Effect of cinnamon essential oil on gut microbiota in the mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

Increasing evidence has confirmed that the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) contribute to protection against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model was established to investigate the correlation between the protective effects of CEO and the regulation of intestinal microflora. The symptoms of IBD were assessed by measuring the hemoglobin content, myeloperoxidase activity, histopathological observation, cytokines, and toll-like receptor (TLR4) expression. The alteration of the fecal microbiome composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results indicated that the oral administration of CEO enriched with cinnamaldehyde effectively alleviated the development of DSS-induced colitis. In contrast to the inability of antibiotics to regulate flora imbalance, the mice fed with CEO had an improved diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota, and a modified community composition with a decrease in Helicobacter and Bacteroides and an increase in Bacteroidales_S24-7 family and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Alloprevotella and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group). Moreover, the correlation analysis showed that TLR4 and tumor necrosis factor-α was positively correlated with Helicobacter, but inversely correlated with SCFA-producing bacteria. These findings indicated from a new perspective that the inhibitory effect of CEO on IBD was closely related to improving the intestinal flora imbalance.

N-monoarylacetothioureas as potent urease inhibitors: synthesis, SAR, and biological evaluation.

A urease inhibitor with good in vivo profile is considered as an alternative agent for treating infections caused by urease-producing bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori. Here, we report a series of N-monosubstituted thioureas, which act as effective urease inhibitors with very low cytotoxicity. One compound (b19) was evaluated in detail and shows promising features for further development as an agent to treat H. pylori caused diseases. Excellent values for the inhibition of b19 against both extracted urease and urease in intact cell were observed, which shows IC50 values of 0.16 ± 0.05 and 3.86 ± 0.10 µM, being 170- and 44-fold more potent than the clinically used drug AHA, respectively. Docking simulations suggested that the monosubstituted thiourea moiety penetrates urea binding site. In addition, b19 is a rapid and reversible urease inhibitor, and displays nM affinity to urease with very slow dissociation (koff=1.60 × 10-3 s-1) from the catalytic domain.

Modulatory effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 on intestinal short-chain fatty acids metabolism and GPR41/43 expression in ß-lactoglobulin-sensitized mice.

We investigated the correlation between the beneficial effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut microbiota composition, metabolic activities, and reducing cow's milk protein allergy. Mice sensitized with ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) were treated with different doses of L. acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 for 4 weeks, starting 1 week before allergen induction. The results showed that intake of L. acidophilus significantly suppressed the hypersensitivity responses, together with increased fecal microbiota diversity and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration (including propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate) when compared with the allergic group. Moreover, treatment with L. acidophilus induced the expression of SCFAs receptors, G-protein-coupled receptors 41 (GPR41) and 43 (GPR43), in the spleen and colon of the allergic mice. Further analysis revealed that the GPR41 and GPR43 messenger RNA expression both positively correlated with the serum concentrations of transforming growth factor-ß and IFN-γ (p < .05), but negatively with the serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-4, and IL-6 in the L. acidophilus-treated group compared with the allergic group (p < .05). These results suggested that L. acidophilus protected against the development of allergic inflammation by improving the intestinal flora, as well as upregulating SCFAs and their receptors GPR41/43.

Immunological characterization of the American cockroach allergen Per a 9 expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells.

American cockroach (CR) allergy has been recognized as important IgE-mediated type I hypersensitivity. Per a 9 is an arginine kinase, reacting with IgE in sera of all CR allergic Thai patients. Per a 9 gene was cloned and expressed in eukaryotic systems (baculovirus-infected insect cells). The expressed Per a 9 was purified by Nickel column. The antigenicities were analyzed by ELISA, immunoblot analysis and basophile activation test. The results show that 13 out of 16 (81.3%) sera from American CR patients reacted to Per a 9, confirming that Per a 9 is a major allergen of CR. The IgE reactivity of Per a 9 in the sera from American CR patients was increased 8.3-fold in comparison with the sera from healthy controls. Per a 9 at 1.0 µg/ml induced an approximately up to 5.6-fold increase in CD63 and CCR3 double positive cells when incubating with passively sensitized basophils from by sera from American CR patients.

The synthesis and evaluation of phenoxyacylhydroxamic acids as potential agents for Helicobacter pylori infections.

Two series of ω-phenoxy contained acylhydroxamic acids as novel urease inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Biological activity evaluations revealed that ω-phenoxypropinoylhydroxamic acids were more active than phenoxyacetohydroxamic acids. Out of these compounds, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionylhydroxamic acid c24 showed significant potency against urease in both cell free extract (IC50 = 0.061 ±â€¯0.003 µM) and intact cell (IC50 = 0.89 ±â€¯0.05 µM), being over 450- and 120-fold more potent than the clinically prescribed urease inhibitor AHA, repectively. Non-linear fitting of experimental data (V-[S]) suggested a mixed-type inhibition mechanism and a dual site binding mode of these compounds.

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 on miRNA expression in in vitro and in vivo models of ß-lactoglobulin allergy.

This study aims to investigate the correlation between the ability of L. acidophilus to modulate miRNA expression and prevent Th17-dominated ß-lactoglobulin (ß-Lg) allergy. In vitro immunomodulation was evaluated by measuring splenocyte proliferation, Th17-related immune response and miRNA expression in ß-Lg-sensitized splenocytes cultured with live L. acidophilus. Next, the allergic mouse model was used to evaluate anti-allergy capability of lactobacilli. The ß-Lg challenge led to induction of up-regulation of miR-146a, miR-155, miR-21 and miR-9 expression in both in vivo and in vitro, along with increased Th17-related cytokine levels and mRNA expression of RORγt and IL-17. However, treatment of live L. acidophilus significantly suppressed hypersensitivity responses and Th17 cell differentiation. Moreover, administration of live L. acidophilus reduced expression of four miRNAs, especially miR-146a and miR-155. In addition, the decreased expression of the miRNAs in the spleen of the L. acidophilus-treated group was closely associated with decrease of IL-17 and RORγt mRNA expression.

Toxic Effects of Tetrabromobisphenol A on Thyroid Hormones in SD Rats and the Derived-reference Dose.

The present study determined the thyroid hormone interference of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the derived-reference dose (RfD) of different endpoint effects on mammals based on experimental results and data collection. Based on repeated exposure toxicity tests on mammals and extensive research, the present study used BMDS240 Software to derive a benchmark dose, and analyzed the accuracy and uncertainty, and similarity with other studies. Test results on triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) demonstrated that all the indicators presented a non-monotonous dose-effect relationship clearly, except TSH in male rats exposed to 0-1000 mg/kg BW per day. Therefore, RfDs were derived from different critical effects. In summary, RfD for mammals in the present study was found to be 0.6 mg/kg per day.

Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of N-monosubstituted Aroylthioureas as Urease Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Thiourea is a classical urease inhibitor which is usually used as a positive control, and many N,N'-disubstituted thioureas have been determined as urease inhibitors. However, due to steric hindrance, N,N'-disubstituted thiourea motif could not bind urease as thiourea. On the contrary, N-monosubstituted thiourea with a tiny thiourea motif could theoretically bind into the active pocket as thiourea. OBJECTIVE: A series of N-monosubstituted aroylthioureas were designed and synthesized for evaluation as urease inhibitors. METHODS: Urease inhibition was determined by the indophenol method and IC50 values were calculated using computerized linear regression analysis of quantal log dose-probit functions. The kinetic parameters were estimated via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and by nonlinear regression analysis based on the mixed type inhibition model derived from Michaelis-Menten kinetics. RESULTS: Compounds b2, b11, and b19 reversibly inhibited urease with a mixed mechanism, and showed excellent potency against both cell-free urease and urease in the intact cell, with IC50 values being 90- to 450-fold and 5- to 50-fold lower than the positive control acetohydroxamic acid, respectively. The most potent compound b11 showed an IC50 value of 0.060 ± 0.004µM against cell-free urease, which bound to urea binding site with a very low KD value (0.420±0.003nM) and a very long residence time (6.7 min). Compound b11 was also demonstrated to have very low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that N-monosubstituted aroylthioureas bound to the active site of urease as expected, and represent a new class of urease inhibitors for the development of potential therapeutics against infections caused by urease-containing pathogens.

SNP of AHSA2 gene in three cattle breeds using snapshot technology.

Droughtmaster is a tropical breed of beef cattle that can survive in hot climates and easily adapt to torrid environments. These traits are important in livestock breeding. In this study, we genotyped five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AHSA2 gene from 190 cattle belonging to three different breeds (Droughtmaster, Angus and Simmental) by using snapshot technology. This work aimed to identify the valuable molecular marker of heat resistance in cattle. Results showed that Droughtmaster exhibited higher expected heterozygosity and polymorphic information content compared with the two other breeds. The AHSA2-1 locus deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the Droughtmaster breed (P < 0.05). Two SNPs in Droughtmaster diverged significantly from Angus and Simmental. The SNPs were identified as AHSA2-3 and AHSA2-4, which were closely linked to the three breeds based on pair-wise FST. AHSA2-4 involved a missense mutation. In summary, the GG genotypes in AHSA2-3 and AHSA2-4 may be candidate genotypes associated with heat resistance traits and may serve as valuable genetic markers for breeding of heat-tolerant beef cattle in the future.

N-monosubstituted thiosemicarbazide as novel Ure inhibitors: synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking.

Background: Identification of novel Ure inhibitors with high potency has received considerable attention. Methodology & results: Ure inhibition was determined using the indophenol method, the affinities to Ure were estimated via surface plasmon resonance. Seventeen new plus ten known N-monosubstituted thiosemicarbazides were synthesized and identified as novel Ure inhibitors. Out of these compounds, compound b5 shows excellent activity against both crude Ure from Helicobacter pylori (IC50 = 0.04 µM) and Ure in living cell (IC50 = 0.27 µM), with the potency being over 600-fold higher than clinical used drug acetohyroxamic acid, respectively. Surface plasmon resonance demonstrated the high affinity (Kd.#x00A0;= 6.32 nM) of b5 to Ure. Conclusion: This work provides a class of novel and promising Ure inhibitors.

Expression, purification and epitope analysis of Pla a 2 allergen from Platanus acerifolia pollen.

Platanus acerifolia is one of the major sources of outdoor allergens to humans, and can induce allergic asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis and other allergic diseases. Pla a 2 is a polygalacturonase and represents the major allergen identified in P. acerifolia pollen. The aim of the present study was to express and purify Pla a 2, and to predict B and T cell epitopes of Pla a 2. The gene encoding Pla a 2 was cloned into the pET28a vector and subsequently transfected into ArcticExpress™ (DE3) Escherichia coli cells; purified Pla a 2 was analyzed by western blot analysis. The results of the present study revealed that the Pla a 2 allergen has the ability to bind immunoglobulin E within the sera of patients allergic to P. acerifolia pollen. In addition, the B cell epitopes of Pla a 2 were predicted using the DNAStar Protean system, Bioinformatics Predicted Antigenic Peptides and BepiPred 1.0 software; T cell epitopes were predicted using NetMHCIIpan ­3.0 and ­2.2. In total, eight B cell epitopes (15­24, 60­66, 78­86, 109­124, 232­240, 260­269, 298­306 and 315­322) and five T cell epitopes (62­67, 86­91, 125­132, 217­222 and 343­350) were predicted in the present study. These findings may be used to improve allergen immunotherapies and reduce the frequency of pollen­associated allergic reactions.

Arylamino containing hydroxamic acids as potent urease inhibitors for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection.

A novel series of aniline-containing hydroxamic acids were designed, synthesized and evaluated as anti-virulence agents for the treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori. In vitro enzyme-based screen together with in vivo assays and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies led to the discovery of three potent urease inhibitors 3-(3,5-dichlorophenylamino)N-hydroxypropanamide (3a), 3-(2-chlorophenylamino)N-hydroxypropanamide (3d) and 3-(2,4-dichlorophenylamino)N-hydroxypropanamide (3n). Compounds 3a, 3d and 3n showed excellent urease inhibition with IC50 values 0.043 ±â€¯0.005, 0.055 ±â€¯0.008 and 0.018 ±â€¯0.002 µM, and significantly depressed gastritis developing at the dose of 32 mg/kg b. i.d with eradication rates of H. pylori reaching 92.3, 84.6 and 100%, respectively. Preliminary safety studies (acute toxicity in mice) disclosed that 3a, 3d and 3n was well-tolerated in KM mice with LD50s of 2982.8, 3349.4 and 3126.9 mg/kg, respectively. Collectively, the data obtained in this study indicate that 3a, 3d and 3n, in particular 3n, could considered as promising candidates for the potential treatment of H. pylori caused gastritis and gastric ulcer, and hence merit further studies.

Resolution and evaluation of 3-chlorophenyl-3-hydroxypropionylhydroxamic acid as antivirulence agent with excellent eradication efficacy in Helicobacter pylori infected mice.

The continuing emergence of drug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (HP) drives the ongoing need for the development of new and effective anti-HP drugs. Urease inhibitor has now gained strong interest as an alternative approach for HP infections. 3-Chlorophenyl-3-hydroxypropionylhydroxamic acid (CPH), a novel urease inhibitor identified in our group, shows impressive potency, which was optically separated for a further exploration. Here, we report in vitro/in vivo pharmacological evaluation of (±)-CPHs and the enantiomers. The raceme and the individual enantiomers significantly suppress gastritis at 32 mg/kg b.i.d dose with lower toxicity to mammalian cells (with CC50s ≥ 3.16 mM) and mice (LD50s ≥ 2338 mg/kg) than the clinically used agent acetohydroxamic acid. Furthermore, a significant increase of eradication of HP is observed for the combination of (±)-CPHs or the enantiomers with an antimicrobial. These studies revealed that CPH is a promising candidate for an alternative treatment of HP-dependent conditions by targeting virulence factor urease, and CPH may be used as a raceme.

Tryptase inhibitors: a patent review.

INTRODUCTION: Tryptase is one of the main serine-proteinases located in the secretory granules of mast cells, and is released through degranulation, which is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory disease, cardiovascular diseases, lung fibrosis and tumor. Therefore, inhibitors targeting tryptase may represent a new direction for the treatment of allergic inflammatory disease and other diseases. Areas covered: In this article, we discussed the history and development of tryptase inhibitors and described a variety of tryptase inhibitors via their structures and biological importance in clinical studies and drug development for tryptase-related diseases. Expert opinion: Initial tryptase inhibitors based on indole structure as the hydrophobic substituent on a benzylamine-piperidine template have low specificity and poor bioavailability. Therefore, designing new and specific inhibitors targeting tryptase should be involved in future clinical studies. Modifications toward indoles with varying N-substitution, introducing an amide bond, and growing the chain length contribute to an increase in the specific selectivity and potency of tryptase inhibitors. Tryptase has become the research hotspot to explore many related diseases. Therefore, there has been growing appreciation for the potential importance of the tryptase inhibitors as a target for treating these diseases.

Expression, purification and epitope analysis of Pla a 3 allergen from Platanus acerifolia pollen.

Platanus acerifolia (P. acerifolia) is an important cause of pollinosis in cities. The use of allergen extracts on patients with allergic diseases is the most commonly applied method to attempt to treat pollinosis. Pla a 3, a non­specific lipid transfer protein, is a major allergen present in P. acerifolia pollen extracts. In the present study, the Pla a 3 gene was sub­cloned into a pSUMO­Mut vector using Stu I and Xho I sites and transformed into the Arctic Express™ (DE3) RP E. coli host strain. The purified Pla a 3 allergen was analyzed by western blotting and the results revealed that the Pla a 3 allergen has the ability to bind IgE in the P. acerifolia pollen of allergic patients' sera. Moreover, the authors predicted the potential B cell epitopes of the Pla a 3 allergen using the DNAStar Protean system, the Bioinformatics Predicted Antigenic Peptides system and the BepiPred 1.0 server. In addition, the T cell epitopes were predicted by the SYFPEITHI database and the NetMHCII­2.2 server. As a result, two B cell epitopes (35­45 and 81­86) and four potential T cell epitopes including 2­15, 45­50, 55­61 and 67­73 were predicted in the present study. The current results can be used to contribute to allergen immunotherapies and useful in peptide­based vaccine designs of pollen allergy.

Expression and purification of a major allergen, Pla a 1, from Platanus acerifolia pollen and the preparation of its monoclonal antibody.

Platanus acerifolia pollen is considered an important source of airborne allergens in numerous cities. Pla a 1 is a major allergen from P. acerifolia pollen. The present study aimed to express and purify Pla a 1, and to prepare its monoclonal antibody. In the present study, the Pla a 1 gene was subcloned into a pET­28a vector and transformed into the ArcticExpress™ (DE3) RP Escherichia coli host strain. The purified Pla a 1 was then used to immunize BALB/c mice. When serum detection was positive, spleen cells were isolated from the mice and fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells at a ratio of 10:1. Hybridoma cells were screened by indirect ELISA and limiting dilution. Positive cells were used to induce the formation of antibody­containing ascites fluid, and the antibodies were purified using protein A­agarose. The results of the present study demonstrated that recombinant Pla a 1 was successfully expressed and purified, and exhibited positive immunoglobulin E­binding to serum from patients allergic to P. acerifolia. A total of 11 hybridomas that steadily secreted anti­Pla a 1 antibody were obtained and an immunoblotting analysis indicated that all of these monoclonal antibodies specifically recognized the Pla a 1 protein. These results suggested that specific anti­Pla a 1 antibodies may be obtained, which can be used for the rapid detection of Pla a 1 allergens and in the preparation of vaccines against P. acerifolia pollen.

Cyanide-bridged Mn(III)-Fe(III) bimetallic complexes based on the pentacyano(1-methylimidazole)ferrate(III) building block: structure and magnetic characterizations.

Seven cyanide-bridged bimetallic complexes have been synthesized by the reaction of [Fe(1-CH3im)(CN)5]2- with Mn(III) Schiff base complexes. Their crystal structure and magnetic properties have been characterized. Five complexes, [Mn2(5-Brsalen)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x H2O (1), [Mn2(5-Clsalen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x H2O (2), [Mn2(5-Clsaltn)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] (3), [Mn2(5-Clsaltmen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x H2O (4), and [Mn2(5-Brsaltmen)2(H2O)2Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)] x CH3OH (5), are neutral and trinuclear with two [Mn(SB)]+ (SB2- = Schiff base ligands) and one [Fe(1-CH3im)(CN)5]2-. Complex {[Et4N][Mn(acacen)Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)]}n x 6nH2O (6) is one-dimensional with alternate [Mn(acacen)]+ and [Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)]2- units. The two-dimensional complex {[Mn4(saltmen)4Fe(CN)5(1-CH3im)]}n[ClO4]2n x 9nH2O (7) consists of Mn4Fe units which are further connected by the phenoxo oxygen atoms. Magnetic studies show the presence of ferromagnetic Mn(III)-Fe(III) coupling in the trinuclear compounds with the magnetic coupling constant (J) ranging from 4.5 to 6.0 cm-1, based on the Hamiltonian H = -2JSFe(SMn(1) + SMn(2)). Antiferromagnetic interaction has been observed in complex 6, whereas ferromagnetic coupling occurs in complex 7. Complexes 6 and 7 exhibit long-range magnetic ordering with a TN value of 4.0 K for 6 and Tc of 4.8 K for 7. Complex 6 shows metamagnetic behavior at 2 K, and complex 7 possesses a hysteresis loop with a coercive field of 500 Oe, typical of a soft ferromagnet.

mer-[Fe(pcq)(CN)3]-: a novel cyanide-containing building block and its application to assembling cyanide-bridged trinuclear FeIII2MnII complexes [pcq- = 8-(pyridine-2-carboxamido)quinoline anion].

A new cyanide-containing building block K[Fe(pcq)(CN)(3)] [1; pcq(-) = 8-(pyridine-2-carboxamido)quinoline anion] containing a low-spin Fe(III) center with three cyanide groups in a meridional arrangement has been successfully designed and synthesized. Three cyanide-bridged trinuclear Fe(III)(2)Mn(II) complexes, [Fe(pcq)(CN)(3)](2)[Mn(CH(3)OH)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].2H(2)O (2), [Fe(pcq)(CN)(3)](2)[Mn(bipy)(2)].CH(3)OH.2H(2)O (3), and [Fe(pcq)(CN)(3)](2)[Mn(phen)(2)].CH(3)OH.2H(2)O (4), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The magnetic susceptibilities of the three heterometallic complexes have been investigated.