Urolithin B Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Modulating Nrf2-regulated Anti-oxidation in Rats.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induces a wide range of irreversible injuries. Cerebral IR injury (IRI) refers to additional brain tissue damage that occurs after blood flow is restored following cerebral ischemia. Currently, no established methods exist for treating IRI. Oxidative stress is recognized as a primary mechanism initiating IRI and a crucial focal target for its treatment. Urolithin B, a metabolite derived from ellagitannins, antioxidant polyphenols, has demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress in various disease conditions. However, the precise mechanism underlying UB's effect on IRI remains unclear. In our current investigation, we assessed UB's ability to mitigate neurological functional impairment induced by IR using a neurological deficit score. Additionally, we examined cerebral infarction following UB administration through TTC staining and neuron Nissl staining. UB's inhibition of neuronal apoptosis was demonstrated through the TUNEL assay and Caspase-3 measurement. Additionally, we examined UB's effect on oxidative stress levels by analyzing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and immunohistochemistry analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and 8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Notably, UB demonstrated a reduction in oxidative stress levels. Mechanistically, UB was found to stimulate the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, as evidenced by the significant reduction in UB's neuroprotective effects upon administration of ATRA, an Nrf2 inhibitor. In summary, UB effectively inhibits oxidative stress induced by IR through the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. These findings suggest that UB holds promise as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of IRI.

XPS and NMR analyze the combined forms of Pb in Cladophora rupestris subcells and its detoxification.

In this study, the combined forms of Pb in Cladophora rupestris (L.) (C. rupestris) were investigated via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), different Pb concentrations (0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/L), and C. rupestris subcells were explored. Results showed that combined forms of Pb mainly account for Pb-polysaccharides (Pb-OH of carbohydrates) in the cell wall, Pb-protein (Pb-N= and (C-N-)2Pb) in the organelle, and Pb-organic acid (Pb-sulfates, (CO)2-Pb and (COO)2-Pb) in the soluble fraction. Pb-S-containing group (Pb-C-S) could formed in subcelluar when C. rupestris was subjected to high Pb stress. Meanwhile, Pb2+ could penetrate the C. rupestris cells via the formed chelate between GSH/MT and -OH functional groups. Results could help understand the role of subcellular fraction in the algae remediation and detoxification to heavy metal.

Combination of liver graft sonographic grading and point shear wave elastography to reduce early allograft dysfunction after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the performance of a liver graft sonographic grading system and point shear wave elastography (PSWE) in predicting early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: Successive brain-dead donors and liver recipients in our hospital from March 2017 to May 2018 were retrospectively recruited. All donors underwent PSWE examination, abdominal ultrasonography, and sonographic grading (grade 0 to grade 5). Donors with ≥ 10 valid PSWE examinations and a failure rate of < 60% were included. For all recipients, abdominal ultrasonography and blood tests for biologic parameters were performed preoperatively and daily postoperatively to screen for EAD. The recipients and their grafts were classified into EAD and non-EAD groups. Statistical analyses were performed to analyze the correlations among liver stiffness (LS), liver graft sonographic grading, and EAD. RESULTS: Thirty-two donors and 32 corresponding liver recipients were enrolled (15 cases in the EAD group; 17 in the non-EAD group). There were no grade 0, 1, or 2 cases in the two groups. For prediction of EAD in recipients after LT, the AUC for PSWE was 0.929 and the AUC for combination of PSWE and sonographic grading system was 0.935. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of PSWE and sonographic grading system can predict postoperative EAD in LT recipients with high sensitivity. Abnormal results may suggest a need for liver biopsy preoperatively, thus avoiding unnecessary surgical preparation for liver procurement. KEY POINTS: • Combination of PSWE with new sonographic grading system is useful for preoperative evaluation of liver grafts from brain-dead donors. • EAD is as a criterion for evaluating the diagnostic value of PSWE and sonographic grading system. • Combination of PSWE and sonographic grading system can predict postoperative EAD in LT recipients with high sensitivity.

The impact of liposomal linolenic acid on gastrointestinal microbiota in mice.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori has long been a global health issue. Triple therapy, being the first-line treatment, has caused dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal tract that led to various complications. A novel nanomedicine - liposomal linolenic acid (LipoLLA) - has been proven to have great potential in eradicating H. pylori. However, the possible side effects of LipoLLA due to alteration of the gastrointestinal microbiota remain unknown. AIM: This study focused on the impact of LipoLLA on gastrointestinal microbiota in mice in comparison with triple therapy in order to assess the safety profile. METHODS: Mice were divided into five groups: blank control group; H. pylori control group; triple therapy group; low-dose LipoLLA group (25 mg/kg); and high-dose LipoLLA group (50 mg/kg). Fecal samples were collected before and after the intake of corresponding formulas. Gastric tissues were obtained after mice dissection. These samples were analyzed with high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that LipoLLA resulted in minor gut microbiota alteration at different levels. The altered proportions in the high-dose group were higher than that of the low-dose group. On the other hand, the triple therapy group showed dramatic shifts in the major community composition. It displayed a notable boost in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes along with a decrease in that of Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes. All of them belonged to the major phyla in the microbiome. Triple therapy also led to the growth of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae_1 that may be associated with clinical illnesses. Gastric microbiota analysis reached similar conclusions. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that LipoLLA causes minor gastrointestinal microbiota alterations while the triple therapy triggered dramatic changes. Thus, LipoLLA is not only promising but also a safe therapeutic medication to eradicate H. pylori infection.