Protective effects of Schisandrin on high glucose-induced changes of RhoA and eNOS activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Schisandrin, derived from the Chinese medicinal herb Schisandra chinensis, has been found to confer protective effects on circulation systems. But the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high level of glucose on RhoA and eNOS activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and how Schisandrin plays a role in mediating these effects. To find the optimal treatment time, HUVECs were cultured at a high glucose concentration (30 mM) for different lengths of time (0, 12, 24, and 48 h). Subsequently, the cells were randomized into five groups: a normal group, a high glucose group, and three high glucose groups that were given different doses (5, 10, and 20 µM) of Schisandrin. The cells were pretreated with Schisandrin for 24 h before stimulation with high glucose. The morphology of HUVECs in the various groups was assessed under a light microscope. Immunocytochemical staining was used to detect the level of p-MYPT1 expression. The levels of RhoA activity were determined using the RhoA Activation Assay Biochem Kit. The levels of eNOS activity were examined using a nitrate reduction test. The results showed that in the high glucose group, the activity of RhoA was increased and the activity of eNOS was reduced, thus decreasing the secretion of NO. However, after pretreatment with Schisandrin (10, 20 µM), the activity of RhoA was inhibited and the activity of eNOS increased, which led to an increase in NO production compared with the high glucose group. There was no evident difference between the 5 µM Schisandrin group and the high glucose group. Taken together, these findings indicate that Schisandrin can improve the function of endothelial cells by lowering the activity of RhoA/Rho kinase and raising both the activity of eNOS and the production of NO.

The disinfection performance and mechanisms of Ag/lysozyme nanoparticles supported with montmorillonite clay.

The fabrication of montmorillonite (Mt) decorated with lysozyme-modified silver nanoparticles (Ag/lyz-Mt) was reported. The lysozyme (lyz) was served as both reducing and capping reagent. Coupling the bactericidal activity of the lyz with AgNPs, along with the high porous structure and large specific surface area of the Mt, prevented aggregation of AgNPs and promoted nanomaterial-bacteria interactions, resulting in a greatly enhanced bactericidal capability against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This paper systematically elucidated the bactericidal mechanisms of Ag/lyz-Mt. Direct contact between the Ag/lyz-Mt surface and the bacterial cell was essential to the disinfection. Physical disruption of bacterial membrane was considered to be one of the bactericidal mechanisms of Ag/lyz-Mt. Results revealed that Ag(+) was involved in the bactericidal activity of Ag/lyz-Mt via tests conducted using Ag(+) scavengers. A positive ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavenging test indirectly confirmed the involvement of ROS (O2(-), H2O2, and OH) in the bactericidal mechanism. Furthermore, the concentrations of individual ROS were quantified. Results showed that Ag/lyz-Mt nanomaterial could be a promising bactericide for water disinfection.

Luteolin rescues pentylenetetrazole-induced cognitive impairment in epileptic rats by reducing oxidative stress and activating PKA/CREB/BDNF signaling.

Most antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) interfere with cognitive function, and there is therefore an urgent need for AEDs that are effective but do not have this side effect. Various studies have reported the antiinflammatory and cytoprotective properties of the natural flavonoid luteolin (LU); however, none has examined systematically its antiseizure potential. The current study investigated the effects of LU on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced cognitive impairment in rats and the underlying mechanisms. Seizures were induced in rats by daily injection of PTZ for 36 days. Two other groups were pretreated with LU (50 or 100 mg/kg/day by oral administration) 30 min prior to PTZ administration. Seizure severity was scored, and cognitive function was tested in the Morris water maze. Neuronal damage, mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, phosphoactivation of the protein kinase A (PKA)-cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression were measured in the hippocampus. Pretreatment with LU suppressed seizure induction, duration, and severity following PTZ injection, reversed cognitive impairment, reduced neuronal and oxidative stress damage, and increased phosphoactivation of PKA and CREB as well as BDNF expression. These results indicate that LU should be further investigated as a treatment for epilepsy.

Magnetic chitosan-graphene oxide composite for anti-microbial and dye removal applications.

Magnetic chitosan-graphene oxide (MCGO) nanocomposite was prepared as a multi-functional nanomaterial for the applications of antibacterial and dye removal. The nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The antibacterial performance for MCGO against Escherichia coli was varied depending on the concentration of MCGO. SEM images of E. coli cells demonstrated that the antimicrobial performance of MCGO nanocomposite was possibly due to the damage of cell membrane. This work also explored MCGO's adsorption performance for methyl orange (MO). The experimental parameters including adsorbent mass, pH value, contact time and concentration of MO on the adsorption capacity were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of MCGO for MO was 398.08 mg/g. This study showed that the MCGO offered enormous potential applications for water treatment.