Study on pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide in rats by fluorescence labeling.

To study the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution characteristics of Polygonatum sibiricum (P. sibiricum) polysaccharide administered orally and intravenously in rats, the latest quantitative analysis method was established where P. sibiricum polysaccharide was labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) in plasma and tissues. Quantitative analysis method of P. sibiricum polysaccharide in rat plasma and tissues was established by fluorescence spectrophotometry with FITC as a highly sensitive fluorescent molecular probe. The results showed that P. sibiricum polysaccharide was successfully labeled with FITC, and the degree of substitution was 0.55 %. Pharmacokinetic characteristics showed that oral administration (ig) and intravenous injection (iv) were consistent with the characteristics of two-compartment model. PRP-TYR-FITC administered orally was poorly absorbed in rats with low bioavailability. After a single ig and iv administration in rats for 8 h, P. sibiricum polysaccharide can be distributed in most tissues. The analysis results showed that P. sibiricum polysaccharide was distributed mostly in lung, kidney and liver for both routes of administration. When taking orally, the distribution pattern was: lung > liver > kidney > small intestine > stomach > heart > spleen > brain. When taking intravenously, the distribution pattern was: liver > lung > kidney > small intestine > heart > stomach > spleen > brain. Fluorescence labeling of P. sibiricum polysaccharide by FITC was successfully realized. This method was proved to be suitable for the study of pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of P. sibiricum polysaccharide in rats. The above research lays foundation for further elucidating the clinical pharmacological mechanism of polysaccharide in P. sibiricum.

MiR-181 Enhances Proliferative and Migratory Potentials of Retinal Endothelial Cells in Diabetic Retinopathy by Targeting KLF6.

PURPOSE: We aimed to uncover the role of microRNA-181 (miR-181) in the disease onset of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: MiR-181 levels in plasma and aqueous humor samples of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and healthy subjects were analyzed by microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Proliferative and migrative capacities of human retinal endothelial cells (hRECs) regulated by miR-181 were assessed. The binding between miR-181 and Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: MiR-181 was upregulated in plasma and aqueous humor samples of NPDR and PDR patients. Overexpression of miR-181 stimulated hRECs to proliferate and migrate. KLF6 was the downstream gene binding miR-181, which was involved in the regulation of hRECs by miR-181. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-181 is upregulated in plasma and aqueous humor of DR patients. It enhances proliferative and migratory potentials of retinal endothelial cells by targeting KLF6.

The association between allergy and sinusitis: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2005-2006.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between allergies and sinusitis, though extensively studied, remains poorly defined. While several studies proposed a cause-and-effect relationship between allergy and chronic sinusitis, several others reported the lack of any existing association. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between allergy and sinusitis. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a representative sample of the US population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005‒2006 (n = 7244). A self-reported allergy questionnaire and total and allergen-specific IgE levels were used for analysis. Participants were divided into positive and negative allergy symptoms groups (PAS, NAS, respectively) to eliminate the influence of allergy symptoms on the apparent incidence of sinusitis. Pearson's chi-square test and the linear regression analysis using Durbin Watson test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Sinusitis incidence in the PAS group (22.4%; 521/2327) was significantly higher than that in the NAS group (7.1%; 348/4917) [odds ratios (OR) = 3.788, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.272‒4.384, P < 0.001]. sinusitis incidence in non-sensitized and sensitized groups was not statistically different. After controlling for allergy symptoms, there was a negative correlation between sensitization status and the occurrence of sinusitis in the PAS group (OR = 1.407, 95% CI 1.156‒1.711, P < 0.01). Increase in serum total IgE levels correlated with decrease in incidence of sinusitis in both PAS and NAS groups. sinusitis incidence was significantly reduced in the PAS group in participants sensitized to allergens such as cockroaches, ragweed, ryegrass, Bermuda grass, oak, birch, and thistle. CONCLUSION: Allergy is related to sinusitis incidence. It is likely that sensitization status could reduce the incidence of sinusitis, albeit in an antigen-specific manner.