Intervention Effect of Taurine on LPS-Induced Intestinal Mechanical Barrier Injury in Piglets.

Taurine has the advantages of being safe, highly efficient, chemically stabile, and biologically active, together with having versatile functions. Presently, it is employed as a veterinary feed additive in animal research. The tight junctions that constitute the intestinal epithelial cells are the most critical structures for ensuring regular and uninterrupted digestion and absorption of food by the intestinal mucosa, while at the same time resisting invasions by toxins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of taurine action on intestinal mechanical barrier function of piglets that were infected with LPS. The results showed that 0.3% taurine inhibits LPS-driven increase in intestinal permeability and intestinal mucosal injury, the rise in the ratio of villus length to crypt depth within the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and the significant enhancement in the expression of tight junction protein-related genes. In summary, dietary taurine significantly reduces intestinal mucosal structural damage and intestinal mucosal permeability while increasing gene expression of tight junction proteins of the intestinal mucosa of piglets induced by LPS, thereby enhancing the effect of intestinal mucosal mechanical barriers.

Taurine Prevents LPS-Induced Liver Injury in Weaned Piglets.

This study employed taurine as a feed additive to explore the prophylactic effect of taurine on LPS-induced hepatic injury in piglets. The pathological shifts within hepatic tissue were observed by HE staining. Serum levels of ALT and AST together with SOD, CAT, GSH-PX activity, and MDA serum and liver levels were detected. TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis, while qPCR was employed to detect HO-1, Nrf-2, Bcl2, BAX, Caspase-3, and NF- κB p65 transcriptomic expression levels. TRL4, Caspase-3, Nrf-2, and NF- κB p-p65/NF- κB p65 were detected by Western blot. The results revealed that taurine reduces LPS-induced pathological damage of hepatic tissue and reduces the levels of ALT and AST in pig serum. The transcriptomic expression levels of HO-1 and Nrf-2 were upregulated, and proteomic expression of Nrf-2 was increased. SOD, CAT, and GSH-PX activity was elevated, while MDA content was reduced in serum and liver. The levels of mRNA of BAX and Caspase-3 were downregulated, but mRNA content of Bcl2 was increased, and the protein levels of TRL4, NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65, and Caspase-3 were diminished. Overall, the degree of hepatocyte apoptosis was also significantly reduced. In conclusion, taurine reduces LPS-induced injury of piglet liver, while reducing hepatocyte apoptotic levels. These data provide a scientific basis for the selection of animal feed additives and lay a foundation for the healthy and sustainable development of the porcine industry.

Dietary flavones counteract phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced SREBP-2 processing in hepatic cells.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is generally regarded as beneficial to plasma lipid profile. The mechanism by which the plant foods induce desirable lipid changes remains unclear. SREBP-2 is crucial in cholesterol metabolism, and it is a major regulator of the cholesterol biosynthesis enzyme HMGCR. Our lab has previously illustrated that apigenin and luteolin could attenuate the nuclear translocation of SREBP-2 through an AMPK-dependent pathway. In the present study, these two flavones were studied for their ability to deter the same in an AMPK-independent signaling route. The processing of SREBP-2 protein was promoted by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in the hepatic cells WRL and HepG2, and the increased processing was reversed by apigenin or luteolin co-administration. EMSA results demonstrated that the PMA-induced DNA-binding activity was weakened by the flavones. The increased amount of nuclear SREBP-2 in cells was attenuated by the flavonoid as shown by immunocytochemical imaging. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay demonstrated that the transcription of HMGCR under both flavone treatments was reduced. However, apigenin appeared to be stronger than luteolin in restraining PMA-induced HMGCR mRNA expression. Since PMA is a diacylglycerol analog, these findings might have some physiological implications.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with percutaneous ethanol injection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) are important treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are not eligible for resection and liver transplantation. Therefore, it is important to establish comparisons between RFA, PEI and the two therapies in combination. AIMS: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of combined RFA-PEI versus monotherapy with either RFA or PEI for HCC to provide references for clinical practice and further research. METHODS: We searched all eligible studies published before September 2015 in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese databases, such as CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang and also retrieved papers from other sources. All relevant controlled trials were collected. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan version 5.3 software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS: Thirteen trials with 1621 patients were identified. Compared with PEI, RFA was associated with significant improvement in overall survival (OS) rate at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, cancer-free survival (CFS) rate at 1, 2 and 3 years and complete tumour necrosis. RFA was associated with a significant reduction in the local recurrence rate at 1, 2 and 3 years. However, RFA was also associated with a higher total risk of complications. Compared with RFA alone, combined RFA-PEI was associated with a significant improvement in the OS rate at 1.5, 2 and 3 years and a significant reduction in the local recurrence rate. However, combined RFA-PEI was also associated with a higher risk of fever. CONCLUSION: The combination of RFA and PEI appears to be the optimal treatment strategy when considering combined RFA-PEI or either RFA or PEI alone. Combined RFA-PEI significantly improves OS and reduces the risk of local recurrence without increasing major complications. Further large-scale studies are needed to assess economic outcomes and quality of life.

Plasma exchange-centered artificial liver support system in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a nationwide prospective multicenter study in China.

BACKGROUND: Plasma exchange (PE)-centered artificial liver support system reduced the high mortality rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). But the data were diverse in different medical centers. The present prospective nationwide study was to evaluate the effects of PE on patients with HBV-ACLF at different stages. METHODS: From December 2009 to December 2011, we evaluated 250 patients at different stages of HBV-ACLF from 10 major medical centers in China. All the laboratory parameters were collected at admission, before and after PE. RESULTS: Among the 250 patients who underwent 661 rounds of PE, one-month survival rate was 61.6%; 141 (56.4%) showed improvement after PE. Variables such as age (P=0.000), levels of total bilirubin (TB, P=0.000), direct bilirubin (P=0.000), total triglycerides (P=0.000), low-density lipoprotein (P=0.022), Na+ (P=0.014), Cl- (P=0.038), creatinine (Cr, P=0.007), fibrinogen (P=0.000), prothrombin time (PT, P=0.000), white blood cell (P=0.000), platelet (P=0.003) and MELD (P=0.000) were significantly related to prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, disease stage, TB, Cr and PT levels were independent risk factors of mortality among HBV-ACLF patients. CONCLUSIONS: PE can improve the clinical outcome of patients with HBV-ACLF. Levels of TB, Cr and PT, age and disease stage help to predict prognosis.

Dehydrated Basella alba Fruit Juice as a Novel Natural Colorant: Pigment Stability, In Vivo Food Safety Evaluation and Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism Characterization.

Flesh of Basella alba L. mature fruits bearing deep-violet juice provides a novel and potential source of natural colorant. To minimize the pigment purification process and warrant safety acceptability, B. alba colorant powder (BACP) was prepared using mature fruits through a practical batch preparation and subjected to fundamental pigment characterization, food safety assessment and bio-function evaluation. Yield of the dehydrated B. alba colorant powder (BACP) was 37 g/kg fresh fruits. Reconstituted aqueous solution of the BACP exhibited an identical visible spectrum (400-700 nm) as that of fresh juice. Color of the solution (absorbance at 540 nm) was stable in a broad pH ranged from 3 to 8 and enhanced by co-presence of calcium and magnesium ions, while was rapidly bleached by ferrous and ferric ions. For in vivo food safety evaluation, ICR mice were daily gavage administered with BACP up to 1000 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Organ weight determination, serum biochemical analysis and histopathological examination of hearts, livers, lungs and kidneys revealed no obvious health hazard. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of BACP was characterized in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. BACP exerted potent anti-inflammatory activity by down-regulation of inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-12 and the blockage of IκB kinase (IKK)/IκB/nuclear factor-κ B (NFκB) activation cascade. These results supported that BACP may serve as a beneficial alternative of natural food colorant.

The flavone apigenin blocks nuclear translocation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 in the hepatic cells WRL-68.

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) is a pivotal transcriptional factor in cholesterol metabolism. Factors interfering with the proper functioning of SREBP-2 potentially alter plasma lipid concentrations. Consuming fruits and vegetables is associated with beneficial plasma lipid profile. The mechanism by which plant foods induce desirable lipid changes remains unclear. Apigenin, a common plant food flavonoid, was shown to modulate the nuclear translocation of SREBP-2 in the hepatic cells WRL-68 in the present study. The processing of SREBP-2 protein occurred after translation, and apigenin blocked this activation route. Further examination indicated that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was activated by the flavone, and co-administrating the AMPK-specific inhibitor compound C could release the blockage. Reporter gene assay revealed that the transactivation of sterol responsive element (SRE)-containing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) promoter was suppressed by the flavone. Similarly, electromobility shift assay result also demonstrated a reduced DNA-binding activity on the SRE domain under the same treatment. The reduced transactivity and DNA-binding activity could be attributed to a decreased amount of SREBP-2 translocating from cytosol to nucleus as depicted by confocal microscopy. Quantitative RT-PCR assay demonstrated that the transcription of HMGCR followed the same pattern of SREBP-2 translocation. In summary, the present study showed that apigenin prevented SREBP-2 translocation and reduced the downstream gene HMGCR transcription. The minimum effective dosage should be achievable in the form of functional food consumption or dietary supplementation.

Coadministrating luteolin minimizes the side effects of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have been used as adjuvant therapeutic agents for breast cancer. Their adverse side effect on blood lipid is well documented. Some natural compounds have been shown to be potential AIs. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of the flavonoid luteolin to the clinically approved AI letrozole (Femara; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ) in a cell and a mouse model. In the in vitro experimental results for aromatase inhibition, the Ki values of luteolin and letrozole were estimated to be 2.44 µM and 0.41 nM, respectively. Both letrozole and luteolin appeared to be competitive inhibitors. Subsequently, an animal model was used for the comparison. Aromatase-expressing MCF-7 cells were transplanted into ovariectomized athymic mice. Luteolin was given by mouth at 5, 20, and 50 mg/kg, whereas letrozole was administered by intravenous injection. Similar to letrozole, luteolin administration reduced plasma estrogen concentrations and suppressed the xenograft proliferation. The regulation of cell cycle and apoptotic proteins-such as a decrease in the expression of Bcl-xL, cyclin-A/D1/E, CDK2/4, and increase in that of Bax-was about the same in both treatments. The most significant disparity was on blood lipids. In contrast to letrozole, luteolin increased fasting plasma high-density lipoprotein concentrations and produced a desirable blood lipid profile. These results suggested that the flavonoid could be a coadjuvant therapeutic agent without impairing the action of AIs.

Celecoxib increases miR-222 while deterring aromatase-expressing breast tumor growth in mice.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most deadly diseases in women. Inhibiting the synthesis of estrogen is effective in treating patients with estrogen-responsive breast cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated that use of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors is associated with reduced breast cancer risk. METHODS: In the present study, we employed an established mouse model for postmenopausal breast cancer to evaluate the potential mechanisms of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Aromatase-expressing MCF-7 cells were transplanted into ovariectomized athymic mice. The animals were given celecoxib at 1500 ppm or aspirin at 200 ppm by oral administration with androstenedione injection. RESULTS: Our results showed that both COX inhibitors could suppress the cancer xenograft growth without changing the plasma estrogen level. Protein expression of ERα, COX-2, Cyclin A, and Bcl-xL were reduced in celecoxib-treated tumor samples, whereas only Bcl-xL expression was suppressed in those treated with aspirin. Among the breast cancer-related miRNAs, miR-222 expression was elevated in samples treated with celecoxib. Further studies in culture cells verified that the increase in miR-222 expression might contribute to ERα downregulation but not the growth deterrence of cells. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study suggested that both celecoxib and aspirin could prevent breast cancer growth by regulating proteins in the cell cycle and apoptosis without blocking estrogen synthesis. Besides, celecoxib might affect miR expression in an undesirable fashion.

Presence of Flazin in Miso and Identification of Four Tryptophan-Derived ß-Carbolines Formed during Fermentation.

In miso, due to the substantial presence of genistein, flazin is often overlapped and masked by genistein in HPLC analysis. Flazin in the miso extracts could be resolved with genistein through medium-pressure liquid chromatography run under a nonacidified methanol-water system and subsequently fractionated by semipreparative HPLC and identified by NMR spectroscopic analysis. As referenced, flazin was detected in all 11 locally marketed miso products, with contents ranging from 3.5 to 124.8 µg/g. In lab-made miso fermented at 28 and 37 °C for 8 weeks, flazin formed faster at 37 °C than at 28 °C. Based on the time-dependent HPLC chromatographic changes of the miso extracts during fermentation, the presence of tryptophan-derived ß-carboline intermediates was deduced. Tryptophan was then supplemented for miso fermentation, and four peak substances were targeted for isolation by sophisticated approaches. Four ß-carbolines were purified and instrumentally identified, i.e., P1: 1-(1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxypentyl)-9H- pyrido[3,4-b]indole, P2 (diastereomer of P1): 1-(1*,3,4,5-tetrahydroxypentyl)- 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole, and Miso 101: 1-(1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxypentyl)-9H- pyrido[3,4-b]indole 3-carboxylic acid, and Miso 111 (diastereomer of Miso 101): 1-(1*,3,4,5-tetrahydroxypentyl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole 3-carboxylic acid. Each of the purified ß-carbolines along with tryptophan and flazin exhibited varied ABTS·+ scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities.

[Relationship between the expression of HBV mRNA in embryos and father-to-infant HBV transmission].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate father-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by detecting HBV mRNA in the IVF embryos with paternal HBV infection. METHODS: We collected 18 discarded IVF embryos (9 cases) with paternal chronic HBV infection, and detected HBV mRNA in the embryos by single-cell RT-PCR. RESULTS: HBV mRNA positive signals were found in 1 of the 18 embryos with paternal serum HBV positive markers (5.6%), but no specific HBV mRNA signals were observed in the 84 embryos of the negative control group. Follow-up visits revealed no significant difference between the experimental and negative control groups either in the rate of clinical pregnancy (P > 0.05) or in that of early abortion (P > 0.05). The IVF embryo with paternal HBV mRNA positive signals was successfully implanted, but early abortion occurred. HBV infection was not transmitted to progeny in either of the two groups. CONCLUSION: The positive results of HBV mRNA indicate that HBV can get into early-cleavage embryos through sperm and replicate there, which may be the main channel of father-to-infant transmission. HBV may interfere with the development of embryos, and even result in abortion and other adverse outcomes.

Low- or moderate-carbohydrate calorie-restricted diets have similar effects on body composition and taekwondo performance after high-carbohydrate recovery meals.

Low-carbohydrate (LC) diets are popular among general and athletic populations attempting to lose body mass. This study investigated the effect of a 7-day LC or moderate-carbohydrate (MC) calorie-restricted diet followed by 18-h recovery on body composition and taekwondo-specific performance. In this randomised cross-over study, 12 male taekwondo athletes consumed an LC (10% of carbohydrate, 41% of protein, 49% of fat, and 15.8 ± 0.4 kcal/kg/day) or an isocaloric MC diet (60% of carbohydrate, 30% of protein, and 10% of fat) for 7 days. The participants then consumed a carbohydrate-rich recovery dinner (39.2 ± 3.1 kcal/kg) followed by breakfast (6.2 ± 0.4 kcal/kg) in both the trials. Three repeated sprint ability (RSA) tests were conducted after breakfast. The taekwondo-specific reaction battery was administered before the first RSA test and after each RSA test. The participants experienced similar magnitudes of significant loss of body mass in the LC (-2.4 ± 1.7%) and MC (-2.3 ± 1.7%) trials. Fat mass and fat percentage significantly decreased in the MC trial but remained unchanged in the LC trial after body mass loss. Fat free mass was maintained in both the trials. The average and peak power in the RSA tests and the premotor reaction time were similar between the trials. The participants experienced significantly higher fatigue in the LC trial. In conclusion, both the diets can help athletes rapidly lose body mass while maintaining performance as long as an adequate amount of carbohydrate is consumed during the recovery period.

Calcitriol attenuates liver fibrosis through hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3-transactivated protein 1-mediated TGF ß1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic fibrosis is a serious condition, and the development of hepatic fibrosis can lead to a series of complications. However, the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remains unclear, and effective therapy options are still lacking. Our group identified hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 3-transactivated protein 1 (NS3TP1) by suppressive subtractive hybridization and bioinformatics analysis, but its role in diseases including hepatic fibrosis remains undefined. Therefore, additional studies on the function of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed to provide new targets for treatment. AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of NS3TP1 in hepatic fibrosis and the regulatory effects of calcitriol on NS3TP1. METHODS: Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomized and separated into three groups, comprising the normal, fibrosis, and calcitriol treatment groups, and liver fibrosis was modeled by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). To evaluate the level of hepatic fibrosis in every group, serological and pathological examinations of the liver were conducted. TGF-ß1 was administered to boost the in vitro cultivation of LX-2 cells. NS3TP1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and collagen III in every group were examined using a Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The activity of the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFß1)/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in each group of cells transfected with pcDNA-NS3TP1 or siRNA-NS3TP1 was detected. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the Student's t test. RESULTS: NS3TP1 promoted the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and enhanced hepatic fibrosis via the TGFß1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways, as evidenced by the presence of α-SMA, collagen I, collagen III, p-smad3, and p-p65 in LX-2 cells, which were upregulated after NS3TP1 overexpression and downregulated after NS3TP1 interference. The proliferation of HSCs was lowered after NS3TP1 interference and elevated after NS3TP1 overexpression, as shown by the luciferase assay. NS3TP1 inhibited the apoptosis of HSCs. Moreover, both Smad3 and p65 could bind to NS3TP1, and p65 increased the promoter activity of NS3TP1, while NS3TP1 increased the promoter activity of TGFß1 receptor I, as indicated by coimmunoprecipitation and luciferase assay results. Both in vivo and in vitro, treatment with calcitriol dramatically reduced the expression of NS3TP1. Calcitriol therapy-controlled HSCs activation, proliferation, and differentiation and substantially suppressed CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. Furthermore, calcitriol modulated the activities of the above signaling pathways via downregulation of NS3TP1. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that calcitriol may be employed as an adjuvant therapy for hepatic fibrosis and that NS3TP1 is a unique, prospective therapeutic target in hepatic fibrosis.

Dietary taurine effect on intestinal barrier function, colonic microbiota and metabolites in weanling piglets induced by LPS.

Diarrhea in piglets is one of the most important diseases and a significant cause of death in piglets. Preliminary studies have confirmed that taurine reduces the rate and index of diarrhea in piglets induced by LPS. However, there is still a lack of relevant information on the specific target and mechanism of action of taurine. Therefore, we investigated the effects of taurine on the growth and barrier functions of the intestine, microbiota composition, and metabolite composition of piglets induced by LPS. Eighteen male weaned piglets were randomly divided into the CON group (basal diet + standard saline injection), LPS group (basal diet + LPS-intraperitoneal injection), and TAU + LPS group (basal diet + 0.3% taurine + LPS-intraperitoneal injection). The results show that taurine significantly increased the ADG and decreased the F/G (p < 0.05) compared with the group of CON. The group of TAU + LPS significantly improved colonic villous damage (p < 0.05). The expression of ZO-1, Occludin and Claudin-1 genes and proteins were markedly up-regulated (p < 0.05). Based on 16s rRNA sequencing analysis, the relative abundance of Lactobacilluscae and Firmicutes in the colon was significantly higher in the LPS + TAU group compared to the LPS group (p < 0.05). Four metabolites were significantly higher and one metabolite was significantly lower in the TAU + LPS group compared to the LPS group (p < 0.01). The above results show that LPS disrupts intestinal microorganisms and metabolites in weaned piglets and affects intestinal barrier function. Preventive addition of taurine enhances beneficial microbiota, modulates intestinal metabolites, and strengthens the intestinal mechanical barrier. Therefore, taurine can be used as a feed additive to prevent intestinal damage by regulating intestinal microorganisms and metabolites.

Asialoglycoprotein receptor interacts with the preS1 domain of hepatitis B virus in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The preS1 domain of the large envelope protein has been identified as an essential viral structure involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV) attachment. However, the cellular receptor(s) for HBV has not yet been identified. AIMS: To identify a cell-surface receptor for HBV, which could elucidate the molecular mechanism of HBV infection. METHODS: A novel yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen proteins interacting with the preS1 region of HBV. Their interaction was verified by yeast cotransformation, coimmunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid assay, while their intracellular and tissue localization was analyzed by confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) interacted specifically and directly with the preS1 domain of HBV in vivo and in vitro. The levels of expression of preS1 and ASGPR in the liver were similar and correlated with each other. CONCLUSIONS: ASGPR is a candidate receptor for HBV that mediates further steps of HBV entry.

Fast dereplication of xanthine oxidase-inhibiting compounds in alfalfa using comparative metabolomics.

Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition is a major strategy for preventing hyperuricemia and associated comorbidities, such as gout. Alfalfa extract has been demonstrated to possess XO-inhibiting activity; however, the elaborate conventional fraction-by-fraction analyses hindered the identification of the active components. In this study, we established a streamlined approach to rapidly screen, identify, and characterize XO-interacting compounds in alfalfa, by incorporating protein-subtraction, mass profiling, and molecular docking analysis. Crude extract was incubated with or without XO protein before UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS composition profiling. By dereplicating the component profile of XO-subtracted extract from that of untreated extract, the targets were rapidly narrowed down to twelve XO-interacting compounds, regarded as potential xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs). Molecular docking analysis revealed that nine of these compounds, namely salicylic acid, tricin 7-O-glucuronopyranoside, chrysoeriol-7-glucoside, ferulic acid, apigenin 7-O-ß-glucuronopyranoside, apigenin, tricin, chrysoeriol, and liquiritigenin, exhibited high affinity with XO, and depicted the possible mechanisms of inhibition. In vitro bioassay further verified the XO inhibitory activities of selected compounds, among which apigenin, chrysoeriol and liquiritigenin were more potent XO inhibitors (XOIs), with IC50 of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 µM, respectively, compared to allopurinol (IC50 = 1.41 µM), the well-known XO-inhibiting drug. Together, the results demonstrated that alfalfa is a promising natural source for potent XOIs which might be applied for nutraceuticals development and that the approach used is applicable for efficient screening, identification, and mechanistic analyses of enzyme-inhibiting compounds from plant-based resources.

Identification of a novel protein binding to hepatitis C virus core protein.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is a multi-functional viral protein that interacts with several target proteins of both viral and cellular origin. AIM AND METHODS: To gain insight into the mechanism of action of HCV core protein, we used a yeast two-hybrid system to identify the core protein-interacting cellular targets. RESULTS: A cDNA clone encoding an aspartoacylase was obtained, termed aspartoacylase 3 (ACY3). Interaction between ACY3 and HCV core protein was verified using a co-immunoprecipitation assay in vitro, and a mammalian two-hybrid system in vivo. Fluorescence microscopy showed green fluorescence protein-fused ACY3 localized in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that ACY3 is an HCV core binding protein, which may play a role in the development of HCV-associated diseases.

Ketamine­induced bladder dysfunction is associated with extracellular matrix accumulation and impairment of calcium signaling in a mouse model.

Due to the rising abuse of ketamine usage in recent years, ketamine­induced urinary tract syndrome has received increasing attention. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying ketamine­associated cystitis in a mouse model. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: One group was treated with ketamine (100 mg/kg/day of ketamine for 20 weeks), whereas, the control group was treated with saline solution. In each group, micturition frequency and urine volume were examined to assess urinary voiding functions. Mouse bladders were extracted and samples were examined for pathological and morphological alterations using hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining and scanning electron microscopy. A cDNA microarray was conducted to investigate the differentially expressed genes following treatment with ketamine. The results suggested that bladder hyperactivity increased in the mice treated with ketamine. Furthermore, treatment with ketamine resulted in a smooth apical epithelial surface, subepithelial vascular congestion and lymphoplasmacytic aggregation. Microarray analysis identified a number of genes involved in extracellular matrix accumulation, which is associated with connective tissue fibrosis progression, and in calcium signaling regulation, that was associated with urinary bladder smooth muscle contraction. Collectively, the present results suggested that these differentially expressed genes may serve critical roles in ketamine­induced alterations of micturition patterns and urothelial pathogenesis. Furthermore, the present findings may provide a theoretical basis for the development of effective therapies to treat ketamine­induced urinary tract syndrome.

Co-administrating apigenin in a high-cholesterol diet prevents hypercholesterolaemia in golden hamsters.

OBJECTIVES: Hypercholesterolaemia is a major risk factor for developing atherosclerosis. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables is recommended to hypercholesterolaemic patients. In this study, the hypocholesterolaemic effect of apigenin and luteolin was evaluated in a hamster model. METHODS: Hamsters were put on a high-cholesterol diet for 9 weeks, and apigenin or luteolin was administered in the diet at 60 and 300 ppm. KEY FINDINGS: Both apigenin and luteolin supplementations could attenuate the aorta plaque formation by 30% and 20%, respectively. Apigenin-fed hamsters at both dosages displayed a 1.5-fold increase in hepatic Ldlr expression and a 40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol level as compared with those in the control fed a high-cholesterol (HC) diet. Besides, faecal elimination of cholesterol was facilitated by 20% in the hamsters with high apigenin consumption. Suppressing the expression of the cholesterol transporter ncp1l1 in the intestinal mucosa could block the cholesterol absorption and promote its elimination. The differential regulations of ncp1l1 and Ldlr appeared to be the underlying hypocholesterolaemic mechanism of apigenin in this model system. Luteolin supplementation, on the other hand, had no effect on the blood cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrated that dietary administration of apigenin attenuated HC feeding-induced hypercholesterolemia in hamsters.

The citrus flavonone hesperetin attenuates the nuclear translocation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

The environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and dioxins are carcinogens and their adverse effects have been largely attributed to the activation of AhR. Hesperetin is a flavonone found abundantly in citrus fruits and has been shown to be a biologically active agent. In the present study, the effect of hesperetin on the nuclear translocation of AhR and the downstream gene expression was investigated in MCF-7 cells. Confocal microscopy indicated that 7, 12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) -induced nuclear translocation of AhR was deterred by hesperetin treatment. The reduced nuclear translocation could also be observed in Western analysis. Reporter-gene assay further illustrated that the induced XRE transactivation was weakened by the treatment of hesperetin. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay demonstrated that the gene expressions of CYP1A1, 1A2, and 1B1 followed the same pattern of AhR translocation. These results suggested that hesperetin counteracted AhR transactivation and suppressed the downstream gene expression.