B (67.3%) and C (68.0%) (P < 0.05), but with no statistically significant difference between B and C (P > 0.05). At 4 weeks, the total effectiveness rate of Group A was slightly decreased, but still remarkably higher than that of group B or C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Local injection of gentamycin into the female prostate is effective for the treatment of female urethral syndrome.

MicroRNA-6077 enhances the sensitivity of patients-derived lung adenocarcinoma cells to anlotinib by repressing the activation of glucose transporter 1 pathway.

Anlotinib is a novel molecular targeted agent targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, which differs from the other currently available non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) molecular targeted drugs targeting this receptor. Although the application of anlotinib may bring new hope for patients with advanced NSCLC, the cost of treatment is high. The results of this study showed that microRNA-6077 (miR-6077) represses the expression of GLUT1 (glucose transporter 1) and enhances the sensitivity of patient-derived lung adenocarcinoma (AC) cells to anlotinib. The miR-6077, which potentially binds to the 3'untranslated region of GLUT1, was identified and screened by miRDB, an online tool; sequences of miR-6077 were prepared as lentivirus particles. A549 cells (a lung adenocarcinoma cell line) and five patient-derived AC cell lines were infected with control miRNA or miR-6077, and subsequently treated with the indicated concentration of anlotinib. The expression of proteins, such as GLUT1, was determined by western blotting. The antitumor effect of anlotinib was identified through in-vitro (e.g., MTT) or in-vivo methods (e.g., subcutaneous tumor model). Overexpression of miR-6077 repressed the expression of GLUT1 and decreased the glucose uptake, lactate production, or ATP generation in AC cells. In addition, MiR-6077 may enhance the antitumor effect of anlotinib on A549 or patient-derived AC cell lines. Therefore, our results indicated that miR-6077 represses the expression of GLUT1 and enhances the sensitivity of patients-derived lung AC cells to anlotinib.

[Experimental treatment of acute lung injury caused by inundation of thoracic cavity by seawater following open chest wound].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of lung protective ventilation and pentoxifylline (PTX) on acute lung injury (ALI) caused by open chest wound with seawater inundation of the thoracic cavity. METHODS: A model of ALI caused by open chest wound and seawater inundation of thoracic cavity was reproduced in dogs. Twenty-four healthy dogs were randomly divided into four groups: no-treatment group (group A), ordinary treatment group (group B), lung protective ventilation treatment group (group C), and lung protective ventilation and PTX treatment group (group D). The parameters of hemodynamics, arterial blood gas analysis, plasma osmotic pressure and serum electrolytes in dogs were determined at 0 and 6 hours after injury and at 2 and 4 hours after treatment. Blood samples and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to assess the changes in cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8. RESULTS: The arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO(2)) and oxygenation index (PaO(2)/FiO(2)) in group B were still lower than normal values at 2 and 4 hours after treatment, but those parameters in group C and group D distinctly recovered. The parameters of hemodynamics, plasma osmotic pressure and serum electrolytes were all normalized in group B, C and D at 2 and 4 hours after treatment compared with those in group A. The levels of TNF-alpha in peripheral blood in group C and the TNF-alpha and IL-8 levels in peripheral blood and IL-6, IL-8 levels in BALF in group D were significantly lower than those in group A and group B after treatment. The TNF-alpha in peripheral blood and IL-8 levels in BALF in group D were also significantly lower than those in group C after treatment. CONCLUSION: Lung protective ventilation is an effective method in the treatment of ALI caused by open chest wound with inundation of seawater in thoracic cavity. PTX can inhibit inflammatory reaction in the lung and peripheral blood.

Linarin suppresses glioma through inhibition of NF-κB/p65 and up-regulating p53 expression in vitro and in vivo.

Glioma is the most common form of malignant brain cancer with high mortality rate in human. Therefore, finding effective therapeutic strategy and revealing the underlying molecular mechanism is necessary. Plant-extracted flavonoid glycosides have been suggested to be bioactive compounds with pleiotropic functions, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and effects. Our study was attempted to explore the anti-cancer role of linarin (acacetin-7-O-ß-d-rutinoside) in glioma in vitro and in vivo. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activity is a common phenomenon in various cancers, resulting in abnormal cell proliferation, malignant transformation, or resistance to cell death. P53, an essential tumor suppressor, plays an important role in preventing tumor progression. Our data indicated that linarin suppressed glioma cell proliferation and migration by inducing apoptosis, which was through reducing cell cycle-related signals, including Survivin, p-Rb, and Cyclin D1, while promoting p21, Bax, Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation. Also, we found that linarin-reduced cellular proliferation of glioma was dependent on p53 up-regulation and Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/p65-down-regulation, thereby inhibiting glioma cell growth. We further conformed the inhibitory effect of linarin in vivo using xenograft tumor model. Linarin significantly triggered apoptosis as well as the tumor growth in animals, accompanied with p53 increase and p65 decrease. Our data illustrated that linarin could be used as a promising candidate against glioma progression.

Baicalin exerts protective effects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by regulating the crosstalk between the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and NF-κB pathway in CX3CL1-knockout mice.

Acute lung injury (ALI) as a serious diseases with high mortality and is considered a threat to human health and life. A number of studies have focused on the treatment and prevention of lung injury. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of lung injury are not yet fully understood, and this has impeded the development of effective drugs and treatment strategies. Hence, in the present study, mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­induced ALI were used as a model to investigate the crosstalk between the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway in the process of lung injury. CX3CL1-knockout (CX3CL1-KO or CX3CL1-/-) mice were used to examine the role of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis in LPS-induced lung injury. We used baicalin, a natural product, to investigate its anti-inflammatory effects and its protective effects against lung injury. Western blot analysis, reverse transcription-quantitavie PCR (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the analysis of biochemical indicators were used to determine the key signaling pathway involved in the development of lung injury. The results indicated that, on the one hand, baicalin exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and NF-κB, thus preventing the the crosstalk between the CX3CL1­CX3CR1 axis and NF-κB pathway. In addition, the phosphorylation of AKT, which was significantly induced by LPS-induced ALI through the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis, was inhibited by treatment with baicalin. On the other hand, we further investigated the role of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis in lung injury. We determined the diffrences in the expression levels of CX3CR1 between wild-type (WT) and CX3CL1-/- mice in order to establish its association with lung injury. Our results indicated that CX3CL1 may be the central and major indicator in the process of lung injury, which mediates the CX3CR1 receptor to activate AKT and further promote NF-κB activation. These findings demonstrate that the crosstalk between the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and NF-κB signaling pathway plays a direct role in LPS-induced lung injury. The inhibition of the activation of the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis may thus suppress the development of ALI. In addition, baicalin inhibited the crosstalk between the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis and NF-κB pathway in mice with LPS-induced ALI. Thus, treatment with baicalin may be a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI.

Neuroprotective effect of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor on rat spinal cord neurons in vitro hypoxia.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is well known as a hypoxia-induced protein. That it markedly increased expression of VEGF and improvement of rat motor function after spinal cord injury suggested that VEGF could play a neuroprotective role in ischaemic tolerance. This study investigated whether vascular endothelial growth factor has direct neuroprotective effects on rat spinal cord neurons. METHODS: We employed primary cultures of embryonic rat spinal cord neurons, then administrated different concentrations of VEGF164 in the culture medium before hypoxia when the number of neurons was counted and the cell viability was detected by MTT. The neuronal apoptosis and expression of VEGF and its receptor genes were evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry. The VEGFR2/FLK-1 inhibitor, SU1498, was used to confirm whether the neuroprotective effect of VEGF was mediated through VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptors. RESULT: In hypoxic conditions, the number and viability of neurons decreased progressively, while the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased along with the prolongation of hypoxic exposure. When the concentration of VEGF in cell culture medium reached 25 ng/ml, the cell viability increased 11% and neuronal apoptosis reduced to half, this effect was dose dependent and led to an approximately 25% increase in cell viability and about threefold decrease in TUNEL-positive cells at a maximally effective concentration of 100 ng/ml. In normal conditions, VEGF/Flk-1 but not VEGF/Flt-1 gene expressed at a low level: after hypoxia, the expression of VEGF/Flk-1, but not VEGF/Flt-1 was significantly increased. The protective effect of VEGF was blocked by the VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, SU1498. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF has direct neuroprotective effects on rat spinal cord neurons, which may be mediated in vitro through VEGFR2/Flk-1 receptors.

[Neuroprotective effect of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor on anoxic rat spinal cord astrocyte and the underlying mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of hypoxia on primary cultured rat spinal cord astrocyte and investigate the neuroprotective effect of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on anoxic astrocyte in vitro. METHODS: The rat embryonic spinal cord astrocytes were cultured and identified by cellular morphology and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The astrocytes were treated with VEGF at different concentrations (10 ng/ml-100 ng/ml) as well as with VEGF receptor (Flk-1) inhibitor SU1498. Then the astrocytes were exposed to hypoxia for different time. The light microscope, MTT assay, TUNEL labeling and SABC immuno-histochemistry were used to measure and observe the changes of the astrocytes in cell morphology, growth, proliferation, GFAP identified that 98% of the purified 1-week cultured cells apoptosis, VEGF and Flk-1 expression. RESULTS: were astrocytes. 8-12 hours hypoxia obviously induced the activity of astrocyte. The cytobody became bigger, the cytoskeleton grew thicker. The activity of proliferation decreased but apoptosis index increased. The GFAP, VEGF and Flk-1 expression increased. The treatment with 50 ng/ml VEGF 20-24 hours before hypoxia apparently enhanced the activity, decreased the apoptosis index of the astrocytes, and hence improved the hypoxia-injuried astrocytes. Howerver, 700 ng/ml SU1498 obviously inhibited the neuroprotective effect of VEGF on anoxic astrocytes. CONCLUSION: Hypoxia induces reactive activity of astrocyte. The exogenous VEGF exerts neuroprotective effect on astrocytes via VEGF receptor-Flk-1.