Sophocarpine exert protective effect against ox-LDL-induced endothelial damage via regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was known to induce endothelial cell injury to the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). Sophocarpine (SPC), a compound of sophora alkaloids isolated from the plant Sophora alopecuroides, has been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of SPC on ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells and explored its underlying mechanism. Our results show that SPC pre-incubation ameliorated ox-LDL-mediated HAECs cytotoxicity, DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, SPC significantly downregulated the mRNA or protein expression level of pro-inflammatory mediators (TGF-ß, IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α) and pro-inflammatory vascular adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin). Mechanistically, SPC pre-treatment downregulated IκBα expression and inhibited translocation of NF-κB in ox-LDL-mediated HAECs, overexpression of NF-κB p65 counteracted the cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effect of SPC, suggesting that its action is dependent on NF-κB signaling pathway. Collectively, SPC suppresses ox-LDL-induced HAECs injury by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Natural Variation in OsLG3 Increases Drought Tolerance in Rice by Inducing ROS Scavenging.

Improving the performance of rice (Oryza sativa) under drought stress has the potential to significantly affect rice productivity. Here, we report that the ERF family transcription factor OsLG3 positively regulates drought tolerance in rice. In our previous work, we found that OsLG3 has a positive effect on rice grain length without affecting grain quality. In this study, we found that OsLG3 was more strongly expressed in upland rice than in lowland rice under drought stress conditions. By performing candidate gene association analysis, we found that natural variation in the promoter of OsLG3 is associated with tolerance to osmotic stress in germinating rice seeds. Overexpression of OsLG3 significantly improved the tolerance of rice plants to simulated drought, whereas suppression of OsLG3 resulted in greater susceptibility. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the tolerant allele of OsLG3 may improve drought tolerance in cultivated japonica rice. Introgression lines and complementation transgenic lines containing the elite allele of OsLG3IRAT109 showed increased drought tolerance, demonstrating that natural variation in OsLG3 contributes to drought tolerance in rice. Further investigation suggested that OsLG3 plays a positive role in drought stress tolerance in rice by inducing reactive oxygen species scavenging. Collectively, our findings reveal that natural variation in OsLG3 contributes to rice drought tolerance and that the elite allele of OsLG3 is a promising genetic resource for the development of drought-tolerant rice varieties.

Remote ischemic preconditioning improves post resuscitation cerebral function via overexpressing neuroglobin after cardiac arrest in rats.

In this study, we investigated the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on post resuscitation cerebral function in a rat model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation. The animals were randomized into six groups: 1) sham operation, 2) lateral ventricle injection and sham operation, 3) cardiac arrest induced by ventricular fibrillation, 4) lateral ventricle injection and cardiac arrest, 5) remote ischemic preconditioning initiated 90min before induction of ventricular fibrillation, and 6) lateral ventricle injection and remote ischemic preconditioning before cardiac arrest. Reagent of Lateral ventricle injection is neuroglobin antisense oligodeoxynucleotides which initiated 24h before sham operation, cardiac arrest or remote ischemic preconditioning. Remote ischemic preconditioning was induced by four cycles of 5min of limb ischemia, followed by 5min of reperfusion. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by current and lasted for 6min. Defibrillation was attempted after 6min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The animals were then monitored for 2h and observed for an additionally maximum 70h. Post resuscitation cerebral function was evaluated by neurologic deficit score at 72h after return of spontaneous circulation. Results showed that remote ischemic preconditioning increased neurologic deficit scores. To investigate the neuroprotective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning, we observed neuronal injury at 48 and 72h after return of spontaneous circulation and found that remote ischemic preconditioning significantly decreased the occurrence of neuronal apoptosis and necrosis. To further comprehend mechanism of neuroprotection induced by remote ischemic preconditioning, we found expression of neuroglobin at 24h after return of spontaneous circulation was enhanced. Furthermore, administration of neuroglobin antisense oligodeoxynucleotides before induction of remote ischemic preconditioning showed that the level of neuroglobin was decreased then partly abrogated neuroprotection of remote ischemic preconditioning. These date suggested that neuroglobin involved in neuroprotective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning. In conclusion, remote ischemic preconditioning attenuated post resuscitation cerebral dysfunction and the neuroprotection was mediated partly by high level of neuroglobin in a rat model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation.

[Clinical application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treatment of adult refractory cardiogenic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical experience of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment for adult refractory cardiogenic shock. METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2011, patients with refractory cardiogenic shock required veno-arterial ECMO by failure of conventional therapy and intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation therapy were retrospectively studied. Patients with severe traumatic brain injury, advanced malignancies and multiple organ failure were excluded. Patients were divided into weaned group (n = 31) and not weaned group (n = 23) according to the ECMO weaning. RESULTS: The duration of ECMO was 24.16 (14.12, 56.75) hours. Twenty-two out of 31 patients in the weaned group survived and were discharged, 9 patients died after successfully weaned from ECMO (5 due to multisystem organ failure, 2 due to reoccurred cardiogenic shock, 1 due to infectious shock and 1 due to disseminated or diffuse intravascular coagulation). Pre-ECMO mean arterial pressure, ejection fraction, the duration of ECMO were significantly higher while pre-ECMO blood lactate [(8.64 ± 3.17) vs. (14.44 ± 2.52) , P < 0.01], the duration of ROSC [ (16.70 ± 5.29) vs. (35.64 ± 5.89), P < 0.01] and multisystem organ failure [0 vs. 17.4% (4/23) , P < 0.05] were lower in weaned group than in not wean group. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO is an effective mechanical assistant therapy strategy for adult refractory cardiogenic shock patients. Timely applying this strategy on suitable patients is crucial for the success of ECMO. Cardiac function and reversibility of heart failure are key factors determine the fate of weaned or not weaned ECMO in adult refractory cardiogenic shock patients.