Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes liver cell pyroptosis under oxidative stress through NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a pivotal factor for HBV-induced hepatitis. Herein, we sought to investigate HBx-mediated NLR pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and pyroptosis under oxidative stress. METHODS: The effect of HBx on the NLRP3 inflammasome was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunofluorescence in hepatic HL7702 cells. Pyroptosis was evaluated by western blotting, lactate dehydrogenase release, propidium iodide staining, and transmission electron microscopy. NLRP3 expression in the inflammasome from liver tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated HL7702 cells, HBx triggered the release of pro-inflammatory mediators apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-18, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1); activated NLRP3; and initiated pro-inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis). HBx localized to the mitochondria, where it induced mitochondrial damage and production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS). Treatment of HL7702 cells with a mitoROS scavenger attenuated HBx-induced NLRP3 activation and pyroptosis. Expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1ß in liver tissues from patients were positively correlated with HBV DNA concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by elevated mitoROS levels and mediated HBx-induced liver inflammation and hepatocellular pyroptosis under H2O2-stress conditions.

EGF-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for targeting delivery of etoposide.

To enhance the therapeutic potential of etoposide (ETO), we devised a targeted drug delivery system (TDDS) of epidermal growth factor-chitosan-carboxyl single-walled carbon nanotubes-ETO (EGF/CHI/SWNT-COOHs/ETO) using modified SWNTs (m-SWNTs) as the carrier, EGF-functionalized SWNTs (f-SWNTs) as the targeted moiety and ETO as the drug. After SWNT-COOHs were conjugated with CHI (CHI/SWNT-COOHs/ETO), they displayed high solubility and stable dispersion in aqueous solution. The drug loading capacity was approximately 25-27%. The m-SWNTs and f-SWNTs had only slight cytotoxicity. ETO was released from EGF/CHI/SWNT-COOHs/ETO at low pH and taken up by tumour cells via adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent endocytosis. The cell death induced by EGF/CHI/SWNT-COOHs/ETO was as much as 2.7 times that due to ETO alone. In summary, these results demonstrated that our TDDS had a greater anticancer effect than free ETO in vitro.

A new monoterpene from the poisonous mushroom Trogia venenata, which has caused Sudden Unexpected Death in Yunnan province, China.

A new monoterpene, 6,7,8-trihydroxy-2,6-dimethyloctanoic acid (1), and a known sesquiterpene, ß-caryophyllene 4R,5R-oxide (2), as well as four known ergosta-steroids, 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3ß-y1 linoleate (3), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-22E,24R-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien (4), 5α,8α-epidioxy-(22E,24R)-ergosta-6,22-dien-3ß-ol (5) and (22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3ß-ol (6), were isolated from the fruiting bodies of the mushroom Trogia venenata. The structures of these compounds were identified by the analysis of spectral data. All of the compounds were isolated from this mushroom for the first time.

[Study on supercritical CO2 extraction of fatty oils from the seed of Akebia trifoliata (Thunb) Koidz].

The extraction of fatty oils from the seed of Akebia trifoliata (Thunb) Koidz with supercritical CO2 was studied. The effects of extraction pressure, extraction temperature on the yields were discussed. The optimal condition of this method was as follow: extraction pressure 30 MPa, extraction temerature 45 degrees C, separator I pressure 11 MPa, separator I temperature 50 degrees C, separator II pressure 6MPa, separator II temperature 45 degrees C, extraction period 2 hours. Compared with the traditional solvent extraction, with a GC-MS analysis, it revealed that the component extracted with supercritical CO2 was basically consistent with that extracted with petroleum ether, and it was rich unsaturated fatty acid.

[Study on the technique of ultrasonic wave extraction of triterpeneclucoside].

The extraction technique of ultrasonic wave on increasing the triterpeneclucoside was studied. Based on single factor experiments and the orthogonal design introduced,the optimized extracting conditions of triterpeneclucoside were investigated. The results showed that the best extraction technique conditons are 65% alcohol-water, the ratio of solid to liquid 1:30,dousing over 30 minutes,ultrasonic wave lasting for 40 minutes, ultrasonic frequency 26.8 KHZ, ultrasonic (output) power 1080 kw and extraction temperature 40 degrees C, respectively.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of the spreading moxibustion on rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To search for an effective therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Fifty-six cases of RA were randomly divided into a spreading moxibustion group of 31 cases and an acupuncture group of 25 cases. The spreading moxibustion group were treated by moxibustion on the Governor Vessel, from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2), and bilateral corresponding Jiaji (EX-B 2), with drug powder composed of Qianghuo (Notoperygium root), Duhuo (Pubescent angelica root), Niuxi (Achyranthes root), etc. and fresh mashed ginger were spread at the points; and the acupuncture group were treated by simple acupuncture at Dazhu (GV 14) and Shenzhu (GV 12), etc. They were treated for 50 days. RESULTS: The effective rate was 100.0% in the spreading moxibustion group and 84.0% in the acupuncture group with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Spreading moxibustion has an significant therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis.

[Effects of scalp catgut embedding on SOD, NO, MDA in the rat with Parkinson's disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of scalp catgut embedding for treatment of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Parkinson's disease model rats were prepared, and randomly divided into a model group, scalp acupuncture group, medication group, with a control group set up. The scalp acupuncture group were treated with catgut embedding at "the chorea-trembling conroued area" lateral to "Baihui" (GV 20) and the medication group with intra-gastric perfusion of L-dopa suspension. After treatment for 30 days, behavior indexes were investigated and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the brain were detected. RESULTS: MDA content in the brain of the model rats were significantly decreased (P < 0.01), NO level significantly increased (P < 0.05) by scalp catgut embedding, with no significant change of SOD activity (P > 0.05); and the behavior indexes and tissue and form of the brain had significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Scalp catgut embedding has regulative action on anti-oxidant enzyme system in the Parkinson's disease rats, has significant improvement of cells, tissues and form of the brain.