Eugenol Possesses Colitis Protective Effects: Impacts on the TLR4/MyD88/NF-[Formula: see text]B Pathway, Intestinal Epithelial Barrier, and Macrophage Polarization.

Eugenol (EU) has been shown to ameliorate experimental colitis due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. In this study, DSS-induced acute colitis was established and applied to clarify the regulation efficacy of EU on intestinal barrier impairment and macrophage polarization imbalance along with the inflammatory response. Besides, the adjusting effect of EU on macrophages was further investigated in vitro. The results confirmed that EU intervention alleviated DSS-induced colitis through methods such as restraining weight loss and colonic shortening and decreasing DAI scores. Microscopic observation manifested that EU maintained the intestinal barrier integrity in line with the mucus barrier and tight junction protection. Furthermore, EU intervention significantly suppressed the activation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathways and pro-inflammatory cytokines gene expressions, while enhancing the expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Simultaneously, WB and FCM analyses of the CD86 and CD206 showed that EU could regulate the DSS-induced macrophage polarization imbalance. Overall, our data further elucidated the mechanism of EU's defensive effect on experimental colitis, which is relevant to the protective efficacy of intestinal barriers, inhibition of oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory response, and reprogramming of macrophage polarization. Hence, this study may facilitate a better understanding of the protective action of the EU against UC.

A Novel Rat Model to Simulate the Benign Esophageal Stricture Induced by Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Objective: This study aimed to establish a rat model that simulates benign esophageal strictures induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Materials and Methods: Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into mucosal resection (n = 8) and sham-operated groups (n = 8). The rats in the mucosal resection group underwent a 5-mm three-fourths mucosal resection by way of a 3-mm incision in the distal esophagus under direct visualization via laparotomy. Rats in the sham-operated group underwent a 3-mm incision of the muscularis propria layer in the distal esophagus via laparotomy without mucosal resection. Dysphagia score, weight gain, mucosal constriction rate, and histology were evaluated 2 weeks after surgery. Results: Technical success was achieved in all the animals. One rat in the mucosal resection group died of infection, and no other complications were observed. Weight gain (P < 0.001) and luminal diameter derived from the esophagograms (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the mucosal resection group than those in the sham-operated group. Dysphagia score (P < 0.001) and mucosal constriction rate (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the mucosal resection group than those in the sham-operated group. The inflammation grade (P = 0.002), damage to the muscularis propria (P < 0.001), number of nascent microvessels (P = 0.006), and degree of α-SMA positive deposition (P = 0.006) were significantly higher in the mucosal resection group. Conclusion: A rat model of benign esophageal stricture induced by ESD was successfully and safely established by mucosal resection.

Modified Patent Hemostasis Strategy Based on the Platelet Counts for Transradial Access Chemoembolization in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Single-Center Study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the shortest compression time to achieve hemostasis and the optimal hemostasis strategy in patients treated with transradial access chemoembolization (TRA-TACE). Methods: From October 2019 to October 2021, 119 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent 134 sessions of TRA-TACE were included in this prospective single-center study. The compression time was measured by decompressing the device for 30 min, and thereafter, every 10 min after the procedure until complete hemostasis was achieved. Results: Technical success was achieved for all TRA procedures. None of the patients experienced major TRA-related adverse events. Minor adverse events occurred in 7.5% of the patients. The mean compression time was 31.8 ± 5.0 min. Factors that may impact hemostasis were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses, and a platelet count < 100×109 /L (p = 0.016, odds ratio = 3.942) was found to be an independent factor that could predict the failure to achieve hemostasis within 30 min. For patients with a platelet count < 100×109 /L, the compression time required to achieve hemostasis was 60 min. For patients with a platelet count ≥ 100×109 /L, the compression time required to achieve hemostasis was 40 min. Conclusion: To achieve hemostasis in patients with HCC treated with TRA-TACE, compression for 60 min is sufficient for those with a platelet count < 100×109 /L, and compression for 40 min is sufficient for those with a platelet count ≥ 100×109 /L.

[Effect and mechanism of acupoint injection on influenza A virus induced pneumonia in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of acupoint injection with 0.1% vitamin C+vitamin B complex solution (VC+VBCo) at "Tiantu" (CV 22), "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in mouse model of pneumonia induced by influenza A virus (A/PR/8/34 [H1N1], PR8). METHODS: Sixty male ICR mice were randomized into 6 groups, i.e. control group, model group, acupoint injection group, intraperitoneal injection group, non-target point group and ribavirin group, 10 mice in each one. Except the control group, the pneumonia models were induced by slow nasal dripping PR8 virus in the other groups. On the 2nd day of experiment, VC+VBCo solution, 40 µL was injected at "Tiantu" (CV 22), "Quchi" (LI 11, left) and "Zusanli" (ST 36, left) in the acupoint injection group; VC+VBCo solution, 120 µL was injected intraperitoneally in the intraperitoneal injection group; VC+VBCo solution, 40 µL was injected at non-target acupoints (0.5 cm away from "Tiantu" [CV 22] to the left side, "Quchi" [LI 11, left] and "Zusanli" [ST 36, left]) in the non-target point group; and ribavirin solution, 120 µL was injected intraperitoneally in the ribavirin group. The intervention was delivered once daily, for consecutive 7 days. Three parallel experiments were undertaken. The mean death rate and survival time were assessed in each group, the body mass and lung index were compared among groups. Using HE staining, the morphology of lung tissue was observed; and with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, viral load in lung tissue was detected. The concentrations of inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-10) were detected in lung tissue of each group using ELISA; and those of oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], malondialdehyde [MDA]) were detected with chemiluminescence method. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body mass was decreased and lung index was increased in the model group (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, body mass was increased in the acupoint injection group (P<0.05), lung index was reduced in the acupoint injection group the and ribavirin group (P<0.05); the mean death rate was decreased and the mean survival time prolonged in the mice of the acupoint injection group (P<0.01, P<0.05); and the mean death rate was reduced in the mice of the ribavirin group (P<0.05). In the model group, the alveolar structure was not integral, the alveolar septum was thickened, inflammatory cells were infiltrated and red blood cells exudated seriously (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the acupoint injection group and the ribavirin group, the alveolar structure was integral, the thickened alveolar septum was alleviated; and the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the exudation of red blood cells were reduced remarkably. The viral load was reduced in the mice of the ribavirin group when compared with the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1ß and MDA in lung tissue were increased and those of IL-10, SOD and GSH-Px were reduced in the model group (P<0.01). In the acupoint injection group and the ribavirin group, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1ß and MDA were reduced in lung tissue and those of IL-10, SOD and GSH-Px were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) when compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: Acupoint injection with VC+VBCo solution may alleviate inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in lung tissue of the PR8-induced pneumonia mice, improve survival rate and prolong the survival time in the case of no effect of the viral load.

[Acupuncture reduce colonic inflammation by suppressing oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats with ulcerative colitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) on histopathological changes, and levels of oxidative-stress related cytokines and key proteins of the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway in ulcerative colitis (UC) rats, so as to reveal their mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: Twenty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, EA and MA groups (n＝ 7 rats per group). The UC model was established by enema of mixture solution of 5% 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg). Rats of the control group received intra-rectal perfusion of normal saline. After modeling, the left "Quchi"(LI11) and "Zusanli"(ST36) were stimulated with EA (2-4 mA，8 Hz/25 Hz) or MA for 20 min, once every other day for consecutive 2 weeks. The rats in the control and model group were just anesthetized and fixed. At the end of experiments, the colon tissue was collected for observing histopathological changes with H．E. staining. The contents of oxidative stress-related factors as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were detected by ELISA, and the expression levels of key proteins of ERS as phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase α (p-IκBα), phosphorylated p65 (p-p65), glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK) and phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α) by using Western blot. RESULTS: After modeling, the colon tissues showed severe swelling, disordered arrangement of intestinal mucosal cells, hemorrhage with infiltration of inflammatory cell and partial loss of colon villus, which was relatively milder in the EA and MA groups. The colonic lesion score was remarkably increased in the model group in contrast to the control group (P<0.01), and obviously reduced in both EA and MA groups relevant to the model group (P<0.01). The levels of SOD, CAT, GSH and T-AOC were all significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the content of MDA, and expression levels of p-IκBα， p-p65 and GRP78, p-PERK and p-eIF2α proteins were all significantly increased in the model group relevant to the control group (P<0.01). After the treatment, modeling-induced down-regulation of SOD, CAT and GSH in both EA and MA groups, and T-AOC in the EA group, and up-regulation of levels of MDA, p-IκBα， p-p65, GRP78, p-PERK and p-eIF2α in both groups were reversed (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both EA and MA treatment can obviously alleviate colonic inflammation in UC rats via inhibiting oxidative stress and ERS.

[Protective effects of artesunate against Con A-induced autoimmune liver injury in mice].

Autoimmune liver disease is a refractory disease clinically, and there is no particularly effective drug at present. Therefore, it is of important clinical value to develop new effective intervention drugs for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune liver disease. In order to investigate the potential protective effect of artesunate (Art) on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced autoimmune liver injury, different doses of Art (27, 54, 108 mg·kg⁻¹) were orally administered to mice for consecutive 7 days, respectively. Then the Con A was injected into mice via tail vein to induce liver injury models. 8 h after modeling, the mice were sacrificed. The serum and liver tissue were collected for detecting the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST), liver pathological histopathology, inflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor (NF-κB) key protein expression level. The results showed that 108 mg·kg⁻¹ Art remarkably reduced Con A-induced liver indexes and serum transaminase levels (ALT and AST) as compared with model group(P<0.01). Meanwhile, the liver histopathological changes were obviously alleviated with a significant decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokine including tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL-6), IL-17 and a higher increase of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P<0.01). Western blot results showed that 108 mg·kg⁻¹ Art markedly inhibited the expressions of p-p65 and p-IκBα proteins (P<0.01). The specific inhibitor of NF-κB, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) could also significantly inhibit the expressions of p-p65 and p-IκBα with and alleviate liver injuries. Therefore, our results indicated that Art may have a protective action against Con A-induced autoimmune liver injury mainly by suppressing NF-κB signal pathway in mice. The study provides scientific reference for artesunate usage in preventing autoimmune liver injury.

[Effect of Electroacupuncture and Manual Acupuncture on Colonic Inflammatory Injury, Cytokine Levels and Cell Apoptosis in Ulcerative Colitis Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and manual acupuncture interventions on colonic inflammatory injury, cytokine level and cell apoptosis in ulcerative colitis (UC)rats, so as to reveal its mechanisms underlying improvement of UC. METHODS: A total of 32 SD rats were randomized into control, model, EA and manual acupuncture groups (8 rats/group). The UC model was established by intrarectally administration of 5% trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid (TNBS)+ dehydrated alcohol. Both "Quchi" (LI 11) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) were punctured with filiform needles for 20 min in the manual acupuncture group or stimulated with EA (8 Hz/25 Hz, 2-4 mA, and duration of 20 min) in the EA group. The treatment was conducted once daily for consecutive 6 days. Changes of body weight and pathological state of colitis were observed. The contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1 ß, IL-6), anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), homocysteine (Hcy) and myeloperoxidase (MPO, two oxygen free radicals associated substances) in the colon tissues were detected by ELISA, and the protein expression levels of Bcl-2,Bax,phosphorylated (p)-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappaB kinase α(IκBα) and p-p 65 (a subunit of nuclear factor) of colonic tissues were detected by Western blot, separately. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the body weight was decreased and the state of the swelling and hemorrhage of the colon got worsened in the model group, while the state of the swelling and hemorrhage of the colon was better in both EA and manual acupuncture groups, and the body weight was clearly increased from day 4 on in both treatment groups. The concentrations of colonic TNF-α, IL-1 ß, IL-6, IL-10, MPO and Hcy were all significantly higher in the model group than in the control group (P<0.01), but those of colonic TNF-α, IL-1 ß, IL-6 in both EA and manual acupuncture groups, those of MPO and Hcy in the EA group were significantly down-regulated following the intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01), and that of IL-10 was notably further increased in the manual acupuncture group (P<0.05). In addition, modeling-induced remarkable down-regulation of colonic Bcl-2/Bax, and marked up-regulation of expression of IκBα and p-p 65 proteins were significantly suppressed in both EA and manual acupuncture groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Both EA and manual acupuncture interventions Feb alleviate the colonic lesions in UC rats, which Feb be related to their functions in regulating levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, in balancing the expression of apoptosis-related protein and anti-apoptosis-related protein and in down-regulating the expression of the key nuclear transcription factors in the colonic tissue.

[Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between gentamycin and water-soluble CdTe QDs].

The water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as stabilizer in the aqueous system. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) system was constructed between gentamycin (acceptor) and water-soluble CdTe QDs (donor). The maximal emission wavelength was 690 nm, and the line width of the fluorescence spectrum was very narrow (with the full width at half-maximum about 10 nm) and symmetric. The transfer of resonance energy from the CdTe QDs to gentamycin (GT) resulted in the fluorescence quenching of the QDs, corresponding to the increase in the concentration of GT. Several factors that impacted the fluorescence spectra of the FRET system, such as the excitation wavelength (305-425 nm), pH(5.0-11.0), ions (0-0.1 mmol x L(-1) PBS; 0-0.5 mmol x L(-1) NaCl), time (1-120 min), temperature (5-50 degrees C), and concentration of GT (2-80 mg x L(-1)), were investigated and refined. The linear ranges of GT concentration were 2-20 mg x L(-1), r = 0.986 7. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for confirming the chemical construction and relative specificity, respectively. The results indicated that sulfur and oxygen atoms in MPA molecules took part in coordination with rich Cd2+ on the surface of the nanoparticles. Meanwhile the results also demonstrated that the hydrogen bond between carboxyl of mercaptopropionic acid on the surface of quantum dots and amidocyanogen of GT mainly contributes to combining CdTe with GT. The combination ratio between GT and CdTe QDs is 0.35 to 1.0 according to HPLC. GT as an enhancement has first been applied to the determination of the bovine serum albumin (BSA) labeled with CdTe QDs, and the fluorescence intensity of the labeled BSA with GT is 6 times higher than the control. The proposed method might offer an attractive potential for use in future, because it is sensitive and rapid.

[Determination of trace elements and heavy metals in spaceflight achyranthes].

Concentration of trace elements and heavy metals is an important aspect to appraise the quality of Chinese traditional medicine. Seven kinds of trace elements and five kinds of heavy metals in spaceflight achyranthes were analyzed by the method of ICP-MS. The results showed that spaceflight achyranthes contained many wholesome elements, such as Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Se and Mo, whose concentrations are 9182.252 microg x g(-1) x DW, 310.5 microg x g(-1) x DW, 24.718 microg x g(-1) x DW, 18416.97 ng x g(-1) x DW, 5518.97 ng x g(-1) x DW, 1747.692 ng x g(-1) x DW and 211.87 ng x g(-1) x DW respectively. But the content of heavy metals is also high, as the concentrations of As, Pb, Hg, Cd and Cr are 514. 332 ng x g(-1) x DW, 1657.65 ng x g(-1) x DW, 13.212 ng x g(-1) x DW, 49.22 ng x g(-1) x DW and 922.038 ng x g(-1) x DW respectively, which accords with the relevant standard.

[Effects of chemical constituent in roots of Achyranthes Bidentata].

The difference of ingredients between the roots from the SP1 plants of Achyranthes Bidentata carried by satellite and the control's were evaluated in this study. The techniques of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UVS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Xray diffraction (XRD) and SDS-PAGE were used to analyse the chemical constituent in the root of A. bidentata. The results demonstrated that the UVS, IR, XRD and protein fingerprints of the roots from A. bidentata were distinct with special characters. The difference of the IR, XRD and protein fingerprints could be discriminated the satellite plants roots from those of the control, however, there were no difference of the UVS fingerprints between the satellite plants roots and the control. This indicated that the kinds of chemical ingredients were not different between the two groups, but the contents of some chemical ingredients deceased in SP1 plants of A. bidentata carried by satellite.